XP SP2 breaks IrDA ???

[Jason404]

I recently reinstalled XP onto my X31. Before installing SP2, with only SP1 installed, I realised that the IrDA was actually working for a change.

Installing SP2 broke IrDA again. I would like to use infrared connection for my mobile phone. Does anybody know how SP2 breaks IrDA in Thinkpads, or possibly all machines?

Is there any way for me to have working IrDA and have SP2 installed at the same time? Does anybody know where I can get the driver for the Thinkpad's IrDA port, so that I could try reinstalling it?

Thanks

[rkawakami]

I am transferring a couple of video clips from my Sony/Ericsson W810i to my T23 running WinXP Pro SP2 at this moment. I had a problem a couple of days ago when the T23 did not want to acknowledge the phone's IR signal. I think re-booting my system solved my problem. All the indications were that the IR port was enabled but XP did not see the phone. After the re-boot Windows saw my "new device" and I allowed it to load the infrared modem drivers (?) and it seems to be working.

What I'm STILL trying to figure out is how to send files in the opposite direction (PC to phone)...

edit: DUH! Finally figured out that I had to turn the IR port in the phone on before the T23 could send anything to it...

[GomJabbar]

I have XP SP2, and the IR Port works fine on my T42. I have used it to connect to my Nokia cell phone using Nokia PC Suite.

One of the latest BIOS updates has the option to disable the IR Port in the BIOS and even not let Windows see it. Verify that the IR Port is not turned off in the BIOS.

The IR Port may be operating at too fast a speed. Try slowing it down from Device Manager. Look for any yellow exclaimation marks on the IR Port in Device Manager. Make sure the IR port's resources are not being used by another device. Verify that the Infrared Monitor Service is running: Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services.

Note that the port is a Fast IR Port. Perhaps you need to use the Generic IR port for your connection. I do not know too much about it, but see the following thread.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=19107

Problem: Your computer cannot communicate with other devices through the infrared port.

Solution: Make sure the following:

* The infrared port is enabled, using the ThinkPad(R) Configuration Program.

* The communication speeds are the same.

* The infrared ports are clean.

* No objects are between the computer and the communicating device.

* The distance and angle between your computer and the device are within the specified ranges.

* You are not operating under direct sunlight.

* The infrared port is directly facing the other communication port.

* The communication application running on your computer is compatible with that running on the other computer. Refer to the application manuals for more information.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Problem: Incorrect data is sent between your computer and a communicating device.

Solution: Make sure that:

* The distance and angle between your computer and the device are within the ranges.

* The communication speeds are the same.

* There are no other devices that radiate infrared rays, such as remote-controlled devices or wireless headphones, near your computer or the communicating device.

* You are not operating under direct sunlight.

* No fluorescent lamps are near your computer or the communicating device.

[covepad]

Article ID : 885855 - You cannot use infrared communications to transfer files on a computer that is running Windows XP Service Pack 2

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=885855

CAUSE
This problem occurs because of a race condition that occurs at startup between the Irmon service and the Winlogon service. This problem is known to occur with certain portable computers.

WORKAROUND
To work around this problem, follow these steps to stop and restart the Irmon service:
1. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Administrative Tools, and then click Services.
2. In the details pane, right-click Irmon, and then click Stop.
3. After the Irmon service stops, right-click Irmon again, and then click Start.
4. Quit Services.

I've found the following source for the hotfix.

http://thehotfixshare.net/download/inde ... dows%20XP/

Have not installed it myself as I'm happy to use the workaround for the time being.

Hope this helps.

I recently reinstalled XP onto my X31. Before installing SP2, with only SP1 installed, I realised that the IrDA was actually working for a change.

Installing SP2 broke IrDA again. I would like to use infrared connection for my mobile phone. Does anybody know how SP2 breaks IrDA in Thinkpads, or possibly all machines?

Is there any way for me to have working IrDA and have SP2 installed at the same time? Does anybody know where I can get the driver for the Thinkpad's IrDA port, so that I could try reinstalling it?

Thanks

[Jason404]

Thanks for the replies, but I never managed to get it working. I tried the hotfix, but no luck.

I would be interested to hear from any X3x owners who do use the IR port with XP SP2. I still suspect that SP2 breaks the IrDA driver in these machines.

Cheers