USB / ActiveSync / Internet connection, using Desktop PC

USB / ActiveSync / Internet connection, using Desktop PC - JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General

Hi,
A newbie, dummy, etc to the WM5.0, o2 xda exec device and what not + great to see this resource out there. I have got no WiFi or BlueTooth setup, the device set me back heavily for a good little while ;-)
Meanwhile attempting to develop some apps at home, I am trying to avoid O2's call plan data usage and connect to desktop PC (ie. some custom TCP apps running on it) as well as attempt to use its internet connection via USB/ActiveSync.
Have looked around for hours, hit google and more, and all I could find is help topic in ActiveSync : 'Use ActiveSync to "pass through" this computer, which of course I can't see working. For example, pocket IE just comes back with 'address is not valid' for any IP address I specify.
I can see the IP addresses associated with ActiveSync, ping them etc. but for the life of me I can't figure out what's required to use the pocket IE or any TCP client on the device to see the desktop's IP address or use its internet connection.
Any help greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Andy

In ActiveSync, go to connection setting. At the box "This computer is connected to", choose "The Internet".
It suppose to work now.

Thanks for the prompt reply. Have tried that, and what it presents is 'automatic', 'work', and 'internet'. I would have imagined it would present an option to chose my dial-up connection but nope, only those three choices are there.
None of them work, my setup does use a USB modem but I suspect that might not be a problem (although ActiveSync (4.1) seeems to be touchy about other USB devices judging by some web searches).
What I do see is a new Local Area Connection in network control panel for the mobile device. All its IP properties are set to automatic (private IP is automatic too). Event Log on the desktop doesn't report anything wrong either.
I try to use IP adrresses as URLs in Pocket IE only, hence it eliminates DNS issues or similar. I've also wiped the firewall to make sure it is not interfering in any way but still no luck.
What I am wondering now is whether this automagically works for others, if they had to add new modem connection or something on the device, and whether they had to enable Internet Connection Sharing on their dial-up (which I tried and messed up IP addresses and DHCP to some extent so I reverted back).
Any hints where I could be screwing up appreciated.
Regards,
Andy

From what I understand reading all day long (won't give up easy, is that pass thru is achieved through layered LSPs but somehow it's not working (question being does it really work with an USB/Dial up broadband).
And miserably failing at it, the network connection given to PC has following:
DHCP enabled
IP-Address : 169.254.2.2
Subnet-Mask: 255.255.255.0
Defeault-Gateway: (none specified)
DHCP Server is the Windows CE device and given address 169.254.2.1.
I would appreciate if someone can share their (working) Remote-NDIS Host settings from device in Settings/Network Cards/The Internet.
Thanks in advance.

Found and grabbed the settings off the web and some other forums, (169.254.2.1, and subnet mask of 255.255.255.0), things get "better".
"better" = another mega piece of nonsense.
R-NDIS Host now reconfigured, Pocket IE is still unable to use the USB dial-up broadband (no USB hubs involved on the desktop pc btw)
By some odd accident, started the MSN and while it refuses to check mail or similar (edit: it did allow it eventually), its chat features are working perfectly fine. Looking at desktop trace it goes off to :
ip48.hotmail-ppe.com via https
While that will return nothing to a browser based setup it certainly manages to use the desktop PC's connection as wireless is totally off on the device (called flight mode off is it, or similar?).
If anyone has seen or could explain this, or what on earth to do to get the IE (which consistently refuses with 'The address is not valid') to see the desktops connection from here, I'll be their slave for a week ;-)
Regards,
Andy

Matter solved, notified the networking and hopefully they pass it to IE team.
Put simply, write your own web-browser and it'll work
;-)

layman said:
Found and grabbed the settings off the web and some other forums, (169.254.2.1, and subnet mask of 255.255.255.0), things get "better".
"better" = another mega piece of nonsense.
R-NDIS Host now reconfigured, Pocket IE is still unable to use the USB dial-up broadband (no USB hubs involved on the desktop pc btw)
By some odd accident, started the MSN and while it refuses to check mail or similar (edit: it did allow it eventually), its chat features are working perfectly fine. Looking at desktop trace it goes off to :
ip48.hotmail-ppe.com via https
While that will return nothing to a browser based setup it certainly manages to use the desktop PC's connection as wireless is totally off on the device (called flight mode off is it, or similar?).
If anyone has seen or could explain this, or what on earth to do to get the IE (which consistently refuses with 'The address is not valid') to see the desktops connection from here, I'll be their slave for a week ;-)
Regards,
Andy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The fact that you can see the new Local Area Connection (Windows Mobile-based Device #..) proves that your Pocket is connected with your PC.
The “Remote NDIS Host” setting can be “IP address allocated by server” (then you may have an error message, but you should share the PC internet connection with the Pocket), or “Specific IP address” 169.254.2.1 (Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0).
So, your problem may come from the connection that PIE is trying to use.
The settings of “Parameter/Connections/Connections/Advanced/Select Networks” should be “Work Network” (réseau de bureau in French) in which :
General = parameters set name
Modem = “empty”
[VPN = “empty”]
Proxy parameters = “This network connecting to Internet” ticked
“This network connecting to Internet through a proxy server” NOT ticked (unless you are connecting to internet through a proxy server).
Sometimes, when you change from GSM/GPRS/UMTS networks, you must soft reset the Pocket to make sure that PIE will use the newly selected network.
In my case my PC is connected to the ADSL modem through a router, which is used as a DHCP server. Then my pocket is getting an IP address by the router in my local network range (different than 169.254.2.1). I don’t know if the connection of the modem on USB can be a problem, but I don’t think so.
You mentioned “some custom TCP apps running on” the PC, did you try without?
Good luck

Had similar Problem ....
Hi Layman,
Your problem sounds very similar to mine - except that I have a cable connection rather dial-up. Differences aside:
I had a machine at work where I plug-in my XDA and it works fine with the inernet.
It refused to work at home. To cut a long story short ... Check your settings are correct, and DO NOT SHARE THE INTERNET on your machine.
On my XP at home I had a bridge (or connection sharing). Once I deinstalled that everything worked. The symptoms were simialr to yours, I can ping local machines but cannot go to the interenet.
My setup at home,
XP Home Edition
USB connection
Activesync 4.1
CABLE modem connected to a wireless/wired switch router.
This machine is connected to the switch.
NO Internet connection sharing.
Hope thi shelps.
Hope this helps...

Thanks to both of you for reply, I pretty much took it as IE bug and slashed out under (real identity at MS guys but no harm meant etc. All a good thing.
------------------------------------
Glaps, cheers, have tried that on number of occasions and what was weird is that it kept coming back checked, or that everything would be unchecked. I just did the tests again
As per earlier posts I switched to purely flight mode (no wireless), so soft reset wasn't required. Having said that and looking at it, I can confirm the My Work connection to use Internet (not proxy) gets unchecked
on every soft reset (perhaps another bug? Yep, it's a BUG ).
Even in a single boot, when I triple, quadruple checked the proxy was not on and that the setting was still unchecked, and that IE was available on Work connection PIE wouldn't connect. I think I did a hard reset about 100 times as well and none of it helped. I've tried probably 20 variations on the theme with many settings. The fact remained IE-irony was the only app unusable.
(This pretty much makes the Connection/Settings on ActiveSync4.1 to use pass through for work or internet irrelevant, it should be all automatic. I think the idea of it all was that RNDIS and that DTLP feature is intelligent enough to figure out what's local network (work) or internet. Frankly I think it was a mistake taking that route for one scenario at least, but time will tell, no point speculating and certainly off topic..)

------------------------------------
RedJupiter, cheers. I can confirm the above holds for the disabling of Internet Conn Sharing too. It is not a deciding factor for the device or more correctly Pocket IE. With or without ICS, all applications apart from IE work.
To add to this (and encourage the debate perhaps, at least others/I can learn more from other experiences), in the last 3 days I've seen numerous posts on how to configure ActiveSync 4.1 'correctly' (heck even the install is labeled wrong, 4.0, speaks volumes). Suggestions ranging to enable IP routing in registry on desktop XP box, to enable NetBios over TCP/IP, to configure WINS, DNS etc. All of which I just don't see affecting much at all (at least in my own setup)
Here it is a USB modem, no routers, simple Dell 9100 box. So two USBs used: one for device and one for broadband modem. (will post the ROM versions and other stuff later). Ops, add another one for keyboard but surely that shouldn't do interrupts or something ;-
Custom app HTTP requests succeed with no problem at all, all other apps work with internet too. Pocket IE stands out.
Hope I am proven 'wrong', it really don't matter on that front. It's just that I can't test with Pocket IE and must give money to provider just to use the browser with settings (MyISP) that will probably make it work (which btw, I haven't setup yet; and will be surprised if that solves this problem instead . Call it avoiding O2's 'mega-bloat-software' install that smashes the device effect, so I am even scared to set the ISP up since that freezing cold experience lol.
( was an intro, but consider it ignorable as it is just early experience:
Above all together only part of the story because the whole thing is as unstable as it gets, the device (OS really) can get really shaken when running low on memory. Files get deleted as you watch them, ActiveSync can return consistent 0x8007000E error on the device (wonder if anyone is checking this really) although plenty of free RAM is on it. Google just solidifies all this with the number of hits and problems related, but things ActiveSync can do (like add files) are just beyond any bug reason; it needs to be scrapped really and alternatives are available so no more moaning from me there).
Ok just one more , what's more things get far more messy when you involve VS 2005, bugs in all OS-es with SSL usage, cert handicaps, you name it. I guess that tells what I am doing with the desktop, simply
trying to do a full roundtrip and test my own server running on desktop. Turned out a web client was required so went down the route to host the browser and pump the HTTP/S myself. Of course, turns out there are issues with the TCP/IP Winsock interface and limitations not only related to authentification and certificates but more, but it's a start. Besides, I am glad I can hit websites from the device (not just desktop debugging)
Eventful 4 days, and all I can conclude is that coming back to software+hardware, jack changed in last 6 years of software 'advances'. Yet you'll see new AKUs, new issues and what not before all the other important bits are resolved first.. But .NET adoption will keep smashing those devices until they figure out it's not sensible having it at all if all software that will run on it would use it like its Free Money Monday every day; not until they sort out the desktop GUI and RAM eating experience first; and it will still all be classified as 'vis ta bloat' OS. )
Rant over
------------------------------
Device : O2 EXEC DELETE * O2 FROM [CABs]
ROM version: 1.13.82 WWE (ROM Date: 11/30/05)
Radio version: 1.04.02
Protocol version: 42.37.P8
ExtROM version: 1.13.188 WWE

Related

Browsing LAN from PPC

Is it possible to browse my LAN from my XDAII using only my USB cradle? I'm using Resco Explorer. I tried this:
1. Select My Network root directory
2. Selected Map Drive... from the Advanced Toolbar
... to no avail.

Open up internet explorer. Put in the address bar the following \\"computer name or IP of computer" then click on the little go button and waa laa it will work. The go button doesn't say go, but in essence it is the same it is to the right of the address bar.
Mike

As far as I was aware it's not possible to browse network files from an XDA2 unless you use an SDIO wi-fi card, and sure enough I can't get Mikee's suggestion to work. If I type into IE's address bar '\\192.168.1.100' and click Go, that gets replaced with 'file//\\192.168.1.100\' (almost like it's trying to connect for me) but then immediately I get a 'Network path cannot be found' error.
Pity, cos it'd be great to be able to do this. Perhaps I'm doing something wrong, Mikee?

You can partially blame Microsoft for this with their "My network card connects to {work} or {the internet}..." paradigm.
It's one of the most irritating things about the Windows Mobile OS.
Let's suppose you have a Wireless Card or (in my XDAIIi's case) internal Wireless turned on. By default, WinMob2003(&SE) decides arbitarily that your network card connects to the Internet.
This is fine if you are using a Wireless AP hooked up to ADSL at home for your Home LAN as it will just connect via your AP and go straight through to the Internet. However, guess what you have to do to be able to connect to any local machines on your LAN? You guessed it, you have to go into the advanced connection setting and change the "My network card connects to..." to "Work"!! You will then be able to map a drive either using Resco Explorer or even the inbuilt explorer, of any machine that your PPC can "see". Don't forget that permissions etc will need to be setup first though so that you can login to said machine.
That's fine, however, guess what you WON'T be able to do while you have that setting at "Work"? You guessed it, you WON'T be able to connect to the Internet!
I'm afraid it's either one OR the other and NOT both together.
I went through all this wireless bit because it equally applies to when you are simply connected via the cradle using Activesync. In the "Pass-through" settings of AS, you'll find it set to "The Internet" by default and like this, you will not be able to access local machines on the LAN connected via your desktop or a switch/hub. If you change it to "Work", however, you will. Then of course, the same applies as to the wireless setup. With it at "Work" you won't have access to "The Internet" and vice-versa.
I can only guess that the PPC situation is like this because the WinMob2003(&SE) OS does NOT have a FULL network client built into it that behaves as a Windows Desktop PC would. So, basically, it's a cludge.

strange , im using the XDA2s and my wifi settings are set to see internet , but in file explore or rosco file explorer they both see my lan fine in file exlore all i doo is click on the netfolder ickon at the bottom and then enter \\ (then the computer name) eg \\bedroompc this works both for my work network and home
henny

Firstly, my apologies for the double post above. I only pushed the submit button once, honest!
I was actually describing the "standard" way that all of O2's XDA's get setup when they are first turned on from new and that means that usually, under "Connections", "Select Networks" then "Network Management", you will normally see "My ISP" in the top box for progs that automatically connect to the Internet and "My Work Network" in the lower box for progs that automatically connect to a private network and this is where the problem lays.
In hindsight, I wasn't particularly helpful to Tetragrammaton since I didn't provide the actual solution he was looking for simply because I got too wrapped up in bashing the PPC's network client (or lack of a full one anyway...)
The solution is of course to simply make the bottom box equal to the top box (i.e. "My ISP") and immediately this will change the behaviour to that as you so correctly described (being able to connect to the Internet and to a Local LAN machine simultaneously) and will obviate the need to swap the destination of the Network Card settings themselves (which only gives one way connectivity with Wireless anyway).
I'm guessing that your machine is set this way Henny? Which of course will work as you describe.
The only caveat to doing this is that you disable the O2 WAP settings (which are normally configured under the "My Work Network" part) but whether this is a great loss is a moot point. In any case, the lower box in "Network Management" can always be switched back temporarily should you need the WAP settings back.
I hope this has now helped Tetragrammaton to get up and running...

I should hastely add that my offered solution in the last post still won't allow you to browse LAN machines while connected in the cradle (I've just tried it) so if anyone knows a way to do this, I would be interested...

CPNowell said:
I should hastely add that my offered solution in the last post still won't allow you to browse LAN machines while connected in the cradle (I've just tried it) so if anyone knows a way to do this, I would be interested...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would be too.. anyways, thanks a lot y'all for the info.

CPNowell said:
I should hastely add that my offered solution in the last post still won't allow you to browse LAN machines while connected in the cradle (I've just tried it) so if anyone knows a way to do this, I would be interested...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't been able to try your suggestion yet, but just so we're clear, you're talking about browsing the files on LAN machines while the XDA2 (not 2i or 2s) is connected via ActiveSync? I think that's what tetragrammaton was asking in the original post. I have a suspicion that this post has been taken over with discussions about browsing the LAN using a wi-fi connection, not ActiveSync... :roll: Of course the XDA2 (which tetragrammaton mentions) doesn't have wi-fi

SiliconS said:
I haven't been able to try your suggestion yet, but just so we're clear, you're talking about browsing the files on LAN machines while the XDA2 (not 2i or 2s) is connected via ActiveSync? I think that's what tetragrammaton was asking in the original post. I have a suspicion that this post has been taken over with discussions about browsing the LAN using a wi-fi connection, not ActiveSync... :roll: Of course the XDA2 (which tetragrammaton mentions) doesn't have wi-fi
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True and you are absolutely right on all counts. Browsing LAN machines via activesync using an XDAII in a USB cradle.

CPNowell said:
SiliconS said:
CPNowell said:
I should hastely add that my offered solution in the last post still won't allow you to browse LAN machines while connected in the cradle (I've just tried it) so if anyone knows a way to do this, I would be interested...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't been able to try your suggestion yet, but just so we're clear, you're talking about browsing the files on LAN machines while the XDA2 (not 2i or 2s) is connected via ActiveSync? I think that's what tetragrammaton was asking in the original post. I have a suspicion that this post has been taken over with discussions about browsing the LAN using a wi-fi connection, not ActiveSync... :roll: Of course the XDA2 (which tetragrammaton mentions) doesn't have wi-fi
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True and you are absolutely right on all counts. Browsing LAN machines via activesync using an XDAII in a USB cradle.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In that case I'm confused . Sorry. If it doesn't work in the cradle, but you're not talking about doing it through a wi-fi connection, what does your solution actually do? Apologies if I'm being a bit thick here - I'm ill with the 'flu.
I'm nervous about starting to mess about with the connections settings on my XDA2 just so that I can browse files on the network - every time I do this I end up screwing them up. I don't understand them at all and usually a hard reset with the auto-config is the only way to get it all working again. :roll:

I'll do a synopsis of this thread so far this evening. Bit tied up at work at the moment. Hope that's ok...

This has been covered many many times. It is impossible as currently set up. The best way to achieve this is to buy Pocket LAN, it works perfectly

I've had a quick look at that but that would be for just Wireless LAN connectivity, right? ...and as has already been pointed out to me (correctly), the original question was not about wireless.

NO!!!! This works through active sync with the xda in the cradle, worked on xda2 and 2i for me. Actually it is a bit of a waste of money as i never use it, though it seemed agreat idea at the time.

barney12345 said:
NO!!!! This works through active sync with the xda in the cradle, worked on xda2 and 2i for me. Actually it is a bit of a waste of money as i never use it, though it seemed agreat idea at the time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've googled "Pocket LAN" and came up with a bunch of hits though none of them seem to be the right hit. If Pocket LAN seems to do the trick of accessing a network via the USB cradle only, could you post the link to Pocket LAN? Thanks!

http://www.pocketlance.com/register/index.shtml it says for ce or 2002 but works on 2003 and 2003se.
Hope this helps

You can find it (PocketLAN) here...
http://www.pocketgear.com/software_detail.asp?id=2825
Contrary to what Barney found, it didn't work at all for my XDAIIi in the cradle. The usual "network path not found" was all it could muster...
Even wirelessly I found it cumbersome and a bit iffy at connecting to machines at times. It does no more than Resco Explorers built-in network stuff. It also seeks to start messing with the device name etc and generally "muscle-in" and take over... Resco Exp does it without fuss, quietly and efficiently. More importantly, it works everytime but I'm afraid even it can't manage to connect to LAN machines through the cradle and AS.
Sorry about no (promised) post last night. Just didn't get the time. I'll try again for later today.

http://www.pocketlance.com/ try this link as well you can get a trial download

Pls help save my sanity

I recently bought the JJ and love it EXCEPT for one issue. I am totally unable to surf the net with any method other than GPRS. I have a Netgear router connected to my desktop and my broadband connection, and run a wireless network with my tablet PC. Before I upgraded, my IIi had no trouble syncing (I know AS 4 doesn't support this) or using IE to surf the net wirelessly. I never had to change any settings on my wifi network.
With the JJ, it connects, gives me a decent looking IP address, but immediately following connection, it kills the Wifi network. Neither the desktop or tablet PC can connect to the internet via the cable modem attached to the router anymore, and what's worse, AS crashes and will no longer synchronise the JJ (which is hooked up to the Tablet via USB). Spb Weather subsequently no longer syncs, either. The only solution I found is that I can reboot the router (the technical term for pulling the plug out of the socket and then putting it back in) AFTER I disconnect the JJ. I can go online again then with everything excep the JJ of course. Unfortunately, I have found no way to reconnect my JJ to AS without doing a hard reset (which I've already had to do twice!).
I know that I can get on the internet using my AS connection because I can update Spb weather, check email, etc. via the USB connection, but yet I cannot get IE to connect. What am I doing wrong?
Please help me complete the one thing that would make the JJ the best PDA I have ever had.

routers and activesync
Microsoft are working on this and other activesync issues. a new AS version will be available in November, so they promise...
Be aware though that in my experience, the worst configuration problems come from routers, and defining network segments... are u using windows xp, maybe network bridging the connection to JJ with the tablet pc could help, u might need to fiddle a bit with the created bridge, like disable enable bridge/connections, etc... this is how i could have tried to do it anyways...
good luck dude, it took me once five days to sort out a wireless connection via routing, and another time I just returned the kit I just bought from netgear to replace it with a one from belkin, but i still had to sweat to get things smooth..., this is the price to pay when hardware is produced by so many different companies, with different drivers, etc... we wish things were more standardised; and to the credit of MS, it forced computer manufacturers to standardise a lot of what they produce, but not enough to my satisfaction...
Peace out

nabil2000
to he honest, I think I just got lucky networking my desktop and tablet and IIi together. I wish the same luck came to me again as this is very frustrating!
DC

Hmm, tricky. You shouldn't have so much trouble. Try a few things that pop to mind:
- Check if your PC has a proxy set. I THINK I once found that when I synced my PPC got passed the proxy settings, and it confused me for ages. WOuld explain why IE behaves differently to spb. I think the proxy is under advanced settings on network connections of PPC
- Check you PPC networks adaptor settings, all should be set to "obtain server-assigned IP"
- Try trning off wifi when using AS. They may conflict
- Search this board for "firewall". Other users have found this to be an issue with AS
Not too helpful, I know...

I haven't experianced any problems. I synced with my BT Voyager w\l router first time and always makes the connection when I'm in the area.
It even makes PIE half usable!

I wish mine would work too
My wifi network is now unstable
still can't connect to internet for IE

VPN driving me crazy...

OK, I don't knkow what else to try here, hence the post!
I'm trying to get my XDA exec (Universal?) to connect to my work VPN. I've entered all the details exactly the same as they are on my laptop (which works) and yet when I try to connect, I get an error message saying "VPN Server problems. Verify your username and password, and try again. If the problem persists, turn the device off and try again." This message appears instantly, as though it is not even trying, and my GPRS connection terminates, without an error message, without a warning. What I think is happening is that as soon as I ask to activate the VPN, it disconnects the GPRS, and then the VPN won't work because of that. Which seems rather stupid.
I've tried rebooting, I've tried changing every setting in the VPN connection, I've tested the GPRS connection by visiting websites, I don't know what I can possibly be missing. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
This has absolutely killed my faith in this device. It stops synchronising my mail at least once a day, without warning, it has crashed in the past, destroying mails I was writing at the time, and I find it generally unreliable, unfriendly and considerably less useful than a BlackBerry. Sorry, but I had to say that, I'm tearing my hair out here...

im not sure if you can do VPN over GPRS you may require a wifi connection for that.

Hello faethor, fancy meeting you here!
I know on the XDA IIs it worked over GPRS, so it would surprise me if it didn't on the Exec, but perhaps you're right...
I don't care any more, fed up with the damn thing for today...

This is possible, but there are various possible problems.
It could be something as basic as you need to add your company web-site in the 'exceptions' list (Start, Setting. Connection (tab), Connections (icon) advanced, exceptions). e.g *.companyname.co.uk.
It is worth checking with your IT people if certain IP address ranges are also blocked (e.g. for extra security).
Network tech support are quite rubbish on this, and it took me, my former MD and our IT company several hours to get it sorted last time we tried this!!
The queston is do you need VPN for document view / transfer or is it just for email / contacts on the move (you mentioned Blackberry)?
If your company has MS exchange 2003 the exec sync's straight in using yout outlook web access settings (a tick box also needs to be enabled in the server) or you could use something like www.seven.com which I have had both personally and corporate which works brilliantly.
If it is full VPN you need, I can provide documentation or contact numbers which may help.

It may be that your VPN connection needs to be the GPRS settings (and using the APN vpn.o2.co.uk (you said you were using an XDA which is an o2 branded HTC device) and your conx to your server via proxy is your home server details?

WM5 networking as bad as ppc2k3

Please forgive me if I'm asking an already answered question.
Does anyone have any answer to the absolutely pants networking setup in windows mobile? I had exactly the same set of problems on my old machine as I am now having on my new one which proves to me this is an OS problem not something to do with my device.
Its a problem which I'm sure everyone else must have encountered, I don't see how you could use a WM device without getting annoyed by this.
I'm on the wifi at home which connects me to 'The Internet' IE is working away nicely, then I decide to copy some mp3's down to my storage card, when I try to access \\myserver\share in file explorer, it wants a /WORK/ network and starts trying to dial vpn's and wotnot.
So I set the wifi to 'Work', it works fine for files but then when I go back to IE it starts trying to dial up the GPRS because it it believes there is no longer an internet connection.
So of course, I try going into the settings for my 'Work' connection and telling it the work connection does actually connect me to the internet. As there is no proxy on my local LAN I obviously choose not to tick this option.
The 'work connects me to internet' option just won't stay ticked! I had this under ppc and now under WM5 aswell. It makes no difference to the device dialing up a costly connection whenever it wants to sync my email and when I go back into connections it appears unchecked again.
Basicly I have two questions, firstly does anyone have an answer to using one network connection for everything. Ideally I would like the machine to use my wifi at home for everything when its available, and only dialup the gprs as a last resort. If it continues to launch the VPN connection to work for some things I can live with that, its just that connecting to GPRS whenever it feels like it is costing me money! I've had to ditch the idea of using it to sync my email just as I had to ditch the idea under ppc 2003 because its simply not acceptable to have Microsoft choosing to empty credit out of my phone whenever they feel like it.
<rant> (you can stop reading here)
The second question is simply to satisfy my own curiosity.... Why?
Why on earth would this insane networking setup ever come in useful to anyone in the first place? Its as if they did this on purpose just to annoy me!
This Work/Internet distinction seems to be another example of MS living in its own fantasy world, then expecting everyone else to live in it to. In reality its just not as simply as saying 'This network cannot be used to share files', or 'Internet explorer must not use this particular network'... kind of defeats the point of having a network IMO, you know, to enable free easy connection of stuff to other stuff? Microsoft, why?
</rant>

Why? Because what if you had a Work (or LAN) connection that doesn't connect to the Internet? Or maybe it is restricted in some other way (like a slooooow connection to the Internet). Then you might not want to use the Work connection, right? Isn't there a way to setup filters for IP addresses so that only work addresses go to the Work connection?

Choosing between WiFi, GPRS, VPN etc. - any simple utility outthere? plz...

Is there a kind of utility that if a connection is required, asks user how to connect? Something like there use to be on a PC, when You start IE? I don't remember which version of IE/Windows it was but it looks something like this - http://support.bee.net/dial/email/outlook6.gif
The problem is, selecting manually how to connect is very much pain in the ass, I am wondering that if there isn't a software already written for this, why is that. It would be a simple yet very usable - You start IE for example, and the phone asks you how to connect, via WLAN or GPRS or whatever. OR maybe even over BT if You have a BT device for connection over PC or smth.
The second option would be to prioritize the connection list - like tell the PDA that first try WLAN, if it fails then try GPRS etc.
The third option would be somehow to use MortScript for this. It's still better than going to Connection Manager through tens of taps.
Been searching the forums. Looked through at least all threads' titles under networking. But no solution so far.
Any ideas? I would appreciate any help. And still wondering why someone hasn't already solved this... Maybe they have, but cannot find it then

So nobody has ever heard of anything like this? Would there be an enthusiast who would program such utility? It would not be a major application...

How do you manually choose connection?
I have HTC Diamond with Windows Mobile 6. I connect it to my work computer to synchronise with Outlook but I want to use my 3G (or GPRS) connection for internet. What should I do?

i really dislike the way the WM6 autoamatically chooses GPRS has its first connection type.. but then if WIFI is turned off it has no choice
An option to possible enable Wifi rather than GPRS would be nice

Windows mobile's connection manager is horrible. I suspect the group assigned to WM networking at microsoft had little (or no) prior experience and didn't really understand how IP routing, interface stacking, etc. works.
We sorely need some kind of end-to-end communications manager that is aware of all network devices (GPRS, CF wireless/ethernet cards, onboard wireless, bluetooth, USB, etc) and virtual devices (all forms of VPN), and how they interoperate. Something that allows editing of routing rules, per-connection DNS servers, gateway priorities, preferred devices, timeouts, connection persistence, etc.
Worry about things like "dial-on-demand" after the basics are covered.
Today it's virtually impossible to keep a WM device on a VPN connection and even harder when you've got phone calls and wifi to deal with. I have my activesync configured through a PPTP VPN and at least 5 times a day it loses its connection and requires me to manually press "sync." Sometimes that doesn't even work, requiring a reboot. Usually there will be some vague and unhelpful error message like "waiting for network" or "could not connect for an unknown reason."
In fact while I'm on a bit of a rant, is anyone else infuriated by error messages like that?
Obviously there was an error - you don't need to tell the user that. If there was no error, you'd be connected! What is the purpose of telling the user there was an error? There is always an "error" unless there is success. TELL THE USER WHAT THE ERROR WAS. Anything else is useless and frustrating.
The device should also absolutely freak out if it ever loses any connection. If the phone loses anything.. the GSM signal, activesync's connection to the exchange server, the VPN... it should beep, vibrate, flash, and refuse to do anything (sleep, power off, etc) until either one of two conditions is true:
1. The error is no longer present (the phone was able to reestablish the connection), or
2. The user has acknowledged and dismissed the error.
It should never be the case that the phone is disconnected and not attempting to reconnect, unless the user chooses that mode of operation. Anything else leads to lost email, missed meetings, and high blood pressure.
Ugh.
Anyway, I think there's a lot of money to be made by a company that can put together a properly functioning WM connection management system. I'm still looking...

This might help, I've not tried it yet but it looks promising....
http://www.iaccarino.de/silvio/ppcstuff.htm#MobileProfiler

That is a much needed program. WM 6.1 does an awful job with GPRS, WiFi,
Phone, etc.

Thanks joemanb, somehow I missed Your reply. But this isn't exactly what I'm looking for. But thanks anyway. I understand that this proggy would be very useful for many people but I don't understand why somebody with programming skills doesn't want to do it...

I have the very same problem.
I have both symbian and WM phones.
Nokia have had this right since my 9500 when you check email or go on the Internet it prompts you for the connection to use. I got a Imate-Kjam and was shocked that it did not do this. It was subsequently replaced with a E90 that still does it the right way and very well. I just got a Samsung SGH-i780 and it is great but it still has no Idea of how to connect to the Internet the way I would like. having 3g makes it less of a problem as I simply don't use the wi-fi but this bugs me that I can't.
All they need to do is have the phone prompt you when you open a Internet app for the connection to use. How hard can that be to realize ?

Bump bump bump

Um... Bump?

Come on developers, You cannot say You don't miss something like that already...

Bandswitch
I hope too in the developers. While waiting I found "Bandswitch" which make something similar...
http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/ppc-download-bandswitch-v1-2-3.html

Disable GPRS connections
Try this. Works fine on my Herald/P4350.
http://www.modaco.com/content/pocket-pc-software/246171/new-free-utility/

Thanks for the suggestions but as far as I can tell, these apps only handle mobile data connections and now Wi-Fi. You can easily disable GPRS by creating a fake GPRS connection with no real access point. That is not what I am trying to accomplish here. But thanks anyway.

Database Users

welcome