Mobile Phones

[Guest]

Does anybody know of a realistically priced method of connecting a cheap mobile phone to a lap top. all I want to do is down load weather info etc. All I seem to be able to get is a spotty individual giving me the company spiel on the latest I/R links and interface cards etc. or a blank look. All I want is a connection from my BT modem to the mobile. nothing special, no rocket science, just a lead. Is there such an animal
My present phone is a Nokia 3310?
Please don't suggest the Nokia site, I think they breed the spotties.


Thanks

 

[Guest]

I don't think you can do this with a 3310. That's why they're cheap.

Here's how I do it:
1. Have infra-red port on laptop (Sony Vaio 505)
2. Have infra-red port on mobile (Nokia 6210)
3. Point phone at laptop, enable infra-red transmission (menu no. 9 on 'phone)
4. laptop "sees" phone, and can now dial-up, etc... No further equipment needed.

OK - this relies on you having an IR port on both the laptop and the 'phone. If you haven't, then you won't be able to do this.

The way forward...

1) Do you have IR port on laptop? - if so, then buy a Nokia 6210 (on Orange as they do 28,800 bps data) this is cheaper than buying a connection cable/kit. Transfer your old number if you're attached to it.
2) If no IR port on laptop, consider buying new laptop WITH IR port and then returning to no.1. Lets face it, you probably need a new laptop for other reasons too...(old on a bit slow?)
3) Not enough folding (spent it on the boat?) for a new laptop - then you'll have to buy a cable which goes from the laptop to a suitable phone, possibly purchasing suitable 'phone at same time. (BTW i've got an "old" (ie last year's model) Nokia 7110 which you could have which is compatible with infra-red or cable connection, but may not be compatible with your sim card, so may be more trouble than it's worth)
4) Connect cable at one end to laptop (could be PCMCIA card or 9-pin serial, not quite sure) and other end to "new" phone. Software (drivers) may be needed, but should be supplied with the cable kit .
5) Worth mentioning that you need to be registered with your phone network for "Data"
6) You don't need a modem (Your standard modem is an ANALOGUE device, whereas you will be transmitting DIGITAL data)
7) Still confused? - let me know how you get on -I'll keep an eye on this thread.

Regards,
Richard.

 

[Guest]

Re: rich is right!

but even the ordinary version seems a bit nerdy. The sony vaio laptop works, and you *might* be able to get a little clip-on thing at the bottom which does the infra red stuff. But you still have to muck about.

Two other options are to ring up office and gettem to run thru the email a bit OR (best) threaten dire consequences to support/techie dept if they don't get it all working nicely.

 

[Guest]

Re: rich is right!

clip on bit...

Yes - I'd forgotten that you can get an IR port adapter which attaches to the 9-pin serial port for older laptops - so an older laptop can connect to an IR compatible mobile.

Cheers,
Richard.

 

[Guest]

Re: clip-on infra-red

Ah the bitI was talking about clips tio the phone. On an ericsson ga628 there's a little bit to clip on for the infrared. Praps there's similar option for nokia?

 

[Guest]

Re: clip-on infra-red

Ah, we Nokia users have it built-in. That's the little red "eye" in the top of the 'phone.

Of course all of this will become academic when the manufacturers get their a***s into gear and start producing "Bluetooth" compatible devices - these will use a low power radio signal to fry us all whilst attempting to connect compatible devices automatically and wirelessly.

regards,
Richard.

 

[Guest]

Re: Mobile Phones - Another idea...

Also see:

http://www.orange.co.uk/services/hscsd_personal.html

as it's got a gizmo that doesn't use a 'phone, just an all-in-one card

See also my post in "Hooked" in response to martin.

regards,
richard.

 

[Guest]

I have a simple serial port to Nokia connection cable which works very well from the boat.

I bought it quite cheaply and the drivers were either from or bundled with a package supplied by: http://www.logomanager.co.uk. It doesn't even need a modem card, you connect from the ordinary serial port.

I bought one for my Ericsson too but didn't get a driver, so have never got it working. If I needed too I'm sure I could, but too low a priority!

If you don't find a way forward, email me & I'll dig out the receipt.

 

[david_bagshaw]

Watch out with toshiba infra red + nokia phones as it doesnt work, but the cable works wellenough.

I personaly use a N 9110, but we recently up graded another line to the 6210 which is data compatable. about £85 inc the cable. connects via a normal com port , so no further expense.



David psTake a look at www.yachtman.co.uk

 

[Guest]

I have a nokia 7110 and a tosh satellite pro 4320 and they communicate perfectly well via IR. My wife has a motorola tri- band phone and it requires software downloaded to enable the IR port. I fail to see the point of supplying a phone with an IR port and not supplying the required software!

I did have some difficulty in making my HP Jornada 720 handheld communicate with the Nokia via IR but it turned out to be down to fluorescent strip lights. When I turned these off, the problem went away. As many boats have some variation on this sort of lighting, it is worth bearing in mind that it can upset infra red comms.

Nick

 

[martin]

Hi,

I have Tosh Portege and nokia (bright red small thingy) werks great on Inf Red..Agree with chap who said get inhouse corp IT to fix it all but better approach offer £20 and have tame techy chum for life...(they just live to do stuff like this so gettin paid is like wow ...coool man)

 

[Guest]

gettin paid is like wow ...coool man

certainly is.

so, how's about going one better - anyone like to pay me to mess about in their boat?

 

[Guest]

In July2001 PBO there's an article 'Don't leave without your laptop' and it indicates problems with IR on a boat in general? They bought a Nokia Cardphone which I assume takes your SIM card so you can connect with it?

 

[Guest]

My nokia/toshiba IR connection worked on the boat the one and only time I tried it. I am an Orange subscriber and coverage is OK close to the Eastern Clyde Coast but go further west, say Loch Fyne, the signal is lost and the IR effectiveness is irrelevant.

But, in Kip Marina, it worked and i could access the Web and my e-mails. Be carefull with the inteference issue and strip lights are favourite although I guess you could experiment with other peripherals like GPS, Radar, etc.

Nick

 

[Guest]

I've followed this thread to see what other solutions were suggested and I've been fascinated to see the problem with flourescent lights. When you consider the fact that the frequency of infra-red is very close to that of visible light, it becomes apparent that a device such as a flourescent tube which emits across the spectrum of visible light, is likely to become a source of interference as nick has experienced.

Another reason that a cable may be preferable is so that you can raise the 'phone to get the best signal, rather than having to lie it next to the laptop.

I did a quick search, and logomanager.co.uk seems to be a good starting point. They don't sell cables themselves, but have links to many places who do. One is Carphone Warehouse (carphonewarehouse.com)- you can search for "accessories" on their site and by specifying make and model of 'phone, and the "Data Cable" you'll get to the right one. I found a serial connection cable for Nokia 6210 at £39.99