How To: AT&T Blackberry Curve 8310 as a Modem on Windows Vista
May 5, 2008
This guide is set up specifically for the AT&T Blackberry Curve 8310 on Windows Vista. However, these general steps will work for the 7130, 7200, 8100, 8300, 8700 and 8800 series. You will also need the Blackberry Desktop Software 4.1 or later.
I am assuming that from this point you have already installed the Blackberry Desktop software version 4.1 or later and that the modem is correctly installed (this is part of the standard install for the desktop software).
To verify this, from the start menu, select control panel:
1. In the top right corner, type “phone modem” in the search box.
2. Select Phone and Modem Options
Select the Modems tab.
You should see “Standard Modem”. This is the Blackberry Modem.
Select “Standard Modem” from the modems tab and click the Properties button.
In the General tab, select Change Settings on the bottom (you must be an administrator to change these settings).
Click Continue on the User Account Control Security warning that follows.
Under the Advanced tab, you must be sure to enter the Extra Initialization Commands:
AT+CGDCONT=1,”IP”,”wap.cingular” (remember this is for AT&T phones only, for others go here)
Click OK.
Next, from the start menu, select control panel:
1. In the top right corner, type “set up connection” in the search box.
2. Select Set up a dial-up connection
Next select Connect to the Internet.
Select Next.
If you are prompted to use a connection that you already have select No, create a new connection.
Select Next.
In the “How Do you want to Connect?” box, Select the last option: Dial-up.
Select Standard Modem as the modem to use.
Enter the following information in each box:
Dial-up phone number: *99#
User name: [leave blank]
Password: [leave blank]
(I renamed my connection name to: Blackberry Connection, you can pick your own creative title)
Select Connect.
Now you have to Turn Off IP Header Compression.
To do this, from the start menu, select control panel:
1. In the top right corner, type “connections” in the search box.
2. Select View Network Connections
Next, right click on the Dial-up connection that you have just created and select Properties.
Then go to the Networking tab.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) (be sure to not uncheck the box) and then click Properties.
Then click the Advanced… button.
Within the PPP link section, uncheck Use IP header compression.
Click OK to close all open dialog boxes.
That’s it. You’re done!
If prompted by the message “Internet connectivity test was unsuccessful”, see the Blackberry Forums. For other Blackberry models and other carriers follow these instructions. If you still get an error after checking all settings you can try to resend your service book by clicking your Blackberry Options >> Advanced Options >> Host Routing Table. >> HIT MENU, then register (on your Blackberry device).
REMEMBER: The Blackberry Desktop software must be running while you have your Blackberry Curve 8310 tethered via the USB cable to use the device as a modem. A few people have said that they can use the modem without a data plan without any extra charges however I have not personally tested this.
Comments
28 Responses to “How To: AT&T Blackberry Curve 8310 as a Modem on Windows Vista”
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i live in india having blckberry 8310 and having laptop with window vista tried hard to use blackberry as modem but not through.
pls help. i am using airtell service in india
Anil –
I do not know if Airtell will allow you to use your phone as a modem. The wireless carrier has to enable this functionality from their end. Try looking at http://www.blackberryforums.com/blackberry-guides/2019-user-howto-use-blackberry-modem-laptop.html for various other US carrier’s configurations as possibly some of those will work for you in India. Best of luck.
Let me know if you figure out how to do it please.
UPDATE: I did find these initialization commands that may work:
“The modem initialization parameters for airtel are
+CGDCONT=1,”IP”,”airtelgprs.com” and the number to dial is *99# and no username and password is needed.” (Retreived from http://tarundua.net/airtel/blackberry/softmodem)
Thanks for the detailed steps. My problem is that Vista does not recognize that my phone modem is connected to the laptop. I have Blackberry desktop manager 4.5 installed and running with my phone connected, but Vista (Home) refuses to recognize there is any modems connected. Any ideas would be appreciated.
thanks.
justric
Justric,
See if these steps help…
1.Connect Your BlackBerry
Make sure your BlackBerry is connected by USB cable, and your BlackBerry Handheld Manager is running (just launch BlackBerry Desktop to run it.) This is necessary for using the BlackBerry as an external modem. You cannot use BlackBerry as a modem unless you have BlackBerry Handheld Manager running in the background.
2.Modem Driver Install
If you installed a recent version of BlackBerry Desktop, it should include modem drivers and already be automatically installed. In the event you need to manually install them, the modem drivers should be located in this directory:
C:\program files\Common Files\Research In Motion\Modem Drivers
However, if you are having problems with these drivers, uninstall, delete all leftover RIM files, and then reinstall the latest version of BlackBerry Desktop.
3. Verify The Modem Driver Exists
Go to Control Panel -> Phone & Modem Options. In the Modems tab, you should see a new “Standard Modem” on a new port (such as COM6 or COM11). If this modem entry is missing and cannot be found using Plug n Play, you may have to manually add it. Verify you have “RIM Virtual Serial Port” drivers installed. Find out which COM ports the RIM Virtual Serial Ports are, go to Control Panel -> System -> Hardware -> Device Manager -> Ports (COM & LPT) … This will tell you which COM ports your BlackBerry Modem is on. Next, go to Control Panel -> Phone and Modem and Remove the modem. Re-add the modem by clicking on Add. You MUST select the “Standard 33600 bps Modem” (correct) INSTEAD OF “Standard 56000 bps Modem” (wrong). Click Next. You will be asked for the ports to add this modem to. Add this modem to all COM ports that the RIM Virtual Serial Port is on. You must choose the “Standard 33600 bps Modem” because of incompatible AT commands that result in an Error 628. Don’t worry, the speed won’t be slower.
(From http://www.blackberryforums.com/blackberry-guides/2019-user-howto-use-blackberry-modem-laptop.html)
I have the AT&T Blackberry 8310 Curve and I bought the media card for it….I was able to download music on it, but lately it ’s been giving me the hour glass and I can’t do anything…I’m able to get phone calls but I can’t answer because the phone locks with the hour glass…what can I do?
Pablo-
I am pretty sure that your issue is a memory or service book problem.
1. Make sure you have enough memory (Options>Status>File Free:). If there is very little memory then you can clear it by following these steps: http://forums.crackberry.com/f3/how-increase-blackberry-s-file-free-memory-34633/
2. Try pulling your battery out while the phone is on to reset it.
3. Log on to the ATT BIS website and resend your service books (or call ATT if you dont know how to do this as they can do if for you) Login here: http://bis.na.blackberry.com/html?brand=mycingular
4. Make sure that you have the latest firmware for your phone. You can find the latest here: https://www.blackberry.com/Downloads/entry.do?code=577BCC914F9E55D5E4E4F82F9F00E7D4
Let me know if these fixed your problem.
Also check out these posts:
http://forums.crackberry.com/f52/my-curve-just-started-freezing-every-few-seconds-damn-hourglass-74825/
http://supportforums.blackberry.com/rim/board/message?board.id=8300&message.id=7860
http://forums.crackberry.com/f79/help-floating-hourglass-problem-37317/
I followed all your instructions and setup my connections but its not working. I reside in the usa (florida) I have BB 8300 with latest update and desktop manager v4.5 cell phone provider is at&t. I am currently on vacation trying to tether but not sure why its not working could it be because I am outside my home network. I am in europe I am currently in greece for today and tomm. Then I go to egypt and then italy. Do you have any ideas. Thanks for the help
I am pretty sure is has something to do with you being out of the country. You will be using a different network which will have different network settings (the ip config part). Since I have no idea what those network settings would be I’m afraid I can’t be much help here. I bet if you searched some blackberry forums you could come up with something though. Surely someone has encountered this before. Let me know if you ever figure it out.
Hello, I have gotten the modem to work but I turned off the phone and now it won’t connect and it saids i have hardware problems from my modem standard and when I query my standard modem it saids failed to respond pls help
I tried to get my laptop on line with the BB as a modem, but I am travellling a lot abroad The States. This setting should work if I am in roaming? Thanks
Yes Juan it should work where ever you have Edge or 3G service.
This worked perfectly for me.
Thanks for taking the time to write this up!
-Brad
Thanks, Rare1 – Glad I could help! I just remember how hard this was for me to exactly figure out so I knew lots of other people surely would be in a similar situation.
i have a bb 8310 and i did the steps above but it keeps giving me this:
error 692: there was a hardware failure in the modem (or other connecting device).
can u help plz
Mina –
The thing that always seems to fix that problem for me is to just restart the computer which reinitializes the modem and then you are on your way to mobile connectivity!!
I have unlimited internet on my blackberry, will this have an extra charge on my bill?
Don-
I haven’t personally used my blackberry as a modem in a few months. I have replaced it with a wireless card. However, no, it shouldn’t charge you anymore as long as AT&T didn’t change anything on their end. I don’t see why they would have especially since they have bolstered their network for iPhone data usage. You’ll be fine.
[...] Setting 8310 as a Modem on Windows Vista method link [...]
Error 651: The modem has reported an error. I’ve done all of this by the right down to the ‘t’ and it still says this. Any ideas?!?
A huge thank you for posting this. It worked perfectly on the first try for me
I’m going to keep an eye on my bill before I use it too much. I have unlimited data so I’m hoping to use this as my internet connection when I’m at home, which is rarely, saving me $50 per month.
Hello! I followed all of the steps listed above, but it is still telling me there is a 692 Error with my modem. I have restarted my computer, phone, and even double checked all of the settings. I have an 8310 BB with AT&T with 4.2.2 software that is open at times of inititalization of connectivity. It continues to ask for a user name & password. Any suggestions? I am in country in my own home.
Thanks!
I am having problems getting my laptop to connect to my Blackberry 8100. I am getting the 716 error that won’t allow me to connect. Any input on the matter?
I followed the directions and now it asking for User name & password. I put in my ISP info but no connection. What am I doing wrong? The “connect to a network” screen says “Windows did not find any problems with this computer’s network connection” however I cannot “log on” I keep getting this User name & Password screen. Please help…
It conects but i can”t surf, de intertnet explorer always shows error 403 when you want to enter to all the websites. You know why this happends? Thank you
Followed the instructions as mentioned above and it worked like a charm! Thanks! I have AT&T and am using the Curve 8310 w/ Desktop Manager 5.0. Now, I can surf the web anywhere as long as I can get a good signal on my phone. It’s a little slower than my DSL, but I can still get the job done.
REGARDING: 692 error
I was getting this error at first and what worked for me was to
enter +cgdcont=1,”IP”,”wap.cingular” in lower case and make sure there are no spaces at the end. This is the “extra initialization” command under the advanced tab of the standard modem properties located in the device manager.
I’m actually using “standard modem over bluetooth”, but it the same for both.
I do not have a data plan, and suspect that I will be charged per kilobyte of usage – but I AM able to connect and browse. I don’t plan on using tethering on a regular basis because of possible charges but I was curious to see if it would work. Will double check in a few days to see if charges were applied.
Using ATT wireless in southern california. Blackberry Curve 8310
These directions rock the house!! Thank you thank you thank you!!! Worked perfectly with my Bold the first time!
hi iam useing a bb 8310 and i followed everything u listed for thethering and iam useing windows 7 home and when i try to connect its saying no dial tone? iam so lost its not even funny i live in jersey and is useing att version with the same carrier??? plz someone help me? email me at djrobbierobb@aol.com with any helpfull hints