ZTE USB Modem (MF100) Not Working After Windows 8.1 Update

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Sometimes tech fixes are quite straightforward. Like this issue my friend had with her Asus notebook. She updated her Window 8 to 8.1 and her ZTE USB modem just stopped working.

IMG_00000579IMG_00000577

I started by looking for an updated driver for the modem. Searched the official website – couldn’t find. Found one from a third party website – but it didn’t work. Searched the forums but didn’t find anyone facing the same problem. I was about to try the SIM with another device.

But thought I’d try uninstalling and reinstalling the built in application – Join Air. Guess what – after that it worked just fine.

zte4-aUninstall ‘Join Air’

zte3-bInsert the USB Modem and reinstall

Zte2-bInternet back on

So next time, I must remind myself to try simple steps first :).

Updated To 10.2.1

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When 10.2 was officially released for my Blackberry Q10, I was super excited. It came with a host of updates and the following features was pretty cool to me:-

  • Message preview from the lock screen
  • View and reply incoming messages directly from any app, and
  • The Android Jelly Bean runtime 4.2.2 allowed me to sideload more apps (though I was still not successful in loading OneNote).

But all that was forgotten when I heard about the next update – 10.2.1. In this version, you can install Android apps directly to your phone! (Previously you had to convert the apk files to bar files and then sideload it to BB10.)

10.2.1 has not been officially released yet but I couldn’t wait. I updated my Q10 with the leaked version from here and it was awesome!

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I just had to sideload the Amazon Appstore and 1Mobile Market apk files for the first time. (Guide to sideloading can be found here.)

After that, it was almost as if I was installing apps on my Kindle Fire – super easy. I’ve just started playing around with the stores – some apps work, some don’t. But it does help close the gap on the limitations of Blackberry Appworld.

So if you willing to take the risk, go ahead and give it a try. (But do so at your own risk).

IMG_000003341Mobile Market running on my Q10

 

IMG_00000336Amazon Appstore

 

IMG_00000335Some of the working apps that I download from the stores – the new LinkedIn Pulse, Waze, and official Youtube app

 

IMG_00000330 v1Another cool feature – customise your Dropdown menu

Make Your Own CMOS/RTC Battery

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The HP Mini is back in the sick bay – the date/time keeps restarting back to year 2002 whenever the mini restarts. This must be due to the CMOS/RTC battery – after a while it becomes weak and is unable to save the date/time.

I went looking for a replacement unit but couldn’t find it at the usual IT shops I frequent. I gave up and thought I’d look for it online.

On my way back that day, I stopped by a stationary shop to buy some stationary. At the counter, I casually showed the old battery to the guy and surprisingly, the shop had it!

It was the same model (CR2016 – 3 volts) but without the connectors. I thought to myself – shouldn’t be that difficult to make my own using the connectors from the old battery.

Got the battery together with a PVC tape for electrical insulation.

IMG_00000198PVC tape, old and new Battery

IMG_00000146CR2016 – 3 volts

1. First I disconnected the power and removed the battery. Then I removed the 3 screws (marked in blue in the picture below) holding the keyboard.

The picture below shows the mini on its back. Turn in to the front and with the monitor opened (as if you were typing on it); gently push the keyboard screw extensions (marked in red) upwards to pop-up the keyboard.

IMG_00000184 v1 HP Mini on its back

 2. Once I removed the battery connector from its socket, I carefully cut opened the yellow tape from the old battery. Be gentle – don’t cut the wires and your hands!

Remove the soldered connector the same way.

IMG_00000192 v1Remove battery connector from the socket

IMG_00000210Carefully cut open the tape from the existing battery

IMG_00000211Slowly remove the connector soldered to the battery

2. Next I cut a small piece of the PVC tap into half and wrapped it around the new battery. I stretched the tape while going around the battery to make it stick better.

I believe the tape around the edges is to avoid the connectors from touching the wrong battery terminals.

IMG_00000213 IMG_00000214IMG_00000215PVC tape wrapped around the new battery

3. After that, fix the connectors to the new battery. Instead of soldering as per the old battery, I used the tape to fix the connectors.

Before I wrapped it, I bent the connectors slightly to make sure it touches the battery when taped.

IMG_00000217Bend the connectors slightly

IMG_00000220Put the bent connectors to the battery – red wire to ‘+’ terminal and black to ‘-‘ terminal and wrap the tape around the battery

  4. Finally fixed it back to the computer and screw the keyboard back.

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It worked perfectly – no more date/time restarts. It was easy to do and it only cost me less than USD3 for both the battery and the tape.