Wireless CF card for X5

m.baurmann · 01-25-08, 02:55 PM

Hi gang!

Hey, quick question: I'd like to begin using my PDA for occasional wireless internet access.

My X5 has Microsoft Pocket PC 3.0 installed.

Can anyone recommend a card and source for me? Anyone got one that they'd loan me to try out? Anyone got one for sale?

And--is there additional software I'd need? I did check in with PC Connections and they told me that their card would require 5.0 or Win Mobile 2003. How would I get something like that?

I received this item a couple of years back, but never used it for much more than a pocket calendar and address list. Now I've discovered books on tape and have several novels on an SD card, so it seems to me that wireless is the next step!

Thanks for any and all assistance!

M.

ikehiker · 01-25-08, 03:46 PM

Can anyone suggest a CF card for my Axim X5?

You will need drivers appropriate for your OS. BTW, there is no such OS as "Microsoft Pocket PC 3.0." Your X5 has either Pocket PC 2002 or Windows Mobile 2003 (these are the only OS versions available for the X5). The WiFi FAQ also has some details on Intersil Reference Drivers. These should work with any Prism-based WiFi card.

m.baurmann · 01-25-08, 03:54 PM

Thanks, IKE, for your prompt reply!

Under settings and about:
Microsoft Pocket PC
Version 3.0.11171 (build 11178)
C. 1996-2001 Microsoft Corp.

So, now: What do I really have? And is there a quick way to update this?

M.

(Long time computer user <ibm empl 30+ yrs> and short time PDA user!)

ikehiker · 01-26-08, 01:15 PM

That's PPC 2002 (the Version 3.0... refers to the WinCE version which is the underlying system - kind of like Win95 being built on DOS 6.0).

Dell briefly offered an upgrade CD to WM03 but no longer sell them. You may find the CDs on eBay and I understand people were also selling downloadable upgrades on eBay (almost certainly illegal). I never bothered upgrading my X5 since I felt the last PPC02 ROM was very stable and most WiFi cards will work with it.

m.baurmann · 01-26-08, 07:42 PM

Thanks again, IKE!

I've found and ordered a "Wireless 54MBPS Compactflash Card By Ambicom"
which should be here sometime next week out here in the central CA provinces. Any special driver you'd recommend? Tips, etc.?

I'm heading out on a 10 day business trip and want to leave the aging Dell laptop at home and hope that my X5 will suffice for email.

thnx, m.

ikehiker · 01-26-08, 07:59 PM

Well, now you've got me worried. This is an 802.11g card which was released well after PPC02 was discontinued. A quick look at the Ambicom site suggests they only have drivers for WM03 and WM03SE and I doubt that the Intersil drivers will work (it was written for 802.11b cards).

enracaed · 01-28-08, 03:22 PM

Hello,

I use to have an Axim X5 with PC2003 SE. I use a Socket Wifi CF card E-500 since it does not draw to much power from the device. I also have other X5 accessories as well. PM me at enracaed@gmail.com if you're interested. I can also help you update your rom.

bbspin5135 · 02-07-08, 08:24 PM

I have a D-Link Air wireless CF card model DCF-660W. I have had it for several years. Works well.

ada · 02-25-08, 07:12 PM

I use a dlink card , its ok although the drivers could really use an overhaul. Please note that 802.11g is not going to deliver all you might hope for as the cf bus will not go over 11mz. There are 3rd party connection software packages that are much better, but not free. Cannot remember the names.