Novatel Wireless Ovation MC950D

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GotTrend

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Please Help, this is going to drive me crazy

I have Novatel Wireless Ovation MC950D bought from overseas (never network locked) before it was released in SA + 2Gb Advanced Data pre paid package from vodacom activated.

My problem is this:

I am able to only connect and get a UMTS signal with Novatels Mobilink Lite software and not HSDPA or HSUPA like I should be.

I then downloaded upgrade firmware from http://www.vodacom.co.za/services/vodacom_broadband/downloads.jsp for the MC950D and also downloaded Application Software - VMC 9.3.6.zip and installed.

Connecting with VMC software, I got faster results on http://speed.vodacom.co.za/speedtest/ My best result so far was 3811kbps downlink and 966 uplink. Whereas with the Mobilink software I was maxing +- 3000kbps downlink.

Here's the part that is annoying the hell out of me. At some stage during my playing about with the firmware and software I was able to get a HSUPA connection instead of my normal UMTS which I have only ever got since +-8months of having my datacard.

I messed arround further and now cant get the HSUPA signal anymore.

Can any1 assist?

The second part of my question is why am I not able to get faster speeds?

I phone and confirmed with vodacom that the tower in my are is 7.2mb compatiable. Im staying in a very good coverage part of summerstrand in Port Elizabeth..? Could it be because my datacard is not set up correctly or is it because the tower is actually not 7.2mb enabled and vodacom is not telling the whole story?

Im determined to see some real results for the extra $$$ im paying for my Advanced package. I get the exact same results with the 3.6mb standard data package. So I might as well have bought a 2gb standard package.

Will really appreciate feedback. Thanks guys
 
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So regardless of what the dashboard software likes to call it, if you consistently get 3800 down and 950 up then you are on HSUPA.

If you are not seeing more than 3800 and 155 have confirmed you are on the 7.2 profile your tower might not have enough backhaul, in which case you will have to wait for Telkom to catch up on the back orders Vodacom have put in for more links.
 
Thanks for the reply.

It only peaked at 3800 once. Average is +-3000kbps.

Any suggestions why I am only getting a 3g/UMTS signal? Any one know of any other firmware/software that may sort it?
 
If you are getting uploads close to 1000kpbs and downloads over 1800kpbs you are where you should be regardless of what the dash says. If you have 7.2 activated and are not getting it then there is not enough backhaul in your area.

Maybe read up a bit more about what UMTS actually stands for and you will realise it is a term which encompasses a variety of technologies. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UMTS
 
Managed to resolve this problem. Now getting a HSUPA signal and not UMTS. If any1 experieces a similar problem ill do a post on how i resolved the problem, wasnt very straight forward.
 
Managed to resolve this problem. Now getting a HSUPA signal and not UMTS. If any1 experieces a similar problem ill do a post on how i resolved the problem, wasnt very straight forward.
Click to expand...

ginggs said:
Please post for all to see.
Click to expand...

Yeah, please post this here. I bought a MC950D today and it will arrive overnight so tomorrow I will test it for the first time. Please post for everyone to see/learn.
 
Hi,

Ok. Let me first say, this may not apply to you. I purchased my Novatel MC950D directly from a supplier in Europe almost straight after it was released. The one that you are buying now will prob. come with updated firmware and software. However it will not hurt to make sure your firmware and software are up-to-date.

I tried many different orders on installing and connect software. I found the only order that actually worked and corrected the display of UMTS to now show HSUPA as it should was the following:

Step1:

Download the software -

Novatel MC930D Firmware Upgrade 3.18.02 (7.0MB)
http://www.vodacom.co.za/services/vodacom_broadband/downloads.jsp

Vodafone Mobile Connect software - v9.3.6 (78.0MB)
http://www.business.vodafone.com/si...ivity/40_software/software/10_latest/p_pc.jsp

Windows Mobilink-Lite Connection Manager and Driver- Installer (4.02MB)
http://www.novatelwireless.com/inde...:rogers&catid=44:technical-support&Itemid=182

Step 2:

Uninstall all current connection managers/software.
In device manager/modems uninstall the novatel card
In Network connections, delete current dial ups

Step 3:

Run the firmware upgrade, be careful not to let the firmware upgrade get interrupted.
Install the VMC software first
Then install the Mobilink-Lite Connection Manager

Step 4:

In the Mobilink-Lite Connection Manager Settings/Profile Manager. Add the APN "internet", No username or password.
 
GotTrend said:
Step 3:
Run the firmware upgrade, be careful not to let the firmware upgrade get interrupted.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info GotTrend. Any special destructions about doing the firmware update? With or without sim card or anything else worth noting?

Thanks
 
Gamer said:
Thanks for the info GotTrend. Any special destructions about doing the firmware update? With or without sim card or anything else worth noting?

Thanks
Click to expand...
Remove the SIM Card, attach to a UPS, disable anti-malware s/w, disconnect from LAN and any other connection - including temporarily disabling wifi [if applicable to your setup - terms & conditions & usual disclaimers apply].
 
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ginggs said:
Thanks for the details!


Why is this step necessary?
Doesn't Mobilink-Lite Connection Manager manage your connection?
Click to expand...

For some absurd reason this is the only way I could get it to work. If I only installed the Mobilink-Lite and not the VMC software it still would not give me a HSUPA signal. And if I only installed the VMC software it would install the drivers for the MC950D card but when opening the program it wasnt picking up the device when I wanted to connect. But once I intalled both connection managers in that order, then suddenly I am able to connection on either one with HSUPA. As I say, it was absurd, but think it has something to do with the built in drivers for the Novatel MC950D.

Again, you may not experience the same complications as me if you are purchasing your Novatel in SA because I think they come standard with the VMC software...

Just to let you know, regardless of it showing HSUPA or UMTS you will prob experience similar speeds, but im sure since the upgrade of firmware/software my speed test results improved a lot

ic said:
Remoove the SIM Card, attach to a UPS, disable anti-malware s/w, disconnect from LAN and any other connection - including temporarily disabling wifi [if applicable to your setup - terms & conditions & usual disclaimers apply].
Click to expand...

yes, important point. well put ic. thanks
 
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Thanks for the info on upgrading f/w. The modem was delivered to my home this morning, when I get home from work I'll be able to play with it. If I need to do a f/w update, I'll follow instructions carefully, thanks.

Hey guys, just got home and got my new modem. I see the current firmware is:
v3.10.04.0-00 (2007-09-07 13:39:15)

and the hardware version is:
v14.00 2008-09-29

Should it be necessary to update to newer firmware? Is there a changelog for the new firmware?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Just to give an update. I did update the firmware. Quite a long process...patience is required while watching the progress bar :)
What did happen though after the f/w update was that the preloaded drivers and VMC Lite software were erased from the stick so when I plugged it into XP or Vista machines for the first time they all moaned about drivers etc. The modem could not be accessed as a cd drive either. Very annoying!

I found the same version of VMC Lite here:
http://www.business.vodafone.com/si...p_vodafone_mobile_connect_lite_for_the_pc.jsp

This page says that the downloaded file will update the software on the modem...but no way, it didn't, it simply installs VMC Lite to your PC...no interaction with modem at all.

After a lot of googling and searching I found out that a Novatel internal program called Zeeper is used to 'inject' data onto the usb modems. I managed to find Zeeper and had to juggle a few things around and edit a xml file and finally got it to insert the device drivers and VMC Lite back onto the modem. It now works correctly in any new (and already setup) machine. Interestingly, you can edit the autorun file for the modem and get it to run something like MDMA immediately upon insertion into a USB port. Quite versatile indeed and I'm happy to have learnt may way around this modem a little.
 
I am currently struggling to get a MC950D to work on my Win7 Notebook. The E220 plugged in works fine, but as soon as I plug the 950D in, and I want to run VMC Lite from the modem, it tells me it is not a valid installation package. I find it quite odd, as it runs perfectly on my wife's notebook (XP though). The E220 does not want to work on XP though :confused:

What I do remember when installing E220 on my machine, is that the full VMC software actually installs proper drivers, and afterwards the VMC Lite software will work with the modem. I reckon this is the same case with the previously mentioned Mobilink problems
 
ginggs said:
I'd consider that a pleasant side-effect!
Click to expand...

Possibly, but I guess as a new user I'll find out for myself as time goes on...and can atleast disable it later if I need to.

ginggs said:
Links please?
Click to expand...

Only got rapid share links for you:
Novatel Wireless Zeeper download and VMC Lite:
http://rapidshare.com/files/224548805/Novatel-mc950d-VMC-Lite-9.3.0.9237-Zeeper.zip
or
http://rapidshare.com/files/224546511/Novatel-mc950d-VMC-Lite-9.3.0.9237-Zeeper.zip

I replaced the included VMC Lite in this download with the latest version and put that on the modem with device drivers rather.
 
Firmware upgrade hassles

Gamer said:
Just to give an update. I did update the firmware. Quite a long process...patience is required while watching the progress bar :)
Click to expand...

About 80% complete was as far as we got with the firmware update (unless the process ran into hours)

Can zeeper reflash the MC950D?

If not, is there a solution?

Thanks in advance.
 
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