How to fix a Vodafone USB that doesn’t Work
I have tried Telstra and Optus 3G USB sticks and have had problems with both. I therefore recently purchased a Vodafone Mobile Broadband USB Stick (model K3765 and made by Huawei). I followed the instructions about installing the software however I kept getting an error when inserting the 3G modem:
Mobile connection not possible.
-Set your current mobile device as the default device in the ‘Manage Devices’ view
-Ensure that no other programs are using your mobile device and try again in a short while
-Delete the device in the ‘Manage Devices@ view, add it back again, and then try connecting.
If this error persists, please contact Support at your mobile network operator.
Support information RAS error code 680
Here is how I managed to (finally) get the USB stick to work (instructions for Windows Vista):
- Go to ‘Control Panel’
- Double-click ‘Device Manager’
- Expand ‘Network adapters’
- Alternate-click ‘Vodafone Mobile Broadband Network Adapter (Huawei)’.
- Click ‘Uninstall’ then ‘Ok’.
- Remove the USB 3G stick and reinsert.
There are apparently multiple things that may cause these USB sticks not to work but the procedure as above got mine working.
Update 23 Feb. 2011
For those of us that have had to endure poor 3G coverage and often no Vodafone signals let’s hope that Vodafone are going to take their service a little more serious. They’ve setup a part of their Website to communicate regarding the poor customer service and coverage issues.
Let’s hope this isn’t just a marketing and PR stunt by Vodafone and that we see some significant improvements!
Update 12 Apr. 2011
Trying to access Vodafone voicemail but getting a message “Voicemail is unable to continue processing your call. Please hang up and try again”. When will the Google/Samsung Nexus S be released in Australia (on an operator other than Vodafone) so that I can ditch Vodafone ….
Dec 17, 2010 @ 01:16:48
I don't see the item in Netwrok adapters. My VMC works fine in anothe PC, used to work in my laptop but now has the error "mobile connection not possible ensure that no other programs are using your selected device"
In the other PC is only has a 3G entry in "Manage devices", but on my laptop it also has a PCI entry. I've tried deleting that, but still won't work. Tried uninstalling and re-installing, tried downloading the latest code and installing that, nothing helps. I've closed all applications and shut down all services and processes other than the bare essentials, still no joy. Running XP.
Jan 26, 2011 @ 20:03:41
Hi Richard,
I have exactly the same problem as you. I tried all the advice and what you have tried. Eventually it started working again. I don't know why? I thought it was because I tried it out of my laptop docking station (It's a thinkpad x200s on XP) and switched off the Vodafone Service that check for conflicts. It's been working fine for weeks now, but this morning exactly the same problem. it sees the PCI entry and makes that "Active" dispite the 3G entry being set as default. It works fine in my home PC, hence my ability to post this message.
If you figured out how to fix this I'd be very keen to hear.
Many thanks,
Richard (2)
Jan 27, 2011 @ 00:03:05
Hi Richard,
Since the original problems I had with the 3G 'stick' it has worked fine so no more problems for me (thank goodness!)
Feb 03, 2011 @ 18:29:30
Hi all. Had all the same probs as most of the above . came good after time , until jan 28 . now can only get gprs here in port Adelaide.
have tried all possible cures none work . cant be my computer since I am using 2 different usb sticks on 2 computers and result is same NO 3G only GPRS. have vodafone altered the coverage area?? . Have spent hours on 1555 with no success Cant email them because cant use outgoing email, get message "relaying not permitted" I am thinking of throwing computers away and taking up knitting as a hobby
Feb 03, 2011 @ 18:52:42
Hi Bill,
There seem to be all sorts of problems with Vodafone 3G coverage
Feb 05, 2011 @ 16:11:17
This may help – It seems to work for me on Win7
I dont know if its better but i dont load run VMC. and stop any background processes
I created a Dialup/vpn connection using info in the 50503 xml file located in the directory ///vodafone Mobile ConnectOpco50503 Australia
ie: *99***1#
I seem to get a more consistent connection 7.2Mbps.
any thoughts would be appreciated
Craig
Feb 05, 2011 @ 21:25:19
Thanks Craig!
Mar 17, 2011 @ 07:52:35
This worked for me Win 7
Here is how I managed to (finally) get the USB stick to work (instructions for Windows Vista):
Go to ‘Control Panel’
Double-click ‘Device Manager’
Expand ‘Network adapters’
Alternate-click ‘Vodafone Mobile Broadband Network Adapter (Huawei)’.
Click ‘Uninstall’ then ‘Ok’.
Remove the USB 3G stick and reinsert.
Mar 24, 2011 @ 20:37:51
Thanks Solly!
Mar 30, 2011 @ 10:53:55
Thanks for the tip, got my vodafone modem going after doing what you recommend.
Apr 09, 2011 @ 18:14:01
Great to hear Jonatan!
Jun 07, 2011 @ 05:50:22
We had same problem. Under Priotities , click on Vodaphone and expand. Make sure there is only one connection. Delete all the others.
Jun 07, 2011 @ 11:49:31
Thanks Grete
Vodafone convinces me to leave | Gary Eckstein
Jul 18, 2011 @ 12:10:36
[...] Print PDF I must be the last person in Australia that still uses Vodafone for mobile phone and mobile broadband! I also know that Vodafone is doing the best to get rid of me [...]
Dec 21, 2011 @ 05:38:34
Hello Everyone,
I have this problem, however i can’t remove one of the vodafone network adapters even when i try to uninstall it.
It’s a hidden device and i managed to be able to see it in the device manager of windows 7, but after uninstalling it appears again.
Anyone knows how to remove this adapter completely?
Thanks a lot.
Best regards,
Apr 16, 2012 @ 00:38:57
Thank you v-much solved the problem working now
Apr 18, 2012 @ 22:40:13
Thank you so much Gary, it was really a mess and you solved it.
Best regards from germany!
Apr 19, 2012 @ 06:56:59
Glad it helped.