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
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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
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Vodafone are crooks, they locked my phone!

What is it with Australia, seems like everyone is in it just to rip everyone off.

I brought a phone from Vodafone 4 years ago, it was a Nokia 6300.  A great phone which served me well, it was unlocked and worked with Optus, Three & Telstra. 
Recentley, I decided to port my number across to Amaysim, guess what happened, Vodafone found out that they were going to loose me and decided to fuck me over by network locking my phone!  Haha, I checked the Vodafone website which gives you the ability to unlock your phone using your credit card ($25), fuck that.  I called Vodafone and asked them to unlock it for free (I had been a paying customer for 4+ years) and their response was the same, $25 please. 
I gave them the ultimatum that I was going to Amaysim and the guy then offered me $25 phone credit on my account in exchange.  Shitty phone credit does not equal cash out of my wallet, I declined, it is not worth it siting with fuckwits.

Being a BB5 phone it is a PITA to unlock, so FML, Im using another phone that is unlocked.