Treo as external modem on Verizon

[shariholloway]

I have a Treo 650 on Verizon. Can I use it as an external modem with my Powerbook running Tiger?

[tbanucci]

Anyone else know this? I'm curious too.

[Dr.Grace]

Do a search on Treocentral.com for BT DUN; it's been discussed thoroughly there. Or, if you're using a PC, you can buy software called PDAnet.

Don

[chris]

How about we just post the findings here at Everything Treo. :rolleyes:

I will quote this as it's not from me...credit where credit is due.. thanks to mithras at TC.

Part A: Treo hack
1. Download Shadowmite's hacked BtManager.prc to my Mac.
1(b)- because of funny settings from the web server, rename downloaded file from BtManager.verizon.prc.txt to BtManager.verizon.prc.
2. Soft reset the Treo 650, for a clean start.
3. Disable any programs that use the network connection, e.g. Chattermail.
4. Drag-and-drop BtManager.verizon.prc onto Bluetooth File Exchange.
4(b) send file to the Treo.
4(c) accept the file and agree to replace the existing app.
5. Open the new Bluetooth application on the Treo
5(b) Turn on Bluetooth DUN, accept the warnings.

Part B: Mac Setup
1. Open Bluetooth preference pane.
1(b) in Devices pane, delete the existing connection to the Treo.
2.Click 'Set up new device...'
2(b) Choose 'mobile phone'
2(c) Select the Treo
2(d) Enter the pairing password
2(e) Select Access The Internet service.
2(f) Enter the network settings:

Username: 2015551212@vzw3g.com, where the digits are my cellular number
Password: vzw
Phone Number: #777
Modem Script: 1_VZW_Generic_1X_ON_230400 (you can find that here)

3. Set up network port: Click on 'Sharing' tab
[ this step may not be necesssary for other people ]
3(b) Click 'Add Serial Port Service'
3(c) Rename to 'BluetoothDUN' or the like
3(d) Set Type: Modem, and turn on 'Show in Network Preferences'

4. Network Preferences
4(a) Open Network preference pane
4(b) Click to configure BluetoothDUN
4(c) Under PPP, click PPP Options...
4(d) Turn ON PPP echo packets, and OFF TCP/IP header compression

Part C: Attempt to Dial
1. Open Internet Connect
1(b) Select BluetoothDUN
1(c) Click 'Connect'

Your mileage may vary. Share your results - I'd be interested to hear how you make out.

[Dr.Grace]

It's useful to note that this can use up a lot of bandwidth and unless you're on an unlimited data plan can get expensive quickly. Not to mention that you could become "persona non grata" with your carrier.

Don

[chris]

It's useful to note that this can use up a lot of bandwidth and unless you're on an unlimited data plan can get expensive quickly.

A good friend of mine used regular Treo data for a month when Verizon had him set up as not having unlimited data. Well, long story short, his bill was over $2k. Luckily, they reversed the charges. He told me had temporary heart failure.

I could see BT DUN using large chunks of data -- enough to get noticed (if Verizon wanted to know). I'm guessing that a company like Verizon is too busy with all their businesses to worry about a few renegades sucking up bandwith.

Have you heard of anyone getting a slap on the hand for this?

-Chris

[Dr.Grace]

Have you heard of anyone getting a slap on the hand for this?

-Chris

Actually, no. But it's theoretically possible.

[shariholloway]

Forgive me, I'm still a little Treo illiterate!

I have some questions about how to set up the BTmanager.prc.

1. How do I drag and drop BTManager.verizon.prc onto Bluetooth File Exchange? I'm not familiar with Bluetooth File Exchange.

2. It says to disable any programs that use the network connection? Would Versamail be one of those programs?

Thanks

Shari

[Dr.Grace]

Forgive me, I'm still a little Treo illiterate!

I have some questions about how to set up the BTmanager.prc.

1. How do I drag and drop BTManager.verizon.prc onto Bluetooth File Exchange? I'm not familiar with Bluetooth File Exchange.

I'm not sure that will work with the Verizon Treo. You can send the file as an e-mail attachment and save it to the SD card, then use the free FILEZ program to move it over to the internal memory. Or you can use a card reader to load the file from your powerbook onto the SD card directly.

You might need to delete the Treo's existing BTmanager file from the internal memory???

This is all on the shadowmite.com site.

2. It says to disable any programs that use the network connection? Would Versamail be one of those programs?

I've never used Versamail, but yes, it would make network connections if you have it set to check mail periodically or receive push mail. If you only tell it to check mail on command, then I suppose that wouldn't be a problem.

[tbanucci]

Hey thanks everytone for helping out with this, especially to Chris for posting the reprint of the step-by-step. It works great! So much faster than the browser on the phone, and so much more convenient if I happen to have the PBook nearby.

Ted