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Aircard 300/350 - Unable to Start Data Link

This document cover the following products

Aircard 300 and AirCard 350

Symptoms
Watcher reports an error: "Unable to start data link".

Resolution

1. Remove antenna. If Watcher continuously scans thru radio channels, the software/drivers are functional. The problem is the modem is unable to communicate with the cellular network. Try the following:

• Reinsert antenna.
• Move to a different location, preferably out of doors, to see if the signal strength increases.
• Move antenna counterclockwise to see if signal strength increases.
• Check with your CDPD carrier to determine availability of CDPD service within the area.
• Swap antenna for a different antenna. The antenna may be defective.
• Remove the antenna and ensure the pin inside the antenna connector on the AirCard is present. If the pin is missing, broken or pushed in, call the Sierra Wireless Technical Support for assistance having your AirCard repaired.

2. Remove antenna. If Watcher does not scan thru channels and is only displaying one channel, this may be a Resource/IRQ issue. Try the following:

• Reinsert antenna.
• FOR WINDOWS 9X, ME, XP and 2000 :
• For Windows 9X and ME, run WINIPCFG by clicking Start>Run. In the Open box, type WINIPCFG and click OK. An IP Configuration box will display. From the drop down list, choose the Sierra Wireless Adapter. Click on the Release button once, and click on the Renew button once. Click on OK button to exit program.
• For Windows 2000 and XP, open a DOS window by going toStart>Run and typing CMD in the Open Box and selecting the Okay button. In the DOS Window, type the command: IPCONFIG /RELEASE, press the Enter. Wait for the cursor to return. Next type IPCONFIG /RENEW, press the Enter key. Wait for the cursor to return. At the command prompt, type EXIT to exit the DOS window. Start Watcher to see if you can successfully register.
• Open Device Manager. In Windows 9x and ME, go to Start>Settings> Control Panel>System and tab over to Device Manager. For Windows 2000, go to Start>Settings> Control Panel>System>Hardware>Device Manager. For Windows XP, go to Start>Control Panel>System>Hardware>Device Manager. In Device Manager, expand Network Adapters by double clicking on the Network Adapter icon or clicking on the plus (+) sign. Disable any other adapters except for Sierra Wireless adapter. To disable other adapters in Windows 9x and ME, double click on adapter and under the heading Device usage, put a check mark to disable the hardware profile. For Windows 2000 and XP, choose "Do not use this device (disable)". Click on the OK button and a red X mark should display beside the adapter.Repeatthis disablingprocedure for all other adapters, except for the Sierra Wireless. Reboot your computerandstart Watcher.Youshouldnow be successfully registered with your CDPD provider.

FOR WINDOWS NT

• Go to Start>Programs>Administrative Tools>Windows NT Diagnostics . Tab over to Resources. Make a list of all the IRQ spaces not displayed. These are the IRQ's available foruse.
• Go to Start>Settings>Control Panel . Double click on the Network icon and then click on the Adapters Tab. Highlight the "Sierra Wireless Aircard" adapter and click on Properties. On the Interrupt window, change the IRQ number to an IRQ that is available (one that you noted in the first step).
• Reboot computer and start Watcher. If Watcher fails to register, change to a different IRQ. Repeat this process until an IRQ is found that works.
• For additional assistance refer to "Troubleshooting NT 4.0 Installations" technical resolutions that can be found by Click here.
  

Last update: June 19, 2002 - JD
Reviewed by: June 25, 2002 - JMC