"Unable to Connect" Error Message After Successful Synchronization with Mobile Information Server (816083)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Powered Pocket PC 2002
  • Microsoft Windows Powered Pocket PC 2003
  • Microsoft ActiveSync 3.6
  • Microsoft ActiveSync 3.5
  • Pocket PC Phone Edition 1.0
  • Smartphone 2002 1.0

SYMPTOMS

When you synchronize through the Microsoft Mobile Information Server with your Pocket PC device, you may receive the following error message:
Cannot Connect: If you use a modem to connect to your ISP, ensure that it is inserted correctly. To connect to your work network, you must create a modem (dialup) connection or a VPN connection. To create a connection, tap Settings.
When you tap the Errors link in Microsoft ActiveSync, you receive the following message: Unable to connect. Verify your dialup or proxy settings are correct, and try again.

CAUSE

The Mobile Information Server can only synchronize three Microsoft Exchange components: Inbox, Contacts, and Calendar. All other components that you typically synchronize use ActiveSync. ActiveSync tries to contact the desktop computer that is listed in Options under ActiveSync. If the connection requires a virtual private network (VPN) connection to access your desktop computer, you must first set up that connection. Make the connection available for ActiveSync to use. ActiveSync can then contact the host desktop computer, and can then synchronize the components that remain.

RESOLUTION

The error message listed in the Symptoms section is not a fatal error. The message is only an informative message to tell the user that the Mobile Information Server cannot connect to the host desktop computer. To avoid receiving this message, do one of the following:
  1. To Configure ActiveSync to not manually sync with your desktop computer, follow these steps:
    1. Tap Start, and then tap ActiveSync.
    2. Tap Tools, and then tap Options.
    3. Clear the Sync with this PC during manual sync check box.
  2. Configure a VPN or dialup connection so that the Mobile Information Server can contact your desktop. To do so, follow these steps:
    1. Tap Start, and then tap Settings.
    2. At the Connections tab, tap the Connections icon.
    3. Tap the Modify button in the drop-down list box in the middle of the screen. (You see three drop-down list boxes, one on top, one in the middle, and one on the bottom of the screen.)
    4. Tap the connection type that you require: Modem or VPN.
    5. Tap NEW..., and then follow the prompts to enter the correct information.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:8/18/2005
Keywords:kbDSWCE2003Swept kbprb KB816083 kbAudDeveloper
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