Windows XP Upgrade Advisor Warning About the IrDA Protocol (308368)

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Some older, third-party, IrCOMM-protocol programs that were written for Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows Me may not run correctly on Windows XP. If this issue occurs, it does not prevent Windows XP from running properly, but the IrCOMM program will not work until you obtain a version of the program that is compatible with Windows XP.

The following programs may be affected by changes in the Windows 2000 and Windows XP IrDA implementation if you upgrade from Windows 98 or Windows Me:

• The Palm Desktop software: After you upgrade from Windows 98 or Windows Me to Windows 2000 or Windows XP, upgrade to Palm Desktop version 4.0 or later. The latest version of the Palm Desktop Synchronization software is available as a free download at the following Palm Web site:

  http://www.palm.com/support/downloads/win_desktop.html

  Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.
  
  Palm Desktop version 4.0 or later contains IrDA HotSync (IrCOMM Server) support that is compatible with Windows 2000 and Windows XP.
  
  
• Motorola mobile phones: The following mobile phones may not be able to establish a dial-up networking connection over the computer's IrDA port because of changes in the Windows 2000 and Windows XP IrDA implementation:
  • Motorola Timeport 250, model T250
  • Motorola Timeport 260, model T260
  • Motorola L-Series ("Leap") phones, models L7xxx, L8xxx, and L9xxx
  
  The phone's model number is listed on a UPC sticker in the phone's battery compartment.
  
  Motorola has tested and recommends the following phone for use with Windows XP IrDA for dial-up networking:
  
  
  • Motorola Timeport 280, model T280
  • Any new Motorola "Platform 2000" phones will also be compatible.

Microsoft includes built-in software support for IrDA standards and protocols for low-cost data transmission between hardware with infrared transmitters and receivers in Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows 2000, Windows XP Home Edition, and Windows XP Professional. Microsoft did not include IrDA support in Windows 95, but some computer Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) may have included IrDA software support by installing additional software. In this case, all of the information in this article that applies to Windows 98 also applies to Windows 95.

Windows XP supports the following IrDA protocols:

• IrComm for mobile phone dial-up networking
• IrNet for PC networking
• IrTran-P image transfer support
• IrLPT printer support

Windows XP IrDA functionality is a superset of the Windows 2000 IrDA functionality. There should be no problems with programs and devices that are compatible with Windows 2000.

If you use older IrCOMM programs or devices that are critical to your operations, check with the manufacturer for updates to ensure Windows XP compatibility before upgrading to Windows XP.