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Need help conecting laptop to cellphone?
Hi,
I have an insperiron 5100 laptoop and was wondering how I conect it to get on the internet via a cell phone? I know it envolves a PCMCIA card or something. I have asked a lot of people this question and they tell me I need centrino or bluetooth technologies. But that is only used for places like coffiehouses. I am on the raod a lot and keep in contact with my family through my cell phone. I would like to be able to check my e-mail and chat with them using a cell phone to connect to the internet. I do NOT need a "house" wireless system because I have no LAN (Land) line at my house ( I am gone 8 mo out of the year)
Does anyone know how to do this?
What is the proper names for this tech?
Also what cell phone company is best for this type of use?
Thanks
wadecgeorge@hotmail.com
theung
18 Posts
0
February 5th, 2004 14:00
There are actually several options, many of which depend on the type of cell phone and connections on your laptop.
1. You can get a connector (usually supercheap on eBay) that connects from your phone to the serial port of the laptop. Then, a) configure a modem and b) a network connection with that modem on your laptop. Dial your access number and you're in. If you're using Verizon, they have a free access number, and you don't need an ISP. The connection is 14.4, but adequate for email and light, image-free, browsing. There's a lot of resources to help you with the details on Verizon's website and Google searches (in groups).
2. You can do the same as 1) above using a connector that goes from the phone to the USB port on the laptop. This configuration is harder, since you have to redirect the com port to the USB.
3. You can buy the connector in 2) above WITH the software that the phone company provides and connect at higher speeds using a pure data connection. Again, for Verizon, it's pretty straightforward. You can get the software and connector on eBay for $20. Install the software and connect at 40-60 which is like a 56 modem line. Verizon offers a few "National Access(NA)" plans, but if you call customer service, you can tell them to add NA to your existing Minutes of Use(MOU). That way, you pay nothing extra! (Although, connect time is added to your minutes used).
4. Get an air card (pcmcia) from eBay (unsupported) or from your carrier. Connect like 3) above, but without your phone. You will have to pay for a plan on this solution.
Lastly, I recommend going to Verizon. They're scheduled to go wireless broadband this summer '04. With this, you'll get 2Mbit speeds, which is faster than some cable modems. If you do 4) above, than be careful of the card you buy, since some cards are not compatible in both formats.
dagrizz
34 Posts
0
February 5th, 2004 14:00
Follow this link:
http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_periph&message.id=5615
G2145
21 Posts
0
February 6th, 2004 08:00
G2145
21 Posts
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February 7th, 2004 09:00
rickmktg
11.9K Posts
0
February 8th, 2004 10:00
G2145
21 Posts
0
February 8th, 2004 13:00
theung
18 Posts
0
February 9th, 2004 10:00
Again, I'm not sure about the others, but Verizon has free Truesync software that you can download of the Internet to sync Outlook with your phone. There's also tons of other software that you can find in Google groups to download ringtones, wallpapers, etc.
rickmktg
11.9K Posts
0
February 9th, 2004 10:00
theung
18 Posts
0
February 9th, 2004 12:00
theung
18 Posts
0
February 9th, 2004 17:00
I found the site:
http://www.motorola.com/mdirect/software/motorola_ss_downloads.htm
As you can see, it's Motorola, not Verizon. It's been so long that I forgot where I got it. In any event, I don't see why this should not work for non-Motorola phones, but that experimentation is up to you.
Good luck!
rickmktg
11.9K Posts
0
February 9th, 2004 18:00
theung
18 Posts
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February 10th, 2004 00:00
rickmktg
11.9K Posts
0
February 10th, 2004 01:00
Ok. That's not how I read it, but I'll give it a shot. I think with this software and the cable you can get at Radio Shack I might be all set, we'll see.
rickmktg
11.9K Posts
0
February 18th, 2004 23:00
dagrizz
34 Posts
0
February 19th, 2004 14:00
"VZW has told me that the National Access will no longer be free, and that they will be seeing who is using it w/o paying for it and be penalizing these people. The 14.4 connection is still free (minutes only), but the high speed will not be."
That is what they told me when I purchased the cable and software from them. We could use our minutes at 14.4 or we could get their High Speed for about $80.00 a month.