The Tungsten PDA

One of the most interesting, and that in time will become crucial, is the ability to connect to the Internet from our Palm. Depending on the device, we need to use a technology or another. The Treo for example, to be both phone and PDA, they can use the data connection to us from our operator, either GSM, GPRS, UMTS or any other data transmission technologies available today. The advantage of this connection is that, where there is coverage, there will be an internet connection. The problem is the price, because the connection fees are still prohibitive.

The Palm connectivity with wifi will allow us, on the other hand, if we are in the range of coverage of a wifi network (in our house, in a hotspot, etc.), to immediately connect to the Internet. In this scenario, because the cost depends on who you provide access to that network. Setup is simple, as far we know the key to the network, if you use WEP encryption.

But there is a third way to connect our Palm to the Internet and is using bluetooth. To do this you need a computer with internet connection, such as a PC, and it also has Bluetooth connectivity. In the case of the PC, simply buy a Bluetooth USB adapter, which has a very low cost. There are even laptops that already brings the number of integrated bluetooth. The bluetooth connection is rather slower than the wifi, and has a smaller coverage. But if our Palm already has bluetooth, we do not cost anything to use it to navigate without having to sit in front of the PC (bluetooth allows many more things, but that is another post).

Navigating through bluetooth

What then I will explain the process of configuring the connection between a PC with Windows XP, with a Bluetooth USB adapter and a Tungsten E2. Some initial considerations, to avoid problems:

• If we connect to the Internet through a router, it is important that before you install anything, we verify that the IP address of the router is not 192.168.0.1. If so the switch to a different.
• On the other hand, if you're using a Tungsten T, it is important to have installed the file PalmTungstenTUpdate_enUS.prc, which is an update that Palm released at the time, and can be downloaded from its website.
• It is advisable to disable any firewall that we have installed, to avoid problems. When everything works and we can activate it again. And the same applies to Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) and / or Windows Home Networking.

Once we have done these checks, we can begin the process:

• The first point to consider is that the default drivers that come with Windows XP are very basic and do not do what we want. We need drivers specific to our adapter. In my case is a SMC-BT10 and the drivers are to BlueSolei. If your adapter is another, surely the drivers will be different. It is important to download the latest drivers from the manufacturer's web adapter. For example, in my case with those who came on the CD I could not connect to the internet (version 1.4), but with the latest (version 1.6) yes.
• Simply click on a bluetooth adapter into a USB port that we have freedom in our PC. We suggest some Windows drivers, but we cancel that facility. Then install the drivers previously mentioned. Need to reboot your computer for the installation is complete.
• For our Palm can be detected by the PC, we have to activate the bluetooth in it (in Preferences) and setting the option to change it so that we can find the PC.
• Once we restarted the PC, an icon of bluetooth white and blue next to the clock in the system tray. We double-click, and we add our Palm device paired with a PC. For this option to seek a Search bluetooth devices or something similar. When it detects the Palm, we will match the device with your PC and follow the steps that are showing us, enter the password as we want (but you have to use the same on the PC and Palm). Here, depending on the drivers we use, the process will be somewhat different.

We already have all the necessary software installed. Now we have to configure everything. The first part of the PC:

• We open in the Windows Control Panel, the Network Connections folder. Always appear to connect to the Internet and created a new driver bluetooth. We right-clicking the link on forever, and we chose in the Start menu, the Properties option. Now opening a window, there are going to the tab called Advanced, activate the option Allow other network users to connect through the Internet connection of this team, and in the pulldown below, choose the interface network that have created the bluetooth drivers. OK, and you're sharing the internet connection to the PC with bluetooth devices.
• In my case now I had to go to the configuration of drivers bluetooth (double-click the blue iconito which was set up next to the clock of Windows), and activate the service LAN access. In your case, this will depend on the drivers bluetooth utilicéis which is investigating the matter a bit.

• Somewhat important: Do not confuse LAN (which is our network that connects to the Internet) with PAN (another type of network you're not using here), because they are completely different things. Finally, a way to verify that the bluetooth connection is well configured, is to go to their properties, and check that the IP address is 192.168.0.1, and a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0.

Setting up the network connection bluetooth

Now configure the connection in Palm:

• Come to the program and go into Network Preferences. In service we give the name you want (like "PC by BT"). Deploy connections in the list and choose Edit ... connections. Create a new, that will connect via Bluetooth to LAN. Also choose your device to use: press the button and detect Bluetooth devices nearby. It should detect your PC, and select it.


Configuring the connection type


Detecting my PC (Mutsumi)

• We accept all these changes and go back to Network preferences. ... Click the Details button. Here you can choose to leave the DNS server address and IP address of the Palm Automatics, or give them some specific values (DNS 192.168.0.1 primary, secondary blank, and IP 192.168.0.5. I have to leave these parameters to operate in automatic, but other connections to the Internet, surely has to give these values. Each must prove what you are working.


Setting "Automatic"


Setting "manual"

• Finally, some teams may be needed to define a login script. Click on Script ... and we leave it as is seen in the image. To my E2 was not necessary, but for older models can do that.

Login Script

And now, at last, all set. Now click on connect and everything should go well. If not, will have to try to change some parameters. In the original page of this procedure are outlined solutions to problems caused by routers, firewalls, and so on. These are the steps that I followed my Tungsten E2 to connect to the internet via bluetooth, but may be different for other Palm, though not too much. If you are trying to not work, we can always opt for the PPP Softic, although that fee, automates the whole process. But following this guide, I noticed that only the drivers using bluetooth USB adapter, you can connect your Palm to the Internet without problems. So patience, courage, and the bull.

By: Mark Gonzalez Troyes in Palm Tricks
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Labeling: bluetooth, internet, Palm, Palm, pda

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