LG5350 + iPaq using Sprint Vision

We all know that Sprint's new data service (Vision) is not supposed to allow pocket PC's to access the Vision services through the phone. However, I've read it can be done but everyone seems to speak in general terms and I have been trying for days to get my Compaq iPaq 3635 to connect to the web via a cable I obtained from Supply Net (Click Here to see it) and I have not yet succeeded. I have downloaded Sprint's software (located here) that I thought would do the trick but it seems to be for desktop connections only.

Does anyone know - STEP BY STEP how I can make this work? How do I set my Connection/Dialing Settings on my iPaq and is it necessary to download a driver? Has anyone out there actually made this work? Everyone seems to be able to tell me it can be done but I've yet to encounter anyone who has actually done it. Thanks for the help!

 

Techoman083 you are the man! Thanks for the help. I followed your directions and, with a little tweaking, got my iPaq 3635 to work. I do have a couple of comments & questions to take this up a level.

Comments:
1. In order to get this to work I had to change my phone connection method from USB to RS-232C(Com Port). To do this I went to Menu --> Settings --> Setup --> Data-In --> Method.
2. It was not necessary (at least on my iPaq) to enter my Sprint Vision user name or password. Once I configured it I was able to connect.
3. I followed the directions and disabled ActiveSync when I set up my iPaq to connect via the serial cable and it worked. However, when I needed to sync my iPaq I turned ActiveSync back on, synced w/ my PC (USB), then took the iPaq off the cradle, connected my LG5350 & successfully connected to the Vision network. I've had ActiveSync enabled ever since with no problems when I plug in the cable to the LG5350.

Questions:
1. When using my iPaq I have noticed that the data connection to the phone seems to drop when I'm not actively transferring data (reading a web page for example). When this happens sometimes when I click a new link it will re-initiate the connection and sometimes I will get a 'page cannot be displayed' error and I'll have to open connections, end the current connection (which appears to be active but won't download data) and then re-connect. Is this normal or am I missing a setting causing me to end & begin multiple sessions?
2. Can Sprint tell by monitoring their network that I am using a Pocket PC (iPaq) to access Vision services? I'm not going to be a bandwidth hog so I shouldn't throw up a flag that way but can they tell by the connection how I am doing it or do they just see the phone hitting the network (since all data flows through the phone)?
3. I noticed on my phone settings (Menu --> Settings --> Setup --> Data-In --> Connection) that I have an option for data of "OFF, ONCE, or ALWAYS". I have tried changing this setting to each of the three options and I haven't noticed a difference in how the phone or the iPaq connects or reacts to the network. Does anyone know what this setting is utilized for?
4. Since I already have the SupplyNet phone to iPaq cable, is there an adaptor that would convert the serial end of the cable to USB to allow me to use the same cable for Internet access on my PC (LG5350 to PC) or would I have to buy an entirely different cable?.
5. I know that Sprint's Vision policy states, "Unlimited PCS Vision offer for PCS...plans with Vision is .... (b) not available with Connection Cards, Aircards, or any other device used in connection with a computer or PDA...". However, since they don't allow it why do they still have the software available for download on their site to do so (located here or here)? I would assume that this is due to the fact that some customer's are still under the old 'per-minute' Vision plans and are allowed, by contract, to connect their PC/PDA to their phone. If this is the case can we assume that in the next 6-12 months as these old contracts expire that Sprint will take active steps to prohibit PC/PDA connections (via a phone) to the network?
6. I have tested the throughput to my iPaq at www.pcpitstop.com several times since I got it to work and I have seen results averaging in the 64K-80K range. Is this the normal speed for Vision services? I was under the impression (from the Sprint Sales Rep of course) that I could expect a minimum of 128K and a max of 384K throughput. Any comments?

Thanks to anyone who has survived reading my novel in this post and thanks for any comments.

 

Per my earlier posting this has worked great for over a month. However, starting a couple of days ago it won't work at all. Everytime that I try to connect I get a response on my iPaq that no modem can be detected (same as if I don't have the SupplyNet cable plugged in at all). Is anyone else having this problem? Has anyone heard of Sprint performing any sort of updates to phones to disable data service through the COM Port?

As a side note, when this WAS actually functioning I tested my download speed several times but I never went above 100kbps. Is anyone aware if this is the max speed the SupplyNet cable will transmit or is this a wall I'm hitting on the Vision capability?

Thanks for the comments.