Can anyone sync via IRDA with an IBM Thinkpad laptop?

Old Codger · 04-22-03, 02:22 PM

Can anyone sync with an IBM Thinkpad laptop using the infrared? I have tried and it almost worked a couple of times. I can beam to a compaq laptop believe it or not. It even was repeatable. That is the only thing I have found that I can count on beaming data to so far. Unfortunately I do not own the Compaq.:crooked:

diesel · 04-22-03, 02:52 PM

Codger,

What happens when you try? I have a dell laptop, and in order to get my axim to sync with it, i had to "turn on" the laptop's IR port. Apparently i had to go into the bios to turn it on because it was turned off by default. I wonder if the IBM laptop is the same, where you have to turn on the IR port so that it can be used.

mtb · 04-22-03, 03:13 PM

I used the IR port several times shortly after I got my Axim with no problems. Since then, I have extra cables (my cradle is connected to my Dell notebook), so I sync that way.

I do remember having to enable the IR port (I run Win2K -- so the setting is under Control Panel / Administrative Tools / Computer Management / Device Manager / Infrered Devices / IBM ThinkPad Fast InfraRed Port).

6pack · 04-22-03, 04:33 PM

I sync my Axim with my work Thinkpad T23 with no problems everytime.

Old Codger · 04-22-03, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by diesel
Codger,

What happens when you try? I have a dell laptop, and in order to get my axim to sync with it, i had to "turn on" the laptop's IR port. Apparently i had to go into the bios to turn it on because it was turned off by default. I wonder if the IBM laptop is the same, where you have to turn on the IR port so that it can be used.

The IBM Thinkpad has windows 2000 pro. I have been using IR to sync my Palm for a long time. It works everytime. I have installed activsync on the IBM and I turn off the Palm sync manager. I have synced the Axim and the IBM with the usb cable so a partnership is established. But when I try to sync with ir it never finds a connection. Neither from the IBM or from the Axim. The same thing happens when I try to beam notes or anything between them.

This is just a part of the problem. I also would like to be able to beam data to my co-workers palm OS devices. This does not work either. The only thing I have had any luck with is a compaq laptop.

A few minutes ago I downloaded the Dell driver update for the IR port but I cannot see any improvement at all.

04-22-03, 07:27 PM

IR is so slow though... :rolling:

Old Codger · 04-22-03, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cageyjames
IR is so slow though... :rolling:

It may be slow but if it makes it possible to exchange data with other people without benefit of cable or expensive wireless network access points then it seems like it is still a viable technology. And it is only the Axim it does not work on, palm and all the others can do it so it must still be a useful utility. It seems very fast when I exchange electronic business cards and short notes on techinal details. At least that is how it is when I use the Palm, haven't had the experience on the Axim yet.

04-22-03, 11:31 PM

Oh I used it with my Palm, but with the Axim its brutal.

ghassan · 04-22-03, 11:31 PM

I just IR-beamed a contact from my Axim to IBM thinkpad 600E (didn't try to sync though, ActiveSync not on TP600E). without anyproblem. I IR-sync with Dell latitude all the time... works great! However, at one time, I had some problems with unresolved files when I disrupted the line of sight of IR and had to do some changing of options to get things back on track... but that was my fault...

6pack · 04-23-03, 09:59 AM

I remember Thinkpads having an IR problem, I had troubles getting my Palm to work a long time ago, I think I downloaded some patches for the Thinkpad or had to do some setting changes in windows. But if you're already sync'd with your palm, then it should be fine.

Remember you can only initiate the sync from Ax, not your Think pad. You have to bring up the ActiveSync window in Ax, click tools, then 'connect via IR'. But even without clicking anything, you should see an new icon in the bottom right saying there's a new device that wants to talk via IR.

04-23-03, 10:57 AM

I haven't synched yet because I need to get my cable from home so I can create the partnership, but I do IR from the laptop to the Axim all the time (mostly docs and Today themes).

I am running an IBM Think pad, Win2000 pro, and it works just fine. The IR came enabled so I didn't have to dink with that. It just worked the first time.

The only problem I have is when I move the laptop (it is usually in a docking station). I have to pile up Post-It note pads to get the Axim to the right height, and then move it around a little. Usually it works fine just setting it near the IR from the laptop, but sometimes it takes a little moving the Axim around.

6pack · 04-23-03, 11:15 AM

I've never used a cable with my laptop and have full partnership.

04-23-03, 11:18 AM

I installed Active Sync on my laptop, but I didn't see how to create the partnership. Did you do anything in particular to create it, or did it just happen as part of the install and first sync?

04-23-03, 12:13 PM

Under File > Connection Settings you'll have to make sure the "Allow serial cable or infrared connection to this COM port:" is checked and the correct COM port is set. Mine is COM3....

Old Codger · 04-23-03, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by uzziah0
I haven't synched yet because I need to get my cable from home so I can create the partnership, but I do IR from the laptop to the Axim all the time (mostly docs and Today themes).

I am running an IBM Think pad, Win2000 pro, and it works just fine. The IR came enabled so I didn't have to dink with that. It just worked the first time.

The only problem I have is when I move the laptop (it is usually in a docking station). I have to pile up Post-It note pads to get the Axim to the right height, and then move it around a little. Usually it works fine just setting it near the IR from the laptop, but sometimes it takes a little moving the Axim around.

Based on your experience I must have a defective Axim. Now if I could just get Dell to do something about it. I called the support people and they said we expect a patch or driver out any day now and if you will just wait it will fix your problem. Well the patch arrived and did not fix my problem. Also they say "well you know IR is so slow why bother with it anyway"? Well that is sort of like buying a new car with the little spare tire in it. You open the trunk and your little spare tire has only four bolt holes and your axle has five so it will not go on. So you call the Hondord dealer and he says "well it is so small and you have to drive so slow with it on so why bother trying to use it anyway"?