Dodo Australia wins worst prize for crappy service 2012

It is about time they got their medicine.  In early 2012, I wrote a how to on getting money back from Dodo's prepaid 3G internet.  Simply because it was impossible to use.  Slow and not completely loading pages all time time.  Oversubscribed, according to their technical staff.

The article goes on to say how the CEO of Dodo was absolutely gutted
HELLO, SHOULD OF HAD YOUR EAR TO THE GROUND, YOU DESERVE TO FEEL ABSOLUTLEY GUTTED.

You just lost the game!

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/dodo-rated-worst-brand-of-the-year-by-product-review-consumers/story-e6frg6n6-1226534393828

WindyCityTech Blogger
WindyWindyCityTech Wordpress

How to unlock the Vodafone ZTE K3571-Z Dongle to use any SIM

This is a very basic guide on how to unlock your modem.  You will need:
K3571-Z Modem
Non Vofafone sim
Windows PC
DC Unlock
Generic ZTE dashboard (see optional step)

Install the VF (Vodafone) dongle software as per usual.  The drivers need to be installed for the dongle to be read be the computer.

Make sure the VF Dashboard works properly and you can get internet access from the dongle.

Now exit the VF dashboard software and ensure that any other VF Software is killed from task manager and Control Panel > Computer Mangement > Services (Look service starting with Vodafone...), stop and disable.
Make sure that all autoruns on the XP system are turned off as well (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/967715)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\Explorer\NoDriveTypeAutorun  Value = FF in Hex

Reboot

Open up Device Manager and have a look at the Ports (Com and LPT).  Insert Modem and see what port comes up as the Diagnostics Port when the modem is plugged in.
Take a note of the port and open up hyperterminal, selecting that com port and choose 9600, N, 8, 1 for setup.

Type ATZ and look for an OK
Now type the following commands and lok to see that you get success prompts.
AT+ZCDRUN=E
AT+ZCDRUN=8

Exit Hyperterminal and unplug the modem / replug the modem.  Open up Device Manager and have a look at the Ports (Com and LPT), you should notice that the description wording for the comports is different.  In my case before it was Vodafone and now it is ZTE.

Now you should be able to open up DC and unlock that sucker, just make sure that you have a non VF sim card in the modem or your DC program will say it is unlocked already.

Optional and really worth it

Uninstall all the VF crap, Go to http://www.dc-unlocker.com/downloads/ZTE/Dashboards and Download the ZTE Dashboard.
Open up the ISO using winrar or simmilar.  Install it on your system and use it with the modem.  The Join Air ZTE dashboard has all the drivers.


WindyCityTech Blogger
WindyWindyCityTech Wordpress

How to get your money back from Dodo Wireless Broadband! 3G [WIN]

Ugly fuckin' bird!

Dodo 3G is oversubscribed and has become hella slow, slower than dialup.

Meanwhile, the consumer has to pay for failed uploads / downloads for substandard service.

Calling their Australian Indian call center will not help if the tower is congested.  So the next step is to demand MONEY BACK.


This worked for me on my prepaid 3G broadband.  Do your homework first by following these steps.

• Calculate what percentage of unused data you have left and calculate this against the initial data purchase price as the basis of refund
• Fill out the online service support form at http://response.dodo.com.au or Google "Dodo complaint" to find the page link
• State to Dodo that you wish to seek a refund based on the usable data left on your account.
• Mention that the service is slow, unresponsive 3G broadband AND you will complain to the TIO if they don't refund (complain anyway)
• Also state that you have previously contacted their technical services, tried differed hardware, different location but all to no avail.

If they don't not contact back in two days, contact them by phone and go through the standard loop of tech support, followed by escalation.  Finally state that you will require a refund for the crap service.

They will eventually credit back a refund and in 10 minutes your modem will be - no service.  Bye bye 3G Dodo aka Optus Shite.

It is time to make the Dodo extinct!



WindyCityTech Blogger
WindyWindyCityTech Wordpress

DODO 3G is slow as hell in Perth 2011

Dodo Prepaid

Long latency time (waiting over 1 minute occasionaly)
Frequent drop outs
Constant retrying (3G, 3G, 3G, 3G..... then H)
Full Signal Bars but noting, even in the CBD and tried with multiple modems

Fuck Dodo and Fuck Optus.  What used to be good is now Shit!

Complaint to the shitty tech service, asks for them to log into to your dashboard, but they can't because the connection never connects....

Forget it, try someone else, no more DODO.



WindyCityTech Blogger
WindyWindyCityTech Wordpress

Don't Buy Optus Prepaid Broadband

It is shit, really shit and I don't recommend that you buy it, even if it is free.

Too many downloads, going 1-2% then stalling to dialup speed or zero KB/s.

At they same time they are robbing their customers with 10Mb increments.

Other people are pissed too!
http://www.cnet.com.au/optus-prepaid-broadband-data-robbery-339291339.htm

Fuck Optus.
Fuck Optus.
Fuck Optus.

http://www.optus.com.au/home/index.html
optus.com.au/home/index.html 

optus.com.au/store/prepaidwirelessbroadband/modems

WindyCityTech Blogger
windywindycitytech wordpress

Unlocking and Debranding Vodafone K3570-Z 3G Internet Dongle

The aim:

• Get rid of the Carrier dashboard and replace with a non branded one.


• Unlock the device so any sim could be used.


• If patience persists, fine tune the device files to remove any USB reference to the carrier.

Tools and files:  Look here for links and here or google
QPST
Unlock software
ZTEMODEM.ISO_K3565-Z_debranding_v2.rar 
VF_K3570_New_Dialler.zip to patch the ZTEMODEM.iso file
Stupid Windows box
Brains


Prerequisite:
Install the driver for the device, either by installing the dashboard that comes with the device or by installing the driver inside the VF_K3570_New_Dialler.zip

Unlocking:
Follow the instructions on the bottom of this page, you will need a sim card that does not match the locked carrier.  Dont enter any unlock code if prompted by the dashboard, just use the dc program to unlock.


Unbranding:
Install the VF_K3570_New_Dialler.zip on a host Windows system

Once installed, grab the drivers folder located in Program Files\Vodafone....
You will see both 32 and 64 bit versions for XP / Vista / Win7 :)

Now you need to edit the ZTEMODEM.iso found in ZTEMODEM.ISO_K3565-Z_debranding_v2.rar , remove the drivers in that image (old k3565 drivers) and put the good drivers  in it!
Use your favourite ISO editor program to do this, ISO Master...

Now you have a remastered ISO with the correct driver for your modem finish the job by putting the CD image on the modem.

Following the instructions on this page, use QPST to delete the ZTEMODEM.ISO on the modem, then drag and drop the downloaded ZTEMODEM.ISO file into the modem file system.  Reset the device and check if it works. 

Unfortunately the switching between virtual CD and modem is not too user friendly.  These two sources explain why: Source 1  Source 2

Basically the Original Virtual CD is switched off once the driver is installed, locking you to use the modem on the PC that the driver was installed.  The only way to undo this is to use a Linux terminal with USBModeswitch to gain access to the modem and using AT commands to turn on the Virtual CD


No virtual CD = Modem detection
-----
Virtual CD = No modem detection


AT+ZCDRUN=E removes the file NODOWNLOAD.FLG
AT+ZCDRUN=8 removes the file autorun.flg
-----
AT+ZCDRUN=F restores NODOWNLOAD.FLG
AT+ZCDRUN=9 restores autorun.flg


Then ATZ before disconnecting

So what next, disable the Virtual CD and burn the ISO to a normal CD.




WindyCityTech Blogger
windywindycitytech wordpress

Optus 3G Broadband is still slow in 2011

Seriously, this carrier is clearly over allocated.

I tried a Optus 3G prepaid sim card and realised that it is utter crap compared with Dodo prepaid.



Even the city with full, bars it's speed is slower than dial up and the lag is just fucked up!  There have been times that there has been no service for hours even if the modem is reconnected, just frustrating.

Even more fucked up is the dragonistic term and conditions regarding usage:
Usage: is counted in 10MB increments and includes both uploads and downloads. First 30MB per day charged at 10MB.


So download 1kb and get charged for 10Mb???  Sound like a big fucking scam!!!

I would not recommend that you go with Optus 3G where possible.

And seem like I'm not the only one.




WindyCityTech Blogger
windywindycitytech wordpress

Huawei k3765 repair and unlock

One of these 3G dongles suffered some damage the other day, when it got kneed slightly bending the USB connector.

Removing two screws near the USB connector allowed disassembly.

There was visible damage on the USB connector outer, the surface mounted leads and the board.  The leads were straightened and resoldered.

 

A few more pics of the insides of the modem.

 

Unlocking was simple as well:

• Install the device driver, using the Mobile partner software, Setup_Mobile_Partner_v.16.001.06.01.500.exe
• Flash the device using the hacked firmware UTPS16.001.06.01.500_VDF.exe
• Go to this address subsitute the url to your imei
  http://bb5.at/huawei.php?imei=123456789012347
• Get the unlock code by installing a nonstandard sim.
• Done

 

WindyCityTech Blogger
windywindycitytech wordpress

USB tethering ZTE V9 with Ubuntu 11.04

No Problems experience here. 

• Plug in the USB connection
• Hit 'back' to get out of the data storage screen
• Go to settings > Wireless & networks > Tethering & portable hotspot > USB tethering
• Network manager will now auto connect

The bonus here is that the tablet will be charged from the USB port while you are surfing using your laptop and you can surf the web on the tablet while tethered.

lsusb

WindyCityTech Blogger
windywindycitytech wordpress

Unlocking the ZTE V9 Tablet PC for free!

If you just purchased a Optus Mytab, it will he locked and branded with Optus.  You can easily unlock it for Free and Online.

You will need:

• ZTE V9 upgraded to Android 2.2 (see my other article)
• Your IMEI number
• APN details for the non Optus sim
  
• Internet

If you don't know either of the above then you fail.


Go to

www.nextgenserver.com/calculator/

Enter your IMEI, select ZTE on the form and type the captcha.

You will be given a unlock number.

When you insert a non Optus sim you will need to enter this number to unlock it.

Now go to Settings -> Wireless and networks -> Mobile networks -> Access Point Names and tap the menu side key to add a new APN.

Enter the APN and check internet connectivity!