Merlin XU870 causes Win XP Pro SP2 Toshiba re-boots & 9 vodies can't help

Forums › One NZ (including Farmside) › Merlin XU870 causes Win XP Pro SP2 Toshiba re-boots & 9 vodies can't help

wekavern

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#17531 30-Nov-2007 14:04

VMC Novatel XU870 expresscard causes hard reboots for Toshiba Tecra S2 OS=Win XP Pro
First couple of months using VMC software OK. Then intermittent re-booting started.
3rd Vodie helper suggested work around. Dump VMC software- configure as dial-up-worked OK but re-boot fault continued.
3 more Vodie helpers floundered made various suggestions which did not improve things and finally insisted card must be faulty.
This includes instructions to download download XP 32 bit for Merlin XU870 and re-install. But problems persist.
problem never occurs when VMC card not inserted.
SIM checked OK new loaner VMC card obtained. Try VMC software re-installs but it complete installation as can't find .sys file
7th vodie helper sent a .sys file supposed to solve but what can a .sys file by itself do? 8th vodie helper gives up insists
I take the gear to their store. So off to store with new loaner XU870

Along the way its evident that details do not get entered by Vodies against my number as they are supposed to-makes subsequent calls lengthy.

Business consultant (9th vodie helper) spends several hours and suggests try older v 7 driver rather than v9.2.1.6
Also he has all sorts of problems installing into my new replacement -a brand new Tecra M2 on Win XP Pro but good old Josh at Laptop Co. fixes that in 30 seconds. Maybe only a re-start was required?

Vodie could not get older Tosh S2 running and suggests try older v 7 driver. rather than v9.2.1.6.-emails me vodafone url
Note the other vodies pointed me to http://www.mobilenetworks.co.nz/ NOT the vodafone website.to download (XP 32 bit for Merlin XU870)

So back to self-help and clean out all cursed Vodafone software. Start again and reinistall VMC. Modem detected & queried OK & check shows latest drivers are latest available. Configure as Dial-up and works OK but still get the intermittent re-boot.
Given up on Vodies
Anyone had similar problems and got a solution?
ver 9.2.1.6545

freitasm

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#97654 30-Nov-2007 14:13

And what's the firmware number on this card? On VMC click Help | Diagnostocs. It should be 9.2, if not download the firmware update from the Vodafone NZ site.

If it is causes problem, check that the drivers for the Express Card reader on your laptop are completely up to date.

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wekavern

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#97659 30-Nov-2007 14:44

Thanks for quick help.
Diagnostics shows XU870 revision in log below as

last diagnostic check =ATI7 - Manufacturer: Novatel Wireless Incorporated
Model: Merlin XU870 ExpressCard
Revision: 9.2.00.0-00 [2006-08-03 13:07:27]
IMEI: 011057006011081
+GCAP: +CGSM,+DS,+ES
11-30-2007 14:12:14.468 - File: C:\WINDOWS\system32\tapisrv.dll, Version 5.1.2600
11-30-2007 14:12:14.468 - File: C:\WINDOWS\system32\unimdm.tsp, Version 5.1.2600
11-30-2007 14:12:14.468 - File: C:\WINDOWS\system32\unimdmat.dll, Version 5.1.2600
11-30-2007 14:12:14.468 - File: C:\WINDOWS\system32\uniplat.dll, Version 5.1.2600
11-30-2007 14:12:14.484 - File: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\modem.sys, Version 5.1.2600
11-30-2007 14:12:14.484 - File: C:\WINDOWS\system32\modemui.dll, Version 5.1.2600
11-30-2007 14:12:14.484 - File: C:\WINDOWS\system32\mdminst.dll, Version 5.1.2600
11-30-2007 14:12:14.484 - Modem type: Novatel Wireless Merlin HSDPA Modem
11-30-2007 14:12:14.484 - Modem inf path: oem99.inf
11-30-2007 14:12:14.484 - Modem inf section: Modem
11-30-2007 14:12:14.484 - Matching hardware ID: usb\vid_1410&pid_1430&mi_00
11-30-2007 14:12:14.500 - Opening Modem
11-30-2007 14:12:14.500 - 230400,8,N,1, ctsfl=1, rtsctl=2
11-30-2007 14:12:14.500 - Initializing modem.
and so on to connect

Re your suggestion to check that the drivers for the Express Card reader on laptop up to date.
On this machine its socketted in PCMCIA via an express card adaptor.
I will check PCMCIA drivers are UTD
Do you know if separate driver is involved because of use of Express card-PCMCIA adapter?
Thanks very much.

johnr

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#97669 30-Nov-2007 16:10

Could be chipset conflict between XU870 and Laptop!

Does the same issue happen with card in another laptop

wekavern

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#99005 9-Dec-2007 10:10

No, running the modem in another laptop does not appear to replicate the same fault although it might not have shown up in a couple of hours test.
So maybe it is a chipset conflict as you suggest Any idea what can be done about that?

One interesting clue is that sometimes when the failure occurs, it is preceeded by an audible sound associated with modem activity -a 2-3 second "dah dit dit dah" buzzing sound from the laptop speaker which is not normally audible, but suddenely increases to audible tone just before the crash.

About half the fault exhibits as a sudden external LCD screen suddenly goes to sleep and the laptop keeps running with no display and I cannot switch to the laptop display either. Because of applications running, one can't shut down "blind" so a hard shutdown is necessary. The other half the time the laptop just suddenly re-boots from scratch. Any ideas?