A bizarre USB Modem issue with Windows XP

J

J-man

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Hi folks,

I am having a rather bizarre issue with getting a USB modem to work under winxp.

Specs are:

AMD3200
1.5gb ram
winxp home sp2
Huawei E220 Modem
VMC lite

I posted a thread on this a few weeks ago while testing a Merlin XU70 USB Modem, with the same results.

Issue is as follows:

Once the modem has been recognised, and I run VMC lite I pick up signal no problem. When I hit the connect button, and the dialog in the bottom right of the screen indicated the modem is "authenticating", winxp stops responding - no mouse no nothing, the screen freezes. At times it is immediately followed by a blank screen where the monitor suspends, almost as if it is trying to enter some sort of sleep mode or possibly reset (although I've checked in winxp and all options relating to hibernation, suspend / resume etc are turned off).

In order to recover from this I have to either ave to press the reset button or cold boot again.

One other thing that is odd is when trying to query modem through modem properties - nothing happens; no error messages of any kind.

Things I haven't tried:

Using a different USB port (why? because I'm work and I only thought of it now - should this make a difference? I've never had any issues with other USB devices, nor with the port I'm currently plugging the modem into.

Any theories or suggestions of things to try would be most appreciated.

Would the following make a difference:

Driver letter assignment?
Com port usage?
mis-alginment of the heavens ;)
 
J-man said:
Hi folks,

I am having a rather bizarre issue with getting a USB modem to work under winxp.

Specs are:

AMD3200
1.5gb ram
winxp home sp2
Huawei E220 Modem
VMC lite

I posted a thread on this a few weeks ago while testing a Merlin XU70 USB Modem, with the same results.

Issue is as follows:

Once the modem has been recognised, and I run VMC lite I pick up signal no problem. When I hit the connect button, and the dialog in the bottom right of the screen indicated the modem is "authenticating", winxp stops responding - no mouse no nothing, the screen freezes. At times it is immediately followed by a blank screen where the monitor suspends, almost as if it is trying to enter some sort of sleep mode or possibly reset (although I've checked in winxp and all options relating to hibernation, suspend / resume etc are turned off).

In order to recover from this I have to either ave to press the reset button or cold boot again.

One other thing that is odd is when trying to query modem through modem properties - nothing happens; no error messages of any kind.

Things I haven't tried:

Using a different USB port (why? because I'm work and I only thought of it now - should this make a difference? I've never had any issues with other USB devices, nor with the port I'm currently plugging the modem into.

Any theories or suggestions of things to try would be most appreciated.

Would the following make a difference:

Driver letter assignment?
Com port usage?
mis-alginment of the heavens ;)
Click to expand...

We've been seeing these since Pluto was demoted, so you might have a point there ;)

I'd look at the usual suspects:

1) Software on your PC that tries to take control of the mounted CD drive, the E220 presents to the OS. DVD/CD writers, Media players, Virus scanners, file managers. Basically anything that might feel it should get involved with a CD drive.

2) USB drivers

3) Motherboard BIOS.
 
1. Do you get the same symptoms when taking the same USB modem and cable over to another PC?

2. Remove all and any other USB devices, and try the modem in the different USB ports to see if it makes a difference or not.

3. @ v3g - Gut feeling says that probably what happens is that the modem does not get enough juice from the USB port, and scrambles up - this causes winXP to lock up. Maybe this can be verified with a PC on which the same modem works 100% versus a PC on which the modem keeps on failing?
 
vodacom3g said:
We've been seeing these since Pluto was demoted, so you might have a point there ;)

I'd look at the usual suspects:

1) Software on your PC that tries to take control of the mounted CD drive, the E220 presents to the OS. DVD/CD writers, Media players, Virus scanners, file managers. Basically anything that might feel it should get involved with a CD drive.

2) USB drivers

3) Motherboard BIOS.
Click to expand...

Ja i was thinking a driver issues as well.

What version of VMCLite are you running?
 
The_Librarian said:
3. @ v3g - Gut feeling says that probably what happens is that the modem does not get enough juice from the USB port, and scrambles up - this causes winXP to lock up. Maybe this can be verified with a PC on which the same modem works 100% versus a PC on which the modem keeps on failing?
Click to expand...

Good point, that's why the USB modem ships with a cable with 2 USB connectors, so you can get proper power on systems that can't supply enough juice from just one USB port.

Could be as the transmitter turns on in the modem, it pulls the bus down.

J-man, try the 2-connector USB cable.
 
The Librarian said:
1. Do you get the same symptoms when taking the same USB modem and cable over to another PC?
Click to expand...

No - works fine on other machines no problem...

Iam3G said:
What version of VMCLite are you running?
Click to expand...

Not sure - this is a new USB modem, and the version I'm running came with the modem. will check though. Should I download a copy from the website just to be safe, and if so which one?

2. Remove all and any other USB devices, and try the modem in the different USB ports to see if it makes a difference or not.
Click to expand...

J-man, try the 2-connector USB cable.
Click to expand...

Ok lads - going to try these two suggestions tonight, and see how we go..

Thanks very much all - much appreciated!
 
If all else fails...

Try updating your mobo BIOS.

It's worth a shot - I had a video card crash on me continiously playing 1 particular game. First thoughts were power issues then maybe card issues.

Turns out the new mobo BIOS included some small but vital tweaks (no mention made on the companies site :confused: )
 
thanks to all - two usb connectors did the trick - I am in business :)
 
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