I have an HP Compaq NC6400, running Vista Ultimate and would like to use my 880 to control Media Center and possibly other applications. The laptop has a Fast IR port and has the "SMSC Fast Infrared Driver" installed. According to the Harmony device database, this PC is supported. However, I am not sure how to control it. I can easily add it as a new device (Computer/Laptop/HP/NC6400). However, the customize buttons link does not show any buttons in the drop-downs. Do I need additional software on my laptop, so as to interpret the IR signal?

Thanks,
Pando

Alas "fast infrared" is not what you need for remote control use. FIR is for data communications with other devices, such as PDAs and printers. It is designed for short-distance, high speed.

Remote controls use "CIR" or "consumer infrared". This is designed for long-distance, slow speed. Most current laptops have dropped all FIR support, while media-oriented ones usually come with an integrated CIR receiver.

They aren't the same thing; it's kind of like FM vs AM radio.

To use a remote you would need to add an external CIR receiver.

Look in your PCMCIA slot, My HP notebook had an IR Media Center credit card remote stashed in there, It was about a year before I discovered it.