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No wifi available at hotel - can I use Overdrive as wifi hotspot?

S

sandydlc

macrumors regular
Original poster
Apr 10, 2010
152
0
So, I'm in Mexico and our hotel only has ethernet connection, no wifi except in public areas!! Luckily my husband decided at the last minute to bring his MacBook Pro so we have access to the internet (or I would be going insane).

He also brought his Sprint Overdrive. Understandably we have turned off the international roaming so that we don't return home to a $10,000 bill. It occurred to us that we might be able to somehow use the Overdrive to bridge the ethernet connection to be able to broadcast wifi to our iPads.

Does anyone know if this is a possibility? I'm fairly good with networking but either I have vacation brain or what I'm trying to do is not possible.

To be clear - the computer that has internet connectivity is the MBP through ethernet. We can connect the Sprint Overdrive via USB and our goal is to use it to provide wifi to our iPads.

Thanks for any assistance!!!

Sandy

PS - also a good suggestion for those trying to travel only with an iPad. It's not a bad idea to bring at least a netbook when traveling outside the US.
 
I can't speak to the Overdrive, but why not turn on internet sharing on your hubby's MacBook Pro? If he's connected to the internet through ethernet, you can share that connection so that you can use your iPad through the MPB's wifi.

System Preferences -> Sharing -> Internet Sharing
 
GeekLawyer said:
I can't speak to the Overdrive, but why not turn on internet sharing on your hubby's MacBook Pro? If he's connected to the internet through ethernet, you can share that connection so that you can use your iPad through the MPB's wifi.

System Preferences -> Sharing -> Internet Sharing
Click to expand...

But that's so simple!! <ugh> I'll give it a try. Thank you!!
 
I have also been having issues with hotel wifi

I was recently on a trip from Evian-les-Bains to Cannes via 20 mountain passes, (the Coupe des Alpes Rally for classic rally cars). In all four of the hotels I stayed in, I was unable to access the wifi. The network showed up as non-secured but clicking on it lead to a page, I assume in Safari - the wifi active icon appeared at the top of the screen. On that page you had to put in a user name (identifiant) and password (mot de passe), which you got from the hotel receptionist, sometimes free for residents, sometimes at extra cost. When I entered those items and pressed on the connect button, nothing happened. When you go back to system preferences, the wifi icon disappears from the screen top. Now I am not sure if this sort of system really requires multi-tasking, as system preferences has to run in the back ground of Safari to get the network to sign on. Sandy - sorry not an answer to your question but another hotel related issue.

Wilson
 
GeekLawyer you're a genius!! I'm also clearly trying too hard to use all of my toys!!

It's funny because we really haven't ever needed to share an internet connection before (as strange as that seems). I did set up a WEP password but it seems to be working like a charm.

Whew!! My iPad withdrawal is official over!!

Thank you!!!

Sandy :D

ps I think I am officially addicted to the internets...
 
Sandy, you are MOST welcome. I'm glad it worked out for you.

I've been known to use this method to share a wired connection in a hotel without wi-fi. I also have a 3G Verizon dongle. In hotels with weak wi-fi (and no ethernet) I've also used to same method to share my 3G internet with my iPad.

I, too, am addicted to all the good stuffs on teh internets.
 
Did it work?

Sandy have you been successful in getting a WiFi signal for your iPad? Re: the above idea regarding sharing an Internet connection?
I don't take a chances, anymore, on connecting my iPad to a WiFi network. As the previous poster said, even if there is a free WiFi connection offered you, you won't necessarily be able to connect. Standards people!
So to prevent my becoming a mindless, stupefied and p..sded off vacationer, I travel with an Airport Express base station and an Ethernet cable. The hotel Ethernet sock is plugged in to my Ethernet cable and goes to the Airport Express, then I set up my own WiFi network, with a secure password. A Airport Express is a lot smaller than a netbook for sure.
What do you think of my idea?
What resort are you at, I always loved Mexico, I could get blind, and didn't have to meet clients in the am. I stopped going to Mexico when I decided to quit being a drunk. Bad for client relationships!
 
joegomolski said:
Sandy have you been successful in getting a WiFi signal for your iPad? Re: the above idea regarding sharing an Internet connection?
I don't take a chances, anymore, on connecting my iPad to a WiFi network. As the previous poster said, even if there is a free WiFi connection offered you, you won't necessarily be able to connect. Standards people!
So to prevent my becoming a mindless, stupefied and p..sded off vacationer, I travel with an Airport Express base station and an Ethernet cable. The hotel Ethernet sock is plugged in to my Ethernet cable and goes to the Airport Express, then I set up my own WiFi network, with a secure password. A Airport Express is a lot smaller than a netbook for sure.
What do you think of my idea?
What resort are you at, I always loved Mexico, I could get blind, and didn't have to meet clients in the am. I stopped going to Mexico when I decided to quit being a drunk. Bad for client relationships!
Click to expand...

Yes I've been successful at sharing the macbook's connection. It worked perfectly and I did remember to secure the connection.

If it wasn't for my company (I'm one of the owners) I would love to unplug for a week, but alas, I have to be responsible and at least check my email a couple of times per day.

Also, when you're on vacation, especially in Mexico, it's vital to be able to check reviews, prices, etc on various vacation excursions so you don't get screwed. We're staying in Puerto Aventuras which is about 30 miles South of Cancun. It's a very small little resort town but neat because we have a dolphin discovery place at our resort and we can see dolphins anytime we want.

Having wifi in our room has been so much easier than trying to share one computer between four of us!!

So, while the iPad has been so incredibly great for travel, it's important to remember that wifi is not always available. I think we really take it for granted, especially when traveling primarily in the US. Another tip is to remember to bring an ethernet cable in case you do decide to bring a computer with you. Some hotels have internet but will charge you extra for the cable. Silly really.

It's funny because last night I told my husband that my buddies on MacRumors would know the answer and I was right!! :)

Sandy
 
wilsonlaidlaw said:
I was recently on a trip from Evian-les-Bains to Cannes via 20 mountain passes, (the Coupe des Alpes Rally for classic rally cars). In all four of the hotels I stayed in, I was unable to access the wifi. The network showed up as non-secured but clicking on it lead to a page, I assume in Safari - the wifi active icon appeared at the top of the screen. On that page you had to put in a user name (identifiant) and password (mot de passe), which you got from the hotel receptionist, sometimes free for residents, sometimes at extra cost. When I entered those items and pressed on the connect button, nothing happened. When you go back to system preferences, the wifi icon disappears from the screen top. Now I am not sure if this sort of system really requires multi-tasking, as system preferences has to run in the back ground of Safari to get the network to sign on. Sandy - sorry not an answer to your question but another hotel related issue.

Wilson
Click to expand...

I encountered this problem at several law firms I've visited over the last month. Each of the firms had a guest access system that generates a user name/password that come up on a web page when you try to connect to their wifi network. Putting in the username/password combo results in -- nothing. The page just sits there. I have tried disabling pop ups in safari, but that didn't help. One law firm used a system provided by a service provider called VisitorXS, fwiw. Any thoughts would be appreciated. I couldn't find an IT person to tell me how to fix this problem; in fact, the IT person I did speak with couldn't connect over his own iPhone (which makes sense, since it's basically the same OS). Any thoughts are appreciated.
 
GeekLawyer said:
I can't speak to the Overdrive, but why not turn on internet sharing on your hubby's MacBook Pro? If he's connected to the internet through ethernet, you can share that connection so that you can use your iPad through the MPB's wifi.

System Preferences -> Sharing -> Internet Sharing
Click to expand...

Agreed. I don't own a Mac computer but I do that on my PC. Tip: Set up a password on the wifi as well so other don't access it.
 
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