How to install WiFi drivers w/o USB or cradle?

TBerk · 07-04-08, 03:26 AM

Hello everybody.

I recently came upon a Dell Axim 5, it came w/ a Dell truemobile 1180 (802.11b) CF module.

I see from the unit being reset that all drivers have been wiped, and wouldn't you know it the thing did n't come w/ USB synch cable noe cradle.

What I have available is a SD 1G from Kingston (not seen by the 5) and a 2G Sandisk Ultra II CF card (_seen_ by the 5).

Downloading drivers from MS and Dell is easy enough but I am having trouble because the downloads assume they'll be loaded on to the 5 via a sync procedure.

Q1) Can I manually copy the 'waiting to sync' files onto the CF card and get them to the 5 and/or

Q2) How might I sync w/o IR and/or a USB cable that fits the large connector on the bottom.

Thx,
TBerk

ikehiker · 07-04-08, 03:55 AM

It's likely the installation file extracts a *.cab that is stored temporarily on your PC. Maybe someone can give you a precise location but I'm sure a search would turn it up. The cab can be transferred to the sd and then executed on the Axim for the installation.

As long as you stick with a version of ActiveSync lower than 4 you can sync via WiFi (I think v 3.8 was the last that allowed this). Unfortunately, the first sync to set up the partnership has to be by USB or IR and I do not think there is anyway around this.

TBerk · 07-05-08, 04:16 PM

OK, so far here is my progress:

- 'Dell TrueMobile 1180 Wireless CF Card' is what I am trying to install.

- Found location of *.cab files, etc. waiting to be synch'd;

c:\Program Files\Microsoft Activesync\DELL
c:\Program Files\Microsoft Activesync\DRIVERS
(caps mine)

Directory of C:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\Dell

07/05/2008 01:01 PM <DIR> .
07/05/2008 01:01 PM <DIR> ..
07/05/2008 12:48 PM 391 Device Component.ini
07/05/2008 01:01 PM 0 dir.txt
07/05/2008 12:48 PM 13,671 Uninst.isu
12/13/2002 03:20 PM 901,243 wireless.ARM720.CAB
05/23/2003 03:16 PM 857,021 wireless.ARMV4.CAB
05/23/2003 03:16 PM 857,021 wireless.ARMV4I.CAB
05/23/2003 03:16 PM 759,725 wireless.ARMV4T.CAB
12/13/2002 03:20 PM 856,671 wireless.i486.CAB
12/13/2002 03:21 PM 856,671 wireless.i586.CAB
05/23/2003 03:16 PM 791,989 wireless.MIPS16.CAB
05/23/2003 03:16 PM 922,061 wireless.MIPSII.CAB
05/23/2003 03:16 PM 969,181 wireless.MIPSIV.CAB
12/13/2002 03:20 PM 1,077,413 wireless.R3000.CAB
12/13/2002 03:21 PM 1,076,901 wireless.R4100.CAB
12/13/2002 03:21 PM 930,429 wireless.R4111.CAB
12/13/2002 03:21 PM 1,076,901 wireless.R4300.CAB
12/13/2002 03:20 PM 973,965 wireless.SA1100.CAB
05/23/2003 03:16 PM 772,533 wireless.SH3.CAB
05/23/2003 03:16 PM 773,045 wireless.SH4.CAB
05/23/2003 03:16 PM 702,885 wireless.x86.CAB
20 File(s) 15,169,717 bytes

AND

Directory of C:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\Drivers

07/05/2008 12:59 PM <DIR> .
07/05/2008 12:59 PM <DIR> ..
07/05/2008 12:59 PM 0 dir.txt
03/08/2006 09:57 AM 521,968 Rndis_Update.exe
03/08/2006 09:57 AM 509,680 Rndis_Update_2k3.exe
03/08/2006 09:57 AM 692,464 Rndis_Update_64.exe
05/30/2006 05:18 PM 8,260 wceis.cat
05/30/2006 05:18 PM 3,293 WceIS.inf
03/08/2006 09:57 AM 8,229 WceRndis.cat
03/08/2006 09:57 AM 3,432 WceRndis.inf
11/06/2006 06:04 PM 45,534 wceusbsh.cat
11/06/2006 06:04 PM 63,596 wceusbsh.inf
11/06/2006 06:04 PM 28,672 wceusbsh.sys
11 File(s) 1,885,128 bytes

- I copied these two folders (w/ contents) to a 1Gig CF card and then into the x5's local memory/storage.

- On the x5 I can see the files (but not the extensions on the end of the files, gotta fix that)

- I can tap on each of these but they fail to 'run', and I cant seem to find a way to 'point' the system in Connections to that folder for it to pick up the drivers.
(Can you tell I am a Pocket PC newbie?)

- Perhaps there is an app or util I need to 'run' CAB files?
- I am limited at this point to transferring files back and forth via CF memory card.
- I can order a Sync cable eventually but it is a Holiday weekend and nothing is happening for awhile.

What I am after is to get the 11.b card working to be able to:
A) Transfer my old Handspring files onto this unit, and
B) Be able to travel to WiFi hotspots and get online.

(Well, really I can perform #1 with the CF card, but I want to get this thing on my local network...)

Of course I'll work out a longer term solution to syncing between PDA and PC.

Thx for the help,
TBerk

spunker88 · 07-05-08, 04:39 PM

Originally Posted by TBerk

12/13/2002 03:20 PM 901,243 wireless.ARM720.CAB
05/23/2003 03:16 PM 857,021 wireless.ARMV4.CAB
05/23/2003 03:16 PM 857,021 wireless.ARMV4I.CAB
05/23/2003 03:16 PM 759,725 wireless.ARMV4T.CAB
\

You want one of these. Usually there is only one "arm" cab file. I guess just put all 4 onto your card and see which one installs.

Arm, Mips, and Sh3 all refer to types of processors in pocket pcs. All axims are arm.

TBerk · 07-05-08, 06:20 PM

Ah, the clues they fall from heaven as if pennies...

Lets see what is what (btw, I am using CAB Installer)...

Muhahahah

I have a light on the CF Wifi card. (!)

OK, I'll report back with success or failure. Thx so far,

OK, addendum:

- the CF wifi is an 80211.b, from Dell.
- I can see my local wifi network. (It reports 'available'.)
- I need to resolve/define terms like "EAP Type (peap or tls), Network Authentication SHARED MODE, and some other options in setting up the x5 side of networking. (why do they use really weird terms for things (Work network?)
- It looks like it supports WEP, but my local net is currently set to WPA2.
- I downloaded, and installed, MS ActiveSync ver 4.5.0 I may need to roll back a ver or two to be able to sync over wifi vs IR an/or USB.
- I can connect to my wireless router IF I set it to WEP, but not enough to actually get the DHCP portion to give me an IP.

Looks like I need to still resolve the lack of SYNC because there is more than just the BIN file to install onto the x5.

If any one can further this along, feel free.

TBerk
close, so close...