GSM shield or sim issues: cant connect even with TestGPRS

I got the GSM shield out of the box with the antenova built in antenna.

I registered the sim at arduinosim.movilforum.com and online it says that it is activated.
Now I'm trying some of the sample code and it's hanging without connectind:

trying the modem test code (see below) it hangs on "GSM networks scanner" in the serial monitor and nothing else gets printed. Similarly with the GSM test code, and SMS send test code.

What are ways to begin troubleshooting?

Status LED is solid yellow, NET led is blinking yellow, about 1ce per second.

Thanks

// import the GSM library
#include <GSM.h>

// PIN Number
#define PINNUMBER ""

// initialize the library instance
GSM gsmAccess(true);     // include a 'true' parameter for debug enabled
GSMScanner scannerNetworks;
GSMModem modemTest;

// Save data variables
String IMEI = "";

// serial monitor result messages
String errortext = "ERROR";

void setup()
{
  // initialize serial communications
  Serial.begin(9600);
  Serial.println("GSM networks scanner");
  scannerNetworks.begin();

  // connection state
  boolean notConnected = true;

  // Start GSM shield
  // If your SIM has PIN, pass it as a parameter of begin() in quotes
  while(notConnected)
  {
    if(gsmAccess.begin(PINNUMBER)==GSM_READY)
      notConnected = false;
    else
    {
      Serial.println("Not connected");
      delay(1000);
    }
  }

  // get modem parameters
  // IMEI, modem unique identifier
  Serial.print("Modem IMEI: ");
  IMEI = modemTest.getIMEI();
  IMEI.replace("\n","");
  if(IMEI != NULL)
    Serial.println(IMEI);

  // currently connected carrier
  Serial.print("Current carrier: ");
  Serial.println(scannerNetworks.getCurrentCarrier());

  // returns strength and ber
  // signal strength in 0-31 scale. 31 means power > 51dBm
  // BER is the Bit Error Rate. 0-7 scale. 99=not detectable
  Serial.print("Signal Strength: ");
  Serial.print(scannerNetworks.getSignalStrength());
  Serial.println(" [0-31]");
}

void loop()
{
  // scan for existing networks, displays a list of networks
  Serial.println("Scanning available networks. May take some seconds.");

  Serial.println(scannerNetworks.readNetworks());

    // currently connected carrier
  Serial.print("Current carrier: ");
  Serial.println(scannerNetworks.getCurrentCarrier());

  // returns strength and ber
  // signal strength in 0-31 scale. 31 means power > 51dBm
  // BER is the Bit Error Rate. 0-7 scale. 99=not detectable
  Serial.print("Signal Strength: ");
  Serial.print(scannerNetworks.getSignalStrength());
  Serial.println(" [0-31]");

}

Make ensure The library not corrupted.

I'm using the newest version of the library that comes with the arduino 1.0.5

Is there a way to test that my sim card is successfully working ?

Opinion, not fact.

Throw that sim card away, get a pay in advance one (PAYG, or whatever it is in your country) and try that.

The shield is very good.

check this library it must work for you

GSMSHIELD.rar (44.4 KB)

hi

Did you connect the shield to external power supply ( 9V battery)? if not, you should connect it along with the USB cable

ok - I tried a few things like the new library and 9V external power, and it's still hanging on : "Connecting GSM network..." from the GPRS test, when using the movilforum sim card. why is the suggestion to throw that sim away and get another one? that was part of the benefit of getting this, that it saved me that step.

Do you know if there's a way I can test my sim card?

I don't have the hardware datasheet to hand, but the network led blinking once per second usually means that it is trying to acquire a connection to the network. Once connected it drops to once every five seconds.

Load a copy of Serial Relay to your Arduino, and then try AT+CSQ to get the signal strength. Follow this with AT+CGATT? to see if you have a GPRS connection. 1 means you are attached. 0 means you are not.

Thanks a lot -

My response in the serial terminal:

AT OK
CSQ ERROR
AT OK
CGATT? +CME ERROR: 100

Do you know what this might mean? I'll start to look into it? thanks a lot

@AMPS-N -
I dont can't tell but i tried the open-electronics library for GPRS that you sent as a rar file that you suggested, and here is what I got in serial port but there was no sms message received

DIC: 
OK

ATT: OK
RIC: 
OK

ATT: OK
RIC: ATE0

OK

ATT: OK
RIC: 
OK

ATT: OK
RIC: 
OK

ATT: OK
RIC: 
OK

GSM Shield testing.
ATT: OK
RIC: 
OK

DB:ELSE
ATT: OK
RIC: 
OK

DB:ELSE
ATT: OK
RIC: 
OK

DB:ELSE
ATT: OK
RIC: 
OK

DB:CORRECT BR
ATT: OK
RIC: 
OK

ATT: OK
RIC: 
OK

ATT: OK
RIC: ATE0

OK

ATT: OK
RIC: 
OK

ATT: OK
RIC: 
OK

ATT: OK
RIC: 
OK

ATT: OK
RIC: 
OK

ATT: +CPMS:
RIC: 
+CPMS: 0,10,0,10,0,10

OK

ATT: OK
RIC: 
OK

ATT: SHUT OK
RIC: 
ERROR

ATT: SHUT OK
RIC: 
ERROR

ATT: SHUT OK
RIC: 
ERROR

ATT: SHUT OK
RIC: 
ERROR

ATT: SHUT OK
RIC: 
ERROR


status=READY
DEBUG:SMS TEST
ATT: >
RIC: 
> 
DEBUG:>
ATT: +CMGS
RIC: 
ERROR


SMS sent OK
This method is deprecated! Please use GetSMS in the SMS class.
ATT: +CMGL
RIC: 
OK

This method is deprecated! Please use GetSMS in the SMS class.
ATT: +CMGL
RIC: 
OK

This method is deprecated! Please use GetSMS in the SMS class.
ATT: +CMGL
RIC: 
OK

This method is deprecated! Please use GetSMS in the SMS class.
ATT: +CMGL
RIC: 
OK

This method is deprecated! Please use GetSMS in the SMS class.

I tried again and now am getting:
AT
OK
AT+CSQ
+CSQ: 23,0
OK
AT+CGATT?
+CGATT: 0
OK

For the code that's from the arduino GSM library that comes with Arduino 1.0.5 TestGPRS it hangs on "Connecting GSM network..." and i also can't send or receive a text message.

thanks for the help

Netlight indications:

64ms on 800ms off The module is not synchronized with network
64ms on 2000ms off The module is synchronized with network
64ms on 600ms off GPRS data transfer is ongoing

Hey -
thanks for that, can you tell me a link to the documentation? I can't tell if my module is blinking at 800 or 600 ms (Data transfer is ongoing or the module is not synchronized with the network)
Thanks.

OK it's blinking every every 600 ms.
therefore i'm not sure what to do? the card when i login to my account on movilforum says its activated.
this is one of the most frustrating processes - I've used a few other gsm shields including the arduino one with a telefonica sim card years ago - it's been a few days now I can't connect,, gprs test just hangs. . I think now i agree with you dannable to throw away this sim card . i'm going to go to t mobile or verizon tomorrow

Do you know anyone with a pay-as-you-go 'phone - who would be prepared to let you borrow their SIM card for a minute or three just to test it?

i purchased a sim card. and the sim card works from an unlocked phone no problem.

But Same thing, the NET light blinks about 2x per second. why isn't it connecting?
I have a 9V battery, i've tried both libraries, I have the GSM scan networks code installed... nothing . just says 'gsm scan networks" in the serial monitor.

and smssend example just stalls in the serial port at: SMS Messages Sender

i have tried two of the same shields (GSM shields with Antenova integrated antenna)

desperately looking for some advice on debugging!!!

now i'm trying with sim card from t mobile -
same thing.
fast blinking "NET" light and no sign of access to the network
I can't send SMS or test GSM network

Can anyone point me in the right direction to debug?

Before posting here. Post your code and also attach output file. Dont try all at once. Take one example code. and keep one out put window image.

Hi Gabriella - I am having the same set of problems here. Did you ever figure it out? Can you share the results? Thanks