wireless ActiveSync will not work

Aero · 07-14-03, 10:13 PM

I just got my Netgear MA701 card tonight. I am able to use PIE, AIM, sync with USB cradle, etc but cannot get wireless ActiveSync to work.

My system:
Ax400
Netgear MA701 CF card
Netgear MR814v2 router
Win XP Pro (have all avail updates from M$)
Norton Internet Security suite

I have rechecked over a half dozen times the required settings in Ikehiker's post for setting up the WiFi sync , and I cannot get it to work .

1) I have renamed my Pocket_PC to a custom name, established a partnership, and are able to USB sync with no problems
2) I have enabled network connections in ActiveSync on my PC
3) I have enabled network connections in ActiveSync on my Axim
(I USB sync with my work and home PC and only have WiFi for home; both are listed in this drop-down menu. The names of each PC are correct; the only differences I see is that Ike's post seems to suggest that I can type the name of the PC there, but I cannot edit it? Also, the name of my home PC as it appears on the Ax menu is in all CAPS (X1Y2Z3P4); when I go to my PC's desktop, go to "My Computer" Icon, right click, and select the computer name tab, the computer's name appears as lower case letters and numbers (x1y2z3p4). Will this make a difference? Should I rename my PC?
4) On the Axim, in Settings, Connections (tab), Connections, select Work Settings, Work Settings, Work.

5) In Norton Security, Personal Firewall, I checked to see if "wcescomm.exe" was a listed program - it was not. When I went to add it to the list of programs that can have full internet access, it says that a rule already applies for "MS Active Sync". I chose permit all.

6) Due to size constraints on my 3 year old PC with a small C: drive, I loaded ActiveSync on my D: drive, rather than C. I am not sure if this could cause any problems with wireless ActiveSync (no other issues with USB ActiveSync to date)

7) I checked Netgear's site for any patches for the MA701 card and MR814v2. The latest driver for the MA701 from netgear.com is v1.1, and when I go the "about" page in the Netgear PPC program, it shows v1.1, so I am good there. How do I check to see if my firmware for the router is latest? Per the website, it is MR814 Firmware version 4.11 rel 5/03. Where on my PC can I check the version I have?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

ikehiker · 07-14-03, 10:25 PM

I suggest you try installing PocketHosts. This utility will allow you to associate your PC's name with it's IP number. I use a similar program, IP Manager, but it's payware while PocketHost is freeware.

Let us know if that helps.

Aero · 07-14-03, 11:18 PM

Ike,

Thanks for prompt reply. I DL'd PocketHosts. I added my computer's name and the IP address as far as I can see. When I check my PC's IP address in "My Network settings" , it is shown as "192.168.0.2", but I know that my real IP is "67.xx.xx." etc. I have tried both IP's in Pockethosts to no avail.
The only difference after I loaded PocketHosts is that ActiveSync on my Ax says "Connecting" but nothing happens on my Ax or PC, and I have to hit disconnect to cancel the request. Before I loaded PocketHosts, it would say "not connected" on my Ax immediately after I asked it to Sync

What do you think I am doing wrong?

Howard2k · 07-14-03, 11:20 PM

What do you mean your REAL IP?

Go to a command prompt and type IPCONFIG and see what it says.

Are you running a VPN client on the PC?

drunken · 07-14-03, 11:26 PM

make sure you Connections are setup properly - in Start->Settings->Connections you should have all three settings to "Work".

Aero · 07-14-03, 11:51 PM

Howard2K,: Sorry, it's late and been at this for a while. When I said "real" IP, I meant the one assigned by my ISP (the 192.168 # is the generic one assigned by routers, if I am correct). I went to run, typed IPCONFIG and it flashed the DOS box for a second and then disapeared. I went to http://www.whatismyip.com/ and it shows my "67.xx.xx.xxx.xx" IP address.
Yes, I am using WatchGuard's VPN software for my office.

Are there known conflicts with ActiveSync and VPN connections?

Drunken: Yes, all three are shown as "work"

snathanb · 07-15-03, 12:02 AM

67.xxx.xxx.xxx is the IP of your router. You need to use the 192.168.xxx.xxx address that is assigned to the PC running ActiveSync.

Howard2k · 07-15-03, 12:03 AM

type Run, Command and then IPCONFIG from the DOS Box. :)

AS over VPN is another kettle of fish entirely. Hence my question. On issue is that many VPN deployments will not allow split tunnelling. I have the config, so when I have my VPN connection active, any NICs on my PC will only IPSec. So keep your VPN client disabled for now.

PocketHOSTS should be pointing to the IP Address of the local interface on the PC. So the 192.168.x.x address. Which is a REAL address too :)

If that doesn't work, grab PocketDHCP (it's on here, do a search) and download that and see what the DHCP config looks like on the Axim.

Or - Assign a static IP to the Axim and ping that from the Desktop. Just make sure that it does not conflict with any other devices on your LAN.

Howard2k · 07-15-03, 12:05 AM

ping is also run from the command prompt.

If you've assigned 192.168.0.x as your subnet and your router is 0.1 and other PCs .1-.4 then choose something else like .5 - .254.

Aero · 07-15-03, 12:12 AM

FIX???

I went to My Network Places, Right clicked my LAN connection, selected properties, went to the advanced tab, turned off the XP built in Internet Protection firewall, and now I am able to WiFi sync.

If you have the XP Firewall turned on, you can choose "settings" in the lower right hand corner, and then it gives you a list of "Services running on your network that Internet users can access"

I am running Norton Internet Suite (includes Norton Firewall), which should give me decent protection, but I would be more comfortable with the XP firewall in place as well.

Can someone look at their Win XP box, check out the list of programs/services running, and tell me which one I can activate that is linked to ActiveSync, that will allow me to keep the firewall "on" and Wifi ActiveSync available?

TIA!

Howard2k · 07-15-03, 12:14 AM

Sounds pretty damn good to me. Software Firewall, should have mentioned it lol. It will block the IP traffic for the Axim. I don't use XP, but does it allow you to selectively add apps? Try and add WCESCOMM.EXE. Or does it need a list of TCP ports?

Howard2k · 07-15-03, 12:16 AM

btw, you're running a router too right, I'd be more comfortable using security on that and ensuring that this hardware device is correctly configured that I would trusting a software f/w. Especially since you're running PAT.

Aero · 07-15-03, 12:27 AM

I have 2 software firewalls:
Norton Internet Suite (which includes Personal Firewall) - this gives you the option of adding a specific program (WCESCOMM.EXE) for unblocked access. This was adjusted earlier this evening.

Windows built in firewall - seems you cannot add a specific program, but allows you to add IP addresses, and needs the "external and internal port number for this service". I am no networking expert so I am at a bit of a loss here.

EDIT: After you enter the External port, you select it as a "TCP" or "UDP" . Any suggestions

I just got the Netgear MR814v2 Cable/DSL Wireless Router today along with the CF card, and need to figure out the security settings for the router. Again, any suggestions?

Howard2k · 07-15-03, 12:29 AM

Oh ok.

The IP Address will be your Axim.

Outgoing ports should be 990.
Incoming ports should be 5678 and 5679
Protocol should be TCP

Let me see if I can dig that up somewhere and verify it. give it a shot though.

Howard2k · 07-15-03, 12:31 AM

You may need to open 999 for outgoing too:

Microsoft Link