Is My Modem Really DEAD, Trash Value Only?

GOCAT9 on 04/09/2017 - 11:16
Last edited 04/09/2017 - 11:20

I came back from holiday to find my Netcomm 3G19W modem powered off. Figured out that power supply was dead- so I replaced it with another.

Now modem turns on, but does not boot properly. Lights do not flash during boot, but just stay constant on. All the LAN port lights stay on permanently. Normally, they only come on when an Ethernet cable is connected with a computer!!

I have tried:

  1. Turning off, waiting and turning on again
  2. Using a different power supply
  3. With power turned on, pressing reset for 10-20secs. (does nothing- does not reboot)
  4. Took apart, cleaned as best as I could (was clean anyway), took out wifi and 3G modem daughter boards, cleaned contacts and reinserted.

None of that worked. I can't think of anything else to do!

Is it JUNK now? Appreciate and helpful suggestions from smarter people.

Computing

Comments

  • retiredfeline on 04/09/2017 - 11:22

    Sounds like it, particularly all LAN port LEDs on pointing to a chip failure.

  • [Deactivated] on 04/09/2017 - 11:31
    +4

    It's rubbish now, and it was rubbish even when it was new.

    • Baysew on 04/09/2017 - 11:33
      +1

      So was undead before and just dead now?

      • altomic on 04/09/2017 - 13:55

        zombie modem

  • Aniseed Steed on 04/09/2017 - 11:41

    Alive, and dead and undead, all at the same time.

    • toristo on 04/09/2017 - 11:43
      +2

      Schrödinger's modem?

  • abb on 04/09/2017 - 11:48

    What's the replacement cost? A skilled electronics engineer might be able to revive it, but sadly it's not cost effective.

    • GOCAT9 on 04/09/2017 - 11:53

      I think these can be got sometimes on eBay/Gumtree for free to $20, so agree not worth paying to get fixed! Thanks

  • GOCAT9 on 04/09/2017 - 11:49

    Posts indicate so far that this is NOT looking good-just as I feared!!
    Just FYI I chose this modem because I use the inbuilt 3G SIM capability. It's used at a remote location where there is no ADSL, just 3G!!

    I can't use any modem with USB for a 3G modem since it has to operate inside a metal box for security and I need to connect the modem's antennas to antennas outside the box to get signal (no signal inside box of course!!)

    • scrimshaw on 04/09/2017 - 12:45
      +1

      Why not buy a replacement? Sounds like your modem got hit by electrical surge, probably kicked the bucket because of that.

      Netcomm 4GM3W (4G) is the newer version of your device. It looks pretty cheap…. no shipping charge either. Don't forget to use 10% ebay coupon if you are buying 75 worth of things online.

      http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Netcomm-4GM3W-3G-4G-Dual-Band-AC-…?

      https://www.centrecom.com.au/tp-link-tl-mr3420-3g375g-compat…

      • GOCAT9 on 04/09/2017 - 14:36

        Ok, but those modems would not work for me for the reasons I explain in my post above since I operate the modem in a large metal box. I need the modem to have removable external antennas do I can connect them externally to the box. This one would be ok however:

        https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/322300001142

        I guess with your suggestion I could connect the USB modem at the end of a USB extension cable outside the box. However I already have SMA antennas mounted from my old modem.

  • bobbified on 04/09/2017 - 13:06

    The other power supply that you used - did you check that the voltage/amperage/watt output is the same as the original? Sometimes a slight under/over supply of power causes electronics to do weird things.

    • GOCAT9 on 04/09/2017 - 14:27
      +1

      Good point! Yes, I checked that- I used a PS from another Netcomm modem, had same rating however!

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