K5160 dongle - can't find where to unlock with NUC code

[redsky009]

I have a K5160 Huwawei dongle that I wanted to use with a Smarty data only SIM (I am with Vodafone for my phone but my friend had a spare Smarty SIM with unlimited data so I wanted to use that).

I'm using Windows 10 on a MacBook Pro (as the dongle doesn't work on OSX 11) and have the Vodafone Mobile Broadband app. With my Vodafone SIM from my phone, it all works as expected, but I can't get it to work with the Smarty SIM. Windows detects it and just says "Operator locked" and won't let me join the network.

I requested the NUC and got that, and downloaded the CardLock_Unlock app as per the. instructions, but when I run that I get an error "Data Card not found!". I entered the NUC anyway and get "open port failed!"

I've looked on these forums and all the K5160 threads either suggest going to 192.168.9.1 or that something should auto-run pop-up asking me to enter the code, but nothing happens and the IP address doesn't work. I tried the range from 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.9.1 but nothing. I've tried this with the Vodafone and Smarty SIM, but no dice.

When I plug the card in, it opens in Explorer, but there is only a K5160 OS Disclaimer HTMl file and no other software tries to autorun. 

No idea where to go from here - any other ideas of how to unlock this card? 

[brogild]

I can confirm that Ubuntu 20.04 will get you to the correct page, however it seems to be that particular version of Firefox that does the network search and takes you to 192.168.9.1 others just give an error message.

 Vodafone only sent me a three digit NUC and the page asks for an eight digit one. I'm going to ask Vodafone again and hope they send a correct one this time.

[Amanda]

Hey there @dglj - the information on how to to do this has been provided by @AnnS here - I've quoted her message as follows: 

This is taken from the link here: How to use your Network Unlock Code.  I chose Huawei and the R207, it may not be your device but the information should be the same.

1. Insert your new network SIM card
2. Connect the device to your PC or laptop using a USB cable
3. Go to My computer and double-click on R207 (it may appear as a CD-ROM icon) to install the device
4. Open an internet browser and type 192.168.x.x in the address bar to open the homepage for the device (the full gateway code can be found in the battery compartment of your device)
5. When prompted, enter your unlock code and choose Okay

You can also see some workaround options as provided above by @redsky009 🙂 

[dglj]

Yes, but as I said, this doesn't work at all - I have exactly the same issues that the previous poster identified and this 'solution' doesn't work for me, just as it did work for that person.

[redsky009]

@dglj - out of interest, did you try the Ubuntu live USB and that didn't work for you?