Infrared Ports

Most portable computers feature an infrared (IR) port. This port usually follows the IrDA standard and can be used for the following tasks if the other device also follows the same standard:

• Networking using the Windows Direct Cable Connection (DCC) program to connect to computers with compatible IR ports

• Printing to laser and other printers equipped with a compatible IR port

Installing the Infrared Port

Windows will generally detect a built-in IR port and add it to the Device Manager. You also can install the port manually with the Add/Remove Hardware Wizard, but you will need to know the port brand and model or use the Have Disk option. In either case, have the operating system CD-ROM available to supply necessary hardware and software drivers for the port.

Infrared Port Hardware and Software Configuration

The IR port usually is considered a serial port by the system's setup program, and it will be assigned a serial port number, IRQ, and I/O port address. It may be configured as COM 2, COM 3, or COM 4, depending on the system. However, Windows will assign it a simulated serial (COM) port number and a simulated parallel (LPT) port number to enable the port to be used for networking with DCC and for printing. The value assigned might not match the actual COM port usage in hardware. You also can select your own serial and parallel port numbers .

See "Serial Ports," p. 254 , for details.

Printing with the Infrared Port

Printers you want to use with the IR port are configured like any other printers through the Windows Printer Wizard. Simply specify the simulated parallel (LPT) port set aside for use by the IR port as the port to use for printing. Follow this procedure to print with the IR port:

1. Place your portable computer so that its IR port is aimed at the IR port on the printer.

2. Make sure the printer is turned on and is ready to receive a print job.

3. Select the printer in the printer properties sheet for your application, and start the print job.

4. The printer will receive data and print the document.

Because of the low transmission speed of IR ports, expect printing to take longer when you use the IR port than when you use parallel or USB connections.