Verify infrared support on a computer

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

To verify infrared support on a computer

  1. Verify that your computer has an infrared transceiver (the transceiver will appear as a small, dark red window).

    If your computer does not have an infrared transceiver, see your manufacturer's documentation to verify whether IrDA functionality is supported.

  2. Open Device Manager.

  3. Double-click Infrared Devices.

    If you have an infrared transceiver, but Infrared Devices does not appear in Device Manager, you do not have an infrared device installed.

    If no infrared devices are listed, do one or both of the following:

    • Enter BIOS setup to verify whether the infrared device is enabled in BIOS, in IrDA, or Fast IrDA (FIR) mode. For information about how to enter BIOS setup, see your computer manufacturer's documentation. If the infrared device is disabled in BIOS, you might be able to use your computer's BIOS setup to enable it.

      Caution Using a BIOS setup utility incorrectly can cause your computer to operate incorrectly. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of the BIOS setup can be solved. Use this utility at your own risk. Before you make any changes, make a note of the original settings so that you can reinstate them if necessary.

    • See your computer manufacturer's documentation to determine whether the BIOS needs to be updated.

  4. Verify that at least one infrared device is listed and that it is enabled.

    If infrared devices are listed but they are not enabled, verify that the infrared devices are installed correctly on your computer. For more information see Related Topics.

Notes

  • Performing this task does not require you to have administrative credentials. Therefore, as a security best practice, consider performing this task as a user without administrative credentials.

  • To open Device Manager, click Start, click Control Panel, double-click Administrative Tools, double-click Computer Management, and then click Device Manager.

  • In the Windows Server 2003 family, only Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition, supports infrared networking.

  • Infrared transceivers are now installed in nearly all new portable computers. If your computer does not have an infrared transceiver, but it supports IrDA, and IrDA is enabled in BIOS, you can install an external infrared transceiver.

Information about functional differences

  • Your server might function differently based on the version and edition of the operating system that is installed, your account permissions, and your menu settings. For more information, see Viewing Help on the Web.

See Also

Concepts

Add a new infrared device to a serial port
Enable a device