"gordo" wrote in message
...
What's the best way to use my cell phone(Verizon V-120) to connect to the
Internet. I have an older lap top without a USB connection. I've seen ads
on
Future Dial for a Cell phone to serial port cable. Will this work??? What
do
I need for Software??

I'm using the same phone and purchased the data connector cord and software
at the time of purchase.. Referred to in the manual as "Motorola Original
Data Kit" (the Radio Shack/Verizon dealer tells me that connector is no
longer offered since Verizon want to sell new users a different
data/internet package)

In my case the cable purchase included a program CD with the software for
the interface to the laptop. This software also include some other features
for programming the phone, etc.

The connector goes into the base of the phone next to the power connector
and infact provides power if you are using a true USB connection to the
laptop..

Since your laptop doesn't have a USB, you could get a serial to USB
converter or perhaps you can find a Verizon/Motorola cable that is
specifically for the serial port. I don't remember if one was offered with
my phone.

Since you may have a problem finding either of these cables from Verzon or
Motorola, you should search/watch ebay for the correct cable. Since this
model phone is several years old there may be phones and adaptor cables
cheap..

BTW. I just checked, and find that my phone is the 120E and that "E" may
signify some interface feature.. Pull the battery on yours and see if it
does say "Model 120E"

I have found that the data transfer is too slow to really surf any web sites
and limit my dialup to directly into my mail service via an "all text mode"
not all email services will allow this and once you connect to any IP with
ANY graphics or HTML will cost you many many minutes. Totally impractical
even if you have free "Off Peak" service. We're talking about 20 min. to
download a single screen/page.

I don't remember the data transfer rate but it is really slow.. More like
the old 2400 dial up of 15 years ago. Good for text only..


--
My experience and opinion, FWIW
--
Steve
s/v Good Intentions