Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

Simon · Jun 11, 2003, 05:10 AM

I am buying a used Handspring Treo 180g and planning on using it with my GSM SIM card that's now in my old Nokia cell phone.

The Treo is very cheap, but the original install CD is missing. I would like to be able to backup the device to my Mac (1GHz iMac running Jaguar 10.2.6) and be able to install freeware Plam software onto the Treo from my Mac.

So, I'm wondering if anybody here can help me with a couple of questions I have concerning this device:

- I've heard that this model is iSync compatible. Do I need more than just iSync to back it up onto the Mac and install freeware from the Mac?

- And if yes, can I download free syncing software? Where?

- Is it difficult to install the syncing software and it get it to work?

- Is it stable? Is the software good?

- I am planning on getting a PowerBook with Bluetooth. I also have a phone number of an ISP that allows dial-in access with an analog modem. I was wondering if I could connect the Treo (with Bluetooth or with a cable) to the PowerBook and use the Treo as a modem when I'm on the road. Will this work? How? What do I need? Instructions...?

Thanks in advance for any help on these issues.

proux · Jun 11, 2003, 01:13 PM

I don't feel like typing everything again...

http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.p...hreadid=154464

Simon · Jun 11, 2003, 02:30 PM

Originally posted by proux:
I don't feel like typing everything again...

http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.p...hreadid=154464

Yeah, thanks very much.

So the only remaining question is:

I am planning on getting a PowerBook with Bluetooth. I also have a phone number of an ISP that allows dial-in access with an analog modem. I was wondering if I could connect the Treo (with Bluetooth or with a cable) to the PowerBook and use the Treo as a modem when I'm on the road. Will this work? How? What do I need? Instructions...?

proux · Jun 11, 2003, 05:48 PM

The Treo doesn't have bluetooth... As far as using the Treo as a modem with a cable I think it is possible but you need to buy drivers (>$50) from some company. A Google search might help you, you can also check the forums at www.treocentral.com for good infos.

Simon · Jun 12, 2003, 12:41 AM

Originally posted by proux:
The Treo doesn't have bluetooth...

No (third-party) Bluetooth add-on possibility on the Treo?

As far as using the Treo as a modem with a cable I think it is possible but you need to buy drivers (>$50) from some company. A Google search might help you, you can also check the forums at www.treocentral.com for good infos.

So that would mean I can't just use a normal modem config file with Hayes commands as if I had connected an analog USB modem and have InternetConnect dial in for me?

I thought this would be only a question of getting a cable that plugs into the Mac's USB on one side and into the Treo on the other...

Sven G · Jun 12, 2003, 11:28 AM

FYI, the very latest Palm Desktop 4.1 (and related HotSync Manager) also works perfectly with the Treo (at least with the 180 with a keyboard) - together with iSync 1.1 and its updated Palm conduit...

proux · Jun 12, 2003, 05:55 PM

You need to create a new config file, no big deal. Plus you do it only once and then choose in Internet Config how you will connect.
Else how do you want your computer to guess how you are trying to connect?

It might be not too easy to get the right config but once you get it you are done.

No third party bluetooth for current Treo to connect to a computer (too old).

I am glad to see Palm desktop 4.1 works but my setup works with the Hanspring version, I won't break it.

BTW TMobile just came out with $20 unlimited data plans here. Perfect to connect a laptop anywhere, bluetooth would be a must now...