Infrared Device just STOPPED working

Discussion in 'General Hardware' started by kerry7680, Apr 25, 2006.

  1. kerry7680

    kerry7680 Geek Trainee

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    Please can any of your clever computer people help me. But please dont reply in high tech computer language cos I know nothing about computers!!!! :)

    I used to be able to send stuff to my computer by my infrared bit on the side of my laptop, but it just stopped working. I think it has something to do with the settings that I was messing about with once, when trying to install an internet provider by cd.

    I messed about with the com port thingys, settings. BUT, I have been to troubleshooter (windows xp by the way), and tried to uninstall, and reinstall the irDA device, and also to change ports from COM1 to COM3, but nothing works. The message I keep getting when going into device manager is that it has stopped working because of error 43.

    I do not know anything about what the drivers are and stuff, cos I do not know what the device make is. Or is there a standard one? Im way out of my depth even trying to talk about this stuff.

    I bought the Dell, C600 latitude laptop second hand, and so do not know where to start, and do not have any manuals or books to help me.

    Is the only way forward for me to re-install windows xp, and the other 55,000 programs I currently have on there, or can someone make my year and help me???
     
  2. donkey42

    donkey42 plank

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    just remove the irDA adapter in device manager under "Com Ports" i think
    firstly uninstall
    then Start-settings-control panel dbl click "System" click hardware tab click advanced find the irDA adapter select it then click remove then reboot

    windows will then prompt you to install it after rebooting
     
  3. kerry7680

    kerry7680 Geek Trainee

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    HI THERE,

    Sorry for my ignorance, but how do i reboot? Will it ask me automatically to do it?
     
  4. donkey42

    donkey42 plank

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    it may ask you if you want to reboot (restart your computer)
    start-shutdown then depending on XP you then click restart or select "Restart in the drop down box (combo box)
     
  5. kerry7680

    kerry7680 Geek Trainee

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    It didnt work, it didnt ask me to install anything when I restarted. I dont even know which one to install when I try to do it manually.

    I choose the manufacturer saying 'standard infrared port', but there are many, from ACTiSYS to VIA and others. I select standard one cos I dont know the maker of mine. How could I since I dont have any papers or books with the laptop. When I select standard one it shows device as 'serial cable using IrDA protocol'. Does that sound correct?

    When it asks me to choose the port it is attached to I have a choice of COM1 and COM3. But i dont know which to choose. If I choose 1 or 3 the message is always the same, code 43 (see before).

    Incidentally, in the device manager, (in system), there is only COM1 and LPT1 printer port visible in the Communications port tab. Why then is it asking me to choose between 1 and 3 if three is not there?


    I have tried looking on internet for the type of infrared device inside my dell latitude c600 but it doesnt help. Dell website doesnt even help. Nothing helps, boo hoo

    I have just had a look at the device manager and the same yellow exclamation that I hate so much is there again, is my infrared just plain old broken? Does anyone know????
     
  6. donkey42

    donkey42 plank

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    hang on a while, i'll just start XP cos i'm using Windows Millennium at the moment, and my irDA device is not installed, back soon
     
  7. donkey42

    donkey42 plank

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    did your irDA adapter come with an installation CD, cos mine did, the drivers are on that CD
    in device manager right click the irDA adapter and select uninstall, then reboot then install the drivers from the CD that came with it
     
  8. kerry7680

    kerry7680 Geek Trainee

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    Adapter?? It is inside the computer, what d'you mean. I dont have any cd's for anything, not even windows xp. Nor any manuals for this dell. My mate put xp on for me. The laptop was bought off a mate of a mate, and then xp was put on. infrared was working fine for a long stretch, till I messed about one day and didnt know what I was doing.

    :confused:
     
  9. donkey42

    donkey42 plank

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    right, as you don't have a CD you'll have to download the drivers but as you don't know the make and model of it, i think your best option is probably "Windows Update" (WU)
    in device manager right click irDA adapter (thats what its called) select "Update Driver" then click on "yes, this time only"

    as i've never used WU you'd probably be better getting help with this part from somebody else, unless you can sort it, give it a go, what you want WU to do is look at your irDA device and identify it, if it can identify it (it probably will identify it) make a note of the make and model

    or you could try the time consuming way, try every driver from every manufacturer in that list (windows knows if it is the correct driver, and asks you if your sure you want to use this driver before it starts using the driver) if a window pops up saying that this driver is not approved for windows XP just ignore it and click continue, failing that i would recommed just buying a new irDA adapter (only about £10 inc. delivery)

    http://www.usbtech.co.uk/catalog/default.php/cPath/12?osCsid=1cb4b77846f157d986713e260cd48cbf
     
  10. Karanislove

    Karanislove It's D Grav80 Of Luv

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    Easiest way to know about your hardware is just look at the device manager. After finding that hardware you can easily search for the drivers from the net. If it still doesnt work for you then try this;

    GENERAL TROUBLESHOOTING

    - Before beginning to trouble shoot the Infrared port, always ensure that you have the Infrared device enabled in CMOS.
    - Ensure that the Infrared port is correctly aligned, pointing directly at each other and are no further than one foot.
    - If the device trying to connect to the computer IR port uses batteries, ensure they are working properly.
    - Ensure no other Infrared devices are located in the same area. Some devices such as TV / VCR remotes or other Infrared devices can cause problems with the Infrared port on your computer.
    - If you are attempting to install another Infrared device, ensure that the original Infrared device is completely uninstalled.
    - Do not suspend (Power Management) the computer while using Infrared or during the time that it is active.

    Verify you are using the correct port:

    If your are not using the correct Communication Port, the Infrared port will not work properly or at all. To test the available ports:

    - Place the Infrared device near the Infrared port.
    - Click Start / Settings / Control Panel / double-click on Infrared / Click on Options / Choose another COM port that is not currently being used.
    - Test the Infrared device to determine if the issue is resolved; if not, repeat the above steps to see if the device will work on any other available Communications port.

    Connection is established slow:

    To increase the speed of your connection:

    Click Start / Settings / Control Panel / Double-click on Infrared.
    Click on the Options tab / Click Speed that is higher than the currently selected speed in the Limit Connections Speed To box / Click ok / and close out of the control panel.

    Source: [link=http://www.computerhope.com/help/irda.htm#support] Information about the computer Infrared Port. [/link]
     
  11. kerry7680

    kerry7680 Geek Trainee

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    Hi,

    I just tried the windows update thing, and it told me there are no better drivers than the one installed.

    The trying different ports thing, I have tried both, and both give the yellow exlamation and code 43 thing. Although, COM1 AND COM3 are in the list for assigning irDA to, only COM1 is in the list on device manager.
    Maybe the problem is with the COM ports?? Have I deleted COM3 sometime by mistake, and if so how do i get it back.

    What is this 'ensure ir is enabled in CMOS'. How do i do that?

    Im getting disheartened now........there is no light at the end of the tunnel
     
  12. kerry7680

    kerry7680 Geek Trainee

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    Oh and by the way, i am a fool, it is xp professional, (not xp) does that make a difference...and when i open control panel, there is no i.r icon. Only a wireless link one.
     
  13. kerry7680

    kerry7680 Geek Trainee

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    Anyone having the same problem as me check out this solution. So simple that it was.

    The IrDA was not enabled in the BIOS thingy, so its simple, on start up press F2, or whichever key takes you to set up, and then enable your IrDA.

    It now works just fine. thanks for your help Donkey 42 and Karanislove.


    Info found, is below (and beleive me I did check the net before but didnt find anything I could understand!!)

    Your computer must support an infrared mode for a serial port. Use this procedure to install an IrDA transceiver that is provided by the computer manufacturer. Note that you should not use the following procedure unless you are familiar with altering BIOS settings in your computer. To configure a serial port for infrared communication:

    1. Start the BIOS configuration utility for your computer. Note that the method for starting the BIOS configuration utility varies from one computer to another. For many computers, you can start the BIOS configuration utility by pressing a function key that is indicated during the computer startup process. Some computers require that you start by using special configuration disks.
    2. Under the peripheral or serial port configuration section, change the mode to IrDA or Infrared.


    Link:

    http://www.cs.utexas.edu/~deke/laptopsupport/manuals/d600/setup.htm

    http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=305588



    Now Im a happy bunny, everything is working just fine.

    :D
     
  14. donkey42

    donkey42 plank

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    glad you sorted it, just wish i'd helped, but never mind its working now, dave
     

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