Router for embedded Sprint Card

The Sand · Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 12:57 am Post subject: Router for embedded Sprint Card

I was told today by several people (including Dell) that you can't have a router for a Sprint Broadband Card... now I have been researching this online and it looks like you can (I want to share my Sprint connection with another computer in my house - just like I do using my Cox cable connection router.) The only thing is - it looks like you have to put the Sprint card IN the router (and mine is built in my notebook.) Plus what router works... I have written several companies for help in this area but nobody has written me back (and then there was the Geek Squad and Dell today telling me it's not possible.) Anyway... do I need to replace my embedded card for one that is NOT embedded so I can stick the Sprint card in whatever router I decide on??? Has anybody here done what I am talking about? Or, is it possible to do it leaving the card alone. I would like to leave the card alone (I just got this Dell XPS1530 and would prefer not taking it out) but all of the reading I have done suggests that is not possible...

Also, in regard to type of router... I have a PC5720, all the routers I have looked at say PC5740. I have not seen one that says PC5720 - do you know of any routers that would work with my Sprint card.

Any advise would be great as I keep writing/talking to people who are spposed to know and getting nowhere...

Thanks,
sandy

Alex · Site Admin Joined: 19 Sep 2006 Posts: 1893

sorry sandy, the embedded device inside your laptop cannot easily be removed and used with a consumer EVDO router.

its one of the 'flaws' of embedded devices we wrote about, here:

http://www.EVDOinfo.com/embedded

What we suggest is you get a Sprint u727 with contract from 3gstore.com and then you have something you can use with any USB port, as well as with a router like the Cradlepoint CTR350, PHS300 or MBR1000

mhtyler · EVDO Heavy User Joined: 01 Jul 2007 Posts: 132

If all you want to do is share your internet connection with another computer, wouldn't Microsoft's ICS do the job? Once you have an internet connection through sprint you should be able to turn your notebook into an ad hoc router, or am I missing something here?

mark
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Mostly Harmless

Jim_in_VA · Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 8:56 am Post subject:

yup, ICS works just fine with a router
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evdo-tips.com

The Sand · Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 1:45 pm Post subject:

Thanks so much for the replies here....

I contacted Sprint last night and asked if I could swap out my embedded card for something external. They said yes, I just have to take it out and bring it to a store (after I called this specific Sprint phone number and set it up.) Right now I am under contract with them for $59 a month. A have a month to decided if I like them or not - if not, I can get out of the contract. So far, I have been real pleased...

I contacted Dell again and asked them how hard it would be to remove the card and it does not look too hard (they gave me a diagram.)

As for Microsoft's ICS... unfortunately I don't know what that is (not a real techie here.) If I can get out of NOT taking the Sprint card out of my computer and buying a router... just so I can have another computer in my home run off my Sprint card, then I surely would like to now how...

I will research everything you so kindly told me here - and look at all the provided links...

Thanks so much for the input... it's nice to finally get some answers here...

Sandy

herlien · Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 4:31 pm Post subject:

Sandy, ICS stands for Internet Connection Sharing, and is built into Windows. It's pretty easy to use. Go to Settings->Control Panel->Network Connections, and find the connection for your built-in EVDO card. Right-click it and choose Properties. Somewhere in there, perhaps on an "Advanced" tab, there should be a box for Internet Connection Sharing. There will be a box to click that says something like "allow other network users to connect through this computer's internet connection". Turn it on.

Now, you'll need a network connection between your laptop and your other PCs. Either a router, network switch, wireless B or G on both computers, whatever. It's this other network connection that the other computer will use to get to your laptop, and then connect through it to the internet.

Clear?

BTW, if this is the way you want your other computers to get to the internet, it means that your laptop has to be present and on whenever someone on the other computer wants to use the internet. For this reason, most people prefer just to use a router that has a connection to the internet. E.g., an EVDO router with its own EVDO card.

The Sand · Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 4:53 pm Post subject:

Thanks so much for you help here - taking the time to write it all out. I was thinking about that - that my computer would need to be "on." I also want the connection "safe." The routers sound like they protect the connection... I'm not sure that happens using Internet Connection Sharing. Maybe it does - I just don't know enough here...

I just talked to Sprint who is going to send me a Sprint u727 (what Alex recommended.) When it gets here all I have to do is call Sprint and they will deactivate what is inside the computer and activate the new u727 (which both have the same phone number.) So, I don't need to open the back and physically get the embedded card out. Nor do I need to get out of my current contract.

Now all I need is a good router - and Alex has kindly provided info there...

I am wondering if the software Dell installed to use the Sprint Card will still work? Or if will have to install new software. I like the Dell software so hopefully not - it is the same number maybe it will just pick it up...

I feel I have finally got some resolution on this - I could not have done this without the help here...

very grateful,
Sandy