1src Forums - USB connection to the internet with Windows XP Home

jido

01-16-2003, 01:45 PM

:confused:

I'm trying to get my Clie to connect to the internet via its cradle, connecting to my laptop (which has windows xp home installed). As far as I know, you have to activate Incoming connections on Network Connections in the Control Panel, which I've done so. However, on the list that contains the devices that can connect to the computer, I only get my modem and LPT1 (I guess there should be something else here, like USB - maybe I just need a driver?).

There's also an option on the Users tab that forfeits handeld devices from having to provide a password to connect (I've tried both with and without this option), but I haven't had any luck so far. So I'm guessing here that this should be possible with this version of windows (I know about RAS on win 2000, but that's not what I'm using).

I've also tried all kinds of networking configurations on the clie, and still no connection.

Can anyone give me any pointers about what am I doing wrong? Is this connection even possible. (And if your comment/response is "get a wireless connection" this isn't about that, please don't bother posting).

robs43

01-16-2003, 02:21 PM

Connecting via USB is not possible. You could try to connect via the serial port, but not really sure if it will work.

jido

01-16-2003, 03:12 PM

Any real/technical reason for you to say that connecting via USB is not possible? USB Networking devices do exist, after all USB is just another kind of port, which is actually used for communication (I just want to find out how to enable this specific kind of communication).

Picasosz

01-16-2003, 04:11 PM

It is not possible the clie does not contain the software required to know there is an internet connection available the PC has know way of knowing the clie wants to connect to the internet. I would recommend either buying the CF card and setiing up a wireless network or buying a laptop computer.

jido

01-16-2003, 05:15 PM

Originally posted by Picasosz
It is not possible the clie does not contain the software required to know there is an internet connection available the PC has know way of knowing the clie wants to connect to the internet. I would recommend either buying the CF card and setiing up a wireless network or buying a laptop computer.

1. It does have the software to connect to the internet. Duh.

2. The PC surely can know if a device is requesting a service. The problem here seems to be on the USB part, not on either one of the devices in particular.

3. Read the last part of my original post. This is a technical issue, not just a random question about connecting to the internet. And please DO READ! I clearly state I'm doing this via my LAPTOP computer, so saying "go and buy a laptop"... I'd better keep my comments on that... RTF Post!

I want to connect the device to perform a single online task from its cradle (kind of like sync'ing something), which does not justify the need to spend the money needed to setup a wireless link.

hansschmucker

01-16-2003, 05:56 PM

1. Don't shout at people who are trying to help you.

2. There is simply no PC software accepting TCP/IP calls via USB, eventhough it is technically possible, since as you stated correctly USB is just another port which can theoretically send and receive about any kind of data.

jido

01-16-2003, 06:53 PM

Sorry about that. But you should agree that even when you make a clear effort to avoid answers you explicitly don't want to get, there's always some people that just don't get it.

And if your comment/response is "get a wireless connection" this isn't about that, please don't bother posting

I clearly didn't want people telling me to use a wireless network, I already know that. I am trying to get an specific thing to work, and its very, very common that people do not read the posts as well as they should before posting the *obvious* dumb response.

...via its cradle, connecting to my laptop...

I want to believe (for my own sake) that I don't usually go posting dumb questions around.

Now I'm just waiting for someone to tell me that I'm cheap and how come I buy a Clie NX and don't want to spend on a wireless network...

:(

david_chang40

01-16-2003, 08:13 PM

I'm with u jido

n2ifp

01-16-2003, 08:31 PM

Originally posted by david_chang40
I'm with u jido

Sorry, I don't like his nasty(to me) attitude and I found it was not justified or called for!:mad:  No need to bite someone's head off, if they were only trying to help.

Picasosz

01-16-2003, 08:32 PM

Maybe you should grow up jido and chang it is not possible thru the cradle and the only software available is the software that comes with the wifi cards you as*** and btw it has noThing to do with being cheap you asked if there was a way that it could be done NO there is not. The only options available are a wifi card or a bluetooth card and the BT is Very SLOW if you dont like the answers don't post the questions!!!!!!!!!!! BTW it was a dumb Fu***** Question JIDO

jido

01-16-2003, 08:59 PM

:confused:
I hate missinformation. It is easy to say it is not possible, but I wouldn't say something is not possible because the device didn't come with the appropiate software... There's a big gap between "not possible" and "doesn't exist right now", which I believe its the case. Ok, I was rude, I don't deny it, but don't deny the fact that my question was very clear and that I made a few points on it in a clear intention to avoid certain answers (which I got...). And well, I certainly was waiting for another flame and I got it. Wow, is people predictable.

Back to the interesting part...

I said it before, this isn't about having a wireless connection, I don't want one. I don't want to spend on one right now, it wouldn't be useful to me. I want to make a connection to my laptop using the cradle/usb port. Maybe it is a technical challenge right now... but where should the problem be attacked? The clie tries to reach the computer when asked to, but the computer doesn't recognize the message, so my guess is the computer needs something (a driver perhaps?) to redirect or process that particular calls.

Now, any real technical answer anyone?

(btw, I'm also open to using linux to do this)

karasu

01-16-2003, 09:43 PM

It seems to me the problem is you have to have the laptop (or any PC) act as a proxy server or router for the USB call. It would require software components for both PDA and PC. I think the biggest hurdle is finding a good enough code writer to complete both portions with no hope of compensation. I know I wouldn't do it for free.

(To the person who said there isn't any TCP/IP interface for USB, you are dead wrong. My Toshiba docsis cable modem supports USB interfacing and works better than 10BaseT, IMO)

So, it's do-able but not worth the effort.

karasu

01-16-2003, 09:52 PM

I took another look at it and it seems all you need is a TCP/IP stack that will connect to your USB interface. It's not that big a deal to convert your laptop into a server and there are a few freeware programs that will create a stack but I don't remember if they support USB. Once that's done just configure your Network prefs for RAS and configure the connection like you would a PC to a router.

Kind of a pain, but possible.

hansschmucker

01-16-2003, 09:52 PM

I think you're talking about a proprietary solution. I was actually talking about a standard such as TCP/IP itself.

And "the person who said there isn't any TCP/IP interface for USB" is named Hans Schmucker, thank you very much ;)

karasu

01-16-2003, 10:06 PM

Originally posted by hansschmucker
I think you're talking about a proprietary solution. I was actually talking about a standard such as TCP/IP itself.

And "the person who said there isn't any TCP/IP interface for USB" is named Hans Schmucker, thank you very much ;)

Partially. the Protocols supported by the clie RAS connection already are PPP, SLIP, and CSLIP. It's not a big deal to run browsing applications over PPP. You do it everytime you access any windows dialup RAS. Like I mentioned, you need software to convert the computer into a router capable of taking the PPP network connection over the USB and allowing it to pass to the PC's existing network connection.

BTW, hans. Don't get all hoidy-toidy because I didn't reference your comment by your name. I read the posts, address the statements, and move on. Your screen name or real name is of little concern to me, I'm addressing a mental exercise- not attacking people. However it is nice when you actually have proof of items you present as fact, rather than running on a normal (read: fallible) memory.

Just the Facts

01-16-2003, 10:38 PM

Go karasu, Go!

Unregistered

01-16-2003, 11:12 PM

I think you guys are making this harder then it needs to be...

The settings include an option to connect to a network from the connections/prefs screen, you can set this to connect through the cradle and/or plain usb cable.

The problem is, it dont work. (This is what the original poster that got blasted was refering to by mistakingly saying tcp over usb isnt possible.)

It seems the driver support is incomplete in one or more areas, I would expect this to be something that would need to be fixed by palm and/or sony for this to work correctly.

Strangly, when I set up the palm side and then press the connect button the computer thinks something is connecting (you hear the new device sound from windows) and when you cancel you hear the device removed sound.

cbulock

01-17-2003, 01:46 AM

Originally posted by Unregistered
I think you guys are making this harder then it needs to be...

Not really, Hans Schmucker does know what he is talking about. If it were simpler than it would probably already have been done. MochaSoft has software that allows you to do this over a serial connection, but they don't and said they have no plans to support USB. I'm sure if it were simple, they would do it.

karasu

01-17-2003, 09:25 AM

I'm going to try and not let the nay-sayers goad me into proving them wrong. However, I will look into what freeware programs there are that can let you create a TCP stack over USB. (granted that's most of the work)

I'll report back on this by monday or so...

karasu

01-17-2003, 09:46 AM

Just looking around on the net there are several manufacturers that support USB networking. They have the router software for sharing the existing WAN connection with a USB LAN. Past that it falls to having a connection methodology that would allow the PDA to handshake properly with the PC/server. I just need to look at the authentication sets these manufacturers support.

NXOwner

01-17-2003, 09:56 AM

Actually, we are looking on something like the MochaPPP software program which only supports serial connection. If there is a software like MochaPPP that is supporting USB connection then we can do internet browsing via cradle.

karasu

01-17-2003, 10:09 AM

Crikey! I forgot about Mocha!

Clie supports serial interfacing, just buy one of those USB/serial dual cables and connect both to the PC. Hotsync using the USB and do your internet over the serial using Mocha (assuming it would even run on OS5)

NXOwner

01-17-2003, 10:15 AM

NOPE! I tried Mocha with my NX using the Innopocket Serial Cable, IT DID NOT WORK! Must be the OS5.

karasu

01-17-2003, 10:47 AM

What specifically did not work? I'm trying to differentiate between a connectivity problem and a software compatibility problem.

Thanks,

NXOwner

01-17-2003, 12:33 PM

Once I connect the serial cable from NX to COM port, the Mocha always show a 'no physical connection between the computer and NX'. But I was able to successfully do a HotSync using the same setting - meaning a physical connection is detected. I already gave up and hoping to get a newer Mocha or other softwares that may support USB as well.

Let us know if you have success doing it via cradle.

karasu

01-17-2003, 12:48 PM

Originally posted by NXOwner
Once I connect the serial cable from NX to COM port, the Mocha always show a 'no physical connection between the computer and NX'. But I was able to successfully do a HotSync using the same setting - meaning a physical connection is detected. I already gave up and hoping to get a newer Mocha or other softwares that may support USB as well.

Let us know if you have success doing it via cradle.

But this same setup worked with a pre-OS5 device? (I'm trying to eliminate possibilities here)

jido

01-17-2003, 01:53 PM

Searching a little more I stumbled upon this page:

http://pda.naver.com/column/review_3.php?no=206&type=Lecture

which is in Korean. It seems to me it's describing something like what we are looking for, but I've had no success replicating whatever they're doing there... other than not knowing what does the page really say (I used babelfish for a little translation, but it didn't help that much).

cbulock

01-17-2003, 02:24 PM

Originally posted by jido
Searching a little more I stumbled upon this page:

http://pda.naver.com/column/review_3.php?no=206&type=Lecture

which is in Korean. It seems to me it's describing something like what we are looking for, but I've had no success replicating whatever they're doing there... other than not knowing what does the page really say (I used babelfish for a little translation, but it didn't help that much).

I think that site just describes how to use Mocha PPP to set this up over a serial connection. Like I said before, MochaSoft doesn't support USB connections with their software.

Mocha

01-17-2003, 09:20 PM

Can someone please post how to setup Mocha PPP 32 and NR/NX connection?

n2ifp

01-17-2003, 09:48 PM

Originally posted by cbulock

I think that site just describes how to use Mocha PPP to set this up over a serial connection. Like I said before, MochaSoft doesn't support USB connections with their software.

The problem is the lost data base at Clie Source. So some of this gets rehashed all over again. What was done previously by some who are more experienced and smarter then me have already determined. In this particular instance I can only pass on what I have learned from others. It seems like a lot of effort to access the net through the HotSync cable. Maybe there is a valid reason for it that escapes me. At one time, some years ago it was no big deal with my Pocket PC. Other than it being a neat thing to do, I had no practical use for it. To me, the wireless was more practical in it's function as giving one freedom and mobility. The question is, what am I missing?

samsitedesigns

01-19-2003, 04:03 PM

I remember everyone had this problem on the pocket pc! and when pocket pc 2002 came out it wasnt a problem anymore. i think microsoft did something to make the os negotiate connections from the usb somehow it just worked automatically... that was back in the pocket pc days when i never heard of a CLIE! :) LOL.

n2ifp

01-19-2003, 05:04 PM

Originally posted by samsitedesigns
I remember everyone had this problem on the pocket pc! and when pocket pc 2002 came out it wasnt a problem anymore. i think microsoft did something to make the os negotiate connections from the usb somehow it just worked automatically... that was back in the pocket pc days when i never heard of a CLIE! :) LOL.

It did work prior to that with the serial interface. I am sure it would be possible if the software was written to take advantage of it. Then again, the same thing can be said about th CF slot:)

profoundwhisper

02-02-2003, 04:29 AM

How about this guys:

Is there some sort of driver that could be setup on the PC, like a virtual com driver or something? What I mean is, we could then use Mocha to connect to that com port (like COM 5, for example) but in reality, this COM 5 is just a driver that translates the USB data... am I making any sense??

n2ifp

02-02-2003, 06:36 AM

Originally posted by profoundwhisper
How about this guys:

Is there some sort of driver that could be setup on the PC, like a virtual com driver or something? What I mean is, we could then use Mocha to connect to that com port (like COM 5, for example) but in reality, this COM 5 is just a driver that translates the USB data... am I making any sense??

I suppose it could be done, but we'll have to wait until someone writes one

profoundwhisper

02-02-2003, 06:13 PM

But I guess it already was written...?

Take a look at the Settings dialog for my USB printer (picture attached)...

n2ifp

02-02-2003, 06:22 PM

Originally posted by profoundwhisper
But I guess it already was written...?

Take a look at the Settings dialog for my USB printer (picture attached)...

Ok, it takes forever for attachments to appear. What about the Clie end though?

profoundwhisper

02-02-2003, 06:30 PM

Ok, it takes forever for attachments to appear.

How about this?

What about the Clie end though?

I'm sorry, I don't understand your question, please clarify?

profoundwhisper

02-02-2003, 06:32 PM

Oh I see... attachments do not appear right away... are they checked first?

n2ifp

02-02-2003, 06:49 PM

Originally posted by profoundwhisper
Oh I see... attachments do not appear right away... are they checked first?

It seems to take about a day anymore from what I have seen recently.

To clarify my question that I was attempting to ask. Wouldn't an application be needed on the Clie itself to utilize the USB connection, even though the desktop could?

 I am sorry for my question being a bit ambiguous.

profoundwhisper

02-02-2003, 07:05 PM

Originally posted by n2ifp

To clarify my question that I was attempting to ask. Wouldn't an application be needed on the Clie itself to utilize the USB connection, even though the desktop could?

I wouldn't imagine so at all... Here's what I think: Everybody has already been reporting that they heard "connection established" sounds on their Windows desktops, but nothing has happened. What this brings to mind is that the PDA device is actually sending the correct packets (or whatever) to the computer, but the problem is that the computer is not correctly resolving them. Thus, programs such as Mocha PPP which sort of "listen" to the serial port that the PDA is supposedly connected to, and does whatever. Now all we have to do is make Mocha PPP believe that the decive is actually connected to a serial port, hence, the Virtual Serial Port (Driver)... I would imagine all we need to do is sort of "mirror" the data sent to the USB port from the PDA device, to that Virtual Serial Port.

Please excuse my vague terms, since I'm not technically professional. I mean, all this is just an idea, I don't know if I could be completely wrong, or technically incorrect, I hope I'm not... Thanks for reading!

Originally posted by n2ifp
 
I am sorry for my question being a bit ambiguous.

Boy, I'm not used to this politeness in Egypt! Please God, get me out of here soon!!!

zAntiX

08-04-2004, 04:23 PM

www.softick.com/ppp/

NJL!2016

08-04-2004, 04:35 PM

Yes, that is exactly what you are looking for

BBalla4life

01-31-2005, 10:55 PM

www.softick.com/ppp/

Wow yall, this really program really does do the trick! I was able to surf the web for the first time on my clie nx70v while it was in its usb cradle. It was pretty cool. If your trying to test out the internet on your clie while its in its cradle and your connected to the internet, try out this software.

RFK

02-05-2005, 05:49 PM

My my. While I was reading through this thread, I was thinking to myself, "Is anyone even going to mention the Softick program, or are these just 3 pages of bickering?" So I'm glad someone mentioned it. :)

I ran across it before finding these forums, and it does work. However, the drawback is that it's not a program that installs to your Clie. In short, it has to be installed to whatever computer you plan to browse from - which, sadly, means that I can't just take my Clie with me to my university and grab my mail whenever I want. I could carry the program with me, but that doesn't do me a lot of good without admin privlidges.

Obviously, the ultimate goal is to find a WiFi card I can afford. :) Until then, if anybody happens by this forum and knows of a similar program that stays resident in your Clie's memory, do enlighten us.

Edlin

02-06-2005, 04:00 PM

This post started a long long time ago.
I saw ummm somewhere a reasonable looking guide to using NT server and Ras with Clie & USB, but it looked pretty hard and would require more admin rights than softick probally.
I just keep a copy a softppp in gmail and havent had to look further.
Have you tried running softick PPP from a USB drive?