Using two different Huawei USB modems on one PC ...

BeVonk!

BeVonk!

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I've got two Huawei USB modems ... (1) E172 (company issue) and (2) K3715 (personal use). I got the second one a few days ago.

I've been battling like hell during the last couple of days with connections dropping the moment I'm trying to download files larger than 1MB. This happened with both modems on both my computers (laptop and desktop). I've spend the whole evening trying to sort this out and it seems I've now overcome the problem.

It's been messy. After disabling autoload of the Vodafone Mobile Connect software in windowns startup (desktop) I got BSoD's the moment I plugged a USB modem in. I eventually managed to clean both computers of all traces of VMC and the two USB modems and reinstalled one modem per PC. I then completely disabled the autoloading of VMC (using autoruns) and am using Mobile Partner instead. I'm now again able to download files without being disconnected.

The Vodafone Mobile Connect software seems to have a problem with different model USB modems being used interchangiably on the same computer. Could the drivers of the two modems perhaps clash? I'm not sure what exactly caused the problems.

Anyone else experienced and solved similar problems? Your solution?
 
My experience is that the Huawei driver is pretty generic. i.e. once you have installed one of their devices anything else you insert with generally be detected without you having to install drivers again. I have been swapping between a E620, B970 and E272 without issues. I have however been using MDMA and have autorun disabled so VMC doesn't start.
 
BeVonk! said:
I've got two Huawei USB modems ... (1) E172 (company issue) and (2) K3715 (personal use). I got the second one a few days ago.

I've been battling like hell during the last couple of days with connections dropping the moment I'm trying to download files larger than 1MB. This happened with both modems on both my computers (laptop and desktop). I've spend the whole evening trying to sort this out and it seems I've now overcome the problem.

It's been messy. After disabling autoload of the Vodafone Mobile Connect software in windowns startup (desktop) I got BSoD's the moment I plugged a USB modem in. I eventually managed to clean both computers of all traces of VMC and the two USB modems and reinstalled one modem per PC. I then completely disabled the autoloading of VMC (using autoruns) and am using Mobile Partner instead. I'm now again able to download files without being disconnected.

The Vodafone Mobile Connect software seems to have a problem with different model USB modems being used interchangiably on the same computer. Could the drivers of the two modems perhaps clash? I'm not sure what exactly caused the problems.

Anyone else experienced and solved similar problems? Your solution?
Click to expand...

I've seen the same behavior when I start VMC with one modem and then unplug the modem and plug the different modem in. BSOD! This only started after I got an E272.

But if you first close VMC and the swap the modems it's fine. I suspect the old driver is still active when you try and activate the new modem and Windows don't like this.

I think a lot of people forget that when you 'close' VMC it's still in the tray, so it's not really closed.
 
morkhans said:
I have however been using MDMA and have autorun disabled so VMC doesn't start.
Click to expand...

For some reason MDMA (10027a) doesn't connect/disconnect on my Vista laptop. I have to manually connect/discconnect. MDMA works great on my XP desktop PC.

I also understood the drivers to be very generic, but something somewhere doesn't like my two USB modems being used interchangiably (even after closing and opening VMC).
 
BeVonk! said:
For some reason MDMA (10027a) doesn't connect/disconnect on my Vista laptop. I have to manually connect/discconnect. MDMA works great on my XP desktop PC.

I also understood the drivers to be very generic, but something somewhere doesn't like my two USB modems being used interchangiably (even after closing and opening VMC).
Click to expand...

I see the BSOD on XP when switching modems.

But talk to ginggs, the no-disconnect is to do with MDMA trying to disconnect the 'default' Windows profile but you connected with another one. Have a look at the info on MDMA and you'll see which com port / profile you're using.

Ginggs can you explain better?
 
BeVonk! said:
For some reason MDMA (10027a) doesn't connect/disconnect on my Vista laptop. I have to manually connect/discconnect. MDMA works great on my XP desktop PC.

I also understood the drivers to be very generic, but something somewhere doesn't like my two USB modems being used interchangiably (even after closing and opening VMC).
Click to expand...

The disconnect issue has to do with the number windows is dialling. Change it from *99***16# to just *99#. That should solve it.
 
morkhans said:
The disconnect issue has to do with the number windows is dialling. Change it from *99***16# to just *99#. That should solve it.
Click to expand...
Spot on. *99***16# establishes a connection using the 16th profile stored on the modem. MDMA (and Huawei's dashboard) only monitor and change settings (like the APN) for the default profile.
Vodafone recently changed from using the default to number 16.
 
Unfortunately my disconnect problems persists. I thought I had it sorted last night. The moment a proper download starts - like doing a speed test (speed.vodacom.co.za) - the PC resets the USB connection with the USB modem ... and then this rubbish VMC software kicks in even though autostart has been disabled in the VMC application itself and in Windows startup. I just cannot get rid of VMC, it's like a flippen virus! The fact that it sits on the USB modem makes it impossible to stop it. :mad:
 
BeVonk! said:
Unfortunately my disconnect problems persists. I thought I had it sorted last night. The moment a proper download starts - like doing a speed test (speed.vodacom.co.za) - the PC resets the USB connection with the USB modem ... and then this rubbish VMC software kicks in even though autostart has been disabled in the VMC application itself and in Windows startup. I just cannot get rid of VMC, it's like a flippen virus! The fact that it sits on the USB modem makes it impossible to stop it. :mad:
Click to expand...

Two things:

1) The PC resetting the USB connection when the modem starts working is a clear indication the modem is not getting enough power. Try the dual-USB plug cable or a powered USB hub.

2) You've still got autorun on the modem active. This is not a VMC thing, but the way Huawei designed the modems. They present themselves to the OS as a CD drive and every time they start up (like after the power drop), Windows will autorun it. So either disable the 'CD' drive letter or autorun.

But first get the power stable.
 
I use an E220 and E172 on my Vista laptop without any issues. The E220 has HMP on it and the E172 has VMC on it. However, I didn't install the VMC on my system and just cancel the autorun window that asks to install every time I plug in the E172. Then I just use MDMA or HMP that is already installed on the laptop.
 
vodacom3g said:
Two things:

1) The PC resetting the USB connection when the modem starts working is a clear indication the modem is not getting enough power. Try the dual-USB plug cable or a powered USB hub.

2) You've still got autorun on the modem active. This is not a VMC thing, but the way Huawei designed the modems. They present themselves to the OS as a CD drive and every time they start up (like after the power drop), Windows will autorun it. So either disable the 'CD' drive letter or autorun.

But first get the power stable.
Click to expand...

Thanx v3g. Inadequate power sounds plausible and I will pursue the matter. I'm just wondering why it's only becoming a problem now. The desktop PC and modem have been happy partners until four days ago (clearly the spark in this marriage has been lost ...). I have disabled autorun on this machine ... should stop VMC from starting up after USB resets.

I've done a speed test on my laptop now (using K3517 modem): Download = 3207 kbps; Upload = 1137 ... using speed.vodacom.co.za. Speed test results do fluctuate a lot though.
 
Hi Ginggs.

What is the benefit of doing this where Vodafone uses the 16th instance / profile and why not the default.

Whether using MTN E170 or Vodacom E172 and both their associated dashboards , I always do a connection to *99# and never the specifics (this has always worked for me)

ginggs said:
Spot on. *99***16# establishes a connection using the 16th profile stored on the modem. MDMA (and Huawei's dashboard) only monitor and change settings (like the APN) for the default profile.
Vodafone recently changed from using the default to number 16.
Click to expand...
 
fismail said:
What is the benefit of doing this where Vodafone uses the 16th instance / profile and why not the default.
Click to expand...
The skeptics around here will probably say it's Vodafone trying to prevent you from using your device on other networks, but I think it's simply a way of cutting down on support calls due to the APN setting being accidently changed using other dashboard software.
 
ginggs said:
The skeptics around here will probably say it's Vodafone trying to prevent you from using your device on other networks, but I think it's simply a way of cutting down on support calls due to the APN setting being accidently changed using other dashboard software.
Click to expand...

Logic probably goes that it's highly unlikely that you'll have 16 different profiles on your dash.
 
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