chepe

I just got this Ipaq 3955 and want to put it to work. first thing i want to do is make it capable to access the internet. browsing here and there found out that originally, the ROM version 1.0 is not capable to work with SDIO cards, but there is a ROM upgrade (to 1.11) still available at:

HP iPAQ h3900 Pocket PC series*-* Download drivers and software - HP Business Support Center

if you check that website, the very first option is what i'm looking for, but, there is also a few other choices, my question here is, will upgrading to 1.11 include all of the other updates or i just have to do them anyways??? if i have to install them anyways one by one, which ones first, the ROM or the rest of them???

i was already trying to do the rom upgrade anyways, but when i was in the middle of it, i got this message saying that i have to have the ipaq plugged into an external power source, and i just have one cable, that plugs into the ipaq and the other side to the usb port in my desktop pc, and works as a sync cable and also to charge the battery (can't do both things at a time), it's one of those cheap cables that in the middle have a switch, while pressed works to transfer files, unpressed as a charger, so now that you know this, is there any other way to install this upgrade without having the ipaq plugged to external power???

the ipaq 3955 can be upgraded to ...... what OS? if i upgrade and install, let's say WM2003 SE, do i still have to upgrade the ROM 1.11 to make the SD slot work as SDIO slot?

your answers to these matters are truly appreciated.

Julie

You can install the ROM update and then install the other updates if you find you need them. Updates that are dated prior to the ROM update date may have been incorporated into this update, but you may find you need to go back and install them anyway.

You can upgrade the 3955 to Windows Mobile 2003 only (not 2003SE). If you do that, you will not install these updates at all, and will only install updates for windows mobile 2003 (HP divides these up into difference screens). HP is no longer selling the windows mobile 2003 update, so your best bet is to look on eBay.

Running ROM updates on a Pocket PC can be risky, especially if the Pocket PC is not properly supported with a good power supply. This is why you are required to have the pocket pc plugged directly into AC power. You should not try to install any ROM update unless you can plug the pocket pc directly into AC power or else you risk bricking the device.

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chepe

THANKS JULIE!!

now, how can i connect directly this ipaq to AC power and at the same time transfer data from desktop to ppc??

i have this sync+charger cable. it's both things at the same time, but can only work one thing at a time, so when you use it as a charger, you can't transfer data (sync). and when i'm trying to upgrade bios, then it asks me to connect it directly to AC power, but i just can't. so i have been looking for a docking cradle on ebay without luck. all i can find is the same kind of cable, sync+charger. there are ones that work only as charger cables, but those USE the data port to charge your ipaq ..... so how am i supposed to sync it????

i've noticed there is another kind of port in the bottom of the ipaq, what is that one for??

your help will be appreciated. thank you.

i just found this on ebay, tell me if this is what i'm looking for

HP Compaq iPaq 3800 / 3900 Series Docking Cradle Kit - (eBay item 150163734158 end time Sep-27-07 20:44:08 PDT)

chepe

is the ipaq 3955 able to work with wifi G???

i'm asking this because is not the case of my axim x5, eventhough you got a wireless B/G card, the x5 will take it as B only (why pay more is my point).

thank you

chepe

what's the max storage capacity memory card this ipaq can recognize?

chepe

so, if i buy a sdio wifi card for this ipaq 3955, but also need to increase my storage capacity (with a sd card, it's the only expansion slot!), and at the same time surf the net, what am i supposed to do?

insist, what's the big wide port on the bottom of the ipaq for?

am i forced to get that CF adapter that i have found on ebay to get an extra option of expansion slot?

jonifen

Hi chepe

An SDIO card is useful for the Internet etc, but is best if you have an expansion sleeve of sorts with alternative sockets for other media (Compact Flash for example).

You can get Compact Flash sleeves for the iPAQ 39xx series which also have a battery inside so you can use your PPC for longer. You should be able to source one of these on eBay, I doubt HP sell these anymore as the 39xx is an old model.

With a CF sleeve, you have the option of getting a CF wireless card (and using SD as storage) or vice-versa.

Unfortunately though, without an expansion sleeve, you'd have to constantly swap the SDIO wifi card and SD storage card around to use them both.

The iPAQ has 2 sockets at the bottom, one small-ish one, which is for charging/syncing the device, the other (is kind of up the back of the unit, just behind the front buttons) is for connecting the expansion sleeves to.

Julie

Originally Posted by chepe

is the ipaq 3955 able to work with wifi G??? i'm asking this because is not the case of my axim x5, eventhough you got a wireless B/G card, the x5 will take it as B only (why pay more is my point).

None of the IPAQs that support WIFI natively can use WIFI G (the newest line which is rolling out this Fall will support G). I have never used an SDIO WIFI card, but I think they come with their own set of drivers which you'll need to install. Technically WIFI G would be supported because the drivers are packaged with the card, but I don't really know for sure if a WIFI G card will work in the 3955.

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jonifen

Originally Posted by Julie

None of the IPAQs that support WIFI natively can use WIFI G (the newest line which is rolling out this Fall will support G). I have never used an SDIO WIFI card, but I think they come with their own set of drivers which you'll need to install. Technically WIFI G would be supported because the drivers are packaged with the card, but I don't really know for sure if a WIFI G card will work in the 3955.

I have been wondering the same thing about an 802.11g card working, but I know an 802.11b card works fine - my brother in law has a compact flash card working just fine.
I've looked all through most sites on Google that look to have info about it, and haven't found anything so far to confirm 100% that the 39xx iPAQs support G or not.

PROVOCATEUR

Originally Posted by chepe

THANKS JULIE!! i have this sync+charger cable. it's both things at the same time, but can only work one thing at a time, so when you use it as a charger, you can't transfer data (sync). and when i'm trying to upgrade bios, then it asks me to connect it directly to AC power, but i just can't.

Who say that ??? Power and data signals are on different pin of usb and PDA connectors. So, if You have sync+charge cable (that mean, that +5V contact from USB is connected to charging pin to PDA), then you can send-receive data and charge your device at the same time.

Here is pin-out:
HP iPAQ h1910,h1915,h1920,h1930,h1935,h1937,h1945, h2200,h2210,h2215,h3800,h3900, h4150,h4155, h4300,h4350,h4355, h5100,h5155,h5400,h5500,h5450,h5455,h5500,h5550,h5 555, h6315,h6340,h6340,h6365, hw6510,hw6515,hx2000,hx2100,hx2400,hx2700,hx4700,h x4705