Help with laptop/mobile phone

[PineIsland]

I have a laptop, and both a Nextel and a Alltel mobile phone. I have a usb data cable for either phone.

I would like to use my cell phone to access my internet account, which in this case, the isp is MSN.

Can anyone help me understand what it will take to configure the system to dial out on my cell through the usb connection ?

Thanks !!

[Rooster]

I have been told if you have win XP, it is almost automatic.

What operating system do you have?

Rick

[PineIsland]

I do have XP.

Automatic, eh ?

So is my Dodge, but I still need to be behind the wheel or the snow doesnt get moved !!

I am sure I am able, I just need to have someone lay it out for me like a 3 rd grader !!

[Pickering Snow]

Tom i use a laptop in my service truck everyday i have verison and had to buy there connectivity kit it cam with the software to allow my cell to become dial up there my usb port its pretty simple once its loaded i know nextel has the same thing aval. one thing i will forwarn you is with verison the internet rate of 14.4 takes forever to download anything but it does work.

[PineIsland]

Thanks Fred,

I actually did buy that same kit you have, because the guy at Radio shack told me if it worked for my phone model, which it did, that I could use it with any service.

It doesn't.

It only works with the verison service !

I would go to the nextel store, but in the western UP where I will be the next week I dont have nextel anyway. I need to get it set up on my Alltel phone.

[MrBobcat]

I use a Verizion air card , slides right in the side of the laptop . Costs 45 a month to use , it is slow sometimes , but it doesnt tie up my phone. I can surf and talk at the same time. That was a big deal to me , in case i needed instant info while a customer was on the phone. Verizion will give you a 15 day trail period on it , but i was hooked within 20 minutes would be hard to live without it now. Just y .02
Scott

[PineIsland]

Thanks guys.

I have found the wireless cards for my Nextel, but what I would like to do is simply use the phone as the modem, and not subscribe to another service. I cannot justify any more monthly expense for this, since it wont be really necessary for me, just a convenience.

Keep the info coming, I'm learning as I go here.

[Plow Grrl]

I have a motorola V60I phone in order for me to connect to the internet using the USB port I needed to by the Connectivity kit with includes the software and cable. Works OK, just slow :headwall connections at 14.4KPS. But it was sure nice to have when I went to the Dragstrip or was stuck in an airport.

[Plow Grrl]

BTW do you still have the software for the kits?

You need to also go in and create a connection. AOL I think will automatically find the cell phone if you select search for modems.

[W-n-K Landscaping]

I use a Verizon phone and the connectivity kit- when I connect it comes off of my plan, but I have a hefty plan so I'm safe, as far as connection goes- on average I connect at 450-500kbps- yes that's the true speed. I have tested it on cnet and a couple of other sites that I use to check my cable modem performace. It's great since I use my laptop when I'm plowing to keep track of the lake effect bands that pound our area regularly. I can get an updated radar loop to see what it's doing in my area if I'm plowing in another area. I also use it when I'm driving for the local ambulance corps and I'm sitting around the corps room killing time. It requires the software that comes with the connectivity kit- but if you have a phone already that works with your kit, you might consider changing carriers. I have also noticed that they have the best coverage in my area- I have made calls when I have been out on HAZ-MAT incidents in areas where the other guys on the team couldn't get out at all.

You might be able to go to the phone maufactures web site and download the software to use the cable, but it was stated before- the dialup will be horribly slow, so I wouldn't recomend it. If you do go that route I would also recommend getting Venturi software. It will help the speed by compressing the data going out and coming in. The tradeoff is that any pics or graphics that are downloaded are a little fuzzy or off because of the compression- not a problem if you're using it to check your email though.

Ok- I hope this helps, if I confused you, just PM me and I will try to help you some more- If you let me know what make and model your phone is I might be able to dig up some more help for you , and maybe a couple of links for you to check out.

Bill

[PineIsland]

Thanks !

I have the nextel Motorola i58sr and a nokia 5185i with alltel.

I have the kit that was sold for the nokia, but when I run the setup, it claims to only be configured for Verizon, and one other that I cannot remember at this time.

[W-n-K Landscaping]

I just went to Nokiausa.com and tried to find a data kit for your phone- they do not make one. I have a couple of other sources to try, but it's not looking good. How old is the phone? Is your contract coming up for renewal soon? It might be worth switching phones to something that you can get the data kit for. Most manufactures carry the kit, and the software needed comes with the cable so that you can dial out with you phone.

Does your computer recognize the phone when you plug it into the usb port? If it does, it might just simply be a matter of opening up your connection settings for your ISP and choosing your cellular phone to dial out with. I forgot to ask that earlier- sorry!!

Let me know what you find, and I'll keep looking around for a data kit for ya!!

Bill

[PineIsland]

It didn't recognize the phone when plugged in. I actually should use the motorola phone, it is the better of the two plans, and one of nextels new phone models. I will probably set it up with that one.

Thanks for your help !!

[Plow Grrl]

Did I miss something?

What was you were trying to do, check email or websites?
I think on Nextel you can even get Java websites. I know I can check my AOL & MSN emails on my verizon service, not websites.

[PineIsland]

No, I dont want to use the phone for surfing, or checking email, just as a method of dialing for my laptop when a landline or broadband isnt an option.

Like deer camp next week.....

[Pickering Snow]

Tom i was reading threw the other posts honestly i cant say its been the best money spent i also had to take on a large min plan with verison because of the slow internet speed, so maybe just put it on hold for know and wait til your cell contracts renew and make sure you get a phone and service capable i talked to a friend last night that works for nextel and seeing your problems he says nextel is working on there own setup for there cust.

When i purchased my new truck this year which is a service truck and plow truck i equiped it with a gps dish which i link into intelcast radar for when were plowing so i can track the storm i also use the same monitor for my camera and back up system i know last year with verision and my laptop the weather loop refresh was so slow i had to study it sometimes small squals had already passed.

[PineIsland]

Thats probably good advice Fred.

Thanks again for all the help. I am leaving right now for the UP, so I will not be back to the computer for awhile.

Have a good week !