This page presently targets the Windows 95 operating system. In time, it will also incorporate Windows NT. The purpose of this page is to supplement the Windows 95 installation and configuration procedure with mobile-specific issues. It is not a Windows 95 configuration guide in itself.*

We will constantly be updating this page as we become aware of inaccuracies and new issues, and new user feedback. Please don't hesitate to provide suggestions.

• Step 1: Windows 95 Setup Components for Mobile
• Step 2: Installing your GSM PC Card in Windows 95
• Step 3: Configuring Microsoft Exchange* for mobile commuting
• Step 4: Trying out GSM data computing on your laptop PC

Step 1: Windows 95 Setup Components for laptop PC's

We recommend that you install the following Windows 95 setup components on your laptop PC, if you haven't already done so.

Component	Sub-components
Communications	Microsoft HyperTerminal*
Microsoft Exchange	Exchange
Microsoft Fax	Microsoft Fax Service Microsoft Fax Viewer

Installing HyperTerminal* allows you to establish communication with other computers via your GSM data card so that you can do direct file transfers to and from other PCs, access bulletin boards, and access service providers. Microsoft Exchange is a generic messaging application for Windows 95, which allows you, among other things, to easily send and receive faxes. Installing Microsoft Fax adds the faxing capability to Microsoft Exchange.

To obtain the menu for installing these components, select the "Add/Remove Software" section of your Windows 95 CD-ROM.

Step 2: Installing your GSM data card in Windows 95

A major feature of Windows 95 is its "universal" support for of modems, which relieves new 32-bit software applications from having to provide their own modem drivers. Once you have your GSM data card installed in Windows 95, it will be usable by all 32-bit applications without need for further driver support. Older 16-bit ("legacy") applications will need their own modem driver for your GSM card. In addition, the applications will still need your GSM data card installed in Windows 95 in order to obtain the correct COM port.

You can now begin installing your GSM data card.

Step 2a: Place the GSM data card in the PCMCIA or Card Bus slot

If this card has not been previously installed, you should see the message "New hardware found," then "Building data-base" At this point, Windows 95 is in the process of building a database from its .INF entries. Once completed, Windows 95 will then try to match the ID found on the card with one of the card IDs in its database. If a successful match is found, then Windows 95 will update its Registry database with your GSM card, and the card is ready to use. You can skip steps 2b and 2c.

Step 2b (optional): GSM card not found in Windows 95 database, but we have the .INF file for the card

If a match is NOT found, Windows 95 will provide a menu that allows you to either specify where your .INF file is located, or install the driver later using the Device Manager.

If you don't know where the .INF file is, or don't know what it is for that matter, don't panic. The .INF file is a simple script that defines the specifics for each card and is tailored to the card you have. It needs to reside in a hidden subdirectory within your Windows 95 directory, called INF.

There are several means to obtain the .INF file for your specific card if you don't have it:

• The latest Microsoft Service Pack, which contains update information for Windows 95, and can be found at Microsoft's web site.
• Provided on a disk with your modem.
• Provided on you GSM card vendor's web page or bulletin board. The hardware section of this web site provides links to most of the GSM card web pages.
• Provided at this web site. In some cases we will supplement the availability of .INF files for GSM cards by direct download from this site.
• If all else fails, send mail to info@gsmdata.com to help locate an .inf file for a particular GSM card.

Let's assume you have the .INF (on a diskette or hard drive) and want to use it. Select "Driver from disk provided by hardware manufacturer." You can now specify the directory where your .INF file is located. If a match is found, two things happen. First, Windows 95 updates its Registry database with your GSM card. Second, Windows 95 copies your .INF file to its INF directory, but renames it OEMx.INF (where x = next available number). Your card is now ready to use.

Step 2c (optional): There is no .INF for this GSM card, but this card is the same as one with another ID

It is not uncommon for GSM data cards to be "re-badged" under different names, and thereby have different card IDs. Or there may be different model numbers for cards (and thereby different IDs) but can otherwise use the same modem script. If your card fits one of these cases, the "Select from a list of alternate drivers" option allows you to select a driver in the Window 95 database that you know will work.

Step 3: Configuring Microsoft Exchange for mobile computing

With Microsoft Exchange and your GSM data card both installed, we will go over a few adjustments you can make before trying it out.

1. Click Start>Settings>Control Panel.
2. Double-click on the Mail and Fax icon.
3. Select Microsoft Fax and click on Properties. You should now have a menu called Microsoft Fax Properties. It's a good idea to browse through this menu to become familiar with it.
4. Within the Microsoft Fax Properties menu, select User. Fill out all of the information to be placed on fax cover pages you send out. It's especially important to specify your country and area code, since this information is used in your outgoing dialing command script.
5. Next, select Modem. In the list of Available Fax Modems, find your GSM data card and click Set as Active Fax Modem. Exchange will use the GSM data card whenever it sends faxes.
6. Now select Properties to get the Fax Modem Properties for the GSM card. The most important item in this menu is Answer mode, which tells Exchange whether to answer incoming calls. Note that if Answer mode is set to "Answer after n rings," this will prevent 16-bit applications from accessing the COM port. We suggest that you leave Answer mode set to Don't answer except when you want Exchange to handle incoming calls.

Step 4: Trying out GSM data computing on your Laptop

At this point, you are ready to test your configured notebook.

• Test 1: Sending a Fax

  To send a fax, obtain the number of a nearby fax machine, and follow this procedure

  1. Start Microsoft Exchange
  2. Select Compose>New Fax from the menu. This starts the Compose New Fax Wizard.
  3. Proceed through the Fax Wizard screens.
  4. When you click Finish, the fax will be transmitted to its destination. Watch its progress to verify that it's calling with the correct dialing instructions.

  If you want to do more faxing,see Faxing with GSM.

• Test 2: Accessing a Bulletin Board using HyperTerminal

1. First you need a BBS number to dial into. If you have the number of one already, great! Otherwise, you can easily obtain a number by using a search engine, such as Yahoo!*
2. Bring up the HyperTerminal folder by clicking on Start>Programs>Accessories>HyperTerminal.
3. Click on the Hypertrm icon to create a new connection.
4. Enter the information requested on each screen. On the last screen, select Dial to start the session.
5. If the connection is successful, you should be able to carry on a dialog using HyperTerminal. Try downloading some files, if the BBS provides this.
6. After you have completed the session, and terminated HyperTerminal, it will ask you if you want to save the session. If you select Yes, then a new icon will be placed in the HyperTerminal folder with the name you specified. The next time you want to access this same BBS, you merely have to select this icon.