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ActiveSync/Emulator FAQ

by Tim Daycounter

It seems that getting ActiveSync to work with the emulator has been a reoccurring question in the various Pocket PC news groups, and yet there hasn't been any definitive responses on how to get this working.  This document attempts to clarify how to connect ActiveSync to the Pocket PC 2002 Emulator. Win CE .NET is out of the scope of this document. You can find the latest version of this FAQ at www.daycounter.com/EmulatorActiveSync.html.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Has the author himself actually gotten this to work?
2. Do I need a NULL modem cable?
3. What is a NULL modem cable?
4. Where can I get a Null modem cable?
5. How do I know that my NULL cable and serial ports are working?
6. My PC only has a single serial port, what do I do?
7. Can I connect to ActiveSync using Pocket PC 2000 SDK?
8. I've installed the Embedded Visual Tools 3.0, does it have the latest Pocket PC SDK 2002?
9. I've followed the help but can't find the Startup Server configuration? What's going on?
10. I can't find the help topic "Using ActiveSync with the Emulator"? Why isn't this in the Pocket PC SDK help?
11. In ActiveSync when I click on "Connection Settings", how do I get past the wizard which searches the various serial ports? 
12. What are the step by step directions for configuring the Emulator and ActiveSync?

Answers:

Q1. Has the author himself actually gotten this to work?

Yes, with the help of a friendly MS employee.

Q2. Do I need a NULL modem cable?

Yes.

Q3. What is a NULL modem cable?

A NULL modem cable allows two PCs to communicate, or in our case allows two serial ports on the same machine to be connected and transcieve data.  The transmit and receive pins are crossed across the connector (pin 2 connects to pin 3, and pin 3 to pin 2), in contrast to a straight through cable, where pin 2 is connected to pin 2 and pin 3 is connected to pin 3. 

Q4. Where can I get a Null modem cable?

Try www.digikey.com, part number - AE1033-ND, for about $5.68 USD.  This is a 9pin DB9 female to 9pin DB9 female connector.

Q5. How do I know that my NULL cable and serial ports are working?

Open to sessions of HyperTerm, one on each com port. When you type into one HyperTerm, you should see characters being typed on the other.  HyperTerm is a software accessory that normally is already installed on on your PC. Look under the "Start" Menu.

Q6. My PC only has a single serial port, what do I do?

Sorry, you are out of luck.  

Q7. Can I connect to ActiveSync using Pocket PC 2000 SDK?

Sorry, it only works with Pocket PC 2002 SDK?

Q8. I've installed the Embedded Visual Tools 3.0, does it have the latest Pocket PC SDK 2002?

No it does not, even though you think it would. You have to download this separately from MS. 

Q9. I've followed the help but can't find the Startup Server configuration? What's going on?

You have the wrong SDK, see the response to Q8. 

Q10. I can't find the help topic "Using ActiveSync with the Emulator"? Why isn't this in the Pocket PC SDK help?

This help topic is listed through out the news groups. If you can't find this file in your SDK it is another clue that you have the wrong SDK, see the response to Q8.

Q11. In ActiveSync when I click on "Connection Settings", how do I get past the wizard which searches the various serial ports?

You have to change a registry key using regedit.exe.  Find "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows CE Services" and set the serial port to COM1 or COM2.  This will stop the wizard from endlessly searching.

Q12. What are the step by step directions for configuring the Emulator and ActiveSync?

The help topic "Using ActiveSync with the Emulator" in the Microsoft Pocket PC 2002 SDK, gives a good description of this.  To find the help topic, open up eVC select Help/Search. Search with the keywords: "activesync emulator".  If you can't find this help topic see Q10.

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