This section is about common questions,
and problems. It is divided into broad areas
so you can find what you are looking for.
If you have a serious question or problem
that would seem to fall into one of these
areas, contact me using the email address
at the top of this document.
Section 7 Index :
7.1) Other Configurations - "you said I need a version 1.5 widget
- I have a wadget - can I still do this?"
- questions answered.
7.2) Problems - "I can't get PING to work!" - common problems and
solutions
7.3) What next - "I got it all to work, but now I want to..." - doing
more interesting stuff with the setup.
7.4) Reporting bugs and making improvements - "I got it to work using
XXX, even though you said it was impossible"
- help me to help others
Section 7 Body : the questions
7.1) Other Configurations
"You said I need a version 1.5 widget -
I have a wadget - can I still do this?"
7.1.1) Operating Systems
7.1.1.1) Q: Can I make this work with
Windows 95?
A: Yes - that is the recommended O/S
7.1.1.2) Q: Can I make this work with
Windows 98?
A: Yes - this will probably work even better
than Windows 95. You do not need MSDUN 1.3
if you are using Windows 98 - it is built
in.
7.1.1.3) Q: Can I make this work with
Windows NT 4?
A: Windows NT does all of this quite
nicely already, via RAS. You may like to
install the proxy server if you are using
NT via a dial-up connection, though.
7.1.1.4) Q: Can I make this work with
DOS / a Mac / Windows 3.1 / Windows NT 3.5
/ UNIX / an Amiga / an Archimedes?
A: Not using these instructions. I am not
interested in these platforms. For UNIX
instructions, see the links section in the
appendices.
7.1.2) Other Handhelds
7.1.2.1) Q: Can I use a Psion Series
5?
A: Yes - a Psion Series 5 with ROM version
1.01 is the recommended handheld
7.1.2.2) Q: Can I use a Psion 3c?
A: Almost certainly. If the software on
the handheld supports dial-up PPP (i.e.
if you could connect it to the Internet
using a modem), you should be able to connect
to this system. You will have to set up
the Psion yourself though. If you get it
to work, and want to document it properly,
send me the details. I will have no way
of testing it, though.
7.1.2.3) Q: Can I connect using a Psion
3a / Siena / Workabout / Psion II?
A: Not as far as I know.
7.1.2.3) Q: Can I connect using a Wince
handheld?
A: Almost certainly. If the software on
the handheld supports dial-up PPP (i.e.
if you could connect it to the Internet
using a modem), you should be able to connect
to this system. You will have to set up
the handheld yourself though. If you get
it to work, and want to document it properly,
send me the details. I will have no way
of testing it, though.
7.1.2.4) Q: Can I connect using a Palmpilot
?
A: Almost certainly. If the software on
the Palmpilot supports dial-up PPP (i.e.
if you could connect it to the Internet
using a modem), you should be able to connect
to this system. You will have to set up
the Palmpilot yourself though. If you get
it to work, and want to document it properly,
send me the details. I will have no way
of testing it, though.
7.1.2.5) Q: Can I connect using some
other system?
A: I have no idea - if you get it to work,
and want to document it properly, send me
the details. I will have no way of testing
it, though.
7.1.3) Other Hardware Setups
7.1.3.1) Q: Can I connect via the infra-red
(IRDA) link?
A: Probably. I am not interested in doing
this. For most people, their PC infra-red
link is in such as position that the Psion
would be unusable while it was communicating.
On the other hand, using IRDA would free
up a serial port, and avoid IRQ conflicts.
7.1.3.2) Q: Can I connect via a corporate
LAN Internet connection?
A: Yes - this is the best method.
7.1.3.4) Q: Can I connect via a dial-up
Internet connection?
A: Yes, if you have enough serial ports
to connect the Psion and Modem (and mouse)
at once, or if you have an internal modem.
See below for suggestions on how to use
serial ports more efficiently. IRQ conflicts
are an issue if you use more than 2 serial
ports.
7.1.3.5) Q: Can I connect using a cable
modem?
A: Probably, but as we don't have them
in the UK yet, I am not sure.
7.1.4) Other Software Setups
7.1.4.1) Q: Do I have to use Message
Suite 1.5?
A: no - you can use any Internet capable
software on your Psion Series 5. You will
have to work out how to set them up yourself,
though. I cannot comment about other platforms.
7.1.4.2) Q: Do I have to use Wingate
2.1d?
A: no - but you have to use some form of
proxy server on your Windows 95 / 98 PC.
This document only describes how to setup
Wingate 2.1d.
7.2) Problems
return to index
"I can't get PING to work!" - common problems and solutions
7.2.1) Q: I couldn't get the PING test at the end of section
2 to work!
A: Before you can PING the Psion from the PC, you must make
sure it is connecting correctly.
Q: Ok, how do I check if it is connecting correctly?
A: You can check both on the Psion and on the PC. The PC
can tell us more, so open "My Computer" / "Dial-Up Networking"
/ Connection Menu / "Dial-Up Server". Look at the Status Box
- this tells you the connection status.
If it reads "Idle", then a connection cannot be made - either
it has been set up wrongly, or the Psion is in "Remote Link"
mode.
If it reads "Monitoring" then it is ready to connect, but
there may still be a problem in the connection settings.
If it reads "Answering", then it is negotiating passwords
with the Psion. This takes a little while - but may get stuck
if there is a problem with the username, password, or encryption
settings.
If it reads "USER connected since...", then it thinks that
it is connected. You should be able to do the PING test as
described, but you will not be able to browse the Internet
until the next stage.
7.2.2) Q: I have connected before, but I cannot connect
again - why is this?
A: Check whether or not Psiwin thinks it is connected - if
the Psiwin icon in the tooltray shows a wiggly line, or if
you can click on My Psion on the desktop and browse inside
the Psion, the Psiwin is using the serial cable. Go into System
on the Psion and go Menu / Tools / Remote Link, and set it
to Off. When you want to use Psiwin again set it back to what
it was.
7.2.3) Q: Email works, but Web Proxy does not - why?
A: There seems to be a problem with a program called Notify
CD. Try stopping Notify CD and ejecting all CDs, or uninstalling
Notify CD.
7.2.4) Q: I can't seem to connect the PC to the Internet
at the same time as connecting the Psion to the PC! how do
I make this work?
A: Depending on how your computer hardware is set up, you
may find that some COM ports, and thus some devices, such
as Mice, Modems, and Psions, cannot all be connected and communicating
at the same time. This is due to an IRQ conflict. Try moving
the serial devices around, using an internal modem instead
of an external one, replacing some serial devices (e.g. mice)
with USB or PS/2 versions, connecting to the Internet via
a LAN, or buying an additional serial adapter card. Experts
might like to examine their modem or BIOS setup.
7.2.5) Q: I don't have enough serial ports to connect
my Modem and Psion at the same time!
A: See the previous item for suggestions.
7.2.6) Q: The Web browser stops (and the Psion-PC connection
breaks) when I try to load a large image in the Psion message
suite browser!
A: I don't have a fully tested solution yet, but try setting
Wingate to route the proxy request to your ISP's proxy server.
7.2.7) Q: After I have connected a few times, all of the
resources and memory on my machine vanish and I have to reboot!
A: There seems to be a problem with one of the bits of software
- I won't say which in case I get sued, but if you get (or
even fix) this problem please let me know.
7.3) What next
return to index
"I got it all to work, but now I want to..." - doing more
interesting stuff with the setup. Make sure you read section
7.1 as well.
7.3.1) Improving The Connection
7.3.1.1) Q: Can I use encrypted passwords?
A: Not as far as I know. I tried this with both NT and 95
dial-up systems, and the Psion just does not seem to be compatible.
7.3.2) Internet Software
7.3.2.1) Q: Can I use www / email / newsreader / IRC clients
on the Psion?
A: Yes, but the proxy server may require additional
configuration to use anything other than www or email.
7.3.2.2) Q: Where can I get additional software for the
Psion?
A: I have included a list of useful links in the appendices
at the bottom of this document. Please do not email me with
questions about Psion (or other handheld) software.
7.3.2.2.1) Q: Can I get newsreader software for the Psion
5?
A: Palmscape are developing a newsreader program at the time
I write this. (See appendices for Palmscape Web address).
7.3.2.2.2) Q: Can I get FTP client software for the Psion
5?
A: Palmscape are developing an FTP client at the time I write
this. (See appendices for Palmscape Web address).
7.3.2.2.3) Q: Can I get IRC client software for the Psion
5?
A: Palmscape are developing an IRC client at the time I write
this. (See appendices for Palmscape Web address)
7.3.2.2.4) Q: Can I get a different WWW browser for the
Psion 5?
A: A version of the OPERA browser is under development as
I write this. (see appendices for Web address)
7.3.2.2.5) Q: How can I go about writing additional Internet
software for the Psion?
A: Visit the 3Lib Web site (its address is in the appendices).
This is a useful starting point for developers. Also visit
the Symbian Web site.
7.4) Reporting bugs and making improvements
return to index
"I got it to work using XXX, even though you said it was
impossible" - help me to help others
This document is currently in public beta. This means that
I am releasing it to the public now even though I do
not feel it is completely free of errors, and I feel that
there are a lot of areas that could be added.
This is where you come in. While you are using this document,
I would like you to note down when you get problems, and where
you have ideas or find shortcuts that could help someone else
to set up their system more quickly, better, or with less
confusion.
I would also like very much to hear from people whose setup
differs from the one I have described in this document, but
get it to work (or nearly work) anyway. For instance - if
you make it work with a handheld other than a Psion 5, I can
then expand this document to cover that handheld as well.
Or if you improve the overall security of the system with
some neat trick - let me know!. If you write a new type of
Internet client for the Psion, send me a link to your page,
and if it adds something to the document, I will include it
in the list at the bottom.
I include here details of how to submit a report, and what
areas I would like to see improved if you just have some time
on your hands. I will of course credit (in the change log
and elsewhere at my discretion) anyone who makes a new contribution
to the document.
7.4.1) Reporting bugs and improvements
7.4.1.1) Before you make a report, please check that you
have the most recent version of the document, by visiting
http://5alive.psionking.com.
7.4.1.2) Submit any report by email, to the address at the
top of this document.
7.4.1.3) Include the document version and a short description
of your problem or improvement in the subject line of your
email. This will help me to cope if I get a lot of responses.
7.4.1.4) In the body, explain clearly what section of the
document your change refers to, for instance, "3.2)" or "the
whole of section 6". Again, include the document version,
as section numbers are subject to change.
7.4.1.5) If you are adding a description of how to use some
new software or handheld, please use as much detail as I have
here. If I am unable to test your contribution, I will have
to include it on trust that it works. Please test the change
yourself, or get a friend to do it.
7.4.1.6) If you are reporting a bug, please describe your
setup precisely - I need to know what baud rate you are connected
at, what other devices you have attached, and what version
of operating system you are using, etc. I especially need
to know about anything you are using that differs from my
description - for instance : if your company uses a firewall.
7.4.1.7) Be patient, and please do not be disheartened if
you do not get a reply. I will not always have the time to
get to read all my emails, and publishing any updates for
everyone's benefit takes precedence over replying to an individual.
On the other hand, don't let this stop you sending additional
details.
7.4.1.8) Please do not ask me to send you any software.
7.4.1) Where you can help me improve
Here is a list of some of the items I need more information
on. This is not an exhaustive list, so if you find an area
you think I have skimped on, let me know anyway.
7.4.1.2) Firewalls and external proxy servers. If you get
Wingate to work with an external Firewall or proxy server,
and are prepared to document it to the same style and level
of detail I have used here, let me know.
7.4.1.3) Security for Wingate. If you can improve on my security
setup, without any large applications being added, let me
know.
7.4.1.4) Other Internet clients for the Psion. If you have
written another internet client for the Psion, and wish to
describe how to set it up within the framework of this document,
go ahead!
7.4.1.5) Other handhelds. If you get any other handhelds
to work, and want to add a description of how to set it up,
let me know and I will think about adding it here. Or alternatively,
send me a free evaluation version of your handheld, and I
will do it myself. :-).