E272 - Dead after firmware update

[sebscarlat]

Hello,

I just got a Huawei E272 with Vodafone branding (and locked to Vodafone RO). I ran the firmware update at http://dc-files.com/files/huawei/modems/E272/ to get rid of the branding and it worked until the first removal. Now I can't get it to install right. When I plug it into a computer it shows up as a USB Composite Device and two Data Cards, one of which turns into a modem and the other into a COM port. No CD drive, no DIAG port. And the modem port doesn't respond to Diagnostic Queries (from device manager).

As you'd imagine, DC-Unlocker doesn't detect the modem at all. Neither does the latest Mobile Partner from your site. I've tested on two computers - one with 7, the other with XP, same results.

Is there any way to bring it back to life, or should I have just thrown the money I spent on it out the window?

[jebett]

Hello,

I just got a Huawei E272 with Vodafone branding (and locked to Vodafone RO). I ran the firmware update at http://dc-files.com/files/huawei/modems/E272/ to get rid of the branding and it worked until the first removal. Now I can't get it to install right. When I plug it into a computer it shows up as a USB Composite Device and two Data Cards, one of which turns into a modem and the other into a COM port. No CD drive, no DIAG port. And the modem port doesn't respond to Diagnostic Queries (from device manager).

Sounds like a normal behaviour that a lot of branded Huawei devices have. I have three different ones and none of them have diagnostic ports unless I flash them to Vodafone's firmware. So it is not broken.

[sebscarlat]

Okay, that's great news! But how do I flash the Vodafone firmware back onto it?

[jebett]

Okay, that's great news! But how do I flash the Vodafone firmware back onto it?

You have to find it from somewhere. Maybe your local Vodafone has an firmware upgrade on their website?

[Fakiro]

Hello,

I just got a Huawei E272 with Vodafone branding (and locked to Vodafone RO). I ran the firmware update at http://dc-files.com/files/huawei/modems/E272/ to get rid of the branding and it worked until the first removal. Now I can't get it to install right. When I plug it into a computer it shows up as a USB Composite Device and two Data Cards, one of which turns into a modem and the other into a COM port. No CD drive, no DIAG port. And the modem port doesn't respond to Diagnostic Queries (from device manager).

As you'd imagine, DC-Unlocker doesn't detect the modem at all. Neither does the latest Mobile Partner from your site. I've tested on two computers - one with 7, the other with XP, same results.

Is there any way to bring it back to life, or should I have just thrown the money I spent on it out the window?

maybe that 11.415.xx is not a valid good firmware upgrade for your Huawei E272.
Try to restore back E272_FW11.304.18.00.47.exe

[sebscarlat]

Will try the Vodafone firmware (9.3.0.8940.B305.exe) and the E272_FW11.304.18.00.47 one and report back

[sebscarlat]

Well, seems like I can't flash it - the Vodafone updater gets stuck at "Searching" and the 11.304.x one says it's not connected. Meanwhile, the Mobile Partner still can't see it. Are there any specific drivers I should use or anything? It does not show up in My Computer as a CD drive when I plug it in.

[yaylol]

Did you try out the modem on another computer?

[jebett]

Well, seems like I can't flash it - the Vodafone updater gets stuck at "Searching" and the 11.304.x one says it's not connected. Meanwhile, the Mobile Partner still can't see it. Are there any specific drivers I should use or anything? It does not show up in My Computer as a CD drive when I plug it in.

Try the firmware that you used in the first post and see if the device is detected. Also you could try reinstalling the drivers.

[sebscarlat]

Okay, after a week I finally found the time to play around with the modem some more.

I have tried the following combinations, to no avail:

DC - Unlocker 2 Client 1.00.0597

Detecting card :

selection :
manufacturer - Huawei modems
model - Auto detect (recommended)

Found modem         : E272
Model               : Huawei E272
IMEI                : x
Serial NR.          : x
Firmware            : 11.311.04.01.00
Compile date / time : Jan 22 2008 14:49:21
Dashboard version   : VMCLite_3.0.3.112_standard
Chipset             : Qualcomm MSM7200
NAND Flash          : micron_mt29f1g08
Voice feature       : not supported in current firmware
SIM Lock status     : unlocked
Wrong codes entered : 0 (unlock attempts left : 10)

===================================================================


DC - Unlocker 2 Client 1.00.0597

Detecting card :

selection :
manufacturer - Huawei modems
model - Huawei E272

Found modem         : E272
Model               : Huawei E272
IMEI                : x
Serial NR.          : x
Firmware            : 11.311.04.01.00
Compile date / time : Jan 22 2008 14:49:21
Dashboard version   : 9.3.0.8940
Chipset             : Qualcomm MSM7200
NAND Flash          : micron_mt29f1g08
Voice feature       : not supported in current firmware
SIM Lock status     : unlocked
Wrong codes entered : 0 (unlock attempts left : 10)
=================================================================


DC - Unlocker 2 Client 1.00.0597

Detecting card :

selection :
manufacturer - Huawei modems
model - Auto detect (recommended)

Found modem         : E272
Model               : Huawei E272
IMEI                : x
Serial NR.          : x
Firmware            : 11.415.05.00.00
Compile date / time : Sep 19 2008 11:36:49
Dashboard version   : UTPS11.002.03.16.03_MAC11.201.01.00.03
Chipset             : Qualcomm MSM7200
NAND Flash          : micron_mt29f1g08
Voice feature       : not supported in current firmware
SIM Lock status     : unlocked
Wrong codes entered : 0 (unlock attempts left : 10)

===================================================================

The first one sort of worked - it got up to the point where it detected the network and signal and could actually connect.

The second one used an updated dashboard, which could not get the modem working (modem flashed green and VMC said "no device").

The third was rather useless - Mobile Partner couldn't see the modem at all.

I would have stayed with the first one, but the problem is that once I disconnect the modem it goes back to the old problem - the damn thing won't install as a CD drive, so there's no way to get the drivers and application. The CD install only appears after I'm done flashing the firmware update (or, rather, downgrade).

Does anyone know a specific combination of Firmware/Dashboard that actually works?

P.S. I have cleaned up the drivers after each attempt.
P.P.S The firmware updater always says "ERROR_IMEI" where the IMEI should be. Does that make any sense?

[sebscarlat]

Damn it, can't edit the older post.

On several occasions I removed all the drivers by using huawei_drivers_3.09.00.00 > DriverUninstall.exe or manually and then rebooted. When I plug in the modem, 3 devices show up and only USB Composite device has a driver - the other two (Data Interface) fail to install. Wasn't the modem supposed to install the mass storage when plugged in?

[sebscarlat]

Well, I "fixed" it. Apparently all the damned thing needed was some TLC (tenderness, love and care) and a new friggin' cable. Turns out the cable with one USB-A plug wasn't enough - I plugged in with the one from my external harddrive (2x USB-A to MiniUSB) and it worked like a charm. I flashed the latest firmware and dashboard from dc-files and that was that.