MF91: unknown error, Error code 19, unlock failed

[user108]

Hello

I'm trying to unlock my MF91 (Telstra). The unlocker detects it as below:
Found modem : MF91
Model : ZTE MF91
IMEI : ...
Firmware : T03
Compile date / time : Apr 19 2012 17:09:46
Chipset : Qualcomm MDM9200
NAND Flash : HYNIX_HY27SF081G2A
SIM Lock status : Locked (Card Lock)

I bought 7 credits and have connection to the server, but receive the following error:

unknown error

Error code 19

unlock failed !

I am using Windows 7 x64.

Any ideas/solutions?

Thank you for your assistance!

[Vincentas]

How did you manage to detect telstra modem? As we know Telstra modems have problems with detecting. What dc-unlocker version do you use?

[user108]

v1.00.0987

I wish I were part of "we" who knew the unlocker does not work with Telstra modems before I bought credits...

I tried it with a different SIM and without a SIM as well and got the same error

[Vincentas]

v1.00.0987

I wish I were part of "we" who knew the unlocker does not work with Telstra modems before I bought credits...

I tried it with a different SIM and without a SIM as well and got the same error

Please contact us by live chat from web page on working hours from 11 to 17 gmt+2. Then we would be able to check more and hope to unlock your modem.

[wbt999]

Zte mf91

G'day Vincentas, User108,

I am glad I have found this thread as today I have been looking into obtaining credits to unlock my ZTE MF91 (Telstra 4G) with DC-Unlocker.

I have the same version of DC-Unlocker as User108 and am getting the exact same detection details as User108 has posted.

Please post if you are able to overcome the error and successfully unlock your device as I am reluctant to purchase credits with a question mark over its success.

Cheers.

[Vincentas]

G'day Vincentas, User108,

I am glad I have found this thread as today I have been looking into obtaining credits to unlock my ZTE MF91 (Telstra 4G) with DC-Unlocker.

I have the same version of DC-Unlocker as User108 and am getting the exact same detection details as User108 has posted.

Please post if you are able to overcome the error and successfully unlock your device as I am reluctant to purchase credits with a question mark over its success.

Cheers.

Please contact us by live chat.

[user108]

Solution and result

The solution for anyone with the same problem:

You cannot use a mobile phone connected via USB to your computer and the modem in the same time. Once I went to a friend's place with cable internet the unlocking process was a breeze.

So it is now unlocked, working, logging on to Optus network and I can access the modem via wifi.

However Windows 7 detects the modem and I can install the drivers, but the modem is not accessible on http://192.168.0.1 when connected via USB.

Any ideas, suggestions?

Thanks for your help so far!!!

[bigbadsteve]

How to make it work!

ZTE MF91's, available in Australia afaik only with the Telstra ISP prepaid package, are indeed unlockable. I bought mine this week, unlocked it with DC Unlocker, and am using it with an Optus postpaid SIM card right now to type this reply.

All the instructions on the following page must be followed (this is how I got it to work):
Whirlpool Forums: DC-unlocker and ZTE MF91

The solution for anyone with the same problem:

You cannot use a mobile phone connected via USB to your computer and the modem in the same time. Once I went to a friend's place with cable internet the unlocking process was a breeze.

I did similar. This is a bit of a Catch-22-like situation, without your modem working yet, how do you go online to unlock the modem with purchased credits? In my case I used my dial-up connection, which actually disconnected before the unlock was complete - I found I that connecting at the last possible moment before DC Unlocker 'phones home' did the trick.

So it is now unlocked, working, logging on to Optus network and I can access the modem via wifi.

However Windows 7 detects the modem and I can install the drivers, but the modem is not accessible on http://192.168.0.1 when connected via USB.

After installing the drivers and restarting your computer, you need to push the button on the front of the modem so it goes online. Then if the connection is not set to 'Connect automatically' in Windows 7, you'll need to manually connect there (otherwise Windows will connect by itself). You need to enter a password on the browser device menu page, the supplied default is password. Skip any of these steps and you can't access the menus.

You must, in Settings->APN Settings using your browser, create a new Profile, set APN Name correctly, make this the default profile, then turn off the modem, remove the battery, insert your new ISP's SIM card (Optus in my case), put it all back together & turn it back on, and reconnect as above.

My first call to Optus Support resulted in incorrect advice from them, in fact for Optus postpaid the APN Name must be connectme, not connect as they first told me. The different APN Names for the different types of Optus SIM cards are listed in the table at the bottom of this page. I think I did this while the Telstra SIM card was still in the modem but can't remember exactly, folow the Whirlpool Forums linked page advice if in doubt.

Don't forget that for any SIM card, you need to phone the manufacturer to activate it first for it to work fully!

Ensure the modem battery is charged (leave the modem connected to the supplied mains plugpack for a few hours). In fact the manufacturer states that running it tethered (i.e. on USB with drivers installed) is likely to drain the battery after a small number of hours, so regular mains recharging would seem wise.

Do not, btw, contrary to manufacturer instructions and even possibly ISP Support advice, ever use the WPS button on the side of the unit, or turn it on in the menu, or use it on on any device since WPS connections are now unsafe and hackable in under two hours with an easily obtainable program. Until if/when a firmware update is released to circumvent this security problem, anyway.

If you followed all the steps carefully, you should now have a working connection, woohoo!!! And thanks for this nice modem/router Telstra, it's a fair bit better than Optus's offering according to the reviews (get a second battery if you'll be using it much traveling with your laptop though).