Customer Service Corner - by
Matthew Gardner
How do I use the Pocket PC version of PEAC-WMD
to print to a printer connected to my computer?
Lets start by viewing the printer settings inside of PEAC-WMD.
Selecting the option next to Port
displays the following information.
The second option, Network: PC with shared printer, is the option that will allow
us to print to a shared printer on a PC. To be able to print using this option the
Pocket PC must have access to the network through Microsoft Networking. Unfortunately
ActiveSync doesnt support all the protocols required to gain access to the host computers
network. Therefore, connecting the Pocket PC to the host computer through a USB port
or serial port will not allow the device to gain access to the network.1 Therefore,
Extra hardware or software is required to gain access to the host computers network.
The host computer must have a printer connected and shared. This can be accomplished
by selecting printers and faxes from the control panel and then right clicking on
your printer and then click Sharing...
The easiest and most secure method of connecting to the host computers network is
using Bluetooth technology. This tutorial will assume that the Pocket PC has a wireless
Bluetooth device either built in or attached to a compact flash slot. If your Pocket
PC doesnt have Bluetooth capability the following links will help you find the correct
hardware.
http://www.socketcom.com/product/BL4538-641.asp
http://www.anycom.com/anycom/index.php?lang=us
The host computer most likely will not have Bluetooth technology built in. Therefore,
some extra hardware must be installed to give the host computer this functionality.
Below is a list of devices that may be appropriate.
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=319292&pfp=cat3
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=310293&pfp=SEARCH
http://www.tdksystems.com/products/intro.asp?id=342
Once this hardware is installed on the host computer you should see an icon that looks
similar to this icon on the system tray.
Now select Bluetooth Manager from the Bluetooth icon on the bottom right of your Pocket
PCs start screen.
The following screen will appear.
Select new and scroll to Join a
personal network
Then select join a personal network and tap next twice. The following screen will
appear and allow you to view all Bluetooth connections in range. Your computer name
will be listed. Select your computer and the tap finish.
Once you tap finish on your Pocket PC the following screen will appear on your host
computer.
Clicking anywhere in this balloon will display the following message.
Click OK and your Pocket PC is now connected to your host computers network.
Now open PEAC, select the file icon in the bottom left, tap print, and then tap continue
to display the following screen.
Select the Set Network Path button to display the following screen. Input the computer
name, the printers share name, and tap save then OK.
Now choose Start printing and your document will print.
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1 Although printing
to a network share is not possible via ActiveSync printing to an IP (internet protocol)
printer is.