October 01, 2002

Using an iPaq and Nokia 6210 for Internet and Mail

A user's guide to getting up and running

Whilst the Nokia 6210 is a fine WAP phone with Bluetooth connectivity, it doesn't have half the functionality of a infrared connected iPaq. WAP phones are great for the odd SMS message, news headline and weather checks. However, why settle for that, when 10 minutes tinkering will give you so much more? How about mobile email retrieval handling? Full feature-rich browsing? Remote access to your PC? Interested? Read on.

In Preparation
What to check before you start
It is assumed that your iPaq is fairly standard and that, where necessary, you have enabled data connectivity by calling your cell phone provider's Customer Services - this differs depending where in the world you are. It is also assumed that you have already configured the Inbox and Pocket IE clients with your ISP / DUN settings - a fairly safe bet here is to simply replicate the settings of your desktop machine on your iPaq.

Setting up the iPaq
Configuring 'Connection' in Settings

  1. From Start, choose Settings and then Connections.
  2. Tap Modem and then New Connection.
  3. At Enter a name, type 'Nokia Connection' or something you'll remember.
  4. At Select a modem, choose [Generic IrDA Modem] from the drop down menu.
  5. At Baud Rate, choose [19,200bps] from the drop down menu.
  6. Tap 'Advanced' and ensure the Port Setting's Connection preferences are:
    • Data Bits: 8
    • Parity: None
    • Stop Bits: 1
    • Flow Control: Software
  7. Leave all Terminal options unchecked.
  8. Under TCP/IP, check 'Use server-assigned IP address', 'Use software compression' and 'Use IP header compression'.
  9. Under Name Servers, check 'Use sever-assigned addresses' and tap 'OK' to return to your ISP settings screen.
  10. Tap 'Next' and then enter the country code, area code and access phone number for your ISP.
  11. Tap 'Next' and check 'Cancel call if net connected within 120 seconds.
  12. You may need to try dialling with the 'Wait for dial tone' option checked / unchecked but unchecked seems fine from my BT line.
  13. Leave 'Wait for credit card tone' and 'Extra dial string...' unchecked and empty unless you need special configuration - in which case this page is way beneath you!
  14. Your Connection is now configured so tap 'Finish'.

Configuring 'Dialling' in Settings - for the UK

  1. Tap 'New' and enter 'Home' or something equally meaningless for a MOBILE connection :O)
  2. Enter your area code WITHOUT the leading zero - i.e. 207 for central London.
  3. Enter your country code WITHOUT the leading zeros - i.e. 44 for the UK.
  4. Check 'Tone dialing'.
  5. Leave 'Disable call waiting' unchecked unless you specifically have it set up on your cellphone, in which case you may need to check with your airtime provider about the disable digit required.
  6. Tap 'OK' to return to the main Settings screen.
  7. You should now see your new connection listed in the 'Modem Connections' list. If you tap the 'Connections' link at the bottom of the screen, you should also see it as a new Connection icon next to the ActivSync and IR ActivSync icons.


Setting up the Nokia 6210
Activating InfraRed Reception

  1. From the main screen, press the [Menu].
  2. Press the UP scroll button twice to show the Infrared screen.
  3. Press [Select].
  4. A splash screen reading 'IrDA Reception Activated' will show briefly.
  5. Activation is confirmed by a small flashing IR symbol like this |--- in the top right hand of the screen
  6. Your Nokia 6210 is now enabled for InfraRed connection with you iPaq.

Getting connected the first time
Using Inbox as an example application.

  1. Turn the iPaq on and tap the 'Inbox' icon.
  2. Activate the phone as above.
  3. Place phone and iPaq on a flat surface (with the phone 5mm higher than the iPaq for perfectionists), with their IR ports facing each other - normally 5cm / 2 inches is about right but you may need to experiment.
  4. Tap the Connect icon (hand holding PDA) or 'Services' followed by 'Connect' when the correct service in the list is checked.
  5. A progress screen will show 'Dialling your connection number' on your iPaq and the Nokia's backlight will illuminate and show 'Calling your ISP/DUN number'.
  6. Once the call to the POP is established, the cell phone display will show 'Call 1' preceded by a 'D' which indicates that a data call is in progress and the IR symbol will change from flashing to constant.
  7. The iPaq progress screen will show 'Connecting' , 'Device Connected', 'Authenticating User' and 'User Authenticated' during the handshake and password verification process.
  8. When this changes to 'Connected', you are connected and ready to send and receive mail - just tap the 'Send and Receive' icon (two envelopes).

To close the connection
Using Inbox as an example application.

Tap 'Services' then tap 'Disconnect'.

Troubleshooting

Hopefully, you won't need to but there's always a chance. Firstly, run through the setups again. If necessary, delete the setups you have just configured to make sure you don't keep any errors, and re-enter the data cross-checking your ISP / DUN information and watching for those dreaded typos in your entries. If that doesn't resolve your problem, do what I did and post a plea for help to some of the excellent iPaq User Groups at Yahoo Groups or do a keyword search (6210, iPaq, infrared etc) in your favourite search engine for more pages like this.

If I have goofed (this was proof-read) or have missed something, don't curse me. This was written with all good intent as my contribution to the wider online community of Palm users - mail me and I'll put it right as soon as work allows.

Posted by bignoseduglyguy at October 1, 2002 12:00 PM | TrackBack
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