With Palm and Siemens S25 connected to the Internet

Introduction

This page gives information on how to use the SIEMENS S25 cellular phone together with a Palm III / IIIx / V by using an IrDA connection. The following information was written using an US PalmOS 3.0.2 so the menus differ if PalmOS 3.3 or later is used.

Updating the Palm

First of all you have to update the Palm to redirect the data meant for the serial port to the IrDA port. This is done by using the following tool from the Palm homepage.
IREnhance

Please do not install the file AMX.prc if you own a Palm equipped with PalmOS 3.3 or higher as the improved routines are already present in the ROM.

In the Prefs menu you will now find a new submenu "Serial/IR" used to setup exactly these functions.

PalmSerial Screenshot

You will notice that you"ll get an error message when having activated "Infrared" while trying to do a HotSync using the cradle. You either need to set this back to "Cradle" or do the HotSync via IrDA, too.

It is required for this update that you have at least PalmOS 3.0.2 installed. If you still use an older version this can be updated by a patch from the Palm homepage.
PalmOne homepage

Configuration Modem

In the Preferences you have to set up the following at "Modem"

PalmPrefs Screenshot

*The GSM standard only supports a data transfer rate of 9600 bps. Using the V.42 standard (does the S25 actually use this?) it could transfer a little faster. It can't hurt anyway.

**The selection of a "Country" is only supported since PalmOS 3.1 (Palm IIIx and V) and should be set to "Other".

Configuration Network

At "Network" the settings for your provider (ISP) have to be set which differ from provider to provider.

PalmNetwork Screenshot

Don"t forget to set up the submenu "Details"!

PalmNetworkDetails Screenshot

It is a good idea to check the settings of your current browser and transfer them to the Palm. If you"re in doubt ask your ISP. That's what the "S" in ISP is meant for - Service!

Configuring the Siemens S25

Activate the IrDA port in the Menu "Settings" by choosing the submenu "Fax/Data Mode" and selecting "Send Sp/Fax" (Shortcut 8-2-1).

The above mentioned menu strings are translated from the German entries and may differ. I hope it will be clear what"s meant.

Connecting

Lay down the cellular phone and the Palm with the IrDA ports heading to each other in a maximum distance of about 30cm (12") on a desk and try to establish a test connection:

PALM : Prefs > Network > Connect

If you should encounter problems (phone doesn"t dial, Connection can not by established in spite of phone dialing) the options in the Palm should be checked.

Is the password entered correctly ?
Are the settings in "Details" entered correctly?
Does your ISP use phone number recognition?
If so, is you mobile number already known by your ISP?
Is this number really transferred while calling?
When using the German cellular network Vodafone you'll have to enter anything for the username and password!
When using the German cellular network Vodafone you must not activate V.110!

If it works you can happily disconnect the connection since a pure data connection can get pretty boring without any programs using it...