What is the Palm Enhanced Infrared Updater and why would I need it?

Palm OS 3.1 does not natively support infrared (IR) synchronization, and certain other communications with external IR devices (including some IrDA protocols). Luckily, there's an updater that enables these features, without forcing you to upgrade your OS: the Palm Enhanced Infrared Updater.

The Enhanced Infrared Update was originally designed by Palm, Inc., to improve the IR capabilities of their Palm III handheld. After Palm came out with Palm OS 3.3, some IR device and software companies began requiring Palm OS 3.3 for their products, because of its improved IR capabilities over previous OS versions.

The updater brings handhelds with earlier versions of the Palm OS up to date, IR-wise, with Palm OS 3.3. One of the components of the Enhanced Infrared Update enables IR HotSync, certain IrDA communications, and other IR features on Handspring handhelds with Palm OS 3.1.

First, check the Palm OS version on your handheld
The instructions below only apply to Palm OS 3.1 (check your Palm OS version)

Next, download the Enhanced Infrared Update
Although you should download the files from Palm, Inc.'s website (see below), do not follow Palm's instructions for installing the software. Palm, Inc.'s version includes several separate files that, if installed on a Handspring handheld, could crash your system.

Instead, carefully follow our diretions below.

  1. Download the Enhanced Infrared Update from Palm's support site.
  2. Decompress the downloaded file (need help decompressing?)
  3. Open the irenhanc folder on your desktop computer.
  4. Double-click on SerIrCommLib.prc to add it to the list of files to be installed on your handheld.
  5. Perform a HotSync operation.

Do not install AMX.prc, SerialIrPnl.prc or IrLib.prc. These applications will cause your handheld to crash.

So where is SerIrCommLib.prc?
Don't worry if you can't find SerIrCommLib.prc on your handheld after installing it. It isn't supposed to show up on a cursory view. As a system extension, SerIrCommLib.prc waits like a good butler in the background until it's needed by another application.

For help installing this and other program files, see How do I install additional software onto my handheld?

For help setting up and performing an IR HotSync, see your electronic User Guide or read about the desktop and handheld IR setup here.