Connecting to an Ad Hoc Network in Windows 8.1

[fcooper]

We tether a cell phone to get internet access while traveling. The cell phone is running Open Garden and generating an ad hoc network. This has worked great with earlier windows versions. With a new windows 8.1 machine, the list of available networks does not display ad hoc networks.

I've found a tedious work around involving running commands in command shell, but I'm looking for some way to restore the ability of Windows 8.1 to display and allow connection to ad hoc networks.

Does anyone here have a good solution?

Fred

[wa8yxm]

I tried Fox-Fi but Well, they were bought up by another wifi host product (Forget its name) and the result was not nice.

Of course I'm a T-Mobile subscriber, They do not seem to be charging me for teathering using their Hot-Spot app.

What is the differnce between a normal "router" based network and an Ad-Hock and.. This may also address your problem

An Ad-hock the computer set to Ad-hock is supposed to be using the router frequencies (It looks like a router) .. A device that shows up as "Ad-Hock" in your prospective host list is using CLIENT protocol. so your computer has to "Flip"

I have not attempted this but if you have or can borrow a Wi-Fi router for a bit, Plug it in (no WAN connection) and see if you can connect the phone to it, then connect the computer to it, Using a LAN cable to the computer first time set it up to act as a simple access point, not a router.. Might work.

[fcooper]

Thanks to all of you. I have a solution that I can live with. I've been looking for a solution (in the wrong direction) for about a week and this forum solves my problem in less than 12 hours. :B

Cerevisaphile first suggested Foxfi and then MrWizard made the same suggestion. That convinced me to check it out. I just downloaded the free version and tested it. It works great. I'll just pay the unlock fee when the free time's up and I'm all set.

Fred

[Cerevisaphile]

I paid less than $6 to unlock the full feature in foxfi... Its well worth it...

[fcooper]

MrWizard wrote:
i have a windows 8 laptop and i use foxFi
start foxFi , connect laptop

I pay NO extra hotspot fees to verizon

IF open garden doesn't work, why not try a different app

OR does it have something to do with YOUR cellular carrier ?

Thanks. This has some possibilities.

I was provided with Open Garden installed by my cellular reseller store who set up the Samsung Fascinate. Once they had it working, they asked that I not update the version or install other software. I'll revisit this with them.

I just researched foxfi and it appears to provide an infrastructure hotspot (which would be great as it would allow dw's tablet to connect also). I also verified that Foxfi will work on my Samsung Fascinate.

Foxfi appears to have a limited time free usage with a charge to unlock but I could not find the unlock charge. Do you know the unlock charge?

Fred

[GaPete]

MrWizard wrote:
i have a windows 8 laptop and i use foxFi
start foxFi , connect laptop

I pay NO extra hotspot fees to verizon

IF open garden doesn't work, why not try a different app

OR does it have something to do with YOUR cellular carrier ?

Foxfi doesn't support all phones. Be sure to check.

[MrWizard]

i have a windows 8 laptop and i use foxFi
start foxFi , connect laptop

I pay NO extra hotspot fees to verizon

IF open garden doesn't work, why not try a different app

OR does it have something to do with YOUR cellular carrier ?

[fcooper]

Thanks for the suggestions (and please keep them coming).

Unfortunately, it's not what I'm looking for. I'm trying to get new computers (running Windows 8.1) to work with an existing ad hoc network.

I'll look into the 3rd party hardware/software possibility if I can't get this working with what I've got. Thanks for the suggestion.

The loss of connectivity to ad hoc networks is apparently something that Microsoft intended to happen. The user community has been complaining to Microsoft for at least 2 months about this lost feature with no help and no results that I can find from Microsoft.

The link to www.redmondpie.com provides info on how to establish an ad hoc network, which is not what I need to do. Thanks again for trying to help.

For anyone else that encounters this problem, the link below has the only solution that I've found so far.

how to connect windows 8.1 to an ad hoc network

I'm still hopeful that there's a much better solution out there somewhere.

Thanks again for the suggestions.

Fred

[wa8yxm]

I may be mistaken Cervis.. But I think his phone shows up as an Ad-Hock and he wants to connect to it.. What you show, however, may be of use to me some day. Thanks.

[Cerevisaphile]

I use FoxFi to create a hotspot on my travels... its cheap and works great.

however I found this url that might help you

http://www.redmondpie.com/how-to-set-up-wireless-ad-hoc-internet-connection-in-windows-8/

[wa8yxm]

Two of them.. First Let me check on something.....

Well the handbook (An app you can download) did not help.. NOTE you can not download apps via the cell phone.

Second, Try a 3rd party Wi-Fi adapter.. one that plugs into the USB. Many of them have their own driver and software.. Find out from the seller or the manufacturer if it will do what you need first.

And lastly.. you can call Microsoft or E-mail them or E-mail windows8handbook at outlook dot com

Perhaps he can help you. (Assumes I got the address right too).