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FAQ's: Troubleshooting Regional Bgan

  1. How do I exit antenna pointing mode?

  2. When I try to install the Launch Pad software that came with my Modem, I receive an error message that I am not running Windows 98 Second Edition even though it is installed on my PC.

  3. Sometimes it takes longer than 5 minutes for my Regional BGAN Satellite IP Modem to obtain a GPS position fix even with a clear view of the sky. What should I do when this happens?

  4. Why can't my Satellite IP Modem locate itself using GPS?

  5. When I am trying to access the Control Pad, it appears to lock up. What causes this?

  6. Why won't my Satellite IP Modem turn on when I press the power button?

  7. Why won't my Satellite IP Modem stay on when under battery power?

  8. Why won't my SIM card work with the Satellite IP Modem?

  9. Why can't I launch the Control Pad from the Launch Pad menu?

  10. Sometimes the compass doesn't appear to work correctly. What should I do?

  11. What if I forget my security code?

  12. What if I forget my SIM PIN?

  13. I think that I have pointed the Satellite IP Modem correctly, but I cannot get any signal strength or the signal is very weak.

  14. Why can't the Satellite IP Modem access the Internet even though I can successfully activate the Control Pad?

  15. Why are all of the indicator lights blinking red?

  16. How do I get back into antenna pointing mode?

  17. Why does the signal quality meter on the Control Pad change from time to time?

  18. When the Installation CD attempts to install the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) version 1.4.1, it asks me for my Windows CD. If I don't have the Windows CD with me, what should I do?

  19. When I turn on my Satellite IP Modem by plugging in AC Mains, the normal indicator light start-up sequence doesn't take place. Instead, the indicator lights turn to a solid color and I cannot get the Modem to respond. How can I fix this problem?


How do I exit antenna pointing mode?

From the Pointing screen, click on the Exit Pointing button. In early versions of the User Manual, it was incorrectly stated that briefly pressing the Modem power button would exit the antenna pointing mode. This is not correct. The only way to exit antenna pointing mode is by clicking the Exit Pointing button.

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When I try to install the Launch Pad software that came with my Modem, I receive an error message that I am not running Windows 98 Second Edition even though it is installed on my PC.

Please follow the download and installation instructions below.

These will be added shortly

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Sometimes it takes longer than 5 minutes for my Regional BGAN Satellite IP Modem to obtain a GPS position fix even with a clear view of the sky. What should I do when this happens?

Turn the Modem off, wait 5 seconds, and turn the Modem back on again. If the Modem cannot obtain a GPS position fix after 2 power cycles, please see the Troubleshooting section of the Satellite IP Modem User Manual.

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Why can't my Satellite IP Modem locate itself using GPS?

You may have no signal or a weak signal. Make sure no obstruction is blocking the GPS antenna and that the Modem has a clear view of at least 3/4 of the sky. Make sure that you do not place your hand or another object over the GPS antenna. Determining GPS position can take up to 5 minutes. If your Modem cannot determine its position within 5 minutes, switch the Modem off and on again.

The Modem may be configured to use an external GPS antenna. Go to the Advanced Network Settings page on the Control Pad and set 'Switch GPS Antenna' to 'internal.'

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When I am trying to access the Control Pad, it appears to lock up. What causes this?

Make sure that you have a compatible browser and that Java is enabled. Your computer must have one of the following supported Internet browsers.

Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5.5 or later. Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 1.4.1 or later must be installed. JRE is installed by the Installation CD included with your Satellite IP Modem. If it did not get installed, it can be downloaded from http://java.sun.com/.

Netscape Communicator version 7.0 or later. The Java plug-in must be enabled.

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Why won't my Satellite IP Modem turn on when I press the power button?

This is most likely related to the battery. The battery may not be inserted properly. Remove and reinsert the battery. Make sure the battery latch is in its farthest right hand position after the battery is inserted. The battery contacts may be dirty or damaged. Check the battery contacts and clean them if necessary. If you find any damage, replace the battery.

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Why won't my Satellite IP Modem stay on when under battery power?

Your battery may need recharging. Charge the battery using the AC Mains adapter supplied with your Modem. Check the battery light or Control Pad for charging indication.

The Modem may also have been reset while under battery power. A reset occurs when the Modem to PC interface is changed or when Modem software is upgraded. Simply turn the Modem back on after the reset. Note: when the Modem is connected to AC Mains and has been reset, the Modem will turn itself back on.

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Why won't my SIM card work with the Satellite IP Modem?

Verify that your SIM card is properly installed. Refer to the QuickStart Wizard or User Manual for instructions. The outside surface of the SIM card boot should be flush with side of the Modem. Also verify that the SIM card or SIM contacts are not damaged in any way. If the SIM card still will not work, please contact your service provider to ensure that your SIM is enabled.

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Why can't I launch the Control Pad from the Launch Pad menu?

Verify that the correct interface (USB, Ethernet, Bluetooth) is chosen. Refer to the QuickStart Wizard or User Manual for instructions. You should also disconnect all other LAN connections. Make sure the Modem is the only active LAN connection.

If the correct interface was chosen, the PC may not have been able to successfully discover the Satellite IP LAN connection. Make sure the Windows network settings in the PC are set to choose IP settings automatically (DHCP). Then reboot the PC.

If your PC is correctly configured to choose IP settings automatically, you may need to reboot the PC so that it can discover the IP settings. You can also go to a Command Prompt and enter "ipconfig /release" followed by "ipconfig /renew."

If none of this works, the browser may not be configured properly. For Netscape, go to Advanced Preferences and select 'Direct connection to the Internet'. For Microsoft Internet Explorer, select Tools / Internet Options / Connections / LAN Settings and uncheck the box labeled 'Use a proxy server for your LAN'. YOU MAY NEED TO RECHECK THIS BOX UPON RETURNING TO YOUR OTHER INTERNET CONNECTION.

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Sometimes the compass doesn't appear to work correctly. What should I do?

Place the Satellite IP Modem on a flat and level surface away from metallic objects. If the compass still appears to work incorrectly, use the map in the User Manual to help determine the rough direction of the satellite from your location.

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What if I forget my security code?

Contact your service provider for help. You will need to give your IMEI to the service provider in order for them to help. You can find the Modem's IMEI on the label on the bottom of the product.

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What if I forget my SIM PIN?

When you received your SIM, you should have been given both a PIN and a PUK (PIN Unlock Key). Consult your service provider if you do not have this information.

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I think that I have pointed the Satellite IP Modem correctly, but I cannot get any signal strength or the signal is very weak.

First, check that the antenna is pointed using the correct compass direction and antenna angle from the Control Pad Pointing screen. Next, make sure that no obstruction is blocking the satellite signal and that the Modem has a clear view of the sky in the direction of the satellite. Be aware that window glass may reduce the signal level. Finally, check the antenna switch to make sure that 'L' is selected for Regional BGAN service.

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Why can't the Satellite IP Modem access the Internet even though I can successfully activate the Control Pad?

Make sure that you did exit antenna pointing mode by clicking on the 'Exit Pointing' button from the Pointing page. If you have exited antenna pointing mode and still cannot access the Internet, the antenna may not be pointed properly. Turn the Satellite IP Modem off and then back on again, and attempt antenna pointing again to improve the signal strength. You may need to reposition the Satellite IP Modem, verifying that there are no obstructions blocking the satellite signal and that the Modem has a clear view of the sky in the direction of the satellite.

The Modem network settings may not be correctly configured. Refer to the network settings supplied by your Service Provider. If you change the DNS Host settings in the Modem, you must turn the modem off and then on again and reboot your PC.

If none of this works, the browser may not be configured properly. For Netscape, go to Advanced Preferences and select 'Direct connection to the Internet'. For Microsoft Internet Explorer, select Tools / Internet Options / Connections / LAN Settings and uncheck the box labeled 'Use a proxy server for your LAN'. YOU MAY NEED TO RECHECK THIS BOX UPON RETURNING TO YOUR OTHER INTERNET CONNECTION.

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Why are all of the indicator lights blinking red?

The Modem/battery is overheated. Let the Modem/battery cool down. Wait until the Indicator Lights stop blinking red to continue.

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How do I get back into antenna pointing mode?

If the Control Pad is open, close it and then turn the modem off and back on again. If you are not in antenna pointing mode when you launch the Control Pad, the Modem may be configured to skip antenna pointing. Go to the Advanced Network Settings page on the Control Pad and check 'Enable Antenna Pointing.' Then follow the same procedure again.

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Why does the signal quality meter on the Control Pad change from time to time?

There are several types of channels used by the Modem, each with different signal strengths. Because the Signal Quality meter measures the channel currently in use, there may be slight differences in what the meter shows as channels change from one type to another.

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When the Installation CD attempts to install the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) version 1.4.1, it asks me for my Windows CD. If I don't have the Windows CD with me, what should I do?

A.) Try downloading and installing JRE version 1.4.0_02. It can be downloaded from http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.4/download.html.

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When I turn on my Satellite IP Modem by plugging in AC Mains, the normal indicator light start-up sequence doesn't take place. Instead, the indicator lights turn to a solid color and I cannot get the Modem to respond. How can I fix this problem?

This is an uncommon problem, but one that is easy to resolve. Simply unplug AC Mains from the Modem, wait 5 seconds, then plug AC Mains back.

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