Have a dell laptop and need to take it to a hospital while a family member has some surgery. Have a usb cable that plugged from the laptop to the curve, but not sure what software is required or how to "use" the phone as a data modem so the computer can check email and/or access the internet. Any help is appreciated.

This should help you out:

Using BlackBerry As Modem - BlackBerryFAQ

Cannot get the curve to run or detect the modem. Keep getting "692" error message. Tried to download the trial for Blackberry as modem : MobiShark Online Blackberry Store but cannot install. Says not compatible with curve. Anyone know another modem driver that you can install on the curve to use with a laptop for an internet gateway?

Thanks,

When you attempt to connect, do you have Desktop Manager running in the background? It's required.

Yes, and still get error messages.

Do you have the apn entered in Options >Advanced Options >TCP?

Do you have "Standard Modem" in your list of modems?