[andylme]

Hi everybody,
This is about the 818 Pro (with latest ROM)'s Modem Link software, the one that supposedly enables the device to become a USB modem for a notebook. I don't seem to get it be be consistent, like sometimes it connects and other times (most of the time) the notebook say modem hardware error. Using the Modem control panel applet I can query that USB modem.

In fact I get more than 90% connection success rate using my 818 Pro as a "Bluetooth" modem instead of setting it up as a wired USB. I just thot I'd probably stress the radio devices (bluetooth and EDGE) less if I use USB instead of both Bluetooth and EDGE in the same time.

In both cases I connect out to the Internet via EDGE data network.

Any ideas or tips anyone to help me get down to deeper diagnosis?

Thanks and cheers!

[Imua]

I initially had problems with Modem Link connections, until I discovered the HTC USB modem driver on the Dopod CD.

After installing the driver, my USB modem connections have been stable and reliable.

On the other hand, Bluetooth modem connections last for only a few minutes before dropping.

Because USB connections are faster, I use only USB and have not invested further time in solving the Bluetooth riddle.

Did you do anything special to get reliable Bluetooth connections?

[andylme]

Hi Imua,
Well, I upgraded by notebook's bluetooth stack to a new one that supports Bluetooth spec 1.2. I'm using HP NC6000. I can be online through my 818 via bluetooth and EDGE for hours on end, of coz with my device wired to power. In fact I'm writing this via this very connection now and been up for more than 1 hour already.

Btw, are you using WinXP? I am. I can't recall back then if I've added the USB driver from the Dopod CD. Usually I don't, I like to find and download the latest from the manufacturer if available. I'll try dig out that CD and try then.

Cheers :-)

This post has been edited by andylme: 26 June 2006 - 12:00 AM

[Imua]

On my notebook I use Windows XP SP2, the Windows Bluetooth stack, the Standard Bluetooth modem driver, and a Billionton USB Bluetooth adapter.

Although a connection can be established, it works for only a few minutes before disconnecting.

USB Modem Link connections, however, stay connected for hours.

[andylme]

Hi Imua,
:-) My case is like the opposite of yours :-) Worse, I can't even hardly connect to my 818 as a USB modem. Well, I found my Dopod CD and reinstalled the device as a USB modem whilst pointing to the CD's USBMDM.INF file. After all the hoopla, still same case, when trying to connect to EDGE my XP says Error 692, There's a hardware failure in the modem. From control panel I can query the modem but can't dial. Hmnn....
any one else seen this prob?

[Imua]

Yeah, these inconsistencies are confusing.

If you have not done so already, you might confirm in the Control Panel, Phone and Modem Options that you have a modem installed by setup:

HTC USB Modem

and that this modem is selected for the dialup connection it installed, which is called:

HTC USB Modem (WirelessModem)

Also you might try using the application included on the Dopod CD to initiate the connection:

USBModem_Dialer.exe

Although the dialer is not really necessary, and I no longer use it, it helped me get started up.

I do recall having to go several rounds with this before it got in the groove. With the original ROM, I settled on the practice as follows:

1. Unplug USB cable.
2. Kill ActiveSync.
3. Start Modem Link and click Activate.
4. Plug in USB cable.

The Modem Link and ActiveSync were in conflict. With the updated ROM, I have not had to adhere to this sequence.

[andylme]

Hi Imua,
Thank you for all the tips. The sequence of actions weren't really helping. I decide to remove the USB modem configs and the dialup networking config and let the system redetect the modem and let the dialer auto setup the dialup networking. That worked.

On trial and errors testing out various config changes I found that the key cause of my XP popping out the Error 692 is when I disabled Modem Compression at any end whether one and not the other or both (meaning the setting at modem properties in the Control Panel and the modem properties in the Dialup networking sections).

The fact is Modem Compression must be enabled on the Control Panel modem properties for the HTC USB modem and the modem properties in the corresponding dialup networking configuration.

Typically on normal modems, one should prefer to enable software compression over hardware/modem compression for better performance, if software compression is available. So I typically disables the use of modem compression. However it seems that the HTC modem, whether hardware or driver need to have the modem compression turned on regardless.

Well there you go. Hopefully the above findings can help anyone else in the same situation.

Cheers!