Novatel Minstrel 540 User manual

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Minstrel 540TM User Guide Version 1
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User Guide

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The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice and should not be
construed as a commitment by Novatel Wireless, Inc. unless such commitment is expressly given
in a covering document.
The information herein is the exclusive property of Novatel Wireless Inc. No part of this publication
may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic storage, repro-
duction, execution, or transmission without the prior written consent of Novatel Wireless, Inc.
© 2000 Novatel Wireless, Inc. All rights reserved.
Microsoft®,Windows®,Microsoft®Pocket Internet Explorer,Microsoft®Pocket Outlook,and
Microsoft®ActiveSync®are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in
the United States and/or other countries. All other brand names and product names used in this
document are trade names, service marks, trademarks, or registered trademarks of their respec-
tive owners.

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Welcome.................................................................................................................................4
Getting Started.......................................................................................................................5
Requirements.............................................................................................................6
Overview of the Minstrel 540 Modem.........................................................................7
Overview of the Minstrel 540 Software.....................................................................11
Charging the Battery.................................................................................................12
Installing the Software..............................................................................................13
Attaching the Minstrel to the Jornada.......................................................................14
Configuring the Minstrel............................................................................................17
Connecting to the Internet........................................................................................21
Working with the Minstrel 540............................................................................................23
Managing the Network Connection ..........................................................................24
Using the Minstrel 540 Help .....................................................................................28
Using the HP Jornada Software...............................................................................30
Glossary...............................................................................................................................32
Glossary A-Pp ..........................................................................................................33
Glossary Pr-Si ..........................................................................................................34
Glossary Sl-Z............................................................................................................35

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Welcome
Welcome to the Minstrel 540 User Guide. This guide provides information on the many compo-
nents and features of your Minstrel 540 Wireless IP modem, including the following:
• A general overview of the Minstrel 540 modem and software
• Instructions to help get you started with your Minstrel 540 so you can download
web pages and send and receive email almost immediately
• Detailed information about working with your Minstrel 540
Caution
To satisfy FCC RF exposure compliance requirements for portable transmitting devices, the user
should generally maintain a separation distance of 4 cm between the person’s body, and the
device and its antenna. The hands and wrists have a higher exposure limit because they are
extremities, and the device should be used in a hand-held, hand-operated configuration only.
This device has been tested for compliance with a separation distance of 4 cm from a person's
body. The operating configurations of this device generally do not support normal transmissions
while it is carried in pockets or holsters next to a person’s body.
Technical Support
If you have any questions or comments about your Minstrel 540, please contact the Novatel Wire-
less Technical Support team.
WWW: www.novatelwireless.com/support/index.html
Email: [e-mail]
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

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Getting Started

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Requirements
The following is required to set up and use your Minstrel 540 for sending and receiving data across
the Internet:
• An HP Jornada 540-series Pocket PC
•Microsoft®ActiveSync®software to allow you to communicate between your
desktop PC and the Jornada
• Modem application software for the Jornada (included with your Minstrel)
• An account with a Wireless IP service provider in your area
• Application software for your Jornada such as an email client and web browser
Wireless IP service is available from your local cellular carrier in most North American cities.
Check your product packaging or www.novatelwireless.com for service provider contact informa-
tion.

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Overview of the Minstrel 540 Modem
The Minstrel 540 Wireless IP modem has many important features, including three status indicator
LEDs, a latch for attaching the unit to the Jornada, and a DC jack for powering the unit and charg-
ing the battery using the supplied AC adapter.
Information on the LEDs is provided in the section following. For more information on the latch
and the DC jack, refer to sections Attaching the Minstrel to the Jornada and Charging the Bat-
tery, respectively.

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Status Indicator LEDs
The Minstrel 540 has three LED indicators that allow you to easily determine the status of various
modem parameters.
Service LED
The LED labeled with the icon below indicates the status of the connection to the Wireless IP net-
work.
The table below explains the various states of this LED.
Color State Meaning
Green Solid The Minstrel is registered to the Wire-
less IP network and, therefore, data
can be sent and received across the
Internet.
Green Solid but flashes off
every 5 seconds The Minstrel is registered to the net- work but is in sleep mode.
Green Flashing quickly The Minstrel is attempting to register
to the network.
Green Flashing slowly TheMinstrelisattemptingtolocatea
service provider.

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Data/Message Waiting LED
The LED labeled with the icon shown below is used to indicate the transfer of data and provide
notification of waiting messages.
The table below shows the various states of this LED and their meanings.
Color State Meaning
Green Flashing The Minstrel is sending or receiving
data.
Red Flashing The Minstrel has received a push
message notification. Push messag-
ing must be enabled for this to occur.
For more information on push mes-
saging, refer to the Minstrel 540 Help
file included with the software.

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Battery LED
The LED labeled with the icon below indicates the state of the Minstrel’s internal battery.
The table below describes the various states of this LED.
For more information on charging the battery, refer to the section entitled Charging the Battery.
Color State Meaning
Green Flashing The Minstrel’s battery is being
charged. The Minstrel is being pow-
ered by the AC adapter.
Green Solid The Minstrel’s battery is fully charged
and the AC adapter is still plugged in
and, therefore, powering the unit.
Red Flashing The Minstrel’s battery is low and
requires charging.

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Overview of the Minstrel 540 Software
In order for you to configure and operate your wireless modem, the software described below is
provided on the CD-ROM included with your Minstrel 540. This software can be installed on your
Jornada following the instructions provided in the section Installing the Software.
Configuration Wizard
The Configuration Wizard utility is designed to guide you step-by-step through the setup of your
Minstrel 540. Once you have a Wireless IP account established with a service provider, you can
use the Configuration Wizard to enter and save the settings required for operation. For more infor-
mation about this program and the configuration process, refer to the Minstrel 540 Help file.
Modem Manager
The Modem Manager software provides you with complete status information about the Minstrel
540 and control over its connection to the Wireless IP network. It also contains screens for more
advanced users to configure their modem without the use of Configuration Wizard. For more infor-
mation about this program and its many features, refer to the Minstrel 540 Help file.

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Charging the Battery
The Minstrel 540 contains a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery. This battery is shipped only partially
charged, so it is necessary to charge the battery to its full capacity before using the unit.
To charge the battery, plug the supplied AC adapter into an outlet and insert the barrel connector
at the end of the adapter cord into the DC jack. The DC jack is found at the bottom of the right side
of the Minstrel.
It will take approximately 3 hours to charge the battery from a zero charge state. With sleep mode
enabled, the battery will provide power to the unit for a full day of web browsing under normal con-
ditions. When the battery LED starts flashing red, the battery requires charging again. If the bat-
tery charge goes lower than a pre-set threshold, the modem will automatically disconnect from the
network and power off in order to preserve the settings in its internal memory.
NOTE: Only Novatel Wireless-approved AC adapters should be used for charging the battery.
Other third-party AC adapters may cause damage to the Minstrel or the Jornada and will
void the warranty.
Charging the HP Jornada
When the Minstrel is attached to the Jornada, the supplied AC adapter will also provide power to
charge the Jornada’s internal battery when plugged in. When the modem is actively transmitting
data, charging of the Jornada may be temporarily disabled for short periods of time to conserve
power. However, charging will be re-enabled immediately once the data has been transmitted.
When the Minstrel is being charged by the AC adapter and the Jornada is not attached, no power
will be applied to the external connectors.

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Installing the Software
To install the application software required to configure and use your Minstrel 540, first establish a
connection between the Jornada and your desktop computer using the cradle or sync cable and
the Microsoft®ActiveSync®software included with the Jornada. For information on how to con-
nect your Jornada to your desktop computer, refer to the documentation provided with your Jor-
nada.
Once a connection has been made, insert the Minstrel 540 Software CD into the CD-ROM drive of
your desktop computer. The installation program will automatically launch, displaying the following
screen.
<INSERT SPLASH SCREEN>
If the installation program does not launch automatically, view the contents of your CD-ROM drive
in Windows®Explorer and double-click on the autorun?? executable.
Once the installation program initializes, select Install ...?? from the menu provided.
<INSERT FIRST SCREEN WITH INSTALL... SELECTED>
Next, select Minstrel CDPD Modem??.
<INSERT SECOND SCREEN WITH MINSTREL CDPD MODEM SELECTED>
Select Pocket PC?? from the Minstrel CDPD Modem Software Installation?? window.
<INSERT MINSTREL INSTALLATION WINDOW WITH POCKET PC SELECTED>
The ... will launch.

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Attaching the Minstrel to the Jornada
The Minstrel 540 attaches to the HP Jornada to create a single, integrated unit using a system
consisting of a footmount and a latch mechanism. The footmount is installed on the Jornada and
the Minstrel latches to this footmount to secure the unit in place. In order to configure and use
your wireless modem, attach the Minstrel to the Jornada as described below.
Installing the Footmount
To install the footmount, remove the top two screws on the back of the Jornada using the screw-
driver included in the Footmount Installation Kit. Next, place the footmount flat against the back of
the Jornada, with the hollow side facing down. Ensure that the holes in the footmount are aligned
with the newly opened screw holes on the Jornada. Insert the screws provided in the installation
kit through the holes in the footmount and into the holes on the Jornada. Tighten the screws with
the included screwdriver to secure the footmount in place.
NOTE: The screws provided in the installation kit must be used for installing the footmount. The
screws removed from the Jornada unit cannot be used. However, be sure to keep the
original Jornada screws in a safe place as they must be used in the Jornada if the
footmount is removed.

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The steps provided on the previous page will only need to be completed once, as the footmount is
designed to stay permanently attached to the Jornada. Once the footmount is installed, the Jor-
nada can be inserted into and removed from the Minstrel quite easily.
Inserting the Jornada
To insert the Jornada into the wireless modem cradle, position the devices so that the back of the
Jornada lies flat against the front of the Minstrel. Ensure the two connectors of the Minstrel are
aligned with the connector slots on the bottom edge of the Jornada. Then, slide the Jornada
downwards until the latching mechanism “clicks” into place.

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Removing the Jornada
To remove the Jornada from the wireless modem, depress the two buttons on the sides of the Min-
strel and slide the Jornada in an upwards direction.
The footmount is designed to stay permanently attached to the Jornada unit. There is no need to
remove the footmount when the Jornada is not inserted into the Minstrel.

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Configuring the Minstrel
In order to connect to the Internet, the Minstrel 540 must first be configured with the necessary
parameters to be able to register to the Wireless IP network. The Configuration Wizard utility
guides you through this configuration.
To configure the Minstrel, first connect the Minstrel to the Jornada as explained in Attaching the
Minstrel to the Jornada. Then, start the Configuration Wizard utility. To start the Configuration
Wizard, select Programs from the Start menu and then tap the Modem Manager icon.

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Once Modem Manager starts, a window will appear stating that the modem requires configuration
and asking if you wish to run Configuration Wizard.TapYes.
NOTE: If your modem has been configured previously, this prompt will not appear. Select
Configuration Wizard from the Modem menu to start the Configuration Wizard utility in
this case.

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The Configuration Wizard will launch, displaying the Welcome screen. To configure the modem,
complete the steps provided on each of the screens that follow, tapping the Next > and < Back
buttons to move between screens.
Once the modem has been configured successfully, the Successful! screen will appear. Tap Fin-
ish to close the Configuration Wizard and return to the Modem Manager.

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For more information on Configuration Wizard and the configuration process, refer to the Minstrel
540 Help file included with the Configuration Wizard software on your HP Jornada. The section
entitled Using the Minstrel 540 Help contains information on how to access this file.