comone.gif (2319 bytes)

Checking GSM
For technical support and advanced users
v2.52 - DD / COM One - 04/2002

 

1. Products concerned.. 1

2. To check first in all cases. 1

3. Common issues. 2

3.1 General. 2

3.11 Symptoms. 2

3.12 Issues with any software : things to check. 2

3.2 Issues fax. 2

3.21 The number dialed disappears from phone screen in 5 seconds. 3

3.22 Anomaly while fax pages transfer. 3

3.3 Issues data.. 3

4. Specific to some mobile phones. 3

4.1. Motorola (all) 3

4.2. Nokia 6210. 4

4.3. Nokia 7110. 4

4.4. Ericsson Gx888 or Sx888 or 788E. 5

4.5. Siemens S25. 5

5. Frequently Asked Questions. 5

6. How to.. 6

Test the cable quick. 6

Test the cable and data subscription. 6

7. Things to know... 6

8. Form GSM... 6

 

1. Products concerned

This document applies to these PC Cards :
- GSM Only (COM One GSM/PCN/DCS Mobile Data PC Card).
- MC218 (COM One Communication Card 3 in 1).
- MC220 (COM One Platinium Card 4 in 1).
- MC222 (COM One Platinium Card 2 in 1).
- MC223 (COM One Platinium Card 3 in 1).

OEM : Most of the information's of this document are true for OEM products too.

2. To check first in all cases

1. Does PSTN (analog) works ?

Anomaly may be a hardware conflict or bad driver installation. You spare time by checking if PSTN work before to check GSM trouble.

If connection to Internet works, or if you can type AT commands to the card using Hyper Terminal then you can continue.

2. Do you own the Data / Fax cellular subscription ?

This optional subscription is necessary to use data or fax in cellular mode.
You must have 3 phone numbers (to receive calls in voice, fax, or data modes).

3. Is the firmware in the PC Card compatible with the phone used ?

MC22x : check the phone supported by typing "at *i" command (note: MC220 is by default setup for Nokia 6110/6150).
If the phone name is not the right one : click the Windows "Start" button / COM One Platinium Card / run "Platinium Card Loader" or "Setup" then follow instructions.

MC218 / GSM Only : check the phone supported by typing  "at +gmm" command (and “at i7” for version. Motorola: E41 or H41 minimum recommended).

4. Does GSM data call work in Terminal mode ?

You should use the Windows HyperTerminal, to dial a ISP (AT DT xxxxx).

5. Do you take care to switch off/on the mobile phone ?

We recommend to switch on the phone only after it is connected to the COM One card.

6. Have you disabled Windows PC Card energy saving?

See FAQ chapter “The PC Card only dial on second attempt or don't see any incoming call”.

3. Common issues

3.1 General

3.11 Symptoms

- "Computer dial, the number dialed appears on phone screen but disappear after less 5 seconds".

- "Windows 9x, function Dial Up Networking, Error 678 : The computer you are dialing is not answering. Try again".

- Error message : ”No carrier”

To check :

- Do you own GSM operator Data/Fax subscription? (If yes you should see on the phone screen "Data call..." or "FAX call").

- Is the cellular network quality high enough ? (ie. 5/5).

3.12 Issues with any software : things to check

1.  Does the DUN (i.e. dialup networking to Internet) work ? (If not, check it first).

2. Have you selected the right driver into the software ?

3. Is the prefix number (i.e. 0) disabled ?.

3.2 Issues fax

3.21 The number dialed disappears from phone screen in 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.

If you are sure firmware is ok and cable plugged, see how to test cable and data subscription.

3.22 Anomaly while fax pages transfer.

- Is the transmission broken every times or sometimes ?
Every times (might be incompatible with a fax): send a fax to another number. Is the problem the same? 
Sometimes (might be related to low cellular network quality) : send a fax from another location (ie. close to a GSM antenna base).

- Check you are using the latest fax software version (ie. WinPhone 16 bits v2.01, WinPhone 32 bits v2.10b).

- Check you are using the latest firmware firmware (at *i).

- If available try another driver from the fax software (ie. driver compatible Fax Class 2).

- If the software allow you to get a trace of fax protocol exchanges, this can be useful to support.
WinPhone 16 bits (v2.01) : Menus / Display / Modem dialog.
WinPhone 32 bits (v2.10b) : press key F12

- Note: while data transmission allows error corrections protocols (datas are resend if errors because of bad network quality), fax has no error correction protocols (fax might be transmitted with parts missing).

3.3 Issues data

Computer dial, the number dialed appears on phone screen but disappear after 30-60 seconds : Check if the data number you're calling can receive analog or only ISDN calls. If this is an ISDN only number, you'll have to set UDI mode (AT +CBST=71,0,1).

4. Specific to some mobile phones

4.1. Motorola (all)

Q : Is the cable of the Motorola StarTac cellular compatible with Motorola Timeport ?
A : No these are not.
Phone connectors are the same but cables are different.
Startac cables has a Motorola chipset built into whereas Timeport cable has no component. Firmwares are different too.
You will need to buy our Timeport specific kit.

Q : With Motorola phone. When I try to dial, the phone switch off.
A : 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.

Cause
Motorola phone only recognize peripherals (example: PC Card) during its switch on procedure.
Motorola phone 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 (this is explained into this document).

Apple Macintosh specific
The only way to use Motorola phones kits with Mac OS is to keep the phone off when your software dial. The PC Card will automatically power on the phone, you'll have to enter your pin code, and 20 seconds later the phone start dialing.
Of course every time the PC Card will be deactivated (powered off) by the system, the phone will switch off also.

4.2. Nokia 6210

Q : How to solve problems with Nokia 6210 kit ?.

A : List of things to check :

1. Use chapter “to check first in all cases” in the beginning of this document.

2. Ask the customer the TECH CD-Rom version he own.
- If TECH0478 or TECH0564 : replace with TECH0562 (minimum TECH requiered for 6210).

3. Check that cable generation is 2nd or 3rd (see below Nokia 7110 chapter).

4. Be sure the phone is switched on before to plug it to the cable.

5. Possible manual check from Hyperterminal :

Command to type

Return code

AT <Enter>

OK
If nothing happens, unplug the GSM cable from card. If now AT commands work, then the phone is certainly hang, remove the battery in order to reset it.

AT E1 <Enter>

OK

AT I <Enter>

56000

AT *I <Enter>

… NOKIA 6210 (or 7110) …

AT DT (isp number) <Enter>

Phone screen should display the number then connect to the ISP.
If phone display number then cable is OK.

Q: Can Nokia 6210 work with Nokia 6110 / 6150 cable ?
A : No, the Nokia 6210 can not work with cable from kits Nokia 6110/6150. The internal wiring has changed (and firmwares too).

Q: Can not switch on the phone ?
A: Unplug the phone from cable, switch it on, then now plug phone to the cable.

Q : Phone error message “Connection interruption”
A: If the cable is connected to the Nokia 6210 phone but not to the PC Card, the phone will beep every second and display a error message. This is normal because the phone is connected to nothing (the cable is only a link).
(French error message : “Interruption connexion”).

If this error message display juste after you run a connection (ie. Dialup networking), the Nokia 6210 internal software may be crashed. To reinitialize the phone : unplug it from the cable / remove the battery then replug it / switch on the mobile phone / replug the phone to the cable / run the connect again.

Q : Does this kit work under Mac OS ?
A : No it does not (the Mac OS logo on the packages is a mistake, we are sorry).

4.3. Nokia 7110

Q : List of things to check with Nokia 7110 kit
 
1. Use chapter “to check first in all cases” in the beginning of this document.

2. Display phone internal firmware version, type “* # 0000 # “ (minimum phone version required is “V 5.00”. Certain Nokia repair services can update phones firmwares).

3. Ask the customer the TECH CD-Roms he own.
- If TECH0478 : replace with TECH0564 or better : TECH0562.

4. Check if cable generation is at least 2nd (see below).

5. Check if firmware is updated (AT*I).

6. Note: you must switch off the mobile phone before to plug it to the PC Card.
Example : Computer is on, plug the PC Card to computer, then plug the mobile (switched off) to the card. Now you can switch on the mobile, then dial from the PC.

Q : Identifying cables generations.
A : Here are the different cables shipped :

Cable generation

Cable sticker

TECH to use

TECH to not use

Comment

1

“Nokia 7110”

TECH0478 or TECH0564

TECH0562 and nexts

Reworking recommended by return to COM One repair service.

1 reworked

“Nokia 7110” with a black point on bottom of the sticker.

TECH0562 and nexts

TECH0478 nor TECH0564

Cable reworked in April 2001 or later.

2

“Nokia 7110”

and second sticker on connector back : “arrow in a circle”.

TECH0562 and nexts

TECH0478 nor TECH0564

Cables made from May 2001 (no rework requiered).

Q : Does this kit work under Mac OS ?
A : No it does not (the Mac OS logo on the packages is a mistake, we are sorry).

4.4. Ericsson Gx888 or Sx888 or 788E

Q : With Ericsson Gx888 or Sx888 or 788E, hazardous problems when dial (dialed 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.

4.5. Siemens S25

Q : Siemens S25 mobile phone does not dial

Solution if the driver installed is TECH0565 or previous : apply specific patch TECH0604.

5. Frequently Asked Questions

Q : Analog works fine, but GSM not.
A : Is the firmware of your PC Card able to support your GSM phone?
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 dialing 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 dialing the same number, then another data number (ex: an internet access provider).
4 - If fail, enter "AT&F&WZ" to reinitialize the PC Card, then try to dial a data number again.

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 the first time, but it works if you try again right away.
The solution is to disable the operating system's energy saving function for PC Cards.

1. Windows 95 4.00.950 and 4.00.950a (OSR 1) and Windows NT 4
This system don't have a built in "PC Card energy saving" function. You can not have this problem.

2. Windows 95 4.00.950 B (OSR 2) and 4.00.950 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 4.10.1998 and 4.10.2222 A
3.1 Solution #1 (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.
Note : this change is automatically done by the install software of LAN and ISDN kits (not the GSM).

3.2 Solution #2 : To increase the delay before dialing, 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 subkey : \HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Class\Modem
3. Select the modem name.
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.

4. Windows 2000
- PC Cards MC220 / MC222 / MC223 : Install the Setup.exe from your TECH drivers CD and add the ISDN function (the COM One ISDN control panel disable energy saving for PC Cards).
- All PC Cards : go to http://support.microsoft.com and read Knowledge base article # Q275042.


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 : Connection hang up after dialing, 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 is not currently possible nor planed.

Q: About support of the french Minitel.
A: The Minitel access (numbers 3611, 3615 …) is allowed only with the operator France Telecom (Itineris).

6. How to

Test the cable quick

For MC22x : Plug cable to the card (you don't need the phone to be connected). Type "AT +GMM" from terminal software. The information returned is the phone brand supported, else if the cable is break or not connected the reply will be "Error".

Test the cable and data subscription

Go into a terminal software (example: Windows HyperTerminal), call the GSM phone data number with any device (ie. Analog phone or modem). 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 dialed appears on phone screen but disappear after 5 seconds.

7. Things to know

When connected with Cellular data, avoid moving. Moving from a GSM cell to another is okay for voice, but very harder for data (transmission errors).

A good cellular quality for voice might be not enough for data/fax.

8. Form GSM

PC Card GSM : support form
Document v1.1, May 2000, 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 : ...
Name of driver selected : ...

- PC Card type (i.e. 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:
at i : ...
at *i : ...

- Don't forget to write your questions with most details possible (i.e. Error message). Thank you.
Q : ...