 Contents
What is infrared?
Infrared is light that is beyond red in the spectrum. While its
not visible to the human eye, infrared transmitters and receivers
can send and receive infrared signals.


What is Infrared Monitor?
You use Infrared Monitor to keep track of your computers
infrared activity. With Infrared Monitor, you can: 
     Find out what infrared devices are within range of your
computer.
     Find out if your computer is currently communicating with an
infrared device, and if it is, how well it is communicating.
     Control how Infrared Monitor reports status on the infrared
activity it detects.
     Decide what type of infrared activity to allow.


To find an infrared device
     To communicate with another infrared device, you need to
make sure infrared communication is turned on and that the
devices are positioned so that they can send infrared light to
each other. To send light to each other, they need to be roughly
facing each other and no further apart than about three to nine
feet (one to three meters).
Tip
     For information about determining whether your device is in
range, see Related Topics below.

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To determine whether a device is in range
1    Click here  !EF(`irmon.exe',`,cpl',1) to open Infrared
Monitor.
2    Click the Options tab.
3    Make sure the option to search for devices is checked, and
that the time interval to search is a low number (such as three
seconds).
     If the option to search for devices is not available, click
the option to enable infrared communication.
4    Click Apply.
5    Click the Status tab.
6    Reposition the devices until Infrared Monitor confirms that
the range is adequate.

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To print to an infrared printer
1    Make sure your infrared printer is in range. 
     If you arent sure how to do this, see Related Topics below.
2    Make sure the printer is assigned to the infrared printer
port. 
     For more information, see Related Topics below.
3    Print as you usually do.

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To assign a printer to an infrared port
1    Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click
Printers.
2    Click the icon for the printer you want to use.
3    On the File menu, click Properties.
4    Click the Details tab.
5    Make sure the port listed under Print To The Following Port
is the infrared port.

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To install software for an infrared device
1    Using your right mouse button, click the Infrared icon on
the taskbar. Make sure Enable Plug And Play is checked.
2    Verify that the new device is in range. For more
information, see Related Topics below.
Note
     If you are not sure whether the device you are installing is
Plug and Play aware, check the users guide for the device. If it
is not Plug and Play aware, install it by double-clicking the Add
New Hardware icon in Control Panel.

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ng;a_enable_taskbar_icon")


 To set up Direct Cable Connection over infrared
1    Click the Start button, point to Programs, point to
Accessories, and then click Direct Cable Connection. 
2    Follow the instructions on your screen.
3    When you are asked to select the port you want to use, click
the infrared communications port, and then click Next.
Note
     When you are using Direct Cable Connection over infrared,
infrared takes the place of the cable. You do not need to use a
serial or parallel cable.

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To turn on infrared communication
1    Using your right mouse button, click the Infrared icon on
the taskbar.
2    Make sure Enable Infrared Communication is checked.
Tips
     To turn off infrared communication, make sure this item is
not checked.
     If the taskbar icon is not visible, see Related Topic below.
     When infrared communication is turned off, the Search For
And Provide Status For Devices In Range and Enable Software
Installation For Plug And Play Devices In Range options are also
turned off.

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To turn on searching and status for infrared devices
1    Using your right mouse button, click the Infrared icon on
the taskbar.
2    Make sure Search For Devices In Range is checked.
Notes
     This option is available only if infrared is enabled.
     To turn off searching and status, make sure this item is not
checked. If you turn off searching and status, you will not be
able to see whether infrared devices are in range.
     If the taskbar icon is not visible, see Related Topics
below.

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To turn on support for installing Plug and Play devices
1    Using your right mouse button, click the Infrared icon on
the taskbar.
2    Make sure Enable Plug And Play is checked.
Notes
     To turn off support for Plug and Play device installation,
make sure this item is not checked.
     This option is available only if infrared and searching are
enabled.
     If the taskbar icon is not visible, see Related Topics
below.

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To be notified when infrared communication is interrupted
1    Click the Infrared icon on the taskbar.
2    Click the Preferences tab.
3    Click Play Sounds For Devices In Range And Interrupted
Communication.
Tip
     For Help on an item, click   at the top of the dialog box,
and then click the item.

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To turn on Infrared Monitor sounds
1    Click here  !EF(`irmon.exe',`,cpl',1) to display Infrared
Monitor.
2    Click the Preferences tab.
3    Make sure the option to play sounds is checked.
Tips
     To turn off Infrared Monitor sounds, make sure this box is
not checked.
     If your computer has a sound card, you can double-click the
Sounds icon in Control Panel to change which sounds are assigned
to Infrared Monitor events.

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To display the Infrared icon on the taskbar
1    Click here  !EF(`irmon.exe',`,cpl',1) to display Infrared
Monitor.
2    Click the Preferences tab.
3    Make sure Display The Infrared Icon In The Taskbar is
checked.
Tips
     To hide the Infrared taskbar icon, make sure this box is not
checked.
     If you hide the taskbar icon, you must open Infrared Monitor
by double-clicking the Infrared icon in Control Panel.


To specify which sounds to use for Infrared Monitor events
1    Click here  !EF(`mmsys.cpl',`sounds') to display Sounds
properties.
2    In the Events list, click the Infrared Monitor event you
want to change.
3    In the Name list, click the sound you want Windows to play
whenever the selected event occurs.
Tips
     To play special sounds, you must have a sound card
installed.
     To test a sound, click it, and then click the   button.
     You can save your sound settings by clicking Save As and
then naming the sound scheme you created. That name will appear
in the Schemes list, so that you can easily restore these
settings.

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If Infrared Monitor doesnt see a device in range
Make sure that:
     Infrared is turned on.
     Searching is turned on.
     The search interval is not too high.
     The device is not too far away.
     The device is IrDA compliant.
     The device is turned on.
     The infrared on the device is turned on.
     There is nothing blocking the infrared activity.
     There is no dirt or grease on the infrared windows.
     Direct sunlight is not shining on the infrared receiver.
     There are no non-IrDA devices attempting to communicate.

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If an infrared device frequently goes out of range
If communication with a device fails intermittently, try the
following steps:
     Move the infrared devices closer together.
     Check for partial obstructions of infrared activity.
     Make sure the devices are not moving or vibrating.
     Clean the infrared windows.
     Shade the devices, or turn off bright lights.
     Recharge the batteries for the device, or check its power
supply.


If you cant print to an infrared printer
Make sure that:
     The printer is turned on.
     The printer is in range.
     The printer is assigned to the infrared printer port.
     Infrared communication is turned on.

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If communication efficiency is not good
Try the following steps:
     Move the infrared devices closer together.
     Check for partial obstructions of infrared activity.
     Make sure the devices are not moving or vibrating.
     Clean the infrared windows.
     Shade the devices, or turn off bright lights.


If communication is interrupted
If infrared communication is interrupted, it is usually because
something has moved between the infrared devices or one device
has been moved. Remove the obstruction, or move the device back
into range.
If there is no obstruction and the devices are in range, check to
see if a non-infrared device is interfering with the infrared
communication.
Note
     If communication is restored before the Status properties
countdown ends, no data will be lost.

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The Infrared Developers Association (IrDA) is a group of computer
and software manufacturers who have agreed on a format for
communication among infrared devices. The IrDA standard helps
ensure that infrared devices from various manufacturers will be
able to understand each other.


Infrared is light that is beyond red in the spectrum. While its
not visible to the human eye, infrared receivers can detect and
respond to infrared signals. Many remote controls use infrared to
communicate. 


Infrared Monitor can play sounds when a device comes into range,
when a device moves out of range, and when communication is
interrupted.


Because the light emitted by these infrared devices spreads out
in a cone-shaped pattern from the transmitting device, the two
devices must be placed roughly facing each other. The actual
limit will vary but resides within approximately a 30-degree
cone.


Click Help Topics to return to the list of topics. 


Shows the current status of infrared activity.


Describes the current status of infrared activity. Also may show
how often Infrared Monitor looks for devices in range and whether
the system will automatically install software for new Plug and
Play devices as they come into range. 
To modify these settings, click the Options tab.

Lists all devices currently in range, and displays an icon that
shows the type of device.


Shows how much time remains before Infrared Monitor stops trying
to communicate with the current device.


Shows the quality of communication between the computer and the
other infrared device. Even if communication is poor, no
information will be lost, since infrared devices verify that each
piece of information they send is received correctly by the other
device. Each piece of information is resent until it is properly
received. 


 Shows the quality of communication between the computer and the
other infrared device. Even if communication is poor, no
information will be lost, since infrared devices verify that each
piece of information they send is received correctly by the other
device. Each piece of information is resent until it is properly
received.


Shows information about the device the computer is currently
communicating with over infrared.


Shows the type of device the computer is currently communicating
with over infrared.


Shows the name of the device the computer is currently
communicating with over infrared.


Shows a description of the device the computer is currently
communicating with over infrared. 


Specifies whether Infrared Monitor should enable infrared
communication. Also specifies the physical port that is being
used by infrared.

Lists which ports are assigned for use by infrared devices. 
When you use infrared devices, your program may require you to
specify a port that the device is connected to. Because infrared
does not require a physical port, Windows simulates new ports for
you to use. 


Specifies whether to search for infrared devices that are in
range of your computer. 
If searching is turned on, the Infrared Monitor Status properties
and taskbar icon will show whether any infrared devices are
currently in range. If this option is unavailable, click Enable
Infrared Communication to enable it.


Sets the amount of time between searches for infrared devices in
range. If this option is unavailable, you can enable it by
clicking Enable Infrared Communication and Search For And Provide
Status For Devices In Range.


Specifies whether to install software automatically for new Plug
and Play devices when they come into range. Note that devices
need to be installed only once, not each time they come into
range. If this option is unavailable, make sure Enable Infrared
Communication is checked.
If you frequently bring your portable computer near another Plug
and Play infrared device that you do not want to install, you may
want to disable this option.


Resets Infrared Monitor Options to the default settings.


Specifies that Infrared Monitor should display a dialog box
automatically when infrared communication is interrupted.
Infrared Monitor will inform you that communication has been
interrupted, and then automatically close when the interruption
is over. If you use the Infrared Monitor dialog box while its
open, it remains on the screen until you close it.


Specifies that Infrared Monitor should use sound to notify you
when a device comes into range, when a device moves out of range,
and when communication is interrupted. If your computer has a
sound card, you can double-click the Sounds icon in Control Panel
to change which sounds are assigned to these events.


Hides (or shows) the icon for Infrared Monitor on the taskbar. 
Note  If you hide the taskbar icon and close the Infrared Monitor
dialog box, you must open Infrared Monitor by double-clicking the
Infrared icon in Control Panel.


Resets Infrared Monitor Preferences to the default settings.

Shows information that the computer uses to identify itself to
other infrared devices and to network devices (if you are
connected to a network). Changes made to this information also
appear in the Network properties in Control Panel.


Shows the name that the computer uses to identify itself to other
infrared devices and to network devices (if you are connected to
a network). Changes made to this information also appear in the
Network properties in Control Panel.


Shows the description that the computer uses to identify itself
to other infrared devices and to network devices (if you are
connected to a network). Changes made to this information also
appear in the Network properties in Control Panel.


Shows version and copyright information about Infrared Monitor.


Enables you to set a maximum speed for infrared device.
By default, infrared devices communicate at the highest speed
possible. However, in some cases, lowering the speed of the
devices improves communication by eliminating numerous retries.


Select the maximum speed (in kilobytes per second) for infrared
device communication.