8.10 and USB Modem ZTE MF636BP / MF636

[GeorgeVita]

Hi,

my ZTE MF636 works with 8.10 and Network Manager 0.7
see post#8 of http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1065934

bye,
G

[pcdm79]

Hi, please help me. It worked for me perfectly, but, then I tried to make it work in another computer. so I repeated steps 1 and 2, but missed the step 3. Now I can't get the modem to be detect as a modem, just as a Mass Storage Device. How can I fix it?? PLEASE HELP!!! And thanks in advice!.

Luis from Paraguay (South America)

EDIT >>> MF636 works with 8.10 and Network Manager 0.7 <<<
see post#8 of http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1065934


Hi, from google I found helpful info at: http://www.matt-barrett.com/

I have already tested, worked with my ZTE MF636 on Ubuntu 8.04

I think that ZTE MF636 3G modem responds by default as an autorun CD drive or as the internal USB hub (19d2:2000) but we need the actual modem which selected after issuing the AT+ZCDRUN=8 (then it responds 19d2:0031 on lsusb terminal command).

You can try the following steps:

1. on WinVista through control panel ADD the extra init command AT+ZCDRUN=8
2. try to connect once with the providers s/w (WinVista)
3. remove the above command through control panel (WinVista)

>>> IMPORTANT NOTE: After issuing the above command you can use the modem for Windows and Ubuntu but you cannot install it to another Windows PC. To return the modem to its default condition you have to send AT+ZCDRUN=9 following steps 1,2 and 3.

All the above are needed bacause there is no Hyperterminal into WinVista. You could also use a serial communication terminal program and send the command AT+ZCDRUN=8 directly to the port (comX) assigned for the ZTE MF636.

4. boot Ubuntu
5. open a terminal window and run the command lsusb

You must see ... 19d2:0031 ... among the responds

6. run the terminal command:
sudo modprobe usbserial vendor=0x19d2 product=0x0031

7. run the terminal command: ls /dev/ttyU*

You must see: /dev/ttyUSB0 /dev/ttyUSB1 /dev/ttyUSB2
The modem port is the higher number (/dev/ttyUSB2 in my case).

8. Finally you must edit the dialler configuration file (from terminal): sudo gedit /etc/wvdial.conf

My /etc/wvdial.conf is:

[Dialer Defaults]
Modem = /dev/ttyUSB2
Modem Type = Analog Modem
ISDN = 0
Baud = 460800
Dial Attempts = 1
Username = user
Password = pass
Init1 = ATZ
Init2 = AT&F &D2 &C1
Init3 = ATS7=60 S30=0 S0=0
Init4 = AT+CGDCONT=1,"IP","internet"
Phone = *99***1#
Stupid Mode = 1

Possibly you have to place a different APN at Init3 line (instead of "internet") and the appropriate username and password. For these you must ask your provider. SIM PIN check must be disabled!

Notes for AT Commands used above:
ATZ soft reset of the modem
AT&F restore factory settings
AT&D2&C1 select and use hardware handshake
ATS7=60 wait up to 60 seconds to connect (if not exit)
ATS30=0 do not use inactivity timeout (does not disconnect when you are not browsing)
ATS0=0 do not auto answer to any incoming call

To connect from a terminal window type: sudo wvdial
To disconnect press CTRL-C at the same terminal window.

As reference read (from terminal): man wvdial and man wvdial.conf

Post me back any question to follow up.

Regards,
George

P.S. Cosmote users from Greece can read my notes in Greek at:
http://www.acomelectronics.com/Georg...vd_636_el.html

[GeorgeVita]

Hi pcdm79,

Hi, please help me. It worked for me perfectly, but, then I tried to make it work in another computer. so I repeated steps 1 and 2, but missed the step 3.
...

If you want:

a. to restore the MF636 to its initial state which it will work with windows, will install in another windows PC but CANNOT work with Ubuntu, you have to send the AT+ZCDRUN=9 from the Ubuntu PC.
- Connect the modem
- open a terminal window: echo AT+ZCDRUN=9 > /dev/ttyUSB3
- from the same terminal window: echo AT+ZCDRUN=9 > /dev/ttyUSB2
(Sending it to poth ports in case the modem was already attached at boot)
To use it again: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1065934 (post#8)
where at point 2. I have noticed also the alternative usb_modeswitch method (which I have not test it).


b. to remove the AT+ZCDRUN=8 command from windows (that PC cannot temporarily connect), go to control panel, modem & dialing, properties, advanced and remove this extra init command.
(I don't remember the actual Windows menu titles. If you cannot find it I have to change my HardDisk and boot Vista or XP)


Regards,
George

[rochettejessy]

I had the 636 working on my acer one/ubuntu netbook remix. with the instructions from here, using wvdial, but 2 days latter, if i envoke wvdial, the system just freeze completly.

Any ideas?

[GeorgeVita]

Hi rochettejessy,

I have noticed that booting with the MF636 attached the system assigns /dev/ttyUSB0-1-2 and not /dev/ttyUSB3 (in my system).

Can you check if you have this different behavior to your system?

To test it:
- boot without modem
- open a terminal window and: lsusb
- shutdown
- reboot with the modem attached
- open a terminal window and: lsusb

Post here the results,
G

[rochettejessy]

jessy@jessy:~$ echo PRIOR TO MODEM CONECT
PRIOR TO MODEM CONECT
jessy@jessy:~$ sudo lsusb
[sudo] password for jessy:
Bus 005 Device 002: ID 064e:d101 Suyin Corp.
Bus 005 Device 001: ID 0000:0000
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 0000:0000
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 0000:0000
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 0000:0000
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 0000:0000
jessy@jessy:~$ echo CONNECTIONG MODEM
CONNECTIONG MODEM
jessy@jessy:~$ sudo modprobe usbserial vendor=0x19d2 product=0x0031
jessy@jessy:~$ sudo modprobe usbserial vendor=0x19d2 product=0x0031
jessy@jessy:~$ lsusb
Bus 005 Device 003: ID 19d2:0031
Bus 005 Device 002: ID 064e:d101 Suyin Corp.
Bus 005 Device 001: ID 0000:0000
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 0000:0000
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 0000:0000
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 0000:0000
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 0000:0000
jessy@jessy:~$

If i try to connect to modem using a serial port terminal the system completly freezes

Now if i boot with the card connected i get
jessy@jessy:~$ sudo modprobe usbserial vendor=0x19d2 product=0x0031
[sudo] password for jessy:
jessy@jessy:~$ lsusb
Bus 005 Device 003: ID 064e:d101 Suyin Corp.
Bus 005 Device 002: ID 19d2:0031
Bus 005 Device 001: ID 0000:0000
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 0000:0000
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 0000:0000
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 0000:0000
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 0000:0000
jessy@jessy:~$ ls /dev/ttyU*
/dev/ttyUSB0
jessy@jessy:~$

... so the device seams to be getting detected with no problems, but if i try to communicate with it what so ever, then the entire system crashes (i mean even caplock as no effect... mouse locks where it is).

[Baiter]

Hi all, I had similar problems after upgrading from 8.04 and 8.10; everything worked fine on 8.04 then lost the ethernet and USB functions on 8.10. I tried 2 PCs and loading 8.10 fresh or upgrade, similar results.
Solution: go back to 8.04 !

[GeorgeVita]

Hi all, I had similar problems after upgrading from 8.04 and 8.10; everything worked fine on 8.04 then lost the ethernet and USB functions on 8.10. I tried 2 PCs and loading 8.10 fresh or upgrade, similar results.
Solution: go back to 8.04 !

Hi Baiter, there is also the option returning to a previous steady condition, but I thing we have to try it a little bit more.

Hi again rochettejessy, one thing I don't like is the only port (/dev/ttyUSB0) showing with ls /dev/ttyUSB* because most cases 3G modems have 2,3 or 4 ports (including the card reader).

I don't know if the ubuntu netbook remix is the difference. Can you try add the modprobe usbserial to udev (below I copy step 3 from my other post):

...
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.
...

(full data at post#8 of http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1065934)

You must reboot without modem, attach it and test again ls /dev/ttyU*

Regards,
George

[rochettejessy]

this is my result
jessy@jessy:~$ lsusb
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 0000:0000
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 0000:0000
Bus 005 Device 003: ID 19d2:0031
Bus 005 Device 002: ID 064e:d101 Suyin Corp.
Bus 005 Device 001: ID 0000:0000
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 0000:0000
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 0000:0000
jessy@jessy:~$ ls /dev/ttyU*
/dev/ttyUSB0
jessy@jessy:~$

and i do want to point that i did a clean install, of netbook 8.04 this am. when it did work, i did not however have more that one device. and it was always ttyUSB0

[GeorgeVita]

rochettejessy,
I assume that previous data were without manually modprobing? Automatically done with the udev rule?

can you check also from terminal: dmesg
and copy here only the last lines regarding the modem & ttyUSB0?

... it is getting harder!