Appendix A - Setting Up A Virtual Com Port - HP bt1300 User Manual

Setting Up a Virtual COM Port
Adding a Virtual COM Port to a PC with Widcomm 1.4 Bluetooth
Software, Using the Serial Port Profile (SPP)
NOTE: Windows XP has Bluetooth controls built into it but requires additional software to establish a Bluetooth
connection. In order for your PC-compatible computer to communicate with the hp bt1300, you must configure
your software to use the Bluetooth serial port profile (SPP), which functions as a virtual COM port.
Most Bluetooth device software that supports the Serial Port profile will automatically create a virtual
COM port. A COM port (e.g., COM1) is normally used with an RS-232 connection or a modem. A
virtual COM port emulates a COM port, but works over the Bluetooth wireless link instead.
To add a virtual COM port, follow the software installation instructions that came with your computer,
Bluetooth PCMCIA card, or USB adapter. The name of the virtual COM port should start with COM
and end with a number (e.g., COM4). Ensure the name of the virtual COM port is not the same as an
existing COM port (generally, you cannot use COM1 or COM2). In some cases, you may need to
restart your computer to enable the virtual COM port after it has been reconfigured. When you have
successfully completed this installation, most Bluetooth software applications will provide a Bluetooth
icon on your Windows desktop (e.g., My Bluetooth Places, My Bluetooth Neighborhood, etc.).
After successful installation of your Bluetooth software application, you must then verify that your
Bluetooth device, PCMCIA card, or USB adapter is working properly and is able to discover your hp
bt1300 by performing the following steps:
1. Launch your Bluetooth software by double-clicking on the Bluetooth icon (e.g., My Bluetooth
Places, My Bluetooth Neighborhood, etc.) on the Windows desktop.
2. Click on View devices in range or Discover (wording may vary depending on your Bluetooth
software application) to begin a search for available Bluetooth devices.
NOTE: If your hp bt1300 is connected to a printer, it will be listed as "<name of printer> bt1300 (XX:XX)"
where XX:XX is the last four digits of the hp bt1300's address, which can be found on the hp bt1300 or on
the self-test page (e.g., HP LaserJet 4200 bt1300 (99:85)). If the hp bt1300 is unable to obtain the printer's
name it is attached to, it will be listed as hp bt1300 (XX:XX).
3. Select your hp bt1300 from the list of discovered devices, and then double-click on it to display a
list of its available services.
4. Double-click on the Serial Port Profile icon to establish a connection, or you can right-click on the
Serial Port Profile icon, and then click on Connect to Bluetooth serial port. A window will appear
displaying the COM port number (COM4 or higher) that your Bluetooth application must use to
communicate with the hp bt1300.
5. Click on OK to continue. You should see a Bluetooth symbol on the Serial Port Profile icon,
indicating that communication has been established.
NOTE: Depending on your Bluetooth sending device, you can assign a static COM port profile if your
Bluetooth application requires a static COM port. In this case, setting a static COM port eliminates the need
to setup your Bluetooth application to point to a new COM port each time you use it to connect to a device.
For other Bluetooth applications that do not support this feature, a dynamic COM port number will be
assigned, which is usually the first available logical COM port.
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