Pocket Control PC 1.1 -updated

[Guest Kingherc]

New Features:

After some work, I've made some new versions for the programs of Pocket Control PC. Pocket Control PC - PC is now v1.1 and has the following new features: You can configure the IP address to listen to. Also, there's a new option to ensure an active connection. Moreover, macros are implemented.

For Pocket Conrol PC - Smartphone, there is a new name: Pocket Control PC - NetCF. This is because it can now be supported by devices running .NET Compact Framework. That is: Smartphones 2003, Pocket PCs 2003 and PCs (fully tested on Smartphones only. If you find an error on Pocket PCs or on PCs, please e-mail me). New main features: Some comforts for better keyboard usage. Also, macros are implemented. Furthermore, options can now be saved. Moreover, Quick Mouse Mode was added to Mouse Mode. There's also an Input Mouse Position action. Finally, there are also options for configuring the IP to connect to as well as for keeping an active connection.

Try the new versions and email me comments/bugs!

INFO:

Pocket Control PC is divided in two programs, both essential for it to work. One program is called the client and the other the host. The host program is Pocket Control PC - PC and always runs on a PC. The client one is Pocket Control PC - NetCF which runs on Smartphones 2003, Pocket PCs 2003 and PCs. When both programs are run and connected, the remote user can send commands to the PC which are then executed. The current commands supported pertain to the following:

> Mouse and Scroll commands: The remote user is able to control the PC's mouse (and mouse's vertical scroll).

> Keyboard commands: The remote user is able to control the PC's keyboard. All usual keys are supported. Current keyboard layout is US (extended - with media/browser/application keys e.g. next/previous track). The remote user can normally change languages in Windows.

> Input text & keystrokes: The remote user can input text and keystrokes for the PC.

> Input Mouse location: The remote user can input coordinates to move the PC's mouse.

For the connection between the device and the PC, the TCP/IP protocol is used. Microsoft's Activesync connection is adequate (through many ways like cable, bluetooth, network etc). You can find more info in the programs' readmes.

Quick Guide: Download Pocket Control PC - PC and then Pocket Control PC - NetCF (first and second download boxes). Unzip them and read their ReadMes. Follow their installation instructions for each program. Then, connect the PC and the device through activesync (a small bluetooth guide is contained in the readme if you prefer it). Then, run both programs. On the PC, set the program to Listen (Connection > Begin Listening). Then, quickly click the Connect button on your smartphone. Now, you're ready to control your PC through your device (Menu > Modes).

Links:

More info and downloads at www34.brinkster.com/kingherc/.

Older post at Modaco, at "Pocket Control PC, new!".

16/4/05: Due to some problems of version 1.1 presented in the following posts, please read the troubleshooting guide on the website.

PC version screenshot: ControlPCScr_2.gif

NetCF version screenshot (smartphone): ControlPCcf_4.gif

NetCF version screenshot (smartphone): ControlPCcf_5.gif

NetCF program (for devices): PocketControlPC-NetCF1.0.zip

PC program: PocketControlPC-PC1.1.zip

Edited April 16, 2005 by Kingherc

[Guest Kingherc]

I'm also open to new ideas!

[Guest BrAGoL]

how about us, E100 users?

Posted from my SmartPhone!

[Guest Kingherc]

Sorry guys but it can't be supported by Smartphones 2002 or Pocket PCs 2002!

[Guest bartdesign]

I tryed it but i could't connect. I turned off the windows firewall to be sure. I installed the the app on my storage card, I got an active activesync connection...

The error is: The connection could not be achieved. Please ensure proper connection between the device and the host. Then try again.

Also the client crashes on my smartphone when i try to enter an ip adress. Error: Unexpented error, Pocket Control PC - NetCf.exe NullReferenceExeption Application::Run+0xf Main::Main+0xa

Let me know if you want some testing done, bart (at) verbeter.nl

I use a c500.

[Guest bartdesign]

I installed it on the phone itself same problems.

[Guest Kingherc]

Just fixed the problem. I uploaded the fixed version and you can re-download it from this topic or from my website. If this error persists, contact me again.

Also some notes: Doens't matter if you have a firewall running. Also, doesn't matter if it's on the storage card or not. (though it's small enough for the phone).

Of course, for everyone not knowing this, you must first "listen" (from the PC) and the connect from the device.

[Guest bartdesign]

it works now... ^_^ Nice app. Gonna try it via BT soon.

[Guest giuliastro]

Hello Kingherc, I was using previous version (1.0 I guess) and everything was fine. Latest 1.1 version (downloaded today, therefore it already has your latest bug correction) doesn't work for me (E200). Connection starts but after a few seconds I get disconnected and can't connect again without restarting the smartphone application. Again, with 1.0 I didn't have any problems, I wonder if it still can be downloaded somewhere. Thanks in advance and keep the good work!

[Guest Kingherc]

Sorry I didn't answer sooner, but I hadn't checked this topic for a long time.

About that: I have made a process to ensure that the connection is always active. This works on a loop with predefined time intervals. So, to disable that: When you get the connected message (and all works fine), you must quickly go to Menu > Options and disable "Ensure Active Connection". This must be disabled on the PC and on the device. For convenience, when you disable the option from one side, it transfers a message to the other side to auto-disable (or auto-enable) the option on the other side. But if the connection is not proper, you need to disable the option manually on both sides.

When this option is disabled, you cannot be sure if the connection is active at any moment. But you can still disconnect safely when you want.

Also, the previous versions are always at the bottom of the download page.

[Guest cdogg2000]

Wow, hey, tryed getting that thing to work for about an hour using several different configurations and never once could anything connect to anything whether via activesync, bt, wifi, or network, with smartphone, pocket pc, other pc, pc to pc, other pc to pc, just doesnt seem to work at all. No firewalls, all same network, all can communicate and ping, but app just doesnt seem to work, it does say it always connects on the first shot but nothing ever happens... Woulda been neat though, oh well...

[Guest mike-oh]

has this progressed any further?

I stumbled across this thread when looking for an app to shut the pc down via bluetooth but i can't find it. Anyone know where it is?

[Guest Kingherc]

Hi there all,

Sorry but right now I cannot focus on developping further this project. But let me give you some quick answers for your questions:

cdogg2000:

First of all, you did read all the readme, right? Some points to give attention to: You must also have installed and running on the "listening-mode" the Pocket Control PC - PC. Then, if the programs connect but then disconnect after a few moments, go to Menu > Options and disable "Ensure Active Connection". This must be disabled on the PC and on the device. Moreover, when the programs connect, they exchange a series of commands that can been seen on the log (like the screen size or the mouse location). If these commands do not appear (and it seems like it's connected), that means the connection is not successfully made.

mike-oh: You can use this program to shutdown your pc with bluetooth. First of all, read the readme on how to connect the program to the pc via bluetooth. When you're connected and all works fine, use the keyboard mode and click the key "Sleep". The PC will then shutdown. But, before doing all that, you must ensure that when the PC receives the click of "Sleep" it translates it into a shutdown command. To do that in windows: Desktop > Right Click > Properties > Screensaver > Power > Advanced > Power Buttons > Sleep Button > choose Shutdown.

Hope I helped.

[Guest Mehka]

Im sorry but: I think the readme file isnt that helpfull, it seems rather messy and not clear. When I first saw the help file I was like "damn what a lot of text!!" Just a little, I hope constructive, criticism ;)

You explain things like how to make a shortcut, but you dont explain that much about the "connection" fase.

I havent been able to use the program yet because I cant connect, (after selecting listen to at the PC program and clicking connect at my smartpone (T-mobile SDA). The error I get is "The connection couldnt be achieved, okease ensure proper connection between the device and host Then try again" (at the same time im using active sync by USB)

I dont really understand the IP config part, what IP do I have to set in my phone, my computer's IP (what if I dont have an internet connection active? ) isnt the connection made by active sync/usn? What do I have to set as port? Im behind a router, does that have anything to do with the connection?

Im a little confused :D

[Guest Confused Stu]

I'll be honest, I downloaded this and played with it for about half an hour, trying all different configurations, etc. In the end (and I have no idea what I did) it just started working and has been working reliably, every single time since.

This program absolutely rocks! It's crowning moment was running a presentation that our Centre Manager was fronting before our companies Managing Director. I was controlling the computer from the other side of the room by my phone's bluetooth and was meant to be invisible (boss wanted to take credit for the whole thing). As soon as it finished, the MD walked straight past my Centre Manager without a word and asked me how I was controlling the PC from across the room. He even admitted he hadn't listened to the second half of my bosses presentation as he was just trying to work out who was actually controlling it as there were a dozen of us in the room.

The pissed off look on my bosses face was priceless - and makes all the time fiddling with the settings for this app well worthwhile.

In short guys, keep trying and it will work, play around with the IP/port/connection thingy settings both sides, but keep them the same. Also disable anything saying it's checking for a connection or anything - you probably won't need it! Once you've got it working you can turn them back on if you decide you want them.

Oh, and don't do what I keep doing. Activating the remote on the phone and getting stressed with it not working, then realising I haven't turned on the PC app AND got it activesynced first! ;)

[Guest Kingherc]

Hi guys!

I've not checked on Pocket Control PC for a long time and I'm a bit confused about all these errors. I'll try to correct them in the future and make a new problem-free version.

Here are some easy steps you can make to make the programs connect:

As I've noted that the programs with the default options work/connect just fine and because reseting the options isn't yet supported, it's best to reset the options for each program manually.

For the PC: Options > Validate Connection is checked. Also Ensure Connection is checked (but disabled if there's no connection). Configure IP is at 0.0.0.0 and at the max port. Auto-Listen is checked to none and Stop When Disconnect is not checked. Auto Listen/Minimize on start are not checked.

For the device: Options > Validate Connection is checked. Also Ensure Connection is checked (but disabled if there's no connection). Configure IP is at ActiveSync's IP and at the max port.

With the above options, trying to connect is likely to succeed.

There's another thing you have to be careful about: It's best to uncheck "Ensure active connection" on both the device and the PC when you first get a connection. When you uncheck it, restart the programs (or the devices) so that the options are saved. After this I think there'll not be another problem.

If the above option is checked, you may be improperly disconnected without a reason sometimes.

Hope I've helped. If you still can't get a connection done, you could use the older versions of the program found at the website which do not show any of the above errors.

Edited April 16, 2005 by Kingherc

[Guest Mehka]

;) I got it working after all, I entered my computers IP on the phone and let the IP configuration of the PC program default.

Yet im having some problems, mouse mode works great for me, but keyboard mode is not. Im not having problems with the digits or the letters, but some of the other commands are not responding.

The slp function for example wont do anything, neither the windows browser/launch commands. F1-F12 work. Windows key doesnt.

And for your information:

Im using a SDA Music (HTC-Amandeus, w 2003) and Win XP with a microsoft wireless multimedia keyboard (does it matter wich keyboard one uses?)

Anyway, thanx for the program :D

[Guest Kingherc]

Yes, the keyboard functions are a bit confusing. All the program does is send keyboard clicks to the computer. After that it's the computer's job to "interpret" these clicks.

For example, if you have installed a "keyboard interpreter" program like Microsoft IntelliType, the clicks may be interpreted by it. That is: you may define what a key will do with IntelliType.

So, it's natural that some keys may not work. If you want them to work, I suggest downloading and installing Microsoft IntelliType. When it's installed, do not choose a your keyboard but one that probably has all the buttons on it. Then you can define what each button'll do in IntelliType. I believe that then the keyboard function's buttons will all do something.

For the sleep button: You have to define the key from inside windows: Control Panel > Power Options > Advanced > Power Buttons > and choose your button preferences.

The sleep button is an example of how a key can be interpreted through software.

[Guest Mehka]

So, it's natural that some keys may not work. If you want them to work, I suggest downloading and installing Microsoft IntelliType. When it's installed, do not choose a your keyboard but one that probably has all the buttons on it. Then you can define what each button'll do in IntelliType. I believe that then the keyboard function's buttons will all do something.

Hehe, smart, I was already thinking about redefining some buttons of my keyboard to other functions, changing to another keyboard would be better :D

Oh and, this is weird, (I have volume control buttons on my keyboard), both volume up and down commands from the phone do work, but mute doesnt.

For the sleep button: You have to define the key from inside windows: Control Panel > Power Options > Advanced > Power Buttons > and choose your button preferences.

The sleep button is an example of how a key can be interpreted through software.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I had already done that ;)