Should ActiveSync disrupt my laptop wireless connection?

ShaunLeeClarke · 08-08-06, 06:34 AM

I recently bought an i-mate Jamin PDA/Phone which natively runs Windows Mobile 2005.

I'm aware that ActiveSync doesn't allow the syncing over a wireless connection, but should ActiveSync disrupt my laptops wireless connection when syncing over a USB cable to the device? Even after syncing, I can't get my laptop to re-establish a connection with the access point, and it requires a reboot.

I think I've read that ActiveSync may disable wireless on the mobile device, but I havn't read anything about the host computer.

This is really annoying, and as I result I've been avoiding syncing the device.

I just want to rule out ActiveSync before I go trying to diagnose a fault that might be one of those great 'features'.

08-08-06, 10:04 AM

I have my desktop setup on a wifi connection and doing a sync doesn't cause it any problems. I have used both BT and the USB cable without it disabling my wifi on the pc. strange problem.

111222 · 08-08-06, 01:02 PM

i've done some research on it..apparently it has to do with the WPA security encryption. try disabling the WPA and sync, everything will be fine.

im still trying to find a way around it, please PM me if you ever find one.

111222 · 08-08-06, 03:15 PM

http://nino.net/blogs/nino/archive/2005/12/05/946.aspx

found this site...not sure if i should try the fix on the bottom of the page

and btw bigdave240, are you using an intel wireless adapter for your desktop's wifi connection?

ShaunLeeClarke · 08-09-06, 09:27 AM

I will also add that I am using an Intel based wireless card for my wireless connection.

Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG to be exact...

Well after reading the article that '111222' posted, it does appear to be a bug or some sort. A really annoying bug...

After a bit more reading, it seems to be related to the Intel 2200 and 2915 drivers. And it only seems to affect users using WPA encryption with TKIP. WPA encryption with AES is unaffected, as well as WEP and no security.

Well I won't be dropping my wireless security to WEP anytime soon... And WPA encryption with AES isn't an option either since most mobile devices don't support this encryption type.

Some users have even said that until they restart the computer running ActiveSync, other computer can't access the network either (I think refering to wireless only), which leads me to believe something is sus with the wireless card drivers, just that ActiveSync has brought it up...

111222 · 08-09-06, 01:56 PM

i was out of options, so i reverted back to 9 series drivers + software and everything works as normal. the older drivers aren't on the intel site, so PM me if you need them

Sporkman · 08-30-06, 07:09 AM

Originally Posted by 111222

i was out of options, so i reverted back to 9 series drivers + software and everything works as normal. the older drivers aren't on the intel site, so PM me if you need them

I am also having this same problem. Our small office network as well as my network at home (with different router hardware) works fine until I plug my axim into my computer via the USB cradle or cable. As soon as I plug it in, all wireless connections on our network are disabled. If I reboot my computer and disconnect the axim, I can reconnect as well as others. This same thing happens at home.

I am using a Sony Viao notbook w/ Intel 2200bg built in wireless card. All router firmware is updated. I have the Axim x51v with Pocket Informant, Flex Mail, Pocket Breeze.

I just tried the hard reset option and we will see what happens now.

Sporkman

Sporkman · 08-30-06, 07:26 AM

Unfortunately the hard reset did nothing fix this problem. The moment I reconnected my axim to my notebook, the wireless connection dropped off and I needed to reboot my computer.
I am downloading an Intell 2200abg 10.5.0.1 update. I will see if this may help.

Anyone esle having this problem, or any other suggestions?

Sporkman

Sporkman · 08-31-06, 03:01 AM

Turns out that many people are having this problem with the Intel 2200ag wireless card (built in many notebooks) when using active sync. Here is an interesting thread I found on it. Guess I suck it up as usual with windows and wait for a future patch:

http://www.microsoft.com/communities...tpc.activesync

Please post if you have any luck fixing this.

Sporkman

davidtm · 09-15-06, 10:55 PM

Well, I am now a lucky member of this club. My brand new x51v sync'ed just fine at work (wired network), but at home kicked me and others off the wireless network (that is using WPA). My only consolation is knowing that this is a known problem; I only wish there was a known solution!

I'm going to keep looking around for an answer. I'll post any news.

DM

barryuk · 09-16-06, 10:11 AM

I am SO pleased I found this site as I have having the same problem. When I first linked my X51v to my wifi it worked perfectly first time. I then synced with my PC using Activesysnc and then the X51v refused to link on to my Wifi network again. My laptop continued to work fine though. Dell them exchanged my Axim (a different fault) and exactly the same thing happened. The new one was fine at first but after using Acyivesyn refuses to link via home wifi. The same thing also happen with a K-Jam. I am in the Canary Islands using Telefonica ADSL and their wifi modem/router. Any more ideas yet please?

ikehiker · 09-16-06, 10:35 AM

As 111222 posted above, this is caused by having WPA enabled on the router. You'll need to switch to WEP to avoid the problem until M$ provides a fix.

davidtm · 09-16-06, 08:14 PM

Here's my half-assed workaround for my WPA home wireless network: If I need to sync, I reboot my laptop, MAKING SURE TO SWITCH OFF WIFI, then plug Axim into USB AFTER I'm up and running. Whenever I need to go back online, I unplug my Axim from the laptop and then reboot, switching ON the hardware wifi on the computer at the Windows XP sign-in screen. It's a hassle, but I'm thinking that my need to sync at home will fade after I've bought the software I want/need. If I want a more convenient solution, I'll have to read up on how to setup WEP, and that'll mean setting up several notebooks along with the router. :(

davidtm · 09-25-06, 07:45 PM

Woo-hoo!

Update: I upgraded AS to 4.5 beta(2) in order to solve some other issues with Outlook on my work profile in XP Pro, and just tried to connect AS while on my wireless network at home. It works! I am running WPA-PSK security on the router (Linksys), too.

I did un-check the "Enable advanced network functionality" box under USB to PC in Settings > Connections. I noticed that I no longer get the "acquiring network address" animation when first connecting the cradle, so it's a different kind of connection that apparently no longer competes with the wireless connection. BTW, I have the 9.0.2.25 driver for my 2200BG wireless chipset.

HTH,
DM

vjofvizag · 10-08-06, 10:31 PM

I have Tmobile SDA, and when i try to connect to my laptop thru USB, I too faced same problem. As soon as activesync starts my wireless network gets disabled.

Any known solution or fix for this??