[Q] Mobile Hotspot disconnects after 4-8 min; tried root solutions too

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Can't get Mobile Hotspot to run > 5-10 minutes tops, whether I run the stock config from VZN with Mobile Hotspot enabled (incl packet data and roaming enabled) or if I run the aftermarket apps / ROMs listed below. 4G LTE in Portland with 5 bars and 20 Mbps down / 6 up on Speedtest.net app on phone. Similar speed when connected on Hotspot to Laptop. Current system info today (after doing the info listed below last night) is:
Firmware version 2.3.4

Baseband version
i510.06 V.EE4
SCH-1510.EE1

Kernel version
2.6.35.7-EP1Q-CL397514

Build number
SCH-I510.EP1Q

Calls to VZN tech several times about the Hotspot dropping signal; no luck. Sent me replacement phone, which (big surprise) did same thing. Level 2 tech said my next step was to "umm, you didn't hear this from me, but check xda developers and a process called rooting." Confidence inspiring as that was, let's just say I was willing to give it one last shot since I love the phone's screen, size, batt life. Shutting off WPA2 helped extend the time a bit, sometimes to 12 minutes, but that's as good as it got. After drop (laptop shows Wireless Connection Unavailable when searching),

Tried tethering apps (PDAnet, EasyTether) too while still stock. Same issue, but at least it lasted longer. Combined with aforementioned longer time btwn dropping when WPA2 is disabled, I'm thinking it's a software issue at this point.

Tried rooting, with CWM, PBJ kernel & Froyo EE4 debloated. First root experience for me; super careful. Great instructions, no problem going through the process. When I pulled down OpenGarden and Barnacle, they said they didn't have root access though.

Fine, let's step a little further away from stock. Flashed up the GummyCharged 1.9 EE4 Froyo. Nice interface, this time OpenGarden and Barnacle work HOWEVER (here's where maybe someone can tell me how to fix)

Both OG and Barnacle show up only as ad hoc, not full WLAN icons on my laptops (Win7 Latitude, and Win 7 XPS Studio 13), and it cannot connect to the internet with them. Are there settings I need to tweak to get either app to work?

I then tried the $4.99 WiFi Hotspot app. That one looks very much like the stock VZN Mobile Hotspot app, and showed up as a regular WLAN like VZN's Mobile Hotspot does. Worked about 20 minutes, then dropped.

OK, another step down the rabbit hole with Gingerbread this time. GummyCharged GBE 1.9RC2 Beautiful interface. $4.99 WiFi Hotspot no workie at all. Tried OpenGarden and Barnacle as well - still get that stupid ad hoc network thing.

Someone please let me know where I'm missing a step on any of these apps. I love the phone, big fan of GummyCharged Gingerbread look/feel, but frustrated beyond belief that I can't get simple mobile hotspot (or even tethering, which I enjoyed 2 yrs of blissfully slow 3G on my old iPhone 3GS before it was stolen from my truck / forcing me to re-evaluate my carrier & hardware options at that time).

Thanks again - ideas welcomed. Really want to try to make this work on this phone instead of turning it in for a T-Bolt (which VZN tier 2 tech suggested if rooting didn't resolve).

Welcome ANY ideas here. While I love the GB GC setup / speed / batt life, I'm open to going back to Froyo GC if you think that would help. VZN's also willing to let me turn in my Charge for a T-Bolt which they say has fewer tether/hotspot issues (albeit bad batt life).

Flashed a new radio yesterday - still drops Web after 2-10 min. Drops ping too, just f-ing useless as a hotspot or tether. New config is

Firmware version 2.3.4

Baseband version
i510.06 V.EP1
Unknown

Kernel version
2.6.35.7-EP1Q-CL397514

Build number
SCH-I510.EP1Q

Very, very disheartened. Dig everything else about the Charge, but I need tethering or hotspot as part of my job.

Bueller? Bueller? Buellllllller?

OK, for those of you who are suffering the same issues, here's a stopgap fix, hopefully VZN or some stud developer here will drop a wireless hotspot / tether solution that works on this phone. Maybe the issue is that VZN's Portland LTE is a POS implementation that bumps everyone off after 10 min of tethering. I bought the darn service to stay stock and would have used it - IF it worked.

PDANet seems to be the only real working solution if you want to stay tethered more than 10 minutes. You'll want to do the first level of Tether Hiding for more stability. And no proxies, using Chrome browser. That stayed running for 45 minutes. Woo. hoo. Still though, it's better than nothing. Once browser stalls at 45 min, you simply turn off PDANnet on the phone, go into airplane mode, turn airplane mode off, bring up 4G again, then turn on PDANet again.

Download speed was 6Mbps and upload around 1-2 Mbps, so it's kind of an improvement over the iPhone I came from (1 down, .5 up, but would tether or hotspot for days without a drop).

This is using the GB GummyCharge setup mentioned in the original post, with the modem flash mentioned in post 2.

After rooting and trying GB GC, I really didn't want to go back to stock. I haven't even done the lagfix - still using the stock file system. Phone is more stable than stock, faster responsiveness, much faster boot, far superior interface, phenomenal improvement in battery life. I used to drop to 20% battery if I got up at 5 AM and didn't get a charge by 10 PM, minimal 4G usage or navigation, just a few phone calls. Now with GB GC, it's 40% at bedtime.

That said, if anyone finds a cure for this crappy tether/hotspot solution which seems to be with VZN in Portland area on Droid Charge, please follow up with a post here or somewhere in the forum.

its not just your area man i am a truck driver and have had this problem in multiple places both 4g and 3g.

http://code.google.com/p/android-wifi-tether/
Profile: Fassy
Setup Method: softap


Sent from my Droid Charge running GummyCharged 2.0