Novatel Merlin XU870 – SIM card not recognised error message (Windows XP)

Problem

When launched, despite the SIM card being correctly inserted, the MobiLink software returns the error message: “No SIM inserted, please check orientation”

Cause

There seems to be a problem with certain SIM cards, notably Vodafone UK, being recognised by the MobiLink application.

Resolution

Create a connection manually, without using the MobiLink software. The procedure is as follows:

Open the Control Panel

Double click the icon for Phone and Modem Options

Click on the Modems tab

Select the Novatel XU870 and click on the Properties

Click on the Advanced tab

In the Extra dial-string initialisation commands box, enter the correct string for your network provider:

Vodafone           AT+CGDCONT=1,”IP”,”INTERNET”

Orange              AT+CGDCONT=1,”IP”,”ORANGEINTERNET”

O2                    AT+CGDCONT=1,”IP”,”MOBILE.O2.CO.UK”

T-Mobile            AT+CGDCONT=1,”IP”,”GENERAL.T-MOBILE.UK”

Three                AT+CGDCONT=1,”IP”,”THREE.CO.UK”

Click OK, and then OK again.

Back in the Control Panel, double click the icon for Network Connections

Select the option to Create a New Connection and click Next

Select the option to Connect to the Internet and click Next

Select the option to Set up the connection manually and click Next

Select the option to create a Dial-up connection and click Next

Select the Novatel UX870 as the modem to use and click Next

Enter a name for the connection, this can be anything and is only used to identify the connection. Click Next

When prompted for a telephone number, enter *99***1#

When prompted for a Username and Password, enter the relevant settings for your network provider:

Vodafone           ‘web’ for both

Orange              leave blank

O2                    ‘web’ for both

T-Mobile            leave blank

Three                leave blank

Click Next and then Finish.

An icon will now be created for the connection Double click the icon to initiate the connection.