A new firmware version has been released for the XU870, version 101.9, which provides an upgrade to 7.2Mbps-capability.

The update can be downloaded from here:

ftp://ca:welcome@ftp.hughsymons.com/Hugh%20Symons%20Telecom%20-%20Reseller%20Area/Novatel/Novatel%20Merlin%20XU870/Firmware%20Upgrade%20101.9.00/NVTL_PUU_800_FW101.9.00_PkgB.exe

Instructions:

To upgrade the datacard please carry out the following steps:

 

1)       Insert datacard into host laptop ensuring it has been installed and recognized by windows (e.g Mobilink recognizes the modem).

2)       Ensure there is external power connected to the laptop for the duration of the upgrade and no power failures.

3)       Ensure that the connection manager (Mobilink) is closed and exited, the upgrade utility needs sole use of the ports, if the connection manager is running it uses some of these ports to communicate with the datacard.

4)       Extract and run the utility, following the screen prompts.

5)       Do not interrupt the upgrade process (10-15mins) as this will corrupt the flash memory of the device.

 

 

---

James Liddiard
Network Manager

Some browsers show the above link as broken, split in to multiple lines instead of a full link.

You can either cut and paste the whole line into your address bar, or use this "tinyurl" contraction instead:

 

http://tinyurl.com/2m6dpr

Regards

Ivan

I tried this, and it failed with a partitioning error, leaving my card unusable, it's not even detected by the OS now. Anyone know if there is a way to fix them?

I am in Australia, and using xu870 from Three. I upgraded the firmware, and it's working well.

Things you have to do is to make sure you close "moblink" or anyother program which may uses modem port (eg, pcsuite connecting with your mobile phone)

but again upgrade at your own risk.

From me, big thanks to James! I have been looking for this firmware for long!

cheers,
 

Hi

I have just ran the upgade utility and it comes back with the message "Device not compatible for upgrade" It also lists that the card is ok, IMEI is ok but firmware 9.2.00.0 is not. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

Cheers

I've got the same trouble... 

You can download vodafone firmware updater ( http://www.vodafone.de/downloadarea/Novatel_XU_870_FW101_9_00_0.zip ) - it works.

Afterwords,  NVTL_PUU_800_FW101.9.00_PkgB.exe will start to work too...

Hi Shapa

I ran the Vodafone updater and everthing was fine until near the end when it brought up an failure "pup error" I also treid to run  NVTL-PUU-800 afterwards but it also failed. The card is still being found by the computer but it says "Radio off" in mobilink software and the led is out. Just wondering if you know any way to reverse the process or reflash the firmware. Any help appreciated as support from Novatel is very poor.

 

Cheers 

This is what I did:
 
I found my original cache file in the firmware cache folder(in program files/novatel). if you try and open the file with notepad you are able to see which firmware version is the file compartible with though most of what you will see in the file is rubbish..  if its a 9.5.3 file then you will need to download the 9.5.3 firmware from vodafone new zealand site then extract the contents of the exe file using universal extractor with the /r, once this is done you will need to edit the NWAPPCFG.INI FILE by removing the APPNAME=  lines. you will not need any of them but add your own that ( APPNAME1=fuu.exe under settings.
 
You will notice that when you double-click on the applauncher the the FUU app will start and save the config file that is currently on your modem in the same folder as the one you are running the FUU from.
 
once the saving part is complete and the upgrading has started, quickly replace that config file with the 100k one, you will have to rename it to *.cache.
 
after the upgrade the restoration will restore the new 100k file onto the modem. this sort the problem out.
 
now the modem will be running on 9.5.3. I have been able upgrade without any problem using the 101.9 firmware from www.devicewire.com. note that I have a vodafone branded card and it still works fine. even through the devicewire firmware is not branded.
 
let me know how you get on. I will help you if you struggle.

I forgot to tell you that you will also need to extract the 101.9 firmware exe into a folder and copy the applauncher and the ini file that you will be editing to the 9.5.3 folder.
 
Dont try shortcuts you will run into file format problems.

mail me is you struggle
 
cheers
legents@hotmail.com

Tried to install that official firmware upgrade (has letter A in it) but the update failed and modem is now unusable - LED shows constant white light.

 Is it possible to force the update of other firmware or is the card ready for trash?

 BTW error code was: 

2008.08.29    12:26:53:140    Starting RAM Loader

2008.08.29    12:26:58:296    Flash device type is "samsung_k9f1208"

2008.08.29    12:27:00:046    Reprogramming modem from U800:9.2.00.0 to U800:101.9.00.0.

2008.08.29    12:27:00:234    Partition table rejected without override.

2008.08.29    12:27:00:234    Boot partitions will be updated due to partition table change.

2008.08.29    12:27:07:593    Programming Primary Boot Loader.

2008.08.29    12:27:09:015    Programming QCT Secondary Boot Loader Configuration.

2008.08.29    12:27:09:187    Programming QCT Secondary Boot Loader.

2008.08.29    12:27:09:468    Programming NVTL Secondary Boot Loader.

2008.08.29    12:27:10:453    WriteFile ERROR: A device attached to the system is not functioning.

2008.08.29    12:27:10:453    ERROR: NwUmtsPstCommandDM: sendHDLC failure.

2008.08.29    12:27:10:453    ERROR: nrl_stream_write_file failed to send offset 93184
.
2008.08.29    12:27:10:453    Closing the Modem Connection.

 

Any advice??

Hi,

 Try to downgrade it to  9.5.03, here's the link:

http://www.mediafire.com/?yy0ddein5dt

Read & follow the attached instruction.

ZOX:

Tried to install that official firmware upgrade (has letter A in it) but the update failed and modem is now unusable - LED shows constant white light.

 Is it possible to force the update of other firmware or is the card ready for trash?

 BTW error code was: 

2008.08.29    12:26:53:140    Starting RAM Loader

2008.08.29    12:26:58:296    Flash device type is "samsung_k9f1208"

2008.08.29    12:27:00:046    Reprogramming modem from U800:9.2.00.0 to U800:101.9.00.0.

2008.08.29    12:27:00:234    Partition table rejected without override.

2008.08.29    12:27:00:234    Boot partitions will be updated due to partition table change.

2008.08.29    12:27:07:593    Programming Primary Boot Loader.

2008.08.29    12:27:09:015    Programming QCT Secondary Boot Loader Configuration.

2008.08.29    12:27:09:187    Programming QCT Secondary Boot Loader.

2008.08.29    12:27:09:468    Programming NVTL Secondary Boot Loader.

2008.08.29    12:27:10:453    WriteFile ERROR: A device attached to the system is not functioning.

2008.08.29    12:27:10:453    ERROR: NwUmtsPstCommandDM: sendHDLC failure.

2008.08.29    12:27:10:453    ERROR: nrl_stream_write_file failed to send offset 93184
.
2008.08.29    12:27:10:453    Closing the Modem Connection.

 

Any advice??

arc99:

I am in Australia, and using xu870 from Three. I upgraded the firmware, and it's working well.

Things you have to do is to make sure you close "moblink" or anyother program which may uses modem port (eg, pcsuite connecting with your mobile phone)

but again upgrade at your own risk.

From me, big thanks to James! I have been looking for this firmware for long!

cheers,
 

Hi, can you tell me with what file did you successfully upgrade? And step by step instruction of you don't mind.

 

Thank's!