Have you tried to connect your phone to your laptops wlan using ad-hoc? No luck yet? I think the main reason why we can't connect to an ad-hoc network is because it is mainly for computer-computer sharing only. My cousin's laptop can connect to my laptop via ad-hoc and vice versa. But i cannot connect my 5800 and N8 to neither of the two laptops.
I came across this site and learned about this tiny app. http://www.connectify.me/ Install it on your windows 7 laptop with a WLAN adapter and you can share any of your connections (Wireless Network/Local Area Network/Dial-Up) via WIFI.
Some testimonials:
Read Write Web - Turn Your Windows 7 Computer Into a WiFi Router In 5 Minutes, Free & No Hardware
"Windows 7 users have got to try this app. You never know when you'll get to save the day by letting other users share your Internet connection."
Lifehacker - Connectify Restores Wi-Fi Hotspot Powers to Windows 7
"Your friends don't see an "ad-hoc" network with limited powers - they see a real access point, served up from a virtual, cloned version of your Wi-Fi adapter."
Engadget - Unfinished Windows 7 feature exploited for virtual WiFi hotspots
"Connectify is a free application that effectively turns any Windows 7 computer into a virtual WiFi hotspot letting you, for instance, wirelessly tether a number of devices to your laptop at location where only an Ethernet jack is available, or even tether a number of laptops together at a coffee shop that charges for WiFi."
Gigaom - Connectify Is Early Evidence of Why Win7's "Virtual Wi-Fi" Matters
"Connectify takes direct advantage of the virtual Wi-Fi features in Windows 7 to create a software-based wireless router for Wi-Fi sharing. Just imagine the range and coverage possibilities that can come of turning your laptop into a router."
PCWorld - Unfinished Windows 7 Feature Turns Laptops Into Wi-Fi Hotspots
"Windows 7 is required on the notebook acting as a wireless hotspot, but any wireless-equipped device, including PCs running Windows XP or Vista, or even Mac laptops, can reach the Web through Connectify without any additional software. Connectify also encrypts the traffic to and from the software "hot spot" using WPA2-Personal (AES) encryption."
Gizmodo - Connectify: Turn Your Windows 7 Laptop into a Virtual Wi-Fi Hotspot
"The result is a shared connection that differs to the usual "ad hoc" network connection, because it shows up as a real access point, reverts to default settings each time you restart, and you can join a Wi-Fi network and run the Connectify hotspot on the same Wi-Fi card."
