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Axzym · 03-13-04, 02:31 PM

I own and run a small business that, more often than not, requires me to do my work onsite. I wanted to be on the “cutting edge” of technology and offer my clients the convenience of reviewing and signing off on work orders and the ability to get a “working copy” right there on the spot. After several weeks of research I purchased a piece of software called LowFat Invoice for my Dell Axim X5 which worked beautifully (more info available at http://www.lowfatsoftware.com). After reviewing the list of printers supported by the software, I purchased the Canon BJC-55. It was pricey, but it would allow me to print via the infrared port from my X5 AND I could print from my laptop and even scan from it with the optional scanner module. It was relatively light (relative to the heavy Alienware Area 51M Laptop that accompanied it in a spacious backpack) and was functional –until it broke 6 months later.

And all the world grew dark.

Seemingly without reason, the infrared port on the BJC-55 stopped working. I bought the unit refurbed –a mistake I will not make again. I refused to fork over another 300+ for another Canon (which now has the i80 for around the same price) or pay 100+ to get it fixed. That would be like putting $1000 rims on a $2000 car –if you’ve done it, disregard that last sentence.

On impulse I bought the Sipix A6 printer, brand new, off eBay (for a mere 19 bucks!) after checking it’s compatibility with the LowFat Invoice software. However, I DID NOT check whether there were any known issues with the Dell Axim X5 and I was unaware of you wonderful people here at AXIMSITE.

Soooo, the unit arrives. I giggle. I Take it out the box, pop in the CD and there were only drivers for 2000/98/ME and Palm. %$!!&#! I’m running XP Pro and PPC 2002. I google and search for drivers. I found these: http://www.sipixdigital.com/support/.../drivers.shtml and I’m printing in XP – Woo Hoo! Load the CE drivers, attempt to print from LowFat – nuthin. %$!!&#! I made several attempts of removing and reinstalling the drivers, even changing the location (SD Card, main memory, built-in storage) –all, to no avail. Then I spot a thread response by zipidydoda that recommended removing all the expansion cards and reloading the drivers. So I:

1) Remove my SD Card and the compact flash card
2) Did a soft reset
3) Put it in the USB Cradle
4) Used ActiveSync to remove the Sipix Printer Driver (if you get an error stating that a file is still loaded in memory you may have to tap> Start> Settings> System> Memory >Running Programs> Stop all – however, doing a soft reset before this step should help you avoid any errors)
5) Did a soft reset (after taking it out of the cradle)
6) Put it in the USB Cradle
7) Reinstalled the driver (location provided above)
8) Turned Axim off (after taking it out of the cradle) –this was also part of the instructions provided by Sipix
9) Turned Axim on
10) Print from A6print (tap > Start>Programs> A6print –it is best to choose a small txt file for quick printing)
11) Voila !!

So I’m printing –Woo Hoo! I try it in Lowfat –same error as before “Unable to Establish Infrared Link”. What?!!? Just as I was about to chunk the thing –I thought long enough to calm down and approach it as if it were an error on a desktop. Since it’s the IR port that’s not jiving, I thought it could possibly be a transfer rate issue. I go into Lowfat> Tools> Print> Advanced> More Settings. There was no setting for IR Port Speed and the one for the Serial Port was defaulted at its lowest settings. I unchecked “Alternate IR Connection” and “IR Buffer Adjustment”. Prayed –attempted to print…

Thank God!!!!! I’m printing –not only can I print with the A6Print and A6Capture utilities but I can print from LowFat Invoice too!

Sorry this was so lengthy but I didn’t want anyone else to have to spend a whole business day trying to get theirs to work –or worse…give up. I hope this helps somebody.

God Bless,
Axzym

03-13-04, 02:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
Axzym Aximsite Prospect DAP Rookie Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Starkville, Mississippi Posts: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Axim X5 & Sipix A6 Printer I own and run a small business that, more often than not, requires me to do my work onsite. I wanted to be on the “cutting edge” of technology and offer my clients the convenience of reviewing and signing off on work orders and the ability to get a “working copy” right there on the spot. After several weeks of research I purchased a piece of software called LowFat Invoice for my Dell Axim X5 which worked beautifully (more info available at http://www.lowfatsoftware.com). After reviewing the list of printers supported by the software, I purchased the Canon BJC-55. It was pricey, but it would allow me to print via the infrared port from my X5 AND I could print from my laptop and even scan from it with the optional scanner module. It was relatively light (relative to the heavy Alienware Area 51M Laptop that accompanied it in a spacious backpack) and was functional –until it broke 6 months later. And all the world grew dark. Seemingly without reason, the infrared port on the BJC-55 stopped working. I bought the unit refurbed –a mistake I will not make again. I refused to fork over another 300+ for another Canon (which now has the i80 for around the same price) or pay 100+ to get it fixed. That would be like putting $1000 rims on a $2000 car –if you’ve done it, disregard that last sentence. On impulse I bought the Sipix A6 printer, brand new, off eBay (for a mere 19 bucks!) after checking it’s compatibility with the LowFat Invoice software. However, I DID NOT check whether there were any known issues with the Dell Axim X5 and I was unaware of you wonderful people here at AXIMSITE. Soooo, the unit arrives. I giggle. I Take it out the box, pop in the CD and there were only drivers for 2000/98/ME and Palm. %$!!&#! I’m running XP Pro and PPC 2002. I google and search for drivers. I found these: http://www.sipixdigital.com/support/.../drivers.shtml and I’m printing in XP – Woo Hoo! Load the CE drivers, attempt to print from LowFat – nuthin. %$!!&#! I made several attempts of removing and reinstalling the drivers, even changing the location (SD Card, main memory, built-in storage) –all, to no avail. Then I spot a thread response by zipidydoda that recommended removing all the expansion cards and reloading the drivers. So I: 1) Remove my SD Card and the compact flash card 2) Did a soft reset 3) Put it in the USB Cradle 4) Used ActiveSync to remove the Sipix Printer Driver (if you get an error stating that a file is still loaded in memory you may have to tap> Start> Settings> System> Memory >Running Programs> Stop all – however, doing a soft reset before this step should help you avoid any errors) 5) Did a soft reset (after taking it out of the cradle) 6) Put it in the USB Cradle 7) Reinstalled the driver (location provided above) 8) Turned Axim off (after taking it out of the cradle) –this was also part of the instructions provided by Sipix 9) Turned Axim on 10) Print from A6print (tap > Start>Programs> A6print –it is best to choose a small txt file for quick printing) 11) Voila !! So I’m printing –Woo Hoo! I try it in Lowfat –same error as before “Unable to Establish Infrared Link”. What?!!? Just as I was about to chunk the thing –I thought long enough to calm down and approach it as if it were an error on a desktop. Since it’s the IR port that’s not jiving, I thought it could possibly be a transfer rate issue. I go into Lowfat> Tools> Print> Advanced> More Settings. There was no setting for IR Port Speed and the one for the Serial Port was defaulted at its lowest settings. I unchecked “Alternate IR Connection” and “IR Buffer Adjustment”. Prayed –attempted to print… Thank God!!!!! I’m printing –not only can I print with the A6Print and A6Capture utilities but I can print from LowFat Invoice too! Sorry this was so lengthy but I didn’t want anyone else to have to spend a whole business day trying to get theirs to work –or worse…give up. I hope this helps somebody. God Bless, Axzym