Automatic Activation, Hotplug and UDEV, Configuration
Post Reply
mattyb_uk
Posts: 1
Joined: 04 Jul 2021, 17:19

Vodafone K5160 - Setting up to put unlock code in

Post by mattyb_uk » 04 Jul 2021, 17:43

Hi

Just wanted to post here as I've managed to do this and wanted to share how I did it as I've been a bit confused about how this works exactly.

I purchased a Vodafone k5160 from ebay and whilst it works perfectly with my Fedora 34 installation (and on my OpenWRT router), it was starting in Stick Mode I assume, which mean that there was no web interface to put an unlock code in. It connected to the internet just fine, but I wanted to unlock it and there's no way to do that apart from putting it in the web interface. It was also starting in this mode in Windows 10 too, so I was scratching my head.

This is written with the more beginner type people in mind, so forgive me please - I am a beginner too.....

In order to put it into Router / NAT mode, I did the following in Fedora 34

1. Opened a terminal to edit the conf file to stop the device mode switching

sudo nano /etc/usb_modeswitch.conf

2. Edited the line

DisableSwitching=0

to read

DisableSwitching=1

3. Rebooted the system (I assume that's not necessary but did so anyways)

4. Plugged in the modem again

Opened a terminal and entered the following:

sudo usb_modeswitch -v 12d1 -p 1f1e -M 55534243123456780000000000000011062000000101000100000000000000

(found a bunch of messaging codes here - https://www.rychly.org/post/huawei-k5160/ but I'm sure they are in the documentation for Modeswitch also)

This should send a message to the stick to switch it into Modem mode and you should see an ethernet interface appear - you should be able to login to the stick on a web interface to put the unlock code in at 192.168.9.1

I got my unlock code from Vodafone - just filled out a form and told a teeny tiny white lie that I'd bought the stick off them but they never checked, they just sent me the unlock code.

Go back to Step 2 and change that value so it reads DisableSwitching=0 and you'll be able to use the device in stick mode with any sim you choose.

Hope this helps anybody.

free4me
Posts: 1
Joined: 10 Jan 2022, 19:42

Re: Vodafone K5160 - Setting up to put unlock code in

Post by free4me » 10 Jan 2022, 19:45

Thanks for the above, really helpful on both the unlock for my K5160 which Vodafone returned in just an hour and getting into and out of stick mode.

Post Reply