Help connecting to the web, using my N97...

[igneshto]

hi! Im kinda new to all this, so I have a question...
I'm running linux mint 8...(since it's based on ubuntu, I thought thats the place...)
I wanted to ask, how can I connect my N97 to the linux... and surf the web with it? 3G and stuff?

[Rubberman]

Does the N97 have a gsm or cdma card/modem in it, or are you going to use an external USB device? Also, do you have a data account with a 3g cell network provider?

[igneshto]

Its GSM and UMTS.... Got a sim in it.... I want to connect it directly via usb cable, it's pretty easy on the windows actually, just install the nokia program.... but it doesn't exist for linux....

[Rubberman]

Ah! I understand now. You want to tether your Nokia as a USB modem to your laptop. Most USB broadband modems and cell phones that are configured for use as such will be recognized and usable without any problems by current Linux distributions such as Ubuntu. Your cellphone service will have to allow that, however, and in some cases will want you to pay an additional monthly fee as well, even if you have a so-called "unlimited" data plan already. So, which desktop UI are you using with Mint?

[igneshto]

um... I think its gnome...(Any way to check?)
And I have a 5gig plan with my provider, and I'm not planning on downloading stuff, just for normal surfing...

[Rubberman]

I run Ubuntu on my laptops w/ Gnome. First, plug the phone into one of the USB ports on your laptop. Next, if you can see the network icon on the right side of the top menu bar and right click on that, you will see two check boxes. One to enable networking, and the other to enable wireless networking. Make sure they are both checked. If you have to check them, once you do, logout and back in again (you shouldn't have to reboot). Next, left click on the network icon. You should see a radio button for the broadband networking. I forget the exact title, but it is pretty obvious. Enable that (click on the entry so that the radio-button is black instead of white). You should then see some message boxes pop up about it being enabled, connecting, etc. This should only take a few seconds. If you get a connection, then you are golden and should be able to start surfing the net. If not, then we will have to start from there.

FWIW, I recently got a Google Nexus One smart phone which I am going to tether via the USB cable to my laptop as well, though I haven't yet. Currently my wireless broadband is a Sierra Wireless USB CDMA modem that is connected to a Sprint account. When I get the Nexus One working (I have an AT&T account for that) then I will drop Sprint to save some monthly fee$.