Huawei E169G - the easy way
A few days ago Lifehacker Australia carried a blog post where they said that they felt my method to get the Huawei E169G modem working on an EEE PC was a "tad fiddly". Well, they are probably right, so taking this as a challenge I've had a go at creating a package that will apply these steps automatically and make getting this modem up and running as simple as possible. This is one of my first attempts at packaging, so there might be some problems, however I've successfully tested that it works on both a Xandros and an Ubuntu powered EEE PC. The package is quite basic in what it does, so it may well work on some other Debian-based distributions too.
The package basically automates the steps in my earlier post "Using the Huawei E169G usb mobile internet modem on the EEE", it includes files to set up the rules for what should happen when you plug the device in, a copy of usb_modeswitch, documentation, and a sample configuration file for gnome-ppp (thanks to the Joyrex Wiki) to help you set up a connection (you won't need this for a standard Xandros powered EEE).
Installation on a Xandros EEE PC
- Download the file e169g-switch_0.3_all.deb from this site to somewhere you can easily find it.
- Open file manager (under the work tab) and go to the location where you downloaded the file
- Right click over the file and select "Install DEB file..."
- Enter your password when prompted (this is required because you are making a system change)
- After a few moments you should get a message saying installation has been completed.
You should now be able plug in the E169G and use it to make an Internet connection in the normal way using the "Network" icon under "Internet"
Installation on an Ubuntu EEE PC
- Using Firefox, click here to start the installation process for e169g-switch
- Firefox will offer you the option to download and open the package with GDebi Package Installer, click Ok to accept
- GDebi will launch, showing you information about the package, click "Install Package" in the top right hand corner
- Enter your password when prompted (this is needed because you are making changes to the system)
- After a few moments the package will be installed and you should be able to plug in your E169G (on mine I noticed that a file browser window still launches for mobile connect, but the modem does work)
- If you want to make a connection using gnome-ppp have a look under /usr/share/doc/e169g-switch for a sample configuration file. You should edit this and copy it to your home directory and name it .wvdial.conf
Thanks to Georgina Parsons for testing out the package on her Xandros-powered EEE. So far I've had this working on an Ubuntu and Xandros powered EEE, but it should work on other machines running Ubuntu. If you get success on other platforms please mention it here. The package itself is very simple, it just copies files, it does not use any of the advanced features of the Debian packaging format, but in the end was quite straightforward to put together. If you want to verify that you have downloaded the file correctly before installing it the
MD5 sum of the package is: f3e80b78c7e0ad704ae48d22b1ca2d09, you can verify this by typing md5sum e169g-switch_0.2_all.deb in a command line.
Hopefully this package will make the E169G simple to use on the EEE as the two devices go together very well.
*** UPDATE 12th October 2008 ***
Thanks for your feedback on this package. Some of you experienced a "floating point" error when trying to use this package on a Xandros-powered EEE system. Today I updated the e169g-switch package to version 0.2 and included a special version of usb_modeswitch that was compiled on a Xandros system. This seems to clear up the error on a simulation of a Xandros-powered EEE that I have and seems to work fine on Ubuntu as well. As my EEE doesn't have Xandros on it anymore I've not been able to test it on a real machine, so if it works for you please comment here. If you are up and running with version 0.1 there is no need to upgrade.To upgrade just follow the instructions above, if you already have version 0.1 installed the upgrade will be handled automatically. All of the links above have been updated.
*** UPDATE 5th December 2008 ***
New version 0.3: I've updated the version of usb_modeswitch used by e169g_switch to version 0.9.5 and altered the package file so it now provides "usb_modeswitch" for any package that depends on it. If you are happily using the package already, you probably don't need to update.
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Comments
Re: Huawei E169G - the easy way
Worked like a charm! Connected to DNA Finland in seconds. Thanks a lot!
-Hencki, proudly surfing on his new eee 901
Re: Huawei E169G - the easy way
Thank you for your wonderful little .deb package. I wrote about it on my personal blog: How to use Huawei E169 HSDPA 3G modem on Ubuntu.
Re: Huawei E169G - the easy way
Hi. After struggling for months with my eeepc and this modem, I found the above package and installed it. I seemed to get a lot further than I have before, I was able to detect the card, found the network, and even got it to dial. Unfortunately, I ran into more trouble there. When I try to dial, it disconnects and I get the error:
Failed to run pon. (pppclientservice.cpp: 1007)
The link was closed. Unable to reach destination. (pppclientservice.cpp: 1005)
Searching, I found a few people with this problem, and the suggested fix was to run the following in the terminal: "sudo rm /var/run/pppd2.tdb". This hasn't helped either.
Does anyone know why this error is occurring, and have a fix for it?
thanks.
Re: Huawei E169G - the easy way
i heard about an antenna associated to this model, i would like to ask for confirmation and if it is true i would like to avail of this gadget.thanks!
E169 with Optus Australia
Thanks for perfect instructions, works a treat.
With Optus prepaid, I discovered the APN needs to be changed to preconnect and login/passwd should be blank. Thanks very much.
Re: Huawei E169G - the easy way
Liam,
Thanks for all your hard work in putting this together!
I have just created a short howto for using your package with an Australian Virgin Mobile Broadband Pre-paid account and its e169, which you can see at: http://www.lympago.com/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?b=robburble,m=1230090517
Note that the Virgin doco *lies* about the authentication details!
Cheers,
Rob.
Re: Huawei E169G - the easy way
Hi, I didn't know what to use for a password to install your file. I haven't got one I don't think. I'm using a Virgin Mobile Huawei E169 (as far as I know, I think that's what they said) but can't get it to work on the ASUS EEE. Any help gratefully received to get it working for travelling. I'm not very computer literate and don't really understand Linux (my other PCs have Windows)
Thanks if you can.
Re: Huawei E169G - the easy way
Hi Satori, I think on Xandros (default) EEE PCs the password you need is the same as your own password. Can anyone confirm that?
Re: Huawei E169G - the easy way
Hi, thanks for coming back. I haven't got a password, I don't think. I checked on Personalization in settings and don't seem to have one and can't seem to set one up. Unless there is some sort of default one. So of course, I cannot put in a new one either (I tried that). Yes, I have the default Xandros.
Before I came across your instructions, and I tried to set the Virgin Mobile Broadband up, I went into Networks and Create, you can't pick up the device under 3G, only under Local Area Network, then it is recognised, but you can't do anything with it. It's all very frustrating, then I hoped your thing would provide a fix, but then hit the password problem. I also tried it by going back to the original instructions (which is something very similar to what Virgin were telling me I could try), but I got lost as I'm not familiar enough with Linux to work it all out.
Thanks.
Re: Huawei E169G - the easy way
I think I have figured out a way round this, it seems if you try to install the package by right clicking and doing "Install DEB file" but don't have a password it doesn't like it. As an alternative you can install it from the command line:
Hope this helps.
Re: Huawei E169G - the easy way
Hi, Thank you very much for this. I will try tomorrow when I'm not tired and let you know how I get on.
With kind regards.
Satori
Re: Huawei E169G - the easy way
Sorry, I have just managed to find out that my device from Virgin Mobile Broadband is a Huawei but it is an E160 and not a 169 which I suppose changes things somewhat.
Kind regards.
Satori
Re: Huawei E169G - the easy way
Whoops! No problem, I think a couple of people have been after a way to get the E160 to work. I don't have an E160 (although if a mobile operator sends me one I'm willing to have a go!) but if you have a look at: http://www.greenhughes.com/content/using-huawei-e169g-usb-mobile-interne... but replace every reference to a product id of "1001" with "1003" it might work.
Re: Huawei E169G - the easy way
One day I will get this to work! I don't like to give up! Perhaps I should send you my E160 so you can figure out a way to make it work!
Virgin might send you one. They certainly have someone there who's into Linux, although I don't know if that person is on the mobile broadband team, as someone from that team got in touch with a colleague who directed me to the German site in that link you just gave me. I will give it a go but I'm not sure I can work my way around Linux sufficiently. I did get a bit carried away the other day and ordered a Ubuntu disk although I don't know what this is either or what to do with it! I might just load it onto the EEE one day!
Anyway, the main challenge is to get this Virgin thing to work. Will let you know.
Kind regards. Satori
Re: Huawei E169G - the easy way
Good luck! I don't know if this helps, but what I can say is that it is very satisfying when you get these things to work, so let me know how it goes!
Re: Huawei E169G - the easy way
Dear Liam, Sorry I didn't get back earlier, I've just been tied up with stuff. I did manage to follow the instructions but couldn't make it work. It was good getting some of the Linux stuff to work, it's funny, it's a bit like learning another language, you don't know what you are doing but then you try things enough times, and suddenly the way it works starts to "click" (excuse the pun!), so that bit I did enjoy but I haven't been able to make the Thing work. I'll have another go. If you know a Linux expert in London, maybe that would be a way around it!
Kind regards
Satori
Re: Huawei E169G - the easy way
Hi Satori, don't give up! A bit of stubborn determination is always useful in these circumstances! It sounds like you are getting the hang of Linux though and that is a very positive thing. It is a very logically planned operating system so understanding it bit by bit is very powerful and will help you get the most out of it in future. Good luck!
Re: Huawei E169G - the easy way
OK you've inspired me! I'll have another go tomorrow. It was an interesting experience starting out trying to follow the instructions and not knowing what I was doing with the Linux, then after repeated tries you suddenly become aware of how it is all working. But it is strange when Windows is all you know (and you aren't that computer literate anyway!). I'll admit, I sort of gave up but would love to get it working as the EEE is so portable. I'll report back.
Kind regards and thanks for the encouragement.
Satori
Re: Huawei E169G - the easy way
Hi again Liam. Further to my comment 27 November. All is well! everything working. Connect in seconds.All i have done is connect the dongle after booting. Now I need help loading a printer driver.My printer stopped printing after a factory restore. Again, thanks for your, and everyone else's help. Elaine
Re: Huawei E169G - the easy way
Hi Elaine, good to hear everything is working. If you are using Xandros on your EEE you should be able to use an E220 without needing to use this package (as far as I know).
Re: Huawei E169G - the easy way
Thank You so much for this page!! I got my modem working in just minutes with the easy instructions.
Thanks!!!
Pia
Re: Huawei E169G - the easy way
Hi Liam.I started with the e220 which worked well, but lost same on a recent trip to Uk. Replaced @ ++xpence with e169. It now works but my problem is it will not reconnect unless I delete and recreate connection.Sometimes it hangs, other times,"details" "receive serial link is not 8-bit clean. Problem: all had 7 set to 0. Modem hangup" like Helen's comment. Simpler (but time consuming) to delete connection before turning off eee (701) then recreating after rebooting. Any suggestions please?
My I add my thanks to you Liam and all who have helped me and others.Elaine
Re: Huawei E169G - the easy way
Hi Graham
I just wanted to add my thanks to the growing list!
Writing this using my 3 dongle on my eee right now.
Much appreciated :-)
Re: Huawei E169G - the easy way
You are not called Graham.
You are called Liam.
Sorry, I somehow mixed up the beginning of your first and last names!
Huawei E160
Hi, I have the Huawei E160 issued by A1 (Vodafone) in Austria.
I have followed all the steps above. I have edited all the files to reflect the e160 device ID (1003 instead of 1001). usb_modeswitch runs and seems to have done something but in the connection wizard, I still get no devices listed.
With lsusb, there is no difference after I run the mode swith script with the -d option and the -H option.
There are always 2 devices listed:
0951:1606 Kingston Technololgy (I presume it is the mass storage device within the modem)
12d1:1003 which is the modem
in /usr/sbin, I type ./e169g_switch, I can see that the programme has been invoked twice but the 1st time it says no usb storage found, switching not necessary, bye.
After the 2nd step, I run lsusb and nothing has changed.
Have I done everything right ?
Thanks for any help
Fred
Re: Huawei E160
Correction: the Kingston device is actually internal to my eee pc. I have unplugged the USB modem and the Kingston is the only thing left after lsusb
So I still don't understand how to get it to list the modem in the connection wizard.
Re: Huawei E160
Hi Fred, not sure about the E160 - can anyone reading this help? It sounds a bit like the E160 does not work in the same way as the E169G. Have you tried the Vodafone Mobile Connect drivers? Despite the name they should work with any network.
Re: Huawei E169G - missing conf file ???
Hi
I am trying to get an E160 working. Installed package and edited files for dev id of 1003. When I run sudo /usr/sbin/usb_modeswitch it reports
Error: Could not find file /etc/usb_modeswitch.conf
is this mising from the new package ??
Thanks
Steve
Re: Huawei E169G - missing conf file ???
Hi Steve, you shouldn't need to run anything manually, the package uses the udev system to detect that the modem has been plugged in, then it runs /usr/sbin/e169g_switch to set the device up.
Re: Huawei E169G - missing conf file ???
Hi
If I insert the E170 modem first and then switch on the eeePC it hangs before booting. If I insert after it starts to boot, and with a .conf file that I made, I can now see two LAN devices when I try to create a connection. Is this normal? The device is not listed as a 3G modem device?
P.S. When does it detect the device, after it has booted do I then plug it in, or plug it in before it boots or doesn't it matter?
Re: Huawei E169G - missing conf file ???
It should detect the device when you plug it in, the udev system will run the scripts supplied in the package to reconfigure an E169G, not sure about E170s but you might be able to get it working by changing the script to pick up a different device number. With the device inserted open a terminal and type "lsusb" you should get the numbers for your device, for the E169G it is listed as "ID 12d1:1001", you should see something similar for your modem. Once you find this number you should be able to change the scripts (as in the comment below) to work with the device. Let me know if this works as I'm thinking about extending the package to support other Huawei modems.
Re: Huawei E169G - the easy way
Graham,
Thanks for your hard work. the Huawei E169G - the easy way, was successfully installed on my ASUS Eee 4G Notebook, and it was worked out for awhile, till recently I pluged my Huawei E169G into my eee again, it started to initiallize the modem and it never end.
Any advise on that
Re: Huawei E169G - the easy way
works on Huawei E660A
thanks a lot
Re: Huawei E169G - the easy way
Many thanks for your hard work - my E169g is now working as it should on my ASUS Eee 4G Netbook. What a relief.
Re: Huawei E169G - the easy way
Liam I have a 3G usb modem E620
I wondered if you had an advice for getting this going on the eeePC
running ubuntu 8.04
Have tried the solution for E169 but it doesn't seem to work
Graham
Re: Huawei E169G - the easy way
Hi Graham, how far does it get? If you plug it in before the EEE boots up, can you see a listing for it if you type "lsusb" in a shell?
Re: Huawei E169G - the easy way
Ihave a Huwaei e160g (not 169) from 3 - after running everything suggested I still can't get the eee pc to recognise it. lusb shows a Kingston card, a Cambridge bluetooth dongle and a eMPIA Technology Inc device (could that be it?). I tried everything I found, most recently the eee pc usb_switch discussed above. Does anyone have any other bright ideas? Thank you.
Re: Huawei E169G - the easy way
I haven't got an E160g, but looks like the idea is pretty much the same. Try editing the file /usr/sbin/e169g_switch and change the lines which read:
/usr/sbin/usb_modeswitch -v 12d1 -p 1001 -d 1
/usr/sbin/usb_modeswitch -v 12d1 -p 1001 -H 1
to:
/usr/sbin/usb_modeswitch -v 12d1 -p 1003 -d 1
/usr/sbin/usb_modeswitch -v 12d1 -p 1003 -H 1
Then edit the file /etc/udev/rules.d/70-e169g.rules and change the line from:
SUBSYSTEM=="usb" SYSFS{idProduct}=="1001", SYSFS{idVendor}=="12d1", RUN+="/usr/sbin/e169g_switch
to:
SUBSYSTEM=="usb" SYSFS{idProduct}=="1003", SYSFS{idVendor}=="12d1", RUN+="/usr/sbin/e169g_switch
Let me know if this works.
Re: Huawei E169G - the easy way
Thanks for the advice. I have tried it without any success so far but I will persevere.
Re: Huawei E169G - the easy way
Hi there,
A SOLUTION TO EDNA's PROBLEM:
Edna had exactly the same problem as myself when I tried using Liam's fantastic automating package.
It seems that there are at least a couple of versions of the usb_switchmode file flying around on the web. The one in Liam's package doesn't seem to work on some Asus Eees, and it certainly didn't work on mine. You can check if it doesn't by opening up a terminal window (Ctrl+Alt+t) and typing:
sudo /usr/sbin/usb_modeswitch
If you get the error message "Floating point exception", then this version of usb_modeswitch doesn't work on your machine.
One that worked for me can be found at
http://www.2shared.com/file/3128358/1fc24fbe/usb_modeswitch.html
(to download it, click on where it says “click here” near the bottom, a bit difficult to spot!)
What I suggest you do is install Liam's package in the way he says. Then replace usb_modeswitch with the one from the above link. So, if you are currently in the folder/directory of the newly downloaded file, you can type:
sudo cp usb_modeswitch /usr/sbin/
Then make the new file executable (in case it isn't) by typing:
sudo chmod u+x /usr/sbin/usb_modeswitch
Now, just to check that this version works, type:
sudo /usr/sbin/usb_modeswitch
You should now get something other than a floating point exception error!
One other thing that I did (which I'm not too sure if it's important or not – so you may wish to try it if you've still got problems) is to add the sudo command to the start of the last two lines in the e169g_switch file. Edit this in the same way as described by Liam, i.e. enter the command:
sudo vim /usr/sbin/e169g_switch
Then press 'i'. Then edit the start of the last two lines so that the whole file now looks like:
#!/bin/sh
sudo /usr/sbin/usb_modeswitch -v 12d1 -p 1001 -d 1
sudo /usr/sbin/usb_modeswitch -v 12d1 -p 1001 -H 1
Then press the Esc button, then enter ':wq' (without the quotes!).
Okay, well that seemed to solve my problem, and the e169 is finally working consistently!
I wonder why Asus have not yet launched an update to sort out problems like these once and for all. A shame really, as these mobile broadband devices are getting more and more popular.
Anyway, thanks to Liam Green-Hughes, and to Dale Lane for their efforts in trying to sort this problem out. Nice one guys.
Nabeil
Re: Huawei E169G - the easy way
Thanks so much for all this! I am very impressed that people go to so much trouble to help others.
I too am totally frustrated with the eeepc - if you cant go online with it it loses most of its appeal.
I have downloaded and installed Liam's package, and got the 'floating point' error as predicted by Nabeil - but I cant seem to make the solution work. I finally figured out how to copy the file over (absolute newbie to linux!) but notice it does not in fact copy, just adds a new file to the directory. Could this be because the downloaded replacement file has a .dat extension whereas the one installed by Liam's package does not? Anyway the result is I still get the floating point error report and I still get no options under 3G for 'create network connection'.
Anyway, I hate to ask for more help when you have done so much already but if you have any further suggestions I would love to hear them. Otherwise I think I will have to go Edna's route and use the XP computer instead. A shame though as the little pink eeepc is so cute and so portable ... but if it cant go online there's not much use to it.
Thanks ever so
Helen
Re: Huawei E169G - the easy way
Hi Helen,
Can you give the new version of the package a go and let me know if it works for you? Thanks!
Re: Huawei E169G - the easy way
Hi Helen,
I've managed to reproduce the 'floating point' error message on a simulation of the EEE PC. I'll have a look into it and see if there is anything that can be done with the package get round this problem. Check back here for updates!
Re: Huawei E169G - the easy way
Thanks a million! It comes SOOO close but fails at the last minute and I suspect it is not even something you can fix...
It goes through everything perfectly, even dials the number for the modem - then says it is terminating and gives the following info:
"receive serial link is not 8-bit clean. Problem: all had 7 set to 0. Modem hangup."
If that means anything to you pls let me know!
Thanks again
Helen
Re: Huawei E169G - the easy way
Hi Helen, sounds like the package is working! Thanks for letting me know. What network are you on? Did you make the connection with the "Network" wizard on the EEE?
Re: Huawei E169G - the easy way
Yes the package itself worked perfectly - I was so happy.
To go online, I used the 'network' tab, clicked 'create', then '3G' - that all seemed to work fine. Then I clicked 'connect', it said dialling, and connecting, etc etc - then came back with the error I mentioned. I tried lots of times, but always the same.
I am with Optus in Australia. (Ive already asked them several times about the modem issue, but they are totally unysmpathetic. I have another week or two to cancel my policy - apparently the vodafone modem works with Xandros, but it does not have 3G coverage outside the city, which is a major limitation for me).
Thanks again
Helen
Re: Huawei E169G - the easy way
Strange, sounds like your mobile network might be the problem. Has anybody reading this used Optus Australia?
Re: Huawei E169G - the easy way
Of course the 169 on Optus works fine with Mac and XP - it is just the Xandros eeePC that gives this error. I will try the Optus tech people again at some stage ...
Helen
Re: Huawei E169G - the easy way
Too easy,
Connected to Australian Virgin Network with minutes on my Xandros E.
Thanks
Re: Huawei E169G - the easy way
Hi, i would like to seek some help on my Huawei E160 usb modem, currently it is locked to telco here in the pihilippines. I need to find a installer or firmware update to remove the lock of the E160 to be able to use another sim so i can switch different simcard for different area.
I hope you could help me.
i have open the rom of the usb and it cannot be edited or even deteting the file it will prompt for acces denied.
the instalaller name is mobile partner.
if could anyone has un idea how to unlock the program plz do email me at malbularyo@yahoo.com thnx...
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