How To Use IrComm Mobile Devices and Windows XP to Access the Internet

This article describes how to access the Internet by connecting your laptop computer to your mobile device. When you use Windows XP, which has built-in Infrared Data Association (IrDA) support, you can use a mobile device that is enabled for infrared networking (IrComm) to establish an infrared connection and to connect to and browse the Internet.

Requirements

• Windows XP
• IrComm-enabled mobile device

Configure Windows XP for IrDA Dial-Up Networking

Windows XP has built-in IrDA support. To connect to your IrComm-enabled mobile device, configure Windows XP for dial-up networking for the IrDA port:

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click Network and Internet Connections, and then click Network Connections.
3. Click the IrDA connection that you want to configure.
4. Under Network Tasks, click Change settings of this connection.
5. Type the telephone number and host information for your Internet service provider (ISP).
6. Click OK.

Establish an Infrared Connection

To establish an infrared connection, place the IrDA-enabled mobile device within one meter of the infrared port on the laptop, and then wait for a connection icon to be displayed on the taskbar.

Connect to the Internet

After you establish the infrared connection, use the following procedure to connect to the Internet:

1. Start Microsoft Internet Explorer.
2. When Windows XP prompts you to connect using dial-up networking, click the appropriate connection.
3. Wait while dial-up networking dials the mobile device.
4. After you connect to your ISP, go to any Web page to confirm the connection.

Disconnect from Your Mobile Device

1. In Internet Explorer, click Close on the File menu.
2. Click Disconnect.