USB 4G/3G modems setting (legacy)

Owned by Vasily T.
Last updated: Feb 02, 2024 by Vladimir Tayzhev
4 min read

Check your 3G / 4G modem. If it is in stick mode then use the Huawei terminal to transfer the modem into modem mode by an AT ^ SETPORT = "FF; 1" or the command AT ^ U2DIAG = 0. The modem in HiLink mode does not respond to AT commands, no modem can be found, and no SMS can be sent.

Disabling HiLink mode and transfer of 3/4G-modem to mode "modem only".

The very first thing to do -  to disable a request / check the PIN code in the modem software. After that you need to get a SIM card from the modem and all subsequent actions be made without a SIM card.
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  • To disable Hilink mode in old Huawei modems, for example in E3232, connect the modem to a USB port and go to the browser at http://192.168.1.1/html/switchProjectMode.html

    The modem restarts and in a Device Manager, You can see two serial interfaces  

  • May require a Huawei Modem Driver

  • Switch to "modem only" - run the program Huawei Modem Terminal. Later in the program, select your device from the top «HUAWEI Mobile Connect - 3G PC UI Interface» and push Connect. Then need to check whether the modem is responsible. In the bottom string write command AT and push Enter. You should see something like:

Send: AT

Receive: AT
Receive: OK

If so, the modem is responsible, and we can give him commands. Switch it to the "modem only" state by command:

AT^U2DIAG=0

If it is successful, the modem will answer OK.

For modern modems command is:

AT^SETPORT="FF; 1"

If it is successful, the modem will answer OK.

To change HILink mode into modem mode, it is necessary to change the driver, sometimes You can use the Huawei modem driver, or maybe E3372s modem drivers.

The way for a more modern Huawei E3372h is here:

  • Visit either one of these sites to calculate device-specific "Flash code" based on your IMEI and write it down.

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  • Download and extract this ZIP that contains the required tools, drivers, and firmware images

  • Install "[1] Mobile Broadband HL Service" by running mbbServiceSetup.exe

  •  

    • Installs RNDIS driver

    • Installs service to switch from CD emulation to RNDIS (like USB mode switch on Linux)

  • Install "[2] Datacard Driver" by running DriverSetup.exe

  •  

    • Installs serial port drivers (v5.05.01.00)

  • Insert E3372h-153 with HiLink firmware into the USB port

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    • Preferably directly to PC, avoid cheap low-quality USB extension cables.

    • Open Device Manager and verify that the RNDIS interface is present under Network adapters

    • Open the command prompt and "PING 192.168.8.1" to make sure HiLink firmware is running

  • Run "sw_project_mode.cmd" from "[3] Switchmode E3372h" folder

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    • This will enable the "PC UI" serial port required for firmware upgrade

    • Wait until you can see it under Ports in the Device Manager

  • Run "Update_WEBUI__Hilink_V7R2_9x25_CPIO.exe" from "[4] Huawei E3372h WebUI"

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  • Run "sw_project_mode.cmd" from "[3] Switchmode E3372h" folder

  • Run "E3372h-153_Update_.exe" from "[5] Huawei E3372h-153 HiLink FW" folder.

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    • This upgrades (or downgrades) your HiLink firmware version. You will need Flash code from one of those calculators to do this.

    • Wait until the HiLink update is complete and you can ping 192.168.8.1 again.

  • Run "sw_project_mode.cmd" from "[3] Switchmode E3372h" folder

  • Run "E3372h-153_Update_.exe" from the "[6] Huawei_E3372h-153 Stick FW" folder.

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    • This finally changes firmware from the HiLink to Stick. You will need Flash code again.

    • Wait until the Stick update is complete. You can no longer ping 192.168.8.1 and the RNDIS adapter has changed to "HUAWEI Mobile Connect - Network Card".

  • Run "putty.exe" from "[7] Putty" folder

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    • Find the serial port name from Device Manager, for example in the case of "HUAWEI Mobile Connect - PC UI Interface (COM15)" the port name is COM15

    • Click Serial on the right-hand side of the Putty screen and type COM15 or whatever your port is.

    • Click Open on the bottom of Putty

    • Type ' ATE1 ' without quotes, you won't see what you type, and DO NOT try to use backspace. If you did it right you got ' OK ' as a reply. Ignore ^RSSI etc. lines you might also see.

    • Type the following commands one per line to see info about your device and verify the connection works. 

      • ' ATI '

      • ' AT^FHVER '

      • ' AT^VERSION? '

    • Get the current SETPORT value by typing ' AT^SETPORT? '. You might want to write these down if you ever want to revert to defaults. Mine was ' ^SETPORT:A1,A2;12,1,16,A1,A2 '.

    • Set new SETPORT value by typing ' AT^SETPORT="FF;12,16" ', this disables CD emulation, disables modem emulation (PPP), and enables NCM mode.

    • If you want to keep PPP support for example for the older router with a USB port use' AT^SETPORT="FF;12,10,16" ' instead. Remember that you won't get full speed with PPP.

    • Reset the modem by typing ' AT^RESET '.

    • Close Putty now.

  • Done.