Ubuntu 8.10 and ZTE USB MF636

Hi pdc,

I'm happy to follow the instructions. My biggest hurdle is that I cannot access the internet on the ubuntu powered netbook. Opening terminals and following the instructions will be done when I can access the internet on the ubuntu netbook, which is what I'm trying to achieve via this thread.

So, how do I access the files on a windows XP pro machine so I can then transfer via usb stick to the ubuntu netbook?

I'm currently in Australia using Aunty's Telstra BigPond service on the windows laptop.

well if you are in any of the capital cities, there are free wireless networks around the major public libraries; other than that, many cafes have wireless;

so you could import directly into linux by that;

other than that, have a read at the liam hughes advice, from xp; maybe you download to xp; buy a USB stick for $5-10 in a **** Smiths or somewhere; copy the files onto that; boot linux and import

Hmmm, was following GeorgeVitas' reply (see below) making progress until missed out step 2. I thought I was at step 5 but the netbook keeps hanging after the Ubuntu screen. The display shows a very small round icon with "petal" moving in a clockwise direction.

Have I just turned my netbook into an anchor?

How do I progress from here please?

Originally Posted by GeorgeVita View Post
I have JUST installed an Ubuntu 8.10 from an alternative installation CD (ISO i386) to my Toshiba Satellite L30-113. I did some modifications found on various posts (most in ubuntuforums.org) and I am connected with my ZTE MF636 3g modem via Network Manager 0.7 (I have already downloaded over 250MB of updates before posting this note!).

Below are the steps you may follow to work with your ZTE MF636:

1. Boot without the MF636, wait for the system to stabilize, open a terminal window, plug in the modem, wait 10-15 seconds and run the command: lsusb

If among the responds you see 19d2:0031 go to step 3.

2. The modem responds 19d2:2000 (as the internal CD drive or USB hub) but we need the actual modem (19d2:0031). You may use a special program called usb_modeswitch (see http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1017630) but I preferred to send the AT command AT+ZCDRUN=8 from a Windows PC to the modem (use hyperterminal or add it as an extra init command through control panel).
This command turns off the AUTO RUN function of the internal CD, if you want to return to default you have to send AT+ZCDRUN=9 (info taken from www.matt-barrett.com).

Test again the terminal command lsusb to be sure you have 19d2:0031

3. Make a new "rule" for MF636 to create the usbserial communication port (/dev/ttyUSBx).
From terminal run: sudo gedit /etc/udev/rules.d/90-zte.rules
copy paste the following lines (according to post#4 of http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=665332):

ACTION!="add", GOTO="ZTE_End"
#
SUBSYSTEM=="usb", SYSFS{idProduct}=="0031",
SYSFS{idVendor}=="19d2", GOTO="ZTE_Modem"
#
LABEL="ZTE_Modem"
RUN+="/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x19d2 product=0x0031",
MODE="660", GROUP="dialout"
#
LABEL="ZTE_End"

Save and Exit from gedit.

4. Edit HAL info to see MF636 instead of MF628. From a terminal window:
sudo gedit /usr/share/hal/fdi/information/10freedesktop/10-modem.fdi
Search (ctrl-F) for 19d2, go to line after "<!-- ZTE MF628 HSDPA USB dongle -->" and change usb.product_id from 0015 to 0031
Save and exit from gedit.
NOTE: this edit must be done again if an Ubuntu update restores the file 10-modem.fdi to defaults!

5. Remove modem from USB port, reboot, wait for the system to stabilize, plug in the modem. After a while a message will appear over the Network Manager icon (2 PC screens up right) and help you create a Mobile Broadband connection. After created click to Network Manager icon, and click to your provider.

Some debugging notes:
- If at step 5 the "message" not appears, try to make the setup manually (right click on icon and "Edit Connections")
- From terminal the command ls /dev/ttyU* will show you the usbserial ports for the modem. There must be four (4) up to /dev/ttyUSB3 which is our modem. If you boot with the modem attached you may have up to /dev/ttyUSB2 and this needs extra modification to the 10-modem.fdi file (the parameter usb.interface.number" int="3" must be changed to2).

Post any question to test it and follow up.

Regards,
George

Hi Purple Mouse,
this thread (and my info) were valid for Ubuntu 8.10
Your info under 'beans counter' shows that you are using Ubuntu 9.10 which needs other tricks to use a ZTE MF636! More info here and there. Briefly I am ejecting the virtual CD-ROM, then stop network-manager, killall modem manager and finally use wvdial, gnome-ppp, pppd or any other way to connect.

In any way the tests must be done on a fully updated system.

Regards,
George

Hi GeorgeVita,
Ok, thank you, noted. Any advice on how to get the system up and running again. I've tried booting from USB stick to delete rules created but here's the monster. I used the disk encryption password option at the logon screen. Can locate files but not edit/remove. I don't mind installing fresh copy of 9.10 but for one aspect. I used tomboy notes extensively over the last week and don't want to lose the data.

What is the proceedure/appplication to stop network-manager