How to tether your Moto Q as a modem *in Windows*

Previously, I figured out how to use a Motorola Q smartphone as a modem under Linux. I use Linux all the time, but for the benefit of others I got around to figuring out how to do it under Windows XP as well.

But first, a brief rant from our sponsors:

People are always insinuating/complaining that hardware doesn't work right under Linux because it doesn't have drivers for what they use. Gimme a break. Linux supports more hardware than any other OS, and it supports it better than other operating systems. Nearly all the drivers for Linux are open-source and extremely well-tested, and they're designed to work with as much different variants as possible. So if you have a Netgear wireless card and a Linksys wireless card that use the same chipset, they'll work with the same driver in Linux. Not so under Windows where you have to track down the proprietary drivers specific to each manufacturer's products. Just the other day... I dug an old crappy webcam out of my drawer o'parts. Guess what? It worked under Linux but not at all in Windows, and after an hour of searching I still couldn't find a driver because apparently the manufacturer no logner supported it. So if you want hardware support that works on all architectures and versions of your OS, switch to Linux!!!! </end rant>

Back to the matter at hand: how to set use your Moto Q for Internet access in Windows XP. You need:

• A Motorola Q phone with data plan. (I can only test with Sprint.)
• A USB cable for the Q. I can't be bothered to figure out Bluetooth tethering for Windows.
• The Motorola USB modem drivers for Windows XP. (This is the part that took so long to figure out, as I ranted above. I eventually found out that Verizon distributes the Motorola drivers. Under Linux, you just use the generic USB modem driver which works with all different brands.)

Okay, let's do this:

1. Install the drivers before you plug in the phone. (They'll end up in C:\Program Files\Common Files\Motorola.)
2. On the Moto Q, go to Start → Accessories → Modem Link.
3. Hit the right soft-button to Activate the modem link and then press OK on the warning screen that comes up.
4. Now you can plug the phone into your computer. Windows XP will hopefully locate the correct drivers and announce that it's found a USB Modem Smartphone or something like that. (Double-check that it found the drivers in Control Panel → System → Hardware → Device Manager, if you have issues.)
5. On the computer, go to Control Panel → Network Connections and choose Create a new connections. Follow the on-screen instructions, and put in the following settings:
   
   
   • Dial-up connection
   • No username or password for Sprint.(for Verizon, see here)
   • The number to dial is #777.
   • Choose 460 kbps as the connection speed (it's the highest possible for me at least).
   • If you have a "normal" modem, make sure that this connection is set to use the Moto Q as the modem device, and not the other modem.

To test the connection:

• Disable your other network connections (wifi, ethernet, etc.)
• Double-click on the new Dial-Up Connection to enable it.
• Try to surf the web, check your email, etc. Does it work? If so, great success!!!
• Feel free to bask in the smug sense of satisfaction that comes from outsmarting the phone company.

There you have it. Your wireless plan's contract probably forbids tethering, however I've not had any repercussions for using it for occasional Internet access in airports and other places when there's no WiFi network. No guarantees though. I'm not responsible if you break your phone, if Sprint sends goons to your house to beat you up, if your cat catches on fire, or even if your grandma forgets your birthday. Thank you.