USB Tethering discussion (updated)

[SNeitzel]

I'm a little confused. I just bought a laptop running Windows 7 64-bit. I plugged my Droid into the USB and enabled USB tethering on the phone. It seems to make the "Network and Sharing Center" in Windows 7 hang. I tried downloading and installing the latest drivers from Motorola. Same thing.

Everything I'm seeing from Google searches is that it just works. I must be missing something.

BTW, I have the grandfathered unlimited data plan that I carried over from my OG Droid if that makes any difference.

Give it time, my Win7 64bit laptop can take up to 2 minutes to finally decide it wants to accept and connect via my Bionic via USB tether. I also find it helps to disable the wireless card in the laptop.

 

[billd]

I waited over half an hour.

I just tried a different USB port. I had been using a USB 3.0 port. I switched to the only USB 2.0 port. It works now. It did take a couple of minutes but the "Network and Sharing Center" was spinning rather than hanging. In other words, the window was responsive. It was saying that it was "identifying" the network.

Apparently there is some issue with the laptop's USB 3.0 and either the phone or the drivers. I thought that USB 3.0 was supposed to be totally compatible with USB 2.0?

It's an HP Envy 17, running Win 7 Pro 64-bit in case that matters. All updates have been installed. Motorola drivers have been installed.

 

[kingnut]

The unlimited data is for your smartphone only... it doesn't cover tethering which is an additional feature you may purchase from Verizon.

verizon sells wireless tethering. if it comes enabled and doesnt have a warning message, that you need to purchase a plan to use it. its fair game.

 

[Thom]

<snip>

 

[billd]

The unlimited data is for your smartphone only... it doesn't cover tethering which is an additional feature you may purchase from Verizon.

It works now that I switched USB ports so that theory has no bearing on whether it would work or not.

Why would Verizon sell the phone with USB tethering enabled in the menus if they didn't want to allow me to use it?

 

[rdsok]

verizon sells wireless tethering. if it comes enabled and doesnt have a warning message, that you need to purchase a plan to use it. its fair game.

You interpret it your own way if you wish, I'm not here to argue the point... but that is not how I interpret the TOS... so don't shoot the messenger.

I'd still suggest you ask Verizon to explain it to you and if they say it's ok to USB tether ( and get it in writing so you aren't at risk ) on the plan you have, then so be it, but if they don't, use it at your own risk.

 

[kingnut]

Tell you the truth i could care less. I was using my OG razr for internet back in 2005 via motorola phone tools. Didnt have any data plan back then at all.

 

[paulneworleans]

Free HotSpot App: FoxFi

Easy to use interface and great speeds.
It is a battery hog though, so make sure you're plugged in to power.