e220 Frequent "device not available"

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capdog

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Hi everyone

I use my Huawei e220 for Vodacom and MTN, which both have their own problems, but lately I've been using my Virgin sim card. It works fine on the edge network, but Mobile Partner reports the message "Device disconnected or unavailable" every hour or so!

I then have to unplug the e220 and replug it into a different USB port, and it works again.

This is definitely an issue with either EDGE capabilities of the e220 or the Virgin network. Anybody else experienced this?

I wish I could work out why it's kicking me off!

Cheers
Mark
 
Sounds like Virgin service again. You don't have to use a different USB port, it's the unplugging and pluggin that is clearing the problem after the network disconnect. Try MTN.
 
I agree with Skeptik, same thing happened to me with my E220 on VM EDGE & VC EDGE but not with MTN EDGE.
 
@capdog, what firmware version does your E220 have, and what type of VM SIM Card are you using, e.g. 32K|64K|128K?
 
ic> I'm not sure what Sim Card, how do I check?

I'm using the latest Mobile Partner 11.002.03.16.03

Like the others said, this doesn't happen with MTN or Vodacom sim cards. The only reason I don't use MTN permanently is because they are having some problems suddenly (but not the same thing - with MTN it doesn't physically disconnect the device, it just stops sending / recieving data)

Thanks for the help
 
How old is the sim. The newer ones have a 128k written on the starter pack. If unsure, take it in to a Virgin shop or big Musica for a sim swap (free). Or just be sensible and chuck it in the drain on the way to the shop and go for a 99c MTN SIM and a decent bundle.:D
 
11.110.01.03.00 is the firmware version.

Thanks I think it's not a 128k cause i got it ages ago when Vmobile first launched. I'll take it for a swop!
 
capdog said:
11.110.01.03.00 is the firmware version.

Thanks I think it's not a 128k cause i got it ages ago when Vmobile first launched. I'll take it for a swop!
Click to expand...
http://www.google.co.za/search?q=site:+site%3Amybroadband.co.za+%2211.110.01.03.00%22

Are you using a 2GOnly profile setting with that Virgin Mobile SIM Card? - if not, I suggest that you try 2GOnly, you should also try [searchforum]ginggs' application[/searchforum].

The reason I asked about firmware version & type of SIM Card, is due to this issue:
vodacom3g said:
We've had a few reports of Vodacom's E220 being networked locked. This is not the case but is rather a function of a defect in the MTN 64K SIM.

From Huawei:
We also met the problem that Vodacom E220 can not work with MTN 64K SIM before. We have checked the problem and find out the reason.

According to the 3GPP protocol 31.102, USIM card should have the EFECC File.

But the lack of this file in MTN USIM card causes the conflict issue with
the normal E220 modem. So all of the E220 modems sold to MTN are special
Firmware and will not check the EFECC file. The Vodacom version is the
normal version and can be used with all the normal USIM cards.

So, if the MTN subscriber uses Vodacom E220 with MTN 64k USIM card, he will find the modem can not be used (MTN 32k card works fine). The modem must check the EFECC file first, but MTN 64k USIM card has not the file. It seems like the Sim Lock. But the reason is that MTN 64k USIM cards have not EFECC file.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
capdog said:
I use my Huawei e220 for Vodacom and MTN, which both have their own problems, but lately I've been using my Virgin sim card. It works fine on the edge network, but Mobile Partner reports the message "Device disconnected or unavailable" every hour or so!
Click to expand...
I have the same problem when using my Huawei E620 on Virgin; after being online for some time the card spontaneously resets (crashes?).

My first Virgin SIM was a 64K (grey/black) one, which would reset the card as soon as I attempted to go online and Virgin swapped it out for a 128K (red) one which allowed me to go online without resetting instantly, but still resets the card from time to time.

I have never seen this happen with an MTN or Vodacom SIM.
 
ginggs said:
I have the same problem when using my Huawei E620 on Virgin; after being online for some time the card spontaneously resets (crashes?).

My first Virgin SIM was a 64K (grey/black) one, which would reset the card as soon as I attempted to go online and Virgin swapped it out for a 128K (red) one which allowed me to go online without resetting instantly, but still resets the card from time to time.

I have never seen this happen with an MTN or Vodacom SIM.
Click to expand...
Just wondering if you use 2GOnly with that VM SIM Card?
 
ic said:
Just wondering if you use 2GOnly with that VM SIM Card?
Click to expand...
I don't think I did, my card's normally in '3G Preferred' mode. If I had airtime on the SIM I would try out '2G Only' mode to see if it has any effect, but VM is really slow for me even though I have a good signal, so I won't be buying more.
 
I have a similar problem too ; ;

I've got a Toshiba Satelite A200-17S computer. Huawei E220. I've tried several combinations of firmware and software found on the net. I use a norwegian network provider called NetCom. I use "2gOnly" in my settings. My problem:

I connect. All is well for a random period of time. Then i get that familiar windows vista sound when a usb device is disconnected and then after a while a new sound representing that of a usb device beeing connected again. It's like a covert alien coming into my room pulling my usb plugs outta my machine, and then reinserts them. As far as I can tell, I never did anything to provoke this. It's like the device looses power somehow.

I've tried several different combinations now. The longer cable (both with or without the additional "Assistant power" connector), the shorter cable, this/that firmware, this/that software.

I have a wireless mouse connected to my usb ports all the time without it ever beeing disconnected. I also have a wired usb keyboard which never disconnects.

I even tried another device, another cable (the vendor let me try another set out). Nothing has worked so far. He offered to let me try another sim-card which i didn't try because we got into an argument.

So what to think of this?

I've almost given up.

Any thoughts or ideas as to how this can be resolved or just why this is happening would be most welcome.

Thanks
 
ic said:
Update PC BIOS, then
Update OS USB drivers.

PS: Welcome to MyBroadband :).
Click to expand...

Thx for a nice tip ic :)

I have updated the pc bios drivers, I actually did this earlier on today, but my device stilll disconnects (like it's pulled out of the machine), this is how I installed the latest BIOS:

1. I went to this adress http://eu.computers.toshiba-europe.com/cgi-bin/ToshibaCSG/download_drivers_bios.jsp
2. Then chose Product type: Notebook
3. Then chose Family: Satellite
4. Then chose Product series: Satellite A Series
5. Then chose Model: Satellite A200 (PSAE0)
6. Then chose Operating system: Windows Vista
7. Then finally Driver type: BIOS Update

Sadly I can't find a "Driver type" USB drivers so i guess there aren't any for my laptop atm? Or perhaps I just don't know the proper terminology?

I'm sorry to be such a noob, but if you could try the link ic i would really appreaciate it!
 
greenmo said:
Thx for a nice tip ic :)

I have updated the pc bios drivers, I actually did this earlier on today, but my device stilll disconnects (like it's pulled out of the machine), this is how I installed the latest BIOS:

1. I went to this adress http://eu.computers.toshiba-europe.com/cgi-bin/ToshibaCSG/download_drivers_bios.jsp
2. Then chose Product type: Notebook
3. Then chose Family: Satellite
4. Then chose Product series: Satellite A Series
5. Then chose Model: Satellite A200 (PSAE0)
6. Then chose Operating system: Windows Vista
7. Then finally Driver type: BIOS Update

Sadly I can't find a "Driver type" USB drivers so i guess there aren't any for my laptop atm? Or perhaps I just don't know the proper terminology?

I'm sorry to be such a noob, but if you could try the link ic i would really appreaciate it!
Click to expand...
Ok, I tried that link with the info you supplied, and there do not appear to be any USB driver updates listed there, so I suggest that you check to see if there are any USB driver updates available from Microsoft [Windoze Update].

Only after doing that, if you're still experiencing problems with your E220, then [post=1214968]click here...[/post]
 
thank you so much ic :) i'll try your inputs and i'll get back to you!
 
Hi again :)

Sadly, things still don't work ; ;

1) Windows update - check - no go
2) Method below - check - no go

- Click Start
- Right-click on 'My Computer'
- Click 'Manage'
- Click on 'Disk Management' under 'Computer Management / Storage'
- Right-click on drive letter assigned to E220 (will be a CDFS file system
device)
- Click on 'Change Drive Letter and Paths...'
- Verify that correct drive letter is displayed in dialog
- Click 'Remove' button
- Click 'Yes' button in confirmation dialog
Click to expand...

3) I didn't find I have any of the software mentioned in the thread you mentioned - check - no go

4) I know I have DVD software installed on my laptop, but since i'm not running it, it shouldn't be a problem right?

5) I guess I could just try to uninstall everything including my OS lol. I really hope it doesn't turn into such a pain ^^

6) Is there a PCMCIA card i can just buy if all these other things fail? Even tho I am using a norwegian network?
 
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