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Tutor
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1 Message
Sat, Dec 17, 2011 3:32 AM
3G Microcell - 3G Red Light Flashing
My GPS, Ethernet, and power light are on with a solid green. My 3G light is a solid red that flashes every three seconds. I use a Netgear router/modem; honestly, I'm not sure what a modem or router looks like but I plugged the microcell's ethernet into the Netgear. I've tried disconnecting then reactivating the microcell. No luck.
Any advice on how to troubleshoot this issue would be awesome. I live in the countryside where cell phone reception is severely limited. Thanks!
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a49ac
Contributor
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1 Message
9 years ago
We have 2 microcell's in 2 different houses in different cities, and within days both have switched from green 3G to red. Just Still have microcell service. Can't figure it out and seems nobody knows why either. Can't believe 2 would become defective at same time.
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midget3376
Teacher
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11 Messages
9 years ago
Well I tried your method...
I did it last night and it was flashing red this morning. I disconnected power for 30 seconds, this morning (6 AM ish) and it is currently green.
I am very interested in what can causes it to flash red, in the first place. When my first one flashed red, I called tech support, as the owners manual stated. Basically they told me it was broken. I went to the AT&T store, where I bought it, and found out it had gone out of warranty a few weeks ago. I then purchased a new microcell and it is doing the same thing.
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overclockedpc
Teacher
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9 Messages
9 years ago
As far as I can tell, the red light is a general error light. I think that light comes up anytime anything goes wrong with the Mcell (no internet connection, software update failure, etc.)
I've been trying to activate my microcell for the past week or so and I keep getting a "software update failed" message when I check the activation progress online. AT&T still doesn't know what's wrong with it or how to fix it.
I find it kind of distrubing that AT&T is selling products that we shouldn't have to buy in the first place, and then not having a clue as to how to fix them if something goes wrong.
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midget3376
Teacher
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11 Messages
9 years ago
It's still green! Let's see if it can last more than 24 hours. I'll keep you updated.
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GaMountainHiker
Tutor
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2 Messages
9 years ago
Just bought the 3G MicroCell, has not been able to establish a GPS signal even when I was standing beside it with a Garman GPS that said it saw 3 satilites and had a solid lock and location with in 20 feet. After multiple calls, the techs said they "hard wired it to my location", ran for two days and failed over night. Tech support started over at ground zero, CLUELESS of what had gone on before. Device appears to be constantly checking GPS location, stupid, when it worked going over my DSL the service was very good. When it fails the GPS check the device locks up with red light.
They are now "getting back to me" which means they are trying to re-register it themselves(sends me an email-guess they have not figured out that it tells me how many times they are trying to register it). Will give it another couple of days and if they cannot figure out how to make it work will take it back and get my money back. Appears to be VERY bad design of software and hardware interface. Since you have to give them your address, 911 needs that, constantly relocating itself is self defeating. Guess if you have a storm and it loses GPS then you have to go back thru the re-registeration process, stupid design....
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GaMountainHiker
Tutor
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2 Messages
9 years ago
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OttoPylot
ACE - Expert
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13.6K Messages
9 years ago
The blinking satellite logo means you have lost GPS, and it usually blinks green if it can't get a lock. A blinking red 3G means the MicroCell has a hardware failure, or an update (by AT&T) was attempted but failed and now the MicroCell thinks it's broken because it can't reset itself. This seems to be happening more and more with the updates that AT&T is performing in hopes of correcting other issues. However, not everyone has these issues. My MicorCell has not experienced the issues that have been, and are being, reported here. I think it's multiple issues based on your location in relationship to the towers, geography, location of the MicroCell, your ISP, router configuration, and type of phone. Way too many variables to have it work successfully for everyone. Not a very well thought out product.
___________________________________________________________
MicroCell Technical Guide by OttoPylot
Cellular Booster Guide by OttoPylot
"Quick Tips: My Microcell Doesn't Work"
*I am not an AT&T employee, and the views and opinions expressed on this forum are purely my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote, or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider, or party.
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midget3376
Teacher
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11 Messages
9 years ago
Mine ran fine for a year, then all of a sudden, blinkin red 3G light. I called tech support and they were of little help. I took the unit to the store were I bought it and ended up buying a new one $200. It started doing the same thing. I talked to my ISP and replaced the modem and because of an issue with WiFi for the iPhones, I have replaced the router.
That being said, I tried the recipe that overclockedpc posted, and it seemed to have worked.
So, if your microcell is flahing a red 3g light, please try the following and let me know what happens.
1) With the microcell flashing red, unplug the ethernet cable while leaving power plugged in.
2) Wait 2 mnutes, unplug power cable.(whileethernet is unplugged).
3) Wait 30 seconds, plug power cable in with ethernet cable unplugged.
4) Wait 2 minutes, plug in ethernet cable. (while microcell is powered on)
5) Wait 2 minutes, unplug power cable (leaving ethernet plugged in).
6) Wait 30 seconds, plug in power cable. (with ethernet cable plugged in).
This should clear the red 3g light. If it does not, try power cycling again (unplug power, wait 30 seconds and plug back in).
So we will see...
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ajesmum
Voyager
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3 Messages
9 years ago
Hi MC Users:
I am also experiencing this same issue where my MC is working fine and suddenly, the 3G LED goes from Green to RED Flashing but yet, stipp operational (able to make and recv voice calls and data is fine too). I might know what the issue is but I need some answers from you before I can conclude.
1. Your location/ State?
2. Around what time does the MC goes into this Red flashing state? anytime or or early twilight hours? Please observe this if you can.
3. When did it start? Jan ..March.April 2012?
4. How frequent does it happen? For instance, 3G LED is green then goes Flashing RED... you powercycle ..its back green ... then how soon after does it go flashing red again (but still operational)?
IF YOU CAN ANSWER these 4 questions, I can tell you how to resolve it. But I need your help to get a consensus of what we are dealing with.
Waiting on your replies! --- thank you!
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midget3376
Teacher
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11 Messages
9 years ago
2. Usually late at night
3. April 2012
4. At least daily. Sometime after it would flash, it would die.
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midget3376
Teacher
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11 Messages
9 years ago
I tried to use it this morning and I had no service and a red flashing light.
Another datat point.
I'm just restarting.
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ajesmum
Voyager
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3 Messages
9 years ago
Thanks for this information - very valuable as I consolidate the evidence. I just need a few more MC users with the same issue to answer the 4 questions.
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OttoPylot
ACE - Expert
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13.6K Messages
9 years ago
1. CA
2. Late at night
3. April 2012
4. Once only. A simple power cycle corrected it and it hasn't happened since.
___________________________________________________________
MicroCell Technical Guide by OttoPylot
Cellular Booster Guide by OttoPylot
"Quick Tips: My Microcell Doesn't Work"
*I am not an AT&T employee, and the views and opinions expressed on this forum are purely my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote, or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider, or party.
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ajesmum
Voyager
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3 Messages
9 years ago
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OttoPylot
ACE - Expert
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13.6K Messages
9 years ago
___________________________________________________________
MicroCell Technical Guide by OttoPylot
Cellular Booster Guide by OttoPylot
"Quick Tips: My Microcell Doesn't Work"
*I am not an AT&T employee, and the views and opinions expressed on this forum are purely my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote, or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider, or party.
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