Synchronizing HP iPAQ h2210
with Bluetooth (Belkin Dongle) using MS ActiveSync 3.7

This article is copyright Logo Design Works. By Jeff Marsh of Logo Design Works (http://www.logodesignworks.com). Please do NOT copy with out permission.


I had bought iPAQ h2210 and a Belkin Bluetooth dongle. I had spent two weeks trying to synchronize my iPAQ with ActiveSync on my desktop via Bluetooth. It has been sheer torture and I was ready to give up when I got a break through today and finally managed to make it work.


I had looked all over the net for a solution to this problem during my struggle to get the ActiveSync to work via Bluetooth. But I was not able to get any useful information at all. There are tons of sites out there with forums that discuss such issues. I had noticed time and again this particular issue brought up but no one was able to come up with a working solution. So I have decided to share this information with all those that have been struggling to get their PDA’s sync with their desktops via Bluetooth.

Originally when I bought my iPAQ it synced perfectly via the cradle and USB connection with the ActiveSync on my desktop. But when I tried to sync via Bluetooth, I ran into all sorts of trouble. However finally I have a working sync with my iPAQ and my desktop via Bluetooth using ActiveSync. Here are the steps I took to make it work: (Very slow loading page)


On your Desktop:


  1. Successfully synchronize with your desktop and ActiveSync using your cradle and ISB connection at least once.

  2. Disconnect the cradle and connect your Bluetooth dongle (in my case it was a Belkin Dongle). Set up your Bluetooth software and set up these setting in the configuration panel (Right click on Bluetooth icon in the task bar and choose Setup>Configuration)
    1. Under the Information tab, make sure you check the “Save Objects in Personal Information Manager” and also all the other entries below that.


    2. Under the Client Applications tab set the Bluetooth Serial Port entry to COM9 and make sure the rest of the entries are as below.


    3. Under Local Services tab set the Bluetooth Serial Port to COM8. Then rename the Information Exchange entry to some thing else (eg: Information Exchange 1) and then click on “Add Seral Service” button to add another entry. In the next dialog box enter the name Information Exchange and set the port to COM10. Make sure the “Authorization” and “Authentication” boxes are NOT checked.




    4. Next right click on the Bluetooth icon on the task bar and select Setup>Security.

    5. In the Bluetooth Security dialog box, select the iPAQ and click on “Execute Pairing” button. You will then be asked to enter a pin. Enter any 3 digit pin such as “123” etc.

    6. In your iPAQ a dialog box appears asking for the pin code. Enter the same pin that you had entered in the step above and select ok. In a minute or two the iPAQ and the desktop will be paired. Close the Security dialog box on the desktop screen.


    7. Next right click on the Bluetooth icon on the task bar again and click on “Explore”. A window called “My Bluetooth Places” opens.

    8. In this window you can see your iPAQ as well as another node called “My Device”. Click on “My Device”. You will the following. See larger image here


    9. Make sure you right click the nodes above and set them to “Start”. You should be able to see the two COM ports (Serial Port and Information Exchange). Also make sure the node “Network Access” is started. If you do not see any of the above, read your Bluetooth user manual.

    10. Finally right click on the ActiveSync icon on the task bar and select “Connection Settings…” Make sure it looks like this





On you iPAQ h2210:
  1. Right click the Bluetooth icon on the bottom right hand corner of your iPAQ and select Bluetooth Manager.



  2. In the Manager click on “New” and select “Connect”.



  3. In the next screen select “Explore a Bluetooth Device” and click “Next”.



  4. In the next screen tap on the screen and choose the paired device icon that represents your desktop.



  5. In the next screen you will be presented with a list of all the services that your desktop Bluetooth provides. Select “Network Access” and click next.



  6. This will set up a shortcut in your manager for Network Access.



  7. Repeat the same process and this time select “Bluetooth Serial Port.



  8. Again click on “New” and select “Connect”. This time select “ActiveSync via Bluetooth” and follow the instructions on the screen.



    You will see a list of connections like this



  9. Next click on “Start” and select “ActiveSync” from the menu on your iPAQ.



  10. In the ActiveSync screen click on “Tools” and select “Options”.



  11. In the next screen select the appropriate PC under “Use this PC”.



  12. Under the “Server” tab fill in the same PC name in the “Use this Server:” and check the “This server uses an SSL connection” check box.



  13. Click on “Options…” in this screen. In the screen that opens fill in the username and password of the desktop NT/Win2000/XP login. If you have a domain name fill that name or simply enter the Local Computer name.

  14. Check on “Save Password”.

  15. You are set now. Go to the Bluetooth Service Manager and click on the “ActiveSync” connection icon for about 3 seconds till you get a menu. Select “Connect” and you will be connected. You will then see the ActiveSync on your desktop come to life and the synchronization takes place.

If you have any queries you can email me at jeff at logodesignworks dot com


Book mark this site for future how-to articles related to iPAQ.


Hope this tutorial helps you and best of luck!


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