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Service Hints & Tips

Document ID: MIGR-47D4FP

WorkPad z50 - Connecting your WorkPad z50 to a computer

Applicable to: World-Wide

Connecting to a PC
The WorkPad z50 has two options for connecting to a PC (or a notebook computer) so that you can exchange data. You can use the serial port and a serial cable to connect to your desktop PC. Or, you
can use the convenient high-speed infrared data port for wireless communication with another IrDA compliant device.

Before you can transfer information between your WorkPad z50 and a PC, you must first install Windows CE Services on the PC. Refer to the Using Microsoft Windows CE Services.

After you have connected to a PC using either the serial port or the infrared port, you can transfer and synchronize files between the WorkPad z50 and the PC. Refer to the Using Microsoft Windows CE Services. for more information.

Note: You cannot use the serial port and the infrared port at the same time.
Note: Before you can synchronize your WorkPad z50 using the infrared port, you must first synchronize it using the serial cable.

Infrared communication
The WorkPad z50 has an infrared (IR) data port located on the right side. The IR port consists of one LED and one photosensor. The LED functions as a transmitter, and the photosensor acts as a receiver. The transmitter emits a signal stream of infrared data pulses. The receiver picks up pulses transmitted by another IR port.

The IR port enables you to perform wireless, serial communication. Use a fast infrared (FIR) specified application to transmit or receive data through the IR port. Observe the following guidelines when using the IR port to transmit or receive data:

• Ensure that the IR port is properly lined up with the other device's IR port. The angle between the two ports should not exceed œ15›.
• There should be a clear, unobstructed path between the two ports; otherwise, the optical signal will be blocked. Do not place anything between the two ports during data transmission.
• Make sure the distance between the ports does not exceed 1meter.
• Do not move either the WorkPad z50 or the other device during transmission of data; otherwise, data transmission will be distorted, resulting in loss of data or a system crash.
• An error can occur if infrared data transmission is conducted in an environment with high levels of noise. To avoid transmission errors, do not transmit infrared signals near equipment with compressors, such as refrigerators or air conditioners.

Refer to the following illustration to set up infrared communication:

Serial port communication
You can connect the WorkPad z50's serial port to your desktop PC with the supplied serial cable. Refer to the following instructions to connect the WorkPad z50 to a PC:

1. Connect the serial connector on the serial cable to the WorkPad z50's serial port. Refer to Figure below.
2. Connect the 9 pin connector on the other end of the serial cable to the PC's serial port. If the PC has a 25-pin serial port, you can use an adapter to fit the 9-pin connector to the 25-pin port.

Connecting the WorkPad z50 to a PC

Your WorkPad z50 automatically detects the connection and launches the Windows CE services explorer.

Connecting with the Cradle
You can also connect the WorkPad z50 to the optional Cradle and use the Cradle's serial port to connect to a PC. Refer to Using the Cradle on for information on connecting the WorkPad z50 to the Cradle.

Using Microsoft Windows CE Services
Microsoft Windows CE Services with ActiveSync enables you to synchronize the information on your desktop PC with the information on your WorkPad z50. Synchronization is the process of comparing the
data on the two devices and updating both with the most recent information. For example:

• Keep Pocket Outlook data up-to-date by synchronizing your WorkPad z50 with your choice of Microsoft Outlook (Inbox synchronization with Outlook Express is not currently supported), Microsoft Schedule+, or Microsoft Exchange on your desktop PC.
• Synchronize Word and Excel documents, Access and other ODBC databases and tables, and InkWriter documents between your WorkPad z50 and desktop PC. Your files are automatically converted to the correct format.

With Windows CE Services, you can also:

• Back up and restore your WorkPad z50 data
• Add and remove programs on your WorkPad z50
• Copy (rather than synchronize) files between your WorkPad z50 and your desktop PC

Minimum PC requirements
The minimum system requirements for installing Windows CE Services on your notebook or desktop PC are as follows:

• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Service Pack 3, Windows 98, or Windows 95
• A desktop or notebook computer with a Pentium processor for Windows NT, or a desktop or notebook computer with a 486/66DX or higher processor (a Pentium P90 is recommended) for Windows 98 or Windows 95
• 16 MB of memory for Windows 98 or Windows 95 (more memory will give improved performance) or Windows NT Workstation 4.0 (32 MB is recommended)
• A hard disk drive with 10 to 50 MB of available hard disk space (the actual requirements vary based on the selection of features and your current system configuration)
• An available 9- or 25-pin communications port (an adapter is required for the 25-pin communication port)
• One CD-ROM drive
• A VGA or higher resolution graphics card (a Super VGA 256-color is recommended)
• A keyboard
• A Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device

Windows NT Workstation 4.0, Windows 98, or Windows 95 options

• An audio card and speakers for sound
• Microsoft Office 97 or Microsoft Office 95
• A serial or built-in infrared adapter for synchronization (infrared available only for Windows 98 or Windows 95)
• A modem for remote synchronization
• An Ethernet LAN connection for remote synchronization

Installing Windows CE Services and setting up a partnership

1. If you want to upgrade to Microsoft Outlook 98, install it first.
2. Locate the serial cable that came with your WorkPad z50. Use this cable to connect your WorkPad z50 to your desktop PC.
3. Insert the Desktop Software for Microsoft Windows CE compact disc into your CD-ROM drive.
4. The Windows CE Services setup wizard starts automatically. If it does not, type d:\setup, where d is your CD-ROM drive.
5. Follow the directions on your screen.

After installation is complete, a wizard instructs you to connect your WorkPad z50 and desktop PC and guides you through setting up a partnership and performing your first synchronization. By default, some items, such as messages, are not synchronized. To change the type of items that get synchronized after you've completed the wizard, select your WorkPad z50 icon in the Mobile Devices folder and then click ActiveSync Options on the Tools menu.

If you are synchronizing with a PC running Windows 98 or Windows 95, you can also use an infrared connection to synchronize. For more information, see the Windows CE Services help.

Note: Regularly back up your WorkPad z50 data on your desktop PC using Windows CE Services in case information on your WorkPad z50 is ever corrupted or lost. Connect your WorkPad z50, and then click Backup/Restore on the Tools menu in the Mobile Devices folder on your desktop PC. Your first backup might take some time, depending on how much information you have on your WorkPad z50. Subsequent backups will be faster if you select Incremental.

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	Document Category	Infrared, Software Installation/Configuration
	Date Created	28-04-99
	Last Updated	27-04-99
	Revision Date	27-04-2000
	Brand	IBM ThinkPad
	Product Family	WorkPad z50
	Machine Type	2608
	Model	All
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