Configuring your H/PC Pro to Connect to the Internet

Comm Link

By Chris De Herrera
November 20, 1998 

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One of the most common questions users ask is how to connect their Windows CE H/PC Pro-based device to the Internet. This article describes how to prepare your device so that you can connect to the Internet to surf the Web, and to send and receive your E-mail. Although the H/PC Pro supports PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol) and SLIP (Serial Line Internet Protocol) this article focuses on PPP. Note that Microsoft does not support this procedure. If you're unable to complete this task, contact your ISP for assistance.

You will need the following information to configure your H/PC Pro. If you do not know this information, please check my ISP Settings FAQ and see if your ISP is listed. If it's not, please contact your ISP for these settings. You will need:

• User name and password
• Whether your ISP uses a Server Assigned IP address or static IP address.
• DNS (domain name server) IP Addresses
• POP3 Server IP Address (e-mail receiving server)
• SMTP Server IP Address (e-mail sending server)
• The phone number for dial-up to the Internet.

Configuring Your H/PC Pro for Dial-Up Connection

Once you have this information you can configure your H/PC Pro to dial your ISP. Enter this information from Start - Programs - Communications - Remote Networking. Then click on the Make New Connection icon. You will see the following screen. I recommend that you enter a descriptive name for your ISP. You may want to include the location that you are calling as well.

At the next screen you select the modem you are using. If you are using a PC Card modem you must insert the modem into the device in order to select it.

After selecting the modem you then configure it. This is where you select the baud rate of the connection. The faster the better.

Here is where you enter a static IP address for the connection. I recommend that you start with the defaults - software compression and IP header compression.

For most ISPs all you have to do is configure the DNS server addresses and use the defaults for the rest of the settings.

Next enter the phone number you wish to dial. Make sure that you enter the area code - that's how Windows CE identifies if it's to dial a local call or long distance.

To connect, click on the icon created in the Remote Networking folder. Enter your user name and password prior to connecting. Don't forget to leave the domain name blank! (The domain name is for accessing a Windows NT Network only.) You can use bUseful Script to connect to an ISP that requires scripts.

Configuring the Inbox

To configure your H/PC Pro to access e-mail, you need to launch the Inbox. Then select Services - Options from the menu. Click on the Add button. Most ISPs use the POP3 functionality.

Here's where you enter your user name, password, SMTP server, and POP3 server. Be careful -- some ISPs use different user names and passwords than the dial-up information. Make sure that you leave the domain name blank unless you are connecting to a Windows NT server.

The next screen allows you to customize your connection. The default settings should be fine.

At the next screen you may choose to download the full message, depending on how often you want to read everything you receive. Remember, downloading messages will take more time each time you connect.

The final screen does not apply to ISPs. If you were connecting to a corporate network this is where you would be able to select an on-line address book such as what Exchange supports.

To connect to receive your E-mail, select Services - Connect. Then enter your e-mail password.

Troubleshooting

1. Check the domain name on the Dial-Up Connection screen. It should be blank. The domain name is only used to connect to a Windows NT server.
2. If you are using a 33.6k or slower modem that is calling a 56k number, you may need to add four to six commas after the phone number.
3. If you are having a problem connecting, uncheck the header compression and software compression.

If you are still having a problem, please contact your ISP to confirm your settings.

Conclusion

The H/PC Pro provides additional capabilities for connecting to the Internet. It provides the smallest platform for receiving, using and sending e-mail attachments in unconverted desktop file formats. Also, Pocket Internet Explorer has additional support for JScript and VBScript as well as 128-bit encryption for compatibility with secure Web sites.

Your portable H/PC running Windows CE H/PC Pro is now ready to become your most a valued tool for sending and receiving e-mail while on the road.

If you find an error or can add to in the information provided above, feel free to e-mail me at Chris De Herrera.

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