Using iPhone 3Gs as a USB modem in Windows XP

Question

Using iPhone 3Gs as a USB modem in Windows XP

Greetings, gentlemen.

I tried to use my iPhone 3Gs as a modem (using the USB cable) to share Internet connection with my netbook and followed the instructions to enable this resource in iPhone settings. However, the help files are not detailed enough so I can find where to set up Windows XP to recognize the device as an USB modem (when I connect it to the USB port, Windows recognizes it as a camera).

I do not have iTunes installed on this netbook. I use iTunes in another computer I have at home (a desktop).

Does anybody know how to configure Windows XP to establish Internet connection using iPhone 3Gs as a USB modem? Do I need to install iTunes in the netbook to do this?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Regards,

Marcelo Cutin

Acer Aspire One D250, Windows XP

Posted on Mar 26, 2010 7:49 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

wjosten

Level 10

95,321 points

Mar 26, 2010 8:00 AM in response to Marcelo Cutin

First, you need at least XP SP 2 for Windows tethering with the iphone, AND itunes 8.2 or later. Second, and I'm assuming this is the case with you, your carrier has to support tethering.

1. Activate Internet Tethering on your iPhone.
2. Connect your iPhone.
3. XP will automatically use the LAN connection it makes.
4. When Tethering is active on the iPhone, it will add a blue bar reading "Internet Tethering" at the top of the display.

That's it.

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Answer 2

Mar 26, 2010 8:01 AM in response to Marcelo Cutin

What you are doing is called Tethering.

Only Vivo in Brazil supports tethering so unless you are with them, then you will never get it to work.

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Answer 3

Mar 26, 2010 10:47 AM in response to Graham Outterside

Wjosten and Graham,

First of all, thank you very much for your prompt answers.

The carrier I'm using is Vivo indeed. So... I don't think I'll have problems regarding this point, according to what Graham explained.

I think the issue is all about iTunes. As I told you in my first message, I don't have iTunes installed in this netbook because I synchronize my iPhone with my desktop (and there I have the latest iTunes version installed).

I understood that if I install iTunes in my netbook, when I enable tethering in my iPhone and plug it in one of my netbook USB ports, iTunes will provide a LAN Internet connection so my netbook can use iPhone as a modem. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

One last question just to close this topic: do you see any problems if I install iTunes in my netbook and keep it in my desktop? I mean, will I have any kind of problem if sometimes I connect my iPhone in my desktop to synchronize while sometimes I connect it in my netbook to share Internet connection? I ask it because when we connect iPhone in a computer with iTunes installed, it automatically starts synchronization. Will I have any kind of problem related to synchronization?

Thanks again for your support!

Kind regards,

Marcelo Cutin

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Answer 4

wjosten

Level 10

95,321 points

Mar 26, 2010 11:06 AM in response to Marcelo Cutin

You just have to have itunes downloaded & installed on your computer. Under preferences, which is in the edit menu of itunes, disable auto sync when & ipod/iphone is connected. You don't need or want to sync. I should add, make sure you use the Apple iPhone USB cable if you're gonna tether using a USB port rather than bluetooth.

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Answer 5

Mar 26, 2010 1:56 PM in response to wjosten

Wjosten,

It worked perfectly! Thanks for your help!

Best regards,

Marcelo Cutin

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Answer 6

wjosten

Level 10

95,321 points

Mar 26, 2010 2:25 PM in response to Marcelo Cutin

You're welcome.

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