IREX DR800SG 3G woes

GregorRichards · 08-08-2011, 07:52 PM

Hey folks, remember me?

After IREX folded I decided to Kindle for a bit. Then I came to the realization that the Kindle is completely terrible and I missed my DR800SG ... I looked to see if there was a new system with roughly the same configuration (screen size in particular), but found that IREX is the only company ever to have produced this size with an electronic paper display (unless I'm missing something). Which is weird since the screen size is ideal; small enough to tote with no issue, large enough to read half a letter-sized page (minus margins).

Anyway, enough nostalgia. I brought my DR800SG out from the dust-bunnies, charged it, upgraded its firmware and transferred my books and papers. Then, just for yukks, I tried to bring it online, to see if I could access the B&N stuff directly still (or anything else for that matter). That's where the fun ended :P

Has Verizon canceled the 3G accounts for DR800SGs or is mine busted? Trying to connect, I get one of two cryptic errors. Usually it's "Activation failed", but sometimes it's "No 3G device found" (scary).

Otherwise I'm happy. All my stuff still works. It's only too bad that IREX is gone.

HansTWN · 08-08-2011, 10:02 PM

With Irex gone nobody is left to pay for the 3G data. Hence the accounts have been canceled.

fekhner · 08-09-2011, 04:20 AM

Maybe one could make 3G work again by inserting a functioning card by another provider. This would most probably require to port/change the application that controls it, but since you have been able to do something like that with usbnet hint, hint

... than one could freely use midori for instance!

[Here in Europe, the error message is "No networks can be found at this time. Please try again later."]

Shaggy · 08-09-2011, 04:07 PM

As others have mentioned already, Verizon dropped all of the 3G accounts since they were owned by iRex.

fekhner, iRex has hinted in the past that this should be theoretically possible. Some software changes would be necessary though. There was a thread about it on the iRex forum a long time ago, but unfortunately none of those posts exist anymore.

That's one of the nice things about WiFi on the iLiad vs 3G on the DR800. The WiFi still works!

fekhner · 08-09-2011, 04:24 PM

Right, in fact I have just inserted a 3G enabled SIM card in the empty slot and the Download manager is not able to control it out of the box: it still says first "searching for networks" and then "No networks can be found at this time. Please try again later".

Shaggy · 08-09-2011, 04:55 PM

iRex was working to get agreements in place with other providers besides Verizon, which is why the hardware was designed to use a SIM card. However, the only one they ever worked out business agreements for was Verizon, so there may be software issues still remaining. I assume that if they eventually had worked out something with AT&T/etc that a firmware update would be required.

One warning they gave on their forum when this came up, was that some providers not only look at whether or not the SIM is authorized on their network, but also somehow know what device it is being used in. They cautioned that a provider might block your SIM if they see it being used in an unknown device.

I don't know much about the technical details myself, so can't say if that's really true or not, or what the risk would be. Just passing it on as something they said about user community developers working on ways to get the DR800 using another 3G network.

08-08-2011, 07:52 PM	#1
GregorRichards Connoisseur Posts: 60 Karma: 151 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: DR800SG	IREX DR800SG 3G woes Hey folks, remember me? After IREX folded I decided to Kindle for a bit. Then I came to the realization that the Kindle is completely terrible and I missed my DR800SG ... I looked to see if there was a new system with roughly the same configuration (screen size in particular), but found that IREX is the only company ever to have produced this size with an electronic paper display (unless I'm missing something). Which is weird since the screen size is ideal; small enough to tote with no issue, large enough to read half a letter-sized page (minus margins). Anyway, enough nostalgia. I brought my DR800SG out from the dust-bunnies, charged it, upgraded its firmware and transferred my books and papers. Then, just for yukks, I tried to bring it online, to see if I could access the B&N stuff directly still (or anything else for that matter). That's where the fun ended :P Has Verizon canceled the 3G accounts for DR800SGs or is mine busted? Trying to connect, I get one of two cryptic errors. Usually it's "Activation failed", but sometimes it's "No 3G device found" (scary). Otherwise I'm happy. All my stuff still works. It's only too bad that IREX is gone.

08-09-2011, 04:20 AM	#3
fekhner Addict Posts: 326 Karma: 6908 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: DRs, EE, ipad/iphone, Helix	Maybe one could make 3G work again by inserting a functioning card by another provider. This would most probably require to port/change the application that controls it, but since you have been able to do something like that with usbnet hint, hint ... than one could freely use midori for instance! [Here in Europe, the error message is "No networks can be found at this time. Please try again later."] Last edited by fekhner; 08-09-2011 at 06:56 PM.

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08-08-2011, 10:02 PM	#2
HansTWN Wizard Posts: 4,538 Karma: 264065402 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Taiwan Device: HP Touchpad, Sony Duo 13, Lumia 920, Kobo Aura HD	With Irex gone nobody is left to pay for the 3G data. Hence the accounts have been canceled.

08-09-2011, 04:07 PM	#4
Shaggy Wizard Posts: 4,293 Karma: 529619 Join Date: May 2007 Device: iRex iLiad, DR800SG	As others have mentioned already, Verizon dropped all of the 3G accounts since they were owned by iRex. fekhner, iRex has hinted in the past that this should be theoretically possible. Some software changes would be necessary though. There was a thread about it on the iRex forum a long time ago, but unfortunately none of those posts exist anymore. That's one of the nice things about WiFi on the iLiad vs 3G on the DR800. The WiFi still works!

08-09-2011, 04:24 PM	#5
fekhner Addict Posts: 326 Karma: 6908 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: DRs, EE, ipad/iphone, Helix	Right, in fact I have just inserted a 3G enabled SIM card in the empty slot and the Download manager is not able to control it out of the box: it still says first "searching for networks" and then "No networks can be found at this time. Please try again later".

08-09-2011, 04:55 PM	#6
Shaggy Wizard Posts: 4,293 Karma: 529619 Join Date: May 2007 Device: iRex iLiad, DR800SG	iRex was working to get agreements in place with other providers besides Verizon, which is why the hardware was designed to use a SIM card. However, the only one they ever worked out business agreements for was Verizon, so there may be software issues still remaining. I assume that if they eventually had worked out something with AT&T/etc that a firmware update would be required. One warning they gave on their forum when this came up, was that some providers not only look at whether or not the SIM is authorized on their network, but also somehow know what device it is being used in. They cautioned that a provider might block your SIM if they see it being used in an unknown device. I don't know much about the technical details myself, so can't say if that's really true or not, or what the risk would be. Just passing it on as something they said about user community developers working on ways to get the DR800 using another 3G network.

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