Huawei USB modem firmware update

My old Huawei mobile modem USB sticks (E160*) have been misbehaving recently: the signal was getting lost intermittently, the modem could not lock on the right frequency and mode at all, etc.

• Note down your IMEI number: e.g. in Mobile Partner go to Tools, Diagnostics

• Download the Huawei firmware itself, or search for a newer version.
• Download the right Huawei drivers, newer than the old ones that you would have installed; the usual Windows drivers update search wizard won't find them online.
• Download them from my site or 
• Search the Web for "Windows Driver for(3.09.00.00).zip" or:

A. Create an account with Huawei.com

B. Log in to Huawei

C. Download the drivers from a post there.

• Instead of downloading yet another unlocker, go to the Vietnamese ZGSM site and enter your IMEI number to calculate the password.
• Pay them some for the service ;) 
• Close all your modem and port control software, especially Mobile Wizard.

• Run the Firmware Update Wizard from Point 1. Accept all the risks ;)

 

Enter the calculated password

Remove the Huawei USB modem. 

Run DriverUninstall.exe from the new drivers package.

Run DriverSetup.exe

Reboot is not necessary. Connect the USB modem.

Run your modem software (Mobile Wizard) and verify the new firmware number (see above)

Quick tips for troubleshooting: 
Look into the Device Manager, and check the new USB Composite Device entry in the USB section. If you see an exclamation mark, then the device's driver may need to be manually updated so that the new USB ports appear: