I just went through a little wrestle getting my laptop to sync via IR with my Smartphone, thought I'd post the solution here. If it matters, my laptop is a Dell Latitude CPI 266mhz running Windows 2000.

When I'd select "InfraRed" under the syncing options in Hotsync, I'd get an error referring me to a document in the helpdoc, which I couldn't find anyway. I searched online and found the magic bullet:

Go to Control Panel --> Wireless Link --> Image Transfer and uncheck "use wireless link to transfer images from a digital camera to your computer".

Now on the Smartphone, go to HotSync (on mine it was in the System programs group) and from the pulldown at bottom middle center choose "IR to a PC/Handheld". Note that when you want to sync using your serial cradle again, remember to change this back to "Direct Serial".

And then note that, since there's no physical button to start the hotsync, tap teh big hotsync icon in the middle of the HotSync application on your phone.

And obviously, remember to select "infrared" under sync options in HotSync on your laptop. Just click the HotSync icon in the system tray and check the "infrared".

Works great. I have my master Palm Desktop at home on my desktop, and now I can add data from my laptop when I'm away from home.

I use this too--

NOTE: Ihe help file you were looking for is: PalmhelpnoteIR_Readme.txt

IR very nice when you only have one cradle and/OR when you want to connect to share files with a pc that does not have the palm software.

On XP I also can use IR to install PRC's & PDB's without using the Palm hotsync app OR Install tool!

When you have your palm on an near your Desktop/Laptop IR port, You will notice that your palm says "waiting for sender" and your desktop will have and IR icon in the startbar that says "Another computer is nearby, Click here to send files to the computer XXXXXX." the XXXXXX is the name of your Palm profile name. Just click on that dialog or the IR icon (near the clock) and it will bring up a file transfer wizard for you to choose a file to send. There is no need for Palm desktop, hotsync or install to tool to even be installed on the PC!

This works both ways as well-- just beam a file from the palm to the pc and it will say: Do you want to accept file ZZZZ from computer XXXXXX

Here's a screenshot of the beam from PC to palm:

Attached Thumbnails

 

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"DUDE! I finally got a Smartphone!" - THE SMARTEST OF THEM ALL!!! :D

I believe Win2k can do this too. (Sending w/o HotSync Manager, that is)

(hmm, lemme check... I have my laptop here...

I can receive but I can't send to the palm - Win2k refuses to send a file unless a wireless device is nearby, and the Palm seems to be a bit too passive for its tastes.

IR HotSyncing works fine though.

Great for those days when you're a doofus and forget to bring your data cable with you to work.

Hmm, after updating several memos from my laptop and syncing to the phone, those memos were deleted both from my phone and my desktop the next time i synched with the desktop...

Looks like a bug. I havn't investigated further yet, but just wanted to throw a heads up.

My suspicion is this has nothing to do with the IR, does anyone know of any bugs involved in syncing with mutltiple computers?

Thanks for the w2k test Entropy42-- When I used to have w2k, I used IR sync but I never messed with the IR transfer until I switched to XP-- I wonder what hangs up on the sending part.

FYI-- On XP it also ties up the palm, constantly saying "waiting for sender" whenever the palm is too close to the PC's IR -- and its amazing how sensitive the IR's are, just to use my palm I have to block the Laptop IR and I had to move the cradle to the other side of the pc so it wouldn't interfere with the normal sync.

__________________
"DUDE! I finally got a Smartphone!" - THE SMARTEST OF THEM ALL!!! :D

Thanks! What I was really looking for was how to send apps to my Smartphone from a laptop without using the Palm Desktop. Now I know! thanks a lot!

Your welcome. When I get around to installing Kinoma, I'm Sure I'll have some questions for you!

__________________
"DUDE! I finally got a Smartphone!" - THE SMARTEST OF THEM ALL!!! :D

What am I doing wrong! I am trying to use the IR sync for the first time. Got the same error message as others, came here to find answers. I went into Wireless Link and unchecked the digital camera option. I don't get get the error from Hotsync manager anymore, but it still won't sync!! I have checked the infrared, selected IR to a PC/Handheld. Is there something I am missing or is it a PC issue?

Help!

Hey, that works really well. I beamed a native Word document from my Thinkpad to my 7135, and when I accepted it on the 71', it immediately opened in Quickword.

Impressive!