Cat Cdma Card + Windows Vista

[Entrep]

On the CAT wireless CDMA card (aircard 580) box it says "Do not support Windows Vista".

I am curious as to whether anyone has found a work around for this so that you can use it with Windows Vista? I haven't used Vista yet myself, but just got a free copy courtesy of a new laptop. I can't think of a reason why there wouldn't be some sort of way you can get them going...

Cheers.

[naka]

On the CAT wireless CDMA card (aircard 580) box it says "Do not support Windows Vista".

I am curious as to whether anyone has found a work around for this so that you can use it with Windows Vista? I haven't used Vista yet myself, but just got a free copy courtesy of a new laptop. I can't think of a reason why there wouldn't be some sort of way you can get them going...

Cheers.

Well, I googled it and this was the first link

Sierra 580

Naka.

[george]

Will the Vista compatible driver work if you just download it? I thought both driver and card was locked, e g you need to get these direct from CAT.

[ozymandious]

Entrep, the other thing to be aware of is that the CAT air card (aircard 580) is a PCMCIA card and most newer laptops come with an express card slot. The PC card doesn't connect into the express slot. (My friend has had this problem when he upgraded to his new HP laptop) Check which slot your laptop has.

-Ozy

[Entrep]

Entrep, the other thing to be aware of is that the CAT air card (aircard 580) is a PCMCIA card and most newer laptops come with an express card slot. The PC card doesn't connect into the express slot. (My friend has had this problem when he upgraded to his new HP laptop) Check which slot your laptop has.

-Ozy

Thanks, I am using the card now in my laptop under Windows XP. I only want to install Vista on this laptop if the card will work... depends whether I want to risk the pain in the ass of installing Vista, finding the card not working, and then having to reinstall XP.

Anyone else with Vista want to be a guinea pig?

[rooster80]

I use the Sierra Wireless 580 Aircard with Vista.

Here is the thing.

If you do a clean install of Vista on your laptop, the card won't install properly. Vista doesn't have the drivers.

The easiest way to work around it is to install the aircard on XP then do a upgrade to Vista. That way your machine will keep the drivers from XP and the card will work like a charm!

CAT still hasn't started charging the monthly fee yet, so the aircard is a brilliant solution here on the island. I have had the card now for 7 months, and even though I was only suposed to get the first 2 months free of charge, they are still not charging any monthy fees! Not very Thai of them hugh?! I got a letter saying the connection isn't good enough yet, but it beats ADSL from TT&T and TOT by miles!

Enjoy.

[andzia]

I am just about to buy a new laptop with Vista Home Premium preinstalled and I am worried about your suggestion that the AirCard 580 driver won't work. Argh!!!!!!!!! R u sure???

Any different experiences?

[merijn]

As the Cat Sierra Aircard is preconfigured you can’t use a general Vista driver because the network will not recognise the card any more.

You have to download the Sierra Vista driver from the CAT website at http://www.catcdma.com/download/index.html en install it on your computer.

I used my card first with XP and now on my new computer with Vista Ultimate and it works the same as before.

[andzia]

As the Cat Sierra Aircard is preconfigured you can't use a general Vista driver because the network will not recognise the card any more.

You have to download the Sierra Vista driver from the CAT website at http://www.catcdma.com/download/index.html en install it on your computer.

I used my card first with XP and now on my new computer with Vista Ultimate and it works the same as before.

Thank you. That's very helpful (and a relief!!!)

[GraemeF]

I am looking into the best way to get internet in my villa in cherngtalay, mainly needed for logging into my exchange server in Singapore. Is this card the most effective/cheapest way to go. I am only in phuket once every two months so dont want to be bogged down withemonthly fees when I am not there.

Any advice appreciated !

[george]

I'm using the above Vista driver on my laptop and it works great.

[Abrak]

Can someone tell me about coverage of this network. I know it is good in Phuket but has it gone nationwide? Is it available in Bangkok and upcountry?

[merijn]

At this moment the CAT Cmda is only working in Phuket and only where there is GSM coverage. CAT will come to your house and check after which you can decide if you take it or not.

[geoffphuket]

At this moment the CAT Cmda is only working in Phuket and only where there is GSM coverage. CAT will come to your house and check after which you can decide if you take it or not.

WRONG ! CAT CDMA works in various locations in Thailand - It's not exclusive to Phuket. The staff at the office in Phuket town will make a complete refund if the equipment is brought back by 2.00pm the same day. I wasn't offered a home visit.

[geoffphuket]

As the Cat Sierra Aircard is preconfigured you can't use a general Vista driver because the network will not recognise the card any more.

You have to download the Sierra Vista driver from the CAT website at <a href="http://www.catcdma.com/download/index.html" target="_blank">http://www.catcdma.com/download/index.html</a> en install it on your computer.

I used my card first with XP and now on my new computer with Vista Ultimate and it works the same as before.

Thank you. That's very helpful (and a relief!!!)

I've just downloaded the 580 Vista driver from CAT and it appears to be a disc image, however Nero rejects it as 'Unexpected file format' Now what ?