Sadly, internet connection sharing (ICS) is not enabled on the Sprint HTC Touch Pro by default. Instead, Sprint wants you to pay for a “phone as modem” (PAM) plan in order to unlock the functionality. However, if you already have an internet plan for your phone (e.g. SERO plan), you can unlock the internet sharing capabilities in a few easy steps. This hack will work for the GSM AT&T Fuze and other variants as well.
Make sure you have ActiveSync installed on your PC if you are using Windows XP or earlier. Windows Vista requires the Windows Mobile Device Center.
First, use a registry editor such as PHM Regedit to delete the value \HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Comm\InternetSharing\Settings\ForceCellConnection
Soft reset your device.
Open the Internet Sharing program located in your Programs folder. Your screen should look like this.
Notice the added "Network Connection" menu.
Connect your phone to your PC via USB cable. Choose to initiate a “Disk Drive” connection type or disable ActiveSync from your desktop. The purpose is to make sure that there is not an ActiveSync connection prior to using the Internet Sharing program.
Now, since your device was just soft reset, you will need to enable the data connection from the Comm Manager before you start tethering.
 Make sure your Data Connection is on. |
 Or else you will get this error message. |
Then open the Internet Sharing program and change the “Network Connection” to “Sprint” using the drop down menu. Finally, select “Connect” and you should see the screen below. You’re now ready to browse the internet using your Touch Pro as a modem.
Success!
If you check the network connections on your PC, you will see an additional connection named “Windows Mobile-based Internet Sharing Device”. This network connection has an IP address and communicates with your phone. In turn, your phone essentially acts like a router to route your requests to the Sprint network and vice versa.
If you’re having problems
Try installing this .cab:
http://www.isyougeekedup.com/files/Internet_Sharing_Fix.cab
Found on this thread on PPCGeeks (post 4)
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Before I try this, will this work for sure? I need this to get back on the web with my laptop.
where is HKEY
Use PHM regedit:
http://www.phm.lu/Products/PocketPC/RegEdit/
Then install the program to your phone. Open the program and use the path provided to find and delete the key.
WoW! I now have the option to choose sprint and usb to connect to the internet with my touch pro 6.1. Thanks alot E.
Is there anything else that I can do to trick out my phone
I do was is instrusted here and i got the final word of connected in my phone but in my laptop it says local only. there is a way or program or something I can do to get the internet sharing running?
Make sure that you follow all the steps correctly. Disable the local connection and then try internet sharing. See if that works
Would this go through an unlimited internet plan or through a data plan. Just curious. With Bell Canada
However you pay for internet on your phone. Some plans make you pay for data sharing. Check your provider. If you have unlimited, then there should be NO extra charges
I have to pay for “data”. Not the Internet. Thought there are separate apps for You tube, facebook, ect. outside the browser. Is there a way that the service provider can tell the difference?
Ask your provider. I think you’ll be fine though. With my provider, data is everything that goes to and from the Internet. Sprint cannot tell the difference in this case and your provider may not be able to either.
When i go into the registry, and to
\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Comm\InternetSharing\Settings\ForceCellConnection
Do I delete that whole folder or something inside of it?
You delete the entire ForceCellConnection entry, then soft reset and connect as described.
How do I disable Active Sync? I get a local only connection on my Vista System. Active sync never give me a choice of disc drive connection
/Peter
On your phone, go to Start -> Settings -> Connections -> USB to PC. Select “Disk Drive” and if you want the USB connection prompt, check the box that says “Ask about connection type when I connect.” Then try it again.
Thanks, still only get “local access only”.
how do i get my internet working?? it keeps showin that a dailing error has occured…
-britt
Did you enable your data connection?
I did the steps above. It works on friends vista computer fine. I plug in usb and it downloads driver and you are good to go. But on my dell e1505 windows xp I connect the usb and hit connect on internetsharing no driver loads. The htc touch pro says connected but laptop says acquring network address after 2 minutes it says disconnected. This all takes place in the internet connections available window on the dell. So I am unable to connect. Htc touch screen will stay on connect tho. Any advice? Rmcgrew88@hotmail.com or repost here thanks. I think the problem is in the laptop because it works on others.
Thanks so much! Works perfect for me. My connection is actually faster through my phone than it is through the data card I pay Sprint an arm and a leg for.
do i delete the WORDS “forcecellconnection” or do i go to the path:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Comm\InternetSharing\Settings and like hold down on forcecellconnection and select delete?
Brandi – the second part of what you said is correct. You should “go to the path:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Comm\InternetSharing\Settings and like hold down on forcecellconnection and select delete”
Thankss a Lot!
Does it charge u extra? For example, I have sprint everything data, but i dont have the “phone as modem” addon to my plan. Will they charge extra?
No, they won’t. With Windows Mobile phones, Sprint cannot tell that you’re tethering. At least that’s what I’ve heard from reputable forums such as PPCgeeks and XDA.
hi there, I downloaded the registry editor program, but I get access denied when I try to delete the file…I connected via Actice sync, because the registry editor cannot connect through disk drive…What am I doing wrong???
ok got the program, but, you daid install it to you device. Can you give me some clue on how to do that? I get and error, the volume device \ is currenty unavailable. please select another
I’m mobile registry editor, and when I try to Delete the \HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Comm\InternetSharing\Settings\ForceCellConnection valu I get an access denied message, any way around this?
Hellshavoc:
Depending on the registry editor your using you may have to unlock the registry first before you can actually edit.
How do I use PHM Regedit to delete forcecellconnection? I am having a situation with using PHM Registry Editor. I downloaded PHM Registry Editor:pocket PC Edition, with the current selection: Desktop installer (via active sync) to my computer, with my mobile phone connected, in active sync. Can anyone provide specific steps, on how to download PHM Registry Editor to your computer, and HTC Touch Pro, and running the program? Any help would be gladly appreciated.
Make sure your phone is connected to your computer and is recognized in Active Sync. Then, run the PHM regedit installer file on your computer. It should open up an Active Sync window and install the program on your phone.
I done all of that and found PHM Registry in my music file, and my temp file. I even copied it from my computer to my documents folder on my touch pro. What do i do next, to find and erase forcecellconnection?
Looks like you didn’t follow the directions. You must run the PHM Regedit file you downloaded on your computer. The program will transfer the registry editor to your phone.
Here’s how to install a program through Active Sync:
http://www.pocketpccentral.net/help/softinstall.htm
Here’s the help for PHM RegEdit:
http://www.phm.lu/Products/Smartphone/RegEdit/Help/0.70/
Thanks Eric. I got the connection but my Internet connection is slow. How do I resolve that?
Do any one know how to speed the connection browsing the internet using your htc touch pro as a modem?
Nope, no way to make things faster. Do a speed test at http://www.speedtest.net/ and you can see how fast your connection is. EVDO Rev. A can burst to 3.1mbps, but you’ll probably see 1.5mpbs (~1500kbps) at max. I usually see anywhere from 500-1300kpbs. Another thing to check for is if you’re in a non-EVDO area. The connection icon at the top of the screen will either say “1x” or “EVDO”.
Hells yea!!! thanks a ton. now if only u can make the pc connection have wifi too
oh yea, and in response to eric’s last post, i used to use wmwifirouter until they got smart about the keygen going around the internet… and that thing was FAST serious busts of speed. i think 1.5 mb was the slowest it ever went. strangely enough the up speed was never over about 250kb, but i had several runs at 3-7mb down.
this was my best run, check it out.. i promise this is NOT doctored!!! (in fact you know this since it’s stored on speedtest’s servers):
http://www.speedtest.net/result/395193202.png
i’ve also used pdanet, which gave me about the same speed as this hack, about 1-1.5mb down.
Actually all you need to do is delete the isext.dll string and you will no longer get error 67. Download TRE
http://www.ppcvault.com/2005/05/20/tre-pocket-pc-tascal-registry-editor/
1) navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Comm\InternetSharing
2) Delete this string: Extension – isext.dll
do you have a cab file for this. also can you make a tutorial on who to install the PHM regedit msi?
Commenting usually isnt my thing, but ive spent an hour on the site, so thanks for the info
If you’re stuck with your head up yer ass with this way just get PDAnet.
Worked like a champ..thanks for the info
i have a sprint sero 30 plan with unlimited text and data. will sprint charge me extra for tethering the intenet to my home laptop?
No, they won’t charge you
Thanks alot Eric, this is gonna save me like $40 a month by canceling my comcast internet.
does anyone one else have the problem of a fuzzy sounding earpiece on their touch pro. when im talking to someone it just doesnt sound crystal clear. just wonder if anyone else noticed that or i just have a bad phone. thanks
Works Great! Thanks.
I couldn’t get PHM Regedit to work. So I used CeRegEditor. Just be sure to unlock the registry (Tools > Unlock Registry).
Surfer
solo agregar que necesesitas el active sync 4.5 para que funcione en algunas windows xp sobre todo cuando te de error de driver rdnis
At this time I am surfing the internet on my laptop with no access to my wireless. Yes! Thank you!
Just to add, phone call will come in and that will not break the connection, but if I’m connected and make a phone call, the internet is interrupted (not disconnected, but links go nowhere).
this really works, the hard part is finding the registry editor, you can find it do. all you really need its to edit the registry and you will be set it so easy. thanks
Do anyone know how to put adobe flash player on the htc touch pro? Or is their a similar program? When I go to certain web sites my access is limited cause, I don’t have this program and every time I try to download it, it says “sorry, your platform is not supported.” Any help would gladly be appreciated.
you didnt indicate which selection to down load. smart phone 2002,2003, pocket pc, handheld pc, desktop installer via active sync. ? im using an htc touch pro and vista. i started getting no application associated with this file. couldnt seem to run it on my phone. i copied and pasted the file. it just showed up like a windows looking file on the phone instead of the original installer icon. thanks for your help.
Use the desktop installer via ActiveSync.
Just got the HTC at work – I’ll give this a try over the weekend.
Can something similar be done to use the HTC’s camera as a webcam for my desktop (when connected with USB cable)?
Thank you for the info. PHM regedit didnt work with my 64-bit vista, so i used ceregedit. Awsome!
Hi, i’m using ceregeditor and i was able to find forcecellconnection…but when i right click and hit delete i get a pop up saying “Cannot delete value! Try again! How do i get around this?
Nevermind, i read Ree Ree’s comment. Thanks!
i followed directions but when i follow the path and get to settings the only thing showing up for me is maxcmconnectretries and no forcecellconnection. what the crap is that? what now?
Maria, if it’s not there, then try adding the entry manually by hand.
I finally tried it with my laptop and right now i am online with my phone!! How cool is that. Now i dont have to worry about getting a wireless card!! Thanks!!!
im new to the htc touch pro. im trying to get this to work. i dont know how to open the phm after it downloads…can someone help me please?
My Sprint htc touch pro sharing via USB stopped working. I had a cab installed which was working fine for the first couple of days then it stop working via USB (PAN still works) Then I read you must disable activesync which I did not need to do before but it temporary solved the issue. The next day it stopped working again. PAN via Bluetooth drains the battery too quickly, will someone please help me get my sharing via USB working properly? I’m using vista and getting limited access only via USB.
i got it open, and found the program. now for some reason it dont have the plus sign next to them. i see the \HKEY_local_machhine\comm but it dont do anything when i click it. i really am getting fustrated. i tried to get the TRE program, butt the site isnt in english
this worked great. Took me a while to download the correct version of the reg editor (finally got the pocket pc 2002-2003 version) to extract on my HTC Touch Pro. Thanks for all the great advice! Works like a champ.
Ok, so I’ve tried every combination possible. I’ve tried deleting the whole ForcedCellConection string, I’ve tried deleting only the contents of that string. Should Enable under the setting folder be set to 0 or 1. I’ve also deleted the contents of the extension string, should I delete the whole string? My phone shows connected, but my computer ALWAYS gets stuck with Acquiring Network Address. I really don’t want to purchase PDAnet. And yes, I do have my Data Connection enabled. I’ve also tried using PHM Regedit which worked, but I figured I’d switch over to CeRegistryEditor since it PC based, just seemed more flexible… same result though. I know the regedit programs arent the prob, but I thought I’d throw that in. If anyone has any info on why this isn’t working on the PC side, please let me know. I only have a few hairs left. Thanks!
Oh I’m running Windows XP.
Ed – Try creating the “ForceCellConnection” value and set the data value to “Sprint” (assuming you’re with Sprint). Make sure your Active Sync is disabled. If that doesn’t work, you can always back up your items with PPC PIM Backup and do a hard reset on your phone (Start -> Settings -> System -> Clear Storage). Then try again.
Stef – Try doing the same thing I recommend to ed. Create the “ForceCellConnection” value under \HKEY_local_machhine\comm and set the data value to “Sprint” (assuming you’re with Sprint). Do you have the Touch Pro or Fuze and what carrier?
Eric, my man… I’ve done that…well, I’ve had sprint as the string value and that didn’t work either. I havent done the hard reset and I’m not too crazy about it. Should the enable be set to 1? and also, do i clear the extension? I’ll try the hard reset as last resort, but does that clear EVERYTHING? thanks broham
I’m not sure I know what you mean when you say “Should the enable be set to 1?” I can’t find an “enable” value on my device. You do not have to touch the “MaxCMConnectRetries” value.
The hard reset will clear everything and return your device to factory defaults, fresh just like when you first bought it.
This shyt TOTALLY WORKED i transfered from an Instinct and was worried cause i run my computer internet from my phone but when i read this did the registry thing that option popped up i knew he told me right TRUST THIS GUY 1000 o/o……………………HTC Touch Pro ev-do Internet on my Pc
Eric,
Ok, here’s how my registers are set:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Comm\InternetSharing:
Extension ‘isext.dll’
MaxCMCon ’0′
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Comm\InternetSharing\Status:
ForcedCellConnection ‘ ‘
MaxCMConnectRetries ’0′
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Comm\InternetSharing\Status:
Enabled ’1′
I’ve tried completely erasing ForcedCellConnection and putting ‘Sprint’ in there. I’ve also tried erasing the contents of Extension and Extension itself. I’ve changed Enabled between 0 and 1, but I’ve never erased it. I’m thinking maybe I have the wrong combination of values. Can you possibly post your settings similar to how I did? I’ve seen other people post their settings in other sites and I’ve tried that, but still can’t get it to work. Always stuck in the Acquiring Network Address like I mentioned previously.
Thanks again
Here’s what my phone looks like:
The guide was based off of a fresh device and should work. I’d say to hard reset and try this if all else fails.
Does all of this also work for Sprint HTC touch??
Kino – I’m not sure. If it runs Windows Mobile 6, then possibly, yes. Check and see if you have an app called “Internet Sharing” in your programs menu. If you do, then yes, this may work. If not, then it probably won’t work.
Isn’t this whole article meant for the Sprint HTC Touch Pro? That’s what I have and I’m running WM6 and it’s not working for me. Or is there a difference between the touch and the touch pro?
Eric – Thanks alot man!
I read the the comments.
Eric,
Is there anyway to get it to work on my macbook via usb? (that is without installing windows and running bootcamp) because I’m having major battery life issues with the Touch Pro using wifi. Also any word on cracking (keygen) for WMwifirouter?
Thanks,
DAEV
Ed – Yes, this article was for the Touch Pro. I’m not sure if it will work on the original HTC Touch for reasons listed in my comment above.
DAEV – Unfortunately, I don’t think there’s Mac compatibility. PDANet’s web page mentions being able to connect to the Mac via Bluetooth DUN, but I have no idea how to get that setup.
No idea on a crack for wmwifirouter. It used to be free though
.
I get an error that there is a problem with this windows installer package. a program required for this install to complete could not be run. what do i do
if you can help me then email me at akjpiercy@yahoo.com thanks
Trying to download the regedit so I can use my sprint htc touch pro on my laptop like I could on my other phone.
Christy, try installing this .cab. This worked for me on one occasion:
http://www.isyougeekedup.com/files/Internet_Sharing_Fix.cab
Got this from PPCGeeks.
ok…what do I do now? I am not good with computers….uuummm…loved my other touch phone…easy to connect to internet but had to do insurance claim and get this new one and now so frustrated that I can’t get on the internet. I am in college and need it. I couldnt download the phm regedit thing. i kept getting “there is a problem with this windows installer package. a program required for this install to complete…..” so yes I am going crazy
ok it is showing in my ceregistry editor now so what do I do to delete that dang hkey and do I keep my phone connected the whole time?
ok got ceregistry up on my laptop. do i delte it from my laptop or from my phone. in task manager on my phone it doesnt come up. not sure what to do now….can you help
I finally got it….Thanks!!!!!
WMWifiRouter [ http://www.wmwifirouter.com/ ] works Fantastic for me. Supports wifi, usb, and bluetooth connect. I use it with both my PRO and Mogul. This enables me to run internet on my laptop, desktop, and iTouch all off my phone’s data connection. It creates a Wifi connection you can secure and encrypt. Additionally you’re phone still receives calls, txt, and is useable.
The only prob I’ve run into with extended use, such as all day.. or week, (More device specific) is that the Mogul is apt to overheating the battery. If the battery overheats, it’s fail safe is to disconnect it’s charging functions. This in turn drains the battery, and the phone shuts off. (Really the only way to keep internet going all the time is by plugging the phone into an outlet.) This occurs on Hot Days. My fix has been to put the phone over an ice pack with the battery cover off, maintain a cool air buffer, thus keeping the unit cool. Voila! I’ve been able to keep a connection for up to 6 month spans without a network disconnect.
My mogul is my home network, on the go my Pro becomes my mobile network. The pro is much more battery efficient and I can run a wifi network for up to 6 hours without plugging into an outlet (on a full battery.) BTW if you get an iTouch you can then use Sprint’s awesome fast network and show up your friends with faster safari page loads. (If you’re that type.) You can also get skype and run it off your network and turn your iTouch into it’s own phone device… again showing off your so cool friends.. I make business calls to Italy from US w/ iTouch and Skype networked off my Pro or Mogul. Fun stuff.
I recall having to set the phone to connect to Sprint, but no other crazy tweaks. Program costs a little mulla, BUT WELLL WORTH IT IN SAVINGS! Beats dsl & cable internet plans at $50-60/month!
Hope it helps!
(Don’t work for them, just using since it was an initial beta concept… loved it since.)
Cheers!
Hi,
I’m pulling my hair out over here (and I just got it cut down to nothing just about
) anyways… I’ve successfully edited the registry and have internet sharing working. But after a few minutes, it just freezes on the pc. On my phone (HTC TOUCH), it still says connected but somehow on the pc it just stops, and I can’t browse or do anything. BTW, if anyone need WMWIFIROUTER I have a working version..
Update…
Just in case anyone runs into the same problem I had. (Internet Sharing disconnects within minutes on windows mobile (2 – 30).. If you can actually get on the internet, and then it disconnects, the problem is more likely to be your pc. I put this here, because I had read some posts where people had the same problem, but no one really came up with a good solution. So after frantically searching google and reading about a zillion forums to find the answer, I realized that my task bar would freeze whenever I got disconnected. So I ran a search on task bar freezing (and boy did that come up with a lot of different scenarios).. So thinking it might have something to do with the task bar, I went into Network places on the PC, and selected the Local Area Connection that was my phone, went to properties, and un-selected “show icon in notification area when connected”, and voila! that worked. I was on for about 2 hours.. then it crapped out again. So I saved all of my work, and did a fresh install of XP (I chose the option to not Format – just to re-install the existing XP files)… Once that was complete, I no longer have the disconnect problem. You may not have to re-install XP like I did, but it sure beats trying out different scenarios to see which one is the culprit. But you could check spyware, viruses, etc.. Sometimes your antivirus program or spyware program may see a needed system file as a threat, and that could be it. Like I said, could be a number of things, but the problem lies within your pc.
Hope this helps someone,
Dave
Just got phone repaired from sprint. Internet sharing was working after registry edit. When i got phone back from sprint, file in registry was gone and when i open up internet sharing the drop down menu to select network is not there. Did Hard reset to see if registry rebuilds itself but nothing. Help!! no free internet.
Jo Nathan – you just need to apply the registry edit again. They either hard reset your phone or gave you a refurbished one.
when i go into the registry the reg line is not there its already deleted. before when i use to hard reset the file would automatically rebuild itseld now it doesn’t. And i actually took 2 phones and they both have the same issue now.
Thanks for the reg edit. I love my Touch Pro now. FYI for linux users I am running Ubuntu Juanty Jackalope and simply plug it in and it will detect and setup the network for you. Piece of cake.
If you are running pre Juanty Jackalope or another distro where it simply doesn’t work try this. Has instructions for installing the “driver” if you want to call it that.
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=522600&page=3
I have the HTC Touch (Sprint PPC6900) and this fix worked like a charm! I used to be able to do phone as modem using the Sprint connection manager with my PPC6700 but they blocked the “easy” workaround on the 6800 and 6900 so they could suck more blood and money out of their loyal customers.
Thanks for the help!
I need help with the internet sharing download. It tries to download and then shows an error. It says something is missing. Then I tried going to the fix link, but it opens up a safari window that is just blank. please help.
I am having the same problem as Christy, Error “there is a problem with the windows installer package. a program required for this install to complete could not be run”.
I have installed the http://www.isyougeekedup.com/files/Internet_Sharing_Fix.cab On my HTC Touch Pro, from my HTC T P but it dosent help either what is it I am doing wrong?
Now I fixed the access to install but when it tries to install it loads on the PC but not on the Touch Pro. under the second box “ADD OR REMOVE PROGRAMS” it says there are no device compatable programs available and that it is not designed for my mobile device. when I click ok Reg Editor say it is succefully installed. click “close” to exit. its not in programs on the T Pro. its is in the program files of the PC when I click on the setup icon there it gives me the same reg edit install screen that its not designed for a pocket PC. WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG.????????
you rock man. Just to let everyone know, this tutorial and especially the cab file WILL WORK in order to unlock internet connection sharing on the HTC SNAP. You will first have to unlock the registry of the phone and look for tutorials online for how to do that.
Yay!!!!
Ok it was working for about a week now, but out of nowhere it stoped. Now all i get is Error 67 (incorrect username or something).
Is anyone confirm that the sero plan will not be charged extra for this kind of tethering?
B.t.w., it works on my touch pro without the fix patch.
David – You’ll be fine as long as you don’t go over 5GB a month. It turns out that nearly all the Sprint’s “unlimited” data plans are capped at 5GB a month, except for the high level data card plans as I recall.
I think the people getting caught were the ones using their phone as their main internet connection and all their surfing and downloading can easily surpass the 5GB/month limit. But for casual use, you don’t have to worry. You can check your Sprint account online to view your data usage.
I will just use the PDAnet thing. it works ok!
Please let me know if there are any problems with the pdanet software.
Thanks, Eric, 5G should be enough for me and my family for casual surfacing.
Hey does anyone know if this will work for the new Sprint HTC Touch Pro 2??? I must know before I buy it!!
Yeah so I got the Sprint HTC Touch Pro2 and this works! But I had to follow the directions all the way to number 67 so be patient!
Hi there,
Does anyone know how to make HTC TOUCH PRO 2 WIth sprint to work with internet sharing. I tried to connected couple times but kept on getting an error message with code 67 and invalid user id and password. Thanks
I got my Touch Pro to connect to the internet on my computer from reading the above, THANKS Eric. My problem is that everytime I exit Internet Sharing, the regisrty returns back to the original. It seems I have to edit it everytime I exit Internet Sharing. Is this normal or am I diing something wrong or not doing???