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bxf · Guest

I use a CDMA USB modem with my laptop. This gadget is capable of
2.4mbps, but the maximum I've achieved to date is about 500kbps, but
that's another story. The hardware can be set to work at 1X mode
(slow) or EVDO mode (fast). One would select the mode that is
compatible with the service available in one's area (I have EVDO).

My problem, which OCCURS ON BOTH of my very different laptops, is
this: almost every night between 03:00 and 04:00, I lose my
connection. Now, this is not the only time my connection drops, but
the ones that occur at this particular time are different from the
"normal" ones.

Normally, when my connection drops, Windows simply redials, and we
merrily continue where we were. The problematic connection loss has
the following symptoms:

- there is no automatic redialing, and if I don't happen to notice
that my connection icon has disappeared, I am not aware that I'm not
connected.

- when I use my core2-duo laptop in EVDO (i.e. fast) mode, instead of
the connection merely dropping, my machine freezes completely. I
ASSUME this is a modem driver problem.

So the question is: given that redialing/reconnection normally works,
what type of event can cause a disconnection that would result in
failure to redial?

I was convinced that my ISP was doing something nightly that caused my
problem, but they are adamant that such is not the case. The one thing
that I suppose I should mention is the fact that, quite regularly,
there is a helicopter noise coming early in the morning. I haven't yet
worked at establishing a relationship between my disconnection and the
helicopter sound, but I intend to do so as of tonight. Does anybody
have any thoughts on whether or not it's possible for a helicopter to
create such interference that would result in a loss of connection?

Thanks for any input.