What to do if your router dies

My router died this morning. Yet here I am on t'interweb on my usual computer in my usual seat. How so? Magic. Just in case it happens to anyone else, I'll explain this witchery.

My mobile phone runs the Android operating system. Quite a lot of newer phones do (not the iPhone). Android phones can do a clever trick.

On your Android mobile, going to Settings->Wireless & Networks.

Choose 'Portable Wi-Fi hotspot'

Switch that feature on (it tells you where to tap).

On your computer, click the little network icon at the bottom right, near the clock. A little window will pop up listing available connections.

Choose the one that matches the name of your phone and say connect.

You will be asked to enter a password. This password is controlled from your phone, under 'Portable Wi-Fi hotspot settings'.

Important Note: Dont do this unless your phone contract gives you a data allowance, as pay as you go data can get quite pricey.

 

Is that what's called 'tethering' and subject to all sorts of restrictions?

I have a Three mobile broadband dongle + a router for it, and use it whenever:

1) The landline broadband fails

2) Whilst on holiday, and so more than one of us can get on the internet simultaneously.

So I use one of these:

 

The only restrictions on my contract are the usual gubbins about not downloading dodgy material. Apart from that there's just the 500MB month limit on how much I can have before they start charging pay as you go rates on top of my contract.