Here's how to set up a Windows2000 laptop to hotsync with a Palm device using the infrared port.
Your Laptop
Recommendation
1. Download and install Palm Desktop 4.0.1 with HotSync Manager 4.0 at the following URL:
Verify that the IR port is correctly activated.
1. Exit the HotSync Manager application by clicking on the icon in the Task Bar and choosing exit.
2. Click on Start, select Settings, select Control Panel and double click the "Wireless Link" icon.
3a. Under the "Image transfer" tab, uncheck the box for "Use Wireless Link to transfer images from a digital camera to your computer".
3b. Under the "Hardware" tab, select the "properties" button. This will open the "Fast Infrared Port Properties" window. Under the "General" tab, locate the device usage at the bottom of the window, and select the "Use this device (enable)" option. Then accept and close both windows.
4. Disable any other application you use that opens the IR port.
5. Restart HotSync Manager.
6. Click on the HotSync Manager icon in the Task bar and check the "Infrared" menu item. It is okay if you can have more than one connection type selected. I recommend deselecting any you will not be using.
Your laptop and HotSync Manager software are now setup.
Your Palm
Note
In order to perform an Infrared HotSync operation, you will need Palm OS software version 3.3 or higher.
How to verify the Palm OS software version
1. Tap the Home icon to see the main application screen on the Palm handheld.
2. Tap Menu, select Info, and tap Version. This will display the Palm OS software version at the top of the screen.
3. If you do not have Palm OS software version 3.3 or higher, you can upgrade your Palm OS software at the following URL:
Setup your Palm device.
If you have confirmed you have Palm OS software version 3.3 or higher:
1. Tap Done. This will take you back to the main application screen on your Palm handheld.
2. Tap the HotSync icon, then tap Local.
3. Tap the drop-down arrow below the HotSync icon, and choose 'IR to a PC/Handheld'.
Your Palm handheld device is now ready to perform an Infrared HotSync operation.
How to activate the HotSync
1. From the main application screen on your Palm handheld, tap the HotSync icon. This is the same screen you were on in the previous step.
3. Tap the HotSync icon on this screen to activate the HotSync.
(yes, you do have time to replace your stylist into it slot if you want to.)
4. Place your Palm device roughly two to four inches from the Infrared port. If you receive 'Waiting for Sender' on your Palm device, tap cancel and then synchronize.
Additional Notes
I have found, on my machines, that I can leave the Palm device set to 'IR to a PC/Handheld' and it will still successfully sync with my home PC using the cradle/serial link. As with any suggestions that differ from how things are set-up to work, use your own judgment if your want to leave it set to 'IR to a PC/Handheld' all the time or keep switching it back and forth between that and the 'Direct Serial' option. -Bobby
bwgunn@earthlink.net
Your Laptop
Recommendation
1. Download and install Palm Desktop 4.0.1 with HotSync Manager 4.0 at the following URL:
Verify that the IR port is correctly activated.
1. Exit the HotSync Manager application by clicking on the icon in the Task Bar and choosing exit.
2. Click on Start, select Settings, select Control Panel and double click the "Wireless Link" icon.
3a. Under the "Image transfer" tab, uncheck the box for "Use Wireless Link to transfer images from a digital camera to your computer".
3b. Under the "Hardware" tab, select the "properties" button. This will open the "Fast Infrared Port Properties" window. Under the "General" tab, locate the device usage at the bottom of the window, and select the "Use this device (enable)" option. Then accept and close both windows.
4. Disable any other application you use that opens the IR port.
5. Restart HotSync Manager.
6. Click on the HotSync Manager icon in the Task bar and check the "Infrared" menu item. It is okay if you can have more than one connection type selected. I recommend deselecting any you will not be using.
Your laptop and HotSync Manager software are now setup.
Your Palm
Note
In order to perform an Infrared HotSync operation, you will need Palm OS software version 3.3 or higher.
How to verify the Palm OS software version
1. Tap the Home icon to see the main application screen on the Palm handheld.
2. Tap Menu, select Info, and tap Version. This will display the Palm OS software version at the top of the screen.
3. If you do not have Palm OS software version 3.3 or higher, you can upgrade your Palm OS software at the following URL:
Setup your Palm device.
If you have confirmed you have Palm OS software version 3.3 or higher:
1. Tap Done. This will take you back to the main application screen on your Palm handheld.
2. Tap the HotSync icon, then tap Local.
3. Tap the drop-down arrow below the HotSync icon, and choose 'IR to a PC/Handheld'.
Your Palm handheld device is now ready to perform an Infrared HotSync operation.
How to activate the HotSync
1. From the main application screen on your Palm handheld, tap the HotSync icon. This is the same screen you were on in the previous step.
3. Tap the HotSync icon on this screen to activate the HotSync.
(yes, you do have time to replace your stylist into it slot if you want to.)
4. Place your Palm device roughly two to four inches from the Infrared port. If you receive 'Waiting for Sender' on your Palm device, tap cancel and then synchronize.
Additional Notes
I have found, on my machines, that I can leave the Palm device set to 'IR to a PC/Handheld' and it will still successfully sync with my home PC using the cradle/serial link. As with any suggestions that differ from how things are set-up to work, use your own judgment if your want to leave it set to 'IR to a PC/Handheld' all the time or keep switching it back and forth between that and the 'Direct Serial' option. -Bobby
bwgunn@earthlink.net