VMC software and MS Vista network problems

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kiwibird

37 posts

Geek

#12913 13-Apr-2007 11:19

I have just purchased a new laptop with MS Vista. I have downloaded the new VMC software for Vista from the Vodafone website but when I install the software it stops the laptop from connecting to my wireless network and to the internet. This happens whether I have my MCC in the laptop or not. I have checked my Firewall and all appears ok. If I uninstall the VMC software the problem is fixed. Can you help please.
Thank you

1 | 2

165 posts

Master Geek

#67013 13-Apr-2007 11:27

I found the same thing when I tried VMC 9.1

I tried reinstalling it and choosing NOT to "optimise" settings during install. That seemed to sort it. Sadly VMC 9.1 did not work with my vodem as someone suggested it might, so I uninstalled it again.

Is there anyone from the Vodafone IT department who can advise how far away Vodem drivers for Vista are? No-one in their Tech services knows. It would be nice to at least know a time frame.

Hope that helps re VMC 9.1 anyway. Seemed to work for me!

kiwibird

37 posts

Geek

#67014 13-Apr-2007 11:43

Thank you, such a simple solution. It is all working now.

cranz

675 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#67054 13-Apr-2007 18:52

Vista Information

We have updated the Vodafone Mobile Connect software to support vodem when running Windows Vista. Currently this software is being revised and tested. This software will be available here April 2007. You can register for updates via email here.

I guess there are 17 days left

woody99

165 posts

Master Geek

#67062 13-Apr-2007 20:49

I'd like to think so... Originally, that page you refer to promised the software during March, however it was changed to April. I'm sure it won't be far away.

Cheers.

lockmi

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#68472 25-Apr-2007 21:56

Hi,

I am having a similar problem to those above, but with a few twists.

I have an HPnx9420 with Vista Ultimate 32-bit. I regularly use three different NIC's: all of both the on-board cable LAN (Broadcom netXtreme Gigabit); the on-board WLAN (Intel PRO/100 3945 ABG) and a LinkSys WPC300N PCMCIA card. Not all at the same time, obviously. Everything installed fine and was working well.

Then I puchased and installed a Vodem (Huawei E220) using the VMC software v9.1.0.4345 - as advised by Vodafone TechSupport.

Once I installed the VMC software, all my other NIC's stop working. The symptoms are:
    * all of the network connections (wired and wireless) are reported by the Network and Sharing centre as "Local Access Only";
   * I can't get internet access through any of the regular network connections;
   * none of the network connections are accepting DHCP IP addresses any longer (they all have a 169.254 subnet Microsoft default address); and
   * if I set a static address on a network connection through Properties/IPv4, then I can ping local devices (eg, router, printer, other computers), but I can't ping the internet side of the router or any of the public web-sites.

These problems persist, even if I uninstall the VMC software. The only way to fix the problem is to perform a System Restore to the restore point immediately before the VMC was installed. If I do this, then everything all my regular NICs and network connections start working again just fine - which kind of rules out the router/ADSL modem and cabling as being the cause(s) of the problem.

I have been dealing with Vodafone 3rd line tech support over the last few days, and re-installed the VMC so we could try a few things. As expected, as soon as the VMC was installed all the other network connections stopped working. But then I found that if I re-booted my router the cable connection would start working again, at least until I re-booted the laptop. Ugly, but at least I could work and could still debug it with Vodafone tech support.

Unfortunatley, yesterday the cable connection stopped responding to the router-reboot trick. Worse still, the VMC stopped supporting an internet browser session. I can ping anything in the world from the Vodem connection, but only if I use an IP address. That is, ping fails if I use a web address as the target (eg, "Ping www.yahoo.com").

I have removed or disabled all the anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall software on the laptop, including Windows Defender and Firewall, but no change.

I have three other computers in my house, all connected to the internet via the same router (2 wireless and 1 wired). All of these are working fine (I am typing this from the wired connection). All of the desktops are running Windows XPSP2. I have installed the VMC on the desktop that uses the wired connection to the router (Marvell Yukon Gigabit). I can use the VMC to access the internet just fine, and it has not affected the wired connection at all (I am STILL typing this from the wired connection!).

To my mind, all that says that the problem is:
1) related to Vista; and
2) related to the VMC.

Can anyone PLEASE help!! Vodafone are stumped and it is driving me crazy.

Cheers

MDL

PS
I must drop in a vote of extreme satisfaction with the Vodafone tech support guys. They have gone well above and beyond the levels of service and commitment that I have come to expect from hardware product call-centre tech support guys. One guy (there are two) called Haithim, in partucular has been fantastic, is himself frustrated beyond belief and would love to see the answer pop-out of a forum like this.

freitasm

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Geekzone

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#68473 25-Apr-2007 22:02

Note that until now the vodem was not certified to work with Windows Vista. I was informed yesterday that Vodafone is making the vodem software update available now. The download page is not available yet, but we can request a CD to be sent. Check my blog entry for more information.

Also, when installing VMC, make sure you do not select the install of the "Optimize" option!

lockmi

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#68486 25-Apr-2007 23:18

Hi Mauricio,

The Vodafone USB 3G modem (Huawei E220) software has been available in Australia for a while. Web link is:
http://www.vodafone.com.au/Business/BusinessSolutions/VodafoneMobileBroadband/Downloads/USBModem/index.htm

No, I did not check the "Optimisation" box (some kinda sixth sense there....)

Further information:
1) I have started the laptop in "Safe Mode with Networking", with virtually all the startup services and devices disabled. I can ping any IP address from all network connections, but I still can ping a host name or webname, and I can't get the internet exlorer to open any pages - not even my router configuration page.

2) I have enabled all possible exceptions in the Windows Firewall, unchecked all network connections and, just for good measure, turned the fireall off and disabled it at startup. Still no change from the results in (1).

It's almost like there's a filter or firewall blocking name based access to the network, but I can't see what it may be.

Cheers

MDL

Quic Broadband

Move to New Zealand's best fibre broadband service (affiliate link). Free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE. Note that to use Quic Broadband you must be comfortable with configuring your own router.

freitasm

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#68515 26-Apr-2007 08:37

Hmmm. I see the software version 9.1. That's the VMC 9.1 software for vodem and Windows XP, but I don't think it's the Windows Vista driver.

AFAIK the Windows Vista driver will actually flash the memory on the device to make it permanent. Did this update do it on your device?

nathan

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#68553 26-Apr-2007 12:33

freitasm: Note that until now the vodem was not certified to work with Windows Vista. I was informed yesterday that Vodafone is making the vodem software update available now. The download page is not available yet, but we can request a CD to be sent. Check my blog entry for more information.

Also, when installing VMC, make sure you do not select the install of the "Optimize" option!

Someone should tell them not to have Optimise/Optimize on by default

lockmi

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#68574 26-Apr-2007 17:53

Hey Maurico,

freitasm: Hmmm. I see the software version 9.1. That's the VMC 9.1 software for vodem and Windows XP, but I don't think it's the Windows Vista driver.

Well according to Vodafone tech-support guys and (but probably less reliably) the Vodafone web-page, that VMC software package and the contained drivers are for both XP & Vista. However, the way it has worked with Vista so far may put the lie to that claim....

AFAIK the Windows Vista driver will actually flash the memory on the device to make it permanent. Did this update do it on your device?

I'm not sure I understand that, I'm sorry. What can I look at or what should I have seen to be able to tell?

Further, from the fiddling I've done today, it's definately a problem with DNS. I can ping any address from any connection, but get nothing but errors from pinging a URL or other web-address. I must check and see if FTP can work with a remote host via IP addresses only.

Cheers

MDL

lockmi

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#68576 26-Apr-2007 18:03

Hi Nathan,

freitasm: Note that until now the vodem was not certified to work with Windows Vista. I was informed yesterday that Vodafone is making the vodem software update available now. The download page is not available yet, but we can request a CD to be sent. Check my blog entry for more information.

I must say I'm a bit confused about the whole certified thing. If by that you mean that it hasn't passed Microsoft QC or been otherwise accredited in some way, then I'd probably agree - I've definately not seen any affitmative reposnse from Microsoft about the whole Huawei E220 + VMC + Vista combination. However, the same doesn't apply to Vodafone - they have been promoting this version to me as the cure to all my ills for a couple of weeks now.

Anyway, irrespective, I think the problem has gone beyond Vodafone. While installing the VMC Dashboard may have caused the problem, uninstalling it doesn't bring about a cure. Therefore the problem seems to be some sort of persistent change to the general networking configuration - probably at the DNS level. If only I knew How; to What; Where and Why I could get back to work....

Also, when installing VMC, make sure you do not select the install of the "Optimize" option!

Yeah, caught that one. Some kinda sixth sense rebelled at the idea of a peice of 3rd-party software knowing how to optimise my environment, and I had very limited faith in being able to undo any changes it might apply.

Someone should tell them not to have Optimise/Optimize on by default

Interestingly, on the version I downloaded the default is "No Change". Someone must have listened.

Peaches

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#68692 27-Apr-2007 18:11

Hey guys, just got told by one of the guys at Harvey Norman that they released a firmware upgrade for vodem/vista. I then rang Vodafone support who had no idea what i was talking about so rang one of the stores, to which they said yes but you need to bring it in to them so they can flash it.

Not sure if includes the 64bit version though

freitasm

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#68694 27-Apr-2007 18:23

Yes it is a new firmware and you have to take to stores for update.

You can do it yourself too. Vodafone will put a download link up soon.

In the meantime I have a copy and I am authorised to send it to whoever needs it.

No it does not include support for 64 bit drivers.

I have more details in my blog.