ASUS V1S - 3G Watcher

Thought this might be of use to people out there, I found the information below here as it applies to the 3G card installed in the ASUS V1S.

http://3g-modem.wetpaint.com/page/Sierra+Wireless+MC8775+&+MC8775v



and have edited it with updated info

Sierra Wireless MC8775 & MC8775v
specifications

manufacturer: Sierra Wireless
model: MC8775 / MC8775v (v = voice-calling)
chipset: Qualcomm MSM6280
interface: MiniPCIe
GSM frequency bands: 850, 900, 1800, 1900
UMTS frequency bands: 850, 1900, 2100
HSDPA: 7,2 MBit/s (after firmware update, before: 3,6 MBit/s)
HSUPA: -
EDGE: 216 KBit/s
GPRS: 57,6 KBit//s
CSD: ?
connector for ext. antenna: +
connector type: U.Fl. Hirose
antenna diversity: + / - (some cards lack 2nd antenna connector)
voice telephony: + (only MC8775v)
NAND-flashmemory: -
integrated in: Asus V2je
rebranded versions:
Hewlett Packard HP Hs2300


right picture shows version without second antenna connector for diversity.

dashboard & drivers
Just download the lastest 3G watcher for the AirCard 875 (fully compatible with the MC8775) from Sierra Wireless, which also contains drivers:
http://www.sierrawireless.com/support/show_support_and_downloads.aspx?id=20,5,1,1
note: HP's OEM version (designated HP Hs2300) won't work with the generic drivers, but requires customized drivers: download


firmware update

instructions
The following instruction will allow you to upgrade your MC8775 from a 3.6Mbps peak rated device to a 7.2Mbps peak rated device. Before you start your upgrade, please ensure the following:

Drivers for the MC8775 have been installed and the card is recognized by the devicemanager
Your computer is connected to an AC power supply
Please close all active applications.
Insert a SIM card into your device
If the ‘3G Watcher’ software starts automatically close it
Ensure that you have around 30 mins spare to complete the upgrade as once you start the process you will need to complete the upgrade to ensure that there is no damage to your MC8775
Download the updating tool from here (permanent link by istudioz)(owners of the HP version "HP Hs2300" download this (permanent link by istudioz) instead) and extract it to a folder of your choice
Download the desired firmware (see below) and extract both .cwe files to a folder of your choice
Go to the folder where you extracted the updating tool to and run BinUpdater.exe
Click "OK" to chose the first file for updating and browse to the directoy where you have extracted the firmware files
Now first chose the smaller file (~200KB), which has the longer filename (starting with MC8775QCOM...). That's the bootloader file, which we need to flash first. After clicking OK the bootloader will be flashed to your device, which may take a couple of minutes.
When the “Upgrade completed successfully” message is displayed. Select the “OK” button. The first part of the firmware update is completed.
Now repeat the steps above but chose the larger file (~11-16MB).
After the second file has been flashed successfully, click "OK" to close the update tool and reboot your system.
Now start 3G Watcher and go to "Help > About > Firmware", where the new firmware version should be displayed.

firmware versions

firmware version 2.0.8.19 (latest enabling HSDPA with 7.2 MBit/s)
BootFWFile MC8775QCOM_H2.0.8.0.cwe
AppFWFile MC8775_H2.0.8.19.cwe
download (permanent link by istudioz)


firmware version 2.0.7.1B (enabling HSDPA with 7.2 MBit/s)
BootFWFile MC8775QCOMH2.0.3.1.cwe
AppFWFile MC8775H2.0.7.1B.cwe
download

firmware version 1.1.9.3 (HSDPA with 3.6 MBit/s)
BootFWFile MC8775QCOMH1.1.9.0.cwe
AppFWFile MC8775H1.1.9.3.cwe
download


voice-calling function
The voice function of the MC8775 can be enabled by a small tool (download EnableVoice.exe) turning it into a MC8775v. However in contrast to other 3G modems, the MC8775 won't hand over the voice communication digitally over USB, but it has an analogue audio interface using some of the MiniPCIe pins (it's unclear which pins are used for the analogue audio, see discussion at http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=63096)
So unless you are ready for some experimenting and soldering it won't make sense to enable the voice function. Note that the EnableVoice.exe didn't work for some users after upgrading to firmware 2.x. In that case first downgrade to a 1.x firmware version and then run EnableVoice.exe. If you have problems running Enablevoice.exe under Vista then run it XP Service Pack 2 compatibility mode



HP Hs2300 (Hewlett Packard OEM version)
Like Asus and Lenovo, Hewlett Packard have their own version of the MC8775, which has the same hardware like the original card, but comes with different hardware IDs in order to monopolize the aftermarket for 3G-upgrades for their laptops.

The consequence of the differing hardware ID is, that the generic drivers from Sierra won't work for the HP Hs2300, but you need to use the ones provided by HP:
HP driver installer (exe): download
drivers only for manual installation: download
In contrast to the drivers, the generic dashboard from Sierra (linked above) can be used flawlessly with the HP Hs2300.

Further when you update the HP Hs2300 to firmware versions 2.x, the regular BinUpdate tool won't work (will prompt "Bootloader not compatible with target"). Instead use this HP version of the BinUpdater: download


Weblinks
manufacturer's product page: http://www.sierrawireless.com/product/mc8775.aspx

 

Would also like to mention I successfully upgraded my card in my V1S using the above method. If you have problems getting the sound to work just make sure you haven't muted the 3G watcher in Vistas sound mixer, you will also need to unmute the microphone too.