I recently got myself an Asus eeePC 4G. I wasn’t that impressed with the pre-installed Xandros linux, so I went on installing a brand new Ubuntu 8.04. I also got myself a Novatel Ovation MC950D USB HSUPA modem, which allows me to connect to my local 3G carrier, Sunrise T@ke Away, Switzerland. I had no problems running the card with Ubuntu, since it was detected and auto-loaded immediately without any problems and allowed me to access the modem through the serial device /dev/ttyUSB0.
After a while though, I got a little bored with Ubuntu, especially by the fact that it took about two minutes to boot, compared to a mere 10 seconds that the original Xandros distribution required. So I decided to go back to the original Asus distribution and give it another try.
I then realized, that I wasn’t able to load the kernel module for my modem anymore and that the built in connection manager wouldn’t allow me to choose my Novatel modem for a GSM connection.
I know that the Huawei E220 would load without any problems and since the Novatel modem is just another USB serial device, I started tinkering with the usb-serial kernel module. After a while I found out, that loading the “option” module would load the device driver correctly. The only problem was to tell the driver, which device to connect to. The vendor and product ID for the Novatel modem is 0×1410 (vendorId) and 0×4400 (productId). I read on a forum post, that these settings could be supplied after the module had been loaded. So I went on and added the following two lines to my /etc/rc.local file, after opening a terminal with ctrl-alt-t:
sudo vi /etc/rc.local
Add these two lines before “exit 0″:
/sbin/modprobe option
echo "0x1410 0x4400" > /sys/bus/usb-serial/drivers/option1/new_id
For those not proficient in VI, just hit “ESC :wq” and the file saves and closes. Now, enable the execution of rc.local at boot time:
sudo echo "rc.local" > /etc/fastservices
Save the file and reboot your machine. You could also supply these two lines manually on the shell every time you restarted your machine. Now you’re able to select the Novatel USB modem in your connection manager and setup up a new 3G/GSM/HSDPA connection.
If you have another modem which uses the same option module, you can simply exchange the vendor and product id by your device’s ids. To find out your device’s id just look at this file:
less /proc/bus/usb/devices
Locate your device and use the vendor and product id that you find there. This should work for most Novatel devices, such as EVDO and 3G modems. Novatel devices should always have 0×1410 as their vendor id, so look for a device with that denomination.
After successfully installing the modem you can move on and configure your network connection. HINT: You might want to disable the PIN code on your SIM card before trying to establish a connection. I think the configuration wizard will not prompt you for the PIN, though I might be wrong.
The following pictures show you how this looks like (German version of the eeePC OS):
1. Select the appropriate connection type:
2. The modem is now showing up:
3. Scanning for GSM networks:
4. Select GSM network:
5. Select your provider’s network settings:
6. Name your connection:
7. Summary of your new connection:
8. Finally, the connection is set up and running smoothly. We’re online :
Thanks to “neilmc” to pointing out the option module behavior in his post on http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=940241&r=15131419#r15131419 .
Hi Andres,
I hope it worked when you put everything back together.
Thanks for the message. I have to say that you are a very brave man
Cheers!
Ed
Yes, it still worked fine. I didn’t slam it around, you know
.
well this is good news that no matter what version of the device you get (in my case the arabic/english version) you can swap out the keyboards and change the firmware version to specify your keypad. good stuff risotto!
Hi,
I got the same problem. Where did you order the parts from? Thanks
I found them on ebay.
Hi,
Can anyone post the photo of Arabic keypad layout?
Shack/Gustavo, is it diffcult to operate under the Arabic/english keyboard? Please could u share ur experince. I wanted to order one phone here in USA, but they seems having Arabic/chinese keyboard layout.
Thanks,
Prabhu
Hey! Way to go. My E61 fell off a bike the week after i got it
nokia doesn’t seem to be too helpful in wanting to get a new body for the phone. From the look of it, the e61 shell does not have a screen protector on it?? Is the screen exposed compkletely?
tta on e61
The screen has some kind of hard plastic cover. You can get replacement displays too. There was a blog entry about spare parts on another site: http://www.e61addicted.de/2006/08/06/ersatzteile-fur-das-e61/
Perfect!!! My E61 fell on the pavement the other day, I ordered a new front – and you helped save the day! Thanks for the perfect guide to “how to switch a frontcover”
Risotto,
Which keyboard layout is shown in your first picture in your linked gallery? What is the country of origin for your phone?
Thank you.
@ Michael
Its the german cover.
Thanks Risotto,
I followed your steps and changed front cover on my E61 easily.
I wouldn’t dare disassemble it on my own without reading your step-by-step ‘manual’
Good job!
did you buy the original cover or those in blue/black?
im residing in singapore, will they ship it over?
I got the original from ebay. I didn’t know there were other colors!
Hello,
Thanks for the insight on the E61. Where can I find the English keyboard and do you have advice on how to upgrade the firmware for the keyboard and where to find the firmware? I appreciate your help.
Sincerely,
Todd P
Cool, thanks for the tip! Now I’m a little less worried about all that dust “in” the display, under the protective plastic (which gets in there no matter how careful I am with the phone). When it gets too irritating I’ll just order a new screen. Heck.. hope I’ll manage to change it though… %-)
Hi Guys,
I’m sorry, but the only place I know for getting parts is http://www.afterbuy.de/afterbuy/shop/storefront/start.aspx?shopid=33097 which is located in Germany. You could try to get your spare parts there. But be advised, shipping (Germany-Switzerland, which are neighbouring countries) took more than 4 weeks in my case!
Hello folks,
Does anyone know how to solve a ‘crazy’ going joystick; it went crazy few days ago, can not navigate up/down or left; it scrolls only clockwise, by itself… has anyone had similar problem. Is it software or mechanical issue?
Hi!
I have problem that the courser moves to the left side of the screen by it self every now and then. Going to try the instructions on this site to remove the front cover and see if I can remove some dirt and see if it’s that what causing the problem. Keep you informed….
My E61 screen is very scratched, can I just replace the ‘glass’ screen or do I need to replace the LCD display as well?
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