Configuring the Novatel Merlin Type II PCMCIA wireless IP modem to work with an Apple Newton MessagePad 2000/2100. Portions copyright 2000 Novatel. Read the whole thing through - several times - before setting up and connecting to the Internet with your MP2000/2100 and a Merlin.
Warning - Warning -Warning -Warning
Due to the current drain of the Merlin device, it is possible to corrupt a memory card in the lower PCMCIA slot of a Newton 2000/2100. You take responsibility for your actions should you choose to use the Merlin modem. Using the techniques described below of the extra memory card and watching the battery indicator should eliminate any problems. The memory corruption apparently does not endanger the internal RAM, but I would adhere to the procedures described below.
We are indebted to Jeremy Bond Shepherd, who did the original pioneering work on the Merlin/Newton combo in April 2000, and posted his results to the Newsgroup comp.sys.newton.misc.
Jeremy discovered the memory corruption issue and stopped using the Merlin for this reason. I was just stubborn enough to try and see what caused it, and if there were any workarounds. I have been using the Merlin/Newton combo since late July 2000, with no problems. It works just about everywhere a cell phone will get 2 or more bars on the signal strength meter (I know this is unscientific statement, but let's clarify 2 or more bars on a Nokia 5100 series phone!).
Apparently (and this is reproducible) at or below 20% battery capacity, while surfing a site chock full o' graphics, the Merlin draws enough current to corrupt the adjacent memory card. To avoid this, use a separate memory card with whatever e-mail (SimpleMail is recommended; SimpleMail must be on the internal memory), Web browsing (NewtsCape recommended), FTP, instant messaging, Newsgroup reader, etc. installed on this card. Also install a software package on the Newton that will give battery capacity in percent.
When the batteries get a hair below 25% - 30%, it is time to stop using the Merlin. Although even if data corruption occurs, you only lose what's on the card. It is also important to be sure any mail prefs, WWW bookmarks, etc., are stored on internal memory. Any important mail received must be filed on internal memory. I have these approximate usage times, with backlight off: rechargeable alkaline - around 1 to 1.5 hours; Apple NiMH pack - about 2 hours; lithium batteries - 4+ hours.
To use the Merlin, you will need the following:
1) Merlin card
2) Account set up with a wireless ISP. GoAmerica (www.goamerica.net) or BellSouth are two possibilities. Note you have to have the Merlin to set up an account, due to the IP address assigned to the card's unique ID number. GoAmerica offers the card "used" (mine was a mint customer return) for $100, if you sign up for a year.
3) Extra PCMCIA memory card (5 volt read/5 volt write) for the Newton. Size is up to you, but 4MB cards are available from Pretec (www.pretec.com) for around $75, and Info-Newt (www.info-newt.com, which you should visit weekly) has information on how to get a 6MB card for only $35!
4) Some sort of battery indicator that shows the % capacity left. I use a TapBar plugin, but there are several others out there.
Initial Merlin Configuration Via Terminal Emulator
The following information is taken mostly verbatim from the Novatel website, and contents are copyright 2000 Novatel Wireless - www.novatelwireless.com. Remember that the Merlin must first be registered with a service provider, as you need their info to be able to configure and connect.
Terminal Emulator Setup (this is from a PowerBook setup from Novatel, but this generally applies whether Mac, PC or for the very brave - Newton - terminal emulator; I would use a Mac or PC initially).
Serial Port: Merlin Type II Wireless IP Modem
Port Speed: 19200
Handshake: Hardware
Data bits: 8
Parity Bit: None
Stop bits: 1
Modem Setup: AT
Type the following command to verify you are connected to the modem.
(Note: <CR> means press the "Enter" or "Return" key)
AT<CR>
The modem should respond with:
OK <CR>
Put the Modem into Program Mode
To enter the configuration information your Wireless Internet Provider gave you,
AT\APROG,NRM6831<CR>
The modem should respond with:
OK <CR>
This puts the modem into a program mode.
IP Address
Next, you will need to enter in your IP address. The IP address is a list of four numbers separated by periods. For example, 198.228.170.13. Substitute your IP address in the command below.
ATS110=198.228.170.13<CR>
The modem should respond with:
OK
DNS Addresses
Next you will need to enter in your DNS address(es). Your wireless Internet Provider may give you two DNS addresses, a primary and a secondary. For example, 198.80.55.1 and 198.80.55.2. Substitute your DNS addresses in the command below.
AT#DNS=198.80.55.1,198.80.55.2<CR>
The modem should respond with:
OK
Side Preference (Note, this is Apple PowerBook specific (?); for a single slot Apple PowerBook or the upper slot of an Apple Newton MessagePad 2000/2100, choose A)
Next you will need to enter your Side Preference. This is either A Side Preferred or B Side Preferred.
For A Side Preferred, enter the following command:
AT\N3<CR>
For B Side Preferred
AT\N4<CR>
The modem should respond with:
OK
MRU Modification (NOTE: not from Novatel)
This was discovered by Jeremy Shepherd, that in order for anything else other than e-mail to work on the Newton, the MRU must be higher than the Merlin's default of 576. He tried 600, but settled on 1500 as a final setting. I have used this setting with no problems, and it works fine on a PowerBook, so it shouldn't affect a PC. If there's any problems, you can re-set it to the default value of 576.
To set the Merlin MRU to 1500 (or whatever value)
AT#MRU=1500<CR>
Save Your Settings (this is back to info from Novatel)
Enter the following command to save the settings to the modem,
AT&W<CR>
The modem should respond with:
HELLO
Verifying that you can Register
To check registration, type the following command to tell the modem to register.
ATO<CR>
To see if you have successfully registered, type the following command:
ATS57?<CR>
It will respond with the following when you are successfully registered.
ABCDE
If it does not respond with this, wait several seconds, and then retry that command. Make sure you have given your Wireless Internet Provider enough time to set up your account. You may also have to relocate to a better location that has better signal strength before you can register.
Merlin Newton NIE Setup
This is the configuration for the Newton. Remember that the Merlin must first be registered with a service provider, as you need their info to be able to configure and connect. Also, the Merlin requires no special drivers for the Newton.
You should also have installed whatever e-mail, Web browser, etc. software onto a memory card. This also assumes you have NIE (Newton Internet Enabler) installed (internal memory is strongly recommended) as well as all various NIE modules, such as "Internet Setup," "NIE Ethernet," "NIE Modem & Serial", etc.
Be sure the batteries are fresh and/or fully charged - better yet plug into a wall outlet. The memory card with the e-mail and Web browsing software should be installed in the lower slot. You then insert the Merlin into the upper slot. There should be a message "A communications card has been inserted". Tap the "Okay" button to make this go away.
You will now use the NIE application "Internet Setup" to configure NIE for the Merlin.
Tap the "Internet Setup" application
- Tap "New", select "Generic Setup"
- In the window that appears choose "Connect using Serial" from the popup menu.
- Tap "Continue"
Enter a name for the setup - "Merlin" comes to mind as a good choice
- In the "Protocol" popup choose "PPP"
- In the "Configuration" popup choose "Server"
- In the "User ID" space leave this blank
- DO NOT tap the "Set Password" button to enter your password.
- In the "When closing, disconnect" popup choose "after 2 minutes"
- Tap "Continue"
Enter the primary DNS/Name Server Address, such as 203-211-345-021
- Enter the Domain Name, such as "goamerica.net"
- Tap "Done"
Tap the "Add" button at the bottom of the window, choose "Advanced Settings"
- In the "Port" popup choose "Top PC Card"
- In the "Data Rate" popup choose "19200"
- In the "Parity" popup choose "None "
- In the "Stop Bits" popup choose "1"
- Check the "Use Hardware Flow Control" box
- Tap the close box in the lower right corner
Tap the "Add" button at the bottom of the window, choose "Login Script"
- In the first popup, choose "Send", put "AT" in the space (no quotes, just the letters AT)
- In the second popup, choose the third item "Send P"(not the letter P, it looks like a backwards black P)
- In the third popup, choose "Pause", put "1" in the space (no quotes, just the number 1)
- In the fourth popup, choose "Send", put "AT\APPP" in the space (no quotes, just the letters AT/APPP)
- In the fifth popup, choose the third item "Send P"(not the letter P, it looks like a backwards black P)
- In the sixth popup, choose "Pause", put "1" in the space (no quotes, just the number 1)
- In the seventh popup, choose "Done"
- In the "Time Out" popup, choose "60 seconds"
- Check the "Display Script Activity" box
- Tap the close box in the lower right corner
Tap the "Add" button at the bottom, choose "DNS/Name Server Address"
- Enter the secondary DNS/Name Server Address, such as 203-211-345-022
- Tap the close box in the lower right corner
When done with the NIE setup, open "Internet Setup" and be sure this setup is filed in the internal memory
NIE setup is now completed, we will now configure the "User" preferences.
User Preferences for Wireless
In the "Owner Info" application, tap "New" and choose "Owner" from the popup
- Enter the same info as your normal "Owner Info" card, for example "Joe Smith"
- Do not bother with phone or Fax numbers
- Tap the close box in the lower right corner
- The duplicate name will always appear below the first one you set up
This makes it easy to remember which Owner" to choose before using the Merlin
Also the use of the same name means that most (just about all) shareware packages that rely on user name to register will keep working properly. Additionally this means there is no NIE confusion if it gets connected wirelessly, and tries to access your wired e-mail address.
Tap the "Owner Info" you just created (example, the SECOND Joe Smith in the list).
- Tap the "Add" button at the bottom, choose "E-Mail" from the popup
- Enter your wireless e-mail address, example "jsmith@goamerica.net"
- Tap the close box in the lower right corner
Tap the "Add" button at the bottom, choose "SimpleMail" from the popup
(or whatever e-mail you're using)
- In the "POP User" space enter your user ID
- Tap the "Set Password" button
- Enter and confirm the password, IT IS CASE SENSITIVE.
- Tap the "Set" button to set the password
- Do NOT check "Use APOP"
- In the "POP Host" space enter the POP host name, such as "pop.goamerica.net"
- In the "SMTP Host" space enter the SMTP host name, such as "smtp.goamerica.net"
Tap the "Add" button at the bottom, choose "E-Mail Signature" from the popup
- A suggested wireless e-mail signature is something like:
" - - - - - - - -
Sent wirelessly from an Apple Newton MessagePad.
Please reply to (enter normal wired e-mail, if desired)
unless directed to otherwise.
If responding to (enter wireless e-mail address), please
do not include any attachments, plain text is appreciated."
- Tap the close box in the lower right corner
A wireless "User" setup is now completed, we will now configure the "Workspace" preferences
Workspace Preferences for Wireless
In the "Owner Info" app, tap "New" and choose "Worksite" from the popup
- Enter a name that means something, such as "Wireless"
- Pick a city in the "Closest City" popup
- Add an area code
- Do not enter a dialing prefix
- Do not enter a printer
- Tap the close box in the lower right corner
Tap the "Worksite" you just created ("Wireless")
- Tap the "Add" button at the bottom, choose "SimpleMail" from the popup
(or whatever e-mail you're using)
- Leave the "Reply to" popup set to "none"
- In the "SMTP Host" space enter the SMTP host name, such as "smtp.goamerica.net"
- Tap the close box in the lower right corner
Tap the "Add" button at the bottom, choose "Internet Access" from the popup
- From the "Internet Setup" popup, choose the NIE setup created earlier, we named ours "Merlin"
- Tap the close box in the lower right corner
The "Workspace" preferences is now complete, we will now see how to use the Merlin.
Use of the Merlin
To totally eliminate the chance of internal memory corruption (which hasn't happened, and probably won't as the PCMCIA cards or on a separate power feed) I backup internal memory to a 12 MB card I normally use (You don't have to do this, but due to the memory corruption issue, I would DEFINITELY not keep critical data on the same memory card that you use the Merlin with).
I then eject the 12 MB card, and wait for the "Newton still needs the card" message. I pop the 12MB card back in, wait for the Newton OS to do it's magic, then when the message appears "You may now safely remove this card" I eject it.
You should then pop in the memory card you plan to use
- Once the Newton activates the packages, it will ask "Save new information and packages on this card"
- Tap the "Yes" button.
The Merlin should now be inserted into the upper PC card slot
- Make sure the antenna is out of the way.
- There should be a message "A communications card has been inserted"
- Tap the "OK" button.
Sending Wireless E-Mail Via Merlin
- To send a message, write a short note, such as "testing testing" (once configured you can send any e-mail message)
- Tap the Routing Icon (envelope icon) and choose "Mail" from the menu
- In the Routing Slip that appears, you must do two things to send via Merlin
- Tap the Owner Name at the upper left of the Routing Slip
- In the popup that appears, choose the second "Owner Name" (example the "Joe Smith" below "Joe Smith")
- Tap the Owner Name again at the upper left of the Routing Slip
- In the popup that appears, choose the wireless "Worksite" (example "Wireless")
- Then choose to whom the e-mail is going, whether or not you want plain text or your e-mail signature included, as well as the subject
- Tap the "Mail" button at the lower right, in the popup choose "Now"
- In the next screen that appears, in the "Using" popup, choose the NIE setting you created (example "Merlin")
- Tap the "Connect" button
- You should see the standard NIE progress bar as login proceeds
- Merlin should run the NIE script, and connect
- Usually the last thing you see as the script runs in the word "Connect"
When done with e-mail, there will be a flashing star at the top of the Newton's screen
- Tap it and choose "Internet Connection" from the popup
- The dialog box will say "You are still connected to the Internet. Do you want to close the connection now?"
- Tap the "Yes" button.
Receiving Wireless E-Mail Via Merlin
- To receive a message, open the "InOut" box application
- Tap the "Receive" button at the bottom and choose "SimpleMail" from the popup
(or whatever e-mail you're using)
- In the Routing Slip that appears, you must do three things to receive via Merlin
- Tap the Owner Name at the upper left of the Routing Slip
- In the popup that appears, choose the second "Owner Name" (example "Joe Smith" below "Joe Smith")
- Tap the Owner Name again at the upper left of the Routing Slip
- In the popup that appears, choose the wireless "Worksite" (example "Wireless")
- Tap the "Using" popup, choose the NIE setting you created (example "Merlin")
- Tap the "Connect" button
- You should see the standard NIE progress bar as login proceeds
- Merlin should run the NIE script, and connect
- Usually the last thing you see as the script runs in the word "Connect"
When done sending e-mail, there will be a flashing star at the top of the Newton's screen
- Tap it and choose "Internet Connection" from the popup
- The dialog box will say "You are still connected to the Internet. Do you want to close the connection now?"
- Tap the "Yes" button.
Wireless Web Browsing Via Merlin
- To browse the Web wirelessly, open your Web browser
- In the Connection Slip that appears, you must do three things to surf via Merlin
- Tap the Owner Name at the upper left of the Routing Slip
- In the popup that appears, choose the second "Owner Name" (example "Joe Smith" below "Joe Smith")
- Tap the Owner Name again at the upper left of the Connection Slip
- In the popup that appears, choose the wireless "Worksite" (example "Wireless")
- Tap the "Using" popup, choose the NIE setting you created (example "Merlin")
- Tap the "Connect" button
- You should see the standard NIE progress bar as login proceeds
- Merlin should run the NIE script, and connect
- Usually the last thing you see as the script runs in the word "Connect"
- The Web browser may report "NIE login" and give you feedback
When Done
When all done with wireless work, I make sure the Internet connection is down. I pop out the Merlin, and pop in a PCMCIA holder or regular landline modem. I then swap my wireless configured memory card for the regular one I use daily.
I eject the wireless configured memory card, and wait for the "Newton still needs the card" message. I pop the card back in, wait for the Newton OS to do it's magic, then when the message appears "You may now safely remove this card" I eject it.
I then pop in the 12 MB memory card I normally use back into the Newton.
- Once the Newton activates the packages, it will ask "Save new information and packages on this card"
- Tap the "Yes" button.
Problems/Troubleshooting
As the NIE script runs, the last message you should see flash by is the word "Connect", sometimes followed by garbage characters. The less garbage characters the better - if you don't see the word "Connect" you probably aren't really connected.
- E-mail software "Couldn't resolve IP address": probably a weak/dropped signal
- E-mail software; you keep receiving the same messages: do not check "Leave mail on server" in e-mail preferences
- Web browser "No response from server": probably a weak/dropped signal
- Web browser (NewtsCape) - set graphics to 4 shades of grey for better speed (Res 4-gray)
- Do not pop out the Merlin until you have disconnected from the Internet
Notes from Mark Rollins
I have wanted Newton Wireless Data since I first bought the original MessagePad the second day they were released, at Macworld Boston. I initially used the Newton external modem connect to a Motorola adapter box connected to a Motorola "fliphone" to send and receive "E-World" (Apple's defunct AOL-like service) messages. Faxing worked fine as well.
I waited until the MP2000 (upgraded to 2100) to get a new Newton, and used a MegaHertz cell compatible modem (XJA3288) with the proper adapter cable connected the the Motorola fliphone (analog). Faxing still worked fine.
When I got a Nokia PCS phone, I found I needed 2 adapter cables, but I could only send faxes - no more wireless e-mail. When I read Mr. Shepherd's attempts with the Merlin, I knew I had to have this. So now you too, dear reader, can set this up. Using an Apple Newton 2100 (the only computer to increase in value since being discontinued) you can now connect wirelessly to the Web, anywhere you can get a moderate cellular signal.
You can connect a digital camera (Olympus D360L) to
the Newton via Tibet and send color JPGs wirelessly. You can sketch in color
using SketchMail for SimpleMail, and send color GIFs to people wirelessly.
You can browse the Web and use it anywhere. You can use a videophone app
to check a security camera at home. You can view a Corporate web page, and
update data from the field. Anything your Newton could do, it can now do
without wires.
In closing, I would like to add this isn't perfect. The antenna bulge of the Merlin is annoying, and the pop-up antenna looks downright fragile. The connection speed is only 19.2, and there's that specter of memory corruption.
But we should not criticize how poorly the pig flies, we should be amazed that it flies at all!
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