Ubuntu

I need a huawei modem unlocker for Ubuntu

Asked by Wert

I need a huawei modem unlocker for Ubuntu 14. My modem is a permanently locked one(Customized Firmware). So I usually temporary unlock it in windows 7, and then reboot and boot to Ubuntu for it to work. However I share my pc with other users and they cannot understand or perform the method of booting to windows for unlocking followed by rebooting to Ubuntu, every time they need to use internet. Here is a link to the software I use on windows 7 to temporary unlock my modem: http://cdn2.geek.ng/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Huawei-Modem-Unlocker.zip. I have tried using this on wine but it cannot detect any ports. I have tried using the "mcphail/linux_huawei_unlocker" but is doesn't work with modern modems such as my e173 u-i as the developer himself "Neil McPhail" told me. I have tried using the following command prompt methods:https://zenu.wordpress.com/2011/05/19/unlocking-3g-modems-and-using-them-on-other-networks/, http://geekingnhacking.blogspot.com/2013/08/linux-tweaks-to-unlock-huawei-modem.html, https://girobiro.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/unlock-3g-usb-dongles-in-linux/ but they all cannot unlock my device. As regards to using mobile partner to manually insert the unlock code when prompted, my modem has a customized firmware therefore the usual mobile partner unlock code prompt was removed and replaced with "only specified sim can be used on this modem". I have tried flashing it with firmwares but since it has a cutomized firmware from my simcard provider's company, It cannot be flashed with normal huawei firmware upgrades/downgrades. Linux Modem Manager does not prompt for unlock code as well. Please if enyone knows of a temporary modem unlocker that works in linux, please help. Also please inform honestly if I'm out of luck. Even Dc unlocker(paid) doesn't unlock my modem. Thanks

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Solved by:
Manfred Hampl
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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#1

What is the output of:

lsb_release -a; uname -a; lsusb

Thanks

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Wert (doushabu06) said : 		#2

Hi! here's the output:

wert@wert-hp:~$ lsb_release -a; uname -a; lsusb
No LSB modules are available.
Distributor ID: Zorin
Description: Zorin OS 9
Release: 9
Codename: trusty
Linux wert-hp 3.13.0-32-generic #57-Ubuntu SMP Tue Jul 15 03:51:12 UTC 2014 i686 i686 i686 GNU/Linux
Bus 001 Device 005: ID 12d1:1446 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. E1552/E1800/E173 (HSPA modem)
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 002 Device 002: ID 046d:c018 Logitech, Inc. Optical Wheel Mouse
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
wert@wert-hp:~$

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Manfred Hampl (m-hampl) said : 		#3

Zorin is not supported in the Ubuntu support channels, but has its own support area. Try http://zoringroup.com/forum

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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#4

Zorin is not supported here

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Wert (doushabu06) said : 		#5

HP Compaq:~$ lsb_release -a; uname -a; lsusb
No LSB modules are available.
Distributor ID: Ubuntu
Description: Ubuntu 14.04.1 LTS
Release: 14.04
Codename: trusty
Linux HP Compaq 3.13.0-32-generic #57-Ubuntu SMP Tue Jul 15 03:51:12 UTC 2014 i686 i686 i686 GNU/Linux
Bus 001 Device 003: ID 12d1:140c Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. E180v
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 002 Device 002: ID 046d:c018 Logitech, Inc. Optical Wheel Mouse
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
HP Compaq:~$

I run lsb_release -a; uname -a; lsusb after I unlocked my modem in windows 7 then rebooted and booted to ubuntu since that's the only way I can access internet right now by the way if that matters.

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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#6

http://www.niiranen.fi/Tech-Blog/solvedubuntu1010andhuaweie160e12d1140c

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Wert (doushabu06) said : 		#7

http://www.niiranen.fi/Tech-Blog/solvedubuntu1010andhuaweie160e12d1140c did not work at all. I deem the issue there is different from mine as my modem is locked by sim provider's firmware, not a detection problem at all. Essentialy, when it is unlocked in windows 7 via huawei unlocker(http://cdn2.geek.ng/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Huawei-Modem-Unlocker.zip), it works fine and as long as I dont halt my pc or unplug modem, it stays unlocked. Rebooting does not relock it as well therefore allowing my to use in in ubuntu without problems. But I cannot seem to find a temporary unlocker for linux.
I ran I run lsb_release -a; uname -a; lsusb again but this time without my modem unlocked by windows 7 first. Here's the result with a different result at the "Bus 001 Device" line as you can see below:

Private:~$ lsb_release -a; uname -a; lsusb
No LSB modules are available.
Distributor ID: Ubuntu
Description: Ubuntu 14.04.2 LTS
Release: 14.04
Codename: trusty
Linux Private 3.13.0-46-generic #75-Ubuntu SMP Tue Feb 10 15:26:00 UTC 2015 i686 i686 i686 GNU/Linux
Bus 001 Device 004: ID 12d1:1436 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. E173 3G Modem (modem-mode)
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 002 Device 002: ID 046d:c018 Logitech, Inc. Optical Wheel Mouse
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Private:~$

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Best Manfred Hampl (m-hampl) said : 		#8

It is not fully clear to me what kind of unlocking you need. There are several different lock/unlock variants in mobile phones or GSM sticks that I am aware of:

1. If you enter a wrong pin for three times, the device gets locked and has to be unlocked with a PUK code.
2. Several network operators provide subsidized device, with a specific lock that they work only within their own network (SIM-lock)
3. Several devices (among them HUAWEI ones) can operate in two modes: when inserted they behave like a CD-Rom to provide software for installation (usually for Windows only), and when that software is installed, the devices is switching itself to work as GSM modem. The usb_modeswitch package should support that functionality on Ubuntu.

What unlock functionality do you need? If it is for variant 2, then that is something that we do not support at all, because it probably is violating the terms and rules of your network provider.

Why do you not just by a cheap free GSM stick? This would eliminate all your unlocking problems.

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Wert (doushabu06) said : 		#9

Thanks Manfred Hampl, that solved my question.

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Wert (doushabu06) said : 		#10

It's not easy to find cheap modems that have 3g and yet they suport all simcard due to the lack of such devices being sold in my area. Finding that sort of what you call cheap is actually very expesive due to lack of importation of such. Since I cannot achieve variant 2, I guess I have no other option than to stick with windows. Thank you all for your help.