Missing USSD functionality: N900 can't dial numbers beginning with # or *

[dawchiks]

well, it's the ONLY way for me to check how much money i have left on sim.

[titi974]

Hello, I've just received my N900 from amazon... it's an german one but it doesn't matters

the trouble is that I can't make special calls, i mean like viewing what's my credit... like quickly calling #123#

it simply doesn't work, the phone doesn't want to try to call it 0__0

someone in the same situation here ? thx

btw i'm french so sorry for my english ^^

[pH5]

Known bug, it will be fixed with the next some later firmware update: https://bugs.maemo.org/show_bug.cgi?id=5357

[lorelei]

Originally Posted by pH5

Known bug, it will be fixed with the next firmware update: https://bugs.maemo.org/show_bug.cgi?id=5357

Be sure to read the entire bug report! Not all cases will be fixed with the next firmware update. In fact only the least useful cases will be fixed (get your IMEI number, or change PIN code of the SIM). The more generic USSD codes, typically the ones needed to get the credit left on prepaid cards will still not work with the PR1.1 firmware update.

Please also note that the more generic case has been fixed in the meantime, but apparently won't be available in the upcoming firmware update, but probably in the next one.

more details:

https://bugs.maemo.org/show_bug.cgi?id=5357#c76

[sjgadsby]

Threads merged.

[TA-t3]

Originally Posted by sjgadsby

Threads merged.

.. and it appears my post (reply to lorelei's post) disappeared in the merge?

[stefbeer]

Hey guys!

Like somebody told in the bug report there is a tricky way to send USSD codes. I tried it on my device and it worked.

So here is how I did it:

1. Open X Terminal
2. Become root:
   sudo gainroot
   (requires the package "rootsh" to be installed BUT be REALLY careful what you do as root!)
3. Open connection to the modem:
   pnatd
4. Say hello to the modem
   at
5. Tell him to send the USSD code *135#
   at+cusd=1,"*135#",1
   But watch carefully what you type because you are not able to press backspace
6. Wait for reply
7. I did not find a way to disconnect from the modem, so simply tap at the blue X.

I attached a screenshot from my device, showing the reply.
In T-Mobile Germany the USSD code *135# simply shows your number.

Hope this helps!
It is not really comfortable but at least there is a way to send some USSD codes until the bug is fixed.

[timooz]

I had the same problem, i was trying to dial *900# to check my credit balance (operator option), my N900 did not recognize the number and a notification "incorrect number " appeared. However, by removing the "#" symbol at the end of the number, everything worked. Don't know if this will work with you but give it a try

[KiberGus]

Now we need a widget, that would show current balance.

[KiberGus]

This script is intended to be run from root. It prints current balance on russia MTS operator.

#/usr/bin/python

import pexpect
import time
from subprocess import *

child = pexpect.spawn('pnatd');
child.send('at\r');
time.sleep(0.25);
child.send('at+cusd=1,"*100#",15\r');
time.sleep(0.25);

child.readline();
child.readline();
child.readline();

reply = child.readline();
start = reply.find('"');
end = reply.find('"', start+1);
reply = reply[start+1:end];

child.sendeof();

p = Popen(['sh', 'ucsdecode.sh', reply], stdout=PIPE);
print p.communicate()[0];

The message is in UCS-2 encoding, so I need to convert it.
ucsdecode.sh

#/bin/sh
echo "$1" | echo -n -e $(tr -d '[:space:]' | sed 's/../\\x&/g') | iconv -f UCS-2BE -t UTF8