Telecom 3G Stick issues

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Telecom 3G Stick issues

CYaBro

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#98956 9-Mar-2012 17:06

Hey,

I've got a laptop here that has been using a t-stick since october without a problem. (A fresh install of Windows 7 HP 64-bit was done at this time)
Suddenly yesterday it stopped working and the Telecom software either gets stuck on Initialising or Device Disabled and you can't connect.

Now I've seen this issue plenty of times with the vodem sticks but never a t-stick.
Removing and reinstalling the software does nothing.
Trying all USB ports does nothing.
Removing all traces of the software and device from the C: and registry then reinstalling does nothing.
Restoring with System Restore to earlier points does nothing.
The software on the ZTE site is the same as what's on the t-stick so does nothing.

Has anyone been able to fix this issue without resorting to a format and reinstall of Windows?

The strange thing is that the Telecom software is talking to the t-stick fine because I can go into the Settings and it shows all the correct settings for the device (hardware IDs etc) and it shows the serial# and IMEI# and bits n pieces as well.
If I unplug the t-stick then the settings page shows unavailable for all of the above items. Plug it back in and after a few seconds they all show again.
It just won't get a signal and let you connect.

The t-stick works fine on another machine.

Help please!

Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

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#592980 9-Mar-2012 21:15

Have you tried googling it!???

That's how I found the answer for it - have had it happen to several of my users.

Google!

CYaBro

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#593003 9-Mar-2012 21:46

What did you search for as I've been searching all afternoon!

I didn't find much but did find one post about checking the registry and adding a missing key, something about mdminst.dll....
but on checking that the registry key was already there. :(

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keewee01

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#593010 9-Mar-2012 22:08

Not searched in a while, but I searched on the terms it throws up telling you it's in whatever mode...

old3eyes

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#593097 10-Mar-2012 09:20

It may help if you supplied an answer rather that a cryptic "Have you searched"

Regards,

Old3eyes

keewee01

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#593218 10-Mar-2012 14:25

old3eyes: It may help if you supplied an answer rather that a cryptic "Have you searched"

Gee, would have if I could remember! And your comment is less constructive than mine!!!

I have a personal hate when people go asking questions first without even trying to help themselves first, and to CYaBro credit, they had already looked. So my first post was a little bit trying to educate, and a confirmation that the answer is out there... (that sounds so X-Files!! LOL)

The last time I came across this problem was some months ago and I could remember the specifics of it as it wasn't as simple as a reboot, or re-installation.

My problem was with the Sierra Wireless sticks and I searched on the stick model and the error message.

I understand that the Telecom branded sticks are re-branded wireless, so you'd need to work out the correct model number and search on that.

akia

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#593862 12-Mar-2012 08:14

Some details around the make and model number of the device would be helpful, then maybe we can assist a bit more. If you're happy to discuss it here then happy to do so or maybe PM me the details.

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CYaBro

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#593906 12-Mar-2012 09:43

Hey,

Just found another post here on Geekzone that said to check the Telephony service is running and it is :(

It's a ZTE Coporation Z1196 Model: MF190.

As I said it's really strange as the Telecom sofware appears to be talking to the t-stick fine as it can read the serial# & IMEI# and other stuff when the t-stick is connected.
It just won't initialise and connect to the internet.
If I connect the T-stick, the LED on it is blue, and go into the Modem Properties and query the ZTE modem I get a response.
Then if I open the Telecom software the LED goes orange and the software sits there saying Initialising please wait and evetually says Device Disabled.
If I then go back into the Modem properties and try and query it it fails.

Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

akia

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#594255 12-Mar-2012 17:16

Just to check are you using the software on the device or the My Connect software?

CYaBro

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#594270 12-Mar-2012 17:44

akia: Just to check are you using the software on the device or the My Connect software?

Didn't know there was more than one way to use these devices?

We are using whatever software comes on the T-Stick / download from the ZTE website, which is called 'Connection Manager' on the ZTE website.
Whatever it is they are both the same wether you install it from the t-stick itself or use the download from the ZTE website.

Edit: Just had a look and the software seems to be called 'Telecom NZ Connect Me' if that helps.

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Zeon

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#594304 12-Mar-2012 19:17

Those USB modems are nothing but trouble. Had so many problems with them I figured the share you wifi devices are heaps better.

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CYaBro

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#594353 12-Mar-2012 21:58

Zeon: Those USB modems are nothing but trouble. Had so many problems with them I figured the share you wifi devices are heaps better.

Yea that's what we've let the customer borrow, a Dynalink 3G wireless router, so they can just plug the t-stick into that.
However it's just a temp fix for them as they need to be mobile and they don't have a mobile phone that offers 3g hotspot feature.

We are also sick of these 3G USB modems, Vodafone originally and now Telecom's as well.

Both Vodafone, and now Telecom, stores won't help either as the customer goes in to the store with their laptop and 3G stick and says 'Look it isn't working".
The staff at the stores take the sticks and try it on their machines and of course they work so they just say "sorry not our problem. It's your computer."

You should not have to format and reinstall Windows everytime your 3G stick decides to stop working when everything else on the computer is working perfectly.

In fact changing from a Vodem to a t-stick, or vice-versa, will get a connection going again, as we've had a few customers change when their vodem's stopped working, so it has to be a driver or software issue, it's just a matter of knowing where to look to fix it.
And so far this is proving to be the hard part.

Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

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keewee01

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#594458 13-Mar-2012 09:03

CYaBro:
Zeon: Those USB modems are nothing but trouble. Had so many problems with them I figured the share you wifi devices are heaps better.

Yea that's what we've let the customer borrow, a Dynalink 3G wireless router, so they can just plug the t-stick into that.
However it's just a temp fix for them as they need to be mobile and they don't have a mobile phone that offers 3g hotspot feature.

We are also sick of these 3G USB modems, Vodafone originally and now Telecom's as well.

Both Vodafone, and now Telecom, stores won't help either as the customer goes in to the store with their laptop and 3G stick and says 'Look it isn't working".
The staff at the stores take the sticks and try it on their machines and of course they work so they just say "sorry not our problem. It's your computer."

You should not have to format and reinstall Windows everytime your 3G stick decides to stop working when everything else on the computer is working perfectly.

In fact changing from a Vodem to a t-stick, or vice-versa, will get a connection going again, as we've had a few customers change when their vodem's stopped working, so it has to be a driver or software issue, it's just a matter of knowing where to look to fix it.
And so far this is proving to be the hard part.

+1 - we have had so many problem with these things! They are a nightmare trying to use for corporate use as they are just so unreliable. Works one day, doesn't connect the next. Or get a connection but it is unusable.

The old CDMA ones were far more reliable, slower, but reliable.