AXIM X5 and Symbo LA4137

tempest8008 · 06-20-08, 11:19 PM

I recently obtained an Axim X5 as a birthday present.
I have been trying to get a WiFi card to work in it...found these forums and have been following the WiFi FAQ.

I picked myself up a Symbol Spectrum 24 High Rate 802.11b Wireless Networker CF card based on the suggestions in the FAQ...and I can't get the bugger to work.

The Axim detects it, but I get the "Unrecognized Card" message and it asking for the name of the driver.

I've installed the drivers from the Symbol website, and found a link to another installer via these forums. No joy in any case. It goes through the install process, but each time I plug in the card I get the above message instead of a nice blinky green LED and Wireless networking.

Do I have a bum card?
Any way to test it?

Thing is, I've gone looking for the files it says it's installing during the process, and I can find the directory it says the files are in, but the directory appears empty.

Any CF memory card I've tried seems to work fine.

Here are my Axim details:

Model Dell Axim X5
Processor Type Intel XScale
Processor Speed 400Mhz
RAM size 64MB
ROM size 48MB
ROM Version A05 (07170300EN)

Microsoft Pocket PC
Version 4.20.1081 (Build 13100)

And here are the Symbol WiFi CF Card details:

Symbol Technologies
P/N LA-4137-1020-WW
2.4DS4
100mW

Your thoughts and assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

KimChee · 06-21-08, 02:40 PM

Did you use the 2003 driver setup? It's been a while but I had to do a little hunting to find it. I could be wrong but I think it was not even on the symbol site at the time. Are you typing the name of the driver in when it asks about the card?

tempest8008 · 06-21-08, 03:10 PM

I've tried all the software I could find...but haven't specifically gone looking for the 2003 software.

I'll delve into that side of things, see what I can find, and post back.

Thanks for your reply.

********************

Posting back. I found some software referenced on this site that said it would work for the LA4137 and specifically with PPC2003...it did not.

Now, to make sure I'm not going over and over the same ground...

Is PPC2003 the same as WM2003?

The file name I'd be giving the prompt, should that include the file extension?

What should that extension be? I'd assume it would be the .sys file, but maybe PPC wants to use the .dll instead...not sure.

For example, one set of file names I found were all called "NetWLan5.inf" and .cat, and .sys. There was also a NETNDI.DLL and NETWLAN.T2 and T2I.

I'm not sure which one I should be pointing it to.

Regardless, from what I've read the regular method of installing software to a Pocket PC should work to get the driver in, and then the device should pick it (and the driver) up and install it.

chepe · 06-24-08, 04:04 PM

i have the same axim x5 and the same wifi card, works without any problems. let me see if i still have the drivers i used on mine.

chepe · 06-24-08, 05:34 PM

alright.

my card on the back says:

P/N: LA-4137-1020-GP-WW

and my axim x5 details are the same as yours.

under start/settings/systems/remove programs you find it listed as SYMBOL CENET_SPECTRUM24

i have 2 files, can't remember which one i used. tried to upload it here as an attachment but one of the file is bigger than 2mb so no luck here.

download them from here:

4shared.com - online file sharing and storage - download MC&DriverOnlyInstallers_Symbol_CF_wi-fi.zip

4shared.com - online file sharing and storage - download spectrum24driver_0.3.4_arm.ipk

let us know if they work. if i remember this right, i think i used the one inside the ZIP file that is not the driver only. try them all.

chepe · 06-25-08, 01:50 PM

here is more:

Symbol Technologies: Support- Search Results

a lot of reading. manuals, how to's, everything is there.

tempest8008 · 07-01-08, 10:55 AM

Thanks for all the replies.
I finally confirmed the card was DOA, and the seller replaced it.

The card I have now works great and the software installed and worked seamlessly and very easily.

I love the fact I can VNC my desktop now from pretty much anywhere in my house! Not sure if there are any wardriving/walking apps that will work with this card, but I'll be investigating that to be sure.

Thanks again for everyone's help!

ccordero · 08-31-08, 01:12 PM

Hi.
I have same Axim model as yours and I want to buy a Wi-Fi CompactFlash card.
I have found different part numbers, but I can't find yours.
Did you buy it online? Could you provide me links where I can buy the same model of CompactFlash card?
Thank you!

Forensics · 01-20-09, 07:53 PM

I went on eBay and searched for Wi-Fi Compact Flash card. Link to seller: NEW - COMPACT FLASH (CF) WiFi WIRELESS CARD PDA 802.11B - eBay (item 260291361177 end time Jan-21-09 11:41:52 PST)

lmelhart · 01-24-09, 05:49 PM

I actually purchased this card from this seller. I have done everything i have read on this website and spent hours troubleshooting. Here is the final issue: My X5 does not do anything when I put the card in. It does not acknowledge the card at all. Does this mean the card doesn't work? Also there are two buttons on the back of the card. Are they supposed to light up to show power?
I really appreciate any info.

Forensics · 01-26-09, 10:12 AM

I had to install the driver from the site. However, even with the driver, I have to be within a few feet of the wireless router to get a signal. Once I was within range, it connected.

Did anyone also purchase an antenna with the card? The seller is insisting everyone uses an antenna to get a signal.

lmelhart · 01-26-09, 07:15 PM

So, exactly which drivers did you use? Also, how did you "run setup" on your Axim? Does your Axim recognize the card right away when you insert it?

ikehiker · 01-27-09, 05:46 PM

lmelhart, assuming you installed the correct drivers (there are some links to the Symbol site that should lead you to the drivers), if you get no indication that the card is in place then I suspect it is a hardware failure with the card. Of course, you should be sure the card is actually inserted. The last couple of mm requires a bit more force to seat the card onto the wire prongs inside the Axim.

BTW, sorry for not responding earlier to the message you left on my profile. That's a new feature of the latest forum software and it's not something I routinely check.

ikehiker · 01-27-09, 05:46 PM

lmelhart, assuming you installed the correct drivers (there are some links to the Symbol site that should lead you to the drivers), if you get no indication that the card is in place then I suspect it is a hardware failure with the card. Of course, you should be sure the card is actually inserted. The last couple of mm requires a bit more force to seat the card onto the wire prongs inside the Axim.

BTW, sorry for not responding earlier to the message you left on my profile. That's a new feature of the latest forum software and it's not something I routinely check.

lmelhart · 01-27-09, 08:57 PM

Ike-thanks much. I think I will try a hard reset and then reinstall the drivers. I had installed the Spectrum Symbol 24 LA4137 drivers after trying some other drivers and I now lost track of what I have where. So, back to the drawing board. Technology is so FUN!