This how-to demostrates how to setup a Bluetooth connection between Windows XP - Service Pack 2 (SP2) or later required - and Palm OS 5.4.8 (e.g. Treo 650) that can be used to send data between the Palm and a Windows XP computer.

Important Note If you have 3rd party Bluetooth drivers on the Windows XP SP2 machine they should be removed. The most common 3rd party Bluetooth stack is the Widcomm/Broadcomm stack. If you have this software installed remove it. If your Bluetooth dongle does not work with Window XP SP2 computer we recommend you get one that does. The small cost will be save many times over in time you save not dealing with bugs and problems with the Widcomm Bluetooth software and subsequent problems these bugs cause with Windows.

This setup establishes a virtual COM port on Windows that SerialMagic will use to establish the connection. The virtual COM port established in this setup can also be used for HotSync between Palm and Windows.

Windows
Start by setting up an Incoming virtual COM port on the Windows XP PC.

Start > Control Panel > Bluetooth > Options > Turn discovery on > Apply

Palm
On the Palm device, launch the Bluetooth manager. Note Bluetooth does not need to be discoverable on the Palm.

Tap Setup Devices > Trusted Devices > Select Add Device: Nearby devices > Windows computer in list > OK

Enter a passkey that you want to use for the connection. This passkey will also need to be entered on the Windows computer in the following step.

Tap OK on the Palm and you should see a dialog similar to that shown below, appear on the Windows XP machine.

Windows
Click the message > Enter same passkey used on Palm > Next > Finish

Now the "Bluetooth Pairing" has been established. Bluetooth Pairing is a 'trust relationship' between two Bluetooth devices. Once established it remains in place until removed.

In the Windows XP Bluetooth Manager Dialog, on the "COM Ports" tab click "Add" check that Incoming is selected and click "OK" and these messages should appear in succession on the Windows XP computer.

Palm
Next, launch SerialMagic Professional Tx on the Palm. On the SerialMagic main dialog choose "Device: Other" > Enable "Choose new device" and Tap "Start" > Windows machine in list > OK

SerialMagic Professional Tx should now be active on the Palm and connected via Bluetooth to the virtual COM port on the Windows XP computer.

Windows
Launch SerialMagic Professional on the Windows XP computer. In the "Connection:" panel, insure the following are setup.

Port: select the virtual COM port defined previously
Device Type: Other
Connection Type: Raw (if your SerialMagic Pro does not have "Raw" choice, you should upgrade your version of SerialMagic)

In the "Action Settings:" panel select "Byte mode" and click Start. Now open the desired application (e.g. Notepad) and place cursor at desired location where you would like to have data sent from the palm to be placed.

Palm
With SerialMagic Pro Tx dialog displayed, activate the Palm menu and choose "Send Command". Define a command name in "Name:" field and enter the data for the command in the "Data:" field. Enable "CR" if you want a Carriage Return to be sent following the command data. If you want to define the command data in hexidecimal format, then enable "HEX". Tap "Save" if you want to use this command again later.

With the desired command selected, tap "Send" and the data will be sent. Note: If you want to have a command sent automatically when it is selected from the "Name:" list then enable "on select"

Data defined in command on Palm should show up at cursor location on Windows machine.