Newbie Internet Connection Question

[JQ4]

As you can see from the subject I'm new to PPC's and any other handheld PDA's. My question is can my iPAQ 5455 access the Internet while it's in the cradle via my dial up connection? I have a news info program on my iPAQ that is suppose to update when I log on, but I can't seem to configure it to do this. Do I need cable/DSL?

I've already had one revelation about not having cable or DSL. I thought I could browse the net wirelessly with my built-in WiFi. So I go to Best Buy to try and find the hardware. When to my dismay the sales guy tells me that I need to leave dial-up and get cable or DSL. 8O I'm usually pretty eager to jump on the techie bandwagon, but I swear 40 bucks a month for cable or DSL in my area seems rediculous, IMHO. I'm also, usually pretty willing to throw money at any gadget, but I'm having a hard time trying to swallow 40 bucks just to surf the Net. Heck, I already pay my cable company, Time Warner, $80/month and now the want 40 more! I'm sure I'll come around sooner or later though.

Sorry, I got off topic, but I just had to get that off my chest.

Thanks,

JQ4

[Sooner Al]

The cradle internet access in call Pass-Through and you can configure that in the desktop ActiveSync Tools -> Options -> Rules window. You may or may not need to play with the Connection Manager settings on the PPC. Look at Chris De Herrera's Connection Manager FAQ for help. I use Work, Work and Work as suggested by Chris.

http://www.cewindows.net/faqs/connectionmanager.htm

No, you don't need cable or DSL to use your iPAQ to access the internet via a wireless link. I use a 56K dialup ISP. I must say, however, that cable/DSL broadband certainly would make your all around internet experience better (desktop and PocketPC), but thats a personal choice. I moved from cable internet, I had it since December 1997, to 56K dialup when I moved out into the country last spring...and believe me I miss the high speed...

Here is how I have my current home LAN setup so I share my 56K dialup ISP with my XP Pro desktops/laptop and iPAQ 3835 using wireless. You may find it interesting...

http://www.oecadvantage.net/ajarvi/The_Illustrated_Network.html

If you did not want to go the wireless access point route, then look into using adhoc between a wireless capable PocketPC and a wireless capable desktop. I have never done that but a lot of folks make it work... You would need to run internet connection sharing or proxy software on your desktop in order to access the internet.

Good luck...

[PetiteFlower]

Dialup is fine if you don't download a lot, and if you've never surfed on cable. But damn, it's hard to go home to my dialup after being able to surf over high-speed at work or at a friend's house...

Incidentally, I didn't have to configure anything to get online when my PDA is connected to my computer, I just brought up IE and it worked...

[JQ4]

Thanks for all your help, but after I read everything and looked at the diagram I realized that I was in over my head. I'm totally ignorant to the networking terms. And I guess the sales drone at Best Buy is too :wink:

Here's my equipment: 1. Toshiba PC with 333Mhz, 256K RAM, 6 GB HD, 56 speed CDROM and 56K modem 2. iPAQ 5455 ( makes all my caveman equipment look like it was built when dinosaurs roamed the land!) 3. Sony Ericsson T68i(just purchased yesterday)

What equipment do I need to buy to wirelessly connect to the Net via my PDA from anywhere in house? What role does my phone play, it has Bluetooth as I'm sure you all know.

Keep it simple, my tech genes have not turned on... yet :!:

Again thanks for all your help!

JQ4

[Sooner Al]

...would be to buy a wireless PCI card or USB wireless adapter for your desktop PC. You could then run in a adhoc mode between your PocketPC and the desktop. The desktop would need to run some sort of internet connection sharing (ICS) or proxy software. I have never used the adhoc method so I can not comment on that.

You can look at these pages for wireless product reviews...

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/
http://www.timhiggins.com/

Also, post to the Wireless forum for help with adhoc...

[TopDog]

Here's my equipment: 1. Toshiba PC with 333Mhz, 256K RAM, 6 GB HD, 56 speed CDROM and 56K modem
I hope you mean 256Mb of RAM ;-)

256K of RAM ...well, you would have a hell of a Comodore 64 :-)

[TopDog]

What equipment do I need to buy to wirelessly connect to the Net via my PDA from anywhere in house?
I would get broadband and a wireless router/gateway, like this one from 3Com (http://www.3com.com/products/en_US/detail.jsp?tab=features&pathtype=purchase&sku=3CRWE51196-US).

You can use Ad-hoc (just get a WLAN-card in your PC, but then you have to start working on those tech genes I'm afraid. I've used this article (http://www.practicallynetworked.com/support/adhoc_setup.htm)a couple of times to set up a Ad-hoc network.