Probably odd question re: USB tethering

gruso · 09/19/2011, 01:21 AM

I'm about to pull the trigger on a Pre 3, but before I do, I need to know more about how USB tethering is handled. For example, my Nokia won't tether without bloaty software popping up and running. My old Android phone was much better; the phone was recognised as a USB modem, and there was no need to run additional software on the PC.

I know there are many threads on tethering, I've just been reading a heap of them. In this thread I'm asking for someone to give me a feel for the 'user experience' side of it - what happens when you plug the Pre into an XP machine, how is the connection initiated, do I have to install a bunch of crapware, etc.

I am hoping it's more Android than Nokia.

Appreciate any insights.

FYI I'm running various machines with XP, 7x64 and Linux. XP is the most important one here.

Andyf · 09/19/2011, 03:34 AM

I'm afraid USB tethering is not so easy.

When you plug a vanilla Pre3 into XP USB, the computer recognises it as an empty disk drive, and you get the option on the phone of 'usb storage' or 'charge'. Selecting the former will cause the 'empty disk drive' to become 'usable', and the latter will do nothing.

To USB (or bluetooth) tether, you need to install freetether through preware. Now I've found that bluetooth and wifi tether works fine, but USB tether is more involved (primarily as you need to get your computer to know how to connect through USB, using USBnet.

I personally haven't got it to work on a Pre3 (although I've not really tried), nor have I seen any posts about it here. It works on pre2s and pre-s but its a bit of a faf... and it might involve various actions to be done every time you tether

see here:
Application:FreeTether - WebOS Internals
USBnet Setup - WebOS Internals
http://forums.precentral.net/webos-d...reetether.html

I keep meaning to try it, but never get around to it. Primarily because BT tether is much easier and still allows me to share a WIFI (as opposed to 3G) connection (since I get free wifi in certain hotspots with my contract)

Sorry I couldn't be more help!

gruso · 09/19/2011, 05:45 AM

That's exactly the kind of info I was after, thanks very much Andy!

Andyf · 10/01/2011, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daletorr

Andy,

does freetether work on your pre3 AFTER the latest OTA update a few days ago? And what version is your pre3? at&t or unlocked uk?

thanks much!

Freetether still works fine, but i'm in the uk with a uk pre3 so we're still on v2.2.0 3171

Still haven't got usb tether to work, but am not really planning to look into it (if it ain't broke, don't try and fix it!)

-- Sent from my Palm Pre3 using Forums

09/19/2011, 01:21 AM	#1 (permalink)
gruso Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 50 Likes Received: 1 Thanks: 10 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Probably odd question re: USB tethering I'm about to pull the trigger on a Pre 3, but before I do, I need to know more about how USB tethering is handled. For example, my Nokia won't tether without bloaty software popping up and running. My old Android phone was much better; the phone was recognised as a USB modem, and there was no need to run additional software on the PC. I know there are many threads on tethering, I've just been reading a heap of them. In this thread I'm asking for someone to give me a feel for the 'user experience' side of it - what happens when you plug the Pre into an XP machine, how is the connection initiated, do I have to install a bunch of crapware, etc. I am hoping it's more Android than Nokia. Appreciate any insights. FYI I'm running various machines with XP, 7x64 and Linux. XP is the most important one here.
	Liked by

09/19/2011, 03:34 AM	#2 (permalink)
Andyf Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: UK Posts: 336 Likes Received: 34 Thanks: 27 Thanked 30 Times in 22 Posts	I'm afraid USB tethering is not so easy. When you plug a vanilla Pre3 into XP USB, the computer recognises it as an empty disk drive, and you get the option on the phone of 'usb storage' or 'charge'. Selecting the former will cause the 'empty disk drive' to become 'usable', and the latter will do nothing. To USB (or bluetooth) tether, you need to install freetether through preware. Now I've found that bluetooth and wifi tether works fine, but USB tether is more involved (primarily as you need to get your computer to know how to connect through USB, using USBnet. I personally haven't got it to work on a Pre3 (although I've not really tried), nor have I seen any posts about it here. It works on pre2s and pre-s but its a bit of a faf... and it might involve various actions to be done every time you tether see here: Application:FreeTether - WebOS Internals USBnet Setup - WebOS Internals http://forums.precentral.net/webos-d...reetether.html I keep meaning to try it, but never get around to it. Primarily because BT tether is much easier and still allows me to share a WIFI (as opposed to 3G) connection (since I get free wifi in certain hotspots with my contract) Sorry I couldn't be more help!
	Liked by

09/19/2011, 05:45 AM	#3 (permalink)
gruso Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 50 Likes Received: 1 Thanks: 10 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	That's exactly the kind of info I was after, thanks very much Andy!
	Liked by

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