Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 102

I just subscribed to Voicestream and ordered a Nokia 8290 IR capable phone. I want to be able to get web access on my Visor deluxe. I have a regular voice plan. Do I need addtional service (ie. data service) to get to an ISP account? I called voicestream and the rep said you dont need any data service to get web access via an ISP account.

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 9

You'll need some third party software such as IRLink from http://www.iscomplete.com - that will provide you the software components to do IR with your mobile phone - I got it working with my Motorola Timeport and Vdx.

Registered: Jul 2000
Location:
Posts: 24

if you own a visor deluxe and if you haven't already done so...
1. download from Palm, new IRenhance update **DO NOT INSTALL ALL THE FILES THAT CAME WITH THE DOWNLOAD** only install SerIrCommLib.prc
2. download from IScomplete.com, IRlink
3. add Data Connect feature from your cell provider
4. go and read this thread, http://discussion.visorcentral.com/...p?threadid=9628

hope it helps

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 102

Data stream service needed?

That would be $35 extra per month with Voicestream. That on top of ISP service would make it prohibitive! Are you sure you need an extra data service? Remember, Nokia 8290 phone has data capabilities. You can recieve text messages or if you subscribe to E-notes for $5 extra a month you get email and limited web info ie stock quotes, weather. Would this type of service be adequate to get my Visor on the Web?
I dont trust what the Voicestream reps tell me because quite frankly I dont think they know enough about the technical end.

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 15

you need data connect service

Listen to the VoiceStream reps. You will need the Data Connect option on your cell phone. I just hooked up my Prism to the 8290. I had the email option, text messaging, stock quotes, news, weather, etc., but still needed the "Data Connect" feature to access the ISP. You don't need the other options to access your ISP, although the email feature is pretty cool because you can send and recieve email directly from your phone.

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 102

How much did it cost?

How much does the data connect option cost you?

Registered: Apr 2000
Location:
Posts: 71

I'm currently using my VDX with the 8290/Voicestream 600 + 1000 free weekend minutes with NO DataStream service. It's my understanding that the DataStream service is their 'unlimited' data service, but is actually only 3000 additional minutes. The 8290 has a built-in modem that takes advantage of the GSM service and doesn't require any additional 'data'service. The Enotes service only allows you to send/receive email (limited to 160 chars) to and from your phone.

The bottom line is that I'm paying $39.99 a month for 1600 total minutes including data service that allows me to connect to my existing ISP. BTW This is in the Baltimore/DC market.

[Edited by LMidnight on 11-27-2000 at 09:23 AM]

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Here
Posts: 213

I would think that without datastream, you could dial your existing ISP for on-line service, which would gobble up your voicestream minutes. With DataStream would there be an actual dial number, or would you just connect to those services and gobble up the datastream minutes? I am VERY anxious to see how they structure the plans when the visorphone is released. This whole business about connecting to a voicestream phone without the visor phone seems like poor function especially if you want to use SMS to receive messages.

Registered: Apr 2000
Location:
Posts: 71

Your right. It doesn't take long to gobble up the 1600 minutes. After the first month, though, I only use the 8290/VDX to check email and do some movie time look-ups, or maybe check the news headlines. I don't do any heavy mobile surfing.

As far as using the 8290/VDX instead of a visorphone.. I like having the option of taking just my phone without having to take the visor. I can easily slip the Nokia into my pocket. I will admit that the visophone may be a bit easier to use since there is no IR beam to keep aligned, but it's not too much of a problem. Most important to me is that the 8290 is more durable than the visor. I've dropped the phone several times and it's survived nicely. I shudder to think what the VDX would look like after a nice drop.

The bottom line is that we now have several wireless options and _that's_ been a long time coming.

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 102

Please tell me, since you seem to have the same set up as the one I will be getting, what software are you using to infrared connect your VDX to the Nokia and what web browser are you using. Is AVantgo sufficient.. ARe you using any web clipping PQAs?
Thanks

Registered: Apr 2000
Location:
Posts: 71

I'm using the same setup (irlink/irenhance) as canosatien from above.

I'm using the AvantGo browser and MultiMail pro for email. I've tried other browsers, but I like AvantGo because it's easy to use and I was already using it to sync a lot of web pages from my desktop. My biggest complaint is that I can't copy/paste text with the browser.

I also have AOL IM installed, ptelnet, mobileID wap browser, Yahoo! Messenger and SDS NetTime.

Another cool app is the GSMTool. It lets me use the SMS function of the 8290 like a mailbox.

There are lots of other apps that I haven't tried, yet.

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 10

AT string

OK, I've been able to establish a connection with my ISP but whenever I try to access something on the internet I get mysteriously disconnected from ISP.
The modem (8290 phone) drops the connection with some sort of error message that I cannot recall now.
My thought is that there is possibly something wrong with AT string used to init modem.
What have those who have it working used?
Just the default? AT&FX4 ?
(VDX with IrLink1.5 and 8290)
THANKS!

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 102

When connecting to ISP do you put in a password or..

Do you use your regular password to get to your ISP or Do you have to find out the code that is being used to identify your password (i think can be obtained with a program called Raspy?). And where do you input the password to connect? Is it in the Network settings of Preferences?
Thanks

Registered: Apr 2000
Location:
Posts: 71

rauld,
The problem you're having sounds like the same thing that happens to me when I use Eudora IS. There is some issue with the IR functionality of the Palm OS prior to 3.5 that may cause this problem. You'll probably notice the IR icon on the phone blinking just before it drops the call. This is an indication that the phone is trying to establish an IR connection. It normally happens whenever the VDX is doing any sort of heavy processing (rendering a page, changing applications, etc). When using the Eudora IS, it goes into this state and never recovers. I don't know of a fix. Hope that helps. BTW I am using the AT&FX4 init string and it normally takes exactly 30 seconds to conect.

Jscalia,
The raspy program is used to find the user/password combination if you're using one the 'free isp' services. The user/password is encoded and hidden with these services, so you have to use the raspy program to figure it out. If you're using a regular isp, you can simply use your regular user/password.
Once you have the user/password (however you get it), it is entered under the 'Network' tab of the Prefs. You'll also have to setup a script to logon to the isp. This should be the same as the script used your dialup script on your PC. You can hold the up (maybe down) scroll button to display the script messages while the VDX is logging on if you're having trouble with your script. Hope this helps!

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 102

Thank you very much for the above reply.
How do you get the script from the PC? When I dial in from home it doesnt show anything like that.

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 10

Some INET apps work

Yes LMidnight, you are exactly right.
The IR indicator on phone blinks and then
announces "Terminal Connection Lost" and
drops the call. The VDX however still thinks
that its connected.

Its with the Eudora IS apps that this happens.
ptelnet also dies with error code 4617 or something.

AvantGO DOES however properly load webpages!
So now I guess this means its a software issue with
the OS and EIS apps.
Oh well ... Can anyone out there tell us how to
get ptelnet and eudora mail working?

Thanks,
me

Registered: Apr 2000
Location:
Posts: 71

Your welcome.
The script on your pc (windows) is under My Computer->Dial Up Networking->Properties(of the connection) and there should be a script tab. Choose edit and take a look. The script option on the VDX is pretty self explanitory.

Good luck!

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 10

LMidnight,

One of your previous posts indicates that you
have ptelnet working ... anything special to get
it to work?

ADDENDUM: Never mind, it works. The error I was getting
must have been due to some previous failed
TCP/IP stack call. Its working now.

I have to say, it IS rather cool to be able to
telnet into some box 1200miles away while sitting
at lunch table! too cool

R


[Edited by rauld on 11-29-2000 at 12:42 PM]

Registered: Jul 2000
Location:
Posts: 24

CAUTION: FOR PEOPLE THAT'S TRYING TO USE NOKIA 8290 WITH IRLINK TO GO ONLINE ON A VISOR DLX SHOULD NOTE THE FOLLOWING FROM HANDSPRING TECH SUPPORT.

My visor crashed so bad that I had to hard reset the damn thing!!!


"Thank you for your email.
IRenhance from Palm CAN NOT be used on the Visor and is known to have problem.

Note:
Third party software from ISComplete will allow you to synchronize data (address book information, calendar items and SMS messages) between an IR enabled phone and a Visor. You can also establish a link to the Internet via an IrDA compliant phone with an integral hardware modem. Please see http://www.iscomplete.com for more details.
There are other interesting third party applications such as NokiTest, NokiGGE, Monkey Messager, etc. which can be found at http://www.palmgear.com and elsewhere on the internet. Some of these programs will allow you to synchronize e-mail from your cell phone (if it is appropriately equipped) to your Visor. However, Handspring does not support this or any other third party application. We do not accept any responsibility for loss of Visor function or loss of data if a user experiments with IR related third party software connecting to cell phones.

Palm OS 3.1H Visor users: (i.e. Visor and Visor Deluxe)
Do not, under any circumstances, install the AMX.prc,SerialIrPnl.prc and IrLib.prc form the Palm Enhanced Infrared Update. These are sure to cause problems with the Visor. The SeriIrCommLib.prc is the only file which should be installed. It makes your Visor, Visor Solo or Visor Deluxe and IrDA compliant device ready to make use of software like IrLink and GSMTool.

Some phones have snap on modems (some Ericsson models). As long as the modem is hardware based and the phone is fully IrDA compliant, the Visor should be able to connect with the modem. The instructions provided with IRLink are very good for establishing the connection with the phone modem. Most phones require you to enable the IR port in the Phone Setup. In the case of Motorola Timeport, this IR mode times-out if the connection does not initiate.

You may have to set up the modem in the Visor Preferences. Follow the normal directions for setting up any Springboard modem. This varies slightly depending upon whether you are using Pam OS 3.1H or Palm OS 3.5.2H:
i. Under Palm OS 3.1H, just redirect the connection to the IR port in IrLink. See http://www.iscomplete.com or IrLink documentation for details.
ii. Under OS 3.5.2H you will have to create a connection type (Available Configuration) using connection method IrCOMM to Modem. Then setup a Network preference for your ISP using this Connection.

The default AT settings may need to be changed for the phone's modem. If you need a special AT init string, this will be in your phone's manual or obtained from the manufacturers / suppliers support services.

GSM networks are generally limited to 9600-baud data connections at the moment. This is quite slow for Internet browsing but quite usable for email or chat.

SMS (Short Messaging System) managed on a Visor is a major enhancement on phone based SMS services. There are several SMS management applications available which send and receive the SMS, via the IR port, to infrared equipped cell phones. This transcends the memory limits of the SIM's SMS RAM storage capacity for GSM phone users. The average SIM in a GSM phone only stores the last handful of messages.

Another interesting phone related program (non-IR) is FoneSync. This allows you to synchronize your phone with a PC and a PDA. An optional extra device allows you to manipulate the contents of a GSM SIM card.

Also note that some models of North American cell phones have a infrared faceplate but no circuitry to actually receive IR signals. Obviously you will not be able to beam data over to such a cell phone.

Thank you,
Handspring Technical Support"