Question ToughBook says "Insert Sim" but Sim is already inserted!!!

[Bexjor]

I might sound crazy over here, but this is pushing me to the brink. I have multiple Panasonic CF-20 Toughbooks, all with the same issue.
The sim is inserted correctly, sim is working correctly in other devices but the Toughbooks all say "Insert Sim"

I have tried firmware, drivers, downgrades, updated, windows update, networking in command prompt, some random sim program to try and fix it. I am at my wits end. Sim provider is Telstra - Aus. As you can assume, they have no issues on their end.

Send help.

 

[Ralston18]

You mentioned that the sims are working in other devices. What other devices?

However, as I understand it Telstra has different plans.

Could it be that the sims are not working in the CF-20 Toughbooks because the Toughbooks use a different plan?

FYI:

https://www.telstra.com.au/mobile-phones/activate

 

[Bexjor]

You mentioned that the sims are working in other devices. What other devices?

However, as I understand it Telstra has different plans.

Could it be that the sims are not working in the CF-20 Toughbooks because the Toughbooks use a different plan?

FYI:

https://www.telstra.com.au/mobile-phones/activate

Yeh, they are data only sims that we use across multiple tablets and tough books. 2 are using existing sims, and 1 is using a new sim. All activated - I have hit a wall with what to try next.

 

[Ralston18]

Are you moving the sims from tablet to tablet or toughbook to toughbook?

Would not necessarily expect doing so to be a problem. However, with so many companies trying to maximize revenues/profits I am wondering if there is indeed some barrier or restriction in place.

[For example, a few months ago a neighbor and I discovered that even though we had the same model HP printer and genuine OEM ink cartridges the cartridges were not interchangeable between the printers. Would not work and we ended up recycling a couple of almost full cartridges.}

Basically tying a sim to a device.

= = = =

FYI:

https://thingspace.verizon.com/docu...nt/working-with-verizon/about-device-ids.html

Bit longer link than I usually reference but some of the acronyms and abbreviations may prove useful.

IMIE perhaps....

From the link:

"You can remove a SIM card from a device and insert it into another device. When you decouple a SIM card from a device, the ICCID and IMSI remain with the SIM, but the IMEI associated with the SIM changes. "

Although the link is for Verizon - you may find similar information for your carriers/providers.

Could be a clue therein.

 

[Bexjor]

Are you moving the sims from tablet to tablet or toughbook to toughbook?

Would not necessarily expect doing so to be a problem. However, with so many companies trying to maximize revenues/profits I am wondering if there is indeed some barrier or restriction in place.

[For example, a few months ago a neighbor and I discovered that even though we had the same model HP printer and genuine OEM ink cartridges the cartridges were not interchangeable between the printers. Would not work and we ended up recycling a couple of almost full cartridges.}

Basically tying a sim to a device.

= = = =

FYI:

https://thingspace.verizon.com/docu...nt/working-with-verizon/about-device-ids.html

Bit longer link than I usually reference but some of the acronyms and abbreviations may prove useful.

IMIE perhaps....

From the link:

"You can remove a SIM card from a device and insert it into another device. When you decouple a SIM card from a device, the ICCID and IMSI remain with the SIM, but the IMEI associated with the SIM changes. "

Although the link is for Verizon - you may find similar information for your carriers/providers.

Could be a clue therein.

Brand new sims are being used, so unfortunately that is not the problem.

 

[Ralston18]

Understood: "Brand new sims".

However, are those sims being moved from tablet to tablet or toughbook to toughbook?

 

[Bexjor]

They have only gone into the 1 device, so brand new meaning no movement between devices - sorry I meant to clarify.

 

[Ralston18]

What OS is installed on the Toughbooks?

And the sims do work on other laptops - correct?

I found this link:

https://stackoverflow.com/questions...check-if-a-sim-card-is-inserted-in-a-notebook

And I had the thought is to take a closer look using Powershell:

FYI:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/pnpdevice/get-pnpdevice?view=windowsserver2022-ps

Get's are safe for looking.

Use the link and the examples therein to compare a device where the sim works to a device where the sim fails ("not inserted").

Start with a working device to determine if Get-PNPDevice even finds the sims.

And you may be able to delve even deeper:

http://www.somethingtoscrollthrough.com/2019/09/powershell-get-computers-imei-and-sim.html

Interesting that IMEI "appears" again.....

The objective being to find or otherwise identify some parameter or value where the sim works or fails for any reason.

Failing that then you may need to escalate within Telstra-Aus.

And this Forum has a couple of very experienced and knowledgeable members in Australia. Perhaps they have encountered the problem.

I will request assistance accordingly.

 

[Colif]

have you taken one of the toughbooks to Telstra and asked them to check it works

They might be giving you the wrong type, I assume its not a micro or nano sim. They keep getting smaller.