Use NCDS 2.0 and 3.0 via infrared connection under Win98

Since Windows 98 addresses the IR interface as network adapter (and not as an generic serial port as Win 95 does) Nokia Cellular Data Suite doesn't work over infrared any more, but only with the provided datacable (DAU-9P). Nevertheless there is a possibility to use NCDS via infrared interface under Windows 98. The target thus is to create a Generic IR Serial Port again under Windows 98. I only recommend this procedure to experienced Windows users. Since modifications to Windows registry are necessary it may happen that Windows doesn't start any more due to user's mistake. So you do everything on your own risk! After theese modifications are done other IR devices cannot be addressed any longer. Therefore I recommend a new hardware profile, to which the IR modifications apply.

Here the procedure step by step:

1. Activate IR interface in the BIOS (if you have the choice between normal and fast IR select normal mode)
2. First backup the file msports.inf (located in \windows\inf) and then edit it with notepad.exe: using the find-function search for "PNP0510". With the first found entry remove the semicolon and all blanks at the beginning of the line. Press F3 twice. With the third found entry remove the semicolon again.

   The modified lines should look something like that:
   [Std]
   %*PNP0400.DeviceDesc% = LptPort, *PNP0400; Printer Port
   %*PNP0401.DeviceDesc% = EcpPort, *PNP0401; ECP Printer Port
   %*PNP0500.DeviceDesc% = ComPort, *PNP0500; Communications Port
   %*PNP0501.DeviceDesc% = ComPort, *PNP0501; Communications Port
   ; No; *PNP051x devices are now supported in IRMINI.INF
   %*PNP0510.DeviceDesc% = InfraredComPort, *PNP0510; IR Communications Port used byr IrDA stack
   %*PNP0511.DeviceDesc% = InfraredComPort, *PNP0511; IR Communications Port used byr IrDA stack
   
   [Strings]
   MS = "Microsoft" Std = "(Standardanschlusstypen)"
   PortsClassName = "Anschlüsse (COM und LPT)"
   *PNP0400.DeviceDesc = "Printer Port"
   *PNP0401.DeviceDesc = "ECP Printer Port"
   *PNP0500.DeviceDesc = "COM-Anschluss"
   *PNP0501.DeviceDesc = "COM-Anschluss"
   *PNP0510.DeviceDesc = "Generic Ir Serial Port"
   *PNP0511.DeviceDesc = "Generic Ir Serial Port"

   Save file

3. Create new hardware profile
4. Reboot your computer with the new hardware profile
5. Remove ALL IR devices for this profile using the device manager
6. Do NOT reboot!
7. Start hardware manager; click Next twice; select No,...; select No, Hardware...; select Anschlüsse; in the next window select Generic IR Serial Port
8. reboot with the new hardware profile
9. Install NCDS. During installation the serial port to which phone is attached to is asked for. Enter COM-Port to which IR-Port is attached to (usually COM2!)
10. Ignore error message, simply continue
11. Reboot and start regedit
12. • NCDS 2.0:
      Change to key: \HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Nokia\DTP2V3. Change the following entries:
      - UseIr must be on 01
      - UserPort on "COM2"
      - UserPortIR also on "COM2"
      (or the ComPort used by your system)
    • NCDS 3.0:
      Change to key: \HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Nokia\Data Suite\3.0\PortDevice. Change the following entries:
      - UseIr must be on 01
      - UserPort on "COM1"
      - UserPortIR on "COM2"
13. If necessary the registry entries described under 12 must be repeated, after installing further Nokia software (PC Calender, PC Composer).
14. Restart your system and everything should work fine.

Note: this procedure does not function with many Toshiba notebooks, because these have a PCI based IR interface; it probably concerns the following models:
Libretto 100CT, Satellite 3xx series including 300/305, 310/315, 320/325, 330/335, Satellite 2505, 4000 series, Satellite Pro 490/490X, Portege 320, 7000/7010 series, Tecra 550, 750, 780, Tecra 8000 Serie or newer.
If you have a solution, please email me.

© Bernd Ruisinger