Using Maxis 3G SIM card on non-3G handphone

Recently, I subscribed to Maxis 3G unlimited package and in the process, requested a change of my old non-3G SIM card to the new 3G SIM card. My current phone does not support 3G, but I might be getting one, so I got the 3G SIM card now to avoid one more trip to the Maxis centers if I do get a 3G phone later. I specifically asked the customer service rep whether I could use this 3G SIM card with my non-3G phone to access internet via GPRS/EDGE and she told me yes.

A few days after, I tried to access internet via my phone, but it keeps on getting a connection error. That is odd to me, because prior to changing the SIM card it was working fine with the same settings on my phone. I called up Maxis center numerous times (I think at least 4 times) but they couldn't successfully assist me. Said that they will send me an email but I never got the email.

Didn't want to waste more time talking to Maxis customer service, I did some trial and error on my own, googled for similar cases in forums and finally fixed the problem. Here's what you need to do, if you are using a Maxis 3G SIM card on a non-3G phone:

1. Activate your 3G, by keying in *133# and then call/send button on your phone. You will get a message saying that your 3G will be activated in 2 hours or so.
2. Configure your phone using GPRS settings. An example from my phone shown below:

Name of connection: Maxis GPRS
Select a modem: Cellular Line (GPRS)
Access Point Name (APN): net
User Name: maxis
Password: wap
Domain: Leave Blank
Advanced->Use server-assigned IP address

Now if you try to connect to Internet, you will get this error:

Cannot connect
Dialed: net
Cannot connect for an unknown reason. To check your connection settings and change them if needed, tap Settings. If the problem continues, reset your mobile device according to your manufacturer's documentation and try again.

So much for the cryptic error. Now what you need to do, is change the APN from net to unet. Now try to connect again, and it should be successful. So that's all you need to do to get connected via GPRS/EDGE using a 3G SIM card on a non 3G phone.

I hope this would help anyone having this similar problem.

I don't like you, Papa!

David is 3 years+ and getting naughty. At times, I have to disciplined him, scolding him and also spanking him. Few nights ago, my wife told me that he said he don't like Papa (probably after my disciplining session with him). Yesterday, I asked him whether he don't like Papa or not, and to my surprise, he said "No, I never say I don't like Papa. I always love Papa." And I said "What about when Papa scold or spank you? You don't like Papa?" and he said "No, I love Papa. Papa scold also I like Papa". How to scold or spank him when he is so sweet? Sigh :) That's the challenge of being a parent I guess, need to know the fine line of how much to discipline a child. Here's a recent photo of him, as you can see, he's learning how to wink and loves to show that he can do it - he can only wink one side only... for now.

Disney on Ice in Kuala Lumpur - 5 April 2008

On 5th April, we went for the Disney on Ice show at Stadium Putra Bukit Jalil. David was very excited as he got to see his favourite Disney characters for real. Disney is a real marketing heavyweight, and the branding of Disney is so unique. When we stepped into the stadium, we were greeted by stalls after stalls selling Disney merchandise, from t-shirts, to figurines to play swords/wands. Of course they are not cheap, being Disney merchandise. Even a small box of popcorn costs RM10. The environment does bring out the child in you though.

We enjoyed the show and managed to take some shots, which were difficult since it was very dark and using flash wasn't encouraged nor useful because of the short range of consumer cameras. Here are some photos we managed to get of the characters. Stitch is larger than life, literally! :)

David is 3 years old!

Today is David's birthday. He's now 3 years old, and growing up very quickly. He's now very very talkative, and seems to have something to say about everything. We had a simple family celebration for him last Saturday and he received lots of presents. His favourite is a Lightning McQueen toy car from his Grandpa, and he loves it so much he is even sleeping with it at night! Today, we bought a cake to his kindergarten to celebrate with his classmates. All of them were so happy, and ate a lot of the cake! Here are some photos of our little boy.

Rocket it like Ronaldo!

I'm an MU fan, and I watched MU defeat Bolton just a few days ago. It was another show of skills by Cristiano Ronaldo and a tremendous free kick to seal the 2-0 win. Now, if you have seen Ronaldo's free kick, and you play some form of football yourself - you will know it is EXTREMELY difficult, if not impossible, to impart a top spin in a dead ball situation. I've tried a Beckham type of free kick (no power at all, even though some bend was applied), I've tried a Roberto Carlos type of free kick (again, no power at all, with the banana shot going all over the place) but it is impossible (for me!) to do a top spin from a dead ball situation.

I have never seen any other professional footballer take a free kick like Ronaldo, and if he continues on this form - I'm sure MU can recapture the English Premier League title this year, and may I dream further - the coveted European Champions League (Please don't let Liverpool win it again....). Here's a video of the amazing free kick that I found from youtube.

Baby Jaime is almost 1 month old!

In two days time, baby Jaime will be 1 month old! She's growing really fast (drinks a lot of milk!) and we're getting her ready to go to church this Sunday. Here's a photo of her in her car seat. She's starting to look like her brother, see for yourself here.

(Philips) Avent Steam Steriliser

For parents to be, one of the most important thing you need to prepare are bottles for feeding your baby. For my first child, I have used various methods from traditional pot of boiling water to microwave steam sterilizers. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.

Now, I'm using this Philips Avent Steam Steriliser.

I bought this at Jaya Jusco, list price RM359. However with Jusco card, you get a RM60 discount which means it retails for RM299. It comes with 2 bottles and 4 teats, and 2 pacifiers as it's a 'starter pack' and you are good to go. You may have to buy more bottles though. The Jaya Jusco offer is only until 16 March 2008, but I'm sure there will be future promotions as well. I find this sterilizer really useful, as we just wash all the feeding utensils, place them in with 90ml of water and everything is done in 8 mins time. Sure beats having to boil a large pot of water. And of course, microwave has it's unknown long term effect, so some people don't like using that.

Of interest too, is that Philips has bought over Avent around May 2006, so now all Avent products comes with Philips branding.