E160X from UK doesn't work

[Spizz]

E160 from UK doesn't work

Hi all,

I brought an E160x modem back from the UK where it was working okay on Vodafone on a payg sim. I bought a Vodacom sim here, topped up with a 500mb payg bundle and popped it in the moded. When VMC Lite kicked in, it recognised the sim and said something along the lines of 'your settings are for Vodafone UK but your sim is Vodacom, do you want to change the settings to match the sim'?

I said yes, the device is then detected, and then VMC lite shows a 'searching for network' message until after a few minutes, a popup says the sim is not activated, contact Vodacom.

I contacted Vodacom, spent half an hour on the phone until the guy gave up and told me to uninstall again and call back later if no change.

When I start VMC Lite, it even shows the Vodacom logo in the corner, so I'm totally stumped as to why the thing wont find the network??? I even tried my contract sim in it but same results.

I've tried looking for firmware but it only seems to be E220 stuff available. My firmware is 11.604.20.01.00 and the VMC lite version is 9.3.5.11690. Does anyone have a link to local E160X firmware (don't know if the X is important) as I can't find it.

So if anyone can please suggest something to try as the modem worked fine in the UK with the UK sim, but now there is obviously a setting somewhere that I'm missing back in SA.

I'm using my laptop with onboard 3G and a Vodacom sim card to write this so network coverage is not a problem.

Thanks for reading. I'm in Hermanus if it helps.

 

[kingrob]

Have a look on Huawei's web site if you can't get their own software to overwrite the Vodafone software. I'm sure it will work then.

If your E160X is like my E172 and a Vodafone only product, you'll have to find software from a similar modem that will work on it. My best suggestion is Google.

Sorry I can't be of more help, but I'm sure there will be a forumite with more knowledge about it than me.

 

[vodacom3g]

Sure the modem is not locked to the foreign network?

 

[Iam3G]

If the modem's bought in foreign countries either just searches for the network or if it displays a similar message like SIM not found or in Spizz's case SIM not activated, the modem is most likely locked to the foreign network.

Like he said he even tried his contract SIM and it didnt work.

Remember, the Software or the Firmware or the settings plays no part in this.

EDIT: I recently had 2 customer who bought to 2 K3565's in Europe somewhere, Vodafone Branded. They came to me complaining that it doesnt work because it doesnt pick up any signal. I popped their SIM's into my modem, worked like charm. Popped my SIM into theirs, no signal.

 

[Dave]

Vodafone UK data modems are definitely sold locked, and the lock is to the network code (Vodafone = 234-15), and to use Vodacom (code 655-01) will need unlocking as even though the networks have the same parent company they have different MNC locks.

 

[kingrob]

Yep, you guys are right....it is obviously networked locked.

Sometimes I forget how fortunate we are in South Africa with no locks on mobile phones and data modems.

I left the UK in 2003 and then Vodafone charged 30 quid to unlock a phone. Luckily my SE P800 gave problems with Vodafone live software, so they flashed it with the original SE software = unlocked phone.

 

[vodacom3g]

Yep, you guys are right....it is obviously networked locked.

Sometimes I forget how fortunate we are in South Africa with no locks on mobile phones and data modems.

I left the UK in 2003 and then Vodafone charged 30 quid to unlock a phone. Luckily my SE P800 gave problems with Vodafone live software, so they flashed it with the original SE software = unlocked phone.

SA modems have become quite popular with European visitors. When they come out here they buy the modems cash and take it back with them, allowing them to travel across Europe using in-country SIMs.

Sometimes I wish they were locked though. I loaned an E220 and SIM to a subscriber as a favour and the b@stard took it to Israel and ran up a R33K bill. And when I phoned him in Israel to ask him to stop doing it, he put the phone down in my ear.

 

[Spizz]

Yep, thanks for that guys. The VMC software is Vodacom branded but the thing is just simply locked. I got a different error message using a Cell C sim, but the result is the same. No connection. Vodacom 155 said I should take it to a Vodacare shop but they didn't know if they could unlock it. I'm assuming I'm going to have to ask Vodafone themselves with a nice grovelling email. Fingers crossed though that they have the capacity because there are so many Vodafone branded items in the country.

Thanks for your time and replies.

 

[vodacom3g]

Yep, thanks for that guys. The VMC software is Vodacom branded but the thing is just simply locked. I got a different error message using a Cell C sim, but the result is the same. No connection. Vodacom 155 said I should take it to a Vodacare shop but they didn't know if they could unlock it. I'm assuming I'm going to have to ask Vodafone themselves with a nice grovelling email. Fingers crossed though that they have the capacity because there are so many Vodafone branded items in the country.

Thanks for your time and replies.

Maybe also try Huawei here in SA. Don't have a number for you, but they're in JHB somewhere.

 

[Antonf]

A friend had the same problem - cost him 10 euros for an unlock key off the internet. He is in Aus at the moment - will try to get the name of the site from tonight.

He used dc-unlocker

 

[Yotch]

You can try www.dc-unlocker.com or www.kulankendi.com for online unlocking services which do not require you to mail them the device.

There are several places that might be able to unlock it locally but you would need to mail or deliver the device to them ...
http://capetown.gumtree.co.za/c-Stu...EM-STICK-UNLOCKING-SERVICE-W0QQAdIdZ101635470
http://durban.gumtree.co.za/c-Stuff...of-USB-3G-HSDPA-Data-Cards-W0QQAdIdZ115224168

It appears that it might be possible to unlock the Huawei E220 using some free online tools ...
http://xvrsfrnssks.blogspot.com/2008/09/unlocking-huawei-e220manually.html
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=1154708

Some other ideas ...
http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=108981

 

[JimM]

I can vouch for this service http://www.dc-unlocker.com/ it's quick and doesn't cost the earth! Just make sure you download the latest client software and read any information that's posted...