Getting WPA on your iPAQ 5555

slashlos · 12-06-06, 06:11 PM

Well I finally got a WPA speaking access point, the Linksys WRT54G, mostly to address my laptop which can speak WPA and 802.11g. Once I go those up and running it was time to address getting my PDA on as well, the 5555.

The HP website is a bit confusing but here's the bits and steps you'll need to accomplish this feat. All this is predicated on having ROM installed 1.10.10 and using ActiveSync; I'm using 4.0.

0. DO A FULL BACKUP

1. navigate to the HP web site for this vintage model and download 3 service packs. I did a search for 'ipaq 5555 wpa update' and eventually go to the download page to collect these service packs:

SP27632.EXE - WLAN Driver 3.2.4.133
SP27605.EXE - WLAN Firmware Upate 1.103.5.164
SP28615.EXE - WLAN Driver 4.3.5.414

2. install the packs in the order above with these conditions:
- do not have an SD card inserted
- do all updates with AC power on
- reboot after each install
- verify in the Settings/System/Asset Viewer
the update did take affect (more on this in a bit)

3. The HP web site is a bit confusing but trust me, I just did it, this works as follows:

3.1 install SP27632.EXE; install to default area (where else w/out an SD?)

you'll be asked to replace some ROM read-only files, say YES; I prefer
that to YES always so you can see how many you're replacing; I
recall it replaced 2-3 files.

soft reset you iPAQ. The first time I did this the unit hard reset itself!

So I restored the backup and did the install again. Your PC will say first
you want to remove it [from the PC] go ahead. Then do it again. By this
I mean double-clicking the SP27632 service pack binary called

Setup_WLANDrv_133.exe

Verify in your asset viewer under 'Wireless LAN' that the driver says
it is 3.2.4.133

3.2 install SP27605.EXE; again install to default area

again allow it to replace ROM read-only files

soft reset you iPAQ; The first time my asset viewer showed all zeroes
for the 'Hardware Revision' and 'Firmware Version' entries. So I did
the install again; this binary is called

Setup_h5550WLANFW163_WWE.exe

Perform another soft reset and verify that the Firmware entry is now
non-zero and is 1.103.5.164 (phew that was scary)

3.3 install SP28615.EXE; again install to default area

soft reset your iPAQ; 'Wireless LAN' asset entries now show

Hardware Revision: 6.3
Firmware Version: 1.103.5.164
Driver Version: 4.3.5.414
Module Release Date: 02.09.05

As I said the website indicates a slightly different order as these packs have a bit of overlap. They had be chasing my tail for a bit. I chose to ignore that and follow what the readme for each pack told me to do. It took a few go-rounds so I figure others might venture this way, so the above steps come the tried and true method of "trial and error."

Now comes the 'hard' part.

I should point out that I was on the phone with HP support, who were great; he felt he didn't really help me, but I felt better having them on the line (hindsight being 20-20 on obtaining a 3yr ADP care plan!).

Anyway my router I set up to use Mixed (B & G bands) and WPA. I have laptops with different vintage cards. And entered my password. This linksys setup is quite a bit different that my earlier 'B' only router but eventually I did find the security panel under Wireless setups to enter your WPA password. Here you enter in plain text and indicate encryption. I chose TKIP [don't ask me why but I was pretty sure the iPAQ wasn't supporting AES).

4. Anyway, turn on WiFi on your PDA, go to settings, then the advanced
tab, then tap the [Network Card]. You should see a panel with the title

'Configure Wireless Networks'

If your SSID is there tap on it, it should be. Your router needs to
broadcast your SSID. The next panel should reveal a series tabs;
tap [Network Key].

5. The tricky part is here, entering the password you'd set on your router.
There appears to be a sort of "catch-22" where you cannot enter into
the 'Network key:' box unless you get the right combinations of
settings above. For me I eventually was able to enter my password
by using

Authenication: WPA-PSK
Data Encryption: TKIP

6. Ensure the check box is OFF about having the key provided
automatically. Enter your password and tap 'ok' at top right. Then press
/ hold on your SSID and select Connect.

Hopefully you'll see that pretty green light meaning, "you're on". Enjoy.

wzielenski · 12-06-06, 08:15 PM

Thanks, Slashlos. I actually tried this update a while back, and after hosing the wireless part by following HP's instructions on-site, gave up. These were excellent, and appears to have worked. Thanks for the experimentation and writeup effort!

jdigitL · 12-07-06, 12:07 AM

very much appreciate your post. awsome :)

doubler · 05-18-07, 09:12 PM

Glad i found this forum.
I have a IPAQ 5550 and since I switched to WPA2 security on my wireless internet I have not been able to use it.

I read this thread and was wondering if this will work on WPA2 or is this only a solution for WPA?

Are there any solutions where I can have a secured wireless internet (WPA2) and still be able to connect my HP 5550 to the internet.

Thanks in advanced.

slashlos · 05-19-07, 12:04 PM

Wouldn't think it'd work for WPA2 but I could be wrong. Don't the environment to test. If you do venture that way, backup first!