Synchronizing Your H/PC and PC via Infrared Communications

By Don Hergert

You can connect your H/PC to a desktop or laptop PC’s IR port, as long as the PC is running Windows 95, has Microsoft’s HPC Explorer installed, has an IrDA-compliant infrared port, and is capable of running the Microsoft IrDA Extensions (at least version 2 recommended). The Microsoft IrDA Extensions can be downloaded for free from Microsoft’s Web site (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/ contents/updates/w95irda/default.asp).

If you’re using a notebook computer as your H/PC’s partner, chances are you’ve already got an IR port. If the notebook computer doesn’t have one, or if you’re using a desktop machine, you can purchase an IR port from a number of companies.

If you purchase an infrared device for the purpose of connecting your H/PC to a Windows 95 machine, it needs to support the IrDA standard. One of the manufacturers of this type of add-on is Extended Systems, makers of JetEye PC (price: $135, phone: 208-322-7575, Web: www.extendsys.com). As it worked out, after trying a number of add-on IR ports unsuccessfully (which I later found out was because they weren’t IrDA compliant), I purchased a JetEye and attached it to my desktop machine. It worked first time around, no problems, and I’ve been using it since both with HPC Explorer for my H/PC and with Windows 95’s Direct Cable Connection for my mini-notebook computer.

(Note: If you connect more than one system to your desktop like I do (Cassiopeia, HP 320LX, HP 200LX, and the Toshiba Libretto), you can avoid having a jumble of cables sitting around, one for each system you connect with. Infrared communications offer a universal connector for both of my H/PCs and notebook computers.)

Setting up the H/PC for an infrared connection

These instructions relate to a Windows CE 1.0 H/PC. Go to the Communications folder and create a new “Remote Networking” connection, which will be configured for the “Infrared Port” device.

1. From the Start menu tap Programs, Communications, Remote Networking, Make New Connection.
2. Give it a name you’ll recognize in a few minutes (e.g. “My IR Connection”) and specify a Direct Connection.
3. Hit Next and choose Infrared Port from the “Select the device …” pull-down list.
4. Hit the Configure button and specify port settings as follows: Baud Rate: 115200, Data Bits: 8, Parity: None, Stop Bits: 1 and Flow Control: Hardware. All other settings for this remote Networking connection can remain at the default settings.
5. Hit OK, then the Finish button.
6. Close the Remote Networking window and get back to the Communications folder.
7. Tap the “PC Link” icon once to select it, and tap Edit, Copy, and then “X” to close that window, and every other window.
8. When you are back to the Windows CE desktop, press CTRL-V to paste this new PC Link icon onto your Windows CE desktop, where you’ll use it to connect under IR.
9. The last thing you have to do is tell your H/PC to use its IR port to connect to the PC. From the Start menu tap Settings, Communications, PC Connection tab, and Change. Then change the “Connect to desktop computer using:” field to the name of the new IR dedicated Remote Networking connection (in our example, “My IR Connection”). Tap the little window’s OK button. Before the tapping OK for the big Communications Properties window, make sure the “Allow connection with desktop computer when H/PC is attached.” option is checked. Then tap OK, and the setup for the H/PC side is done.

For Windows CE 2.0, infrared is actually another default connection choice similar to the original 19.2kbps wired connection, so all you need to do is select that as the default connection for the “Connect to computer using:” field mentioned in step 9 above.

Setting up the PC for an infrared connection

When the Microsoft IrDA extensions are properly installed on your PC, you should see an icon named “Infrared” in the PC’s Control Panel. To set up the PC for an infrared connection, follow these steps:

1. Double click on the Infrared icon, select the “Options tab” click “Restore Defaults.”
2. Check the “Enable infrared communication on:” box, if it is not already checked.
3. Select the appropriate port for that option. (If you’re not sure which port that is on your PC, check either with your PC’s documentation or with its manufacturer. ) Note down the name of the COM port (i.e., COM1, COM2, etc.) in the “Providing application support on:” section. You’ll need that name when you configure the System Device Manager and HPC Explorer (described below).
4. In the Preferences tab, again click “Restore Defaults” and then click “OK” on the bottom of this window.
5. From the Windows 95 Start menu, click on Settings, Control Panel, double-click on the System icon, and select the Device Manager tab.
6. Double-click on “Modem” in the device list and double-click on the COM port whose name you noted down in step 3 above.
7. Select the “Modem” tab and set the Maximum Speed to 115200. (You should see the Infrared COM port whose name you noted down named in the “Port:” field on the same screen.)
8. Select the “Connection” tab and set Data Bits: 8, Parity: none, Stop Bits: 1.
9. Tap on the “Advanced” button and make sure the following options are selected: “Use Flow Control” and “Hardware (RTS/ CTS)”. Click on OK until you are back to the Windows 95 desktop.
10. Start up HPC Explorer on your PC. If you’re using an IR device on your main COM port, you may get a “Port not available” message — just press “OK”. In HPC Explorer, click File, Communications, and select the port whose name you noted down in step 3 above. The PC side of the configuration is now done.

Making the infrared connection.

When you press the “OK” button on this last window, the PC should begin searching for an IR device to connect with. Make sure the red see-through plastic lens on your IR ports is clean. A damp tissue or even a clean finger will usually suffice. But be careful not to scratch the lens.

Line up your H/PC’s IR port within range — usually from 4 to 36 inches — of the PC’s IR port, turn the H/PC on if it isn’t already, and double tap the new PC Link icon on the H/PC’s desktop. You should see your H/PC and your PC synchronize, via HPC Explorer. You can also watch progress from the PC side by watching the IR Monitor program’s Status tab.

This is a fairly involved process, but once it’s done and working, you shouldn’t have to repeat the setup. It’s quite rewarding to see a Windows CE H/PC and a Windows 95 talking without wires!

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