OneTipADay - What Will You Learn Today?

Posted: 20 Aug 2011 12:37 AM PDT

Posted on One Tip A Day - What Will You Learn Today?

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Looking for ways to unlock a mobile broadband dongle without having to pay someone to do it? Then this is the right place to be! Outlined below are proven methods for resetting and unlocking dongles. The methods do require some technical abilities; as such, do not try them if they seem too complicated for your personal level of expertise.

Before we begin, let us talk about why the dongle is being unlocked. This procedure is often performed because the owner finds a better package deal from another provider. Providers are not overly keen on allowing clients to jump from one provider to another because, well, it is generally bad for business. So, as a precaution, they lock their dongles using networks which are designed to prevent the owner from using them elsewhere.

The technology community has figured out ways to bypass the network locks and have made it public knowledge for all to utilize. The first step is to see if the dongle is locked into a specific network. In order to do this, a program known as DC-Unlocker is required. The program is available for download from the DC-Unlocker website and is installed onto a computer.

The SIM card needs to be removed from the dongle so that it can be inserted into the SIM card slot on the computer. If the computer does not have a SIM card slot, one with a card slot will be required before going any further. With the card inserted, start the DC-unlocker program and wait for it to detect a network and/or software locking down the SIM card.

If the card does not have a network, it can be removed and replaced with a new card. However, if this is the case, the existing network information will need to be entered onto the new card by using the existing software or a generic software program.

If it is indeed locked by a network, then a quick call to the provider will usually result in an unlock code for free, or a small fee. If the provider is not able to supply a code, certain mobile phone stores are now offering the unlock service for a minimal fee.

In the event that the card is locked by software, using a generic software program will often work to complete the changes. The generic software can be located through the DC-Unlocker website or the manufacturer of the SIM card. To change the card settings, the existing software will need to be removed and the generic software installed.

As a last resort, flashing the firmware will work, but is much trickier than the other options. Entering the model number of the dongle into a search engine, such as Google, to locate the firmware reset instructions is the first step. Secondly, download the firmware, which is generally available from the manufacturer along with the required generic software.

With the dongle, software and firmware acquired, start up the generic software dashboard and follow the instructions precisely. Failure to follow the directions precisely can lead to big problems with the card and the dongle. If the person performing this task does not have sufficient knowledge or does not feel comfortable, calling in a broadband expert is the best option.