Ubuntu 14.04 mounts a 3G modem as USB storage!

Question

I have bought an Alcatel x602D modem for 3G Internet connections but Ubuntu doesn't recognize it as a modem but like USB storage

How should I proceed?

Solution

What you have is called a "multi-mode USB device": It's a modem and also a USB stick: and it usually has Windows and Mac drivers on-board! When plugged in on Windows or the Mac, it acts like a flash storage and starts installing the drivers from there. After installation (and on every consecutive plugging) the driver switches the mode internally...

However, when you're Using Linux, this is just a minor nuisance as you can install USB_ModeSwitch which will allow you to use some Alcatel products as a modem. So just remove the modem from your PC and type:

apt-get install usb-modeswitch

In 90% of cases you then just have to insert the modem and it'll work like a modem!

If you're in the 10% where the Ubuntu repository doesn't work, download the latest usb-modeswitch-data package (dated 2015-01-15 at the time of this writing) and extract it (as root) over the existing data package. (use locate usb_modeswitch.d to find the correct directory)

If that doesn't help you either, download the latest binary package from Debian and install it over the existing package. (it will now be quite impossible to automatically uninstall and you will have to use the same manual method to upgrade USB_ModeSwitch from this point forward until you reinstall your OS)

To convert Debian code names to Ubuntu code names, use the following table:

15.04        jessie / sid
14.10        jessie / sid
14.04        jessie / sid
13.10        Wheezy / sid
13.04        Wheezy / sid
12.10        Wheezy / sid
12.04        Wheezy / sid

If all that still doesn't work, follow the trouble-shooting guide and if that doesn't work, contribute...

Comments

[Fabby]

As you're a reputation 1 user: If this all works, don't forget to click the grey check-mark under the "0" at the left of this text, which means "yes, this answer is valid"! ;-)

[bilalsbz]

i've tried usb-modeswitch but didn't work for me and also tried Sakis3G but neither worked i had to remove ubuntu with all my things and install windows but i don't like this os since i use linux but i only have a modem 3g to connect to the internet , any help i'll appreciate it

[bilalsbz]

i installed it from the ubuntu repository ,i thought its work automatically,becouse i didn't find a toturial or step to set up this model (alcatel onetouch x602d)

[Fabby]

How to set up the alcatel onetouch x602d modem itself is another question. This answer is only about turning off the USB storage (which was your original question) I'll edit my answer as you're apparently in the 10% where turning off the USB storage doesn't work from the standard Ubuntu repositories.

[bilalsbz]

I've followed all these steps but didn't work for me and i asked another question like you told me i hope that there is a help for me there

[Fabby]

What didn't work? Unlocking the USB modem bit? At what step did it fail in the procedure above?

[Fabby]

Did you follow the last line of my post as well??? If yes, go to a terminal and type lsusb and provide the output back that you get. (preferrably by posting it to paste.ubuntu.com )

[bilalsbz]

here is what lsusb give to me link

[Fabby]

Was it plugged in when you did this? if yes, remove it and do another lsusb and post that output too... If not, insert it and do another lsusb and post... :)

[bilalsbz]

here is the result when i plug it paste.ubuntu.com/9967504 and here is when i remove it paste.ubuntu.com/9976457 please help me brother god bless you :)

[Fabby]

OK, so now your modem is detected! Fantastic! Please press the little grey check-mark as this question is now closed... The USB storage medium is removed. I've edited your other question on how to install your modem including the the link to paste.ubuntu.com/9967504 . :-) (I cannot help you further as I don't have a 3G modem! I have wired Internet...) Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.