Using the 7100t as a laptop modem?

[ff72]

Hi,

I was wondering if the 7100t can be used as a laptop modem (over a USB cable, since Bluetooth seems limited to headsets)...

Thanks,
Annie

[Tom]

Not yet. Chances are no.

[jeffmcclan]

Not yet. Chances are no.

An user on another forum has reported that he successfully connected to the Internet using the 7100t's modem via USB. I cannot confirm as I will not receive my 7100t until Friday.
http://www.pdastreet.com/forums/showthread.php?s=7461b0967052fb1103751615eb88fad5&threadid=49756
(See Oct 4 post @<hidden> 9:54PM post near bottom of first page)

It seems plausible that the 7100t could be used as a modem via USB (a feature on alot of recent cellphones). The limitation of not being able to connect via Bluetooth seems due to BB's security concern of not implementing a DUN Bluetooth software profile.

My Nokia 3650 has a Bluetooth DUN profile and has worked well as a Bluetooth modem for the past 1 1/2 years. Giving up notebook wireless connectivity is not a big deal for me as long as the 7100t's USB modem interface really works).

On a separate note, it would be good to see BB implement a HID Bluetooth profile to enable external keyboard support. The ThinkOutside folding Bluetooth keyboard would be a great BB accessory for long emails - otherwise I'll lug my notebook along as usual.

[jumpmonger23]

An user on another forum has reported that he successfully connected to the Internet using the 7100t's modem via USB.

If this is indeed possible on the 7100t, is it now possible (with this "new" software) on the 72xx series models as well, or is the hardware intrinsically different?

[Mark Rejhon]

Very interesting from RIMROAD:

first off,

i want to comment on the BES server. i have 2 installs of it. randomly they both lead to the same thing, memory leak, auto restart. RIM/ATT ( att where i bought it from ) says they dont know whats wrong and basically refuses to help. i have gone over the entire system, and it still wont go away.....

as for the modem support , its NOT through the bluetooth support, its through USB. when you first install the software then plug in the phone it installs drivers for your phone/rim device. if you look under your modems youll see "Standard modem" listed under the devices. open and query the modem, it will look like this:

ATQ0V1E0 - OK
AT+GMM - BlackBerry IPmodem
AT+FCLASS=? - OK
AT#CLS=? - OK
AT+GCI? - OK
AT+GCI=? - OK

"Blackberry IPmodem"

i have used the modem 2 ways, through t-mo's IP network, and through a local dialup provider i somtimes use. both work 100%, through windows default dialup protocol.

SO, you CAN use the modem like you would use those laptop mobile cards. i "asume" if you got a BT adapter for your notebook it would work the same, will test it once i get approval for testing from the company.
( how i wish 7100's had IrDA. )

I have NOT been able to do this with prior RIm's inculding the 6270's and below ( we mainly used 6270's from ATT before switching to 7100's from t-mo )

I am immediately re-testing on my 4.0.0.124 to find out.

Edit: No dice so far. Can't get my Rogers 7280 to act as a modem with BlackBerryOS 4.0.0.124 .... Any suggestions?

[barjohn]

If you connect your 7100 via USB you will find that under the device manager, modems you have a standard modem and under ports you have a virtual Blackberry com port. If you leave the phone connected and open up the standard modem and run diagnostics you will see the modem responses from the 7100. You can then create a dial up connection using this standard modem.

What I am not sure is what number to have it dial and the user name/password to go ahead and use it as a modem. If anyone has that info I will test it further and report the results.

John

[Mark Rejhon]

The most common dial string is *99***1#
Leave username and password blank to initiate GPRS connection.

Some useful Internet resources about modems on GPRS:

http://www.woggledog.com/index.asp?subject=GPRS
http://www.geek.com/news/geeknews/2003Dec/bpd20031205022950.htm

[bfrye]

I don't get any such modem on 4.0.0.100

[Mark Rejhon]

True. It's limited to 7100 series so far. I haven't been able to get modem working on 4.x on non-7100 models, no.

But it appears 3.8 on the 7100 series, once you install the RIM Virtual Serial Driver, starts blabbing to the computer like a modem (when you do diagnostics -- it uses the "Hayes AT command" language, a language unique to modems!). And at least one Internet connection test was successful.

Quacked like a duck, looked like a duck, and is indeed a duck.

7100 confirmed yes;
Other models no confirmation so far;

[bfrye]

Well, I'm still playing with 3.8 on a 7210... so maybe something will pop up on it. Unfortunately I don't get service here at work so testing will have to wait until I get home...

[rcg]

mark what are the modem parameters you have chosen? port speed, compression etc....

I cannot get the connection to work. It pauses at verifying user name and password then complains the the PPP control protocol was dropped.

[Mark Rejhon]

rcg, I am assuming
(1) Your 7100 is successfully in diagnostics like a modem

This is a symptom of working modem but misconfigured or lack of Internet; perhaps a certain data plan is needed (SIM card issue), or that you need to fill in the APN information in Options->TCP.

[rcg]

The SIM is newly activated with the T-Mob Minutes and Mail....

The modem part is working.. it acts like a log in problem.

What are the APN settings I should use?

[sempai]

I'd imagine wap.voicestream.com is the APN to use.

This will give you HTTP, SMTP, IMAP, and POP access.

[rcg]

still no joy...

I will call Tmo and see what they have to say.

[wwoolard]

Anyone having any more luck here? I have been trying to use my 7100t as a laptop modem through the usb connection and have gotten as far as having it try to actually establish the connection before it disconnects and throws up the following: "Could not negotiate a connection with the remote PPP server. Please verify your settings and try again." It seems so close but...... BTW I used the Hayes Accura 56k modem profile and the Null profile.

[wwoolard]

I forgot to mention that I am using a Powerbook in conjunction with my Blackberry FWIW. I think with the proper APN/Username/Password settings it might fully connect. I am just not sure how willing Tech support would be in helping in this matter.

[bollar]

Thanks for VitaminB and jmounts for finding the pieces to this puzzle!

It turns out that the 7100 can be used on T-Mobile as a GPRS modem for a computer by using the USB cable. Here's how to configure it:

1. The 7100 must be connected to the computer by USB cable and the BB desktop manager must be turned on.

2. Verify the modem settings. In the Control Panel open the Phone &amp; Modem Options. On the modems tab, you should see a new Standard Modem on a new port (mine is COM11). Click Properties: Diagnostics: Query Modem. You should see the following:ATQ0V1E0 - OK
AT+GMM - BlackBerry IPmodem
AT+FCLASS=? - OK
AT#CLS=? - OK
AT+GCI? - OK
AT+GCI=? - OK
ATI1 - Research In Motion / BlackBerry IPmodem
ATI2 - Research In Motion / BlackBerry IPmodem
ATI3 - Research In Motion / BlackBerry IPmodem
ATI4 - Research In Motion / BlackBerry IPmodem
ATI5 - Research In Motion / BlackBerry IPmodem
ATI6 - Research In Motion / BlackBerry IPmodem
ATI7 - Research In Motion / BlackBerry IPmodem
3. Click Properties: Advanced and add the following Extra initialization commands:AT+cgdcont=1,"IP","wap.voicestream.com","",0,0
4. Close the Phone and Modem Options and the Control Panel. Create a new connection with Start: Connect To: Show all connections: Create a new connection.1. Connect to the Internet
2. Set up my connection manually
3. Connect using a dial-up modem
4. Check only the Standard Modem
5. Give the connection a name such as "T-Mobile GPRS via BB7100 USB"
6. The phone number is *99#
7. Connection for Anyone's use, or not.
8. Leave the username and passwords blank. Uncheck make this the default Internet connection.
9. Click Finish
5. Give it a try. It should dial and connect in just a couple of seconds.

If these instructions don't work for you, or could be improved, let me know.

[StevenT]

Bollar,
Thanks for the how to. It works great (albeit slow, but what should we expect for a modem connection over wireless). Question, does your computer report a connection of 115.2k?

Steven

[bollar]

Bollar,
Thanks for the how to. It works great (albeit slow, but what should we expect for a modem connection over wireless). Question, does your computer report a connection of 115.2k?

Steven

115.2 is the connection speed between the computer and BlackBerry.

I expect datarates over GPRS to be in the 30 to 50kbps range. Just a hair slower than a dialup modem.

[Belfast]

Thanks for posting the initilization strings - it was the missing link that I needed.

[ScOObydoo]

Posting through my 7100t off T-mobile GPRS connected over USB :)

[rcg]

The int string was it!

posted from my PC via 7100t gprs!

[acnst]

Did anyone try this with another Blackberry (72xx or 77xx and OS4)?

[bfrye]

Won't work with OS4 yet... I've been trying to get 3.8 to run on my 7210 with no luck yet.

[acnst]

I have just tested it with my 7230 and 3.8 from 7100 and it does not work. I think the reason is that the rim7200g.bin is not a version 1.8 :(

[wwoolard]

Do you actually have to have the desktop manager turned on to use the Blackberry as a modem or do you only need it to add the init string/configure the modem. I guess my underlying question is can it work with a Mac? If so, how would I need to go about doing this? Make a copy of the altered modem script and add it to my library of modem scripts available for internet connections? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Skive]

The desktop manager does need to be on for the blackberry to work as a modem.

[ScOObydoo]

The desktop manager does need to be on for the blackberry to work as a modem.

And it has to be the most recent one that has the 4.0 updates in it. You'll know it's the correct one when you have TWO icons in the system tray for the Berry; Handheld Manager and Desktop Manager.

[wwoolard]

Thanks, that is what I feared. Hopefully there will be a solution when the 4.0 client is released.

[bollar]

The desktop manager does need to be on for the blackberry to work as a modem.

And it has to be the most recent one that has the 4.0 updates in it. You'll know it's the correct one when you have TWO icons in the system tray for the Berry; Handheld Manager and Desktop Manager.

Perhaps that will be the case in 4.0, but with the 7100, I only have one icon &amp; I'm using Desktop Manager 3.6.3.11

[barjohn]

It is working fine with mine and I have Desktop Manager 3.6.3.10 running.

[pvr2pvr]

[marvmiller]

[ac190]

[HomeTownHockeyFan]

[Mark Rejhon]

[slay]

[slay]

[Mark Rejhon]

[ChristopherRI]

[blueberry]

Any help for us NEXTEL 7520 users?

[iFox2]

Hello there,

Followed the instructions and finally was able establish PPP link using 7100t. However, nothing works from laptop (browser, SSH, IM, ping, etc.). The name resolution appears to be ok -- for example "ping www.yahoo.com" resolves the name to one of the yahoo's IP addresses.

I'm using wap.voicestream.com as the APN. internet2.voicestream.com doesn't work for me -- unable to register on the network.

ipconfig /all shows private IP address (from 10.x network) but public DNS (66.x network). When changing DNS servers to 216.155.175.105 and 216.155.175.106, DNS resolution stops working. Also 'ipconfig /all' output show that IP address and default gateway are the same IP and netmask is 255.255.255.255. Some of the posts on the forum mention that 7100 should act as a router to itself.

I've read a lot about evil T-mobile blocking ports, etc. but everything works from the 7100t itself. any suggestions?

[grw]

I read through this thread and the FAQ related information. Sure enough the BlackBerry shows up as a serial port (COM4) on my XP notebook. However attempts to communicate with the port via hyperterm and the modem control panel have both failed. So either that feature is disabled by my Company's BB configuration or the 7280 just doesn't implement the proper features.

Has anyone had better luck at getting a 7280 to provide the modem functionality?

[scotttkd]

ifox2...i combined some info gathered from several places and got it to work in the San Fran area. See rimroad thread "7100 as modem revisited"for details.

Good luck

Scott!

[spinmaster7]

Forgive me if this appears elsewhere. Couldn't find it. I just purchased a BlackBerry 7100T (T-Mobile) that I am using on a Mac. I'd like to use it as a GPRS modem via USB. Is there ANYONE who has had success with this? How?! Thanks for your help! :-)

[KweetNiet]

Also got it working for Vodafone NL:

+cgdcont=1,"IP","blackberry.vodafone.nl","",0,0
username + password:vodafone

[VincentVega]

Got it working!
Question, I am guessing this is using the plan minutes?

[texasag90]

If you are using GPRS, it should not use plan minutes.
If you are dialing an ISP, it will.

[bur1196]

Mark (and everybody else associated), your wisdom is greatly appreciated...I am using the blackberry as a desktop modem and its working pretty good...I just might cancel my internet service and use my blackberry for all internet purposes, it is a little faster than my internet too, again, thanks for your wisdom, I greatly appreciate it!!...

Greg

[pderby]

My 14 day return period was about to end, so I reluctantly returned my BlackBerry 7100T back to T-Mobile. With PocketMac for BlackBerry installed I was able to synch the task list, address book and calendar. I was able to receive and send email from the BlackBerry just fine. I had to do all this with a USB cable. The BlueTooth connection did NOT work. Also, I wasn't able to find a USB or BlueTooth Modem driver that would work with the BlackBerry on a Mac so I could connect to the internet from my PowerBook via GPRS. The 7100T does this just fine from my PC Laptop, but I'm not ready to give up my PowerBook for a PC Laptop for my everyday use.

If/when a BlueTooth and/or USB modem driver is written for OS X, I'll be right down to the T-Mobile store and buy one of these nice devices again.

[surfintroy]

I've been using mine as a modem since my first week of May. Follow instructions to the letter and you should have NO problems, but I still want to hear from more modem users who have upgraded to 4.0.2.32 before I will. Initially it says I connect at 115.2k but downloaded at 4.5k I use this connection as a backup ONLY (when broadband goes down - Adelphia sux in Orlando,FL) and suspect tmob will disable this sooner or later. 8-)

[T-Roy]

I've been using mine as a modem since my first week of May. Follow instructions to the letter and you should have NO problems, but I still want to hear from more modem users who have upgraded to 4.0.2.32 before I will. Initially it says I connect at 115.2k but downloaded at 4.5k I use this connection as a backup ONLY (when broadband goes down - Adelphia sux in Orlando,FL) and suspect tmob will disable this sooner or later. 8-)

Instructions wont work on a Mac... It requires Desktop Manager to be open and you can't run Desktop Manager....if I recall.

[surfintroy]

Adelphia Broadband AND cable are out at my place in Orlando after a storm about 2/3 pm. Adelphia now sez 24-48 hrs, man that sux but at least my BB modem works even when it was storming today!

[ajK]

If you connect your 7100 via USB you will find that under the device manager, modems you have a standard modem and under ports you have a virtual Blackberry com port. If you leave the phone connected and open up the standard modem and run diagnostics you will see the modem responses from the 7100. You can then create a dial up connection using this standard modem.

What I am not sure is what number to have it dial and the user name/password to go ahead and use it as a modem. If anyone has that info I will test it further and report the results.

John

[ajK]

hi John
When I connect my 7100 vis USB it does not show up under device manager as a "standard modem" actually it does not show up at all. What could be wrong? Any advice to help fix it will be appereciated

Aj

[ajK]

When I connect my 7100 vis USB it does not show up under device manager as a "standard modem" actually it does not show up at all.
What could be wrong?
Any advice to help fix it will be appereciated

Aj

[DNbb]

Below is the error message I get when my 7100t tries to register on the network....

Any idea why this might be?
-----------------------------------------

734

The PPP link control protocol was terminated. There are several possible causes. Try the following:

The security protocols on the server to which you are trying to connect are incompatible with your security settings. In Network Connections, right-click the connection you are using. Click Properties, and click the Security tab. In Validate my identity as follows, select Allow unsecured password.
LCP extensions are not supported. In Network Connections, right-click the connection you are using. Click
Properties, and click the Networking tab. Under Type of broadband connection to make, click Settings, and clear the Enable LCP extension check box.

[2006]

Update all software / firmware 4.0.2.49 and desktop manager 4.0.1.12
Reinstall modem. Don't forget the init string after update.
http://blackberryforums.com/showthread.php?t=2019

No login name and pass required. Works perfect!

[huhenio]

Bump ...

My walkthrtough with my notebook and windows XP.

The problem = I could not get Windows XP to recognize my 7100T as a modem. Windows XP only recognized Conexant 56k.

Solution: Manually installed a generic 56k modem from a list.

Control Pannel/Add new hardware - wizard will promt - /check "Yes, I've already connected the new hardware/

A new window will prompt and it will show you all the devices that are already installed - select the last option of "add new hardware" (Isn't that what we wanted in the first place?)

Next sceen will promt all possible devices - scroll down to "modems".

Next screen will promt - select "Don't detect moden; I 'll select it from a list"

Next screen will promt - Standard modem types - select 56000 bps modem

Next screen will promt for ports - select available port (anecdote: COM4)

The generic modem will install.

Next step: setting the parameters.

The only thing that is left is described in the modem sticky

This write-up addressed the problem of lack of recognition of my BB as a modem by windows xp.

Finally, my Virtual Terminal on Payal is mobile! ... .yet I am still disapointed that the Paypal WAP service has been suspended

[denarion]

Hello guy, I have a bb7105t, I followed the instrucciones but it did not work, any idea?

[huhenio]

Did you get to install a generic modem in ADDITION to the existing one?

That was my main issue

[stevewest15]

Hi folks,

Thanks to everyone's input and helpful instructions. I have it working on my 7100t (Desktop Manager Software-4.0.1.12 and BB 7100 Wireles Handheld 4.0.2.49).

I just wish it's a little faster...but then again I think I've been spoiled w/ high speed internet access at home and work.

Thanks again!!!

SW

[pinetreerr]

Any idea what the issue might be if I don't see the Blackberry list as a modem on the Control panel. I have Desktop Mgr 4.0.1.12 running, the 7105T connected via USB, can sync successfully, etc. Am running on XP SP2, and see only the modem installed on the PC.

Thanks in advance...