How to manually update Sprint PRL from a PRL file

xenophon · EVDO Addict Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 2033

Sprint seems to lag way behind in updating the PRL (preferred roaming list) for data cards, sometimes months later than PRL updates for phones. It is possible to update the PRL manually with the PRL file.

This will prep the card for roaming data on Alltel (EVDO and 1xRTT), Verizon (1xRTT only) and other networks (US Cellular, Mexico, Canada and elsewhere).

Check your current PRL version in the Connection Manager under Menu>Device Info.

You need the 6-digit MSL/Activation code to perform this. See the Sprint ##DATA Tuning thread if you don't have the MSL code. It is the same as the Activation code when first getting the card. If you bought your card from 3gstore, they can give you the code. It also might be written in the installation guide that came with the card.

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These instructions are for the Novatel Merlin cards, but there are methods for all EVDO cards.

1) As a safety precaution, first download the Connection Manager software in case you need to go back to it. Would be wise to keep a copy of most recent CM Installer on your laptop at all times anyroad.

http://sprint.com/downloads

This may not work with CM 1.x designed for various cards. You'll likely need to use the 3.x CM specific to your card model.

2) Important: Confirm which PRL series your card uses

Check your current PRL version in the Connection Manager under Menu>Device Info.

Note if it is 2xxxx series or 6xxxx series. Only upgrade with the series your card uses. If you have a recent Novatel or Sierra card and not on 6 series, go to sprint.com/downloads and upgrade to latest Connection Manager.

Turn off NDIS mode in Connection Manager if using it.

3) Download the latest PRL file to the desktop...

Latest version of Sprint EVDO PRL can be found here...

http://corolada.com/prl/

Only download the latest of the series your card uses (2xxxx or 6xxxx). In the Windows browser, you may need to right-click on the PRL file link and do a 'save-as'.

4) Force card to not auto update the PRL

For Novatel cards...
from Fl00d_Pr0z: The PRL will likely set back to old version after starting Connection Manager. To prevent this, while disconnected, type ##MSL over Go button and then go to the Support tab. Uncheck the option to check the PRL version at startup.

5) Go into PRL mode

Disconnect from EVDO. Move mouse over Go button and type ##PRL - a PRL screen should appear.

If no screen, be sure you have NDIS mode turned off.

6) Enter your MSL/Activation code and point to the PRL file on the desktop.

If it can't 'open the device', try turning off NDIS mode if enabled.

If things go haywire and nothing works (mine worked fine on several cards), try loading an older PRL file from step 2. Or go back into ##MSL and check the box for checking PRL at startup. Or try running the connection manager software installer from step 1 to re-install.

xenophon · EVDO Addict Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 2033

Did this to a couple more S620 cards at work and it worked just fine.

Does this or similar PRL program exist for the other Sprint cards in the Connection Manager Program Files folder?

Andrew Revering · Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 8:07 pm Post subject:

I did a variation of this to my Aircard 580 with no ill effects. Here was my process:

- Insert Card
- Start up Sprint software
- Hit STOP to disconnect the connection
- Hold mouse over 'GO' button
- type : ##DATA
- a box pops up, enter your activation code... mine was found in my booklet that came with the card. the sales person wrote in the activation code on page 12.
- in the next window click on System
- click Select PRL
- browse to the PRL file you downloaded from above (unzip it first)
- Click on Download PRL
- Close
- Power down and power back up the card

Everything updates to PRL 20222 and my connection works fine.

xenophon · EVDO Addict Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 2033

^Kewel!

BTW, I've read that the latest PRL update for voice will prefer Alltel over all other carriers for roaming wherever Alltel is present, so you'd think it also involves setting up data roaming as well.

With just a few days left, I wonder when Sprint will officially send out the PRL update for data cards (if indeed needed). Will Sprint/Alltel even make the July 1 date for data roaming?

xenophon · EVDO Addict Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 2033

Updated post 1 with latest PRL, posted by n0xlf.

Here are older PRLs...

20219
20222
20223

curt504 · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 25

I've just got my s620 card and the latest that sprint updates to is 20218. So what is a must have in 20223?

BTW, I'm only getting 250kb to 441Kb down and 41kb to 69kb up. I've tuned rwin to 64k, 256k and back down to 18k and no difference.

The thread on varying the HA is my next tuning to do.

tnx curt

xenophon · EVDO Addict Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 2033

Bummer. I just attempted to manually update the PRL on S620 and S720 cards to 20225, which was successful, but now the Connection Manager sees that it is not 20224 and resets it to 20224. Older versions of CM used to not check for that.

Latest PRL for manual updates can be found here...
http://corolada.com/prl/

Looks like Sprint may no longer allow manual updates, on S6/720 cards anyway, unless its just me.

Anyone else wanna give it a shot? 20225 will supposedly allow DO roaming on Alltel (1xRTT already works on 20224) and there are also rumors of Verizon/US Cellular 1xRTT roaming with this PRL.

If others can't get it to work, guess we'll have to wait til it is released for laptop cards. 20225 has already been released for phones.

Andrew Revering · Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 2:22 am Post subject:

No problems manually updating the Sierra Wireless 580. I have the latest connection manager software and its not trying to revert back. I hit check for a new piece of software and it didn't find anything new or different. Doubled checked PRL and I'm using 20225 now.

For those who are eager for PRL updates more than Connection Manager updates, perhaps we could find older versions of Connection Manager to use for those who are having trouble updating and keeping the latest PRL? Any sites out there archiving older versions of the software?

Andrew Revering · Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 2:27 am Post subject:

Also, for those who are using their non-EVDO phone for 1xRTT tethering (which probably isn't a big population anymore), Sprint has updated the Non-EVDO PRL to 10036, which is not yet noted on that PRL site.

I used the customer service email form to request a flag on my phone, and when I got the email back saying *2 to update it, my phone had PRL 10036. From what I read (not sure if it was on here or other board) it should fix some roaming issues in the Dakotas, and possibly allow you to roam on Verizon and US Wireless, which are imerging partnerships that people inside Sprint have been leaking. Confirmation of these partnerships seems to be evident on the static data roaming maps that show a much larger footprint than just AllTel.

preachs · EVDO User Joined: 25 Nov 2006 Posts: 50

Doesn't work on a Pantech PX-500. Any ideas?

Fl00d_Pr0z · EVDO Junkie Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 218

On the S720 I tried to update the PRL to 20225, it updated but then changed back to 20224 after it reloaded. I ended up renaming the PRL file from 20225.prl to 20224.prl then updated the PRL again, it updated and when it reloaded it didn't try to install the old PRL. Worked like a charm, in the device info area is now says 20225 Very Happy

Fl00d_Pr0z · EVDO Junkie Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 218

Also, if you go to ##MSL and then the Support tab... Uncheck the option to check the PRL version at startup. That should fix the problem with it wanting to change the PRL back to an older version.

tbhausen · EVDO Junkie Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Posts: 177

LOL--you guys rock.

Todd/Indy

xenophon · EVDO Addict Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 2033

Fl00d_Pr0z · EVDO Junkie Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 218

I accept paypal donations. LoL j/k