Vodafone Mobile Connect cap eating problem

[Obi Two Kenobi]

My dad recently bought a Vodafone Mobile Connect usb modem from Vodacom. It's on contract with 250 mb per month. Now, even though automatic updates are turned off as well as the AVG updates, it keeps on using cap by itself.

I've tried it on my PC and set the cap limit to 5 mb and after connecting, the 5mb is done in under 5 minutes without me doing anything, no updates and opening web pages.

[dammit]

Do you have any torrent programmes on your pc?

[Obi Two Kenobi]

Nope, I don't torrent

[Nandrew]

There was actually a lovely little article in the December SACM which gave a few pointers for limiting your bandwidth use, so mebbe try getting the ZoneAlarm firewall to start with:

http://www.zonealarm.com/security/en-us/home.htm

You'll be presented with a confirmation window whenever *any* application/service/whatever tries to access the Internet (these will be whittled down as you continue use). Then you should be able to pinpoint any unexpected services / mystery applications that are chowing the bandwidth for whatever reason.

Of course, your problem sounds a bit weirder than that, so Idunno -- I'm assuming that different connections on the same PC have caused no bandwidth inflation, yes? A quick google didn't show me anything helpful. Additionally, I've just started using a Vodacom phone as a modem and have checked the bandwidth use there -- didn't have any inflation. So I don't think that it's a network issue.

[GeometriX]

Lolvirus/spyware/porn downloader. Or it's **** like steam/ea downloader. Get netlimiter monitor, google the link. It'll tell you exactly what's using your interwebz.

[Obi Two Kenobi]

@ Nadrew
The problem occurs on my sister's pc as well, that's 3 pc now (seriously weird). Thanks for the input

@Geometrix. Thanks, I really hope that helps!

[Anteejay]

Could be trying to update it's own software. My E172 does that sometimes. I've been searching for a free bandwidth limiter for a while now with no luck :( Had Sygate personal firewal a long time ago but that is no longer maintained and does not work on Vista.

[wir]

Look for a program called NetPeeker, it's been long since I've used it - but to my knowledge, it shows every process on your PC and what its network activity is.

[Tigman_1]

I know this hasn't got any help but it's also an issue with Vodacom. My dad has a 3G card and he is currently on a data bundle. Every month he will purchase say 500mb credit. At the end of the month it wipes clean. So if he used 1mb that month and had 499 left, he would have 0 left at the beginning of the new month.

This is so stupid of Vodacom. I mean, if you purchase 500MB, you can't just take it away, you payed for the freaking thing.

As for the problem, take it to a Vodacom store, plug it in there pc, let it download, then ask for a refund for the last 5months :) or how ever long.

EDIT: Just one quick question, do those 'compressing speed ADSl' programs actually work?

[MrDeVil_909]

I know this hasn't got any help but it's also an issue with Vodacom. My dad has a 3G card and he is currently on a data bundle. Every month he will purchase say 500mb credit. At the end of the month it wipes clean. So if he used 1mb that month and had 499 left, he would have 0 left at the beginning of the new month.

This is so stupid of Vodacom. I mean, if you purchase 500MB, you can't just take it away, you payed for the freaking thing.

As for the problem, take it to a Vodacom store, plug it in there pc, let it download, then ask for a refund for the last 5months :) or how ever long.

That's how the system works, it's the same with any subscription. ADSL does the same.

EDIT: Just one quick question, do those 'compressing speed ADSl' programs actually work?

They don't.

[ioiiooio]

That's how the system works, it's the same with any subscription. ADSL does the same.

I'm not sure, but I remember at my old work any unused cap
would carry over (although this was rarely the case, which is why I'm not entirely sure). We used M-Web on a Telkom line.

I think you should carry over cap. IMO it's bull**** and is one of the major factors in preventing me from getting connected myself.

[dammit]

I'm not sure, but I remember at my old work any unused cap
would carry over (although this was rarely the case, which is why I'm not entirely sure). We used M-Web on a Telkom line.

I think you should carry over cap. IMO it's bull**** and is one of the major factors in preventing me from getting connected myself.

Mweb will only carry over anything left over from a booster and not from your original cap. The carry over is also only valid for the very next month.

[The_Q?]

I've also experienced this, though with no where near the severity the op states. I've left it on for an hour without doing anything and it magically used on it's own just over 2mb. Though my setup is a little different: I've got a Dell XPS 1330 (or 1300? can't remember now :?) with a slot for the sim built in. I bought a pre-paid Vodacom sim & stuck it in. Every month I buy some airtime and convert to a Data Bundle and use that.

One question though, this month there was no data bundle option available higher than 1GB. I normally get 2GB a month but this month it wasn't there. Has Vodacom dropped all data bundle offerings more than 1GB?

[Anteejay]

One question though, this month there was no data bundle option available higher than 1GB. I normally get 2GB a month but this month it wasn't there. Has Vodacom dropped all data bundle offerings more than 1GB?

I don't think so... Worked for me anyways.

[Nandrew]

One question though, this month there was no data bundle option available higher than 1GB. I normally get 2GB a month but this month it wasn't there. Has Vodacom dropped all data bundle offerings more than 1GB?

Odd, I went on today and found up to 10GB bundles.

[Anteejay]

Uhm... the +1GB bundles are on the second page if you use *111# :P

[The_Q?]

Uhm... the +1GB bundles are on the second page if you use *111# :P

Oh... *weeps*

Didn't they used to be one the first page though?

[Anteejay]

Oh... *weeps*

Didn't they used to be one the first page though?

You've got to be kidding me. :D No, they've always been on the second. Well, happens to all of us uh guess.

[EDIT] WHY SMILEY NO WORK?!?!?! :'( :D :) :( < See? There's a BIG GRIN smiley preceding these two! They've taken away my... emotion.

[The_Q?]

You've got to be kidding me. :D No, they've always been on the second. Well, happens to all of us uh guess.

[EDIT] WHY SMILEY NO WORK?!?!?! :'( :D :) :( < See? There's a BIG GRIN smiley preceding these two! They've taken away my... emotion.

Srsly!? Always on the second? Maybe it differs with representation of different phones? Could that be it? Cause this month I used another phone to do it... hmm...

[Anteejay]

Srsly!? Always on the second? Maybe it differs with representation of different phones? Could that be it? Cause this month I used another phone to do it... hmm...

Ahh yes, that seems probable. Now onto more pressing matters! The lack of the BIG GRIN SMILEY! > :D < See? Oh wait, offtopic