Checking GSM
For technical support and advanced users
V1.20 - DD / COM One - 02/2000
This document applies to these PC Cards :
- MC218 (COM One Communication Card, 3 in 1).
- MC220 (COM One Platinium Card, 4 in 1).
- MC222 (COM One Platinium Card, 2 in 1).
- GSM Only (COM One GSM/PCN/DCS Mobile Data PC Card).OEM : Most of the information's of this document are true for OEM products too.
Computer try to call but nothing happens onto the phone screen.
Did you upgraded the card for GSM with the Loader tool? If yes did you choosed the right phone?
If you're sure firmware is ok and cable plugged, see how to test cable and data subscription.
Computer dial, the number dialed appears on phone screen but disapear after less 5 seconds.
Windows 9x, function Dial Up Networking, Error 678 : The computer you are dialing is not answering. Try again.
Notes : the phone may display a message ("Call"). Error message from Hyperterminal is "NO CARRIER".
- Do you own GSM operator Data/Fax subscription? (if yes you should see on the phone screen "Data call..." or "FAX call").
- Have you selected the right driver into the software ?
- Can you try to dial anoher number (eg: for fax).
- Appart from this software does Internet DUN work ?.
Computer dial, the number dialed appears on phone screen but disapear after less 5 seconds.
- Do you own GSM operator Data/Fax subscription? (if yes you should see on the phone screen "Data call...").
- Try sending a fax to another number of another company.
Fax transmission has started then a problem appear.
- Is the tranmission broken everytime or sometimes ?
- Try sending a fax to another number. Is the problem the same?
- Perhaps network quality is too low. Try sending a fax from another location.
- If available try another driver from the fax software (Fax Class 2).
- If the software allow you to get a trace of fax protocol exchanges, this can be usefull to support.
WinPhone 16 bits (v2.01) : Menus / Display / Modem dialog.
WinPhone 32 bits (v2.10) : press key F12
Computer dial, the number dialed appears on phone screen but disapear after 30-60 seconds.
Check if the data number you're calling can receive analog or only ISDN calls. If this is a ISDN only number, you'll have to set UDI mode.
Test the cable and data subscription
Go into a terminal software (example: Windows HyperTerminal), then call the GSM phone data number with any device. The phone will ring. If you see some "RING" messages into the software screen, this mean cable and data number are ok.
Computer dial, the number dialied appears on phone screen but disapear after 5 seconds.
Q : Analog works fine, but GSM not.
A : Is the firmware of your PC Card able to support your GSM phone?
MC218 and Mobile Data PC Card: check "ati7" and "at+gmm"
MC220 check "at*i".
If not, you must upgrade the firmware with the software provided. This is explained into the documentation.
Q : Trying to connect (data or fax), the GSM phone seems to dial but nothing happen.
A : Check if you have a data subscription (optional for most of GSM providers). You should get 3 GSM numbers with the data subscription.
Q : When dialling a data number the phone dials but after 5 to 20 sec the phone hangs up.
1 - Check the quality of the GSM network (does the voice is okay?).
2 - Run hyperterminal, enter AT*I to check if the firmware is matching with the GSM phone.
3 - enter ATS95=44 and try dialling the same number, then another data number (ex: an internet access provider).
4 - If fail, enter "AT&F&WZ" to reinitialise the PC Card, then try to dial a data number again.
Q : Use a Motorola phone. When I try to dial, the phone switch off.
A : The Motorola GSM phone's only recognise peripherals (example: PC Card) during its switch on procedure.
That's why you must switch off the Motorola before to plug it to the PC Card. Example: Computer is on, plug the PC Card to computer, then plug the Motorola (switched off) to the card. Now you can switch on the GSM phone, then dial from the PC.
The Motorola GSM phone's switch off automatically when the PC Card is switched off by the system for energy saving.
This is the way the Motorola phone work. The only work around is to disable the "PC Card's energy saving" function of the system.
Macintosh
The only way to use Motorola phones kits with this OS is to keep the phone off and start dialling from the computer.
The PC Card will automatically switch on the phone, you'll have to enter your pin code, and 20 seconds later the phone start dialling.
Of course every time the PC Card will be deactivated (switched off) by the system, the phone will switch off.
Q : The PC Card only dial on second attempt or don't see any incoming call.
When PC Card Power Management is enabled, some PC Card modems require an extra delay before they are ready. If you encounter this with your PC Card modem, the symptom is that it may not work when you try to use it, but it works if you try again right away.
1 Windows 95 950 and 950a (OSR 1) and WinNT 4
This system don't have a built in "PC Card energy saving" function. You can not have this problem.
2 Windows 95 950 B (OSR 2) and 950 C (OSR 2.5)
Go into Control panel / Energy / Modems tab / do not cross the box "Turn off the PC Card modems when not in use." For information: this box crossed still permit to receive calls (the PC Card keeps been activated).
3 Windows 98
3.1 Solution #1 : To increase the delay, use the following procedure.
Caution : Before modifying any registry values, always back up your system. If you use Registry Editor to change values in the registry, you will not be warned if any entry is incorrect. Editing the registry directly by using Registry Editor can cause errors in loading hardware and software, and can prevent users from being able to log on to the computer.
1. Click Start, click Run, and then type regedit.
2. Go to the \HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Class\Modem subkey.
3. Click the key for the modem that you are trying to use.
4. To add a key in the root of the modem, click the Edit menu, and then point to New.
5. Click DWORD Value, and create a DWord named ConfigDelay.
6. Set the value equal to "3000" for a three-second delay.
Picture.
3.2 Solution #2 (Recommended) : To disable the PC Card energy saving function by modifying the registry database. Find this key with REGEDIT :
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\VxD\VCOMM"
Picture.
Double click "EnablePowerManagement", change the value from 1 to 0, then click OK and close REGEDIT.
FYI : this change is automatically done by the install software of LAN and ISDN kits (not the GSM). We planed to do the same for the GSM installation kit.
Q : Can't receive any Fax or Data call by GSM (phone is ringing and modem see no rings)
A : When you've subscribed to data/fax you've received 2 more phone numbers.
Currently you have 3 phone numbers: usual voice, fax reception, data reception.
Under Windows 95/98 disable PC Card Energy saving function.
- To receive a fax, you must be called on your specific GSM fax number.
- To receive a data call (ex: call back), you must be called on your specific GSM data number.
Q : Hazardous problems to dial with a Ericsson Gx888 or Sx888 or 788E (dialled number doesn't appear on the phone screen)
A : Sometimes the link between the PC Card and the Ericsson 888 is lost. Solution is to fully unplug the connector from the phone then plug it again, and try again to dial.
The process to follow : switch on the phone and enter PIN code, plug the PC Card in the PC, plug the cable first to the PC Card then to the phone.
May 1999 : Latest GSM firmware (L59, M04) fix this. Please update your card.
Q : Connection hang up after dialling, I've already used the same PC/software/modem configuration for cellular data/fax from another place and this was working.
A : We have seen situations in which even if the phone itself indicates a strong signal, and voice calls are fine, data connections are unreliable. If possible, try moving to a different area, preferably away from buildings and towards a known cell site.
Q: What about support of Data Cellular 14400 bps ?
A: Support for MC220 data cellular 14400 bps onto some phones that support this mode is planed. A new firmware will permit to upgrade.
We're waiting for the new chipset source, and then when will have to work onto it then validate the product.
We hope to have something ready for end of 1999.
When using GSM data, avoid moving. Moving from a GSM cell to another is okay for voice, but very harder for data.
PC Card GSM : support form
Document v1.0, 12/1999, DD/COM One.
Here are the information the support will need
----------------------------------------------
- Phone FULL name : ...- Computer FULL name : ...
- Operating System + Version number : ...
- Software used + Version number : ...
Driver name selected : ...- PC Card type (ex: MC218, MC220) : ....
- Driver version (see TECHxxx reference on the disk 1 or CD-Rom): ...
- HOW TO GET THE FIRMWARE RELEASE
Under a Terminal emulation (ex: Windows HyperTerminal) send to modem the following AT commands:
ati : ...- Don't forget to write your questions with most details possible (ie. Error message). Thank you.
Q : ...
