Palm Discovery

Sandisk Wi-Fi SDIO card for the Zire 71 ( SDWSDB-000-A10M ).

I am very well aware that this particular Sandisk Wi-Fi card has long been discontinued, but I’ve received a few queries on this and on Wi-Fi so I thought I’d spend a posting to discuss this and give some info on Wi-Fi. You may be able to buy this Wi-Fi card ( SDWSDB-000-A10M ) from places like Ebay, Overstock or other auction places and online stores but I believe that many of them may not provide the mini-CD that originally came in the packaging. So, if you purchase the card without the mini-CD, you may not be able to get it working since you won’t have the software drivers. So please keep that in mind.

Before I start getting lots of emails requesting for the drivers and stuff from the installation CD, I want to make it clear that I do not wish to break any law by providing material that is specifically licensed and protected by copyright. So, NO, I am NOT going to provide my copy of the Wi-Fi card drivers. (Sorry). Any email requests for the drivers will be ignored (and I normally reply to all emails). I will however, provide the zip files that were freely and publicly available from Sandisk. I can’t guarantee whether it will work, but that was what Sandisk provided and I don’t believe I am breaking any laws by doing this. If instructed by Sandisk, I will remove the files.

I have already written an Epinions review on the Sandisk Wi-Fi SDIO card a long time ago, please check out my Epinions review on the Sandisk Wi-Fi card here. There, I’ve provided a lot of info on the card and my opinion on it. If you have not read it before, please check it out first before going on with this posting.

To make it easier to go through the screenshots of the installation procedure, I have copied parts of the Epinions review where I have discussed the installation portion.

(Copied from Epinions review)

The card comes in a plastic blister package. You can clearly see that the card is similar to a regular Secure Digital (SD) card with the exception that it is a slight bit longer (for the antenna to broadcast and receive 802.11b signals). The card measures 5.2 cm x 2.4 cm x 0.4cm. The top portion of the card is slightly thicker than the bottom portion, where it gets inserted into the Palm’s SDIO slot. There is a LED light indicator on the top portion of the card, just slightly above the Wi-Fi certified logo which lights up and flashes to indicate that it is searching for Wi-Fi signals and stays lit without flashing if it detects a signal. Other than the longer size and the thicker top, it doesn’t look very much different from a Secure Digital card, since it still is a SD card and fits into the SDIO slot.

Opening up the plastic packaging, make sure that you not only remove the Wi-Fi SD card, but also the Sandisk cardboard packaging as well because you’d notice that hidden between the Sandisk cardboard packaging, that there’s a mini CD along with some documentation on the card. Many people who’ve bought the Wi-Fi card complain that there is no CD included in the package. I’d think that they didn’t remove the cardboard and throw away the package without checking twice. So, if you get the Sandisk Wi-Fi card, make sure you check for the mini CD in the package.

If for whatever reason, you have the Wi-Fi card but no CD, you can still install the drivers. Get the drivers from Sandisk:

http://www.sandisk.com/tech/docs/palm-driver-v3.zip

Looks like Sandisk has finally taken down the drivers and the page off their site. I didn’t have a copy of it and obtained this zip file via a search. I have uploaded the file to my server for those who wish to have access to it. Since I have not used it, I do not know if it will work:

palm-driver-v3.zip

Unzip the file and then run the setup.exe file. It will go through the Windows installation and install the apps on your Palm via Hotsync.

And you can check out the main Sandisk Wi-Fi card for Zire 71 for more information on the specs, etc.

http://www.sandisk.com/retail/c-wifi-sd.asp (no longer available)

So, you pop in the mini-CD and what happens is the it will launch your browser to display the index page. But unfortunately, it launches the wrong index page (index.htm) rather than the correct one (index.html) so you end up viewing a blank page. Just open the correct index file, index.html. You’re then shown the Sandisk Wi-Fi card page. Select the Express Install for your language (Dutch, English, French, German, Italian). Then select Zire 71 for your Palm. It will then show the Installation page which steps you through the installation with screen shot images of the installation to make it easy to step through the whole process.

1. Connect your PDA

5. Start accessing the internet

A good idea is to read through all the steps so that you have a good idea of what to expect and what the screens will look like. Or better yet, print out the page so that you have a hard copy to step you through since once you start doing the installation, it’s not very easy to jump to the instructions.

Section 1 > Connect your PDA. Establish a Hotsync connection to ensure that hotsync will synchronize files properly between the computer and Palm device.

At section 2> INSTALL THE SD WI-FI CARD, there’s a red START button. If you click on it, you will be prompted on what to do with the setup files. Either save the program on your hard drive or run the program. Depending on your Windows operating system version, you will be asked to either “Open” the file, or “Run” it. Click “Ok” and the InstallShield Wizard will guide you through the rest of the setup process. For most screens, you will need to click on the “Next” button, select “I agree” to the agreement page, “Done”, “Ok” and “Finish”. The installation page shows screenshots of what shows up on your computer so you have an idea what to expect and what to do. The setup process should be setting up a hotsync connection to install the Wi-Fi Utility and other files to the Palm device. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t hurt to do another hotsync. Simply press on the hotsync button on your cradle and let it run through.

At Section 3> INITIALIZE THE WI-FI UTILITY ON YOUR PALM DEVICE, You will first need to tap on and launch the Wifi Setup app. This is pretty much just a license agreement. READ THE LICENSE AGREEMENT AND SELECT I AGREE TO CONTINUE. Nothing noticeable will happen after you “Agree”. You will just be taken back to the main menu.

Next, you will have to set up the Network preferences to default to wireless LAN since that is what will likely be the network you will use. Tap on the Prefs app in the main launcher. On the Preference screen, click on Network under Communication to go to the Network selection screen. Select WLAN from the Services drop-down list, then click on Done.

At 7. RESET YOUR PALM DEVICE, make sure that the Sandisk Wi-Fi card is inserted in the SDIO slot and open up the camera to expose the reset hole at the back. Insert a pin into the hole to reset the device so that the drivers will be installed and loaded properly. MAKE SURE THAT YOU RESET THE DEVICE or else the card won’t work.

Insert the Sandisk Wi-Fi card into the SDIO slot. Make sure that it is properly inserted and locked with a soft click. Next, run the Wi-Fi utility app if it doesn’t automatically take you there. Most times, the Wi-Fi utility app with the Wlan Configuration window will run when it detects the Wi-Fi card in the SDIO slot. The green indicator light on the Wi-Fi card may start to flash if it begins detecting 802.11b signals. If there are access points available, it will show up in the Access Point List near the bottom with a bar signal indicator to show the signal strength (the more bars the better). Tap on the ReScan button and it should scan for networks. You may be shown several access points, some with an open lock and some with a closed lock. Open locks indicate open networks. Closed locks indicate WEP enabled. Tap on the Connect button and the card will attempt to connect to the network. If successful, it will be able to acquire an ip address and will indicate that you have successful connected. Then, you can launch a Palm web browser (if already previously installed) or other internet apps (ie. SnapperMail, etc). If not, you will continue on to Section 5 to install Novarra’s nWeb Palm web browser. If you need special configuration, you may have to refer to the Utility manual page on how to input the Network (SSID), enable encryption, DHCP, and other settings.

At Section 5> START ACCESSING THE INTERNET WITH NWEB WEB BROWSER, click on the red START button so that you will be prompted on installing the program.

Please note that the nWeb browser is only a trial version and not a full licensed version. Apparently, they offer the proxy service free for 12 months with browser purchase ($34.95). Afterwards, it costs $5 for 3 months. You may want to try other browsers (eg. Palm Web Browser Pro, Xiino, Blazer, Eudora Internet Suite, Pocketlink). With Palm Web Browser Pro, they have not indicated anything about charging for the proxy service (EDIT. Palm has since discontinued the proxy service). Enabling proxy on the browser will speed up the loading of images and pages on your Palm, although depending on the network, especially public hotspots, you may have to disable it if you want to connect on their network or if you are having problems connecting to any sites.

(end Epinions copy)

Screenshots of the installation procedures in the mini-CD

First, here are the links to screenshots I’ve made of the installation procedures (provided in the mini install CD that came with the packaging). They are very easy to follow especially if you refer to the pictures below, you really shouldn’t have any problems installing it. Click on the thumnail images to view the full screenshot image in a new window.

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And the screenshots to the Utility Manual:

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So, after installing the program and drivers in Windows and doing the Hotsync and installing the Wi-fi utility, you should be able to get it to work. Putting the Wi-Fi card in the slot most times will start up the Wi-Fi utility application and try to connect to the last saved connection.

Please do not email me or contact me with questions on how to make the Wi-Fi card work with your home network and router or any problems you encounter.. Although I do try to help in the various Palm forums like Brighthand, 1src, etc, I would like to do it in my own time. If you have a problem, please go to the many Palm forums available and ask there instead. Not only will you get a much faster response, you will also get a much broader exposure to someone who knows the solution. Again, I must insist that I am no expert but just a Palm enthusiast who knows a little bit about the Palm and just wanted to help by putting the info I do know in this blog.

This particular model ( SDWSDB-000-A10M ) is The ONE AND ONLY SDIO Wi-Fi card that will work on the Zire 71. That means, all others that work on Pocket PCs/Win Mobiles, other Palm devices, etc WILL NOT WORK. The reason is that no one has taken the time to write a software program (drivers) that can allow the hardware (Wi-Fi card) to communicate to the Palm (Palm OS). Sandisk, has not released the programming codes (API) to the Wi-Fi card to developers so that is why a lot of programmers can’t write software that will work with this Wi-Fi card (ie. Netchaser, etc). So, even if you have the hardware, without the software, you can’t use it.

If you do manage to get the Wi-Fi card to work, this can be quite a nice accessory to have. Simply pop in the Wi-Fi card and it will start searching for 802.11b wireless signals. The main problem with this card is that it drains the battery quite quickly. So, this is best used in combination with the also discontinued Power To Go Sled (P10906U) or an emergency charger or you will drain your battery. The other disadvantage of this Wi-Fi card is that it doesn’t offer any flash memory so if you are hoping to save pages or files while browsing, you are likely not able to do so. But after saying that, it certainly is nice to have regardless.

The other alternative to using this Wi-Fi card for the Zire 71 is the Enfora Wi-Fi portfolio case, which attaches via the universal connector. It has its own battery which somewhat solves the battery problem. Also, since it doesn’t take up the SDIO slot, it also solves the flash memory problem as well. But, it can be somewhat bulky as it is a portfolio case and some users have complained that the velcro that hold the connectors isn’t as secure as they should be. But most owners of this portfolio case have been satisfied with it. And, the price still has not come down.

So, if you were wondering whether or not your Zire 71 is capable of accessing the internet via Wi-Fi, you now know that it is, but, the options are limited. Depending on the sources and circumstances, you may be able to do so, but it may not be an economical choice. Take the time to consider whether or not the costs and troubles are worth it. Maybe getting a TX instead may be a better choice. That way, you have two Palms instead of just one and you can do your part in adding an additional Palm user to the community.

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