I spent the morning and some of my afternoon experimenting with installing Ubuntu and Windows on an NVMe SSD and checking out how my original X86J4105 and EM06-A reacted versus the newer examples I now have. When installing Windows 10 (build 2004 September), I didn’t need to finish. During the networking search, Windows 10 saw the cellular modem and reported the SIM card was missing on the original system with the newer EM06-A and the SIM was there. It was the same with Ubuntu.
I appreciate the issue of both the original X86J4105 and EM06-A being defective is unusual, though not unprecedented. I have been working with IBM-PC compatible hardware and software since 1982, when I designed and built an 8-channel multi-protocol serial communication card for the IBM-PC. I have designed and built dozens of embedded computers and adapter cards since, and I’m sure this original X86J4105 and EM06-A came to me defective.
I am fairly happy with the newer X86J4105 and EM06-A I have working so well. I took this outfit on a field trip yesterday, where I powered it with an OmniCharge power brick set to 12VDC, along with my Sculptor 4K DP-over-USB monitor. It worked flawlessly.