Enabling USSD and Voice support for EM770W 3G module

Hi,

I was playing around with some settings of the software that came with my EM770W 3G module of my 1810TZ.
Now I am able to submit USSD codes and to abuse my 1810TZ as a phone



This could be simply accomplished by editing some configuration files. So notepad.exe is the "hacking tool" of choice
Make sure, you back up these files before editing them. Also, some files are write protected, so you need to change this before the modification. It is recommended to re-apply the write protected flag when you're done.

Enable USSD support

Step 1:
Navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\Acer 3G Connection Manager\config
Edit file: PluginsConfig.xml
In section

PHP:

<common>
    <plugin>
    (lots of stuff)
    </plugin>
</common>


change

PHP:

<!--item name="USSDUIPlugin" clsid='6ADFE6DA-E212-4087-8466-043AB06DF4EB'/-->

to

PHP:

<item name="USSDUIPlugin" clsid='6ADFE6DA-E212-4087-8466-043AB06DF4EB'/>

Step 2:
Navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\Acer 3G Connection Manager
Edit file: plugins.xml

Make sure, this section is present. If not, add it:

PHP:

<plugin>
        <channel></channel>
        <name>USSDUIPlugin</name>
        <alias></alias>
        <clsid>6ADFE6DA-E212-4087-8466-043AB06DF4EB</clsid>
        <url>.\USSDUIPlugin.dll</url>
        <setting_title></setting_title>
        <version>0.1.0.1</version>
        <type>0</type>
        <active>false</active>
        <static>false</static>
    </plugin>

(You can copy that section from the pluginslib.xml file which is located in C:\Program Files (x86)\Acer 3G Connection Manager\config. I had to change

PHP:

<type>1</type>

to

PHP:

<type>0</type>

)

Enable Voice support

Step 1:
Navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\Acer 3G Connection Manager\config
Edit file: PluginsConfig.xml
In section

PHP:

<common>
    <plugin>
    (lots of stuff)
    </plugin>
</common>


Add these lines:

PHP:

<item name="CallPlugin" clsid='8FC7A17B-EA76-4e6e-872D-9AAC222C8B03'/>
<item name="CallUIPlugin" clsid='58A0343A-93DB-4ea2-92B4-C51589629381'/>
<item name="CallLogUIPlugin" clsid='1FCAC0FF-9E87-450f-8258-1155D7696571'/>


Step 2:
Navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\Acer 3G Connection Manager
Edit file: plugins.xml
Add these lines:

PHP:

    <plugin>
        <channel></channel>
        <name>CallPlugin</name>
        <alias></alias>
        <clsid>8FC7A17B-EA76-4e6e-872D-9AAC222C8B03</clsid>
        <url>.\CallPlugin.dll</url>
        <setting_title></setting_title>
        <version>0.1.0.1</version>
        <type>1</type>
        <active>false</active>
        <static>false</static>
    </plugin>
    <plugin>
        <channel></channel>
        <name>CallUIPlugin</name>
        <alias></alias>
        <clsid>58A0343A-93DB-4ea2-92B4-C51589629381</clsid>
        <url>.\CallUIPlugin.dll</url>
        <setting_title></setting_title>
        <version>0.1.0.1</version>
        <type>0</type>
        <active>false</active>
        <static>false</static>
    </plugin>
    <plugin>
        <channel></channel>
        <name>CallLogUIPlugin</name>
        <alias></alias>
        <clsid>1FCAC0FF-9E87-450f-8258-1155D7696571</clsid>
        <url>.\CallLogUIPlugin.dll</url>
        <setting_title></setting_title>
        <version>0.1.0.1</version>
        <type>0</type>
        <active>false</active>
        <static>false</static>
    </plugin>

(You can copy these sections from the pluginslib.xml in C:\Program Files (x86)\Acer 3G Connection Manager\config also).

Edit: At least with the 1810TZ, using a headset is highly recommended since the levels of built-in mic and speakers are annoyingly low.



Have fun,
Michael

 

If you don't want the Acer logo:

Edit file: SysSetting.xml (located in C:\Program Files (x86)\Acer 3G Connection Manager)
Change

PHP:

<system>
        (...)
        <supportpnglogo>1</supportpnglogo>
        (...)
</system>

to

PHP:

<system>
        (...)
        <supportpnglogo>0</supportpnglogo>
        (...)
</system>

Instead of editing the xml file as described above, you can also rename the logo.png which is in the same folder.

 

Awesome! I can confirm this works fine on an ex- PDC Acer 1420p with an EM770W on Telstra (Australia) using a prepaid phone SIM.

The only mods I had to make for the copy - paste are where the DLLs are named. Where ever it says

Code:

<url>.CallUIPlugin.dll</url>

(or whatever the DLL is), I put a backslash after the "." so it looks like

Code:

<url>.\CallUIPlugin.dll</url>

Thanks for posting this.

 

Hi,

thanks for reporting back.
Seems as if you have another version of the software installed. Is it somewhat customised (by the phone company)?

At least the Acer customised software I am using is general purpose Works nicely with my other laptop (Dell) and a Huawei E160 USB thingy (no voice support here).

Michael

 

I downloaded the Connection Manager from Acer - v 13.001.07.04.470. It didn't come with the PDC Edition 14020p. Windows 7 (x64) manages the 3G connection without the Acer software so it's not vital.

I don't really know why I had to add the backslash to the config file.

The only oddity I've noticed is that it doesn't seem to log into the SMS center & retrieve any queued messages until it gets sent a message while it is live - then the queued messages come flooding in.

I also use the Windows 7 network connection to connect to the WWAN rather Acer's connect button - that seems flaky. I set the APN but it still doesn't play nice. It recognizes the connection that Win 7 makes though so all is well. I've got it set to manua, rather than auto, to avoid any unpleasant surprises. I'm on a normal prepaid phone SIM so that also lessens the risk.

I didn't get the video calls plugin to work. Also, did you get the GPS in the EM770W to talk to anything?

 

Hi,

Mine is 13.001.08.12.470 This is the version that came preinstalled (and this is newer that the version offered for the 1810T series).

Well, I am rather new to Win7, so thanks for the hint

Perhaps due to the minor version difference.

Works for me. At least with the one SMS I tested.

On my system, the software automagically detected my provider and loaded some profile with APN etc. (There is some data file with the software with these values). Could this be the reason for the issues you are experiencing?

Me too. I have a dayflat option which gives me "unlimited" speed for the first 500 MB, then it is throttled to GPRS speed.

I saw the GPS entry in device manager, but I don't even have an idea what to use for an initial test.

Additionally, I wasn't able yet to abuse the card as fax modem. Would be very nifty. Any idea?

Michael

 

Nope. I wonder if you could just offer it up as a raw modem to the fax software? I have successfully used voip for fax/data, for a cable tv box that dials in to check accounts stuff.

As for faxes, my standard response is "No, sorry - this is the 21st century."

In Australia they have us by the proverbials with 3G data. A$10 gets me 150MB - see Pre-Paid Mobile Phones - Plus & Talk Packs - Telstra for details of that racket. The data allowanaces only just recentyl went up by 50%. Oh, joy. Other networks are cheaper but they generally suck. A lot.

Still had zero luck with GPS, so far.

 

Windows built-in fax utility picks up the modem part of the card, but the fax isn't sent, and I get some unspecified error message.

Well, sometimes it's not bad to send a fax instead on an e-mail.

Somewhat more expensive than here in Germany, indeed. Understandable considering Australia is a whole continent.
What happens if you consumed your data volume? Are you then charged (at ridiculously high prices), disconnected or simply speed limited?

Still haven't dealt with - so no idea what to use for testing

Michael

 

If the GPS works the same way as a Bluetooth GPS module, that I'm used to using with my laptop.
It uses a COM port anywehere from COM2-55 or something. You should be able to find an entry what COM port it is using somehow.

You can try to use a tool called "Goops" for Google Maps tracking. You first have to select the com-port, in which the GPS-module is located from the Goops tool.
You can also try different settings for the com port. Etc XON-setting and data rate.

 

I haven't opened my lappy, but I suspect there is simply no antenna installed.

 

Thanks for the info. I got it running on my AS1410

Still trying for GPS, maybe i can get lucky

 

Well, I managed to get it working with non T-mobile SIM - with T-mobile SIM when I uninstall T-mobile manager I can't connect to 3G

Btw, ACER 3G Connections Manager is the same as T-mobile Internet Manager, just T-mobile is re-branded in purple and has 6MB more files.. I guess that way they are "locking" the modem only with T-mobile SIM cards.

Anyway, great work Michael, I really appreciate it!

Tomi

 

Hi,

This is strange
Are you sure you have entered the correct connection data (APN, username, password etc)?

Interesting. In case the T-software attempts to lock the modem, then you shouldn't be able to use your other SIM then...

Thanks

Michael
P.S.: Acer's download website for the Aspire 3820 has a slightly newer version of the 3G software: 2.0.3.828

 

Well yes, I can use the other SIM only with ACER's software. I guess there is a way to edit the .xml files to bypass the lock, but I really don't have the time now to go the old fashioned "trial and error" way, as I am not an expert

And I guess the GPS interface on COM4 is just software stuff, Huawei EM770W doesn't have GPS?

Cheerz!

Tomi

 

Seems so. I haven't been able to get the GPS thingy recognised by some software.
Perhaps the device is somewhat restricted by OEM firmware or something like that.

Michael