Frequently Asked Questions

1. How to choose GSM Device for smsCentra software?

We recommend using GSM Modem, which is better in performance, stableness, and compatibility compared with mobile phone, and it's able to work continuously without charging, its signal quality also outperforms mobile phone. Commonly used GSM Modem includes WAVECOM, SIEMENS, ERICSSON, MOTOROLA etc, we recommend using WAVECOM WMOD2.

Mobile phone is also a good choice for the software that doesn't have a large number of messages to be sent. With so many brands of mobile phones exist in market, an outdated model are preferred. Because they are cheap, and the stability have been tested by many users. Among commonly used brands of mobile phones on the market, Nokia is most suitable to this work, and most importantly, we strongly recommend using this brands.

If your GSM device is unable to work with smsCentra software, please contact us.

2. Does the software support GPRS or CDMA Modem?

GPRS is an extending service based on GSM, SMS is supported by all GPRS mobile phones or modems. CDMA is not supported by smsCentra software in this version. It will be supported in future.

3. How to Set Connection Mode?

smsCentra software supports GSM device with different interfaces, including serial port, USB, Bluetooth, Infrared. For USB interface, usually it is simulated to a virtual serial port by installing the device driver. And then you can choose the virtual serial port.

If you are using GSM device with Bluetooth interface, be sure to install a Bluetooth adapter onto your PC, the adapter driver will then simulate Bluetooth interface to a virtual serial port. And then you can choose the virtual serial port.

For GSM device using IR connection, there are 2 communication modes. One is connecting through IR protocol by choosing Infrared. The other is simulating IR to a virtual serial port, and you should choose virtual serial port, rather than Infrared.

4. Unable to connect to the device.

Make sure that the SIM card is valid and well inserted into the socket, and check if the SIM card is set pin code. If the SIM card is locked, unlock it first.

Make sure that the property values of ConnectionMode, ConnectionProtocol and ConnectionParameter are properly set. Note that when it is connected through an infrared virtual serial port under Windows98 and Windows ME, the property value of ConnectionMode should be Physical/Virtual COM port.

If the control does not support your GSM device, please contact us for more information.

5. Message delivery failures.

Make sure that your SIM card provide SMS service. Check the SMSC number to be correctly configured. If not, you can set a valid SMSC number. However.The message delivery failure is sometimes due to a busy network.

6. Messages cannot be received by recipients.

"Successfully sending messages" only means that messages are submitted to the GSM network, and it takes certain period for the network to forward them to the receiving mobile phone. It will take longer during a network busy time.

Check the property value of SMSValidity. If you set it to a small value, then when the receiver mobile phone is temporally not connected to the network or simply powered off, the SMS center will discard the time-out messages, so that the receiver's mobile phone is not able to receive messages.

You can send a message to yourself for testing purpose.