Tethering Sprint Curve 8330 using Bluetooth on Ubuntu and Xubuntu

I succeed getting my Curve tethered to Bluetooth in Xubuntu!! (I am currently on Bluetooth Modem now)

It took me few days of figuring out (just few hours a day) trying to get Mobile Broadband working with Bluetooth.

Since I installed Xubuntu 9.04 Jaunty Jackrabbit in my old Dell Latitude CSX-H 500mhz last month (was a beta version) and Network Manager already have Mobile Broadband setup and have Sprint on Mobile listings. It already pre-configured dial up "#777". I tried to tether it with USB and it won't work at all. Something was missing that would have gotten connected to Curve. I tried method using Xmberry, Berry4All, and Blackberry-Modem (from PuppyLinux). I managed to get Berry4All working but it slowed down performance on laptop plus I don't like Terminal scrolling junks constantly while connected. It didn't stay connected for long. It was really flaky program.

Puppy Linux did have excellent Blackberry-Modem software that I download and installed with ease while on live CD. But I didn't like thing or two on Puppy even using newest version 4.2. It's just the terminal commands I couldn't get some apps and game installed. It must be .pet or convert to .pet executable file. Several complications I had on Puppy even though it is useful for limited applications and browsing network.

I prefer Xubuntu or Ubuntu which I am good at. I can easily add apps into 'Buntu' through Terminal or Synapic Package Manager.

Now for the Bluetooth part. I had been struggling to get it working and I was about to give up and planned to buy different USB bluetooth dongle brand that might work better than my IVT Bluesoleil USB 2.0 Bluetooth dongle such as Cirago Micro USB 2.0 Bluetooth dongle that is 100% Linux compatible. Also Bluesoleil did have bluetooth software for Ubuntu that would work well but the problem is that it require serial to be purchased for $24.

'Buntu' Jaunty Jackrabbit 9.04 now have built-in bluetooth program called Bluez-Gnome manager which you can plug in USB Bluetooth dongle and it'll autodetect and ready to use. Pairing Mobile phone to Bluetooth is not a problem. I had no problem getting Curve pairing with Key provided by Bluez setup. My Curve only connected as "A/V Remote Control" with green checkmarked. My biggest problem is Network Manager!! It did have Mobile Broadband and have Sprint listed. I already selected Sprint provider and tried to connect it from Bluetooth tethering. It's not "talking" and I kept messing with settings. None avail to get it working!! I was way over my head and decided to try out methods that I found through Google searching. Here's one example:

Sprint Curve as Bluetooth Modem in Ubuntu 8.04 - BlackBerry Forums at CrackBerry.com

This tutional is excellent and realizing that Rfcomm is the one I need to set up. But you can try setting up all from his advice then do it in my way by downloading Blueman and it'll delete Bluez-Gnome which is the only thing to delete. After installing it. You'll need to choose on Mobile Dial Up selection window that show "Connect to DUN or Do Not Connect" Choose "Do Not Connect" and also be sure the Network Manager's Mobile Broadband have Sprint as your provider then you're ready to go. be sure it's automatically connected checked marked.

Then you're good to go!

That's what I got it!!

Catty

Good for you.

I can tethering my BB via bluetooth on Mac too but require subscribe before start tethering, only for Verizon.

Catty, remember, I'm Verizon user, not Sprint.

Same here, Foxrac. The Verizon part, I mean.

Foxrac said:

Good for you.

I can tethering my BB via bluetooth on Mac too but require subscribe before start tethering, only for Verizon.

Catty, remember, I'm Verizon user, not Sprint.

Click to expand...

Yeah, Try Linux, not Mac. It's not that easy to figure out how to get Bluetooth modem running on Linux than Mac do. But afterward once you got it figured, it's easy.

It require compile and configure even type up one or two scripts to get it working perfectly.

Catty

I had some strange glitch on Blueman-Manager which popped error that CDMA and GPRS are not compatible with my device. I had to unplug and plug Bluetooth dongle and also delete device list (Blackberry 8330) on Blueman-Manager window. Then re detect BB Curve on list. I paired and test connect "dial up connection" and finally got the Network Manager connecting to Mobile network.

I might just buy newer Bluetooth dongle (Cirago Micro USB 2.0 Bluetooth for $19) and see if it resolve glitch since that my BT dongle is 2 1/2 years old.

If you are doing BT tethering with your Blackberry, you might experience same problem.

I will keep you updated of my finding.

Catty

purplecatty said:

Yeah, Try Linux, not Mac. It's not that easy to figure out how to get Bluetooth modem running on Linux than Mac do. But afterward once you got it figured, it's easy.

It require compile and configure even type up one or two scripts to get it working perfectly.

Catty

Click to expand...

Linux isn't easier for anything, if you want OS that is easier to use then use Windows or Mac.

I had tried Linux then forgot it, I prefer Mac or Windows.

Snazzy, have you tried tethering your BB? I have tethered my BB on Windows via USB and it worked so good, USB does save battery and take full advantage of speed over bluetooth.

For Mac, there's not much option for USB but bluetooth is easier to use.

Foxrac said:

Linux isn't easier for anything, if you want OS that is easier to use then use Windows or Mac.

I had tried Linux then forgot it, I prefer Mac or Windows.

Snazzy, have you tried tethering your BB? I have tethered my BB on Windows via USB and it worked so good, USB does save battery and take full advantage of speed over bluetooth.

For Mac, there's not much option for USB but bluetooth is easier to use.

Click to expand...

The reason why I use Linux on laptop cuz it's old and slow. It had broken hard drive so I use SD to 44 pin IDE adapter and it is slow write but fast read (I use Turbo 150X SDHC Class 6 8GB card). . Installing XP would make it too slow for it. Linux was the option to use cuz it runs better. If I had chance to have faster laptop. I would probably use XP or Windows 7.

Catty

I tested Ubuntu Jaunty 9.04 on Desktop pc (AMD 64 system w/ new GeForce 9400GT). It ran slicky smooth on new Jaunty Jackrabbit and I tested Blueman-manager. Its function is bit different and more stable than my Xubuntu's Blueman. It's the same Blueman version I installed on both 'buntu' but noticeably different.

When I ran Blueman-manager and detected my Curve's bluetooth and it ask for passkey. I typed passkey then it popped another window asking me which I choose "Connect to DUN or Connect to CDMA". I went !!! Huh!! So I went ahead and chose "CDMA". It connects and the Network Manager just spin three blue dots then connected with "Tower" icon. That was pretty fast.

So apparently Xubuntu didn't have what I see on Ubuntu.

Catty

Now my Bluetooth tethering had degraded and it refused to connect to network. It seem at first when Xubuntu works great and connects quickly. After subsequently use, it degrades. I couldn't figure out what's wrong.

I did try tethering again on Ubuntu. It refuse to cooperate with me. I was thinking that USB bluetooth dongle is the culprit. I did see the dongle's LED stayed on and won't blink. I unplug and plug back in and it blinks but until I paired my bb to bluetooth and it got screwed when I tried to run dialup. It did 'connect-- success' then bam my BB Curve rebooted itself. After bb rebooted, I tried paired it and it failed to pair. I unplug and plug Bluetooth and LED flashes as usual and when I pair it again, it got paired but dropped out. Then bluetooth led stay lit. It seem that Bluetooth dongle is really crappy.

So I decide to order a new USB Bluetooth dongle (Cirago Micro USB 2.0 Bluetooth that is tiny enuf to plug into USB and forget it) and see if the problem solves.

I'll let u know how it goes when I got new one.

Catty

I decide to switch back to USB tethering for a little while till I get the new USB Bluetooth dongle. I decide to switch back to Berry4all downloaded from Thabit Colar's website. It seem running smooth and didn't slow down the performance of Xubuntu this time.

I would rather having it tether with Bluetooth so I wouldn't bother digging for USB cable to hook up.


I was really BOOORRREEDD at work!! Nothing to work on, nothing!!!!! Last night I was in breakroom for 8 full hours and now tonight same thing again. I still get paid regardless :scratch: . That's why I brought over my laptop to murder time and can't wait to get out at the end of the night. :fruit:

My new Cirago Micro Bluetooth USB 2.0 dongle just arrived today. It was rather cute and tiny. It's as long as my pinkie finger nail and wide as usual metal part of USB jack.

Happily I plugged new bluetooth dongle and got my bb curve paired.. The tiny blue light flashes every 2 seconds until it's connected then it'll stay on but "wink" same time. Neato. I am hoping it'll be a solid one!!!

But my bb curve crashed twice when trying to connect to Broadband Network. Then 3rd time was a charm! I can't believe it was sooo faaast getting around the net. I have not had speedtest but seem fast enough to get around the net.. I'm giving it a test to see how the next connection will stay strong or degrades after several uses.

It apparently my old IVT Bluesoleil USB BLuetooth dongle seem to be a blame for malfunctioning.

Cross finger!!

Catty

Wow!! New BT dongle is pretty faithful and sturdy!! I log off and log on the Mobile Broadband often without any glitch or hitch!!! Works smooth!! Surfing net pretty fast! I check the broadband speed with Speakeasy speedtest. It show 325kpbs download/ 90kpbs upload.

Now it's so much better!!

Catty