Meteor E3131 & TP-Link 3420 V2

Shane732

I have a bit of a problem with my Meteor E3131 stick and the TP-Link 3420 router.

The router doesn't appear to identify the Meteor stick.

I see that some of you appear to be running the E3131 with the 3420 V2.

Am I missing something?

Shane732

Do I not have to input the pin number somewhere?

The dongle flash green 3 times every so often but doesn't get beyond the identifying stage.

long_b

Shane732 wrote: »

Do I not have to input the pin number somewhere?

The dongle flash green 3 times every so often but doesn't get beyond the identifying stage.

I would normally use a phone to remove the pin code restriction on the broadband SIM

Shane732

Would a pin be stopping the TP Link from identifying the modem?

long_b

Shane732 wrote: »

Would a pin be stopping the TP Link from identifying the modem?

Not identifying but definitely would stop it connecting.
Check the log on the tp link via the admin webpage

THE ALM

Would be interested to hear how you get on with the E3131 and TP-Link. Currently using the same dongle and looking for a suitable router. Thanks

eirator

OP do you have the version 2 of the TP-Link router or have you loaded the version 2 firmware?

The E3131 is another HiLink dongle (like E353) that doesn't have a com port connection available to the router unless the router has firmware that can expose the com port that is present but hidden behind the HiLink quick install system. afaik the V2 version of the TP-Link 3420 has the extra tweaks necessary to run these HiLink dongles.

THE ALM

further to eirator's reply. Is the V2 an actual firmware update or the actual product itself? Looking on the various site for the 3420 there is no mention of a V2

eirator

THE ALM wrote: »

further to eirator's reply. Is the V2 an actual firmware update or the actual product itself? Looking on the various site for the 3420 there is no mention of a V2

Both afaik

I'll look a bit further into it again but I'm fairly sure there is a V2 firmware upgrade and V2 product.

eirator

OK my mistake The V1 and V2 refer to the physical firmware and the update used needs to be for the specific version of the firmware.

More info at http://www.tplink.com/ie/products/details/?categoryid=218&model=TL-MR3220#down and if you check the 3G USB Modem Compatibility List then the E3131 isn't on the list.

Edit> Sorry above link is for the 3220 and the OP is refering to the 3420 and the link for that is http://www.tplink.com/ie/products/details/?categoryid=218&model=TL-MR3420#down but again the E3131 isn't on the compatibility list.

THE ALM

I am guessing that the V2 adds the 4g compatibility. I see the E3131s-2 is listed as a dongle that can be used in some countries, don't know how this differs to Meteor's E3131.

I think the easiest thing to do would be to get an unlocked compatible dongle as the e3131 seems to be pain to get a router to work with it. At least the router would be ready for the 4g network if and when it would be available.

eirator

Sorry missed the E3131 on any of the lists, where did you spot it? Knowing that it might be possible to check if its the HiLink version thats supported and then which version Meteor are selling?

Edit> Just checked and its the HiLink version that Meteor are selling of the E3131 and its the HiLink features that are a major part of the problem here.

THE ALM

Seems to be the issue alright, this is why I will probably just get rid and get a different dongle, the e3131 is just to much hassle

Shane732

Ok so can I assume that this dongle won't work? This is a right pain in the ass. What are the Hi-Link features?

Where can I actually buy an unlocked dongle from?

Shane732

Others seem to be able to use the E3131....

eirator

Shane732 wrote: »

Ok so can I assume that this dongle won't work? This is a right pain in the ass. What are the Hi-Link features?

Where can I actually buy an unlocked dongle from?

The HiLink features hide the old COM Port style of connection and creates an NDIS connection between the computer and the dongle. The advantage is that the computer can create an NDIS connection in a few seconds which is much faster then connecting to a USB Com port. The problem when you connect a HiLink dongle to a 3G router is that unless the router knows about HiLink dongles it tries to connect to the old style USB Com port which isn't available without a bit a programatic jiggery pokery.

Try eBay or get a cheap reconditioned old style dongle from Meteor online http://www1.meteor.ie/mobilebroadband/payg/ noticed the old E173 for a tenner and looks like free delivery can't beat that

THE ALM

It is a pain Shane. As you have the router there are a number of dongle's that will work with it and a quick google will bring up several places selling them. You could hold onto the e3131 for use when out and about, that is my plan anyway.

Shane732

eirator wrote: »

The HiLink features hide the old COM Port style of connection and creates an NDIS connection between the computer and the dongle. The advantage is that the computer can create an NDIS connection in a few seconds which is much faster then connecting to a USB Com port. The problem when you connect a HiLink dongle to a 3G router is that unless the router knows about HiLink dongles it tries to connect to the old style USB Com port which isn't available without a bit a programatic jiggery pokery.

Try eBay or get a cheap reconditioned old style dongle from Meteor online http://www1.meteor.ie/mobilebroadband/payg/ noticed the old E173 for a tenner and looks like free delivery can't beat that

It maxes out at 7.2 though doesn't it? I seem to be able to get a faster connection at times that 7.2.

Arghh!

Shane732

The E353 is compatible isn't it?

Shane732

eirator wrote: »

The HiLink features hide the old COM Port style of connection and creates an NDIS connection between the computer and the dongle. The advantage is that the computer can create an NDIS connection in a few seconds which is much faster then connecting to a USB Com port. The problem when you connect a HiLink dongle to a 3G router is that unless the router knows about HiLink dongles it tries to connect to the old style USB Com port which isn't available without a bit a programatic jiggery pokery.

Try eBay or get a cheap reconditioned old style dongle from Meteor online http://www1.meteor.ie/mobilebroadband/payg/ noticed the old E173 for a tenner and looks like free delivery can't beat that

How difficult is the programatic jiggery pokery?

THE ALM

Have ordered the MR3420-V2 so will keep you posted if I can get this to work with the e3131. Don't expect to so will most likely be ordering another dongle.

Did notice going through the various threads that a hilink dongle has been paired with this router http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=81940072

fingers crossed

eirator

THE ALM wrote: »

Have ordered the MR3420-V2 so will keep you posted if I can get this to work with the e3131. Don't expect to so will most likely be ordering another dongle.

Did notice going through the various threads that a hilink dongle has been paired with this router http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=81940072

fingers crossed

Hope you get a V2, I noticed one reviewer on Amazon.co.uk state that he'd specifically requested a V2 and been sent the old V1 3 times in a row and reurned them

THE ALM

The site does specifically say V2 so here is hoping. Won't know until I receive it I suppose

THE ALM

Have received the MR3420 and does state that it is V2.1. Will le you know how I get on over the next day or two, finger crossed it will work with the E3131 and I won't need another dongle.

eirator

THE ALM wrote: »

Have received the MR3420 and does state that it is V2.1. Will le you know how I get on over the next day or two, finger crossed it will work with the E3131 and I won't need another dongle.

Supplier?

THE ALM

PCMegabits.ie are the suppliers. Ordered on-line on Friday at 16:20 and got a confirmation it was dispatched at 16:55 and it arrived this afternoon, very impressed with that service.

THE ALM

Ok, so got the V2.1 of the MR3420 and downloaded the 2 current firmwares which I applied one after the other. Unable to test the router at home yesterday evening so brought it into work this morning to test out.

I have the router connected directly to the desktop and then the E3131 dongle connected through a 5m extender usb cable to the side usb port of the router.

Through the hi-link screen on the browser I have disabled the pin function and have manually updated the APN on the router 3G/4G setup screen. When you set the location as Ireland it does give you Meteor as an option although it does input the wrong APN automatically so this need manually updating to broadband.mymeteor.ie.

Those are the only changes that I have made and I can confirm that it connects through the dongle without any issues. I have attached the speedtest which I cannot complain about. I also carried out a speedtest on my mobile to test the wireless connection and got Ping 226ms D/L 6.31 U/L 1.45.

All in all very happy:)

eirator

THE ALM wrote: »

Through the hi-link screen on the browser I have disabled the pin function and have manually updated the APN on the router 3G/4G setup screen. When you set the location as Ireland it does give you Meteor as an option although it does input the wrong APN automatically so this need manually updating to broadband.mymeteor.ie.

I take it you plugged the dongle into a computer to connect to it with a browser?

THE ALM

eirator - Just had the router connected straight to the pc and I could update the settings before connecting up the dongle

THE ALM

...the pin function was disabled with the dongle connected to a laptop beforehand

Shane732

What?!! Why doesn't it work for me?!!

Shane732

What firmwave are you running?

At what point did the router identify the modem.......

Shane732

THE ALM

Shane732 - I am running the most current firmware that tp-link have on there site. The only thing that you have on yours that I don't is a username and password which I left blank.

As stated earlier the router just picked up the dongle after I changed the default meteor APN to the one as you have.

Have it now set the wireless connection and current speedtest is:- http://www.speedtest.net/result/2441318708.png and this is before I have the best position for the dongle which I will be locating outside.

Anything else let me know

THE ALM

sorry - firmware version 3.13.27 Build 121206 Rel.60215n

eirator

THE ALM wrote: »

As stated earlier the router just picked up the dongle after I changed the default meteor APN to the one as you have.

You could always take the dongle out, change the APN to something thats incorrect plug the dongle back in and see if its "picked up".

I've set up a few 3220 V1's and they all picked up a compatable dongle as soon as it was plugged in so I'd be doubtfull of any difference here except maybe the router takes a bit longer to detect and set up the HiLink router?

I'm just not convinced changing the APN has anything to do with the router detecting the dongle.

In the OP's case you can see the dongle is not being detected he has the V2 firmware (both confirmed on the screen shots) so as you did I'd go for the latest update from the website which it seems from the screen shot the OP doesn't have yet.

If that still fails I'd be checking things like power suppplies - amazing how often they let you down and USB cables, other than that it should work unless the router is dodgy.

Shane732

THE ALM wrote: »

Shane732 - I am running the most current firmware that tp-link have on there site. The only thing that you have on yours that I don't is a username and password which I left blank.

As stated earlier the router just picked up the dongle after I changed the default meteor APN to the one as you have.

Have it now set the wireless connection and current speedtest is:- http://www.speedtest.net/result/2441318708.png and this is before I have the best position for the dongle which I will be locating outside.

Anything else let me know

I'm at a complete loss at to what the difference between the two is. I have the same firmware and have changed the APN to match yours yet mine is still not connecting.

eirator

Shane732 wrote: »

I'm at a complete loss at to what the difference between the two is. I have the same firmware and have changed the APN to match yours yet mine is still not connecting.

So you have downloaded and upgraded the firmware to the latest version on the TP-Link website?

The screen shots (good idea btw) show you don't have the same version as ALM.

THE ALM

the firmware that I have is the version dated 1012/12/6 as per TP-Link's website -http://www.tplink.com/ie/support/download/?model=TL-MR3420&version=V2#tbl_j

Don't know if the firmwares are Geo specific although I do have the TP-Link website changed to Ireland, top right corner.

Don't have the router with me today but will post screen shots later or will go through those posted to see any difference other that the firmware and the user name and password that I have left blank. I have not spent a great deal of time looking at the various settings on mine as yet so there could be some differences. As I said I just connected mine up and away she went.

Can't imagine there are any differences between the two routers as they are both version 2 although it does specifically say v2.1 on the back of mine, don't know if that is important.

THE ALM

Shane732 - Don't see it being asked earlier but does you Dongle work using it plugged directly into laptop etc?

Shane732

eirator wrote: »

So you have downloaded and upgraded the firmware to the latest version on the TP-Link website?

The screen shots (good idea btw) show you don't have the same version as ALM.

Yes I have updated the firmware.

Shane732

THE ALM wrote: »

the firmware that I have is the version dated 1012/12/6 as per TP-Link's website -http://www.tplink.com/ie/support/download/?model=TL-MR3420&version=V2#tbl_j

Don't know if the firmwares are Geo specific although I do have the TP-Link website changed to Ireland, top right corner.

Don't have the router with me today but will post screen shots later or will go through those posted to see any difference other that the firmware and the user name and password that I have left blank. I have not spent a great deal of time looking at the various settings on mine as yet so there could be some differences. As I said I just connected mine up and away she went.

Can't imagine there are any differences between the two routers as they are both version 2 although it does specifically say v2.1 on the back of mine, don't know if that is important.

Mine also says 2.1 on the back!

Shane732

THE ALM wrote: »

Shane732 - Don't see it being asked earlier but does you Dongle work using it plugged directly into laptop etc?

Yes the dongle works perfectly when connected directly to the laptop!


AARRGGGHHH!!

eirator

I don't think it will help but just in case I wonder if you could PM THE ALM and ask him to back up his config and send you a copy?

THE ALM

no problem with that, will see if I can sort it this evening

Shane732

THE ALM wrote: »

no problem with that, will see if I can sort it this evening

Cheers!

THE ALM

here are the hardware and software versions for the dongle itself in case that is the issue: Hardware version: CH2E303SM
Software version: 22.158.01.01.394

I have the dongle set for manual connection, network mode 3g, no username or password set in the profile management screen

THE ALM

not great that you still cannot get the Dongle to work even using the config file, not really sure why it will not work.

Do you know anybody else with a E3131 or would Meteor let you try another one?

THE ALM

On the router status screen is a line showing the signal strength which for me is always zero % although on the dongle screen I could have a full 4-5 bar signal, is there anyway of getting this field populated on the router side of things. Cannot find anything relating to it at all.

Thanks

THE ALM

Have been using the E3131 with 3420 router now for the last week or so and I can say that there are times when the router will not pick up the modem. Doing the usual refresh, switching of and on and unplugging it make no difference so I have been trying to figure out why it would not identify the modem. Looking at the system log I do notice that it is connecting to an LTE network which I didn't think had rolled out as yet.

I think the issue is with the strength/type of mobile signal that the dongle is receiving, i.e 2G, EDGE, H , H+. I did notice that yesterday it would not detect the modem at all most of the day when we had think fog although when it cleared last night it identified the modem no problem.

I notice shane732 that you say your dongle is flashing green three times meaning it is picking up a 2G signal which I think could be the issue.

eirator

The dongle being identified by the router has NOTHING to do with signal strength.

I've set a load of those routers up with non HiLink dongles and even at home here in my "office" where there is no 3G signal at all and no phone signal they are recognised straight away.