Connecting H/PC Explorer & Windows XP Guide

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Applies To:

  • H/PC Explorer v1.0 / 1.1 and Windows CE 1

Overview:

H/PC Explorer for Windows CE 1.0x was designed to integrate into the Windows NT 4.0 Remote Access Service (RAS) system. Under Windows XP (NT 5.1) the RAS system has been changed and H/PC Explorer is not able to successfully integrate into the XP RAS system.

Solution:

Windows XP

This method of connection is not supported by Microsoft. Although using this guide you will be-able to connect Windows CE 1 to your Windows XP based system, the H/PC Explorer software is not in itself compatible with Windows XP and may cause undesired results. HPC Factor recommends that all users pursue the Windows CE 2.0 upgrade for their device if one was made availableClick for Multimedia Tutorial.

WARNING: This article is intended for use solely by Windows CE 1.0x users and should not be attempted under any other platform. Users of newer Windows CE devices should only use Microsoft ActiveSync.

Note: For convenience this article assumes that the default Windows Luna Theme is in use. Directions may differ if the Windows Classic Theme and / or Start Menu have been applied.

  1. Open Control Panel from the Start Menu
  2. Start the 'Network and Internet Connections'  Icon
  3. Run the 'Network Connections' Control Panel Applet
  4. Select 'Create a New Connection' from the Network Tasks, Task Panel to launch the 'New Connection Wizard'
  5. Click Next
  6. Choose 'Set up an advanced connection' and click Next
  7. Select 'Accept incoming connections', click Next
  8. Select 'Do not allow virtual private connections' (VPN) and click Next
  9. Select the COM Port that your Handheld PC will be connecting to and click Next
    1. If the COM Port you plan to use is not listed or you are not presented with any port selection screen, return to the previous screen and choose the 'Connect directly to another computer' option. Following the wizard choosing 'Host'. Once complete, return to the Accept Incoming Connection screen in step 7. The COM port will now be available to use
    2. Ensure that you specify the correct COM port that you wish to use with your device. Do not select a a port which an external modem is connected to as this will enable the modem to automatically answer incoming calls
  10. On the user permissions screen select Guest. If Guest is not listed you will need to allow it through Group Policy (although it does not need to be enabled as an active user account), click Next
  11. Depending upon your computers LAN configuration hardware, or if you need to manually configure the TCP/IP, DNS or Network Bindings configuration (Advanced Users Only) you may need to perform additional network configuration. For most users:
    1. Highlight Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click Properties
    2. Tick the Allow calling computer to specify its own IP address option, click OK
    3. Click Next to proceed
  12. The Connection Wizard is now complete. On clicking the Finish button your computer will spend a few moments configuring the connections
  13. Due to the limited connectivity available to Windows CE, the connection should be established independently of the Windows XP security model (instead of using the Guest account).
    1. Return to Network Connections in the Control Panel
    2. Right click the Incoming Connection and choose Properties
    3. If you would like to display a connectivity indicator for the connection tick the Show Icon in notification area when connected option
    4. Select the User tab and enable the Always allow directly connected devices such as palmtop computers to connect without providing a password option
    5. Click OK
  14. Install Microsoft Handheld PC Explorer 1.1. When prompted for the removal of the RAS service select No.
  15. Restart Your Computer
  16. Launch H/PC Explorer 1.1, ignoring any RAS error messages
  17. Connect your Handheld PC Synchronisation Lead to the COM port you specified in the New Connection Wizard
  18. In the H/PC Explorer Communication Properties, available from the File menu, choose the COM port that you specified in the New Connection Wizard
  19. Power on your Handheld PC, close any open applications
  20. Open the Communications folder from the start menu
  21. Connect the Synchronisation lead to the Handheld PC
  22. Run PC Link
  23. Windows XP should connect to Windows CE. The connection will be shown in the Network Connections Control Panel applet. Connection Speed, Duration and Data transfer rates can be displayed by double clicking the connection
  24. Handheld PC Explorer should detect the connection and begin by displaying the Partnership Wizard

For information on Windows XP and Windows CE 1.0x in the official statement from the hp Corporation - Click Here

Acknowledgements:

With thanks to Andy Baguley, Martin Clothier, Matt Gillard and Nicolas for working with us on this article.

 

Published: May 20, 2002 | Article last Reviewed: August 27, 2011