[signem]

For at least a year, I have been trying to tether my 8700 using all instructions that I found in this forum.
I finally decided to try a different approach. I bought an unlocked Option aircard and put my sim from my BB in it. (I don't use my BB as a phone, so the only thing I'm interrupting is my email reception).

I plugged in the card and it connected to the internet as soon as I put in the proper APN. The aircard cost me $159, and since I only need to use it occassionally, I'm thrilled that i don't need to pay for extra service.

The speed seems to be quite reasonable. If you want more info on the card, you can find them on ebay - search for Option GT Max 3.6. The regular PCMCIA is less than $100. I needed the express card, so that was $159.

I checked my usage on tmobile after finishing my connection and did not see anything extra.

Signe

[wingrider78]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8700/4.2.1 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)

That's too bad that you couldn't get the bb to tether. I haven't had any difficulties at all with mine...its great that you found a workaround for it though. When did you check your usage? If you checked right when you disconnected it might not have updated on tmo site...when using it tethered it shows as data usage, I would assume it would still show as data usage with an aircard...

[signem]

Checked the usage - nothing extra on there since yesterday.

Actually, I got the data card to use with a Cingular sim from a PDA I have through work. I don't the PDA and was thinking to turn it in til I found out I could use the account to connect while traveling.

The BB working is just a bonus. I have tried many times to get it to tether. I think it is actually more a problem on my laptop than it is with the blackberry. But, I did not find much help for desktop and device manager in the forum.

anyway, I'm all set. I am quite pleased to have everything working now - and to be making use of the work PDA account in a way that is more valuable to me.

[kananott]

I kept trying different versions of the desktop software. I could only get the TMO 8700 to tether using 4.2.1.8. My 8100 Pearl tethers with any versions it seems. I also noticed you have to uninstall old desktop versions first, reboot, and then install a different version--reboot yet again.