Update: I apologize that a lot of you had some problems making the connection but not getting websites. I think if you click “Use SOCKS proxy for DNS lookups” under “Global Settings” in Foxyproxy it should fix your problems. I forgot to put this step in the guide, it is in there now. Hope this fixes a lot of the issues for you in the comments.
Also, a lot of people, myself included, are having problems with Firefox trying to download PHP pages rather than open them. I’ve been trying to figure this out, if anyone has information please post it in the comments. Thank you!
Update 2: At the bottom of the post you can now find instructions for Safari. Given that Proxifier costs money if you want to use Firefox, if you are looking for a free solution, use Safari when tethering and Firefox (or Safari I guess) when using regular WiFi or hardwire connection. Thanks to Paul for his input.
So after 2 hours of screwing around, here are some instructions for using Netshare on your iPhone, now available from the App store (again), and a Windows XP computer. You will need:
- WiFi on a Windows XP machine
- Netshare on your iPhone
- Mozilla Firefox
- Foxyproxy add-on
Ok, first thing is to setup Windows. Go into Network connections and right-click on your Wireless Network Connection and choose “Properties.” Click “Wireless Networks” tab and then hit “Add.”
If you are having problems finding this, check out Screenshot 1 and Screenshot 2.
For an SSID, I just used “iphone” and then left Network authentication “Open” and Data encryption “Disabled” for now. Once you get it working, go back in and change it for some security.
IMPORTANT: Make sure to check “This is a computer-to-computer (ad hoc) network; wireless access points are not used” at the bottom and hit OK.
Switch back to the “General” tab and highlight “Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)” and then select “Properties.” Select “Use the following IP address” and type in an IP address, I used “192.168.10.2″ following along with the instructions in Netshare, though any will work really, and “255.255.255.0″ for the subnet mask. You can leave the rest blank.
From here, go into Settings -> WiFi on your iPhone and connect to the ‘iphone’ network. Make sure WiFi is enabled on your computer and such. Then when it connects, hit the little blue arrow next to it to get into the WiFi connection’s properties. For IP address, change it to “Static” and type “192.168.10.1″ or something similar yet different than your computer’s. Obviously note that my computer ends with 2, and my iPhone with 1. Subnet mask again is 255.255.255.0. Leave the rest alone.
Now, lets get to Firefox and FoxyProxy. Make sure the app is installed, and then first type “about:config” in your address bar. In the search at the top, type “socks” and one of the results that comes up is “network.proxy.socks_remote_dns” and you will want to right-click this and select “Toggle.” This changes the Boolean value to TRUE and the font of this should turn bold. You can now exit out of this and head to FoxyProxy.
In FoxyProxy, add a new Proxy. Make sure “Enabled” is checked, for Proxy name just type “iPhone.” Under Proxy Details, choose “Manual Proxy Configuration” and the host name should be your iPhone’s IP, in my case 192.168.10.1 and Port 1080. Ensure you check “SOCKS proxy?” and then choose “SOCKS v5.”
At this point, hit OK. After that Proxy is added, switch to the “Global Settings” tab and check “Use SOCKS proxy for DNS lookups” under the Miscellaneous section.
Under the “Tools” menu in Firefox, go to FoxyProxy and select “Use proxy iphone for all connections.” Exit Firefox, go on your iPhone into Netshare, restart Firefox, and browse.
To switch back from your tethered connection, simply change the Foxyproxy option back to either “Use proxies based on their pre-defined patterns and priorities” or “Completely disable Foxyproxy.” I would also turn off WiFi, or connect to another network. To restart the connection, go into Foxyproxy again, use the iphone proxy, startup Netshare, and surf.
SAFARI INSTRUCTIONS: Anyway, after installing Safari, you need to set up the ability to proxy in Safari. First choose “Edit/Preferences” and choose the “Advanced” tab. There choose the “Change Settings…” button next to “Proxies”. A new window should pop up. Choose the “Connections” tab and the “LAN settings” button found there. Another window pops up. Check the box under “Proxy Server” where it says “Use a proxy server for your LAN…” DON’T fill in an IP address yet though. Instead, hit the “Advanced” button and yet another window will pop up. Fill in the IP address used for the Iphone at the intersection of “Socks” and “Proxy address to use”. DON’T fill in anything else, not even the port. If “*.local” is in the lower box, you can leave that. Ok all the windows you opened and restart Safari after you have started Netshare and established the wireless network between the PC and the Iphone. I also used the trick of loading a Safari page on the Iphone just before launching Netshare to insure that the 3G/Edge connection is active.
Hope this helps those of you who can’t find a real decent tutorial on how to do this. Good luck and spread the word!
-Falaris
50 Comments for Netshare and Windows XP made easy
Ti Chi | August 1, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Prox | August 1, 2008 at 8:01 pm
First of all thanks for this!
“Switch back to the “General” tab and highlight “Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)” and then select “Properties.””
I couldn’t do that. After following your instructions somehow the computer-to-computer (ad hoc) network does not activate from windows side. Therefore the iphone can’t connect. Any ideas what I can do?
geekdll | August 1, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Nice!!
Tekkfu | August 1, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Thanks for posting this, you rock…. i’ll let you know how it goes.
Omar Ismail | August 1, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Thanks for the tutorial! I tried to figure it out myself for a few hours but gave up until I found this post. I have a feeling your blog will be very popular soon :)
I still can’t get it to work :(
Zander Kith | August 1, 2008 at 9:06 pm
What about DNS? It appears my browser cannot get name resolution on the sites I am trying to go to.. does the netshare know to forward the information?
Author comment by Falaris | August 1, 2008 at 9:11 pm
@Omar Ismail – Thanks, I spent a few hours too which is why I wrote it :p If you have a specific part you’re getting held up at just leave another comment.
@Prox – I’m not sure why you can’t switch back to the general tab, but if that is the case close the Properties window and then re-open it and you’ll be on the General tab. You should probably have like, “Client for Microsoft Networks,” “File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks,” “QoS Packet Scheduler,” and “Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)” listed under “This connection uses the following items:” and from there just select the Internet Protocol one and hit “Properties” button just below it. I had a few problems getting the iPhone to recognize the network until all these settings were exact and also make sure that your laptop isn’t connecting to another network or has another one that is preferred. I deleted all my “Preferred Networks” under the “Wireless Networks” tab and only have ‘iphone’ in there.
@Ti Chi – Click “Start” then go to Programs -> Accessories -> Connections -> Network Connections. On that screen under the “LAN or High-Speed Internet” half of it, you should see “Wireless Network Connection” as one of the icons. Right-click on that and hit Properties. As long as you have WiFi on your system, that should be on there.
Author comment by Falaris | August 1, 2008 at 9:14 pm
@Zander Kith – The AT&T DNS should be controlling this. Your phone is the connection, and as your phone reaches out to the network, AT&T should be directing your inquiries based on that.
Author comment by Falaris | August 1, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Just turned off comment moderation in hopes that Akismet does its job and more people can discuss this if they need to on here :)
paul | August 1, 2008 at 9:32 pm
can’t get it to work. Blocked in the US?
Fundador Lopez | August 1, 2008 at 9:51 pm
In FoxyProxy, add a new Proxy. Make sure “Enabled” is checked, for Proxy name just type “iPhone.” Under Proxy Details, choose “Manual Proxy Configuration” and the host name should be your iPhone’s IP, in my case 192.168.10.1. Ensure you check “SOCKS proxy?” and then choose “SOCKS v5.”
At this point, hit OK. FoxyProxy should warn you that you added no sites to the Whitelist, this is fine hit OK to continue. COMMENT: BEFORE YOU CLICK OK YOU SHOULD SET YOUR PORT AT 1080 WITHOUT PORT NUMBER IT WILL NOT WARN YOU THAT YOU ADDED NO SITES TO THE WHITELIST. HOPE THIS WAS HELPFUL :)
Chip | August 1, 2008 at 10:06 pm
Hi. I am having problems. Once I connect and everything is running (all setup is ok), I can ping the Iphone through CMD. However, I do not get any internet access. I properly setup the Iphone and Vista computer in Ad-HOC mode with static IPs. Foxyproxy is also setup with the Iphone as the proxy address and port as 1080. Under the connections windows, it shows that it is connected to the Iphone with full strength (I tested this by turning off WIFI on Iphone. When I did, the Iphone was not detected and signal was 0%). So, what am I doing wrong here.
Btw, great guide…
Author comment by Falaris | August 1, 2008 at 10:17 pm
@Chip – Did you go into about:config in Firefox and toggle the SOCKS setting?
Chip | August 1, 2008 at 10:19 pm
Yes, I toggled it to true. I reset everything and retried it but no go. I can PING my Iphone and connect to it, but the proxy doesn’t work… :(
paul | August 1, 2008 at 10:54 pm
are you supposed to “use socks proxy for DNS lookups”?
Joe | August 2, 2008 at 1:19 am
I am having some issues as well. My PC happily proxies though a Socks V5 server on a Linux host. However, it will not proxy through the Netshare (Socks V5 server) on the iPhone. I can connect to port 1080 on the iphone. I watch the Socks v5 handshake. but eventually the iphone (socks v5 server) tells the PC (socks v5 client) that the host is unreachable.
Debug:
$ ./connect -5 -d -a none -S 192.168.5.3:1080 -R remote mail.optonline.net 25
DEBUG: No direct address are specified.
DEBUG: relay_method = SOCKS (2)
DEBUG: relay_host=192.168.5.3
DEBUG: relay_port=1080
DEBUG: relay_user=joes
DEBUG: socks_version=5
DEBUG: socks_resolve=REMOTE (2)
DEBUG: local_type=stdio
DEBUG: dest_host=mail.optonline.net
DEBUG: dest_port=25
DEBUG: Program is $Revision: 100 $
DEBUG: checking mail.optonline.net is for direct?
DEBUG: mail.optonline.net is for not direct.
DEBUG: connecting to 192.168.5.3:1080
DEBUG: begin_socks_relay()
DEBUG: available auth method[0] = NO-AUTH (0×00)
DEBUG: atomic_out() [3 bytes]
DEBUG: >>> 05 01 00
DEBUG: atomic_in() [2 bytes]
DEBUG: <<>> 05 01 00 03 12 6d 61 69 6c 2e 6f 70 74 6f 6e 6c 69 6e 65 2e 6e 65 74
00 19
DEBUG: atomic_in() [4 bytes]
DEBUG: <<< 05 04 00 03
ERROR: Got error response from SOCKS server: 4 (Host unreachable).
FATAL: failed to begin relaying via SOCKS.
Any ideas?
stu | August 2, 2008 at 2:07 am
i set this up with proxifier, and the networkconnection works, and theCHECK proxy passes theconnection to theproxy test but fails on contacting the host , which says to me that it doesnt have the dns …
any ideas?
Hugo | August 2, 2008 at 2:32 am
I finally managed to get it to work from my XP laptop. I was playing with it from my home where my iPhone connects automatically to my home wireless network – I found out that you must force the phone to switch back to using the 3G (or 2G) connection before you can access the internet from the laptop.
Note: when I got it to work, I was also configured to “use socks proxy for DNS lookups” because I was monkeying around with multiple options. So I know the DNS proxy config doesn’t hurt, but not sure if it actually helped
Jake | August 2, 2008 at 7:18 am
Kinda got it working, thanks, to Hugo’s last comment it now tries to connect but then tries to download a file/ It tells me “you have chosen to open search which is a: application/octet-stream from google.co.uk (or whatever)
Any ideas?
Drew | August 2, 2008 at 7:27 am
Have been trying to set this up this morning and i think im almost there . I can ping the iphone from laptop, i Have setup firefox & Foxyproxy as per the instructions when i type in http://www.google.co.uk i see the connections on the iphone change to 1 ( so it looks as if its connecting to the proxy ) and then firefox pops up with a download window for application/octet-stream if i click save file its trying to download .part files ? anyideas ? Would be cool to get this working (o2 iphone 3g UK here )
Ti Chi | August 2, 2008 at 8:28 am
SwEEEEEET IM IN!! THANKS!
Phil Freo | August 2, 2008 at 11:04 am
Sweet! Successfully posting via tethered laptop. But EDGE is soooo slow!
I had to click “FoxyProxy -> Global Settings -> Use SOCKS proxy for DNS lookups” for it to work.
Matt | August 2, 2008 at 11:26 am
When I goto properties on my wireless connection I do not have a “Wireless Networks” tab….Please Help
Author comment by Falaris | August 2, 2008 at 11:30 am
I forgot to add that I clicked the “Use SOCKS proxy for DNS lookups,” that is now included as well. Sorry!
Jake | August 2, 2008 at 11:35 am
Anymore info on how to stop it from trying to download files when accessing?
Author comment by Falaris | August 2, 2008 at 11:39 am
@Matt – I included screenshots above on how to find that. That should be the screen you see for any internet connections on your computer as long as you use Windows XP.
Author comment by Falaris | August 2, 2008 at 11:40 am
@Jake – I am having the same problem. This is limited to PHP files, and it seems like this is a glitch with Firefox. I spent an hour on Google before giving up and going to play World of Warcraft, going to look into this further today though my time is limited as I have to teach myself some new software.
Omar Ismail | August 2, 2008 at 11:51 am
Ya, I’m stuck with the downloading Octet part as well. If I run it in IE7 (with proxy setup) then I just get a garbled character… which I imagine is the same 2KB octet stream that Firefox wants to download.
I’m using Rogers here in Canada
Omar Ismail | August 2, 2008 at 12:35 pm
I tried using ProxyWay (www.proxyway.com) but that didn’t seem to work. I told ProxyWay to “check” the proxy connection, and I’d see the communicating – netshare listed 1 connection – and then ProxyWay listed the iphone proxy as “bad”. Don’t really know what that means.
I’m thinking the proxy is setup properly, but it’s something on the iphone’s side. Maybe it’s trying to connect to the Internet using the WiFi connection and not falling back on the cellular data.
How do you “force” the iPhone to stay connected to the ad-hoc network, while using 3G cellular?
Jared | August 2, 2008 at 12:49 pm
I have been having tons of issues getting it to work with FireFox. But it finally worked, first time, using proxifier. I highly recommend for those who are stuck to follow the directions here: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=535316&page=6
Patrick | August 2, 2008 at 6:35 pm
I found one other tidbit of information. Make sure you browse a website with Safari on your iPhone before starting NetShare. For some reason, I had to do this to get it to use EDGE. Hope this helps someone.
Patrick | August 2, 2008 at 6:41 pm
On the iPhone, Browse a website right before starting NetShare.
Paul | August 2, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Ok, these instructions were a big help to me, so I just wanted to document my small twist on them that worked for me.
I used the Network configuration on the PC and Iphone sides as described. However, I used Safari instead of the combination of Firefox and Foxyproxy (after several unsuccessful attempts).
Anyway, after installing Safari, you need to set up the ability to proxy in Safari. First choose “Edit/Preferences” and choose the “Advanced” tab. There choose the “Change Settings…” button next to “Proxies”. A new window should pop up. Choose the “Connections” tab and the “LAN settings” button found there. Another window pops up. Check the box under “Proxy Server” where it says “Use a proxy server for your LAN…” DON’T fill in an IP address yet though. Instead, hit the “Advanced” button and yet another window will pop up. Fill in the IP address used for the Iphone at the intersection of “Socks” and “Proxy address to use”. DON’T fill in anything else, not even the port. If “*.local” is in the lower box, you can leave that. Ok all the windows you opened and restart Safari after you have started Netshare and established the wireless network between the PC and the Iphone. I also used the trick of loading a Safari page on the Iphone just before launching Netshare to insure that the 3G/Edge connection is active.
Good luck.
Patrick | August 2, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Proxifier worked pretty well for me and you can use IE, Firefox, or Safari. It might be worth the investment, and there is a free 30 day trial. I am looking for a free solution though.
Patrick | August 2, 2008 at 9:10 pm
I tried my other computer the ASUS eeePC 4G. My wifi loses connection to iPhone frequently. It shows low or no signal strength. The computer and the iPhone are a foot apart. Maybe a cheap wifi chip in computer? Any suggestions?
island | August 2, 2008 at 10:52 pm
same with my Asus 9″, low or no signal and disconnects quite a bit. damn it!
tona9101 | August 3, 2008 at 6:37 pm
My wifi network between the pc and iphone 3g loses connection after like 10 seconds? what should i do?
good guide though…
Moy | August 4, 2008 at 12:54 am
can any one plz send me a link to figure out if i can use my netshare to vista!!!! im soo lost.
Morty | August 4, 2008 at 1:53 am
@Patrick
THANK YOU! this worked for me
“On the iPhone, Browse a website right before starting NetShare”
Jim | August 4, 2008 at 7:00 am
Being on a locked down work computer I skipped the section where you specify an IP address on the laptop, and it still works for me. The best tip has been to browse for a page on Safari on the iPhone before firing up Netshare and it works fine.
Urban | August 6, 2008 at 6:24 am
I got it to work on win xp with these instructions.
It doesn’t work through firefox, but got it to work like a charm w/ safari. Also got AIM to connect via proxy.
However, I can’t get a torrent application to work. Any thoughts here? I put in the proxy and port. Doesn’t seem like there should be anything else to do?
hairypsalm | August 10, 2008 at 6:36 pm
“The best tip has been to browse for a page on Safari on the iPhone before firing up Netshare and it works fine.”
I second this. As soon as a web page on the iphone starts loading, open netshare, then safari on the mac and it works. Have to try in XP next.
hairypsalm | August 11, 2008 at 12:50 am
xp was a breeze w/safari…just wish i could save the tcp/ip settings after switching back to my usual network.
hairypsalm | August 15, 2008 at 5:35 pm
peskybeaver.com has a great, screenshot driven how-to for setting up netshare with windows xp. big pictures & very easy to follow.
chazz | August 17, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Also having low wifi signal strength problems… Anyone have any suggestions/remedies? I’m using HP Pavillion dv6000
Joe | August 19, 2008 at 3:50 am
I need a solution to my browsin problem using proxifier or is there any other one that works better
Jaydubya | August 21, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Ok, I am exhausted…
I have tried and tried to get this working with multiple configurations and its still giving me troubles.
I am stuck at trying to get a connection between the iphone and the laptop. I tell my ad-hoc to connect but it never does, and the iphone cannot see the network i set up.
I am trying with 2 iphone and neither are showing any wireless networks in range.
Jaydubya | August 21, 2008 at 4:00 pm
update:
i finally got it to connect to the iphone and using both firefox and safari got mixed answers.
safari would pretty much be “can’t find the server” all the time
in firefox sometimes I got “network timeout” and sometimes I got “proxy refused connection”
stu | September 2, 2008 at 8:55 am
you bloody ripper !
After a month of messing around here and there with this thing , I finally got it to work… Previously i was not getting dns access, but i think the “load a safari page on the phone first” DID the trick 100%
thanks a bunch…
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I have xp professional essential, i dont see the menu for add wireless network?? help?!!