Spudstah
asked on
Surface Pro 3 Wifi Hotspot
I am attempting to setup my Microsoft Surface Pro 3 (Win 8.1) as a WIFI hotspot in order to wirelessly transfer
files from my smartphone.
Going to the Windows store I obtained Easy Wifi Hotspot Creator which generated the following batch file:
netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=portal key=letmein
netsh wlan start hostednetwork
netsh wlan show hostednetwork
Running the above bat file in administrator mode the SP3 responds;
==========================
Microsoft Windows [Version 6.3.9600]
(c) 2013 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
C:\windows\system32>d:\myh
C:\windows\system32>netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode:allow ssid:portal key:letmein
The hosted network mode has been set to allow.
The SSID of the hosted network has been successfully changed.
The user key passphrase of the hosted network has been successfully changed.
C:\windows\system32>netsh wlan start hostednetwork
The hosted network couldn't be started.
A device attached to the system is not functioning.
C:\windows\system32>netsh wlan show hostednetwork
Hosted network settings
--------------------------
Mode : Allowed
SSID name : "SP3"
Max number of clients : 31
Authentication : WPA2-Personal
Cipher : CCMP
Hosted network status
--------------------------
Status : Not started
C:\windows\system32>
==========================
Note: The Surface Pro 3's Wifi hardware is functioning properly since I normally have it
attached to my house LAN via Wifi. After running the bat file my smartphone does not
see a Wifi connection with the ssid "portal".
note 2: The passphrase I used was secure -- not the one I posted here.
Thanks
files from my smartphone.
Going to the Windows store I obtained Easy Wifi Hotspot Creator which generated the following batch file:
netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=portal key=letmein
netsh wlan start hostednetwork
netsh wlan show hostednetwork
Running the above bat file in administrator mode the SP3 responds;
==========================
Microsoft Windows [Version 6.3.9600]
(c) 2013 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
C:\windows\system32>d:\myh
C:\windows\system32>netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode:allow ssid:portal key:letmein
The hosted network mode has been set to allow.
The SSID of the hosted network has been successfully changed.
The user key passphrase of the hosted network has been successfully changed.
C:\windows\system32>netsh wlan start hostednetwork
The hosted network couldn't be started.
A device attached to the system is not functioning.
C:\windows\system32>netsh wlan show hostednetwork
Hosted network settings
--------------------------
Mode : Allowed
SSID name : "SP3"
Max number of clients : 31
Authentication : WPA2-Personal
Cipher : CCMP
Hosted network status
--------------------------
Status : Not started
C:\windows\system32>
==========================
Note: The Surface Pro 3's Wifi hardware is functioning properly since I normally have it
attached to my house LAN via Wifi. After running the bat file my smartphone does not
see a Wifi connection with the ssid "portal".
note 2: The passphrase I used was secure -- not the one I posted here.
Thanks
You have a conceptual problem. The wireless radio in virtually every PC can only be used for one thing at a time and can only connect to or be one SSID (it is, after all, one radio, not two!) The purpose of HotSpot software is to let you use the WiFi to share access to your cellular carrier so, for example, the WiFi in the PC/Tablet/Phone allows other devices to connect to it and use the T-Mobil/Verizon/AT&T (etc.) for internet access. Unless you have cellular access on the "HotSpot" device and it is connected, it plain won't work.
Connect smartphone to Surface Pro 3 with a usb cable.
ASKER
First of all, thanks to everyone who responded.
Lherrou,
What I did not mention is that I tried several hotspot options from Cnet Download services and they all failed.
However I will try your mentioned program.
DavisMcCarn,
I fully understand the concepts you mention. I went into settings and 'disconnected' the SP3 from it's normal router which left the SP3s Wifi not connected. This should have left the radio open for other use. I also understand your concept of the SP3 serving as a bridge. However, in the descriptions of hotspot programs it read where intra pc connectivity was also enabled. For example...I can have 2 of my PCs, both tapping a Wifi router, access each others files.
While I have constrained my thoughts with the concepts you refer too, it seems that the SP3 and Logitech do not. I have TWO devices (the SP3s pen and a Logitech mouse) both concurrently attached via bluetooth which I'm sure you know is also a radio. The mouse even has a 2 channel switch. In the SP3s Wifi setup area there is also an option for "multiple connections." But I have not explored this.
ktaczala,
Can you instruct me as to how I Wirelessly transfer files over a usb cable?
Lherrou,
What I did not mention is that I tried several hotspot options from Cnet Download services and they all failed.
However I will try your mentioned program.
DavisMcCarn,
I fully understand the concepts you mention. I went into settings and 'disconnected' the SP3 from it's normal router which left the SP3s Wifi not connected. This should have left the radio open for other use. I also understand your concept of the SP3 serving as a bridge. However, in the descriptions of hotspot programs it read where intra pc connectivity was also enabled. For example...I can have 2 of my PCs, both tapping a Wifi router, access each others files.
While I have constrained my thoughts with the concepts you refer too, it seems that the SP3 and Logitech do not. I have TWO devices (the SP3s pen and a Logitech mouse) both concurrently attached via bluetooth which I'm sure you know is also a radio. The mouse even has a 2 channel switch. In the SP3s Wifi setup area there is also an option for "multiple connections." But I have not explored this.
ktaczala,
Can you instruct me as to how I Wirelessly transfer files over a usb cable?
I missed that part of your goal, "in order to wirelessly transfer files from my smartphone"
Don't both of the devices have Bluetooth? If they do, use it for the connection. Bluetooth, BTW, is designed to connect to multiple devices while WiFi is not.
To be thorough; though, what files the smartphone will allow you to send to the SP is up to the phone's firmware and may not be possible. As example, most phones will let you access pictures stored on a media card; but, not any that are in its internal memory.
Don't both of the devices have Bluetooth? If they do, use it for the connection. Bluetooth, BTW, is designed to connect to multiple devices while WiFi is not.
To be thorough; though, what files the smartphone will allow you to send to the SP is up to the phone's firmware and may not be possible. As example, most phones will let you access pictures stored on a media card; but, not any that are in its internal memory.
ASKER
lherrou,
Following your advice I went ahead and purchased Connectify. So $27 poorer I went to install it and found Connectify already in my download directory. I forgot that I had tried the trial version prior to my first posting here. When I fired up the paid version it also came back with "Could not start Microsoft Hosted Network".
Following your advice I went ahead and purchased Connectify. So $27 poorer I went to install it and found Connectify already in my download directory. I forgot that I had tried the trial version prior to my first posting here. When I fired up the paid version it also came back with "Could not start Microsoft Hosted Network".
Spudstah,
None of the hotspot software packages are going to do you any good, whatsoever As I said earlier, if you have cellular access on the SP, they will let you share the internet connection; but, AFAIK, none of them will let you transfer files or even access the other devices. Part of what they do, in fact, is to protect the host PC from the connected things.
Bluetooth or direct USB connections are your best hope; but, you will still be limited to what the phone allows which may not include what you want. What is the make and model of the phone?
None of the hotspot software packages are going to do you any good, whatsoever As I said earlier, if you have cellular access on the SP, they will let you share the internet connection; but, AFAIK, none of them will let you transfer files or even access the other devices. Part of what they do, in fact, is to protect the host PC from the connected things.
Bluetooth or direct USB connections are your best hope; but, you will still be limited to what the phone allows which may not include what you want. What is the make and model of the phone?
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ASKER
my problem is not resolved. the solution is dependant on Microsoft deciding to do something about it.
If the hardware seems to be working, rather than spending time debugging the above, how about trying Connectify (http://www.connectify.me/) or another software option?
Cheers,
LHerrou