Setting Up a Wireless LAN, Part 2

[Jason Dunn]

<!><br /><br /><span>Un-published PocketPC.com article originally written April 20th, 2002.</span><br /><br />In part one of this series we covered some of the basics to keep in mind when setting up an 802.11b wireless LAN. Now we’re going to cover how to get your Pocket PC working on that wireless LAN, and give you suggestions on what you do with it once you get going.<br /><br /><b><span>What You Need</span></b><br />• A working 802.11b wireless LAN<br />• An 802.11b card for your Pocket PC (PCMCIA or CompactFlash, depending on model)<br /><br /><b><span>Languages Supported</span></b><br />Not applicable.<br /><br /><b><span>Gotchas</span></b><br />None.<br /><br /><b><span>Step 1: Install the drivers</span></b><br />The first thing you’ll need to do in order to get your 802.11b card working in your Pocket PC is to install the drivers. There will be a CD-ROM included with the card that should contain the drivers. Every card will be different, but in all cases the procedure is the same:<br /><br />1. Connect your Pocket PC to your desktop computer via ActiveSync<br />2. Insert the CD-ROM that came with the 802.11b card<br />3. Install the drivers (I often install them to the Flash ROM memory of the Pocket PC)<br />4. Disconnect your Pocket PC and insert the card<br /><br /><b><span>Step 2: Configure the card</span></b><br />Once you’ve installed the drivers, you’ll need to configure the card. Every brand of card will have slightly different software to configure, but most of the drivers on the Pocket PC will have similar options you’ll want to look at. In order, these are:<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/articles/JD-772-fig1.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 1: Checking the SSID and Operating Mode</i><br /><br />Check the SSID and Operating Mode: Figure 1 shows a screen shot from the Symbol card, but you’ll want to check that the SSID is correct with whatever software you’re using. The SSID needs to match whatever you set it as when you set up your wireless access point. In most cases, unless you’ve changed it, it will be “default”. The operating mode should be “infrastructure” – other modes are for wireless LANs without access points (they involve peer to peer access).<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/articles/JD-772-fig2.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 2: DHCP or static IP?</i><br /><br />Getting your IP address: Every computer that gets on the Internet has to have an IP address – think of it like an ID number. If you have a router that performs NAT (network address translation), odds are it also has a DHCP server and will automatically dish out an IP address. Most Pocket PC software will default to this mode (Figure 2), but double check to make sure. If you have a static IP address that you want to use, enter it now.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/articles/JD-772-fig3.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 3: Check your signal strength</i><br /><br />Check your signal strength: Every Pocket PC 802.11b driver I’ve seen has some method of checking signal strength. You want to verify that the signal strength is strong enough in the areas where you’ll be working. Walk around your home or office and watch the signal strength – if it drops off in an area where you want coverage, you may need to re-position the wireless access point or purchase another one to increase coverage.<br /><br /><b><span>Step 3: Set up connection manager</span></b><br />Once you’ve confirmed your card is working and you have signal strength, open up Pocket Internet Explorer and try to go to a web site. Odds are you’ll receive an error message that looks just like Figure 4:<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/articles/JD-772-fig4.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 4: A common Connection Manager error</i><br /><br />This error means it’s time to configure the Pocket PCs Connection Manager! The default settings never quite work right, so you’ll need to change them. Tap on Settings and a new window will load. Odds are the three drop-down menus you’ll see will be set to Internet Settings, Work Settings, and Work – in that order.<br /><br />If you’re on a business LAN that requires a proxy server, tap on the Modify button under the second drop down menu (“When needed, automatically connect to Work using these settings:”). Click on the Proxy Settings tab (Figure 5) and check of the first box at the top (“This network connects to the Internet”), as well as the second box and enter in your proxy server address.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/articles/JD-772-fig5.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 5: Setting up the proxy server</i><br /><br />Once you’ve changed the proxy settings, click OK and try to connect again. If you still can’t connect, or if you don’t have a proxy server at all (most gateway devices don’t use them), go back into Connection Manager and change all the drop down menus to the following: Internet Settings, Internet Settings, and The Internet (in that order) – just like Figure 6 shows.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/articles/JD-772-fig6.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 6: Configuring for Internet access</i><br /><br />This is the setting that I need to use. Theoretically, the first settings under Work should do the trick, but it doesn’t seem to work unless there’s proxy information entered. Once complete, click OK and try to connect to a web site again – you should connect. You’re live!<br /><br />It’s important to note here that if you want to use ActiveSync, you’ll need to change these settings all back to work – it won’t function otherwise.<br /><br /><b><span>Step 4: Help! It’s not working…</span></b><br />If your wireless LAN connection is working on your Pocket PC, skip this step and move on to the next one. If you’re having problems, here are some things to consider:<br /><br />• Move within close range of your wireless access point – there may be something blocking or dramatically reducing the signal strength of your wireless access point, so getting close to it will tell you if you’re having signal strength problems<br />• Change the channel of your wireless access point – remember that 802.11b works on the same 2.4 GHz frequency that some portable phones do, so there’s a chance someone around you has one that is interfering with the signal strength. There are 11 distinct channels for the access point<br />• Take out the 802.11b card, soft reset the Pocket PC, and after it has rebooted, insert the card<br />• Check the SSID setting – it’s case sensitive, but to make things simple change it to “any” (no quotes) and you’ll pick up the strongest network signal. If there are multiple networks in your area, use the proper SSID<br />• If your software came with a PING utility, use it – if you can ping an IP address (like 204.34.121.16), it likely means you’re having DNS server problems and the solution lies with your gateway device<br />• If all else fails, put the card in a laptop to see if the card is faulty, or if it’s incompatible with your Pocket PC. And there’s a slight chance your Pocket PC may be faulty if the card works in the laptop and you’re sure the settings were all correct<br /><br /><b><span>Step 5: You’re done! </span></b><br />Now that you have your Pocket PC working over your wireless LAN connection, it’s time to see what you can do with it. The possibilities are vast, but here are some ideas:<br /><br />• Set up an email account, especially if it’s IMAP, so you can check your email from anywhere in your home or office<br />• ActiveSync with your PC to get appointment updates, new email, and updates<br />• Set up MSN Messenger so you can chat with your friends and co-workers from anywhere<br />• There’s a new breed of Pocket PC games coming out: wireless multiplayer. If you’re a fan of chess, check out <a href="http://www.pocket-games.com">this multiplayer version</a> designed for people with wireless connections<br />• Set up some of your favourite web sites like TV Guide for checking broadcast times<br />• Watch video trailers, music videos, and listen to streaming music on the <a href="http://windowsmedia.com/mobile"> Windows Media Mobile site</a><br /><br /><b><span>Conclusion</span></b> <br />Having a Pocket PC connected to a wireless LAN opens up a world of possibilities – enjoy it!

[palmsolo]

Good information Jason, I could have used it last week when I set up my home wireless LAN. On my device I have the following in Connection Manager: Internet, Work, and Work/Internet. I only have to change the last one to switch between Internet (POP3, surfing, etc.) and Work (ActiveSync, browsing my network with File Explorer) and that is what I found from others too. You may only need to change your last option.

A great utility that helped me a ton and was FREE is vxUtil (http://www.cam.com/vxutil.html). It has a ton of LAN functions, including Ping and Information (gives you all the IP info. for your connection).

[jdhill]

On my device I have the following in Connection Manager: Internet, Work, and Work/Internet. I only have to change the last one to switch between Internet (POP3, surfing, etc.) and Work (ActiveSync, browsing my network with File Explorer) and that is what I found from others too. You may only need to change your last option.
Perhaps I'm lucky, but I have a Connection "Mangler" setting that I never have to change. It works with IE, Inbox, ActiveSync, etc. It works with the Pocket PC in the cradle or on the 802.11b WLAN card:

Internet
Internet
Work

[Leon]

I can do both Internet and Active Sync at the same time using Internet Settings, Internet Settings, Work (from top to bottom).

BTW, Connections is the most unintuitive piece of software I've ever seen. I therefor even doubt it if it has been written by Microsoft.

Is there any FAQ anywhere online on how it is supposed to be used? I mean, you select a drop down and can choose New... but if you choose Modify there is a New... too. When to use what? And what is the definition of Work? You can't use Work at home? (Yes you can). The Help doesn't help much. I am able to use 802.11b, Internet over GPRS via mobile phone, Internet over GSM via mobile phone and e-mail over all three but I am not sure if I would be able to reproduce the settings in the future if I had to, although in the end it was not that difficult. Just the fact that I don't know what I'm doing is what bothers me. :roll:

[Jason Dunn]

Connection Manager is like death and taxes - it will get you in the end, but don't try to understand it. :twisted:

[miterb]

I have a Toshiba e740 on order and had looked forward to the possibility of accessing the web from bed at 2 AM. However, I am out of range for DSL and Time/Warner has slowed up development of digital in my city. So I am stuck with dial-up for at least a year.

I have Win XP on my desktop. Can I use the home networking feature with wireless?

Brad Miter

[ironguy]

Miterb, you could go satellite for a year. It's a bit pricey, both installation and subscription, but works well and fast.

[Taltoz]

I posted this in the original wireless article but in short yes you can use dialup with wireless. I live in an area with more cows than people so of course there is no dsl or cable internet (heck I cannot even get cable tv) and satillite is just too expensive for the actual equipment. I have my desktop setup to do Internet Connection Sharing (2000 pro box but XP will work as well) and all of our wireless devices share the connection. It can get slow with three people using the same dialup but it keeps the fighting over the phone line down.

[RobertCF]

Sat internet is fine for surfing, etc., but not very good if you're into massively multiplayer gaming. The huge delay from ground to sat to ground again means you're always about a second or two behind the others. It's like racing two cars with the exact same top speed but giving the other car a 2 second head start--he'll never increase the distance between you, but he'll always get there ahead of you! :D

[iPaqDude]

A couple of suggestions to keep your wireless secure once you get your system up and going.

Jason mentioned the SSID - do not leave it on the default. Change it to something unique.

If your AP has the option to turn off SSID broadcasting - do it.

If your card and AP support WEP, then by all means use it. I use 128 bit. And I periodically change the WEP key.

One other item - if you can do MAC address filtering, I would set that up as well. One more level that requires some real work to get through.

The above items don't stop the really determined competent drive-by hacker from getting into your system, but it will at least slow them down, and it will keep the so-so technie weenie hacker outs.

[palmsolo]

After reading this forum I decided to mess around with Connection Manager and found a setting where I can use ActiveSync, POP email, File Explorer, and IE. I now use Internet, Internet, Internet!

I once saw a demo of streaming video on a wireless connection, but every time I go to the Windows Media site I just get a downloading message. Can anyone tell me some good streaming audio or video sites that work on the Pocket PC? Thanks.

[Jason Dunn]

I once saw a demo of streaming video on a wireless connection, but every time I go to the Windows Media site I just get a downloading message. Can anyone tell me some good streaming audio or video sites that work on the Pocket PC? Thanks.

You have to download the ASX file before the stream can start - it will download and open automatically. :-)

[Leon]

I once saw a demo of streaming video on a wireless connection, but every time I go to the Windows Media site I just get a downloading message. Can anyone tell me some good streaming audio or video sites that work on the Pocket PC? Thanks.
You have to download the ASX file before the stream can start - it will download and open automatically. :-)
Is it just me? Has anyone ever been able to stream MSNBC News or MSNBC Business Headlines from windowsmedia.com/mobile/? After the .asx is downloaded an error message appears, no matter what time of day. Aren't these things supposed to be demos of what the PPC is capable of? Then why aren't the working? :roll:

[Jason Dunn]

After the .asx is downloaded an error message appears, no matter what time of day. Aren't these things supposed to be demos of what the PPC is capable of? Then why aren't the working? :roll:

I just downloaded an ASX for a Fatboy Slim video off the Video page and it's streaming nicely - so it's just not a pointless demo. ;-) But I too failed to get the MSNBC and MSNBC Business Headlines streaming - I keep getting an error. Sadly, I think this is yet another example of a company being encouraged enough to set something up, but not vigilant at keeping it all working. :cry:

[Pony99CA]

Perhaps I'm lucky, but I have a Connection "Mangler" setting that I never have to change. It works with IE, Inbox, ActiveSync, etc. It works with the Pocket PC in the cradle or on the 802.11b WLAN card:

Internet
Internet
Work
Well, I know that I'm not lucky. :-( I got my Inbox and Pocket IE working fine, and I can connect to my laptop with Internet/Work/Internet. Internet/Internet/Work also seems to work. But neither of those allow me to use Active Sync wirelessly. I also tried setting my laptop up as a VPN on the Pocket PC, but that didn't work.

I tried setting Internet/Internet/Internet as some users suggested, but when I reopened the Connections applet, I found it was set to Internet/Internet/Work. What's going on?

Steve

[jdhill]

Internet/Internet/Work also seems to work. But neither of those allow me to use Active Sync wirelessly.
For ActiveSync to work wirelessly, you need to make sure on your TCP/IP configuration on the PDA that you have set the WINS address to the IP address of the desktop with which you want to sync. You also must first set up the partnership using USB, Serial or IR.

[dunneldeen]

For ActiveSync to work wirelessly, you need to make sure on your TCP/IP configuration on the PDA that you have set the WINS address to the IP address of the desktop with which you want to sync. You also must first set up the partnership using USB, Serial or IR.

I have tried to just put my machine name in Pocket Hosts, and that doesn't seem to work by itself. However, I noticed that if I have my WINS address set to the actual company WINS address it does work. Why would WINS work, but not pocket hosts? What does WINS do, besides name lookup?

[jdhill]

I have tried to just put my machine name in Pocket Hosts, and that doesn't seem to work by itself. However, I noticed that if I have my WINS address set to the actual company WINS address it does work. Why would WINS work, but not pocket hosts? What does WINS do, besides name lookup?
WINS does nothing except resolve names to IP addresses. I've never used pocket hosts, so I'm not sure how it works.

If you are on a network with a WINS server then you should use the IP address of that WINS server. If you can talk your network DNS guys into adding an "A" record for you machine, then you can just use the DNS to resolve the name.

If you are on a home network without a WINS server then you should use the IP address of the PC with which you are trying to sync.

[T-Will]

First, I've never gotten that MSNBC News link to work either and in fact it will lock up Media Player and my Pocket PC forcing me to soft reset, and yesterday it actually caused a hard reset....not good....I'm not too happy with Windows Media Slayer right now.

Second, the issue of Activesyncing over wireless. I have an ad-hoc network setup at home and I can Activesync fine through USB but I can't get connected as "PocketPC" over wireless. It will always connect as "Guest". Anyone know what's wrong?

[Pony99CA]

Internet/Internet/Work also seems to work. But neither of those allow me to use Active Sync wirelessly.
For ActiveSync to work wirelessly, you need to make sure on your TCP/IP configuration on the PDA that you have set the WINS address to the IP address of the desktop with which you want to sync. You also must first set up the partnership using USB, Serial or IR.

I of course have a partnership set up. I have also set WINS to my laptop's IP address (192.168.123.100 on my internal network). I also tried setting the DNS IP addresses to my ISP's DNS. Nothing has worked yet.

Steve

[T-Will]

Does the WINS address still need to be on the Pocket PC even though I am able to connect, but not as "PocketPC"?

[jdhill]

You wouldn't happen to be using an iPaq would you?

[Pony99CA]

You wouldn't happen to be using an iPaq would you?

If you're referring to me, yes. I have an iPAQ 3870. Why?

Steve

[Janak Parekh]

For ActiveSync to work wirelessly, you need to make sure on your TCP/IP configuration on the PDA that you have set the WINS address to the IP address of the desktop with which you want to sync.
Why? The WINS address points to a WINS server, which is only part of WinNT/2k/.NET server, and doesn't come with any workstation OS.

--bdj

[Leon]

Why? The WINS address points to a WINS server, which is only part of WinNT/2k/.NET server, and doesn't come with any workstation OS.
I'm not sure about why, but jdhill is right. See Chris DeHerrera's FAQ at http://www.cewindows.net/wce/wirelesslan.htm:
If you do not have a WINS server, you can enter the IP address of your desktop PC as the WINS server. This setting will allow you to synchronize using 802.11.
It worked for me - after I added the IP address of my desktop PC I was able to Active Sync wirelessly. The desktop PC is running Windows 2000 Professional, so not a server OS.

[jdhill]

You wouldn't happen to be using an iPaq would you?
If you're referring to me, yes. I have an iPAQ 3870. Why?

Steve
I remember seeing a known problem recently with ActiveSync on iPaqs connecting as Guest. I think that there may be a fix for this problem from Compaq. I recommend that you do a search on their support knowledge base. I don't have an iPaq, so I don't recall the details.

[jdhill]

For ActiveSync to work wirelessly, you need to make sure on your TCP/IP configuration on the PDA that you have set the WINS address to the IP address of the desktop with which you want to sync.
Why? The WINS address points to a WINS server, which is only part of WinNT/2k/.NET server, and doesn't come with any workstation OS.

--bdj
If you are on a business network that has a WINS server, you should use that WINS server's address (or allow DHCP to give you that WINS server's address).

If you are on a home network, then a Windows workstation can resolve its own name to an IP address as if it were a WINS server.

[Janak Parekh]

If you are on a business network that has a WINS server, you should use that WINS server's address (or allow DHCP to give you that WINS server's address).
Absolutely, and this is what I do with my DHCP subnets. Actually, I'll just use DNS so the host's name resolves without WINS if possible.

If you are on a home network, then a Windows workstation can resolve its own name to an IP address as if it were a WINS server.
Interesting--and weird. Windows workstations usually use NetBIOS-over-IP name resolution, i.e., broadcast. I didn't know (or, more likely, a Microsoft "hack") it could answer WINS-ish requests...

Anyway, thanks for the info.

--bdj

[T-Will]

Has anyone had a problem where USB works perfect but it will only connect as "Guest" over wireless??? (I'm using a Toshiba E570 with a Socket WLAN card).

[Johny]

I just got in my new Dell Axim, new wireless Linksys router, and Linksys Wireless CF card. I set everything up and can access the internet, but can not sync wirelessly. My settings are as follows: The router automatically obtains IP addresses. The DHCP is enabled but has 0's in theDNS and WINS settings. I have the Pocket PC set up to automatically obtain IPs and DNS and WINS. "When I click on my network card connects to work", I then can not connect to the internet but I also can not connect to the server. Can anybody PLEASE tell my what is going wrong. I waited three weeks to get the Axim in, and felt like throwing it at the wall the very first day!! Oh such aggravation!! Thanks for your help!!

[jdhill]

You need to add the IP address of your desktop in the WINS field on the Pocket PC. To find out what the IP address is on the desktop, go to Start/Run and type CMD then press Enter. Type IPCONFIG and press Enter. Record the IP address and enter it as the WINS address on the Pocket PC.

[Johny]

Thanks for the quick response, but I have a few more questions. I have four network adapters installed on the Pocket PC: AsyncMac1 NDISWAN Adapter, Instant Wireless Network CF Card, NE2000 Compatible Ethernet Driver, and PPTP1 NDISWAN Adapter. Do I just enter the IP into the WINS under the Wireless Network CF Card Adapter settings? I tried this and it is still not working. Also, if it is working correct, when I click on Activesync, will it show that it is connected as soon as it opens or only when i click connect? Thanks for your help.

[Pony99CA]

Also, if it is working correct, when I click on Activesync, will it show that it is connected as soon as it opens or only when i click connect? Thanks for your help.
I wondered the same thing. Will a wireless ActiveSync take effect immediately when any data file changes (assuming the host PC has ActiveSync set to Continuous) or does the user have to initiate the ActiveSync manually?

If it's done manually, can it be done from the Pocket PC? I'm assuming it can, otherwise there's not much point to it. :-)

Also, what should I see on my host PC's ActiveSync window?

I still haven't been able to sync over WiFi, but every other Internet program I have on my Pocket PC seems to work fine. :-(

Steve

[T-Will]

When you Activesync over Wifi it won't be connected when you open it on your Pocket PC.

Before you connect, the help file says that you have to have Outlook open on your PC. Then to connect you tap the sync button on your PPC. For me there's about a 3 second delay before my PC detects that my PPC is trying to connect to it. Then it just syncs like it was over a wired connection except it goes much faster. Also it will continously sync as if it were connected to your PC through wired.

There's an option in your PPC Activesync to have it automatically disconnect once the sync is done, otherwise it keeps an active connection which keeps your PPC turned on, so if you're not paying attention it could run down your batteries.

Also I noticed in my IP config the WINS address is some address that isn't even on my network, so maybe Activesync just requires that there be some random address entered there?

[yvilla]

When you Activesync over Wifi it won't be connected when you open it on your Pocket PC.

Before you connect, the help file says that you have to have Outlook open on your PC. Then to connect you tap the sync button on your PPC.

I've asked for help on this before, but no one answered. Can you help?

Problem is I cannot get to/find ActiveSync on my Pocket PC, thus cannot access either the "Tools" menu or the "Sync" button.

There is no shortcut or icon anywhere on my device--believe me I've searched! Do you know the name of the executable so I can find it that way? (I mean, with Resco File explorer, and all hidden/system files viewable).

I would be so grateful if you or anyone could help me with this!

EDIT: Just had a thought--even if you don't know the name of the executable, anyone out there with a PPC2002 device should be able to find it for me; please, using a file explorer, can't you just look at your shortcut and find the name and location of the target file?

[T-Will]

In Resco the schortcut shows up as (without quotes) ":MSSYNCAPP?\Windows\repllog.exe /remote" and by default the Activesync icon is right on the Start Menu.

[yvilla]

djtipmothee,

Thanks so much for replying. I'm still out of luck however. Tried to run that, and get an incorrect file or path error.

I had previously found repllog.exe in my Windows directory, and thought that was ActiveSync on the device. But when I try to run that (by itself), ActiveSync tantalizingly briefly opens up, tries to connect, but the Window immediately disappears on me, so I can't get to the Tools menu, etc.

Tried just now to also run repllog.exe with the "remote" argument, and I get the same thing--momentary open, then immediate close. How frustrating!

[T-Will]

Hrmmm, a hard reset will surely fix it, but I wonder if there's a tweak program out there that would restore the default shortcuts, or if there's any other ideas.

When you connect through USB you should be able to tap on the Activesync icon on your PPC and it will say connected then if you pull your PPC out of the cradle the Activesync window should stay open on your PPC. Try that and that might give you access to Activesync on your PPC.

[yvilla]

Still won't stay open.

Yeah, I was trying to avoid a hard reset, but it's probably the only answer. Wanted to at least wait until Audiovox came out with EUU3 to avoid going through that twice. I may just get brave and try the IPAQ EUU3, like a bunch of other e550G owners; then I should have ActiveSync back to normal. I really want to be able to sync wirelessly--mainly for the speed.

But thank you for trying to help!

[octop8]

One crucial thing I found when trying to activesync over WiFi is to set the activesync pass-through to Work (in Windows ActiveSync/Options/Rules). Then I make sure the Connections Manager second and third settings are set to Work. This way I don't even need to fiddle with WINS settings and I can sync wireless with no problems at all....didn't need Pocket Hosts or anything else....and with Resco Explorer, I can access all my shared folders and stream mp3 and mpeg directly over my home WiFi network. I follow Chris Herrera's recommendations for Connections Manager (http://www.cewindows.net/faqs/connectionmanager.htm) and everything seems to work fine without further tinkering...

[Pony99CA]

One crucial thing I found when trying to activesync over WiFi is to set the activesync pass-through to Work (in Windows ActiveSync/Options/Rules).

It took me a while to find this. Here is the correct procedure:

1. Open ActiveSync on the host PC.
2. Select the Tools menu (this was left out; I was looking for an Options menu).
3. Click the Options action.
4. Select the Rules tab.
5. In the Pass-Through section, select Work in the drop-down list.

I'm not sure why this would be necessary. I thought pass-through allowed your Pocket PC to access the Internet while connected via ActiveSync.

Unfortunately, I tried this and it didn't help. :-( It has seemed to prevent AIM from disconnecting when I cradle my iPAQ or remove it from the cradle, though.


Then I make sure the Connections Manager second and third settings are set to Work. This way I don't even need to fiddle with WINS settings and I can sync wireless with no problems at all....didn't need Pocket Hosts or anything else....and with Resco Explorer, I can access all my shared folders and stream mp3 and mpeg directly over my home WiFi network. I follow Chris Herrera's recommendations for Connections Manager (http://www.cewindows.net/faqs/connectionmanager.htm) and everything seems to work fine without further tinkering...

I've been to Chris' site, too, and nothing worked. :-(

Every other Internet application I have works just fine -- Inbox can download E-mail from my POP3 account, Pocket Internet Explorer can browse the Web, AIM and MSN Messenger work, vxUtil can ping various sites, etc.

One odd thing is that if use my iPAQ to ping my laptop's IP address (192.168.123.100), that works. If I ping my laptop by name (SHM-LAPTOP), the ping works, but shows an IP address of 216.34.94.186 (which is not my external IP address; it seems to belong to Dotster).

Steve

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

In my experience, WINS is NOT needed for a typical home setup. In fact, I did have issues in the past with my WiFi setup and, for whatever reason, removing WINS from my configuration solved my problem.

I just followed the advice of Leon and have my connection settings to Internet / Internet / Work and now I can do EVERYTHING (Internet, File Sharing, ActiveSync).

What I did do was use my desktop IP address (my ICS machine) as my PPC gateway and my ISP DNS as my PPC DNS. WINS is left blank. PPC IP address is hard-set to 192.168.0.4 while my ICS Desktop has 192.168.0.1.

[Janak Parekh]

One odd thing is that if use my iPAQ to ping my laptop's IP address (192.168.123.100), that works. If I ping my laptop by name (SHM-LAPTOP), the ping works, but shows an IP address of 216.34.94.186 (which is not my external IP address; it seems to belong to Dotster).
Ah, I think I know what your problem is - it's name resolution. If SHM-LAPTOP doesn't ping the correct address, ActiveSync will never work.

Pocket Hosts is a tool written by MVP Marc Zimmerman, and is the second link on this page (http://www.zimac.de/software.htm). It lets you force a name to resolve to a particular address, much like editing the HOSTS file on your PC. Try setting up your IP with that, and see if you can ping it. You should be more successful with ActiveSync if the name of the machine it thinks it's syncing with resolves correctly.

Oh, and don't bother with WINS - this tool will accomplish the same thing with less hassle. WINS was useful in the days before dynamic DNS, but it's almost a relic now for legacy networks. :)

--janak

[Pony99CA]

One odd thing is that if use my iPAQ to ping my laptop's IP address (192.168.123.100), that works. If I ping my laptop by name (SHM-LAPTOP), the ping works, but shows an IP address of 216.34.94.186 (which is not my external IP address; it seems to belong to Dotster).
Ah, I think I know what your problem is - it's name resolution. If SHM-LAPTOP doesn't ping the correct address, ActiveSync will never work.

Pocket Hosts is a tool written by MVP Marc Zimmerman, and is the second link on this page (http://www.zimac.de/software.htm). It lets you force a name to resolve to a particular address, much like editing the HOSTS file on your PC. Try setting up your IP with that, and see if you can ping it. You should be more successful with ActiveSync if the name of the machine it thinks it's syncing with resolves correctly.

Oh, and don't bother with WINS - this tool will accomplish the same thing with less hassle. WINS was useful in the days before dynamic DNS, but it's almost a relic now for legacy networks. :)

Pocket Hosts did the trick. :D I can now sync over my WiFi link. You win the virtual beer! :beer:

I think I may have even found the culprit. In my router's DHCP client settings, I had put in a domain name of svvg.com just for fun. When I deleted that, I was able to ping SHM-LAPTOP by name from my Pocket PC without the Pocket Hosts mapping. :oops:

However, when I tried to ping my iPAQ (SHM_iPAQ_3870) by name, I got that incorrect 216.34.94.186 IP address, but pinging 192.168.123.102 worked fine. I assume that could be solved by updating the Hosts file on my laptop, but I'd like to know exactly why the names don't resolve. This happened both before and after removing svvg.com from my router configuration. I have DNS disabled and no WINS setting on my laptop's network card TCP/IP properties if that matters.

Finally, I've also noticed that my WiFi router DHCP client list shows host names for my laptop and my daughter's laptop, but not my Pocket PC. Is that something similar?

Anyway, thanks again for the help. The important thing is that I can now sync wirelessly. :-)

Steve

[Janak Parekh]

Pocket Hosts did the trick. :D I can now sync over my WiFi link. You win the virtual beer! :beer:
Thanks ;)

I think I may have even found the culprit. In my router's DHCP client settings, I had put in a domain name of svvg.com just for fun. When I deleted that, I was able to ping SHM-LAPTOP by name from my Pocket PC without the Pocket Hosts mapping. :oops:
Interesting. So NetBIOS broadcast name resolution is working on Pocket PC? I didn't think that would work. Or have you set the desktop machine in the WINS address on the Pocket PC?

However, when I tried to ping my iPAQ (SHM_iPAQ_3870) by name, I got that incorrect 216.34.94.186 IP address, but pinging 192.168.123.102 worked fine.
That's kind of weird. Try an "nslookup SHM_IPAQ_3870" and see if there's a DNS server that's answering the question somewhere. Also try playing with the nbtstat tool; it'll tell you how it found NetBIOS names.

Finally, I've also noticed that my WiFi router DHCP client list shows host names for my laptop and my daughter's laptop, but not my Pocket PC. Is that something similar?
Well, as part of the DHCP protocol you can supply a hostname when you request a lease on an IP address. It's possible the Pocket PC doesn't; I haven't checked. I'm not sure if that's related to your problems, though.

--janak

[Pony99CA]

I think I may have even found the culprit. In my router's DHCP client settings, I had put in a domain name of svvg.com just for fun. When I deleted that, I was able to ping SHM-LAPTOP by name from my Pocket PC without the Pocket Hosts mapping. :oops:
Interesting. So NetBIOS broadcast name resolution is working on Pocket PC? I didn't think that would work. Or have you set the desktop machine in the WINS address on the Pocket PC?

I have my primary WINS set to my laptop.


However, when I tried to ping my iPAQ (SHM_iPAQ_3870) by name, I got that incorrect 216.34.94.186 IP address, but pinging 192.168.123.102 worked fine.
That's kind of weird. Try an "nslookup SHM_IPAQ_3870" and see if there's a DNS server that's answering the question somewhere. Also try playing with the nbtstat tool; it'll tell you how it found NetBIOS names.

I don't seem to have nslookup. Here is the output from nbstat:


C:\>nbtstat -n


Node IpAddress: [192.168.123.100] Scope Id: []
NetBIOS Local Name Table

Name Type Status
---------------------------------------------
SHM-LAPTOP &lt;00> UNIQUE Registered
MPATH &lt;00> GROUP Registered
SHM-LAPTOP &lt;03> UNIQUE Registered
SHM-LAPTOP &lt;20> UNIQUE Registered
MPATH &lt;1E> GROUP Registered
SHM &lt;03> UNIQUE Registered
MPATH &lt;1D> UNIQUE Registered
..__MSBROWSE__.&lt;01> GROUP Registered


Just to be clear, I was trying to ping SHM_iPAQ_3870 from my laptop, not my Pocket PC. Pinging by name from my Pocket PC works just fine, both cradled and via WiFi.


Finally, I've also noticed that my WiFi router DHCP client list shows host names for my laptop and my daughter's laptop, but not my Pocket PC. Is that something similar?
Well, as part of the DHCP protocol you can supply a hostname when you request a lease on an IP address. It's possible the Pocket PC doesn't; I haven't checked. I'm not sure if that's related to your problems, though.

I don't know, either. :-( The router shows the MAC address of my iPAQ's WiFi card, but no name. It's not a big deal, but it does make spotting any unauthorized connections easier if there's a computer name there. As I only allow three MAC addresses to connect to my router, though, it's probably not something I need to worry about much.

Steve

[yvilla]

Hrmmm, a hard reset will surely fix it, but I wonder if there's a tweak program out there that would restore the default shortcuts, or if there's any other ideas.


Well, I finally bit the bullet and did a hard reset yesterday. It took all day, reinstalling everything, etc. It got so late I couldn't even stay awake long enough to try to sync wirelessly last night (this morning really).

But it worked! :multi: I was never so happy as when I saw the ActiveSync icon back in my Start menu! And this morning all I had to do was pop in the wifi card, tap on that blessed icon and then "sync", and I was connected.

I just wanted to thank djtipmothee (and really everyone else who posts here in response to pleas for help) for trying to help me out!

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

Well, I finally bit the bullet and did a hard reset yesterday. It took all day, reinstalling everything, etc. It got so late I couldn't even stay awake long enough to try to sync wirelessly last night (this morning really).

But it worked! :multi: I was never so happy as when I saw the ActiveSync icon back in my Start menu!

It's absolutely SICKENING the things that'll make us geeks happy!! Spending an entire day reinstalling apps to fix a bug... and we've ALL been there before too!! :P :P

[Janak Parekh]

It's absolutely SICKENING the things that'll make us geeks happy!!
It's not THAT sickening. Would you rather spend the day in a store looking for the perfect pair of shoes? ;)

--janak

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

It's not THAT sickening. Would you rather spend the day in a store looking for the perfect pair of shoes? ;)
:rofl:

Now THAT'S funny!!

[Pony99CA]

It's absolutely SICKENING the things that'll make us geeks happy!!
It's not THAT sickening. Would you rather spend the day in a store looking for the perfect pair of shoes? ;)

It could be worse, Janak. You could spend all day looking for this:

http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,1658,230013,00.jpg

Steve

[ecc1218]

Thanks for all the posts, however after following all the threads and tutorials that I can find, I still cannot activesync via my wireless connection. I have a Toshiba e740 and a dlink 614+ router. The really strange thing is that it works, but only after I have connected the laptop and the PPC via Microsoft Protrait (I was testing the video capabilities). Even after I shut down Portrait, it still works for a while afterwords. Anyone have any ideas?

[Janak Parekh]

ecc1218,

When you can't activesync, can you still connect to the Internet?

I'd suggest you download a copy of vxUtil (http://www.cam.com/vxutil.html) and see if you can ping your desktop.

--janak

[ecc1218]

[/quote]

The internet connection always works. I have vxUtil, and can ping the desktop by IP, or by name when using pockethosts. I've followed most of the advice I've seen in various forums and it still doesn't work. Portrait is the only thing that's worked (go figure), and its driving me insane.

[Janak Parekh]

Hmm, that gives me an idea. Are you running a software firewall on your desktop? It's possible that MS Portrait "opens the ports" so that ActiveSync works for a while, and then the firewall closes them after some idle time. Try disabling any such app on your desktop and see if that does the trick.

--janak

[ecc1218]

No firewall software on the desktop, and it doesn't *appear* that the router is blocking anything.

[Janak Parekh]

Hmm. Then I don't know. You've checked to see if the wireless router has firmware upgrades, right? Other than that, it's difficult to say without actually seeing it.

--janak

[Nerve]

hey guys.. i just got a compactflash 802.11b card and i put it into my audiovox maestro. i followed the instructions, but somehow im not getting it working. when i visit any website - it still keeps on saying "the page you are looking for cannot be found" in fact i dont even get a "configure your connections" message box. my wireless network is a syslink. i dont think i need to use proxy, cause i dont have any firewalls put up yet. so can u ya help me guys?

[Stephen Beesley]

Well now thanks to the help I have recieved from a number of people here I am able to browse my work network wirelessly and I can get the Ipaq to sync with a designated laptop, but what I cannot do is sync with the exchange server or get Pocket IE to work.

When I try to sync with the server I get a message saying that no network is detected (even though I can ping the Ipaqs ip address fine and, as I said browse the network drives). As far as I can see I have the server name etc entered correctly but no joy - any ideas?

As for Pocket IE I am having the same problem as Nerve:

i followed the instructions, but somehow im not getting it working. when i visit any website - it still keeps on saying "the page you are looking for cannot be found" in fact i dont even get a "configure your connections" message box. my wireless network is a syslink. i dont think i need to use proxy, cause i dont have any firewalls put up yet. so can u ya help me guys?

Any ideas what settings I might be getting wrong? I have connection manager set to work settings/work settings/work and our connection does not use a proxy.

Goldgee