Bluetooth adaptor for Axim A5

[susan bowers]

A have an Axim A5 without bluetooth. I want to use GPS on it. Is it possible to buy a bluetooth adaptor? If so does anyone know what is available (and works)!!

Thanks.

Sue

[Drifter]

Hi,

CF bluetooth adapters exist and providing drivers for WM2002/2003 are provided, any card will work. Personally I used a sitecom card, but any will work.Take a look on Ebay for low priced options.

[susan bowers]

Originally Posted by Drifter

Hi,

CF bluetooth adapters exist and providing drivers for WM2002/2003 are provided, any card will work. Personally I used a sitecom card, but any will work.Take a look on Ebay for low priced options.

Thanks for your help.

[uweb]

Originally Posted by Drifter

Hi,

CF bluetooth adapters exist and providing drivers for WM2002/2003 are provided, any card will work. Personally I used a sitecom card, but any will work.Take a look on Ebay for low priced options.

Drifter, would appreciate your help comments;
I received my SiteComBluetooth CF Adapter yesterday
- Async X5 = ok (CF card driver and Software)
- BT CF SITECOM Model No CN501
- Serial Number 03050200577
- BAR code 8 716502 003037
- downloaded the registry program; default names are matching as stated Compact_Flash-Bluetooth_Card-2F7E and the listed default COM Port 5 is matching.

Problem:
- when X5 (2003) Power On the BT adapter will blink, followed by showing the following error message on the X5:
"Sorry, Bluetooth can only be used with authorized Compact Flash cards and software." My Q.: authorized.... what does that mean?)
- the BT Icon at the bottom right will then show the red error sign as wel
- clicking on Start/Programs/Bluetooth Manager will result in another error message; i.e. "The BT radio failed to turn on due to insufficient driver memory available. You must perform a normal reset before you can turn ON the BT Radio. (I have soft "reset" several times via the stylus X5 side reset button = result no difference)
- when attemting the hack and changing/saving the Port from 5 to 6 or 7 (matching each time) - they will show 5 again when running the registry program (despite the response to "save" was Yes).
- Laptop with active BT search doesn't "see" the X5/Sitecom ever
- I tried the setup by running the CF Win XP Laptop Sitecom version - and the BT adapter "blinked" but is not functional in my Sony Laptop either.

Any reference available showing the exact steps you used to make your SITECOM function correctly?

My X5/400 "workhorse" has been in operation since it's announcement; mainly used on trips (GPS) and Contacts and occasional AmbiCom Model WL54-CF (COM port 5 works just fine)

Would appreciate ANY helpful comments. Much thanks in advance.

[Mahstah]

Hello uweb-

I got this info from a word doc posted on an ebay page:

"Using Bluetooth CF card on Dell Axim5

After installing the Bluetooth software on your Dell Axim5, you might find that you are unable to start up the Bluetooth software. Apparently this is a problem with the COM port assignment. We've noticed that Dell's Axim uses COM7 for the CF slot, however, the Bluetooth software has assigned COM5 instead.

Please follow the procedures below to resolve the problem.

Note: If your CF Bluetooth card does not appear to be working with your PDA,
please check the following:

• Did you plug-in the CF Bluetooth in your PDA before installing Bluetooth Software for WinCE?

• Did you soft-reset your PDA after installing Bluetooth Software for WinCE?
If your answers were Yes, please download a Registry Editor program for WinCE to check if the keys were entered correctly. Registry Editor can be downloaded from http://www.phm.lu/products/PocketPC/regedit.asp

Please follow the steps below:

(1) With the CF Bluetooth inserted in your PDA, launch Registry Editor, go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Drivers\Active, tap on the last folder.

(2) Check the entry “Name” and note down the COM port number the CF Bluetooth is using, e.g. COM7: means COM 7 is being used by the CF card.

(3) Check the entry “PnpId” is Compact_Flash-Bluetooth_Card-2F7E.

(4) Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Widcomm\BtConfig\Seria lTransport\Port, the value should be the same as in step (2), i.e. 7
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Widcomm\BtConfig\Gener al\PnpId, the value should be the same as in step (3), i.e. Compact_Flash-Bluetooth_Card-2F7E.

(5) Save and exit Registry Editor then soft-reset your PDA."

[uweb]

Thanks Mastah;

The info. you provided unfortunately doesn't answer my questions (I had followed the (same) writeup from another post with results as repeated/stated below).

Objective:

Drifter claims to be using the X5 and the SITECOM referenced SW/driver successfully; but fails to provide useful info. in this case. To find a trace/"Hint" of practical knowledge which may lead to a resolution to any or all of the 3 stated isues is my objective.


A.
Problem description:

1. when X5 (2003) Power On the BT adapter will blink, followed by showing the following error message on the X5

Error Message:
"Sorry, Bluetooth can only be used with authorized Compact Flash cards and software." My Q.: authorized.... what does that mean?)

2. clicking on Start/Programs/Bluetooth Manager will result in another error message; i.e.

"The BT radio failed to turn on due to insufficient driver memory available. You must perform a normal reset before you can turn ON the BT Radio. (I have soft "reset" several times via the stylus X5 side reset button = result no difference)

3. when attemting the registry hack and changing/saving the Port from 5 to 6 or 7 (matching each time) - they will show 5 again when running the registry program (despite the response to "save" was Yes).
- Laptop with active BT search doesn't "see" the BT/Sitecom ever
- I tried the setup by running the CF Win XP Laptop Sitecom version - and the BT adapter "blinked" but is not functional in my Sony Laptop either. This problem was mentioned by someone..... in 2004 I think, but no answer was provided.

B. Problem (frustrating part):
The BT CF adaptor was purchased via the internet... (after trusting posted messages.....); unfortunately the "thing" came from China and will make it impossible to get Customer Service questions answered.

[Drifter]

One quick thought... have you installed the x5 - CF timing update ???. If not this could be part of the problem.

I personally had no problems and did not have to make any registry changes.

I would however also suggest a ROM reflash just incase something is corrupted , then install the CF timing update and then any software drivers for the sitecom.

The rom reflash... remove all cards and press and hold, contacts, power, scroll in and reset. Hold for 3 secs then release power and reset. Hold the other 2 for another 15 seconds and release

[uweb]

Drifter thanks;
the flash I will use as last option.
- found the CF timing update on Dell. Install/Setup told me I had the latest.
- used ActiveSync to remove the Winn SW and restored it with the one in the "old" driver folder!

BT Sitecom card was recognized w/o fuss.

Conclusion: "old" is sometimes better.... (trust me, I know)...

Q.: can one BT connect to a non-WIN device; i.e. my Mac can see the X5 but when it has finished "getting more details" and displays the passKey - the X5 never requests, to enter the passkey. I also have not figured out how to know - when the PDA X5 "sees" another BT device; i.e.the same Mac 17" PB/Laptop.

Any suggestions? Thanks much

[Drifter]

Have you checked to make sure the the x5 is set so that it is discoverable by other devices ??.

Try looking for the Mac's from the x5. This aalso hava amode to discover devices, make sure in this case the Mac is also set to be discovered.

Without entering the Bluetooth setup probram, the only way you will know that the axim has found another device is when it requests a pass key.