Millenicom and the U760

[Jerry Prsha]

U760 Update

I thought I'd give you an update on my struggles with the U760 and Millenicom. I contacted Millenicom about my issues via email on their website and was told that I needed to call them about the issue and that they wouldn't help via email.

I've been really busy with my work and was hoping that I could do it when I had a spare moment and didn't want to hang on the phone with a tech. So on a whim, I decided that if this was really a Verizon modem, that I could see what firmware was on the U760. I had already updated the firmware on the Cradlepoint CTR-350...

Well I downloaded and installed the Verizon software and lo and behold, there was a firmware update for the U760. Installed that, updated and it also for a PRL list that was old.

The next day I pulled the Sprint unit and replaced it wit the Millenicom one.

In short... Haven't had a problem since. So, I guess if you should have the same issues, you have an idea on which way to head.

That is all...

 

[Amos Magliocco]

Same story as Jerry's but without the happy result. Immediate problems with Millenicom's U760: continual drops, horrible speeds (0.12 dl / 0.09 ul consistently and despite several locations), failed logins (usually the fourth time was the charm), and then I discovered that Windows would not start if the modem was plugged into the machine on startup. Two long tech support calls (both very positive interactions, friendly and seemingly helpful guys), but no resolution of any of the problems. Then I requested a replacement modem.

Silence on their end. No reply.

They responded immediately to my cancellation request, however.

I know they've been around a while and have a good reputation, but when I consider that they're giving these U760s away for free, I probably should have seen this coming. I'm out about $200 for my trouble.

 

[Skip Talbot]

and then I discovered that Windows would not start if the modem was plugged into the machine on startup.

The device is also a thumb drive, and when you restart your machine it attempts to boot from the thumb drive before it tries the hard drive. The thumb drive isn't bootable though, so it just hangs or gives an error depending on the machine. Not that this helps your problems, but if someone else is encountering this annoyance, you should be able to resolve it by going into your BIOS and changing the boot order so the hard drive comes before Removable Devices or just remove Removable Devices from the list. Remember to switch it back if you need to use a thumb drive to recover your machine or reinstall Windows.

 

[Amos Magliocco]

Skip, really good point. On the second support call, we looked into the BIOS and found the HDD was listed first and the USB not until the end. This was actually the least of the problems since it's no big deal plugging the device in after startup.

Something I left out of my original message, M-Com wasn't interested in having me return the modem, even though I got it for "free" through the constantly-extended special offer. They said I "owned" the modem now. My sense is that these are refurbished or reconfigured modems and it's hit or miss if they work or not. That's obviously speculation, but Millenicom isn't offering me my money back, so I get to speculate.

 

[Andy Wycislo]

Yeah, as part of the setup they include a microSD card in the modem. That's where the setup files are. Restarting with the SD card in the modem caused me problems as well. Took the SD card out and restarting with the modem in hasn't been a problem.

 

[Joshua Nall]

I got my U760 in the mail yesterday. Let my computer run for about 3 hours with GR3 up and never lost connection or had a problem that I noticed. However I evidently have an older version of XP and it did not recognize the device when I first plugged it in. Called support and got the address to download the setup stuff from there rather than coming off the U760. It was a bit of a pain, especially since they told me I would have no issues with XP, just plug her in and go, as easy as "just add water" was their exact words. But it worked once I got that done.

 

[Nathan Truninger]

Using Windows 7 64 bit and got mine a week ago. Never had a problem during Sunday's chase and had continuous data for 8 hours or so.

 

[Adam Lucio]

I also just made a switch and I have had very little issues as well. The only problem I have is it'll sometimes randomly disconnect once or twice while on the road but its not such a big deal. Another minor quirk is if I plug in another USB drive [stream camera or GPS] itll also disconnect but in either case I can get it back up and running quickly.

The signal and speeds I get are great and I have been very pleased so far in that regards. Its a good thing too because the people at Mcom seem like stiffs when it comes to replacing or switching devices, I would definitely be pissed off if I had to go through all that. Hopefully those who have had troubles get them resolved.

 

[Glenn Dixon]

So far I've only used my U760 for about a week, and all in the 'big city' but have had relatively few problems. I have also been sharing out the resulting internet access to my wife's laptop and our iPad. All have worked swimmingly so far. 20GB Verizon-based plan.

So far have surfed and streamed using two different models of MacBook Air, one iPad 3G and one MacBook. Have plugged the U760 directly into both models of MacBook Air, and also hung it off of a USB hub while charging an iPhone and accessing a flash drive on the same hub.

I even pulled the MicroSD and used it in my new ultra-portable scanner for awhile and stayed connected via the U760.

YMMV

 

[Amos Magliocco]

Quick update: my U760 was not defective, but it was "broken" in a way Millenicom couldn't fix. After I canceled, I spent probably 10-12 hours troubleshooting this aircard since they didn't want it back. Deleted all connection softwares and drivers, reinstalled the same, restarts, firmware upgrades--everything I could think of. My test connection was the Verizon guest access from which you can buy additional broadband without a contract. Wasn't having any luck until late tonight when I began googling the error message and reading every forum that came back.

Turned out that a different VZ modem 3 years ago suffered the same authentication errors and abysmal speeds after a firmware patch. One poster chimed in with this fix:

"Here is a fix for Error 920:

First, make sure you have gone into Options and Activation with the VZ Access Manager.

With VZ Access Manager open, Press [CTRL] + [T] at the same time. A black dialogue box should appear.

Type in lower case with no spaces:
at$qcmipep=1 Press Enter on the keyboard and it should be followed with OK
at$qcmipp=0 Press Enter on the keyboard and it should be followed with OK.

Press [ALT]+[F4] keys at the same time and that will close the black dialogue box.

Reboot the computer and restart, go into VZAM and try connecting.
[/list]"

I figured I had nothing to lose since I owned the worlds most expensive pin-drive, and this looked like a simple initialization string adjustment. It worked. Solid connection, very fast speeds, and now I can take advantage of VZ's no-contract broadband menu. Tonight I bought one day's worth of access for testing the aircard; tomorrow I'll buy an additional week.

 

[Glenn Dixon]

The internet FTW! Glad you got that thing working Amos. Just for grins I looked for those same options on the Mac version of VZ Access Manager. No go.

Did you ever think you would still be using modem initialization 'AT' codes in the days of broadband? LOL

 

[JThumberger]

Type in lower case with no spaces:
at$qcmipep=1 Press Enter on the keyboard and it should be followed with OK
at$qcmipp=0 Press Enter on the keyboard and it should be followed with OK.

Anyone know if there is any harm in doing this to a modem that seems to be working fine? Mine SEEMS to be running as expected (nothing that didn't occur with my other USB760 or my Sierra 595U), but wondering if it might run better with this fix.

If I knew the current state of these parameters it would be easy to revert back to them if these don't work, but not knowing what they currently are worries me that I might screw up something that seems to be working just fine.