The iPAQ has an odd little On/Off Switch on the bottom of the device. We're not talking about a power button, the iPAQ has one of those on the front of the device. We're talking about a tiny peg-like toggle switch that must be slid to the left (from "off" to "on") and then you slide a small door to the left to cover it. It reminds me of the old DIP switches you used to have to set on some circuit boards.

Then you can connect the AC adapter to the cradle and plug the AC adapter into a power outlet. Now you're ready to charge your iPAQ's rechargeable battery for a few hours (the instructions say 3 hours but it took us slightly longer.)

Now you can connect the USB cable from the cradle to your desktop computer and setup ActiveSync 3.1 using the supplied CD. Then you press the power button on your iPAQ and follow the instructions.

That's it, nothing to it. But if you have any problems there's always the 116-page iPAQ Reference Manual that comes on the CD.

Putting it through the paces

Missed a feature? Find just the one you are looking for in our back issues collection.

Have an idea for a great Feature? Use our Feature Submission and tell us about it. Who knows, you may see your suggestion on the pdaJD.com home page.