Problem connecting to Optus with HUAWEI E160E HSDPA USB stick

[Jimbo]

I found the posting http://www.pclinuxos.com/forum/index.php/topic,84078.0.html very helpful, and now get to the stage where everything says I am connected, but I can't load any pages.  Other connections to the net are fine, so it's not a system problem.
Any ideas?

[smcs_steve]

Jimbo,
Is yours Optus prepay or a monthly contract?
>Steve

[Jimbo]

It's a monthly contract.

[smcs_steve]

Did you activate your account (@Vodafone web page)?

[Jimbo]

Yes, currently using it in W7 (dual-boot same laptop).

[Jimbo]

Hmmm, well, after thinking it over again, I decided to reboot into PCLOS and remove the firewall, then try again.  This time it worked!
Don't like being online without a firewall, so switched it back on again from the CC, and it's still working!
Beats me - but it's nice to be online in linux, not W.
Thanks for your suggestions Steve, and for your fine input in the afore-mentioned post about UMTSmon.

[smcs_steve]

Jimbo,  You're welcome!
BTW there were other methods mentioned that were also valid... 
Thanks for your comments re- the firewall.
>Steve