Bluetooth-What adapters work well with NZ, any issues to look for?

[BobB]

Hello all,
Just got my NZ and am really impressed. Just a few questions before I start making purchases. I will be using bluetooth to sync and hopefully surf the web and such. I will be connecting via my PC connected to a cable modem so there is NO phones or modems involved.

I'm looking for some advice on bluetooth USB adapters that will work with the internal BT functionality of the NZ. In other words it is easy to install, and works! Is anyone currently using bluetooth via a USB adapter and if so how do you like it? What are some good programs to use with the NZ to surf the web and such?

Any other helpful comments about the NZ would be greatly appreciated as well so I can get up to speed fast.

Thanks for your comments and help. Just came out of the Pocket PC world.

BobB

[Dougy]

Im using the Sony PCGA-BA1 usb adaptor for hotsyncing and importing and it works wonderfully. I dont use it for surfing though. Have it running under Windows XP. It hotsyncs great using BT. Also use it to connect via BT to my SonyEricsson T39. Its a tiny little thing ( the bluetooth adaptor that is :-)

[JohnJ80]

I use the belkin shark fin blue tooth adaptor ($49.95 at CompUSA). Works great on a mac system. Very pleased.

[lanchman]

ditto to JohnJ80, np's with it and my phone or NZ.

[orgasmatron]

I also just got the NZ90 and the belkin shark BT adapter but I am soo new to the PDA world, I can't get the bluetooth to work at all. I was trying to hotsync using BT and it gets to the point of signing on, and after about a minute it says PPP timeout (0x1231) which tells me nothing - but might tell you alot. I disabled the xp firewall and even norton internet security to no avail but im not even sure this is a factor. I also have a dlink router between my computer (different internal and external IP) and cable modem connection. I mainly want to be able to surf the net, hotsync, and do file transfer but I find the documentation included with the clie pretty sparse. I saw some other posts and will reread these but they were mostly related to WIFI and not BT. Any tips would be appreciated as I am so new to the PDA world. Thanks

[BobB]

Thanks all for your comments. Seems like the Belkin adapters are the unit of choice and that is a good thing. I have the Belkin F8T001 Blue tooth adapter that is supposed to work up to 100 meters. I tried BT with it and the new iPAQ 5450 but it kept wanting a serial connect and not net. Belkin says its HP and HP says the problem is Belkin. So I kept the Belkin adapter and brought the HP back to CompUSA and got the NZ 90. Why did I waste so much time with Pocket PC? Well if nothing else works at least I have a real quality PDA now.

Thanks again

[JohnJ80]

good choice - nz90 over the win-doze ce machine.

the BT sync (i have a mac) is pretty seamless, very fast (although slower than the cradle - but not much) and doesn't seem to have any effect on the battery.

[lanchman]

Originally posted by BobB
So I kept the Belkin adapter and brought the HP back to CompUSA and got the NZ 90. Why did I waste so much time with Pocket PC? Well if nothing else works at least I have a real quality PDA now.

Thanks again
now all you have left is scrape winblow$ and get a machine running a real o/s. :eek:

[zx7rgirl]

orgasmatron (?!)

I've been awake since 430 and I'm feeling fuzzy-headed, but maybe, just maybe this thread can help you.... hope so...

http://www.cliesource.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5757

[BobB]

Orgasmatron your config sounds very much like mine. I also have a router (Netgear) between my primary system that I use my NZ and bluetooth adapter with, laptop, and my server at home. I also split a 4 port hub off the router to service other systems at my house. Everything I do here at home is on my internal network. I don't know if I will have the time to mess with setting up Bluetooth this week but when I get it working I will post a message on how I got it going.

Later....
BobB

[BobB]

Hot Sync works great with Blue tooth, something the "high powered" iPAQ 5450 couldn't do. Setup was easy and straight forward. With the Belkin F8T001 USB adapter (100 meter range) I can now hot sync from anywhere in my house and back yard. Can't do it from the front yard but do you think I really care..(grin)

Still trying to get Internet to work on NZ utilizing a cable modem on my net. Has anyone done this successfully and what program and adapter are you using?

More and More impressed with the NZ each day...

Later...
BobB

[blueprints]

Could u guys list/recommend e programes for surfing the net, hotsync, and do file transfer and possibly streaming from my Pc to e NZ using BlueTooth. Pls post ure replies here. THanx for sharing guys. Cheers.

[bluguru]

The Belkin Nightmare. Cannot get it to Hotsync. Have any of you Shark fin owners had luck with this. Did you have to install serial port services for the Clie? I have set up a "pair" and can connect, but not sync. I only have the "object push" service available to install. Does it work from this service? If so, do I need to do something with hotsync manager (change the connection). I already set up the BT 'trusted" connection on the NZ and set the NZ to sync via local BT. I am stumped!?

[JohnJ80]

I had absolutely no problem getting the shark fin to sync. However, I am on a Mac.

I set up the trusted devices on both sides, configured the hotsync manager to recognize that path for a hotsync, initiated the hotsync from the NZ90 and syncing occurred.

I think on a PC there is alot more config needed, but I am not the guy to ask on that. What I can contribute is that it is possible to do it and that it works fine with the Belkin adaptor.

j

[BobB]

I am using the F8T001 which is the 100 meter version of the Bluetooth USB adapter. Works great and YES mine is using a Bluetooth serial connection. Haven't got the network side of it working yet and that may just be the way this adapter is. Hope not but will be calling Belkin support today.

I did this. Install BT software and make sure the devices see each other which it sounds like you have done. In Belkin setup/configuration look for local services and open it. Now look for Bluetooth serial port and see what port that is. Default is 4 and I left it there. Make sure it is enabled.

More in next reply....

[BobB]

OK here is the rest...

In Hotsync on desktop open it and click on Setup. Goto the local tab and make sure the serial port matches what you have selected from the local services tab in BT software, again default is 4. Finally on the NZ open Hotsync and click on Hotsync tab at top left. Open Connection setup, choose NEW. Give it a name (mine is BTHS), set "Connect to" - Local network, "Via" - Bluetooth and "Device" is the name of you gave your PC bluetooth adapter during its setup.

Then all you need to do is select at the down arrow under the HotSync actuator icon is the name of the bluetooth session you just created and then press the hotsync icon. I have been able to HotSync all over my house up and downstairs and even outside.

Now if I can get the network side of it working it will be great. Hope this helps you out. Oh by the way my PC is running the XP OS.

Later... BobB

[bluguru]

Thanks, Thanks, Thanks. I will try this.

Regarding network BT and surfing via BT: I have wifi, but like the built in BT and the fact that it can work within such a large radius with the Belkin sharkfin. This may be the case for mocha ppp. I heard the Palm TT will not work unless you fool it with mocha. Crazy how difficult and how many hoops one has to jump through just to get these things to work as advertised. I am a veteran PPC convert and must say that palm is starting to loose its novelty with all of this "tinkering" to get things to work.
Again, thanks!

[bluguru]

It worked. Don't you hate it when you miss something that should have been obvious. My sharkfin was set to com 4, and even shows this in the Belkin config software. But, it kept broadcasting to com 5, Had to check the status advanced properties when connected to find this out. Easy solution, change everything to com 5. I changed Hotsync and botta boom. Now to work on that network.

[JohnJ80]

I notice that the sync speed is about 30% slower than via USB. But it works great - glad you got yours to go.

Actually, maybe it would be easier to just get a mac.... ;-)

(duck, incoming!)

j

[BobB]

Please write back and let me know how you make out with the network and I am very glad that you are now able to sync via BT. I had to stop for the day but perhaps will catch Belkin support tomorrow.

As for the Mac..... hmmm, you may have a point there John! Now if I can just convince the wife...(grin)

Cheers .....

BobB

[orgasmatron]

Hey, a big thanks to you guys. I have been working alot the last two days and got home late d/t a bad snowstorm, but in the meantime, you solved the com port missmatch and now I too can hotsync with BT and the belkin shark. Ill continue to watch for a solution to the network settings. BTW, where do I find this MOCHA you are referring to? Ill talk to ya soon....thanks again.


PS. orgasmatron is an old song my motorhead - and one bad dude - I play wargames online and find it easier to keep one identity. Just a FYI as someone earlier was wondering. :)

[c0mm0n]

For me the best buds are made by tdk, anycom, billionton, or any manufacturer but it has to be powered by widcomm software so that u'll be able to get the mex from your bt equipments

I only have a sj30 waiting for the tg50, but my favourite appz are :
- McFile
- Ramdisk : creates a card over your ram, than you can receive any type of file on the ram using mcfile
- netselect : excellent when you switch from home to nomad..etc..
- beammobile
- palmvnc
- netsync

Enjoy :)

Have the nz90 enhanced bt capabilities ?

[bluguru]

Still no luck with the network BT. Might go back to the mocca ppp this weekend to see if it works. I mentioned in another thread how BT syncing with intellisync lite is not too good of a solution as you have to give hotsync permission to access MS outlook. Thus, I always have to be at my desktop giving permission. So much for hotsyncing in another room. But, the Belkin sharkfin does have great range, almost like my wifi (but slower). It would also be nice to figure out how to send files to the desktop via bluetooth (maybe even MS import/export). Guess there might be other solutions to this via wifi. Thanks to everyone for the help. Hope it helps others:)

[peterh]

hi,
i am posting this on my NZ now via the Belkin Bluetooth adapter. The range seems to be good and it was easy to setup, its also quite cheap.

But I do hate one thing. In XP you can't have 2 connections bridged at the same time. So right now I can either my wifi card and my dsl bridged, or my bluetooth and my dsl bridged. does anyone know a workaround.

i am registered by thr eay

[Marudine]

peterh, may i know if once you have connected your nz90 via BT, can you browse the web currently on both your PC and nz ?? (Someone told me is possible .. I'm just trying to confirm) Thanks.

[peterh]

yes. i am on my pc now. its done in exactly the same way as shairing a connection with another pc or laptop.

In XP all you have to do is enable "internet connection shairing" and then bridge it with the bluetooth network connection.

My problem is that I already had it bridged with my wireless card, so I can surf on my laptop. So for now on it looks like I will have to change this depending on what I am using, palm or laptop.

Does anyone know of a way to bridge to netowrk cards with the same connection?

[bluguru]

So, let me get this straight-for XP: turn on internet connection sharing for the network card/connection (i.e., the one providing broadband or whatever type of internet access), then bridge the same network card/connection to the bluetooth lan network connecction (or is the other way around-does this matter?). This would be fantastic if it were this simple. Cannot wait to try this later tonight. Will report back.

[Marudine]

Thanks mate.

[peterh]

Originally posted by bluguru
So, let me get this straight-for XP: turn on internet connection sharing for the network card/connection (i.e., the one providing broadband or whatever type of internet access), then bridge the same network card/connection to the bluetooth lan network connecction (or is the other way around-does this matter?). This would be fantastic if it were this simple. Cannot wait to try this later tonight. Will report back.

Thats about all of it.

When I installed the belkin adapter it made its own bluetooth network connection, so i just simply bridged it with my broadband connection.
It is that simple.

Also the range is very good. I can get it in everyroom of my house. I haven't tried it to see if I can get a longer range than my laptop wifi.

[BobB]

I am browsing the net now and have the network running well on the NZ via my net to a cable modem. With the Belkin Shark Fin I can even surf the web with my PDA from my backyard now. Keep in mind I am running XP so here's what I did to get it working. Right click on my PC net connection from My Network properties menu. Click on the Advanced tab at the top and put a check in the top box of "Internet connection sharing". I am using DHCP on my pc connection and for the shark fin. I didn't have to setup a bridge but I did have to dump my router and firewall for now. I can't get through it so to get this all working I took it out of the picture and went to a hub only. I'll work on getting the other stuff back online later. Now on the NZ when I go to "Preferences" I choose "Network". Under "Service" I have an option called "Bluetooth" now. MORE ON NEXT THREAD....

[BobB]

CONTINUED...
I did have to enter a User Name and Password to make it work so I used my XP login and it works fine. For the "Connection" setting I just chose my Bluetooth setting that I use to hot sync.

OK now at the bottom click on "Details". I had to set mine up as "Connection type" is PPP, "Idle time out" is 2 minutes (default),
and I had to enter both Primary and Secondary DNS IP addresses although "Query DNS" may work for you. For IP address I left it at automatic with the box checked. If you uncheck it you can put in the IP address of your shark fin. Either worked for me..

Click on OK and then click on the Connect button next to the Details button. You should see it intialize and then connect. If this works for you too then your ready for the internet. If you have any other questions just let me know and if I get my router and firewall back online and working with BT I will send another post on that.

Best of Luck ...

BobB

[BobB]

Just curious if anyone has used a BT adapter with a router with any success. The Router is made by Netgear (sorry don't have the model # in front of me) and I have NAT active for the firewall.

I have tried everything I can think of and my support contract has expired with Netgear. I setup a bridge between my NIC and BT as was indicated in previous posts to this thread but that didn't solve the problem either.

Any help would be greatly appreciated as I would really like to get my router/firewall back online for security.

Thanks...

BobB

[BobB]

Does anyone know of a way to bridge to netowrk cards with the same connection? [/QUOTE][/B]

PeterH,

I don't have 3 Network cards to try this with but I do have a 1394 port on my Sound Blaster card that I use with a webcam. It shows up in My Network connections on XP as another NIC. I have it included in the bridge I created with my PC NIC and the BT NIC so it appears at this point you may be able to do this with your WiFi card. Just a guess on my part. I created a bridge as you indicated hoping it would help me resolve my router/firewall connection issues with my Belkin BT shark fin. Alas, to no avail. Anyway I hope that this may be a fix for you or possibly give you another idea perhaps....

Later....

BobB

[Unregistered]

BobB,
Have the same problem as previous person with BT (from NZ90) to PC (Win 98) but I am using TDK dongle.
Followed your instructions to the letter - devices paired & connect but no Hotsync - get a Hotsync error message on the NZ after awhile saying 'connection can't be established to your computor'.
On the PC the devices are connected but no Hotsync activity.
When I look in the TDK setup it says 'COM 5' for local services (and as setup on my NZ), and says Hotsync services available (box ticked but configure tab for this does nothing - ie cant change config for TDK Hotsync setup) and under profiles for the NZ it says 'Object push...' - no Hotsysnc listed.
Am confused - this should work ?
Anyone have any ideas? Appreciated!

[Unregistered]

Originally posted by BobB
Does anyone know of a way to bridge to netowrk cards with the same connection?

PeterH,

I don't have 3 Network cards to try this with but I do have a 1394 port on my Sound Blaster card that I use with a webcam. It shows up in My Network connections on XP as another NIC. I have it included in the bridge I created with my PC NIC and the BT NIC so it appears at this point you may be able to do this with your WiFi card. Just a guess on my part. I created a bridge as you indicated hoping it would help me resolve my router/firewall connection issues with my Belkin BT shark fin. Alas, to no avail. Anyway I hope that this may be a fix for you or possibly give you another idea perhaps....

Later....

BobB [/B][/QUOTE]

Just some updates from me.

Its been working fine at home. The thing about a bridge is that both cards need to go at the same speed. So when I bridged my Wireless Card and the Bluetooth card, it forced the bluetooth to try and go faster. Which it couldn't, so only wifi worked.


BUT. .... I am now trying to set this up at work with not much luck.
This is how its setup.
I have a PC with a fixed address which is NATed, but I am running no firewall at the moment.(except for the XP one).
Thats it really. I just can't get it to connect. Tried all sorts now.
I would of though I could just give my Palm another address in that subnet, but that doesn't work....

Any ideas?
I will try and do the Bobb process again.

[peterh]

The above post is from me. Forgot to login :-)