Thread: Link problem in Huawei MT841 with WLAN-PCMCIA card attached

Hi,

I am using Huawei sterlite MT841 type IV modem from past 3-4 years. I had bought this modem from my Service provider - BSNL. My modem has WCBG03H PCMCIA 802.11b/g card attached for WiFi support. Everything was working fine but off late am seeing link problems. Spoke to my service provider and after some investigation found that the link comes up when I use a different modem. so they concluded that its not a link problem and instead looks to be a problem with my modem.

After some more adhoc trying, I found that the link comes up when I remove the WCBG03H PCMCIA 802.11b/g Card. But when I insert it back to the modem slot, for some time I see that link comes up and am able to use internet both through LAN and WLAN. But after some time the link goes down and doesn't come up even after several iteration of power up/down and reset. The moment I remove the WCBG03H PCMCIA 802.11b/g Card for WiFi card and power on the modem, link comes up.

Does this mean that there is something wrong with my PCMCIA card/slot ? ( I guess not as it works at least for sometime)

I saw one more link mentioning similar problem (Post with title - Problem with Huawei MT841) , but it did not have any suggestion on how to get this working.

Any suggestions on this will be of great help..

Check whether the contacts of the PCMCIA card are rusted/corroded/blackened.
Caution
Try a non corrosive cleaning liquid to make the contacts bright.
use very light pressure. Check with computer dealer for proper cleaning liquid.
2
Check the Diagnostics page in router.
3.
Remove the LAN cable and test only wifi mode.
[In Windows7 OS , Lan cable Rj45 can be kept connected and either lan mode or wifi mode selected].

4.
This wlan card is a rare item, and replacement may not be possible./available.
5.
Mention OS used. Windows &/Vista/XP Sp2 etc.
Feedback.