How to tether, via Bluetooth, using a Sprint/Boost Mobile - Windows Mobile HTC TP2

[elludium_q-36]

How to tether, via Bluetooth, using a Sprint/Boost Mobile - Windows Mobile HTC Touch Pro II | Touch Pro 2 | TP2 | TP 2

So you can't get fiber, wired, or other wireless internet, or need a mobile option.

Here's my workaround, using bluetooth and a Sprint/Boost Mobile -
Windows Mobile 6.1 - HTC Touch Pro II | Touch Pro 2 | TP2 | TP 2.

I tried to do it via USB, and WiFi but hit brick walls.
Besides, I would have needed a very long USB cable,
probably with active electronic extenders, or USB over ethernet, to find signal.

So, I located the handset/phone, where it has reception/signal and fed it USB power.
VERY IMPORTANT, as the 3G and Bluetooth radios are energy hogs.
Even the WiFi radio eats battery., BIG TIME.
The charger I use is rated at 800 mA (milliamps).
That's also MUY IMPORTANTE as a 550 mA charger would not keep up.

Another IMPORTANT step is to configure the default internet connection.
In my case there was a "Work" setup that kept goofing things up,
giving a login error for "Sprint PCS".
I made the default connection "Sprint" and deleted the "Work" profile.
the Internet Connection Sharing application SHOULD have offered a connection choice,
but it did not.

• In the Communications Manager, tap on "Data Connection".
• In my case, I deleted the "Work" connection.
• Then I tapped on the "Advanced" tab, hit the "Select Networks" button,
  "Programs that automatically connect to the internet..."
  and
  "Programs that automatically connect to a private network..."
• In my case, for both I selected "Sprint", in the drop down menu.

So, the phone is in place, receiving enough power and signal.

• In the Communications Manager, turn on the options for "Phone" and the "Bluetooth" radios.
  SOMETIMES, it's necessary to manually toggle the "Data Connection" on.
• Tap on the Bluetooth field.

I have permanently added a "trusted pairing" to the USB bluetooth dongle in my computer.
Methinks it makes it easier to reconnect the link, and you don't have to make the phone "discoverable".

• In the HTC TP2's Bluetooth application, go to the tab on the right, with the tool icons.
  
• Tap on "Networking Manager" - "Network with other bluetooth devices"
  
• From the drop down menu, select "Share Internet Connection".

You will see an option to "Select Device".
In my case, it never displays the computer's Bluetooth dongle, until,
I tap MENU and select, "Show All Devices".

• Obviously you select your bluetooth device.

Next we see an option to select the network:
Sprint
VZW Embedded GSM
Phone as Modem

If you are on Sprint CDMA,
or have managed to get one of these phones on Boost Mobile Sprint is the option

I never saw the option to choose a network, until I deleted the "Work" settings, and
made the "Programs that automatically connect..." settings, BOTH - Sprint.

• So, I select my network and if there's signal, it connects!!!

We're not done, yet!

So the internet is served to the Bluetooth dongle,
but we have to make it a path to the internet, on your machine.

There's probably a way to do it automatically,
with "ifup", "ifdown", or with a bluetooth manager;
but here's my current method.

• Open a Konsole / Terminal and issue:
  
  

  sudo dhclient bnep0

  That's a ZERO after bnep

• I have package firestarter for my firewall,
  and in settings > Firewall > Network Settings > Internet Connected Network Device
  I set: "Unknown Device (bnep0)"
  Otherwise you would probably be editing a routing table file.

If bnep0 is not up when you start firestarter, each time,
you will get an error that the firewall won't start.
There's a button, or menu option, to start the firewall.

Hope this helps someone.
It took me a while to recheck and type out the steps!

[dmeyer]

Or just get Android and make a Wireless AP

I used to have an HTC Touch 2. Windows Mobile was just so damn awful but I loved that I could get metatrader on it.

[elludium_q-36]

I've been combing the 'droid fourms... The point i$$$$$$$...

I bought this phone, because you are SUPPOSEDLY able to run Android, either dual boot, or by flashing a ROM.

Unfortunately, it's only a 528 Mhz cpu, not the Snapdragon, in the HTC HD2.
I agree, it is horrible with Wing-Doze, but I hear it's not great with Android.

I had been tethering off a Motorola iDEN phone, then tried Virgin Mobile's BroadBand2Go...
Unfortunately, right after I got the phone, early this year, Slick Willy's boys at MicroSoftServe Icecream, dropped the Windows Marketplace for Windows Mobile 6.x and that means rolling the dice with aftermarket apps...

I tried WMWiFiRouter to make the phone an AP, but it did NOT work.

Also, not all of the hardware seems to be working with 'droid, on the TP2.
Bluetooth, for example, is not working, from what I found on xda-developers.com

It's really not a great connection, but better than none at all.

Since I figured this out, I leave the phone be, unless I go out.

Best speeds I've seen, as measured by the Netspeed app,
or the network activity stat's on firestarter, maybe 70 Kb/s.
Many times it crawls.

The thing about it is the budget.
I have the phone and I'm grandfathered on my data plan, at 35¢ / day.
Thirty five cents per day is not too bad for internet,
but it would be nice if I had better signal.

I figured someone with a Windows Mobile phone,
might appreciate my write-up.

If you want to send me a 'droid phone, with a year of data,
free of charge, on a GSM carrier, since I have better GSM signal,
I wouldn't complain. :-P