Data and Internet services through Mobile Phones

using Infra Red on PCs

Getting PCs, IrDA, and Mobile Phones to work

Using a mobile phone to access Internet or other dialled up data services ought to be easy, but often is not. There are many opportunities for problems with the mobile phone, with the Infra Red susbsystem, and with the software on the PC. This note records the resources I used, and the things I had to do, to finally get my connections to work.

The notes deal only with x86 based PCs (that's most of them), running under Microsoft's Windows operating system. The notes offer no advice for PCs running under other operating systems (such as Linux (go here), or OS/2). Neither do these notes offer any advice for PDAs (Palm, Psion, etc) or Handheld PCs (but here's a link that does offer support for handheld devices).

There is also a potential conflict with at least one firewall program which results in the Infra Red system not working. Reports indicate that a recent upgrade may solve that problem, which is very good news.

If you think that things are already set up properly but they still don't seem to work, take a look at the 'Quick Checklist' to make sure you haven't overlooked any of the easy bits.

Contents

The notes are in 9 sections

1. Useful Sites and Resources and Information (last updated 6/3/2001)
   Refers to external sites for hardware, standards, and Linux, PDA, HPC information
2. What's needed (last updated 17/11/2000)
   Summarises what elements (service, phone, modem, Ir system, laptop) are needed for successful communications
3. Setting up the Infra Red hardware on the PC (last updated 21/10/2002)
   Some tips for setting up the hardware correctly, built-in, serial adaptors, motherboards
4. Setting up the Infra Red software on the PC (last updated 21/10/2002)
   Some tips for installing the software correctly, W95, W98, WinME, W2000
5. Checking the settings (last updated 12/11/2000)
   Detailed information that can be used to cross check your own installation
6. Getting a GSM phone to work over Infra Red (last updated 17/11/2000)
   Some tips for making the connections work properly, and how to use the faster services
7. Potential incompatibility with Firewall programs (last updated 12/11/2000)
   Unexpected problems that might now be fixed
8. Quick checklist (last updated 6/3/2001)
   A few simple things to check if it's not working
9. All the external links referred to in the notes (last updated 21/10/2002)
   IrDA, manufacturer info, info sites, MS software release notes, etc

Documentation

All trademarks are acknowledged.

Comments, suggestions, links, and revisions

I welcome any comments that will lead to improving the usefulness of these notes. I would particularly value suggestions for clarification of the areas in which I’ve said I have no direct experience.

• Detailed information for the settings and properties for Devices, Protocols, and Adapters for the Windows 2000, Windows ME, XP Home and XP Pro solutions would be welcome.
• Settings, and hardware setup experience, for USB adapters would be welcome
• Any experience of dialling back into a laptop through a mobile phone connection would be interesting, especially if using a secure dial-back from, for example, a corporate network

You can email any comments here.

I do not often check that email address, so if you need advice for some particular problem, you may receive a quicker answer by posting a question to:

• alt.cellular.data or
• uk.telecom.mobile

where someone with that experience is likely to be able to answer the query.

Howard

Issue 12

21 October, 2002