ZTF MF636 Modem Ubuntu

This guide is to make the ZTE MF636 USB modem work with Ubuntu 9.10 ("Karmic"). I made this guide of many other guides out there, but only with the combination of them all I got it to work for me. I have the Norwegian NetCom operator, but it should work with others as well.

Step 1

In Linux, the USB-modem is considered as a storage device, so we need to make sure that it is seen as a modem instead. First download gtkterm:

sudo apt-get install gtkterm

Find the correct USB device:

ls /dev | grep ttyUSB

The last device listed is probably the one. Now edit the config file. Make sure to replace the X in USBX you got earlier:

gedit ~/.gtktermrc

Copy / paste:

[default]
port = /dev/ttyUSBX
speed = 115200
bits = 8
stopbits = 1
parity = none
flow = none
wait_delay = 0
wait_char = -1
echo = False
crlfauto = False
font = "Nimbus Mono L, 14"
term_transparency = False
term_show_cursor = True
term_rows = 80
term_columns = 25
term_visual_bell = True
term_foreground_red = 43253
term_foreground_blue = 43253
term_foreground_green = 43253
term_background_red = 0
term_background_blue = 0
term_background_green = 0
term_background_saturation = 0,500000

Open gtkterm (Accessories->Serial port terminal) and go to configuration and check 'Local echo'. Then write:

AT+ZOPRT=5
AT+ZCDRUN=8

You will get "Close autorun state result(0:FAIL 1:SUCCESS):1" if it went well.

Step 2

Install Gnome-ppp:

sudo apt-get install gnome-ppp

Edit the following config file:

gedit /etc/wvdial.conf

Copy / paste: (Here also change the X)

[Dialer Defaults]
Modem = /dev/ttyUSBX
ISDN = 0
Modem Type = Analog Modem
Baud = 460800
Init1 = ATZ
Init2 = AT&F &D2 &C1
Init3 = ATS7=60 S30=0 S0=0
Phone = *99#
Dial Attempts = 1
Dial Command = ATM1L3DT
Ask Password = off
Password = netcom
Username = netcom
Auto Reconnect = off
Stupid Mode = 1

Edit another config file:

sudo gedit /etc/init.d/rc.local

add:

modprobe -r usbserial
modprobe usbserial vendor=0x19d2 product=0x0031

Unplugg modem. Reboot. Plugin modem. Now we need to run gnome-ppp with root access:

sudo wvdial

If everything went well, you will get something like this:

echofish@ubuntu:/dev$ sudo wvdial
--> WvDial: Internet dialer version 1.60
--> Cannot get information for serial port.
--> Initializing modem.
--> Sending: ATZ
ATZ
OK
--> Modem initialized.
--> Sending: ATM1L3DT*99#
--> Waiting for carrier.
ATM1L3DT*99#
CONNECT
--> Carrier detected.  Starting PPP immediately.
--> Starting pppd at Sat Nov  7 21:35:46 2009
--> Pid of pppd: 5709
--> Using interface ppp0
--> local  IP address 89.9.97.35
--> remote IP address 10.64.64.64
--> primary   DNS address 212.169.123.67
--> secondary DNS address 212.45.188.254</pre>

Happy surfing!
(To restore the modem to default, just write AT+ZCDRUN=9 to it.)