Preface:
If you are utilizing the newest BlackBerry Desktop Manager, and you are using a service provider that does not require a separate plan add-on to tether your BlackBerry for computer Internet access, you may have noticed that a new option called "IP Modem" is present on the main menu. This feature eliminates the need for you to go through all of the hoops that used to be required to tether a BlackBerry. Simply click the button, set your initial options, and connect. Unfortunately, when you connect your BlackBerry to the computer over Bluetooth, this option is grayed out. Although it appears to be disabled, it is still possible to connect to the Internet, and the following guide will assist you in making that connection.
DISCLAIMER:
YOUR SERVICE PROVIDER MAY CHARGE YOU ADDITIONAL FOR TETHERING! PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR PROVIDER BEFORE TETHERING AS PER-KILOBYTE CHARGES CAN BE QUITE HIGH, AND THE KILOBYTES CAN ADD UP QUICK WHEN TETHERING, ESPECIALLY ON 3G NETWORKS!
Test Equipment:- Dell Latitude D630 with built-in Dell 355W Bluetooth module
- RIM BlackBerry Bold 9700
Service Provider:- T-Mobile USA with a 39.01a version SIM card
- This version of SIM card is HSPA-capable
Procedure:- Connect your BlackBerry to your computer via USB
- Ensure that the IP Modem option is available
a. If it is, continue reading
- Click IP Modem
- Go through initial setup steps
- Disconnect from USB
- Close Desktop Manager
- Go through the normal Bluetooth pairing process to pair the BlackBerry device to the computer
- Open Desktop Manager
- Click Options > Connection Options
- Ensure that “Turn on Bluetooth support” is checked
- Go to the drop-down menu above and select your Bluetooth-connected BlackBerry
- Click OK
- At this point, the main menu should show your device as connected, and the IP Modem option should be grayed out
- Open the Windows Control Panel and open Phone and Modem
- Click the Modems tab
- Select the Standard Modem on COM3
a. Your COM port may be different
- Click Properties
- Click the Advanced tab, and select all of the text in the “Extra initialization commands:” field
- Press CTRL+C to copy this text
- Click Cancel
- Select the Standard Modem over Bluetooth link
- Click Properties
- Click the Advanced tab
- In the “Extra initialization commands:” field, press CTRL+V to paste the text that was previously copied
- Click OK
- Click OK
- Click the network connection icon in the tray of the Start bar
- Right-click the dial-up connection listed at the top
a. This will usually be named for the network provider you selected during the IP Modem setup process (i.e., “T-Mobile US”)
- Select Properties
- Check the box next to Modem - Standard Modem over Bluetooth link
- Click OK
- Click the network connection icon in the tray of the Start bar
- Click the dial-up connection at the top
- Click Connect
a. Depending on your chosen provider, you may be prompted to enter a username and password to complete the connection
This guide is written by dc/dc (Dan Carlson) for exclusive publication on www.blackberryforums.com, unless written authorization has been provided by the author or www.blackberryforums.com.