Using USB WiFi Dongle as Access Point for iPhone?

irace

I have tried using that guide but I get to step 8 and it says:

"The network password needs to be 40bits or 104bits dependingon your network configuration.
This can be entered as 5 or 13 ascii characters or 10 or 26 hexadecimal characters."

What does this mean / what do I need to do or change??

mr_fishbulb

ASCII characters are basically anything you see on a normal keyboard (letters, numbers, exclamation marks, brackets, etc).

However I would change the data encryption type from WEP (as this can be broken in a matter of seconds) to at least WPA. WPA2 will give more security but is not available on older network devices.

irace

OK so i've realised that it will accept a 13 character password key but...

At the main step 4 “Convert your computer into a HotSpot”
Nothing happens when I right click on my network places and then properties? – I could still find the window for Local area connection properties so think Ive done that step…

So because nothing comes up when I right click on my network places and then properties – step 5 “Check the result” I can’t see “the following window” and nothing is showing in my “view available wireless networks”

Will my iPhone accept WPA / WPA2?

irace

Ahhh forget that my mistake I just did it all again and made sure all the tick boxes were the same and it all seems to be fine according to the PC when i go through the last step "Check the result".

The only difference is that in the last screenshot on that website next to the padlock it says "security-enabled wireless network" and on my PC it says "security-enabled computer to computer network". And instead of a "wireless antenna" icon mine has a laptop beaming a wireless signal to another laptop?

Still my iPhone can't find a hotspot anyway! I have done it using WEP does that make a difference to connecting to my iPhone??

mr_fishbulb

When you go into the Network Connections window, this one:


(can also get to it by Start --> Control Panel --> Network Connections

Do you see that little hand under the Local Area Network icon? The hand shows that you have set up the Internet sharing.

irace

Yes there is a hand under LAN connection but there isnt one under Wireless Connection?

mr_fishbulb

irace wrote: »

Yes there is a hand under LAN connection but there isnt one under Wireless Connection?

There doesn't need to be, but you're saying the iPhone can't see the network connection you created under 3. Create a wireless network?

Have you rebooted your computer? Not sure if you need to but it never hurts.

Inner_Zone

benjus wrote: »

Personally I'd just get a wireless router - a lot less hassle in the long run. If you don't want to spend money you could ask around to see if anyone you know has a spare one - lots of people get free upgrades and have the old one lying around. Don't get one with a built in ADSL modem though.

Not much use if you are in a hotel and they only allow one MAC address per connection. At least with a virtual Wi-Fi hotspot you can use more than one device or share your connection.

Inner_Zone

irace wrote: »

Virtual router looks good but I need one that works with Windows XP?

You did not specify that. But look around several support XP.

irace

correct - the iPhone cannot see a Wifi connection at all.

another thing I have noticed that is different is when I view "available wireless networks" the network I have created is there but in the top right it doesn't say "connected" it says "on demand" next to the star...?

It also says "on demand" in the "wireless networks" tab in the "wireless network connection properties" window!