Dongle conflict with Windows Media Center

There seem to have been several reports of problems with the new Vodafone USB modem (Huawei E220) where the VMC Lite software (built into the modem) doesn't recognize the modem or gives connection errors. These range from the connect button being greyed out so you can't connect, or when trying to connect you receive errors such as "the device is already in use".

After investigation it has been found that the vast majority of these issues have been on machines running Microsoft's Media Center edition. On further digging, Microsoft have a Knowlegebase article covering problems with using Cellular Telephones with Media Center. Testing the MS fix has verified that it is the Media Center components causing the problem with the USB modem. Below are the full steps to resolving the issue. NOTE: It looks like most versions of Vista include these components so even though the your PC may not highlight itself as a "Media Center" machine this information may still apply.

Applying Microsoft KB Article Fix
Go to Media Center (should be accessible from the start menu) (Note: If the Media Center Wizard runs this will need to be completed prior to proceeding) - Click Settings, Messenger then Caller ID - Change "Show Notification for" to None - Click Save - Reboot the PC/laptop - Retest

If this does not resolve please apply the services fix as follows:

To disable Media Center Services
Go to the Start Menu and click Run - Type services.msc and click ok - At the services window right click each service starting with "Media Center" and select stop (these should be the Extender, Reciever an Scheduler services) - Once done go into the properties for each of these services and change the start up type to "Disabled" - Reboot the PC and reinsert the USB Modem and retest

Further Info: MS Article available here at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925895/en-us