Treo 680 and internet

[sue822]

Good morning. I have a question. Is there a way to use my laptop to access the web via my Treo? I have unlimited data access on my plan and am traveling this week. I may not have internet access at the hotel, but I should have cell phone towers. It is a major city. In other words, have the laptop go online using the phone as the conduit.

Sue

[TazUk]

Sure can, it's usually refered to as DUN, (Dial-Up Networking)

Here's Palm's guide for setting it up using the sync cable, there's also a guide for doing it via Bluetooth if you want to connect that way

[Treo Musketeers]

Hi Sue,

There are two ways to "tether" your laptop to your Treo. First, you can get a tethering plan. I forgot to look who your carrier is, but generally those plans are expensive ($40 a month with Sprint for example). The other way is to buy one of two software apps: PDANet or USB Modem. I beleive the latter is the cheaper of the two. Both are available through the Treonauts store and you can get a 20% discount on either one by using the coupon code "BESTSELLERS." While there is some concern that the carrier may find out you are using the phone to tether, I've yet to hear that it has happened to anyone. Of course, either way you will have to have a data plan (unlimited works best).

Stu

[LotusLord]

Yes it is possible, using a software called PDANet.

[sue822]

This would have been nice had it supported the 680.

[sue822]

Sorry, I meant that the on-line help that TazUK suggested does not support the 680. I went out and bought a Kensington bluetooth dongle, but I can't get it to load properly on my Acer laptop. I went therough all the directions and it still will not talk to the 680. I have the 680 with the bluetooth on. I will check with ATT and see if there is a setting they need to make. I have their PDA/Smartphone plan. I may just download USB Modem program and try that and if that works well, take back the dongle.

[forgot]

It will work, as I've used it several times on my 680. A program like USB Modem, or PDANet will make it easier, but its possible to set it up without them.

[cartogary]

Sue, the PDAnet software works fine on the 680 w/ATT. I've used it intermittently on my unlimited data plan. As I remember 'tho, Bluetooth needs to be Off during connection but maybe not. Anyway, with retractable USB s/c cable and PDAnet install on the laptop your 680 will give you online access pretty much anywhere.

[comiken205]

You can download USBModem (maybe even PDANet) for a free trial. Take that free trial with you. I recommend giving it a trial go at home before your trip. You can use the trial for like 15 connections. If it works, then purchase it.

I have USBModem and haven't had any issues with my Provider. Just remember, keep the traffic to simplest of things, i.e. email, treonauts.com twitter etc. If you begin downloading huge files and such, you may cause suspicion with your provider. That is just my thoughts. It works great though.

[sue822]

Thanks for the info. I am so frustrated right now. I bought a bluetooth dongle, but am taking it back. It keeps giving me an error that it could not be fully loaded onto my system. So I went and downloaded the free trial of USB Modem. Hot sync'ed to my 680. Enabled. But the computer keeps searching and can't find it. I don't know what else to do. I am running XP on my Acer laptop. Any further suggestions? I am going to call ATT and see if there are some magic numbers I need.