In this article we show how to configure and use your desktop or notebook with internet access as an internet gateway for your Toshiba E750 Pocket PC.
For this we used a desktop running Windows 2000 Pro with a TDK USB Bluetooth (version 1.4.2.1) as a server. The client is a Toshiba E750 Pocket PC running Windows Mobile 2003.
Make sure your Bluetooth adapter support the LAN Access profile. Some products (like the 3COM) will not support this, while widcomm based dongles will have this functionality.
This guide is based on Windows 2000 machines. The dialogs for Windows XP might be a little different, but the configuration will be the same.
It's very important to notice that the Toshiba E750 does not use the same approach as other Pocket PC. Users will find a Bluetooth Card device in their connections dialogs. The function of this Bluetooth Card will depend on the value currently selected on a list called Registration History. Follow this guide to find out how to populate this list.
First, let's open My Network Places on the computer that will be the server on this configuration. You can do so by right-clicking the My Network Places icon and selecting Properties.
We want to change the properties for our connection to the internet. This is the adapter we want to share "from". Just right-click in the corresponding icon and select Properties.
The Bluetooth Network adapter was automatically created during the Bluetooth installation.
There's a bug in Windows 2000 before SP3 where changing the sharing option may change IP configurations in this adapter. To make sure you're safe, we will note the current configuration.
In the General tab select the Internet Protocol components and click Properties.
Write down all the information from the next dialog, and click Cancel.
Back in the Adapter properties, select the "Sharing" tab and tick "Enable Internet Connection Sharing for this connection".
Now, to configure the Bluetooth USB, right-click the Bluetooth icon in the system tray and select Advanced Configuration.
Change to the Local Services tab and double click "Network Access".
Change the type of service to "Allow other devices to acces the Internet/LAN via this computer".
The alternative to this option will allow your device to connect to your computer as part of a LAN, but will not have internet access.
Note the Configure Connection Sharing button: it'll open the configuration screens we've visited before. But some Bluetooth software will not have this button, hence I guided you through the other route .
Now, for your Toshiba E750 configuration. Make sure the Bluetooth stack is active. The switch at the bottom of the device must be in the On position. From the Today screen tap the wireless icon in the bottom right.
From the Bluetooth Settings program, tap the Search icon (the magnifier glass in the bottom).
When the server is found you can tap and hold on the corresponding icon, to show the menu. You'll select Update Service.
Now the list of services offered by the desktop or laptop is shown.
Tap and hold the Network service until you see the menu. Select Connection Registration.
Now we have to manage the next connection. Tap the Options menu and select Registration History.
In the dropdown list, select the next function you want the Bluetooth card to execute. Select the Network Access so it'll be used for this kind of connection when next accessed.
If you haven't paired the devices yet, the following dialog will ask for a PIN. Enter any PIN you like here.
On the desktop or laptop a notification bubble will show up, asking for PIN confirmation. Click on the Bluetooth icon on your System tray.
On this dialog you can enter the same PIN entered on your Toshiba E750 before. This will create a pairing between those two devices.
Back on your Toshiba E750, you'll create a Connection using the Bluetooth Card as the modem. Don't worry, no dial up will take place.
Go ahead and try checking your e-mail or loading Geekzone on the Pocket Internet Explorer:
To disconnect, simply tap the Connection action in the notification bar (top of screen) and select Disconnect.
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