3G Code 10 hardware error

[Guy Wigg]

I recently purchased a Vodacom / Vodafone 3G card from Vodacom. To use the card they have provided me with Vodafone Mobile Connect software version 5.00.0017. This card works perfectly with my laptop. I however also want to use this 3G card on my desktop PC at home. As such I have purchased a Mecer PCI - PCMCIA adapter. I have tested the adapter with a Cisco wireless PCMCIA card and this works perfectly. When I however insert the 3G card after installing the Vodafone software, I get a hardware error. In the device manager under the multifunction adapters and modems section, everything reports "ok" for Novatel. In the "ports (com & lpt)" section however an error is reported, on double clicking, "error code 10" is specified, which according to XP implies a problem with the driver. I have reinstalled the driver without success. Could anyone please assist? The Vodafone software installs the "Novatel Wireless Inc" driver, version 1.3.5.1 date: 2004-11-09. - thanks Guy

 

[vodacom3g]

Hi, From Novatel:

PROBLEM DESCRIPTION:
The Merlin is installed as a multifunction device. It occupies one device location on its bus, but has
more than one function. Each function is associated with a driver that will service that operation.
Installation of the Merlin will fail if one of the functions is not properly initialized. Windows Device
Manager will display an error with either the Modem or Port device. Error code 10 appears in the
properties of the problem device, indicated by an exclamation mark.
To view this, follow steps below.
1. Insert the Merlin into the PC card slot.
2. Go to Device Manager. Start > Control Panel > System > Hardware > Device Manager.
3. Expand the Modems, the Multifunction adapters and the Ports category.
CAUSE:
This problem occurs because Windows resource allocation is not properly achieved.
SOLUTION:
There are three possible solutions:
First, perform an update driver, from Device Manager just incase during the initial installation
Windows did not install the drivers properly.
1. Insert the Merlin into the PC card slot.
2. Go to Device Manager. Start > Control Panel > System > Hardware > Device Manager.
3. Expand the Modems, Multifunction adapters and Ports category.
4. Select the Novatel Wireless UMTS Modem Parent under the Multifunction adapters category.
5. Right click and choose update driver from the available menu.
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6. Choose install the software automatically (recommended) from Windows Hardware Wizard.
The second solution is to manually assign resources to the Parent device
1. Insert the Merlin into the PC card slot.
2. Go to Device Manager. Start > Control Panel > System > Hardware > Device Manager.
3. Expand the Modems, the Multifunction adapters and the Ports category.
4. Select the Novatel Wireless UMTS Modem Parent under the Multifunction adapters category.
5. Right click and choose properties from the available menu.
6. Choose the resources tab.
7. Uncheck “Use automatic settings” to manually change the resource settings.
8. In the “Settings based on” drop down menu, choose a configuration that will eliminate the
error code. Usually, configuration 0004 or 0005 will work.
9. Choose OK and YES to further dialog windows.
10. Verify that there are no markings on Modems, Multifunction adapters or Port devices in
Device Manager.
If this is not successful, the third possible solution is to contact your laptop manufacturer to Update
the BIOS of the PC.

 

[Guy Wigg]

Thanks for the advise, I was doubtful that a Bios upgrade would help, but it did resolve my problem. For those of you who experience a similar problem I am using a Gigabyte motherboard. Its worth trying the Bios upgrade.