Yo, All you Computer Peeps.....

The Dancing Peacock

Diamond Member
Dec 22, 1999
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Hi,

So maybe this is a bit off topic for OT, but GH wasn't much help. SO...

I have a motherboard that has an IR header on it, an ABIT BE-6. I have a palm pilot that I want to synch via IR b/c the serial cable isn't fast enough, plus I have other IR devices. Palm hasn't put out a USB cradle, only a serial to USB adapter for mac users. On top of that, I just want to see if I can do it. :)

My question is, what do I need to do to set up IR on my machine? Any links to pictures, instructions would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks.


TDP
 

luv2chill

Diamond Member
Feb 22, 2000
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TDP,

You just need an IR adapter to plug into the header (good luck finding one... might try calling your mobo manufacturer). Then, in BIOS setup, you enable IR. Windows should detect it as a new device and that's it.

Good luck

l2c
 

IBhacknU

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
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<< only a serial to USB adapter for mac users >>

I know you still want to see if you can make it work, but I use the adapter on my PC with USB. Goes pretty quick.

BTW... how much info you trying to move between the two?
 

The Dancing Peacock

Diamond Member
Dec 22, 1999
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yea, ABIT was fucking worthless. First message I send, pretty much says what I have up above. The guy's message was

Dear Value Customers:

Go to www.belkin.com
Sincerely,

xxxx

The second message I sent to the guy didn't do anything for me at all, either. I think he mentioned Belkin again. On top of that, I couldn't find anything on Belkin's site that was an IrDA cable for a computer, maybe I'm blind...


I just want to buy the damn cable...is it really that rare to set up IR on your desktop???


late.

TDP
 

Viper GTS

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
38,107
433
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The Dancing Peacock...

It's not just a cable. It's a card that plugs into the IR header off your motherboard, &amp; may be dependent on your mobo manufacturer (not sure on that).

How about something like this?

Viper GTS
 

The Dancing Peacock

Diamond Member
Dec 22, 1999
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IB,

did the addition of the USB cable make it quicker than the cradle? Not any more data than normal, I'm just an impatient guy :) My buddy's IPaq syncs rather fast and it makes me mad :)


late.

TDP


.o0(I love posting 3 times in 1 thread....Edit a post, why would I do that??) :)
 

USB is fine for hotsync, but your missing the whole geekfactor angle :)

Thanks for the link Killbat, I have been looking for a scheme like that for a while.
 

The Dancing Peacock

Diamond Member
Dec 22, 1999
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Viper,

If I wasn't a guy, I'd think about kissing you. :Q edit I dunno what Sarah would think about that:) </edit>

I think that's exactly what I need. Just gotta find someone in the US that sells them, and see if it works on my mobo.

Killbat...knock yourself out building that thing....:) I'm gonna go the easy way out and buy it..

Thanks.

TDP
 

IBhacknU

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
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in a very non-technical sense.. yes, it seems faster. (but it's been so long since I had the serial deal set-up, I hardly remember) :(
 

sparkle

Senior member
Nov 4, 2000
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First off, if you get this done let me know! My port on my 3e stopped working, which means no hotsync, which means it is useless to me.

Secondly, I was told some time back by a 3com tech. that he had never heard of a customer successfully getting the ir to work between pc and palm.

Good luck, though. And keep us informed!
 

Viper GTS

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
38,107
433
136
TDP:

On second thought, that might NOT be what you want. That's an IR adapter that appears to run off the serial port... It might make things easier (no cable), but not faster. If you could find a USB IR adapter, or something of that nature, then that might be better for you.

That's the basic idea I wanted to show you, though, that there are other solutions to IR connectivity than just using the onboard header.

Viper GTS
 

The Dancing Peacock

Diamond Member
Dec 22, 1999
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I was talking to another tech-head friend of mine, and the reason that I went for the IR solution was that he said, why would it go faster just b/c it is USB? The cradle is serial and that it wouldnt' go faster than the serial port.

This sounded plausible, BUT this guy is full of shit ALOT, and he talks out of his ass on a regular basis.

IB did you pay the 40 bucks and get the one from Palm? I've seen generic ones from other manufacturers for like 20 bucks, and was wondering if they work as well.


late.


TDP
 

The Dancing Peacock

Diamond Member
Dec 22, 1999
3,385
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Viper,

I found a IR to USB adapter, but it was like 100 bucks. There were 2 manufacturers that I found, one was 100 the other was like $130. No reason to spend almost as much money as I spent on my IIIxe on the IR. My search continues *sigh* :frown:


late.


TDP
 

Viper GTS

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
38,107
433
136
If the limiting factor is the interface, then the move from serial to USB would be a HUGE improvement. USB operates at 12 mb/sec, or roughly 1.5 megabytes/second. Serial's nowhere NEAR that fast.

Viper GTS
 

luv2chill

Diamond Member
Feb 22, 2000
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I think it's really strange that just about every Pentium/Athlon non-server motherboard has an IR header, yet nobody seems to supply the adapter to attach to it...

I mean I know there isn't much demand, but if they're going to provide IrDA ability, why not supply the adapter to make use of it?

I had the idea to enable IrDA on my desktop two years ago, but gave up because I couldn't find any info on getting an adapter. Obviously, things haven't changed.

l2c
 

Killbat

Diamond Member
Jan 9, 2000
6,641
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Crap, that transceiver part includes amps and logic and stuff. :) Guess I'll have to spend the couple bucks. :)