Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions - WalkingHotSpot

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WalkingHotSpot HOST DEVICE AND FUNCTIONALITY

What is WalkingHotSpot?

A patent-pending solution that transforms your Wi-Fi enabled Windows Mobile or S60 smartphone into a mobile or "walking" hotspot. Now you have a real hotspot anywhere you can make a phone call!

What do I need to run WalkingHotSpot?

A Wi-Fi enabled smartphone that runs Windows Mobile version 6 or Symbian S60 and a data plan (preferably unlimited) from your carrier.

Is the Beta trial over?

YES! The Beta version ended October 15th, 2008 since WalkingHotSpot is now commercially available! If you were a Beta user please uninstall the Beta version and visit www.walkinghotspot.com to register and try, buy the new and improved WalkingHotSpot! There is a free (7) day trial available.

Can I try WalkingHotSpot before I buy it?

Yes! We offer a free seven (7) day trial. This can ensure that the application runs properly on your phone and lets you see firsthand the benefits of always having your hotspot with you!

How do I get WalkingHotSpot on my phone?

It is very simple. Go to www.walkinghotspot.com and click on the "GET STARTED" button at the bottom of the page. After the short registration process you can choose to have a SMS link sent to your phone or simply open your phone's browser and enter the short URL that is based on the operating system:

Symbian S60: www.walkinghotspot.com/s60
Windows Mobile: www.walkinghotspot.com/wm

The file will automatically install on supported phones.

I have installed WalkingHotSpot Trial version on my phone and started it but I can't seem to connect, why?

You need to open a browser on the connecting client (i.e. laptop) and click the "CONTINUE" button on the landing page. After that you are free to surf the internet!

Why can't I install the WalkingHotSpot on my phone?

WalkingHotSpot currently runs on Symbian S60 (3rd edition or higher) or Windows Mobile version 6 phones with Wi-Fi capability.

If I have a problem where do I find help?

You can visit www.walkinghotspot.com/support.php to get the latest quick start and comprehensive user guides, search our knowledge base system, contact us via email, or by phone.

I have installed the application and everything looks right, but I still can't use the application. What is the problem?

Check your service agreement with your carrier to ensure you have a data plan.

Why can't I connect more than one client to my WalkingHotSpot?

You probably have the older beta version. If you have not downloaded a new version since September 8th, 2008, you should go to www.walkinghotspot.com and download the latest version with full functionality!

Why can't I see how much data has passed thru or how long my WalkingHotSpot has been running?

Make sure you are running version 2.00.00 or later and have the "detailed view" setting enabled from the Options menu.

Do LEDs represent certain connected clients?

Each LED represents a WLAN network address. Returning clients generally receive the same address and LED they had earlier. As new clients arrive they fill up the LEDs from left to right.

Why does the LED stay green even after my client is not connected anymore?

A green LED means that the client was issued a network address to use for a set period of time which is called the lease time. If the client disconnects without telling the WalkingHotSpot that it is disconnecting, the LED will remain green for the duration of the lease time. When I connected a single client, the second LED turned green while the first remained black. Why? During a previously session your client connected on that IP address and simulated LED. The WalkingHotSpot will try to issue the same IP address and LED for all subsequent sessions.

Why do I get User not authenticated when I try to start hotspot?

Either you do not have a valid WalkingHotSpot account or the device is unable to communicate to the server for some reason. Wait a minute and try again. If you continue to get this message and have a valid account, please contact us on our support line.

When I try to start hotspot I get a note saying my battery is too low. Is there a way to start it?

There are two options:

Plug your phone into a charger as this will allow WalkingHotSpot to start
Change the Stop When Low Battery setting to OFF in the Power Management Menu. The warnings will still be issued but you will be able to run WalkingHotSpot but with this configuration it can completely drain the battery.

SYMBIAN SPECIFIC

Which devices do you support?

All Symbian S60 3rd edition phones with Wi-Fi should work.

How much memory is needed to execute WalkingHotSpot on the device? What is the file size?

WalkingHotSpot runs on standard phone configurations and is less than 200KB in size.

WM SPECIFIC

Does it support WM 6 standard version or classic version?

Both Windows Mobile 6 Professional and Windows Mobile 6 Standard are supported.

How much memory is needed to execute WalkingHotSpot on the device? What is the file size?

WalkingHotSpot runs on standard phone configurations and is about 530KB in size.

Which devices do you support?

Several devices have been tested but it should run on most Windows Mobile 6 phones that have Wi-Fi. However, it will not run on phones that do not support internet connection sharing.

I am using a Windows Mobile phone and my access point keeps shutting down. What could be the problem?

Deactivate the power save features on your phone while running WalkingHotSpot™.

Go to the phone's Start menu. Choose Settings
Click the System tab
Click Power
Click Advanced tab
Uncheck the boxes Turn off device if not used for both Battery and External Power
Make sure When device is turned on do not charge the battery when connected to the PC is unchecked
Click Ok

Why can't I use my Verizon phone?

Verizon phones lack the internet connection sharing DLL's needed to run WalkingHotSpot.

I am using Sprint Mogul. For some reason, the hotspot won't start?

Check your Wi-Fi™ adapter, it may be OFF.

WalkingHotSpot AND DATA SECURITY

Why can't I use WPA security?

Ad-Hoc WLAN networks are by definition "open". WalkingHotSpot supports WEP security and MAC filtering as the WalkingHotSpot user authenticates who can join their network. Additionally WalkingHotSpot supports HTTPS, VPN, and other application level security measures to provide stronger security.

Is there any way to restrict a WalkingHotSpot client connection?

Yes, utilize the block client feature. The connecting client can either be blocked at connection time or during usage. They can be blocked for the current session or permanently.

WalkingHotSpot CLIENT DEVICES

Which client devices does WalkingHotSpot support?

We have tested heavily with most of the major laptops, UMPCs, tablets and Wi-Fi™ enabled devices with very good results.

Does WalkingHotSpot support gaming devices, like Nintendo DS, PSP, or WII?

The gaming consoles currently don't support Ad Hoc mode for connecting to the internet and in some cases they run a proprietary version that only lets like devices connect and play.

Can WalkingHotSpot multi-task (for example, SMS, make calls, browse the Internet, play games, etc.)?

Every effort has been made to make WalkingHotSpot efficient with system resources. On 3G networks that can handle it, we have made and received calls while running WalkingHotSpot. On older networks, the data connection may pause or be lost when a call is made. Browsers, media players, and other Internet applications can be used at the same time.

WI-FI™ REQUIREMENTS

Can we support infrastructure mode, if the hardware supports this?

Currently the chipset vendors, by instruction of the handset manufacturers, have pulled out some of the hardware components needed to fully support infrastructure mode as a way of saving money. In many cases the phone can run in infrastructure mode as a client but not as a server which is needed to "host" a hotspot. For this reason currently only Ad Hoc or peer-to-peer mode is supported.