Use Infrared Data Transfer To Connect Computers And Devices

Use Infrared Data Transfer to Connect Computers  and Devices

In This Tutorial you can connect your computer to other  nearby computers and devices without wires,
using infrared  light to transfer  data, the same way your TV remote control  sends signals.


Most new portable computers have built–in  infrared transceivers, and Windows XP supports the Infared Data  Associatio (IrDA) standards and protocols,

Allowing you  to connect with such devices as printers, modems, digital  pagers, personal digital assistants, electronic  cameras, organizers, cellular phones, and hand–held computers
 

To establish an infrared link

                   

• Verify that the devices you want to connect  with have infrared functionality enabled and work  correctly. 
• For information about verifying infrared  functionality on your computer, see below. 
• For information  about verifying infrared functionality on other devices, see  the device manufacturer's documentation.                                     

               

Align  your devices

Align  your devices so that the infrared transceivers  are within one meter of each other, and the transceivers  are pointing at each other.

• When the devices are correctly aligned, the  icon appears on the taskbar.
• The infrared transceiver is the small, dark  red window on your portable computer, printer,  digital camera, adapter, or other device. 
• You can choose whether to hide or display the  Wireless Link task bar icon when two infrared  devices are aligned. By default, the Wireless Link  task bar icon  is displayed.                                          

To verify infrared support on your computer.

• Verify that your computer has an infrared  transceiver  (the transceiver will appear as a small, dark  red window). 
• If your computer does not have an infrared  transceiver,  see your manufacturer's documentation to  verify whether IrDA functionality is supported. You could  also consider adding a IrDA card which can found at most  good computer supply shops.
• Open Device Manager. Click Start, and then  click Control Panel. Click Printers and Other  Hardware, and then click System in the left  panel. On the Hardware tab, click Device Manager.
• Double–click   Infrared Devices   If you have an infrared transceiver, but Infrared Devices does not appear in Device Manager,  you do not have an infrared device installed.   If no infrared devices are listed, do one or  both of the following:
• Enter BIOS setup to verify whether the infrared  device is enabled in BIOS, in IrDA, or Fast IrDA  (FIR) mode. 
• For information about how to enter  BIOS setup, see your computer manufacturer's  documentation. 

If the infrared device is disabled in  BIOS, you might be able to use your computer's BIOS  setup to enable it.

Warning:  

• Using a BIOS setup  utility incorrectly can cause your computer to  operate incorrectly.
• Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems  resulting from the incorrect use of the BIOS setup  can be solved.
• Use this utility at your own risk.  Before you make any changes, make a note of the  original settings so that you can reinstate them if  necessary.                                             
• See your computer manufacturer's documentation  to determine whether the BIOS needs to be updated.
• Verify that at least one infrared device  is listed  and that it is enabled.  If infrared devices are listed but they  are not enabled.
• Verify that the infrared devices  are installed correctly on your computer. 
• Infrared  transceivers are now installed in nearly all new  portable computers. 

If your computer does not have an infrared  transceiver, but it supports IrDA, and IrDA is enabled  in BIOS, you can install an external infrared  transceiver.