Running Windows CE ActiveSync Using a Modem

ID: Q192509

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows CE Services versions 2.0, 2.1
Microsoft Windows 95
Microsoft Windows 98

SUMMARY

This article describes how to configure a Windows CE 2.0 or 2.1 device to run ActiveSync with a Windows 95-based or Windows 98-based computer over a modem. To do this, you must configure the desktop computer as a remote access server.

MORE INFORMATION

Preliminary Steps

For Windows 95-based computers, you must install the Dial-Up Networking (DUN) 2.1 Upgrade. For information about this upgrade, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
```
      ARTICLE-ID: Q186031
      TITLE     : WinCE: How to Install the Dial-Up Networking 1.2 Upgrade
```
The modems on the desktop computer and the Windows CE device must already be configured and working correctly.
Your Windows CE device must already be able to connect to the desktop computer with the serial cable. If you cannot connect with the serial cable, see the Windows CE Services Help. In the Mobile Devices folder, click Windows CE Services Help Topics on the Help menu, click Contents, and then click Troubleshooting.
It is important to first perform an ActiveSync with the serial cable. This sets up a host name connection between your desktop computer and your H/PC. To use ActiveSync with a serial cable:
1. Connect your Windows CE device to your desktop computer with the
```
      serial cable.
```
2. On the Windows CE device, tap Start, tap Programs, tap
```
      Communications, and then tap ActiveSync.
```
3. Under "Choose a method to connect to the selected desktop computer,"
```
      tap "Serial Port @ <xxxxxx>," where <xxxxxx> is the connection speed
      you are using. The default speed is 19,200 bits per second (bps). To
      check your default connection speed, tap Start, tap Settings, tap
      Control Panel, double-tap Communications, tap the PC Connection tab,
      and check the Connect Using line.
```
If you are having problems connecting using a serial cable, see the Windows CE Services Help. In the Mobile Devices folder, click Windows CE Services Help Topics on the Help menu, click Contents, click Troubleshooting, and then click Communication Problems.

Setup Steps on the Desktop Computer

1. Disconnect your Windows CE device if it is connected.

2. Open the Mobile Devices folder.

3. On the File menu, click Communications. In the Port Settings box, click

   the modem you want to use. When you do this, your Windows 95/98-based
   computer is automatically set to answer calls from your Windows CE
   device. You do not have to manually configure the computer to accept
   calls.

   If you do not set the Port Settings to receive calls on the modem, you
   will see the following error message

      Cannot Start communications with the desktop computer. No carrier
      was detected on the communications port. Please verify that the
      communications line is connected and active.

   This may mislead you to believe that there are problems with your modem
   when it is just an incorrect setting in the Mobile Devices folder.

Setup Steps on the Windows CE Device

The Windows CE device must have a DUN connection configured to dial your desktop computer.

1. Tap Start, tap Programs, tap Communications, and then tap Remote

   Networking.

2. Double-tap Make New Connection.

3. Type a descriptive name for the connection such as "ActiveSync Using

   Modem."

4. In the Connection Type box, tap Dial-Up.

5. Tap Next. Verify that your modem is selected in the "Select the device

   you want to use" box.

6. Tap TCP/IP Settings.

7. Tap to clear the Server-Assigned IP Address check box. Enter the

   following IP address:

      192.168.55.100

8. Tap to clear the Use Slip check box.

9. Tap to select the following check boxes:

      Use Software Compression
      Use IP header Compression

10. Tap OK.

11. Type your computer's phone number, and then tap Finish.

Other Issues

You need to leave your modem on and your desktop computer running and logged on.
In testing, it is best not to have a password. After you connect and confirm that ActiveSync works, set up a password. To configure a password for your Windows remote access server, double-click My Computer, double-click Dial-Up Networking, click Dial-Up Server on the Connections menu, click the Modem tab, and then click Change Password.
If you are using Microsoft Outlook, make sure you are not loading the Fax service when you start Outlook. The Fax service overrides the Server services. Because your Windows CE-based device is not a Fax machine, when it tries to connect it will connect and then hang up. Also, make sure that no other Fax programs are starting autmatically.

Troubleshooting

If your Windows CE device connects and then disconnects from the desktop computer, watch as your Windows CE device synchronizes with your desktop computer using the serial cable. There have been reported cases in which the ISP Connection dialog box appears, trying to connect to your ISP. Tapping Cancel allows the Windows CE device to connect.

However, this can cause problems with the Windows CE device trying to synchronize using the remote access server. If this is the case, your Windows CE Device connects and then disconnects when you dial your desktop computer. To work around this issue:

1. Right-click the Internet Explorer icon, and then click Properties.

2. On the Connection tab, click "Connect to the Internet using a local

   area network."

3. Click OK.

NOTE: After you make this change, Internet Explorer does not dial your ISP automatically when you want to connect to the Internet. You must open the Dial-Up Networking folder, start the connection that dials your ISP, and then start Internet Explorer.

Additional notes about ActiveSync from the Windows CE Services Readme.txt file:

   If you use the ActiveSync program on your mobile device to make a
   synchronization connection, the desktop computer will not automatically
   display message windows such as error messages, Combine / Discard,
   conflict resolution, file converter selection, etc. If you see a
   message on the device while using ActiveSync that says "Connected,
   synchronization error. Combine/Discard required on the desktop
   computer." or if some items persistently remain out-of-date after
   synchronization, you will need to make a local connection using a
   serial cable or infrared (i.e., not using ActiveSync on the device)
   to see the message windows needed to resolve these problem

Additional query words: RAS

Keywords          : kbenv wince 
Version           : WINDOWS:2.0,2.1,95
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbhowto

Last Reviewed: February 25, 1999