Novatel U727 has built-in drivers

Published by rodfather on October 24, 2007 12:10 pm under Gadgets, WWAN

So I notice this post on jkOnTheRun announcing portable Firefox 2.0.0.8 is available.  This is handy for sticking Firefox on a thumbdrive so you don’t have to leave a history of porn links on a host machine (well, one reason).

So I figure this would be a nice app to stick in the Novatel U727 EVDO USB modem since it comes with a MicroSD slot that can take up to a 4GB card.  I ordered through evdoinfo.com who supplied a 1GB card for free.  Previously, I copied the install files from the CD to the card so I can install the drivers on any computer.  Looks like I didn’t need to.

I plugged in the U727 in my laptop so I can copy Firefox to it.  This is the first time sticking it into this machine and surprise, surprise, it comes with drivers and connection software already!  After double-clicking the ‘SMB Lite’ drive, right away it installed all the device drivers and software and is ready to be used.

  • This is awesome! I was just messing around with a crossover cable to my xp/ubuntu tower with my vista laptop and could not get it to connect (this is ridiciulous MS, btw) and then I said well let me download the software first and see if I can find my flash drive later. Now I don't have to.

    Now it is time to sync the dropbox!!
  • Philip
    If you're a minimalist, as I am, and prefer not to use the Connection Manager software at all access the connection natively you can do the following in Windows XP--I presume you can probably do it with Vista as well.

    1. (Note: The drivers *might* be on the CD--haven't looked yet--just got it.) I installed the Connection Manager software, ...looked in the program files directory and copied the driver directory to somewhere else on the computer. You can probably copy it quick enough to cancel the installation if you want. Otherwise, you'll have to remove the software via Add/Remove Programs (XP).

    2. Uninstall removed the drivers, so after a reboot (or go to Device Manager and "Scan For Hardware Changes") install the drivers manually, pointing to the driver directory that you copied to a different location.

    3. Create a dialup connection manually and use the #777 with no username or password to connect. Now you can just use a shortcut pointing to the modem to connect without having to play with the Sprint software. Can't really tell if there's a speed difference--it's the first thing I did when I got my U727.

    I keep backup images of my operating systems via Ghost so when I get home I'm going to probably be able to just skip step one and two and just go straight to installing the drivers manually since I now have a copy of the raw driver files.
  • Rodfather
    I guess it doesn't hurt having the latest version on the microSD card, but the microSD isn't recognized until you go through with the install of the 'lite' version.

    When you first connect, it prompts you to download & upgrade to the new version.
  • Rod, what gets installed is a "lite" version of the Sprint Connection Manager and we're not sure its all that good for much other than just connecting.

    Folks wanting full featured connection manager should still download the full version from sprint.com/downloads
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