Connect Microsoft Surface to ad-hoc network

Question

I am trying to connect my Microsoft Surface tablet to an ad-hoc network that I setup on my Windows-7 desktop machine. The Surface machine can see and connect to other hotspots, but it cannot see the ad-hoc network, whereas a second Windows-7 laptop sitting next to the Surface machine can see it.

What would cause the ad-hoc network to be visible to Windows 7 but not to Surface?

Additional data:

Windows-7 is on domain, but Surface is not.

Solution 1

Not only Windows RT can't connect to an ad-hoc hot-spot, but it seems even Windows 8 Pro can't do it (and provide Internet access). I have Joikuspot on a Nokia Symbian phone. This creates an ad-hoc hotspot, which my household's Win7 PCs can connect to with no problem. My Win8 PC can see the hotspot and connect to it, but can't access the Internet. It claims that the connectivity is "limited" and it can't gain an IP address.

In answer to the OP, the solution would be to enable the virtual hosted network on the Windows 7 machine instead of an ad-hoc connection. This simulates a full router in infrastructure mode. You need to use the netsh command in an admin command prompt. Search "netsh hostednetwork", and you'll get the answer.

Solution 2

Surface RT doesn't support ad hoc networks. See the link in Mario's answer. What Surface does support is a connetion to a virtual hotspot. The best instructions I could find are here: http://www.mypersonalgetaway.com/tag/nokia-lumia-800/ I already had the same problems with my Lumia. BTW if it doesnt work right away try to disable bluetooth on your laptop. That did the trick for me. Hope I could help.

Solution 3

Surface do not support ad hoc networking see this link http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/whats-new-in-networking

i have tried this too and contacted the support.

Comments

[Admin]

Have you double checked that the wifi on the Surface is turned on.

[Admin]

Good question. Yes. I will add that to the question.

[Admin]

Can you see non ad-hoc networks?

[Admin]

Yes, I can see non ad-hoc networks.

[Admin]

I'm now thinking that it has to do with domain / non-domain machines. The Win7 machine is on the domain but Surface is not.

[Admin]

This tutorial might help you out: youtube.com/watch?v=Xrub8Gk-lzI It explains how to host, not join the network, but you can try and see if after recognising the new device in the Device Manager (see video) ad-hoc network will become available.

[GaTechThomas]

Yeah, unfortunately someone broke into my house and stole all the laptops that I could do that with. But I will certainly give it a try when I can.

[Shekhar]

the question is for windows rt, and clearly your solution is for pro, so this does not help the user