I'm confused about network settings in my Exec (but I guess this question applies to all WM devices).
What's the functional difference between My Work Network and My ISP? When I'm browsing WiFi networks and a new one is discovered, the notification says:
"Wireless Node 2" network connects me to:
O The Internet (or work via a VPN)
O Work
What's the correct answer? Why do I have a choice? In some cases I'll want the WiFi network to allow me to only access the Internet and in other cases (like the WiFi networks in my house) I want to be able to access the Internet AND browse files on other PCs + use Terminal Services. Should these situations require different settings or are they essentially the same?
Second question: If I'm using a program that needs an internet connection, what settings must I choose to ensure that the system uses WiFi if it can, and then GPRS only if WiFi isn't available? I've changed the option in Settings > Connections > Connections > Advanced > Select Networks so that both drop-down boxes show 'My Work Network' (since I don't want to choose a default of My ISP - i.e. GPRS - for network activity if a WiFi connection is available) but now I can't seem to find any GPRS connection options. How do you all connect to GPRS manually? If I tap the signal status icon at the top of the screen I have no 'Connect GPRS' option like I did on my XDA2.
I'm confused by it all. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide, especially links to pages with how-to guides for idiots
PS. Tried searching these forums, but the subject is too generic and there are hundreds of results.
Hi
In my opinion WM2003SE's handling of connections is horrible. I understand you, being confused.
I'll decribe WM2003SE way...
Your exec has WM2005, but as far as I know, the rules are similar.
The general difference between "Internet" and "Work" is that connection set as "internet" allows you to surf web and give your program access to internet. While connections set as "work" should be used only when you connect to your home/office network (and optionally internet).
About disappearing "Connect GPRS". It's pain in the ass really
You can create as many "connection profiles" as you want (like "My ISP" "My Work Network" "My other freakin' ISP" "Etc")
Then you add some connections to certain profile....
eg.: create gprs connection (named "O2 GPRS inet" for internet in "my ISP" profile.
That means that when you change default Internet profile to "My other freakin' ISP", you won't be able to use "O2 GPRS inet"...
Ok.. answering your first, main question.
If you want to use inet, browse shared folders and use Terminal Services you should edit "My work network" properties and check "This network connects me to the Internet".
When at home. Select (in settings->connections->connections) "My work network" for both auto internet and auto private network.
When roaming around, you should change auto inet to "My ISP" which will have a configured GPRS connection inside.
Your phone will use Wifi first (before GPRS) when activated and available.
OMG.. my fingers hurt.
Have fun fighting with WM
Thanks for your reply, robal. It's a big help but I'm still not 100% sure of the situation.
robal said:
The general difference between "Internet" and "Work" is that connection set as "internet" allows you to surf web and give your program access to internet. While connections set as "work" should be used only when you connect to your home/office network (and optionally internet).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But I want both types to connect to the Internet. I still don't really see the difference. Does My Work Network apply to connections for which a VPN is necessary? If I choose 'The Internet' as the option when connecting to a new WiFi network, will that change any aspect of the way in which the connection works? Perhaps I should just try it and see. Trouble is, if I screw it up I'll never be able to get it working again!
robal said:
If you want to use inet, browse shared folders and use Terminal Services you should edit "My work network" properties and check "This network connects me to the Internet".
When at home. Select (in settings->connections->connections) "My work network" for both auto internet and auto private network.
When roaming around, you should change auto inet to "My ISP" which will have a configured GPRS connection inside.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perhaps I'm expecting the impossible. I want to set it up and forget about it, so that wherever I am my device can access the Internet. If I'm connected to a WiFi network then that's the connection but if not then it dials up GPRS automatically when a program demands a connection.
Does everybody else use robal's method and change the settings depending on the availability of a friendly WiFi access point?
If this is the case then Windows Mobile has a long way to go before the connectivity is seamless...
I was largely having probs connecting to 02's 3G network as I couldn't find the settings.. now I kind of understand. Kind of.
--O2 Contract 3G settings--
Name of connection: O2 Internet
Select a modem: Cellular Line (GPRS, 3G)
Access Point Name: mobile.02.co.uk
Username: mobileweb
password: *** (it was prefilled for me..)
Advanced Button should be set to auto-assign IPs
--
With regards the original post, I have mine setup so that if I connect to my local WiFi, then I get the internet through that. If I disconnect, or not in range, etc, then it will use the 3G settings.
I'm still a little in the dark with regards WM5.0s handling of network connections, but here's what I think is right:
Start > Settings > Connections Tab > Connections
[Tasks Tab]
You can only have *2* active connections
You can have multiple profiles under each connection.
So, I renamed my O2 Internet connection to something other than "My ISP", I chose "O2 3G Network" to make things a tiny bit less confusing. (This is the network with your 3G settings in as above.)
The second option I renamed to "My Wireless Network", and as far as I can tell, you do not need to change anything in there - unless you want to add VPN information.
[Advanced Tab]
Click "Select Networks"
Here you can choose between your 2 active connections. For the top option I chose "O2 3G Network", the second option "My Wireless Network".
Click OK
--
Now you have two networks setup. Open Internet Explorer..
If you do not have WiFi switched on, it should automagically dial your "O2 3G Network" when you start browsing.
If you're at home, or near a WiFi network, switch it on by holding your stylus on the "U" in the taskbar. This should give you the option to switch on WiFi.
A few handshakes later (this took about 2-3 mins to actually connect to my WiFi) and your "U" should change to the WiFi antenna icon.
*Check you have fully connected to WiFi before browsing!*
Do this by again, holding the stylus on the antenna icon and checking that your WiFi name is displayed, along with the signal strength.
*If you try to browse the web before your WiFi is ready, it will just attempt to dial O2 3G Network!* - Patience is required...
So, whether this answers the original post or not, I mean, it isn't exactly Automatic, but I guess if you leave WiFi switched on, then in theory it will use it, else it will dial your 3G network.
Well, thats my brain dump for my own benefit, hope it helps out others.
That will be very helpful, thanks gaspx. I'll try your suggestions later on and let you know how I get on.
So with those settings when your Exec finds a new wireless network and invites you to set up your connection, which do you choose? "The Internet" or "Work"? I think :?: that those two options are independent of your renaming of "My ISP" to "O2 3G Network"...
I guess I can get it set up right like you have, but I hate not understanding this. It should be so simple but it's not!
"The Internet" or "Work"? I think that those two options are independent of your renaming of "My ISP" to "O2 3G Network"...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, they are independant and are accessible when you choose Start > Settings > Connections Tab > Network Cards
Then select Network Adaptors tab.
What I'm not fully understanding is how these two options differ(!):
For instance, I have a static IP address on my WiFi, so I choose Network Adaptor Profile "Work", then configure "tiacxwin Compatible Wireless Ethernet" and enter in my static IP and DNS etc..
What I would *expect* to be able to do is choose between "Work" profile and have my static IP, or "The Internet" profile, and have dynamic IP.
But it doesn't appear to work that way.. if I add static IP address, it uses it for both Work and The Internet. Confused ? Me too.
which do you choose? "The Internet" or "Work"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So from my initial playing around, it doesn't appear to make any difference! - Otherwise i'd expect to add a roaming WiFi Hotspot to "The Internet" (and dynamic IP) and any Work related (static IP) to "Work".
Must be missing something fundamental here, but O2 Exec manual (pg.92) isn't especially forthcoming with an answer.. :?
This might help you a bit.
I connect to work with a vpn connection over the internet. the address for the vpn is a url.
1. I set up a gprs connection under internet
2. I set up a vpn connection under work to vpndomain.com.au
3. in the advanced tab of connections I add *.vpndomain.com.au to the exceptions list for work connections
4. I start a terminal session to terminal.vpndomain.com.au
the device connects to internet then connects to work over internet.
if you don't need one connection to occur via another then make them all internet
hope that helps
Okay, a bit more braindumping to understand the differences between "Work" and "The Internet" courtesy of ActiveSync Help..
ActiveSync > File > Connection Settings
This computer is connected to: Auto/Work/The Internet
---
Use ActiveSync to "pass through" this computer. That means the connected device can use the computer's network connection as if it were its own. You can use this feature to perform tasks such as downloading non-Outlook e-mail messages, to connect directly with Exchange Server, or to browse the Internet.
---
So, from that, I set the connection type to "The Internet" in ActiveSync, and I was able to browse the internet on my XDA.
I then set the connection type to "Work Network" in ActiveSync and was *not* able to use the internet.
What does it all mean ?
Well, at the moment all I can think of is that if don't set it to "The Internet", you er, don't get Internet access. :roll:
Applying that to the original question of which do I choose:
"Wireless Node 2" network connects me to:
O The Internet (or work via a VPN)
O Work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would holeheartedly recommend (if its a wireless network you've found whilst walking the streets) that you choose "The Internet" !!
--
Functional Differences
I'm thinking/believing/speculating that the functional difference between the two is that the "Work" option is for connecting to local or internal IP's only, for instance anything on your 10.x.x IP range if that is the subnet you're on.
The "Internet" option allows any *external* IP address to be accessed, and no access to the local IP range. This would then require the VPN option to be used to access local/intranet resources. (This is the passthrough option as mentioned above in the ActiveSync help)
I'm literally typing as i'm testing, and so far it kinda makes more sense to me now.. kinda.
I just bought the new T-Mobile (USA) MDA a couple days ago, a version of the HTC Wizard.
I have been able to connect with GPRS/EDGE, and seem to be getting EDGE speed, which is nice (my first EDGE phone).
However, no such luck with Wi-fi.
At my house, I can easily connect, at all times, with a few different wi-fi networks, with my wi-fi enabled laptop, and with my older PPC--an IPAQ 2210, with Spectec SDIO Wi-Fi card, can browse the web via Wi-Fi, etc.
The MDA does connect to Wi-FI, appears to be connected to it. (After turning it on in Connection Manager, of course.) But I cannot access any web sites with it. On trying to do so with PIE, I always get the error message:
"The page cannot be displayed or downloaded because the connection was lost, Check the connection and try again later."
I have not once been able to access one web site via Wi-Fi, with the MDA.
Can anyone help with this?
Thank you.
I ahve the same problem and have not figured out how to solve this...
Can anyone help us?
same problem here, also with t-mobile as provider. can it be a problem related to t-mobile???
me said:
I just bought the new T-Mobile (USA) MDA a couple days ago, a version of the HTC Wizard.
I have been able to connect with GPRS/EDGE, and seem to be getting EDGE speed, which is nice (my first EDGE phone).
However, no such luck with Wi-fi.
At my house, I can easily connect, at all times, with a few different wi-fi networks, with my wi-fi enabled laptop, and with my older PPC--an IPAQ 2210, with Spectec SDIO Wi-Fi card, can browse the web via Wi-Fi, etc.
The MDA does connect to Wi-FI, appears to be connected to it. (After turning it on in Connection Manager, of course.) But I cannot access any web sites with it. On trying to do so with PIE, I always get the error message:
"The page cannot be displayed or downloaded because the connection was lost, Check the connection and try again later."
I have not once been able to access one web site via Wi-Fi, with the MDA.
Can anyone help with this?
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have exactly the same problem
I guess you could try going under "Settings" "Connections" "Network Card" and make sure your network card is set to connect to "The Internet"
Select your wireless card and then make sure the drop down says "The Internet" and hit ok.
Also, make sure your GPRS Connection settings aren't setup to use T-Mobile's proxy. When your gprs is setup to use a proxy for web browsing, PIE will attempt to use the proxy with any connection. And by proxy, I'm not talking about an APN or anything.
Are you running security on your router? If so try shutting it off to test or try to connect to someone elses WiFi network to test.
wagz said:
I guess you could try going under "Settings" "Connections" "Network Card" and make sure your network card is set to connect to "The Internet"
Select your wireless card and then make sure the drop down says "The Internet" and hit ok.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I spoke with a TMob customer service rep about this a couple weeks ago, and this is basically what he told me to do. A T-Mobile HotSpot (Starbucks, etc) should work without making any changes. But if you want to use your own WiFi connection, you have to do the following:
Start Menu -> Settings -> Connections Tab -> Connections Icon
Select Advanced Tab -> Select Networks
Change first dropdown to "My Work Network".
Click OK, OK.
Then when you want to roam with GPRS/EDGE again, you have to change it back to "T-Mobile GPRS".
Very annoying to say the least. If anyone knows a better way to do this, I'd love to hear about it.
This works for me:
Start Menu -> Settings -> Connections Tab -> Connections Icon
Select Advanced Tab -> Select Networks
Change the first dropdown to My Work Network
Change the second dropdown to T-Mobile GPRS
Make sure My Work Network is set to connect to the internet, but has NO proxy settings.
Make sure T-Mobile GRPS is set to connect to the internet, but HAS proxy settings.
Magic!
frycow, you rock!!
That worked perfectly!! I hated that I had to keep switching networks whenever I wanted to go online via GPRS or wifi!!
Thanks!!!
frycow,
wow. that sounds great. but I can't get it working. could you take a couple minutes to walk me (and I'm sure others too) through your exact settings? especially the proxy settings.
thanks!
frycow is a freakin champ....that did the trick!! I've been WAITING to get this working!!
AHHHH, AND IT FINALLY GOT MY POCKET MSN TO START WORKING TOO!!!! Still doesn't work on GPRS, but it certainly works on Wi-Fi!! I suppose the last thing would be to get it working on both!! regardless, this is SWEET!!
I can´t get it working :evil:
When I Change the first dropdown to My Work Network and after that tryn to sync without having wifi enabled, the device does not connect with GPRS..., solutions...
frycow, hazchem, djswivel:
Could one of you help out Paltkugen and I? Both of us can't get it working. If you could let us know the specific settings, including the proxy settings, I would really appreciate it. Its so frustrating to know it works for some people, but not being able to get it going.
Thanks!
I did EXACTLY what fry posted....follow this carefully
Start Menu -> Settings -> Connections Tab -> Connections Icon
Select Advanced Tab -> Select Networks
Change the first dropdown to My Work Network
Change the second dropdown to T-Mobile GPRS
Click Edit on the My Work Network dropdown -> Proxy Settings Tab
Check the first box (This network connects to the internet), but NOT the second (This network uses a proxy server to connect to the internet)
Now do the same for the T-Mobile GRPS settins in the edit menu, only check both boxes this time. Then type in 216.155.165.50 as the proxy server. From there you should be good.
djswivel said:
I did EXACTLY what fry posted....follow this carefully
Start Menu -> Settings -> Connections Tab -> Connections Icon
Select Advanced Tab -> Select Networks
Change the first dropdown to My Work Network
Change the second dropdown to T-Mobile GPRS
Click Edit on the My Work Network dropdown -> Proxy Settings Tab
Check the first box (This network connects to the internet), but NOT the second (This network uses a proxy server to connect to the internet)
Now do the same for the T-Mobile GRPS settins in the edit menu, only check both boxes this time. Then type in 216.155.165.50 as the proxy server. From there you should be good.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is exactly what I did too. Just tried it again and I can't use GPRS to surf. I have Wifi turned off. GPRS is not connected. I open PIE and go to some URL (google.com). GPRS starts connecting and successfully connects to T-Mobile GPRS.
Then, for about 30-60 seconds, the status bar says "Locating". Then an alert pops up that says "The page cannot be displayed or downloaded because the connection was lost. Check the connection and try again later."
Next, I turn on WiFi. It conects to my local WiFi network. It is still connected to T-Mobile GPRS too. I go back to PIE. As soon as I try to goto a URL, the GPRS connection drops, and again it says "Locating..." for a while. Then the same alert pops up again.
So now that GPRS isn't connected and just WiFi, I try going to the URL again. Same results.
Next I try turning off WiFi. Now there are no connections. I restart WiFi and there is just a WiFi connection. Same results in PIE.
I thought maybe the proxy is the problem, so I turned off the proxy in GPRS. When I do this, the checkbox "This network connects to the internet" won't stay checked. Even if I check it and click ok, when I go back it is unchecked. And when I did this, I couldn't even connect with GPRS. And with WiFi on, it would connect to Wifi, but going to a page would immediately pop up an alert that says "Cannot Connect with current connection settings. To change you connection settings, tap Settings."
I added the proxy back in and then tried changing the GPRS access point name from wap.voicestream.com to internet2.voicestream.com and internet3.voicestream.com. internet2 wouldn't even make a connection, but internet3 did. however, i still couldn't locate pages in PIE. So I changed it back to wap. I think my unlimited GPRS plan is configured the VPN way, so I remember having to use internet2 or internet3 in the past.
Could the proxy server not be working right for me? Is it possible that I cannot locate the proxy because I'm configured in a non-standard way (with a different access point - internet3) than most?
I think I'll call tmo and see if I can get changed to the regular AP (wap). I'm not using VPN stuff right now anyway. If anyone has other ideas, please let me know.
Thanks again!
I think i have a work around. but involes changing it back and forth when switching btwn wifi and gprs..
created two connections.
one with proxy and one without.
im only able to surf gprs with proxy.
when connecting via GPRS set both networks to connect to PROXY.
when using WiFi, set both networks to connect using NOPROXY.
that should work. at least it worked for me. tried only 2 pages and it loaded for both. GPRS used myvoicestream and wifi google.
yowzator said:
I have Wifi turned off. GPRS is not connected. I open PIE and go to some URL (google.com). GPRS starts connecting and successfully connects to T-Mobile GPRS.
Then, for about 30-60 seconds, the status bar says "Locating". Then an alert pops up that says "The page cannot be displayed or downloaded because the connection was lost. Check the connection and try again later."
Next, I turn on WiFi. It conects to my local WiFi network. It is still connected to T-Mobile GPRS too. I go back to PIE. As soon as I try to goto a URL, the GPRS connection drops, and again it says "Locating..." for a while. Then the same alert pops up again.
So now that GPRS isn't connected and just WiFi, I try going to the URL again. Same results.
Next I try turning off WiFi. Now there are no connections. I restart WiFi and there is just a WiFi connection. Same results in PIE.
I thought maybe the proxy is the problem, so I turned off the proxy in GPRS. When I do this, the checkbox "This network connects to the internet" won't stay checked. Even if I check it and click ok, when I go back it is unchecked. And when I did this, I couldn't even connect with GPRS. And with WiFi on, it would connect to Wifi, but going to a page would immediately pop up an alert that says "Cannot Connect with current connection settings. To change you connection settings, tap Settings."
I added the proxy back in and then tried changing the GPRS access point name from wap.voicestream.com to internet2.voicestream.com and internet3.voicestream.com. internet2 wouldn't even make a connection, but internet3 did. however, i still couldn't locate pages in PIE. So I changed it back to wap. I think my unlimited GPRS plan is configured the VPN way, so I remember having to use internet2 or internet3 in the past.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Earlier today I had been trying to get VM Net Browser or Resco File Explorer to work, and they *were* working, albeit very sporadically. Sometimes I could see whole windows network complete with shared files and directories, other times I could browse to my computer and it wouldn't show anything as being shared. Looking for a solution, i found this thread.
I followed the recommendations of the previous posts and got exactly the same results as yowzator, including the weird thing with the "This network connects to the internet" checkbox unchecking. My GPRS access point is also named wap.voicestream.com - not sure if that matters.
However, I know that I was having at least partial wi-fi success before trying this fix or I wouldn't be able to have seen my home network. So I gave up on this fix and put everything back to the default - GPRS for programs that automatically connect to the internet, no proxy, and My Work Network for programs that automatically connect toa private network, with "This network connects to the internet" unchecked because it's impossible to check it and expect it to stay checked.
I tried surfing around to a few pages with wifi only (connections shows me connected to my network, I turned off the phone icon in the comm settings, and tapping on the connectivity icon on the taskbar didn't have GPRS listed) and amazingly, some of them worked - though the "locating" process seemed to take a while, they sometimes seemed to load faster than with GPRS (especially if I let my MDA go to sleep and then turn it back on again).
And then they don't work again, without me doing anything. So I don't think the fix we've been trying is a true fix to the problem - if it was then then pages would *never* load with the proxy disabled. Right?
I've been wondering if the "modem" tab under My Work Network is supposed to be blank . . . even if it's using wifi it seems like a poor UI design to not have a checkbox or something saying "this connection is for wifi and not dialup".
I am using the 2.17 ROM update. My wireless router is a D-link DI-624 extreme g. I'm using WEP encryption.
I am crying . . . tears . . . of confusion.
SOLUTION!?
This works for me (suggested in another thread):
1. Add the following to the registry:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\COMM\TIACXWLN1\PARMS:
DWORD dot11SupportedRateMaskG=8
(Note that there is already a key in the registry called "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\COMM\TIACXWLN1\PARMS: DWORD dot11SupportedRateMask=1" - you should leave this alone)
2. Do a soft reset.
3. Go to your wi-fi settings -> Power Mode tab -> Best Performance (without this step it didn't work for me)
4. Turn on wi-fi and connect to anything in internet explorer. It should seem blazing fast compared to GPRS.
Note that this assumes you haven't done any of the fixes in this thread. That is to say, leave it with GPRS for programs that automatically connect to the internet (with no proxy), and My Work Network for programs that automatically connect to a private network, with "This network connects to the internet" unchecked because it's impossible to check it and expect it to stay checked.
So far (for a few minutes anyway) this is working for me! Even Resco File Explorer seems to mostly work - I can map my PC's shared folders and see my stuff reliably, as far as I can tell. VM Net Browser is still wonky though.
The thread this solution comes from is http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=38898&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc
Hi,
tried that solution
(I have a thread below)
still falls over on "locate".
I have no home network so I have never got anything working - connects fine on a public hotspot, but as I say, fails on locate.
I've had enough - may either phone T-mobile pay CS - something I really don't want to do out of principle - or just send teh phone back.
any new info on this? can seem to get it to work.
i have configures it many ways as suggested above. only time i was able to browse on wifi was with no proxie was set up. i connect through another network, (the mda automatically hooks you up to all avalible networks) but that only lasted a few minutes.
is there even a chance i could someone at tmobile even help me??? anyone here call them and get got service/help with getting it to work?
thanks
skot