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View Full Version : iPAQ 3970 bluetooth upgrade (+ headset profile)


stevetooth
04-09-2003, 05:37 PM
Probably many know, but I just recently discovered that the bluetooth manager and WIDCOMM bluetooth stack can be upgraded on 3970(probably on 3870 too) to the same version that 5455 has.

Currently even the latest iPAQ 3970 ROM (version 2.10) contains a very old version of the bluetooth stack and manager program. Surely Compaq had the reason not to upgrade these, so everyone please upgrade for your responsiblity! 8O

The new version has much better interface than the old bluetooth manager, also it doesnt hang when I try to reach the Bluetooth LAN profile on my PC (perviously it wasn't working for me).

Also, you can apply the same registry patch on 3970 what you have to apply on 5455 to enable the audio gateway and headset profiles! The 3970 nicely bonds to and discoveres the headset service on my HBH-30, and also connects to it. A little problem is that I wasnt able to redirect sound to the headset. I dont know if there is a workaround for this, anybody knows something, please help! :?

You can download the latest WIDCOMM software and stack (probably version 1.3.1.46) from the homepages of device manufacturers that released SDIO or CF based bluetooth hardware for Windows CE based devices. I have a Billionton USB dongle for my PC, and the CE driver of the CF card version of their product was also included on the installation CD, so I installed this software on my iPAQ, and it works perfectly! The latest version of this software can also be downloaded from Billionton's website (unfortunatelly they do not link the software directly to their site, but they support team will send you the download link if you own a Billionton bluetooth device, and send them your S/N number).

:D

freitasm
04-09-2003, 08:23 PM
True. Mind you it's not a ROM upgrade, so if you hard reset your device you'll have to apply the patch again.

I haven't installed it yet, because I need the original H3970 BT to get screenshots for the Bluetooth Guides we create. I'm dying to have it installed, though...

kfluet
04-09-2003, 10:27 PM
Too freakin cool! I had no idea this was possible. :D

I just did a backup, downloaded the software from Billionton and got rid of that horrible BT software the 3970 comes with. Yay!

Thankyouthankyouthankyou!

Now, presumably there is a legal and/or licensing reason that HP isn't including this in the 3970 2.1 rom revision. Does anybody know of a source for a license for the new software other than buying a new BT CF card? It can't cost more than a few bucks...

kfluet
04-09-2003, 11:09 PM
Doh!

After playing with the software a bit, I find that every time I do a soft reset (which is typically at least once a day if not more often) this new BT software forgets everything and goes back to the default behaviour of "let any BT device connect and download files out of the My Documents folder". 8O

Does anybody else see this or is it just me? Either way, not such a good thing.

I also note that doing an uninstall doesn't bring back the old BT software.

Good thing I did that backup...

WyattEarp
04-09-2003, 11:25 PM
Just applied the updated stack (1.3.1.46) and it works flawlessly. Tested it with my T68i and it works even better; and the UI is great. Thanks for mentioning it. I was just thinking about it the other day.

Compaq would probably have done it since they did it before but since they were going to merge with HP it probably fell off the list of things to do. HP probably isn't thinking about it either since they are pushing the 5400 Series but let's keep our fingers crossed anyway. I would rather have it in ROM.

Thanks again, things like this is what helps make this site #1 in my book.
Up-to-date is the only way to be. :D :D :D

For anyone who needs it, you can get it from here: http://www.billionton.com.tw/extra/download.htm

WyattEarp
04-10-2003, 02:31 AM
Doh!

After playing with the software a bit, I find that every time I do a soft reset (which is typically at least once a day if not more often) this new BT software forgets everything and goes back to the default behaviour of "let any BT device connect and download files out of the My Documents folder". 8O

Does anybody else see this or is it just me? Either way, not such a good thing.

I also note that doing an uninstall doesn't bring back the old BT software.

Good thing I did that backup...

It shouldn't do that, but I did notice that saved settings seem to be for specific connections that show up only when BT is activated. If those settings are not staying maybe they weren't saved initially.

kfluet
04-10-2003, 04:27 AM
It shouldn't do that, but I did notice that saved settings seem to be for specific connections that show up only when BT is activated. If those settings are not staying maybe they weren't saved initially.

I tried installing the new BT software after a hard reset, and the software saves my settings now. There must be something left over from my old BT settings that interferes. A manual reinstall of everything will solve that.

I still have a problem, though. I generally use the BT Network Access to connect through my Dongled XP Pro machine to reach the net.

The first time I connect with the new software, I am asked (on the iPAQ) for a user name and password. It doesn't matter what I enter (blank, garbage, a correct user/pass combo), and then I am connected just like with the old software. When I connect again later, though, I am not asked for a username or password and the connection fails.

If I use a registry editor and go in and remove the username and password manually, and then connect to the network, I am asked for the username and password and connect like a charm. But again, only once.

To make it even more fun, once in 8 or 10 attempts actually connects.

The Bluetooh Network Access connection seems to be PPP running over a virtual null-modem serial cable. I'm thinking it has something to do with the timing of a PPP authentication script.

Sigh...

So, for those of you using the new software on a 3970, are you able to use the Network Access feature? If yes, what kind of gateway are you connecting to? Are you asked for a username and password?

freitasm
04-10-2003, 05:18 AM
It shouldn't do that, but I did notice that saved settings seem to be for specific connections that show up only when BT is activated. If those settings are not staying maybe they weren't saved initially.

I still have a problem, though. I generally use the BT Network Access to connect through my Dongled XP Pro machine to reach the net.

The first time I connect with the new software, I am asked (on the iPAQ) for a user name and password. It doesn't matter what I enter (blank, garbage, a correct user/pass combo), and then I am connected just like with the old software. When I connect again later, though, I am not asked for a username or password and the connection fails.

If I use a registry editor and go in and remove the username and password manually, and then connect to the network, I am asked for the username and password and connect like a charm. But again, only once.

To make it even more fun, once in 8 or 10 attempts actually connects.

The Bluetooh Network Access connection seems to be PPP running over a virtual null-modem serial cable. I'm thinking it has something to do with the timing of a PPP authentication script.

Sigh...

So, for those of you using the new software on a 3970, are you able to use the Network Access feature? If yes, what kind of gateway are you connecting to? Are you asked for a username and password?

Do you know if your dongle :lol: supports LAP? Have a look here: http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?contentid=448. It's for the the H5450, but works with this version of BT stack.

hollis_f
04-10-2003, 07:42 AM
Thatnks for the info. One question, while it's downloading. Does this stop the problem with my TDK USB adaptor, where I have to disable some of the profiles before the 3970 can work with it (a limitation on the number of profiles a 3970 can handle)?

stevetooth
04-10-2003, 08:26 AM
[quote=WyattEarp]
So, for those of you using the new software on a 3970, are you able to use the Network Access feature? If yes, what kind of gateway are you connecting to? Are you asked for a username and password?

It works well for me. I can connect to my PC using Network Access feature. I have a billionton USB dongle. I am not asked for username and password.

stevetooth
04-10-2003, 09:08 AM
Question: It seems like with the new software, the ipaq bluetooth led flashes more rapidly, which I found a little annoying, especially in dark. Is it possible to disable or change the behaviour of that led?

kfluet
04-10-2003, 09:32 AM
Following up on my post about problems: scrounging a copy of a more recent (1.3.2.7) Widcomm driver for my dongle solves the problem. The old software on the iPAQ was fine with the September 2002 Widcomm USB dongle drivers, but the new iPAQ drivers weren't completely compatible. Odd, considering it's all Widcomm and all no more than 8 months old...

I guess Bluetooth is so new and advancing so fast that you need to keep up. The new software sure is nice. Tell Pocket Outlook to check mail and it sets up a connection, downloads mail and shuts down the connection, all by itself. :D

Question: It seems like with the new software, the ipaq bluetooth led flashes more rapidly, which I found a little annoying, especially in dark. Is it possible to disable or change the behaviour of that led?

I didn't notice until you pointed it out but that big blue light is definitely blinking faster than it used to. Sigh. I would love to be able to make it flicker very briefly only once every 30 seconds. It's blinding in the dark. I used to use a thin strip of electrical tape but it fell off all the time.

davebach172
04-10-2003, 12:03 PM
sorry to be a pain - but which file should i download from the site? I have a 3970, and a non-billington bluetooth dongle.

Thanks!

stevetooth
04-10-2003, 02:49 PM
sorry to be a pain - but which file should i download from the site? I have a 3970, and a non-billington bluetooth dongle.

Thanks!

Based on the link submitted by WyattEarp, you should download and isntall this on your ipaq:

http://www.billionton.com/extra/CFBTCE-B.zip

kfluet
04-10-2003, 08:34 PM
Based on the link submitted by WyattEarp, you should download and isntall this on your ipaq:
http://www.billionton.com/extra/CFBTCE-B.zip

Yep. Either of the "CE" downloads will work. Other than the archive file name, they are exactly the same down to the checksums on the files the .ZIP's contain.

The "N" version of the USB software (http://www.billionton.com.tw/extra/USBBTUSB-N.zip) from the same site is what I used to update my XP machine which has a Belkin/Tecom/WirelessNetworks dongle. It is a Type 1 (high power) dongle with two lights and a little flip-up antenna. I think the "B" version of the USB software might be for the Type 2 (low power) BT dongles but I can't be sure.

NEW QUESTION:

Say, has anybody bumped into a setting with the new software to adjust the BT transmit power on the iPAQ? The old 3970 software has 3 levels you could set, which presumably saved you some battery consumption. The new software doesn't seem to.

dhettel
04-10-2003, 10:52 PM
When you have an active connection go to the status page. From What I can tell the software continuously adjust the power level.

David

toika
04-11-2003, 08:20 AM
Hi there

QUESTION :

Does it work well in 3970 ?

thank you
toika

stevetooth
04-11-2003, 10:11 AM
Hi there

QUESTION :

Does it work well in 3970 ?

thank you
toika

for me it works perfectly.

numb
04-11-2003, 10:31 AM
can anyone confirm whether this works on a 3870?

WyattEarp
04-11-2003, 10:56 PM
can anyone confirm whether this works on a 3870?

The 3870 should have no problems using the updated software. I have the 3970 and the BT software is no different from that of my old 3870 from what I remember. The only difference may be a DLL or two since the 3970's internals are a little different. So go right ahead and install it.

It works on my 3975, not a problem at all. Just have to get use to the new but much improved UI. 4 :D :D :D :D for that.

pablake
04-14-2003, 05:13 PM
Just to confirm the software works flawlessly on the 3870 - a big improvement, although it does appear a bit more memory hungry. Still, worth the install in my opinion if you use Bluetooth regularly...

Paul

summoner
04-14-2003, 10:55 PM
Hi Guys,

I've installed the new software too... great interface, although I am having problems transferring pictures from my t68 to my ipaq. any ideas?

Ariel

stevetooth
04-15-2003, 08:39 AM
Hi Guys,

I've installed the new software too... great interface, although I am having problems transferring pictures from my t68 to my ipaq. any ideas?

Ariel

Hmm. This is strange. It does not work for me either. It says "Transfer failed. Please retry". :(

albsilva
04-22-2003, 03:45 PM
What about the ipaq 3630 upgraded to PPC2002 with the Compaq BT sleeve... has anyone tried yet?

Thanks,
Alberto Silva

tewmgd
04-22-2003, 09:58 PM
in a discussion on mypdacafe.com, some people say that it's more battery hungry, do you confirm ?

http://forum.mypdacafe.com/viewtopic.php?t=2415&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=upgrade%20bt%20manager%20545x%20bt%20manager&start=30

Fabulas
04-23-2003, 01:17 PM
:oops: I thought I had stubled upon something new. Everyone else on the boards were all over it (I was just trying to get the word out):oops: Well anyway, the update works WELL. It's what I've been waiting for. Now I no longer envy the 5400 series. And with the talk of PPC2003 around the corner, Looks like I'll do the 128 ram upgrade :rock on dude!:

lerakd
03-03-2004, 01:59 PM
I have upgraded to mobile 2003, added a patch so that the bluetooth manager permits me to search for bluetooth headsets and have paired my 3970 with my Jabra bluetooth.
It works great--except for the fact that although the setting is appropriate and the 3970 doesn't play sound, neither does the headset!
Any help?

MikaelHolmberg
10-29-2004, 06:59 PM
I've just downloaded the Widcomm.com BTW-CE version 1.4.1 build 59... The software installed ok but I cant turn the radio on! I've freed up plenty of driver memory but it keeps saying "the bluetooth radio failed to turn on due to insufficient driver meory available. You must perfora normal reset before you cna trunON the Bluetooth Radio" .... But reseting doesn't help... It this the same version you downloaded Paul, that works on your 3870?...

Best regards,,

Mikael

parkhaus
06-14-2005, 11:46 PM
I have the same problem. I just installed a Bluetooth Stack which is intended for Windows 2003 on Windows 2002. I have lost my old stack, it was overwritten. Can you please help me??

whizzyfingers
05-02-2006, 12:12 PM
the old link is dead..

http://www.billionton.com.tw/website/download/driver/Bluetooth_old/1.4.2.11-B/1.4.2.11-B.htm

slott_hansen
12-17-2006, 11:20 PM
http://www.billionton.com.tw/website/download/driver/Bluetooth_old/1.4.2.11-N/1.4.2.11-N.htm

slott_hansen
12-19-2006, 12:08 AM
I tried the lates 1.4.x driver - fails!

Anyone has the old 1.3.x drivers who could post them or send them to me to: msh AT onliners.dk

Thanx