How to establish a TCP

How to establish a TCP/IP over PPP connection from Psion to Windows 98

introduction

This document describes how to connect your Psion Series 5 to the Internet via your Windows 95 / 98 PC using only free software and a little concentration.

This method uses a Windows 95 / 98 dial-up server, a small proxy server, and a little magic to let you use your Psion more effectively

Pros:

Works well with Psiwin
Lets you use your Psion as your primary email client (or joint primary)
Lets you download Web files directly to the Psion
A little modification lets you use it with other handhelds
No need to keep swapping cables over

Cons:

Requires some fairly hefty software on the PC (that can be unloaded easily and dynamically)
Is quite complicated
Raises some security issues

accolades

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Here are a few bons mots from beta testers (God bless 'em)

"I have struggled with the connection problem ever since I got my Psion, and this is one of the best methods I have seen, without having to switch my desktop modem between the two machines" - David Walpole

"All working AOK now! I'm sending this from the Psion." - Kevin Croomb

"Overall.... Good job :) I'm not using DSLink now which says everything :)" - Daniel Brocklebank

Your help instructions are really easy to follow." - Pedro Sardo

"Thanks." - Alvin

usage instructions

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I am providing this document purely to assist you in setting up the connection described above, out of goodwill. I get no advantage, financial or otherwise by publishing this document (except for a vague fuzzy warm feeling), and I do not guarantee that it will do any more than that for you, not do I take any responsibility for anything that may happen as a result of you using this document in any way. I also reserve the right to change or withdraw this document at any time, without notice.

Please do not modify this document in any way. Original and updated copies can be obtained from me at the email address at the top of this document, or from http://5alive.psionking.com/. If you find an error, or have a contribution to make to the document, let me know (see section 7.4) and I will amend the original so that everyone can benefit. I will try to provide support as much as time allows, but I cannot reasonably do that if multiple versions exist that are written by different people.

This version is currently a public beta. This means that it will be updated regularly, so if the version you have is more than 2 weeks old, you should really get an updated one! (see above) It also means that I need feedback on where you get problems, or solve them. See section 7.4 for details.

This document is Copyright Alex Brown, 1998. You may freely forward this document in its unmodified form, with this Copyright notice attached. You may not make a charge for distribution of this document. You may not include this document in any published collection without my explicit authorization. If you are a content provider, and wish to include this file in a collection or publication, please contact me to arrange terms.

getting ready

Section A - bits you need

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A.1) a Windows 95 / 98 PC with an existing LAN or Modem Internet Connection

A.2) a Psion 5, PSIWIN (to test the link), and the s5 serial cable

A.3) Message Suite 1.5

http://www.psion.com/

A.4) Microsoft Dial-up-Networking 1.3 (not required if you have Windows 98)

*NEW* Information page:

http://www.microsoft.com/NTServer/Basics/Communications/Basics/Performanceup/dun13win95.asp

*NEW* Download page:

http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/Downloads/Contents/Communications/
COMW95DUN13/dun13sites.asp

Or use the old addresses:

read about the file and release notes:

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q191/4/94.asp

OR just get the file:

http://support.microsoft.com/download/support/mslfiles/Msdun13.exe

A.5) a Proxy Server (free for 1 user)

http://www.wingate.com/ - ( this document uses version 2.1d )

A.6) a "null modem cable" modem driver

download the most recent file from this page (CISCO2 at time of writing):

http://www.vt.edu:10021/K/kewells/net/scripts.html ou sur 5-Tux

A.7) (for email only) the addresses of your SMTP and POP3 Servers.

ask your ISP

Section B - My assumptions

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B.1) if it works on my Windows 95 OSR 2 it works on your PC.

B.2) you have a Psion 5 with working comms, and a working serial cable, that can operate at 115200 baud.

B.3) you are using the serial cable, not IR, to connect.

B.4) you have a 1.01 Psion ROM.

B.5) you have message suite 1.5.

B.6) your PC has a working Internet connection (dial-up or LAN)

B.7) you are not running a Web server or email server on your PC.

B.8) you know how to set up email clients (readers).

B.9) you know what a proxy server is.

B.10) you know that Set means set ON, or TRUE, or TICK for Psion.

B.11) you know that Clear means set OFF, or FALSE, or NOT TICKED

B.12) the Symbian site is on-line (for connection testing)

B.13) you enter all IP addresses exactly as shown.

B.14) your network does not force you to use proxy servers (although this is not a problem, I do not want to cover it here)

B.15) you know that "My Computer" is a special folder on the Windows 95 / 98 Desktop that contains the folders "Control Panel" and "Dial-Up Networking"

B.16) you know that "START" is a button on the Windows 95 / 98 desktop.

B.17) you know that "System" is the file manager of the Psion, activated by pressing the orange silk-screen button.

B.18) you are using User-Level access in your Windows 95 / 98 network settings. (This version of the document includes Share-Level Access instructions - if they work, let me know!)

what to do

Section 1 - Connecting via serial

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1.1) make sure PSIWIN works through your serial cable. Note the COM port it is connecting through. (right click the Psion connection icon in the tooltray, and select properties. Now select the connections tab)

Section 2 - Connecting TCP/IP

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2.1) If you are Using Windows 95, install Microsoft Dial Up Networking 1.3. If you are using Windows 98, go to the next step.

2.2) Go into "My Computer" / "Control Panel", select "Add/remove programs", select the "Windows Setup" tab, select "Communications", and tick the box for "Dial-up Server". Allow it to install, then reboot your computer.

2.3) Download the "null modem cable" modem driver from the address above, and save it to your desktop. The use "My Computer" / "Control Panel" / "Add New Hardware". Do not allow Windows 95 / 98 to search for new hardware. Click Next. Select Hardware Type "Modem", and do not allow Windows 95 / 98 to search for your modem. Click Next. Click "Have Disk" and browse to your desktop, and OK. Select the "RAS Serial Cable between 2 PCs". Click Install. Select the COM port your Psion is connected to.

2.4) Go into "My Computer" / "Control Panel" / Modems, and select "RAS Serial Cable...". Click Properties. Set the maximum speed to be 115200. Select the Connection tab, and check that it reads "Data bits : 8" "Parity : None" "Stop Bits : 1". Click Advanced. Set "Use Flow Control" and "Hardware RTS/CTS". Click OK. Click OK. Click Close.

2.5) Go into "My Computer" / "Dial-up Networking", and select the Connection menu / "Dial-up Server" option. Click "Server Type", and set "Dial-up Server type" to be "PPP: Internet, Windows NT Server, Windows 95 / 98". Set "Enable software compression", but Clear "Require encrypted password". If the Server type button does not work, exit and try again. Click OK to return to the "Dial-Up Server" dialogue. Set "Allow Caller Access". If you are using "User Level Access Control", there will be a list box titled "User Name". Add your NT user to the list. If you are using "Share Level Access Control", there will be a password button. Click this, and enter the password that you use to log on to Windows 95 / 98.

2.6) On the Psion Series 5, set up your Modem and Internet control panel applets as follows:

2.6.1) Go to System; select the "Control Panel", Select Modems. Click "new modem". Name = "Direct Cable Connection", Speed = 115200, "Connect Via Serial". Change to the Handshaking tab and select Hardware and "Terminal Detect", but not "Carrier Detect". Click OK, select the modem you have just created, and click OK.

2.6.2) While still in "Control Panel" select Internet. Set "Show Connection Dialogue", set "If Idle..." time to 30:00, and "On Exit..." to 00:15. Click New and name it "Direct Cable Connection". Base it upon "Standard settings", and click OK. On the Service tab, select Connection type "direct".
On the Account tab, select Manual Login (for now)
On the Addresses tab, Set "Get IP..." and Set "Get DNS...".
On the Login tab, set "Use Login Script", "8 data bits", and use the following script: (you can copy and paste it)

! RAS script for dial up connections

same as default script if no ISPs are installed to the Psion

otherwise, same as code from

http://5alive.psionking.com/Archives/Reviews/PsiNTRas1.htm

start:

LOOP 3

{

SEND "CLIENT"+<0x0d>

WAIT 10

{

"SERVER" success

}

EXIT KErrTimeOut$

success:

EXIT

On the Advanced tab, set "Enable PPP extensions" and "Allow Plain Text Authentication".

Section 2 TEST

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2.7) Now test the TCPIP connection, first, by Opening "My Computer" / "Dial-Up Networking" and selecting Connection menu / "Dial-up Server". This should open a dialogue with a Status box in it, which should read "Monitoring".
Now open the Psion Web Browser and double click the Symbian link on the home page. NOTE: the Psion will not be able to browse any Web sites yet! We are just testing the connection.
The Connection dialogue should open up, allowing you to select "Direct Cable Connection" and click OK.
Next, the username and password dialogue should open up -

You should enter the name and password that you normally use to log on to the Network / Windows 95 / 98. If you have any difficulty, refer back to stage 2.3. You may need to include your NT Domain Name or Novell Server Name (in the form domain\username).

And here is where you may have a problem. On my PC, I have User-Level Access enabled, which allows me to use my network name and password to logon. Most computers have Share Level Access enabled - which I cannot test without junking all of my shared directories. Dave Watson claims to have sorted this - So if you are using Share Level Control, let me know what happens when you try this bit.

The Status window should now read "Answering". The username and password box may pop up again - enter the same name and password.

If successful, the Status window should read "USER connected since...".

Now click START/Run on the PC, and type COMMAND. When the DOS box opens, type PING 192.168.55.2 and press enter. (This sends a message to the Psion, and asks it to reply. This will only ever work from the PC that the Psion is connected to.)

This should read:

Pinging
  192.168.55.2 with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 192.168.55.2:  
bytes=32 time=XXms TTL=255           Reply from 192.168.55.2: bytes=32 time=XXms
  TTL=255           Reply from 192.168.55.2: bytes=32 time=XXms TTL=255         
   Reply from 192.168.55.2: bytes=32 time=XXms TTL=255

Ping statistics....

if successful, but may read:

Pinging  
192.168.55.2 with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX:
  Destination host unreachable.           request timed out.           request  
timed out.           request timed out.

Ping statistics....

if not. (X replaces unknown numbers here)

If this does not work, check that the baud rates are the same, check your password is OK, etc. etc. There are methods for troubleshooting this, but I will document them at another time.

Section 3 - Installing a Proxy and using HTTP (WWW)

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So far, we have set up a little TCPIP network between the PC and the Psion, and shown that we can use it to communicate (PING). Next, we need to link that network to the Internet, via a proxy server. I have chosen Wingate, as it is a professional product, can be unloaded easily, and is FREE if you only want to connect one user to it (which we do - the Psion).

3.1) Install Wingate. (Download from the address in Section A above)

During Installation, you will be asked to choose which proxies to install. On "Basic Services" Select HTTP, FTP, and DNS (don't worry - you can add others later) and Click Next. On "DHCP Server", Clear "Install DHCP Server". Click Next. On Mail Settings, enter your normal SMTP Server, and Set "Install POP3 Proxy". Click Next. Ignore News / IRC (unless you know what you are doing - these can be added later), and click Next. Use the default settings on the "WWW Cache Settings" page, and click Next. Clear the "Install log file server", and click Next. Ignore the "Wingate Client Utility" page, and click Next. Click to Begin installation, and let Wingate finish installing.

3.2) Go into the Psion Web browser, bring up the menu - Tools / "Proxy Server Settings", and add 192.168.55.1 as a proxy, on port 80. Do not try to browse yet...

3.3) From the Windows 95 / 98 START menu / Programs / "Wingate 2.1" run Gatekeeper, and double click Services / "www proxy service". In the Bindings tab, tick "allow connections coming in on any interface". This introduces a security risk, which we will partly fix later on. Leave Gatekeeper running - so you can watch what it does.

3.4) Go to "My Computer" / "Dial-Up Networking" / Connection menu / "Dial-Up Server" again - so we can watch the status box.

3.4) If your PC is on a dial-up connection to the Internet, connect now. If you are on a LAN connected to the Internet - move on to the next step.

3.5) Double click the Symbian link in your Web browser, and connect as before. Watch the "Dial-Up Server" dialogue Status box, and the Wingate Program. If all goes well, the "Dial-Up Server" should connect, and Wingate should pass your request to the Internet, and fetch the Symbian Site...

3.6) When you are happy that logon works, and if you only intend to use the Internet via your Windows 95 / 98 PC, you may select "do not show me this dialogue again" when prompted for "Dial-up device" and "User Logon". If you need to use the browser with a mobile system, or other Internet connection do not do this.

what to do next

Section 4 - Other Services

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4.1) Setting up Email

4.1.1) In the Gateway program on the PC, double click Services / "POP3 Proxy Server". Select the Bindings Tab, and select "Allow connections coming in on any interface". Select the "Non-Proxy Requests" tab, and select "Pipe request...". In the Server box, enter your normal pop3 server. In the Port box, enter 110

4.1.2) Also in the gateway program, double click Services / "SMTP Mapping". In the General Tab, select Enable default mapping to, and set the Server to your normal SMTP server address. Set the port to 25. In the bindings tab, select "Allow connections coming in on any interface".

4.1.2) In the Psion5 mail client, go into Menu / Tools / Settings / Email, and set the POP3 and SMTP servers to 192.168.55.1.

4.1.3) Connect, and use email.

4.2) Setting up a Newsreader (rough guide, untested)

4.2.1) Obtain a newsreader program. See section 7.3.

4.2.2) Install the newsreader program on your Psion 5.

4.2.3) Open GateKeeper, and click Services. Double Click "News (NNTP) Mapping". Set "Accept connections on port" "119", and Set "Enable default mapping to". Enter your news server address and port in the box. You should obtain these from your ISP or Internet support staff. They may look something like : "news.isp.net",119 or "nntp.isp.net",119. On the Bindings tab, Set "Allow Connections coming in on any interface". Leave the other settings to default. Click OK, and then File / Save Changes.

4.2.4) Start your Psion newsreader software, and when it asks you for "News Server Address" or "NNTP Server Address" or similar, enter 192.168.55.1. If it asks you for a port, enter 119. If it asks you for SMTP server address, see section 4.1.

4.2.5) Start to use your newsreader software.

Section 5 - Security

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5.1) Wingate Security : Because Wingate cannot identify the Dial-up server as an interface, it was necessary to disable filtering by interface in Wingate. This creates a rather large security hole by which someone elsewhere on the Internet can use your PC as a proxy server. This section describes how to batten down the hatches somewhat.

5.1.1) First, create a filter so that someone can only make admin changes to the proxy server from your PC. Run Gatekeeper, and double click System Policies. Click ADD, and set the following:

Recipients tab: Set "User must be authenticated"

Advanced tab: Set "Specify which requests this recipient has rights for", click "Add Filter", select the new filter, click Add Criterion, and set "This criterion is met if" "Client IP number" "equals" "127.0.0.1". Click OK

Click OK

5.1.2) Next, allow a computer on the address that the Psion is on to USE the proxy: While still in the System policies dialogue, Click Add, and set the following settings:

Recipients tab: Set "User may be unknown"

Advanced tab: Set "Specify which...", click "Add Filter", select the new filter, click "Add Criterion", and set "This criterion is met if" "Client IP number" "equals" "192.168.55.2". Click OK

Click OK

5.1.3) Now, remove the default "insecure" setting: while still in Policies Tab, click on the Recipient with rights "Unrestricted Rights", and click Remove. Click OK.

5.1.4) Saving changes : Click File / Save Changes

5.1.5) Disclaimer & warning: This setup does not protect your computer against malicious attack. I am not a security expert. What it does is prevent one of the easiest methods of abusing the proxy server installed on your PC. There may be other methods, and you should read the manuals of the proxy server thoroughly, and / or seek the advice of a security professional if you are concerned about security, or keep important information on your computer. Someone else reading this document might be able to use the information in this document to access or abuse your system.

Section 6 - Using the Connection day-to-day

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Once you have established your Internet connection, you will want to be able to use Psiwin for backup and Internet for email just about every day. This is almost effortless, but unfortunately - not quite. I describe below two methods that I have found for using the two systems together.

6.1) Using the "Remote Connection" Setting

6.1.1) If you start off by connecting your Psion in the normal way to back up the data on it - Psiwin should have loaded automatically on your computer when you booted it up, and on the Psion, the System / Menu / Tools / "Remote Link" setting should be set to Cable / 115200. Allow the Psion to back up as normal.

6.1.2) When backup finishes, on the Psion, click System / Menu / Tools / "Remote Link" / Off. Now, on the PC, Click "My Computer" / "Dial-Up Networking" / Connection Menu / "Dial-Up Server", and Set "Allow Caller Access", and click Apply. (If there is an error message, check that the tooltray icon for Psiwin is a straight line - if not, wait for it to disconnect, or right click the icon and select disconnect, then try clicking Apply again.

6.1.3) The Status box should now read "Monitoring". If you need to connect your PC to the Internet through a dial-up connection, do that now. Next load your Psion email client (or other Internet software), and connect.

6.1.4) When you have finished with the Psion Internet connection and closed the Psion email / Internet application, go into Psion System / Menu / Tools / "Remote Link" and select Cable and click OK. In a few moments, Psiwin will start again, and a message box will pop up on your Windows 95 / 98 PC to say that the modem has stopped responding. This is OK.

6.1.5) That's it. Using Macro 5 on the Psion and shortcuts on the PC can speed up the process, but I am not going to tell you how to do that here.

6.2) Letting Message Suite manipulate the Remote Connection Setting

6.2.1) This works just like the previous system, but it takes advantage of the fact that the Psion Message suite can automatically toggle the Remote Connection Setting between connected (via Cable or IRDA) and Off. However, you have to change the settings on the PC at the same time, which is quite difficult. I will leave this as an exercise for the reader.

Section 7 - Q & A

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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

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"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

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"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

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"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. :-).

appendices

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More data that might help you set up your connection

User Level Access versus Share Level Access

Although this version of the document now supports users with Share Level Access enabled, you might like to try using User Level Access if you cannot get the Psion to log on using Share Level Access . You can find out what yours is set to by selecting "My Computer" / "Control Panel" / "Networking", and select the "Access Control" tab. You can use User Level Access if you are connected to a Windows NT domain, or similar security provider. Warning : changing this setting may stop some programs on your computer from working, or change how your computer is perceived on the network. It will also stop sharing any directories you may have had shared.

Other Sources of Support & Information

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If you get stuck, you can visit the following places for additional information about networking, serial cables, shareware software, Psion etc.

http://www.microsoft.com/ - Microsoft's Web site

http://www.microsoft.com/kb - Microsoft's support database

http://www.psion.com/ - Psion's Web site

http://www.geofox.com/ - Geofox's Web site

http://www.symbian.com/ - The Symbian Corp Web site (was Psion software)

http://www.winfiles.com/ - Windows Shareware site - lots of proxy software

http://www.kerswell.demon.co.uk/cables.htm - How to build a serial cable for your Psion Series 5 (or 3 or Siena)

http://www.gumbley.demon.co.uk/ - Home page for Matt Gumbley - Psion 3 TCPIP guru. Do not pester this man with support questions

http://www.operasoftware.com/ - Home site for alternative Psion 5 browser (still in development Sep 98 "almost ready to run"). Visit "Project Magic" link.

http://www.pocketinfo.org/ - Psion-sized Web site for useful data

http://www.palmscape.com/Products/Internet.htm - Psion Internet Client software, including Newsreader, IRC, and UUDecode utility.

http://5alive.psionking.com/ - a news and reviews site for the EPOC32 platform (Psion 5 / Geofox 1)

http://3lib.ukonline.co.uk/ - Psion 3 / 5 Software and info site

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Jochen_Siegenthaler/ - Psion 5 on the Web information, including ISP files.

http://www.oocities.org/SiliconValley/Pines/1215/ - Home page for Macro 5 - essential Psion utility that will let you embed links, grab email addresses from your contacts database, etc.

http://www.oocities.org/SiliconValley/Lakes/3216/ppp.html - Page on how to setup Internet access for the Psion via UNIX. By Phil Wiles

news://comp.sys.psion.comm - newsgroup for Psion comms issues.

news://comp.sys.psion.misc - newsgroup for miscellaneous Psion news.

Change Log

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19980906.1440 : Added Index & created HTML version

19980906.0000 : Added info about resource problem, and image loading problem (thanks to David Walpole). Added accolades (thanks to the relevant people).

19980905.1550 : Added Link to UNIX page

19980903.1730 : Added modem back again (thanks to Daniel Brocklebank), added link to opera

19980903.1000 : Added new MSDUN links. Removed indicators of modem compatibility till I can check details.

19980901.1220 : Added Windows 98 compatibility information (thanks to Dave Watson).

19980901.1130 : [7] reformatted section 7, and added some new questions. Added entry for Windows 98 problems. Updated the disclaimers a bit.

19980828.1300 : [7.7] added notify CD problem to troubleshooting

19980827.1000 : fixed MSDUN13 link, improved explanation for RAS driver

19980826.0920 : added continued usage instructions

19980825.1800 : added address of MSDUN13.exe file.

19980825.1040 : added more links to support section.

19980825.1010 : more beta users join. Dave Watson works out how to use Share Level Access.

19980824.2330 : still in beta. Appendices added for Links, and User Level Access. Text neatened up.

19980824.1730 : small changes to email section

19980824.1625 : document created. first version sent to beta testers

Credits

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Beta Testers: Gareth McClean, Alvin, Pedro Sardo, Iain Fleming, Dave Watson, Kevin Croombs, Ashley Watson, Nick Le Huray, Daniel Brocklebank, Maurice Walton, Christian Roth, David Walpole, David Fox. [tell me how you got on and you will appear here too.]

Bug Finders: Maurice Walton : Notify CD problem.

Copyright

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"Windows", "Windows NT", "Windows 95", "Windows 98", "Windows CE" and "Microsoft" are trademarks of Microsoft Ltd.

"Psion", "Psion Series 5", "Psion 3c", "Siena", "Workbout" and "Message Suite" are trademarks of Psion Computers, PLC.

"Palmpilot" is a trademark of 3COM corp.

"Wingate" is a trademark of Deerfield.com.