hotsync, windows xp and infrared

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I have tried to synchronize my Palm using the laptop infrared device. Unfortunately, when I try to configure hotsync by clicking the tabs setup then local, I receive a message saying that the selected port is not available. I know that this operation should work as I used to use it with the same laptop before I had to re-install windows XP.

Do I have a way to manage the serial port?

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Infrared is notoriously flaky, so kudos to you for ever having it working. There are two articles on the Palm KB that I would point you to for a little background reading – this one on understanding COM ports and how devices can conflict. Basically, the Hotsync operation will lose every time, so if you have a modem or another serial device using the same COM port as your Hotsync, things have to be switched around. Then, read this article on infrared synching.

Now, the first step to me would be to make sure your infrared communication is enabled (Control Panel | Infrared) and try to test whether you get a connection with another infrared device, or hold the Palm nearby with Beam Receive on (Preferences | General | Beam Receive: On). Don’t discount the possibility that the infrared hardware on the notebook has been busted or otherwise pooped out on you. Then, if you can establish a connection but can’t hotsync, the article on COM ports comes into play.

Right-click on your hotsync icon in the system tray and go to Setup | Local and try switching the COM port to different one. If you get a message that any of the COM ports you try “are not available at this time”, that means another device is using the COM port. If they all come up that way, then you have to start disabling devices. For me, I have a little handheld scanner from HP that occupies COM1 even when it’s not plugged in – the service that runs in the background that allows me to download scans from the device is launched at startup. If I use the Task Manager to end that service, the COM port is free for Hotsync use.

All that being said, for $30 you can by a USB cable and say goodbye to all of these COM port woes. That’s part of the beauty of USB – they don’t need a devoted COM port and thus you can run a bunch of USB-enabled devices at the same time without conflicts (at least, that’s the theory ). Hope all this helps, and post back with your further questions and results.

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Hi Kelly,

Thank you for all your information. I read all the links that you gave me but it didn’t help. Finally I tried to reinstall my Palm desktop and my Hotsync software without any more results.
Then I remember to have read something about this problem and the solution proposed was to try several times to have the connection with the infrared device. I tried that and it worked, unfortunately the number of attempts varies between 3 and 7 but at least I could use this option when I travel. At home I agree with you I have better time to use a cable.
Thank you again for your help.

Marcel.

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I had a bit of an issue with a USb to IR device on my home XP machine. After contacting the Devices tech support they suggested checking to see if the Option to use the IR device with a Digital camera was enabled in the WindowsXP IR device settings. If this is enabled it will stop Hotsync from working.

unfortunatly I havn’t got a screen shot of this, but you can find it under the IR control panel option.

Hope this helps

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In order to prevent trying it 3-7 times I learned to start the hotsync on my palm before showing it to the red eye on my PC. It works now 10 out of 10 times.

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I have tried your suggestion but unfortunately it didn’t work.

Anyway thank you for your help,

Marcel

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