Setup for using your Verizon Wireless XV6700 phone as an Internet modem (using EV-DO or 1xRTT) over Bluetooth or USB with Windows XP (may work with Sprint PPC-6700 and other HTC phones as well)
This how-to is designed for someone who has a Windows XP (32-bit only) computer and a new 6700 series phone, and wants’ to get everything setup from start to finish. This document was written in Summer 2006 as a reminder to me on how to setup my laptop for Internet using my Verizon Wireless phone, all the other ‘fluff’ is for your benefit. I ended up reinstalling Windows eight or so times in the last year due to experimentation with Vista betas, Windows XP x64 (64-bit), etc. and was tired of re-learning this process every time.
Disclaimer: as is most everything on the Internet and the blog-o-sphere, this has no warranty assumed or implied with it. Do not blame me if your carrier doesn’t like what you’re doing and charges you extra or disconnects your service because these procedures below are against your contract or EULA.
Things I ought to mention first:
- There are three ways to connect your 6700 phone to a computer: Infrared (IrDA), USB, or Bluetooth. I didn’t test the Infrared since the other two seem much more prevalent and reliable.
- This didn’t work for me on Windows XP x64. I have a Belkin Bluetooth USB Adapter (F8T003 v2) and used the built-in x64 drivers to link the phone to the computer. But when trying to enable the Dial-Up Networking Bluetooth profile, I would always get error or unresponsiveness, making me think the BT stack in x64 isn’t as refined or tested as 32-bit. You may get better results with other Bluetooth adapters. I also learned that x64 doesn’t have a 64-bit Infrared driver and hours of Google searching shows dozens of people with the same issue and no resolution. Lastly, the .inf file that is used below to install the phone as a ‘USB modem’ is 32-bit only as well. In the end, I couldn’t get any method for emulating a modem to work on x64/64-bit Windows. I hope this will not be the case with Windows Vista x64.
- I found that after using this setup for 6 months, I use both Bluetooth and USB depending on the situation. If your phone has a full battery, then Bluetooth is easier (phone can stay in your pocket). But, using Bluetooth and the data connection will wear your phone battery down in a few hours… so by plugging in the USB cable you can actually charge your phone off your computer while you use the connection. If you’ve got a short laptop battery… Bluetooth may still be the best option, so I recommend setting up both and choosing which one to use based on the situation. It sucks to be on the road and have to figure this stuff out ‘offline’.
- With Verizon Wireless (not sure about Sprint), they currently disable this ability to use a ‘pass-through’ data connection. Directions below will change these settings on the phone, but once you do this you’re supposed to pay Verizon Wireless $60 a month for your phones data plan (rather then the $45 a month unlimited phone data plan). Verizon Wireless calls this “BroadbandAccess Connect†and it may not be obvious on their site as to how this affects you. I have meetings with Verizon Wireless data sales people due to my job, and was told that it’s not easy for them to tell if your using your phone with a computer… but if they see very high data rates constantly, that they will want to bump you up the $15 extra dollars (the idea is that a computer will use the connection much more then a phone would on it’s own, and that the $45 unlimited plan is only designed for phone-originated data connections).
- Speed results in Hampton Roads, Virginia (Southeast Virginia) average 414 kb/s down and 115 kb/s up. This was with 90% signal strength (using Microsoft Voice Command’s answer to “what is my signal strengthâ€), and being stationary in my home the whole time. 6 tests were done using http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/ to Washington, DC over an hour (on a Sunday night) where the min was 334 kb/s and max was 538 kb/s. I found no noticeable difference using USB or Bluetooth, but did find better results using specific driver settings, which are found below.
- Wmodem is an app on your Pocket PC phone that allows you to use it as a modem device for a computer. Details on how to set it up are below; but some explanation on it is in order. Before you can use this app, you need to disconnect any existing data connection (each time). So if you have ActiveSync setup, or if you just recently used the phones data connection, you’ll see the yellow box lit up in wmodem when you first run it (but you haven’t yet hit the Start button in wmodem). You need to stop any other exiting data connections on the phone before selecting Start in wmodem, as this program monopolizes the data channel.
- EV-DO and 1xRTT are your options for Verizon phones at the moment. I have been in a vehicle at 70mph using EV-DO (as a passenger only
) and it works fine, even as it falls back to 1xRTT. Obviously the speed difference between the two is very noticeable… but still usable. - Proper device settings for USB modem in XP (or Bluetooth modem in XP). Once you install the drivers for either scenerio below, make sure that the speed setting in your dial-up profile is set to a port speed of 230400 and hardware flow control and compression are on. These settings gave me the most consistant speeds above 400kb/s. In the end, none of these settings may matter, but they don’t hurt.
The One-Time Setup on the Phone to Enable Data Pass-through
This is to allow the phone to accept data/modem connections from a computer. With Verizon, they turn this ability off by default, so you’ll need to enable it the first time.
- Go to the PHONE application (hit the green phone button on the XV6700)
- Enter ##3328873 (or ##feature) and press “TALK†(or Send)
- Enter six zeros for the code (000000)
- Now Enable both the BT DUN and Wmodem
- Tap OK several times and OK to soft reset your device
- Once restarted, look for wmodem in the \windows folder on the device. If you can’t find it be sure in File Explorer to select “show all filesâ€.
Additional Setup for Using Bluetooth Dial-Up Networking
- Pair up phone and XP Bluetooth
- Go to properties of phone Bluetooth device in XP’s Bluetooth Settings and enable the Dial-Up Networking profile, this will install XP’s Bluetooth Modem driver.
- Create a DUN (Dial-Up Networking) profile in Windows XP and use the newly created Bluetooth modem device rather then your standard telephone modem device.
-
Phone number is #777, username is XXXXXXXXXX@vzw3g.com, password is vzw (X’s are your wireless phone number)
Now just launch the newly created DUN in XP like you would normally dial-up over a standard modem.
Additional Setup for Using USB Dial-Up Networking
- Start wmodem on your phone and set it for USB
- Plug in the phone via the supplied USB cable to the computer
- XP will try to install the new ‘usb modem’ it sees, if it gets an error, just unplug and try again
- Once it asks you for a driver, point it to the .inf file CDMA1X_USBMDM.INF (you can find this file all over the Internet, often bundled with a .exe for starting the connection, but don’t use the .exe, as it’s old and unnecessary, and I didn’t have the best speed test results with it.) This will finish your modem install in XP and it will show up as a new device in Device Manger.
- Create a DUN (Dial-Up Networking) profile in Windows XP and use the newly created USB modem device rather then your standard telephone modem device.
- Phone number is #777, username is XXXXXXXXXX@vzw3g.com, password is vzw (X’s are your wireless phone number)
- Now just launch the newly created DUN in XP like you would normally dial-up over a standard modem.
Short list for connecting each time you want to use it (Bluetooth or USB)
- Disable ActiveSync on the phone (or stop data connection)
- If using Bluetooth, enable Bluetooth on the phone
- Run Wmodem and click Start for either USB or Bluetooth
- Either plug in the USB to computer or enable Bluetooth on Computer
- Connect the Dial-Up Networking profile you created on the computer, ensuring it’s using the proper modem device for your scenario
I keep getting errors in Wmodem. “Com Open Error”. I have closed all my programs on the device. I also have downloaded WModem and push it to my device to see if the software on my device is bad. Any ideas? I don’t mind calling if someone can walk me through the install. I tried to call verizon and they told me “this device is supported for Dun yet”. Funny how my old 6700 took me a minute tops to connect.
Thanks in advance.
Thanks alot for the instructions….it worked like a charm!!! I have no problem now connecting to the verizon ppc as a modem from my hp notebook. I was looking for this for 7 months. Awesome!!! Again bundles of thanks to you. 12.20.06
once again thanks a lot for this blog..u r a genius!1
I thought this function/fix was to ship with all new 6700s after July? What drew me to this site was the fact that I am unable to attach my USB enabled Nikon D2Xs camera to the 6700 and download photographs directly over a USB cable. Will this fix enable me to do this? Any suggestions?
Reply to hunter:
I doubt it. Unlike with FireWire, USB has to have a ‘host’ and clients. The ‘host’ could be your camera or the 6700 but they would have to turn on a specific function for that. In every way I’ve USB’ed the 6700, it was not the host, and don’t know how to make it one. Maybe some special software could….
I have followed yor istructions but can n ot seem to get the Wmodem going. I can not find the wmoden in the windows folder. I can see a ton of files ( no option availble to view all files). Any other thoughts?
I was able to do all steps up until I had to install the .INF file with the Found New Hardware Wizard. It starts the installation and then gives me a window called “Modem Setup” that says “Windows was unable to install the modem”. Can anyone help me please. I was able to do all steps on my desktop but not on my compaq laptop with XP. SOME ONE PLEASE HELP!!
Reply to mdiaz:
on some phones it doesn’t come installed. Look for the .exe around the net, as that’s where I originally found it. Some providers remove it from Windows Mobile before shipping the phone.
Allas, I am but one man and can’t troubleshoot issues I didn’t have. Go find a support forum.
Reply to spook:
Hey man, I also was having trouble with the “Com Open Errorâ€. My issue was that even thoug I turned off ActiveSync in the Comm Manager, ActiveSync was still running. Start>Settings>System Tab>Running Programs. I bet that it shows ActiveSync still in there. What I did was to Stop All then go back out to File Explorer, run WModem and it worked just as the instructions state.
Neal
xv6700
2-22-07
I get an error message that says ” data service not available while tethered or in bluetooth modem mode” How do I get around this?
Thanks,
Perhaps you can help. I had this, XV 6700 as modem, working over Christmas 2006. I went to use the funtions in March. No success. The only update to the XV 6700 was the patch for Daylight Savings Time. Has anyone succesfully used this option after the DST update? If so can you share the secret?
Thanks
i can get everything until i plug my phone into my laptop.either laptop says does not recognize in usb port.the last time i tried when i hit the wmodem on my phone i got the connection lite to come on but my phone switches to data call and phone comes up w/end data call b4 continueing.can someone help?
a couple of questions if i may: 1. Under \Windows i have two wmodem files, a 58.3K and a 24B. do i need to Start both? 2. How do you stop the data connection long enough to start the wmodem. 3. when connecting the usb, pc says USB Device Not Recognized. ANY ideas
PS.
sites like this make the world a better place
Smallestus, couple of notes, pls. reply to me at Eurofox2@aol.com, thanks…you may have solved your problems since you seem to not have returned here…I have no problem when using 58.3k and connecting to my cell number XXXXXXXXXX@vzw3g.com…and my Wmodem has yellow lite, “connected” but my problem is the same as yours….”end data call” first….so have you been able to solve? …on the other 2 lites..they flicker from time to time….anyway, once I get fon to be modem, cant get HP laptop to see modem or “end data call” pops up…Thanks, KennyBouy, Naples, Fl
Thanks for such easy, clear directions. Up and running in 10 min. Awesome!
So easy.
The directions were concise and clear, explaining the why’s and wherefore’s before the actual steps involved.
Thanks!
took a bit of time configuring but definately worth the time spent. really great data rates (considering)!
So I have an unlimited data plan… don’t have to worry about any ridiculous billing, right? I don’t want to call VZW and raise any brows…
Thanks again tons!!!!
wow thanks works great and not to slow either thanks again
Bluetooth configuration worked like a CHARM! You are ever single bit the MAN! (Unless you’re a woman, then you’re the WOMAN!)
is this legal??
hi. when i try to set up my data connection. its askes for the area code. what is the area code i should be putting in? i have the unlimited data plan.
thanks for your time!
yvens
I, too, cannot get this to work anymore. I replace my vz6700 (warrenty) after the usb connector failed so I needed to set up the new phone. I also have the DST patch installed.
When I dial ##3328873 and press talk (send), it rings a number that Verizon says is out of service.
I don’t get asked for the secret code – so I can’t enable DUN…
Suggestions?
Bob, are you calling the number from your home area? I believe you need to be calling from the home area.
Neal
My WMODEM does not work after a replacement phone. I upgraded to the new ROM and MS on the veriszn web site. dun is enabled, but the WMODEM starts and does nothing.
I am having similar problems. Everything worked great and them one day I clicked on the wireless modem program and it never connects. Opens but the green dot indication connection never comes on. I didn’t upgrade anything on the phone but it may have done so on it’s own.
I think I found the “smoking gun” to getting a PCC 6700 to work as a modem. I had followed all the instructions on the driver install and all that went quite well, but the modem would not connect. I finally found an option that no one had mentioned that was my problem. Here it is.
When using your modem connection in vista, there is a properties button at the bottom of the “connect to network” dialog showing your modem connection. Go into the properites dialog and you might notice it is trying to use some other driver as modem. In my case it was trying to use a “Fax” modem instead of the USB modem I just installed. Selected the USB and tried again and Viola! It works!
I am having problems getting it to connect I dont have the CD that comes with the phone so is there something I have to download beforehand?
Good tutorial
handy and informative!