Configuring Activesync to use COM Port 11?

[Don Tolson]

In the process of trying to get the original Belkin Bluetooth drivers to work on SP2 (which I've given up on now), I somehow deleted the original COM3 COM5 pair which Bluetooth used for incoming connections.

Now, when I re-install the Microsoft drivers, it establishes COM11 / COM13 as the incoming pair. Unfortunately, that's not an selectable option in Activesync running on my laptop. (Only COM3 or IR).

Any suggestions? Should I re-install ActiveSync?

(BTW, I've already tried deleting the partnership and starting that all over again.

Thanks.

[Don Tolson]

In the process of trying to get the original Belkin Bluetooth drivers to work on SP2 (which I've given up on now), I somehow deleted the original COM3 COM5 pair which Bluetooth used for incoming connections.

Now, when I re-install the Microsoft drivers, it establishes COM11 / COM13 as the incoming pair. Unfortunately, that's not an selectable option in Activesync running on my laptop. (Only COM3 or IR).

Any suggestions? Should I re-install ActiveSync?

(BTW, I've already tried deleting the partnership and starting that all over again.

Thanks.

[Darius Wey]

I doubt you would have that many COM ports running so there's always a high chance that some of the lower COM port numbers are not being used, yet Windows just cannot recognise that. If you are aware of any that aren't being used, you can reconfigure the COM11 / COM13 to use small numbers - COM3 and COM5 probably aren't being used since they were used in the past connection.

To change them, right click My Computer on your desktop or start menu, and select Manage. From there, select Device Manager and then navigate to Ports. Now if you expand it, you can select the relevant port and right-click it and select Properties. From there, select Port Settings, and press Advanced. Now you can select a COM port in the drop-down menu. Even if it says it's being used, if you are sure that it's not being used, just go ahead and overwrite the settings. I've been through this before and Windows just cannot get it's head around the fact that half the COM ports aren't being used. So as long as you sure you won't end up with conflicts, feel free to change it, and hopefully, things will be smooth sailing from there.

[Don Tolson]

That did the trick, Darius! Many thanks. I'm back in the blue!

[Don Tolson]

OK, I give up. It worked fine on Friday (thanks to Darius), but Monday morning, Activesync will not connect to my laptop via Bluetooth! Sheesh... nothing changed over the weekend, that I know of (except the Date!), and now, everytime I start up the laptop, Activesync pops up a window saying it can't find the devices, or they are invalid.

Looks like Activesync can't find the Bluetooth ports anymore.

BTW, everything else bluetooth on my laptop (keyboard, mouse, cell phone, etc.) works just fine.

Chalk one more up for Activestink! I wish they'd get this thing stabilized to work properly with Bluetooth. None of the other BT devices I work with has caused this much grief.

[Darius Wey]

Hmmm.... That's a new one.

Well, I can only suggest you try reinstalling ActiveSync and seeing if that solves the problem. Additionally, you could try removing your BT device, and inserting it again so it gives Windows a chance to "refresh" its driver state. If not, you can always use System Information to see which COM ports are being used, and indeed, if there is a conflict with your currently active COM port, you could try using another one for your BT port.

[Don Tolson]

Originally Posted by Darius Wey

Hmmm.... That's a new one.

Well, I can only suggest you try reinstalling ActiveSync and seeing if that solves the problem. Additionally, you could try removing your BT device, and inserting it again so it gives Windows a chance to "refresh" its driver state. If not, you can always use System Information to see which COM ports are being used, and indeed, if there is a conflict with your currently active COM port, you could try using another one for your BT port.

Hi Darius.. all really good suggestions, but already tried all them. Everything was working pretty well (except for Activesync dropping the connection when trying to transfer large files) until I tried to de-install the Microsoft drivers to replace them with the ones from Belkin. It was a very unsuccessful venture so now I'm trying to get the Microsoft ones to work.

I'm think my next attempt will be:
a) Uninstall Activesync
b) Unistall both the MS Belkin Bluetooth drivers and the Bluetooth Enumerator
c) Use Device Manager to remove all the COM ports, except those I KNOW are in use (COM1 and COM2).

Then, start all over again with the bluetooth dongle, then Activesync.

[Darius Wey]

Yes - that's a good idea. If that doesn't work, you can try reinstalling Windows again. Generally, I feel as though that once you have SP2 installed, trying to bring in 3rd party drivers can get a little messy. While the native SP2 BT support isn't as advanced as some other drivers out there, it does the job and you should consider leaving it to use the MS drivers in the future (consider this for the next time you format your computer :P). Best of luck - hope it all works out.

[Don Tolson]

Sorry, Darius.. but there's no way I'm going to re-install Windows. If my approach doesn't work, I'm giving up on Activesync over BT -- it just feels too much like it's been 'bandaided' together.

[felixdd]

So did you find a solution? I'm in a similar situation....

[Don Tolson]

Not yet.. life's been pretty busy the last couple of days. I'll try to get to it today or tonight and post my results.