NX60 and wireless internet via cell phone

[david1mba]

I am having trouble establishing an internet connection with my Clie NX60 and a Motorola Timeport P8767 (similar to StarTac) using a PN Technologies (a.k.a. Purple Data Cables) serial cable.

I followed the following procedure as described by
Verizon tech support:
(1) Under Preferences/Connections, I set up a new connection called "Custom"
as follows:
(a) Connect to: PC
(b) Via: Cradle/Cable
(c) Details / Speed: 19,200 bps
(d) Details / Flow Control: ON
(2) Under Preferences/Network, I set up a new network service called
"Verizon" as follows:
(a) User name: qnc
(b) Password: qnc
(c) Connection: Custom
(d) Details / Connection Type: PPP
(e) Details / Idle Timeout: Never
(f) Details / Query DNS: CHECKED
(g) Details / IP Address: CHECKED
(h) Details / Script:
(i) Send: atdt#777
(ii) Send CR
(iii) Delay: 4
(iv) End

When I try to connect, the Clie "thinks" it is connecting to Verizon, but the phone never dials. The phone beeps when I connect or disconnect the cables and also when I hit "connect" and "disconnect" on the new Verizon network connection on the Clie, however it never dials or shows "in use".

To try to resolve the problem, I changed the Prefs / Connection to "Connect to Modem" and try to connect (19200 and flow control ON) and put #777 in the Prefs / Network / Phone field. When I hit "Connect", the Clie dials the phone, which seems to make a connection with the Verizon data service (it shows in use and displays the data "bar graphs" properly). However, the Clie sits on the dialog box "Service Connection Progress: Dialing Verizon" and never senses that a connection has been made. After about a minute the phone connection times out and a few seconds later the Clie redials the Verizon connection. Still it sits on the same dialog box but doesn't sense that a successful connection has been made.

At this point I do not know what the problem is. The phone works great with my laptop computer; I also used the phone with a Palm IIIc and had no trouble. I don't suspect the cable (which is RS232 compliant and made for this application) because I can use the Clie to get an internet connection via the same cable into a laptop running Mocha PPP. I do suspect the configuration settings, the login script or possibly the Clie itself. Note: I tried this with a T615c and had the same results.

Can anyone offer me suggestions or insight?

Thanks,

David

[n2ifp]

Here is one thread on Verizon that looks like it has some good info.

http://www.cliesource.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=69&highlight=Verizon

I did a search using the keyword Verizon.

[dan3750]

I had problems connecting my data-capable cell-phone to my NX-60 for wireless internet access, even though on my old T415 (RIP) it always worked flawlessly.

The cable I got from TheSupplyNet works for both PDA's (T-series and NX-series have the same connector). However, I could never connect to the internet using the NX-60. It would just hang. The instructions given by Verizon on TheSupplyNet website work for other Clie's but not the NX-series.

After spending a lot of time fiddling with the various settings, I finally got the connection to work on the NX-60. For anyone who is experiencing similar problems in connecting to an ISP via data-capable cell-phone and NX-series PDA through cable connector, here are the settings:

1. Create a connection. Give it any convenient name. Connect to: Modem;  Via: Cradle/Cable; Dialing: Touch-Tone; Details: Speed: 19,000bps; Flow Ctl: Automatic; Init String: Leave Blank.

2. Create a networking pref. Select Untitled, then change name to any convenient name. Username: your username; Password: your password; Connection: Set it to the connection you created in Step 1; Phone: the ISP's phone number; Details: Connection Type: PPP; IdleTimeout: 1 min. ; Query DNS: checked; IP Address: Automatic (checked).

3. Script:


Wait for Prompt: (leave blank)
Send UserID
Wait for Prompt: (leave blank)
Send Password
Send CR
End


When signing on, click OK when the first prompt appears, and OK again when the second prompt appears. The connection should then be established.

Hopefully, this will help others who have experienced similar problems.

=Dan

 

[inertia memphis]

I can connect using bluetooth to my t61d on Cingular, the problem is that the phone is not fully data capable. It seems that although i can download data all day long its not capable of uploading files or really large emails. I even tried using the FTP app but same probelm.

Other than bluetooth options thinking of getting any data capable phone and looking for connection kit.

When I go to thesupplynet.com none of the links work, I gett error something like can not find module.

FYI - I am on mac and have tried Safari, IE, and Netscape, all same results. Any ideas, or where else to buy.

[pdagal]

dan3750, I tried your settings on my NX70V, but still no luck connecting to Verizon Wireless' service. I haven't tried it yet for connecting to an ISP, but I'm having the same problems as the thread starter when it comes to using my Moto V60C and Verizon.

[david1mba]

Thank you for your post, Dan. I tried your suggestion as well on my NX60 and it did not work. It seems like the Clie is not recognizing that the wireless connection has been made and giving control to the login script (same behavior as my original post).

[dan3750]

Have you installed the sysupdatepacknx_us.prc that is on the support website, http://www.ita.sel.sony.com/support/clie/ ?

I am assuming that the reason it does not work is because of a bug in OS5. So, if installing the sysupdate does solve the problem, please let us know.

Meanwhile, I will keep fiddling with this problem, and if I learn anything more, I will post it here. (I am rather surprised by the fact that so few people have reported this problem with the NX on this forum. You would think that connecting to a cellphone via cable would be a fairly common thing. )

=Dan

 

[pdagal]

Yes, I installed the system update the day it came out :)
The problem may not be with connecting to a regular ISP but rather to Verizon in particular. I still haven't had the chance to try out an ISP connection. Of course, many folks probably connect to their cellular provider. I'm going to contact my pal at thesupplynet.com today and see if they have any ideas.

[dan3750]

pdagal--

I am also a Verizon Wireless customer. I tried the method I detailed above using the qnc username and password, and the #777 number. It worked, without a hitch. So, I think you can rule out Verizon as the problem.

I'm really stumped as to why it works on my NX but doesn't on yours. I don't see how the brand of cell phone would have anything at all to do with it.

=Dan

 

[dan3750]

One more thing I'd like to ask you, pdagal (or anyone else for that matter who may be experiencing similar problems) --

I'm wondering whether the presence of the WL-100 card driver on my NX system may have something to do with it. I don't know to what extent installing this driver affects the connection and networking prefs, but it's possible that it does enhance them in some way that cures this glitch you are experiencing.

If you don't have the WL-100 card driver installed, you may try going out to the Sony Clie support site and downloading the latest version, do a soft reset, and try it again.

This is the only thing that I can think might be different between your NX system and mine.

=Dan

 

[pdagal]

I do have the drivers installed since I frequently use WiFi-- one of the reasons I love the NX :) I also have Pelaca's modem drivers installed. I contacted my buddy at thesupplynet.com and he suggested using the "stock" config outlined on the CD that comes with the cable. He said to call him if that didn't work, so I hope to do that today. I'll describe your mods to him, as I'm sure he'll be interested.

[johnnycombat]

hey yall, im lookin for the best website to find a data cable for my nx70v and my sanyo phone. ive done a few searches around and havnt had luck yet, any clues?

Damon

[Unregistered]

www.gomadic.com

They have a unique system where you can use the same cable for cell phone-PDA and cell phone-laptop. The cable has a disconnect in the middle so you can change over the PDA adapter for the laptop adapter.

[HighLordKram]

David,

I just got cable yesterday for my Audiovox phone and NX70, and it is up and working on the Verizon #777 number. The only thing I didn't see you list was if you were putting the actual cellphone into Date Mode, before attempting to connect? If not try this and see, it worked for me.

[david1mba]

I don't believe the Timeport has a switchable data mode; it just detects a data connection via connector to some device and switches into this mode automatically.

I have switched to a newer cell phone-- Motorola T720-- and finally had *some* success last night. I assume the same procedure would work for the Timeport, but since mine is no longer functional (i.e. no longer registered on the Verizon network), I cannot test this.

Get ready...

I bought the Gomadic cable solution described above (www.gomadic.com) to go between my NX60 and T720. I also bought the serial cable add-on from Gomadic for an up-charge of something like $9.99.

The "straight" Gomadic solution didn't work for me, but I was successful with the following procedure:

(1) Connect the Gomadic T720 cable to the Gomadic "connector block."

(2) Connect the Gomadic SERIAL cable to the other side of the Gomadic connector block.

(3) Connect the serial-to-Sony cable (PN Technologies... described in my very first post in this thread) to the other end of the Gomadic serial cable (DB9 male to DB9 female).

(4) Plug the Sony connector into the NX60 WHILE THE POWER IS OFF.

(5) Turn on the NX60.

(6) Turn on the T720 cell phone.

(7) Plug the T720 end of this cable "assembly" into the cell phone.

(8) Follow the standard procedure as recommended by Verizon for setting up a cell phone connection:
(A) Under Preferences/Connections, I set up a new connection called "Verizon" as follows:
(i) Connect to: PC
(ii) Via: Cradle/Cable
(iii) Details / Speed: 19,200 bps
(iv) Details / Flow Control: ON
(B) Under Preferences/Network, I set up a new network service called "Verizon" as follows:
(a) User name: qnc
(b) Password: qnc
(c) Connection: Verizon
(d) Details / Connection Type: PPP
(e) Details / Idle Timeout: Never
(f) Details / Query DNS: CHECKED
(g) Details / IP Address: CHECKED
(h) Details / Script:
(i) Send: atdt#777
(ii) Send CR
(iii) Delay: 4
(iv) End
(9) Hit "Connect"
(10) After several seconds' delay, watch it work and shout "EUREKA!"

Now, being a Physics and French major with an MBA, I cannot explain why this works, only that it does. LOL By now you are thinking I have way too much time on my hands to experiment with cable setups! If anyone can improve on this procedure, "I'm all ears" (as H. Ross Perot used to say).

:-)