Huawei E220 – how to get it to work on Windows 7
I upgraded my Laptop to Windows 7 and after installing ALL my applications I was just about to hit the road when I remembered that I didn’t install my trusted E220 modem that I have used for the past 4 years. So I connected the E220 card to my USB and it was recognized by Windows 7 – so far so good.
It then added the USB Mass Storage and a CD Rom. But then it stopped! Luckily I had the MTN E220 software copied onto my computer so I tried to install it manually but it failed.
I spent the next 2 days searching the web for a solution – I downloaded a gazillion apps which are supposed to fix it but none did. The problem is that Windows 7 doesn’t recognize the device as a modem – therefore the MTN software doesn’t work.
I spent the next day searching the web again for Modem drivers – but again no luck.
Eventually =- EUREKA!
steps to get Windows 7 to recognize the E220 as a modem
With the help of various websites/ forums and trial-and-error, I have put the following steps to get Windows 7 to recognize the E220 as a modem :
- Connect the E220 – Windows 7 will only recognize a new USB Mass Storage Device and a CD drive (which btw you cannot access).
Open the Device Manager - You will see the “Universal Serial Bus controllers” Section and under that USB Mass Storage Device
- Find the one that is related to the E220 (I kept the device manager open, disconnected the E220 and saw the Mass Storage disappear. I connected it again and saw it reappear – so I knew which one to play with)
- Right-click on the Mass Storage Device and select “Update Driver Software”
- Select “Browse my Computer”
- Select the “Let me pick” section at the bottom
- Untick the “Show compatible devices” option
- Select “(Generic USB Host Controller)” in the Manufacturer Tab (near the top of the list)
- Select “USB Composite Device” in the Model Tab (on the right side)
- Click on NEXT to finish the installation
- Windows 7 will add another USB Mass Storage Device
- Disconnect and reconnect your E220 to reinitialize the E220 software
- It will then pick up the E220 as a modem!
- At this stage install the software which you can download from the MTN or Vodacom website.
hopefully, this can save you lots of time and frustration!
You help me so much! Thank you for that!
Thanks a lot
I have also searced the web for a solution to this problem for the past 2 days without luck. You are a genius.
Hey man, you’re a legend, thanks for posting this, have been hunting around for ages to find this.
Excellent. This worked. Thanks for posting this solution
Brilliant – Thanks
Brilliant, thanks bud
Glad I could help !
p.s if anyone wants to click on the Facebook or Tweet or Vote button to help share the info – I reallwouldn’tnt mind !!!
Well done!!!!!
Thanks for the help.
Awesome stuff, much appreciated…:)
I WANT TO HAVE YOUR BABY!
I would like to add my vote of thanks as I was also struggling with the same issue after a fresh installation of Windows 7.
TAKE MY WIFE MATE!
Thanks man, you saved my day!
You!!!!! You wonderful creature!!
Ty from the bottom of my heart.
Why arent you the ceo of huawei corp??
Ohh then you would have made a modem that would have worked from the first place!
Many thnx again.
kudos man! That was a brilliant work. Keep it up!
Thanks man! That was a brilliantwork. Keep it up!
Awesome solution man!! Was a great help I can believe the thing doesn’t even work like this in the first place!! haha
brilliant!!
Wow it really worked, can’t believe it youre a genious man!
Thanks a million…. kudos 🙂
seriously awesome, thanks so much for posting this solution, worked a treat. Very much appreciated.
Great! Got it to work now. Big thanks!
Much appreciated – worked as described!
which software do you download from vodacom??
Not sure what you mean, but here is the link for their Broadband software: https://help.vodacom.co.za/portal/engine?handler=script&script=template&view=html&context=template&name=main_software_downloads&type=Broadband&softdown=Software
I tried the same technique for my huawei modem. 3 days of searching all over the internet and doing all sorts of recommended things. This is the only thing that worked.
Liron, I had spent a lot of time trying to put this modem to work that I had given up. But now it works like a charm!! Thank you.
Way cool Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
thanks a lot!
it works!
This absolutely works! Thank you 🙂
Thanks a lot thetechieguy , this helped solve my issue too! God Bless U!
Thanks for sharing this information, I have been trying for the past few days to work. Quite relived now.
Thanks again
THanks so much for this!!!….still having a problem, says my data card is invalid 🙁 PLEASE HELP!
Best and most useful article ever – have been battling with this for ages. I am now going to go and show our IT support how it’s done now 🙂
Great, thanks a lot 🙂
Thank You, works great.
Greetings from Sweden
You are an absolute genius. I have been struggling with this for 2 weeks now. Huawei themselves didnt know what to do and Telkom…well lets not go there!
Thanks for this post, my problem is solved!
Thank you very much.
thanks a lot!
Thanks a lot. It saved mt day.
thanks
Thank you so much. I was ready to tear my hair out at the roots out of sheer frustration. This saved me.
Guy where do u come from. ure just too good
awesome… thx m8
THANK YOU SO MUCH! #totally #appreciate
You are genius!
This worked also on Windows 8.
Youre a BOSS!
fantastico! no wonder: you’re co.za 🙂
Do you mind if I publish a Spanish translation of your instructions?
With pleasure!
If my laptop stands for a few minutes it disconnects from the network and I have to restart the laptop to reconnect. Is there a setting that I can change to stay connected when idle. model E220
Hi,Man! you are great.I almost gave up until I read your article.Thank you bro,and also how can I make this modem accept another sim card other than Vodacom.I cant wait…thanks again.