Problem pairing BT77 and XDA Mini S

[mrclonkey]

I've been just about everywhere trying to get an answer to this, but no joy so far. I have just bought an O2 XDA Mini S PDA (ROM 2.21.4.1 WWE) running Windows Mobile 5 and a BT77 GPS receiver from Ebay. The problem is I can't get them to pair via bluetooth - this is what happens:
1. the XDA detects "BT GPS" (with a question mark icon)
2. the setup process invites me to select this device
3. I am asked for the "0000" access code
4. I then select "Serial Port" service (the only option)
5. Moving on to COM Ports tab - I create a new Outgoing Port and allocate it to COM 6 or 7 (I've tried both)

I've tried, methodically, every permutation available via the setup facility(secure/insecure pairing via check box, deletion and reset of XDA and GPS in between each try, COM 6/COM 7, etc.), but the GPS device does not pair (i.e. GPS BT indicator continues to flash every 3 seconds or so).

I know that the BT77 is OK because I've had it working nicely in Autoroute 2005 with a BT dongle in my laptop. Incidentally, I have TomTom Navigator 5.21 installed on the XDA.

I've scoured the online forums for an answer to what seems to be not an uncommon problem, but I can't find one. Is there perhaps a utility to fix this or a registry setting which can be changed maybe - I'm completely stumped!!!Can anyone help.............please?
Dave

[JB003]

I've had exactly the same problem. When tomtom tells me I have no gps receiver I try to set up the com port, but tomtom only suggests posts that don't exist in the XDA's set up. Is there a way of setting up new ports in the XDA that I'm not aware of? The help instructions that come with the XDA mini S mention 'set up an outgoing com port' or 'set up an incomming bluetooth com port', but the only port options it gives me are com 6 and com 7, and there is no option to tap on 'New Incoming Port' as it suggests on the Bluetooth setup screens. If anyone knows the answer, please HELP!!! :-) Cheers Joe

Originally Posted by mrclonkey

I've been just about everywhere trying to get an answer to this, but no joy so far. I have just bought an O2 XDA Mini S PDA (ROM 2.21.4.1 WWE) running Windows Mobile 5 and a BT77 GPS receiver from Ebay. The problem is I can't get them to pair via bluetooth - this is what happens:
1. the XDA detects "BT GPS" (with a question mark icon)
2. the setup process invites me to select this device
3. I am asked for the "0000" access code
4. I then select "Serial Port" service (the only option)
5. Moving on to COM Ports tab - I create a new Outgoing Port and allocate it to COM 6 or 7 (I've tried both)

I've tried, methodically, every permutation available via the setup facility(secure/insecure pairing via check box, deletion and reset of XDA and GPS in between each try, COM 6/COM 7, etc.), but the GPS device does not pair (i.e. GPS BT indicator continues to flash every 3 seconds or so).

I know that the BT77 is OK because I've had it working nicely in Autoroute 2005 with a BT dongle in my laptop. Incidentally, I have TomTom Navigator 5.21 installed on the XDA.

I've scoured the online forums for an answer to what seems to be not an uncommon problem, but I can't find one. Is there perhaps a utility to fix this or a registry setting which can be changed maybe - I'm completely stumped!!!Can anyone help.............please?
Dave

[smartmart1]

I am in the same boat, but have the spv m600. If you do find the answer please post it. I will continue my internet trawl
Good luck
Martin

[getsurfers]

Have a look at http://www.totalpda.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=5323 (TomTom 5 and XDA Mini S)

[mrclonkey]

I did finally solve this and Smartmart1 suggested I post it.

1. Having installed TomTom, don't run it, but get pda to pair with BT77 via bluetooth - it calls the device "BT GPS" - set it to use COM7 (the BT77 will not pair by doing this alone);
2. Find and install a program called GPSDash on the web (available in trial version - this is a nifty little program in its own right so I bought it, but I'm pretty sure you don't need to - I found that merely having it installed seems to do something to sort out what I think is a Bluetooth/COM port bug in Windows Mobile 5 - that is its ONLY function here);
3. Change settings of GPSDash to use COM7;
4. Run TomTom and configure GPS settings to use "Other GPS" and COM 0;
5. Find navigator.cfg (TomTom config file - installed in "\Program Files\Navigator\" on your pda) and copy it to your PC (don't forget to make a backup in case you need more than one attempt at the next step).
6. Using Ultraedit (or other hex editor), change 0 in "COM 0" to 7 and then overwrite navigator.cfg on your pda with the new version;
6. Run TomTom - it should pair with the BT77;

Note: if you have any other devices using COM ports, I can't comment on the results!!

Hope this helps - took me a while to work it out and I wasted a lot of time taking advice from so-called experts and gurus on this and other forums (if you want a job doing properly.......etc.). You might find that you can refine it, but once I got it working I left it alone (I've since redone it a couple of times after hard resets).
Dave

[JB003]

wow, that's an interesting way to solve the problem. I did a bit more digging and found that the new version of tomtom (5.21) sorts out the problem automatically. You need to go to the tomtom website and put your product key, and the download is free.