iPAQ POCKET PC 3600 SERIES FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

iPAQ FAQ version 0.6(10/8/01) by Michael Gribin

I.              INTRODUCTION & THE BASICS

1.      Why make a device specific FAQ?

2.      Why not just call it the iPAQ FAQ?

3.      What operating system does the iPAQ use: Windows CE or Pocket PC?

4.      What is the difference between the iPAQ 3630, the iPAQ 3650?

5.      What is the difference between the iPAQ 3600 and the iPAQ 3100?

6.      What is the iPAQ 3635?

7.      What is the iPAQ 3670?

8.      What is the iPAQ 3660?

9.      What is the iPAQ 3800?

10. How do you decipher the serial number on the iPAQ to reveal its manufacture date?

11. What is the difference between a Hard Reset and a Soft Reset?

12. Why should I buy the Compaq CarePaq when the iPAQ already comes with a warranty?

13. How does storage memory differ from program memory?

14. Is the iPAQ sidelit or backlit?

15. Is there a noticeable difference between 12 bit color and 16 bit color?

II.            HARDWARE

1.      How long can the iPAQ run on a fully charged battery?

2.      Is the iPAQ's battery Lithium Ion Polymer, Li-Ion or Lithium Polymer?

3.      Will I have to send the iPAQ back to Compaq in a year to replace the battery?

4.      Will excessive charging decrease battery life?

5.      Does the iPAQ have 16MB or 32MB of Flash ROM?

6.      Which third party companies can upgrade my iPAQ RAM?

7.      Why does the type of processor matter?

8.      Is it safe to charge my iPAQ's battery in a different country?

9.      Why are there holes in the front of the cradle?

10. How can I release the rails on the inner sides of the cradle that get depressed by the Expansion Pack?

11. Do I need to use a screen protector?

12. How can I safely clean the screen?

13. Does the iPAQ have a vibrate function?

14. Where can I find detailed technical information on the iPAQ?

III.          SOFTWARE

1.      How do I download and install software on the iPAQ?

2.      Can I run Palm software on my iPAQ?

3.      What are emulators?

4.      What emulators are available for the iPAQ?

5.      Where can I find free software for the iPAQ?

6.      Are there any applications for the iPAQ to change the screen image while it is docked in the cradle?

7.      What is Transcriber and where can I get it?

8.      How can I print with the iPAQ via infrared?

9.      Is there spellchecker in Pocket Word?

10. Is there a pocket version of PowerPoint?

11. Can I view Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) files on my iPAQ?

12. What is the difference between Vindigo and AvantGo?

13. How can I increase the allowable storage space for AvantGo beyond the 2 MB limit?

14. What is Flashman and what does it do?

15. What is Internal Use Spy?

16. How I can create shortcut icons for certain programs/games I've installed?

17. Why did the map I downloaded for Pocket Streets lose its common street name (it now appears as "SR"#(State Road) or "CR"# (City Road) on the map)?

18. Is there any way, besides ActiveSync, that I can control my docked iPAQ through my PC?

19. Do I need a screen saver on my iPAQ?

20. Do I need virus protection software on my iPAQ?

21. Is there a version of PCAnywhere for the iPAQ that will allow remote control of desktops and servers?

22. Have Doom, Hexen, Heretic or Quake been ported to the iPAQ?

23. Can I use my iPAQ like a TV Guide?

24. How can I change the default Zoom level for Notes?

25. Why do I get an error trying to install Pocket Streets 2001 from the Streets & Trips 2001 CD ROM?

26. What do Dashboard, GigaBar, WIS Bar, PocketNav and Pocket Informant do?

A.                  Dashboard

B.                  GigaBar

C.                  WIS Bar

D.                  PocketNav

E.                  Pocket Informant

27. Why can’t I find any files using the Find tool in the Q-Menu?

28. Is there a way to change file-type extensions (like *.txt to *.htm) on the Pocket PC itself?

 

IV.         SYNCHRONICITY

1.      What are the actual file transfer speeds of the Serial Cable/Cradle and USB Cable/Cradle?

2.      Can I synchronize the same iPAQ on one PC with a Serial Cable/Cradle and a second PC using a USB Cable/Cradle?

3.      Can I synchronize my iPAQ with Lotus software (Lotus Organizer and Lotus Notes)?

4.      Can I synchronize my iPAQ with 2 PCs; one running Outlook and the other running Lotus?

5.      How can I get an event to show up as Free in Organizer's calendar (so that the day is not entirely filled with this one appointment) but Busy on my iPAQ's calendar (so that the event shows up as a banner in day view and the day has a box in it when in monthly view)?

6.      Can I sync 2 PC (2 partnerships) Outlook Inboxes with my iPAQ?

7.      Why doesn't my USB Cradle/Cable work with my computer?

8.      Why does AvantGo access my floppy drive when I synchronize my iPAQ?

9.      Why does AvantGo take so long to sync?

10. How can I store my AvantGo channel web pages on my storage card instead of the iPAQ’s internal memory?

11. How do I import files (Word, Excel, pictures, etc.) to my iPAQ?

V.           INTERNET

1.      Can I access the Internet via the Cradle/Cable using my PC's Internet connection?

2.      How can I access the Internet wirelessly with my iPAQ?

3.      Which Internet Service Providers ("ISP") work with the iPAQ?

4.      Can I get and send email via a web-based email service on the iPAQ?

5.      How can I access my Hotmail account with my iPAQ?

6.      Does Pocket Internet Explorer ("PIE") support everything the full version of Internet Explorer supports, such as animated GIFs, JAVA, Secure Connections, etc.?

7.      Is it possible to use a free ISP with my iPAQ to access the Internet?

8.      Which sites can I use to test the speed of my wireless connection on the iPAQ using PIE?

9.      What is BlueKite?

VI.         ACCESSORIES

1.      CompactFlash Expansion Pack and PCMCIA Expansion Pack:

A.                  Which is better?

B.                  Is Compaq honoring the rebate for the CompactFlash Expansion Pack?

C.                  What is the Silver Slider and who makes it?

D.                  Is the IBM MicroDrive compatible with the iPAQ?

E.                  Do I need to format my IBM MicroDrive?

F.                  Is the Kingston Datapak compatible with the iPAQ?

G.                 Will type III PCMCIA cards work in the PCMCIA Expansion Pack?

H.                  Why can't programs on my iPAQ "see" files (music, movies, eBooks, maps, etc.) on my CompactFlash or storage card?

2.      Can I hot swap cards in the CompactFlash Expansion Pack?

3.      Which carrying cases fit the iPAQ with and without the Expansion Packs?

4.      Can I use my iPAQ as a pocket Global Positioning System (GPS) device?

5.      What is a Basic Style Pack and why use one?

6.      Is there an external keyboard attachment that works with the iPAQ?

7.      Is there any way to recharge or extend the iPAQ's battery without AC power?

8.      Is there any way to plug more than one set of headphones into the iPAQ?

9.      Is there any way to use the iPAQ as a universal remote control?

10. Is there any way I can watch TV on my iPAQ?

11. Where can I get that style pack with the clear hard covered "flip" screen protector which was shown near the end of the introduction tour on cd rom?

12. Is there an iPAQ game pad add-on?

13. Can I use the iPAQ to do a presentation on a larger screen?

14. Is there a CompactFlash camera compatible with the iPAQ?

VII.       MISCELLANEOUS

1.      Where can I buy an iPAQ?

2.      Why is the iPAQ so hard to find?

3.      What are the most common problems with the iPAQ?

A.                  Dust

B.                  Screen flip

C.                  Digitizer

D.                  Speaker Stops Working

E.                  Door slide cover for power switch won't close

F.                  Speaker pops

G.                 Multiple button press issue

H.                  Backlight reset

I.                    Stylus and silo

J.                   Sticking/auto repeating joypad

K.                  Power button

L.                   Alarm volume

M.                 Scratching from basic style pack

4.      How can I force the Today screen on my iPAQ to refresh - images from previous program stay in the window and the normal Today screen will not display?

5.      Should I buy the iPAQ now, wait until all the problems with the iPAQ are fixed or buy something else?

6.      Why don't all programs have a close/exit option and how can I close those programs that don't have such an option?

7.      What is "The Bird" and how can I get my iPAQ to give it to me?

8.      What is the Funpack and how do I get one?

9.      How can I stop the record button from beeping so loudly when I press it?

10. Can the iPAQ do Landscape mode?

11. How can I delete the MS Money databases?

12. Why are there certain programs/files on the iPAQ that I cannot delete?

13. How do I adjust the contrast of the iPAQ screen?

14. How can I access the "Align Screen" configuration when my screen is so severely out of alignment that I can't use stylus taps to get there?

15. How can I change my iPAQ's system name?

16. How do I change my iPAQ's system name back to the old name after a hard reset?

17. Why does my iPAQ turn itself on at midnight?

18. Is there a way to access a "Run" command line on the iPAQ?

19. Can I play DVDs on my iPAQ?

20. Is the iPAQ really in the Guinness Book of World Records?

21. Where can I get the ROM update patch?

22. Can the iPAQ be upgraded to the next version of Pocket PC?

23. Do I have to upgrade to the next version of Pocket PC?

24. Do I need 32 MB of ROM to upgrade to the next version of Pocket PC?

25. When is then next version of Pocket PC coming out?

26. What are the risks associated with upgrading/flashing the iPAQ’s ROM?

27. How do I upgrade/flash the iPAQ’s ROM?

28. What if my ROM upgrade fails?

29. How can I get the original icon back on the start menu for a program installed on the CompactFlash card?

30. Are there any shortcut moves to speed up the use of the Keyboard interface?

31. Why won't my sidelight shine at anything above Med Bright, despite being set to High Bright or Super Bright?

32. How do I add fonts to the iPAQ?

33. How can I use Cleartype in PIE?

34. What can I do - my iPAQ is frozen with "Password Incorrect" on the screen?

35. How can I password protect only selected files on my iPAQ?

36. How can I set up my iPAQ so that a certain application (like PocketNav) automatically starts after a soft reset?

37. What does AutoRun do?

38. Why did the Start menu move from flush left to center?

39. How can I change the Today Screen image?

40. How can I display more appointments than just those planned for the current day on the Today screen?

41. How can I do a screen capture (digital snap-shot) of what is on my iPAQ’s screen?

42.