Alcatel X060/X200 broadband modems do not work in karmic

[Javier Martín]

Binary package hint: modemmanager

There are quite a few glitches with this modem (I am speaking about X060, which is the one I own, but I believe X200 behaves pretty much the same, since they both have the same PCI vendor/product IDs):

1. Sometimes the modem doesn't show up in the nm applet. Here is the log when it does NOT show up:

** Message: Loaded plugin Novatel
** Message: Loaded plugin Sierra
** Message: Loaded plugin Gobi
** Message: Loaded plugin MotoC
** Message: Loaded plugin Option High-Speed
** Message: Loaded plugin Option
** Message: Loaded plugin Huawei
** Message: Loaded plugin ZTE
** Message: Loaded plugin Ericsson MBM
** Message: Loaded plugin Nokia
** Message: Loaded plugin Generic
** Message: (ttyUSB1) opening serial device...
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB1): probe requested by plugin 'Generic'
** Message: (ttyUSB0) opening serial device...
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB0): probe requested by plugin 'Generic'
** Message: (ttyUSB2) opening serial device...
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB2): probe requested by plugin 'Generic'
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB1): --> 'AT+GCAP<CR>'
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB0): --> 'AT+GCAP<CR>'
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB2): --> 'AT+GCAP<CR>'
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB1): <-- 'AT+GCAP<CR><CR><LF>+CME ERROR: SIM not inserted<CR><LF>'
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB2): <-- 'AT+GCAP<CR><CR><LF>+CME ERROR: SIM not inserted<CR><LF>'
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB1): --> 'AT+GCAP<CR>'
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB1): <-- 'AT+GCAP<CR><CR><LF>+CME ERROR: SIM not inserted<CR><LF>'
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB0): --> 'AT+GCAP<CR>'
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB2): --> 'AT+GCAP<CR>'
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB1): --> 'AT+GCAP<CR>'
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB1): <-- 'AT+GCAP<CR><CR><LF>+CME ERROR: SIM not inserted<CR><LF>'
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB2): <-- 'AT+GCAP<CR><CR><LF>+CME ERROR: SIM not inserted<CR><LF>'
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB0): --> 'AT+GCAP<CR>'
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB2): --> 'AT+GCAP<CR>'
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB1): --> 'ATI<CR>'
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB1): <-- 'ATI<CR><CR><LF>Manufacturer: TCT Mobile International Limited<CR><LF>Model: HSPA Data Card<CR><LF>Revision: C1111000<CR><LF>IMEI: 352079030166324<CR><LF>+GCAP: +CGSM,+FCLASS,+DS<CR><LF><CR><LF>OK<CR><LF>'
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB2): <-- 'AT+GCAP<CR><CR><LF>+CME ERROR: SIM not inserted<CR><LF>'
** Message: (ttyUSB1) closing serial device...
** Message: (Generic): GSM modem /sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1d.7/usb1/1-4 claimed port ttyUSB1
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: Added modem /sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1d.7/usb1/1-4
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: Exported modem /sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1d.7/usb1/1-4 as /org/freedesktop/ModemManager/Modems/0
** Message: (ttyUSB0) closing serial device...
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB2): --> 'ATI<CR>'
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB2): <-- 'ATI<CR><CR><LF>Manufacturer: TCT Mobile International Limited<CR><LF>Model: HSPA Data Card<CR><LF>Revision: C1111000<CR><LF>IMEI: 352079030166324<CR><LF>+GCAP: +CGSM,+FCLASS,+DS<CR><LF><CR><LF>OK<CR><LF>'
** Message: (ttyUSB2) closing serial device...
** Message: (Generic): GSM modem /sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1d.7/usb1/1-4 claimed port ttyUSB2

-----------------------------------------------------------------

2. Sometimes the modem DOES show up, but it takes quite a long time, which is mostly spent after every unsuccessful AT+GCAP, until the successful ATI is issued. Here is the log when the modem is detected correctly and appears in nm-applet:

** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: Removed modem /sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1d.7/usb1/1-4
** Message: (ttyUSB0) opening serial device...
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB0): probe requested by plugin 'Generic'
** Message: (ttyUSB1) opening serial device...
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB1): probe requested by plugin 'Generic'
** Message: (ttyUSB2) opening serial device...
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB2): probe requested by plugin 'Generic'
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB0): --> 'AT+GCAP<CR>'
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB1): --> 'AT+GCAP<CR>'
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB2): --> 'AT+GCAP<CR>'
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB1): <-- 'AT+GCAP<CR><CR><LF>+CME ERROR: SIM not inserted<CR><LF>'
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB2): <-- 'AT+GCAP<CR><CR><LF>+CME ERROR: SIM not inserted<CR><LF>'
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB0): --> 'AT+GCAP<CR>'
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB1): --> 'AT+GCAP<CR>'
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB2): --> 'AT+GCAP<CR>'
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB1): <-- 'AT+GCAP<CR><CR><LF>+CME ERROR: SIM not inserted<CR><LF>'
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB2): <-- 'AT+GCAP<CR><CR><LF>+CME ERROR: SIM not inserted<CR><LF>'
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB0): --> 'AT+GCAP<CR>'
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB1): --> 'AT+GCAP<CR>'
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB2): --> 'AT+GCAP<CR>'
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB1): <-- 'AT+GCAP<CR><CR><LF>+CME ERROR: SIM not inserted<CR><LF>'
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB2): <-- 'AT+GCAP<CR><CR><LF>+CME ERROR: SIM not inserted<CR><LF>'
** Message: (ttyUSB0) closing serial device...
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB1): --> 'ATI<CR>'
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB2): --> 'ATI<CR>'
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB1): <-- 'ATI<CR><CR><LF>Manufacturer: TCT Mobile International Limited<CR><LF>Model: HSPA Data Card<CR><LF>Revision: C1111000<CR><LF>IMEI: 352079030166324<CR><LF>+GCAP: +CGSM,+FCLASS,+DS<CR><LF><CR><LF>OK<CR><LF>'
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB2): <-- 'ATI<CR><CR><LF>Manufacturer: TCT Mobile International Limited<CR><LF>Model: HSPA Data Card<CR><LF>Revision: C1111000<CR><LF>IMEI: 352079030166324<CR><LF>+GCAP: +CGSM,+FCLASS,+DS<CR><LF><CR><LF>OK<CR><LF>'
** Message: (ttyUSB1) closing serial device...
** Message: (ttyUSB2) closing serial device...
** Message: (Generic): GSM modem /sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1d.7/usb1/1-4 claimed port ttyUSB1
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: Added modem /sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1d.7/usb1/1-4
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: Exported modem /sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1d.7/usb1/1-4 as /org/freedesktop/ModemManager/Modems/1
** Message: (Generic): GSM modem /sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1d.7/usb1/1-4 claimed port ttyUSB2

-----------------------------------------------------------------

3. Even though the modem appears in the nm-applet, the connection fails. Looking at the log below, it looks like ATZ E0 V1 X4 &C1 +CMEE=1 command returns an error. I've tried these commands separately from minicom and it appears like ATX4 and AT&C1 won't work unless an AT+CPIN="xxxx" is issued first. Here is the log.

** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB1): --> 'ATZ E0 V1 X4 &C1 +CMEE=1<CR>'
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB1): <-- 'ATZ E0 V1 X4 &C1 +CMEE=1<CR>'
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: (ttyUSB1): <-- '<CR><LF>ERROR<CR><LF>'
** (modem-manager:17218): DEBUG: Got failure code 100: Unknown error
** Message: (ttyUSB1) closing serial device...

-----------------------------------------------------------------

4. Ok, I issued AT+CPIN="xxxx" from minicom, the init AT command works and I'm moving on to the next problem. It appears that this modem exposes 3 usb interfaces through the option driver: 0, 1 and 3. 0 is usually mapped to ttyUSB0, and it does not respont to AT commands, so who knows what's good for. USBIF 1 and 3 are usually mapped to ttyUSB1 and ttyUSB2 respectively, but in my experience, only USBIF 3 works. I reported this a few months ago in bug #392869. I am submitting a patch along this report that applies cleanly on the current version of modemmanager (0.2.git.20091014t233208.16f3e00-0ubuntu1) and fixes the issue. Note that both ttyUSB1 and ttyUSB2 will take AT commands and try to connect and everything, but only ttyUSB2 will work correctly, so my patch consists of basically ignoring the useless interfaces when probing the device.

Phew, hope this helps.

[screwbaxster (screwbaxster)]

Are Alcatel X060/200 added in Lucid Lynx repositories?

I did this to get mine working in karmic koala:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:jmartinj/x060-karmic

[JoanCF (jcodina)]

In lucid the X060 connects only once every 20 trials, sometimes the red/green light shows connection but nm does not.
I installed in Lucid the karmik patch.. but still many problems.
What hapens:
When the modem is plugged the orange light flashes but it takes one or two minutes the nm to detect it
Then it tries to establish the connection but it seems that the pin code is missing, you need to rewrite the pin code and push apply
But then, the time elapsed is so long that the modem turns off.
Also the enable broadband connection sometimes is disoconected, and some times the modem indicates connection but nm says that is not connected, and is impossible to navigate.
I thik i will downgrade to 9.10, but is not so easy :-(

[xose (dissenymac)]

JoanCF, the only think worked for me is:

1.- Create manually the band connection in network manager (with modem unplugged)
2.- Install usb-modeswitch && usb-modeswitch-data
3.- Unninstall modemmanager 3.0 (lucid lynx default)
4.- Download and install javier Martin modemmanager modified
http://ppa.launchpad.net/jmartinj/x060-karmic/ubuntu/pool/main/m/modemmanager/
5.- Restart
6.- Plug-in your modem, it will works, that's all folk.

[madbiologist (me-again)]

There is a patch in the upstream 3.0-rc3 kernel which may help:

commit 15badbcc8eede58b0d7e53a3acde1c90a7b6e40e
Author: Dan Williams
Date: Mon Jun 6 16:22:44 2011 -0500

    option: add Alcatel X200 to sendsetup blacklist

    This modem really wants sendsetup blacklisted for interfaces 0 and 1,
    otherwise the kernel hardlocks for about 10 seconds while waiting for
    the modem's firmware to respond, which it of course doesn't do.

    A slight complication here is that TCT (who owns the Alcatel brand) used
    the same USB IDs for the X200 as the X060s despite the devices having
    completely different firmware and AT command sets, so we end up adding
    the X060s to the blacklist at the same time. PSA to OEMs: don't use the
    same USB IDs for different devices. Really. It makes your kittens cry.

    Signed-off-by: Dan Williams
    Cc: <email address hidden>
    Signed-off-by: Greg Kroah-Hartman

A PPA of this kernel is available at http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/

[Marius B. Kotsbak (mariusko)]

Please try again using a newer version of Ubuntu.

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

[Expired for modemmanager (Ubuntu) because there has been no activity for 60 days.]