K3760 - connection keeps dropping

[lokizilla]

I'm trying to use my K3760 with my laptop (a HP dm3), which runs Windows 7 x64.

I've installed the latest version of VMC (9.4.6) and got the device to show in Device Manager, etc. so it will work with VMC. As far as I know everything is set up correctly.

When I try to make a connection I sometimes get RAS errors (633, 635) but usually I can get connected after a couple of attempts. This is usually when I am in an area only offering GPRS (which, unfortunately, covers the area I most often use the device, as Vodafone's 3G isn't all that strong). Often there is no problem at all.

When I do get connected, it lasts for a maximum of about 10 minutes, during which time the modem gets very warm. When the connection fails, the modem's light will remain on, but Windows will make the "device disconnected" sound and VMC will close. Soon after the "device connected" sound then plays, and the Autoplay window for the MicroSD card reader (which has an SD inserted) comes up as though the modem had just been connected - though the modem's light is still solid.

Any ideas as to how I can fix this?

[Retired-Lee]

Hi lokzilla.

I know this is going to sound a bit silly, but how does the device perform in a different machine?

Cheers,

LeeH
eForum Team

[lokizilla]

Absolutely fine.

If I plug it into my iMac, it will just connect and work - in fact, before I had a fixed line connection installed in this flat I was using the modem as my main Internet connection.

I've used the modem with Windows 7 x64 (RC1) before on my previous laptop with no issue (using Option's own software as well as VMC), and it will connect and keep working with my tower PC.

The issue is purely with this machine, I just don't know where.

[Retired-Reidar]

Lokizilla

Thanks for running the test and for the additional information.

We now know that the dongle itself is not faulty, and that error 633 can sometimes refer to another device/program using the specific port, or the port not being closed properly after each connection, this is a general description of it.

I'd ask that you check whether the device (dongle) is duplicated in the modems panel:

Start> Control Panel> Phone and Modem options> Modems Tab

If there is a duplication it would show as two instances of the same thing, for example 'Huwei' and or 'Globetrotter' would appear twice. Please select anything that says Huwei or Globetrotter and remove, then 'OK' and restart the computer.

The modem should be recognised again upon reboot, if not simply remove and re-insert, once done it should be re-assigned, at which point you'll need to try to connect again.

Please advise whether the exact problems occur.

Thanks

Reidar

eForum Team

[lokizilla]

I'd ask that you check whether the device (dongle) is duplicated in the modems panel

There is one entry for the modem in the panel.

I only receive error 633 if I attempt to reconnect after the connection has been dropped in the way I've already described - which would make sense, as the modem / port would still be "in use".

[Retired-Dave]

Hi Lokizilla,

Don't worry, we're not done yet.

Firstly, to clear the decks, can you remove that single reference using the method Reidar outlined. If there's anything caught up that will help to clear it.

If it continues, can you check the sandbox icons to see if any background program believes it has connection to a mass storage device? If so, it is possible this has misidentified and co-opted the dongle. You simply need to exit this connection to free this up again.

Another option is to amend the ports used by the modem - again, this will help to prevent anything else trying to use the ports and can therefore avoid any conflict this would cause.

- Select Control Panel > System > Device manager

- Select Modems and locate the dongle

- Highlight the modem, right click and select Propeties > Advanced > Advanced port settings

- Set COM port to a high number, for example something around 240

- Close this window and go back to Device Manager

- Select Ports (COM + LPT) and check for the dongle (look for any Huawei reference)

- Highlight the modem, right click and select Propeties > Port Settings > Advanced port settings

- Set COM port to a different high number (to avoid conflict with the first setting)

- Reboot the computer

Again, let us know how you get on with this and we'll be happy to investigate further if needed.

DaveN

eForum Team

[lokizilla]

Another option is to amend the ports used by the modem - again, this will help to prevent anything else trying to use the ports and can therefore avoid any conflict this would cause.

Changing the COM port appears to have worked - I left the system overnight and I'm still connected this morning!

Thanks for the advice.

[lokizilla]

Sorry to dig up this 2-week-old thread, but I'm still having problems.

The same problem resurfaced when I next plugged the modem in - Windows decided it was a new instance of the hardware, and reinstalled the drivers again - thus removing my customisations for COM ports. Despite re-configuring these, it was business as usual - connection drops after a few minutes.

However, I believe the Windows configuration isn't to blame - I tried installing Ubuntu 10.04 to see if this would work any better, but the same issue is there too.

I have also found that the USB ports on the front of my desktop PC replicate the issue - when I plug the modem into one of the motherboard's USB ports at the back, the modem will connect and work with no problems. I have had issues with other power-hungry devices and these front ports (such as my iPod touch, which will not show up). Therefore I believe the modem simply has problems with USB ports that don't supply a "full" 500mA of power.

So, basically, I'm going to have to buy a different modem... unless there is the possibility of returning this one?

[Retired-BenJ]

Hi lokizilla


The K3760 isnt plug n play supported, if you move the modem around USB ports you will have a few problems. It sounds like your only using USB 1.0 controllers, this device only supports USB 2.0 hence the power issue.

I've run this device under Windows 7 and Ubuntu and haven't had the issues you mention.

As these issues only seem to affect one PC I would suggest that maybe the PC has developed a fault which would explain it working and dropping out, maybe a system restore would help.

Thanks
BenJ
eForum Team

[lokizilla]

As these issues only seem to affect one PC I would suggest that maybe the PC has developed a fault which would explain it working and dropping out, maybe a system restore would help.

Using System Restore will have no effect. As I have mentioned, the modem doesn't work in a fresh install of Ubuntu, let alone a fresh install of Windows.

The modem is the only device that has refused to work correctly with the laptop. For this reason I would assume that there is no fault with the PC.

I'm starting to get a little frustrated here - I'm paying for the contract but I have no way to use it when I'm out - so I'll ask again, is there any way I can have this modem replaced?