Activesync Via Bt Using Native Ms Driver

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Connecting the Orange SPV C500 to ActiveSync via Bluetooth using Windows XP

(SP2) and the native Microsoft Bluetooth Driver

Created by: Garth Rautenbach

Table of Contents

* Introduction

* 'Gotchas'

* Trying to initiate synchronisation from the PC

* Bluetooth connection type not available in ActiveSync profile on the phone

* Before we begin...

* Preparing the PC

* Preparing the C500

* Setting up the PC

* Setting up the C500

* Tidying up...

* Conclusion

Introduction

Getting the SPV C500 (and other) phone to connect to Microsoft ActiveSync via Bluetooth can

be a nightmare (as you've no doubt found!). This doesn't have to be the case - this document

was created to help you achieve this (simple?) task. This guide makes use of the C500, but it

may very well work on other models such as the Motorola MPX220, or similar handset. I have

not tested this procedure with any other handset but the C500, so your results may vary.

'Gotchas'

Trying to initiate synchronisation from the PC

It won't work. I spent a huge amount of time trying to get my C500 handset to connect to

ActiveSync from the PC without any luck. I kept receiving 'Handset is not recognised' by

ActiveSync. The main point to take note of is that the ActiveSync connection MUST be

initiated from the handset and not the PC. It will NOT work if you try and initiate a connection

from the desktop. I believe this is 'by design' and would love to see and example of this

working on the Microsoft Smartphone platform. I am currently developing an application for

the Smartphone 2003 platform (BTAutoSync SP) which will automatically initiate an

ActiveSync connection (via Bluetooth) at a user-configured time on the phone - In other

words, Bluetooth 'proximity' detection. I'll release the application on Modaco

(www.modaco.com) soon, so keep an eye out for it there.

Bluetooth connection type not available in ActiveSync profile on the phone

You will need to configure the ActiveSync profile on the phone to use Bluetooth as a

connection type (even if you've previously paired with your desktop machine). I found that

most of the time it was set to 'USB' or '19200', and not Bluetooth. Checking this setting is

covered later in this document (Settings up the C500).

If you don't setup the phone pairing via ActiveSync on the phone, Bluetooth will more than

likely NOT be available as a connection type and you will NOT be able to synchronise if this

setting is incorrect.

Please follow the guide 'step-by-step' and do not take any shortcuts (As I did!). Be patient,

and I'm sure you'll get it to work!

Finally, print this out and go make some coffee before you start!

Created by: Garth Rautenbach

Filename: C500 ActiveSync via Bluetooth.pdf

Date: November 2004

Version: 1.0

Requirements

* Windows XP (Professional or Home Edition) with Service Pack 2

* Bluetooth Adapter (Using the standard Microsoft Bluetooth Driver)

* Microsoft ActiveSync 3.7.1

* Orange SPV C500 Handset (Or similar handset)

* Microsoft Outlook 2000/XP/2003

Before We Begin...

Disable all firewall software (Symantec, Windows XP, Etc.). Refer to your software

documentation on how to do this. If you are directly connected to the Internet (i.e. Using an

analogue or broadband modem and not a NAT router), disconnect from the Internet BEFORE

doing this. I have not personally experienced any issues with the Windows XP firewall, but

others have. I’ve merely noted this for completeness. Oh yes, don’t forget the coffee…

Preparing the PC

1. Open the Windows XP Bluetooth Manager by double-clicking on the icon in the system

tray.

1. Remove any existing pairings with the C500 by clicking on the 'Devices' tab; select the

Bluetooth device and click remove. This *should* remove the partner from your phone as

well (If it's within Bluetooth range).

Above: Bluetooth Devices Removed.

3. Remove any existing Bluetooth COM Ports by clicking on the 'COM Ports' tab; select a

COM Port and click 'Remove'. Repeat until all Ports have been removed.

Above: All COM Ports removed.

4. Confirm the PC is 'Discoverable' by clicking on the 'Options' tab; ensure that 'Device

Discovery' is selected.

Above: Discovery turned on.

5. Temporarily disable ActiveSync by double-clicking on the ActiveSync icon in the system

tray; click on 'File > Connection Settings'. Un-tick all checkboxes (except for the bottom

option) and click ‘OK.

6. Restart the computer (!Important).

Preparing the C500

Delete any existing pairings on the phone

1. Select 'Settings > Bluetooth'

2. Select 'Menu > Devices'

3. Delete existing pairing by selecting ‘Menu > Delete’

Above: Deleting existing Bluetooth Pairings

Confirm COM Port Settings are disabled

1. Select 'Configuration'

2. Select 'BT SerialPortSetup' - disable both COM Ports (6 & 7)

Above: Disabling the Bluetooth Serial COM Ports

Disable Bluetooth on the Phone

1. Select 'Settings > Bluetooth'

2. Ensure Bluetooth is 'Off'

Above: Bluetooth disabled

4. Re-start the phone (!Important).

Setting up the PC

Add a new Bluetooth COM Port to the PC

1. Double-click on the Bluetooth Manger icon in the task tray.

2. Click on the 'COM Port' tab.

3. Click on the 'Add' button.

Above: Adding a Bluetooth COM Port to the PC

4. Select 'Incoming' as the COM Port type and click 'OK'.

Once the Port has been added, make a note of the COM Port number - you will need this

when setting up ActiveSync on the PC later on.

Above: New COM Port Number is 'COM7'

4. Restart the machine (!Important).

Configure ActiveSync to use the newly created Bluetooth COM Port

1. Double click on the ActiveSync icon in the system tray.

2. Click 'File -> Connection Settings' and select the COM Port number we have added in the

previous step. (If the COM Port number we previously configured is not available, repeat the

previous step - have you restarted the machine?)

Setting up the C500

Enable Bluetooth on the Phone

1. Select 'Settings > Bluetooth'

2. Ensure Bluetooth is 'On'

Enable Bluetooth COM Ports on the phone

1. Select 'Configurations > BT Serial Port Setup'.

2. Ensure both COM Port are enabled.

- Once you confirm these settings, you will be prompted to 'Bond with anther Bluetooth

device' - Cancel from here (Press the 'back' key if required) and return to the homescreen.

Pair with the phone

1. Start ActiveSync and select 'Menu --> 'Setup ActiveSync Bluetooth' to start pairing with

the phone. Follow the instructions on the phone.

Above: Clicking on ‘New’ will initiate device discovery

Once your Bluetooth partner has been discovered, select it and enter a ‘Passkey’ when

prompted.

After entering the passkey, a message will be displayed on the PC asking you to confirm the

Passkey entered on the phone.

Above: Successfully paired with the PC

Confirming Bluetooth is an available connection type

1. Start ActiveSync and select ‘Menu > Options’.

2. Select ‘2 PC Settings’.

3. Select ‘Menu > Advanced’.

4. Select ‘Bluetooth as a connection type.

If Bluetooth is not an available option, there is more than likely a problem with the serial port

setup configured on the PC in the previous step (Setting up the PC).

Above: Confirming Bluetooth is an available connection type

Initiate a Connection and Test

1. Return to the Homescreen and start ActiveSync.

2. Select 'Menu > Connect via Bluetooth'.

Finally, pray that it works.... :o

Tidying Up...

- Enable your firewall, connect to the Internet and test again.

- Configure ActiveSync exceptions in your firewall software if required.

- Go make some more coffee.

Conclusion

Whilst this document is convoluted and overkill, I believe that if you follow the procedure

step-by-step, you WILL get ActiveSync working over Bluetooth. Some steps may not be

necessary, I know…be patient, you’ll get it working. If you would like to contact me, please

send an E-Mail to [email protected]

A pictorial guide is also available here C500Guide_v1_1_.0.zip

Thanks to gaplayer26 for this guide,

Also available from the same author

BTAutoSync SP v0.0.3

BTAutoSync SP (Bluetooth AutoSync) for Smartphone 2003, is an application which will schedule repeated, automatic ActiveSync over Bluetooth! BTAutoSync SP will 'wake up' at user-defined intervals (as often as every minute) and attempt to locate your Bluetooth/ActiveSync partner desktop (over Bluetooth) and establish an ActiveSync connection...

Available here for a set donation of £10