MiFi does not do USB tether and WiFi at same time

3Gstore · EVDO Addict Joined: 19 Sep 2006 Posts: 3171

I tried and tried and trie, but could NOT find any way to USB tether a computer to the MiFi and still have it act as a WiFi hotspot.

JKontherun found the same thing on his MiFi, and I emailed my novatel contact who confirmed that the MiFi doesn't work that way.

Yeah, i know that its meant to BE a wireless hotspot, but there are still some people out there with a desktop or two that does not have wifi and it would have been cool to let them tether and still use their laptop or other wifi-enabled devices at the same time.

and don't suggest they just attach the MiFi to a router because you have to remember that the MiFi has no ethernet capabilities.

jejagua · EVDO Newbie Joined: 19 May 2009 Posts: 2

Yea, and the unfortunate thing is you cannot use wifi while it's charging via USB, even if not connected to the network via connection mgr. So, if using with more than one PC, better carry along the wall charger.

tz1 · Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:18 am Post subject:

If you make up a special USB cable or adapter (hub or extension cable), clipping the green and white data cables or the middle pins on the connector, it should charge via USB with the wifi on.

The same "problem" plagues the iPod, if the computer enumerates the iPod, it will not only stop playing, it often loses its place in the playlist.

3Gstore · EVDO Addict Joined: 19 Sep 2006 Posts: 3171

tz1 · Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 11:33 am Post subject:

I will see if I can measure the current.

If you aren't far away from a tower and close to the mifi so the RF doesn't have to blast, I think it would at least maintain, or charge very slowly.

My iPod does charge but even with full-on, if the disk is constantly on it will discharge to the point of shutoff.

Now if I can only figure out why my particular MiFi (FW date 1/13/2009 via VZAM) only has four menu entries, i.e. "Advanced" is missing. I have a call into Verizon...

Phrank7981 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 13 Jun 2009 Posts: 4

see bryanche.blogspot.com/2009/06/simultaneously-charging-novatel-mifi

I got the adapter from the site recommended in above web page. it was inexpensive & it works.

tz1 · Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 12:15 pm Post subject:

The link didn't work, but this one did:

http://bryanche.blogspot.com/2009/06/simultaneously-charging-novatel-mifi.html

3Gstore · EVDO Addict Joined: 19 Sep 2006 Posts: 3171

nothing at that blog resolves the point of my original post:

you cannot TETHER and have MiFi operate as HOTSPOT at the same time.

the blogpost lists solution for powering the mifi via USB while it is a hotspot, but the solutions listed do NOT allow simultaneous tethering and hotspot.

Darney · EVDO Newbie Joined: 02 Aug 2009 Posts: 5 Location: Indiana

It's one of the few gripes I have.. can't tether and have a hotspot at the same time. The original author makes a great point.. I want to leave the mifi tethered to one of desktop Macs, and use my MacBook Pro and my other desktop via the hotspot connection.

krelvinaz · Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 6:54 am Post subject:

You can tether and use WiFi at the same time by changing a setting in the config and updating your MiFi.

(Verizon MiFi-2200)

o Goto the admin page
o Goto Advanced Config
o Download the configuration.

Change the entry which looks like:

dario · Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 10:25 am Post subject:

Dj_AmTraX · Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 4:05 pm Post subject:

Maureen · Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 4:45 pm Post subject:

We just posted a "Tip of the Week" on how to enable WiFi and tethering:

How to Use WiFi AND Tether Your Verizon MiFi 2200 at the Same Time

Unfortunately, the tip doesn't work consistently with the Sprint version of the MiFi. You are welcome to try it - you can always revert back to the default settings - but in our tests it didn't work as well as the Verizon version Sad

amssr · EVDO Newbie Joined: 26 Aug 2009 Posts: 2

"How to Use WIFI AND Tether Your Verizon MIFI 2200 at the Same Time"

Much Appreciation for the posting of this solution for using WIFI while Tethering the MIFI 2200 to a computer. I'm using the Sprint MIFI and it's working just fine for me.

I picked up my cable from Radio Shack - Gigaware USB-A Male to Micro USB-B Male Cable 26-1416. It was Reasonably priced. I downloaded the Verizon Access Manager @ http://www.vzam.net/ and installed it. The drivers for the MIFI 2200 are included in the installation.

Then I Tethered my MIFI to my Laptop computer. The MIFI was recognized and drivers loaded without manual intervention. I then followed the instruction in the "Tip of the Week" and all worked like a charm. I can still ping my WIFI and connect to the web browser program on the WIFI connection and I can browse the Internet. The MIFI charges while connected albeit slower than if it were being charged through the AC charger.

I have yet to perform a speed test to measure the difference in performance. That's next on my list of things to do as it relates to MIFI. Hope this helps someone else using the Sprint MIFI 2200

3Gstore · EVDO Addict Joined: 19 Sep 2006 Posts: 3171

FYI, 3Gstore is now selling 3' & 6' microUSB cables for the MiFi 2200