Clié Wireless Setup Notes:

Where to look for detailed instructions with screenshots and more advice about WiFi and Web access:

The following includes detailed instructions for setting up a wireless link from Windows XP to a Clié. Below that are detailed instructions how to set up wireless HotSyncing.

For Ad hoc WiLAN (ie. no WiFi router, just Clié-to-PC/laptop):

We need to create two profiles on the Clié, one for HotSync and one for the Web, as they have different requirements.

On PC side:

  1. activate Internet Connection Sharing (allows Clié to share PC's web access) (Win XP could use Network Bridging instead but it won't work if you bridge between the wireless card and the Ethernet LAN card that links to the router/DSL modem. I don't know how to fix this)
    1. Control Panel > Network Connections
    2. select the connection that connects to internet (eg. Ethernet LAN card)
    3. right click Properties > Advanced tab
    4. check both boxes in the ICS section
      - Windows will warn you that your PC's WiLAN card IP will be changed to 192.168.0.1, and Subnet mask to 255.255.0.0 - you will use those numbers in the Clié-side setup below
  2. set up the wireless LAN segment:
    1. Control Panel > Network Connections
    2. Right click on the Wireless Network Connection
    3. Right click Properties > Wireless Networks tab
    4. check "Use Windows to configure settings"
    5. Add a preferred network
      - create an SSID name: this is very important for all the other devices that will share the wireless network must be given the same SSID name. Keep it brief and remember that it is case sensitive but otherwise you can pretty well use any name you like.
    6. set Net Authentication to "Open", uncheck "Key is provided to me auto...", and then set WEP encryption to "None"
    7. in Advanced tab click on "ad hoc networks only", uncheck "Automatically connect to non-preferred networks"
  3. configure Network Prefs on the Clié
    1. select Wireless LAN Service
    2. create a new profile in Details
      1. same SSID as on PC/laptop (nb. case-sensitive)
      2. WEP = none
      3. ConnectMode = Adhoc
      4. channel (pick one: I used the same one as in my PC WiLAN adapter's detailed hardware configuration in order to speed the connection)
      5. Advanced Setup will depend on whether you want to HotSync or to access web via PC
        For HotSync:
        1. set IP address to same as on PC except last number (eg. if PC is 192.168.0.1 then enter 192.168.0.2 here so the Clié will be the next device in the sequence)
        2. same subnet mask as on PC
        3. DNS addresses as determined by "ipconfig" in CMD window on PC
        4. disable PowerSaveMode to prevent connection loss when you aren't typing or using the stylus for a minute or two.
      6. For Web access: - create another profile which is the same as the HotSync profile in all particulars except the Advanced Setup
        1. In Advance Setup disable PowerSaveMode
        2. uncheck IP and DNS Addressing to "Auto". Then make sure that you remove all numbers in the IP and DNS fields before setting IP and DNS Addressing to "Auto" again.

Now you have two profiles. Use one for establishing an ad hoc link to the PC for wireless HotSync, the other for when you want to access the Internet using the PC as your link to the web service.

 

HotSync:

In the Clié's HotSync applet:

  1. Modem sync pref - set to "Network"
  2. Lan sync pref - set to "LANSync"
  3. Primary PC Set up:
    1. Primary PC Name - set to "!!" (prevents the Clié for hunting for the correct name when connecting during the HotSync)
    2. Primary PC address - set to PC IP (check by using "ipconfig /all" in command prompt on PC)
    3. Subnet Mask - same value as the PC (check by using "ipconfig /all" in command prompt on PC)
  4. In HotSync main window:
    1. select "Modem" instead of "Local"
    2. set service to wireless lan
    3. leave phone number as is

On the PC side, open the HotSync setup menu by right-clicking on the HotSync icon on the system tray at the bottom of your screen. Select "Modem" and "Network"

That's all. Once you have connected the PC and the PDA via WLAN you can HotSync by pushing the usual button.

This is part of the May 2004 issue of the Medical Palm Review newsletter.

The Review is a newsletter aout Palm handheld computers, prepared for doctors, nurses, IT professionals, educators and other people who need tools that work. Feel free to pass copies around electronically or on paper. To subscribe, or complain, contact the author at the following address: p.arnold.mpr@sympatico.ca.

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