Dell Mini 9 - connection problems with internal modem

[mjf2708]

Hi,

I recently bought a secondhand Dell Mini 9 with the internal WWAN modem (5530) - Vodafone sticker included!

I reinstalled Windows XP SP3 and Dell drivers, and I have successfully connected to the Internet using a Vodafone dongle (Huawei K3565).

I then decided to use the SIM card with the internal modem. Although VMC Lite finds the internal modem (in Manage Devices), and finds a new network (Vodafone 3G+), it won't connect - the Connecting... progress bar keeps scrolling until it times out.

I then discovered that there are two instances of the Dell internal modem in Phone and Modem Options in Control Panel - one connected to port 3, the other connected to port 4. If I remove the second instance and rerun VMC, it connects perfectly.

Trouble is, every time I reboot the Dell, Windows insists on reinstalling the second instance of the modem, and I have to go through the above process all over again... I've tried removing both modems and rebooting, then Windows reinstalls them both!

Any ideas? have I installed duplicate drivers?

Thanks in anticipation,

Mike

[Retired-Trev]

Hi mjf2708

Welcome to the Vodafone eForum.

Mmmmm. Are you using the same install on VMC for the internal modem as you did for the dongle?

It may be this which is conflicting, with the device installing drivers for the internal modem and also the dongle, thus causing the conflict.

I suggest removing the VMC program, and deleting both modems. Do not replace the dongle, but install the driver for the internal modem, which you can get from Dells website. When this is installed, install VMC. but not from the dongle or you will installing drivers for the dongle, use a fresh clean install from the internet.

Then try and connect using VMC.

Let me know how you get on.

Regards

Trev
eForum Team

[mjf2708]

Thanks, Trev.

Did as you suggested, still get 2 modems, but will now connect.

Curiously, though, if I look at Properties for each modem in Phone and Modem Options, neither has an initialisation string.

If I delete one (the second one) and restart VMC, it again connects but this time the modem has gained an initialisation string...

I think I may need to do further clearing out - old drivers or settings - but don't know what.

Thanks for your help,

Mike