Lesson 2: Resolving Issues with Handheld Devices

In this lesson, you learn about the different types of handheld devices that you will encounter as a tier 1 DST. You should make a point to become familiar with handheld devices because you will be called on to connect them for end users or to troubleshoot existing connections.

Although there are different brands and types of peripheral devices, this chapter generically introduces the four main types of handheld devices that you are likely to encounter:

• Simple pocket organizers that generally do not connect to the computer

• PDAs, handheld computers, and Pocket PCs that combine computing, Internet access, telephone, fax, and networking features

• Smart displays that act as mobile monitors for existing computers

• Tablet PCs that are an extension of the notebook computer

After this lesson, you will be able to

• Identify the types of handheld devices.

• Troubleshoot basic problems with handheld devices.

Estimated lesson time: 15 minutes

Understanding Personal Digital Assistants

PDAs are extensions of the earliest personal organizers. They are also referred to as digital organizers, digital assistants, handheld computers, and Pocket PCs, and they offer features that were included with the earliest electronic handheld devices. Microsoft Pocket PC 2002 used a special operating system called Windows CE, which is a scaled-down version of its full operating system; Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 software for Pocket PC is an upgrade to the Pocket PC platform.

PDAs generally include a calculator, notepad, and address book. They now also include other features such as e-mail and Internet access, a way to organize contacts, a task list, a memo pad, and a calendar for keeping track of appointments. They usually consist of a touch screen with handwriting recognition capabilities, a processor and memory, and an operating system. PDAs can synchronize with desktop computers so that the information on both is always coordinated.

Users can add various applications to their PDAs, including the following:

• Streets and maps software

• Picture applications such as slide show software or photo editing software

• Database software

• Organizational software

• Language translation, currency converter, encyclopedia, dictionary, and thesaurus software

• Financial software

• Game software

For the most part, your job will consist of connecting these devices to a user’s desktop computer, but that might extend to troubleshooting the device itself. Because this might be the case, you should become familiar with the most popular PDAs, the software that is used on them, and the ways they are used in your workplace.

Smart Displays

A smart display is an additional monitor that connects wirelessly to a user’s desktop PC and allows a user to access his or her computer running Windows XP Professional (not Windows XP Home Edition) from anywhere in the home or office as long as the user is within a specified distance (usually about 100 feet). The smart display remotely displays the computer desktop, and the user can work while sitting on the couch, on the back porch, or from another office. This peripheral device allows a user to do any task remotely that can be done at the computer.

Smart displays work by connecting to the computer by using an 802.11b wireless connection. The user uses a stylus to access the touch-sensitive screen and also has available an on-screen keyboard. The smart display offers handwriting recognition and support for wireless mice and keyboards. Smart displays do not have an operating system installed; they simply provide remote access to a user’s desktop computer.

Tablet PCs

Tablet PCs are powerful handheld computers that use a specialized version of the Microsoft Windows XP operating system called Windows XP Tablet PC Edition. Tablet PCs support handwriting recognition and can wirelessly share information with other computer users. With a Tablet PC, a user writes directly on the screen and notes are saved in his or her own handwriting, which can then be converted easily to text. Tablet PCs also offer the following features:

• The capability to work from anywhere, as with a laptop, except the Tablet PC is about the size of a legal pad

• Full computing capabilities, including available applications for word processing, database and spreadsheet work, graphic editing, and more

• Encryption, access control, and secure logon as with Windows XP Professional

• The capability to plug in keyboards and other peripherals

• Wireless connection to the Internet for e-mail, Web access, and more

Installing Software for Handheld Devices

As with any type of hardware, handheld devices require a working port of some type, as detailed in the previous lesson. In addition to connecting the hardware to the required port, a user might need help performing an initial setup when she connects the PDA to the computer for the first time. Generally, this consists of installing the client software, connecting the synchronization cradle, and doing an initial synchronization with the PDA. Because manufacturers differ, refer to the documentation that came with the hardware itself, or visit the manufacturer’s website.

Note

Always verify that the software is compatible with Windows XP before installing. If the software does not list the operating system, visit the manufacturer’s website. Also, many manufacturers of handheld devices have explicit instructions for connecting and configuring their devices, and these instructions often contradict the general instructions for attaching peripheral devices in Windows XP. Always check the manufacturer’s setup instructions for any installation idiosyncrasies.

Troubleshooting Handheld Devices

Connectivity and synchronization generally occur between the PDA and the desktop PC by using a synchronization cradle, which is a docking station that stays connected to the computer. When troubleshooting these types of devices, check this connection first. For the most part, you connect these devices using the serial and USB ports. The user should be able to place the PDA in the cradle and establish a connection either automatically or by pressing a button on the cradle, so if this does not happen, check the connections. If hardware is not the issue, check the software. Make sure that it was installed properly, and if necessary, reinstall it. Also, verify that the connection speeds on the PDA and the port that is on the computer match. Finally, verify that the port is functional by connecting a device that is known to be functional and Plug and Play– compatible, like a flash drive or mouse.

Lesson Review

The following questions are intended to reinforce key information presented in this lesson. If you are unable to answer a question, review the lesson materials and try the question again. You can find answers to the questions in the “Questions and Answers” section at the end of this chapter.

1. For each of the items listed, match its name on the left with its description on the right.

   1. PDA	A) The operating system used on the Pocket PC 2002 handheld computer.
   2. Windows CE	B) A variation of the notebook computer where a stylus is used to write on an LCD screen, and where that handwriting is analyzed by the computer and stored as data. It has its own operating system and is a full-fledged computer.
   3. Smart display	C) A handheld device that offers telephone and fax capabilities, Internet and e-mail access, and networking features. It can also have a Web browser and offer handwriting recognition capabilities.
   4. Tablet PC	D) A wireless handheld device that acts as an extension of the user’s computer desktop, which allows the user to access the computer remotely when within a specified range.

2. A user has a new computer running Windows XP Home Edition and has recently purchased a smart display. The user cannot set up the device. Why?

   1. Smart displays require Windows XP Professional.

   2. The user has not installed the accompanying software.

   3. The smart display, the computer, and the wireless network adapter are not in a clear line of sight.

   4. The smart display is defective.

3. A user reports that she has owned the same Pocket PC for more than a year and that she has been using the same computer, cradle, synchronization software, and additional components without any problems. She recently returned to the office after a week away and reports that she cannot get her PDA and computer to connect. She reports that the PDA works fine and that she could connect to and synchronize with her laptop without problems while she was traveling. Which of the following is most likely the cause of this problem?

   1. There is no data to synchronize.

   2. The BIOS on the desktop computer needs to be updated.

   3. The desktop computer needs to have its synchronization software updated.

   4. The cradle or cable that connects the PDA to the desktop computer is not connected properly.

Lesson Summary

• Mobile and handheld devices vary in functionality and purpose. Some mobile devices act as remote terminals, some act as movable displays, and some hold data.

• Mobile and handheld devices connect to computers in a variety of ways, including wireless connections, by using a USB or FireWire port, or by slower methods such as a serial port.

• Connecting a handheld or mobile device to the computer requires that the proper port be available, and the BIOS must offer the required support. Software must be installed so the computer and the peripheral device can communicate.