Connecting to Windows Mobile® Devices

The uses Remote API (RAPI) to communicate with Windows Mobile devices; however, the default security settings of most devices place RAPI in restricted mode. Restricted mode prohibits 3rd-party applications such as from communicating with the device. To enable communication, RAPI must be fully enabled.

Windows Mobile 5.0 Devices

To allow to connect with Windows Mobile 5.0 devices, the RAPI security policy can be modified using the Security Configuration Manager. This tool can be downloaded from Microsoft at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=7e92628c-d587-47e0-908b-09fee6ea517a&displaylang=en.

To change the device's RAPI security policy, follow these steps:

1. Install Security Configuration Manager on your desktop or laptop PC.
2. Connect the Windows Mobile device to the computer. ActiveSync should launch automatically. If ActiveSync is able to connect to the device, the ActiveSync icon, located in the system tray, becomes green and the ActiveSync window should appear.



Note: Even though the ActiveSync icon is green, RAPI may still be restricted on the device.

3. Run the Security Configuration Manager.
4. In the Security Configuration Manager window, select "Security Off" from the "Selected Configuration" menu to allow RAPI communication with the device.



5. To complete the Security Configuration change, click Provision.

Note: If a window appears on the device asking you to change the security option, click Ok to allow the change.

6. The following dialog box appears.



7. Click Ok.
8. Once the Security Configuration Manager settings have been successfully changed you should be able to run and connect to the device.

Windows Mobile 6.0 and 6.1 Devices

To allow to connect with Windows Mobile 6.0 and 6.1 devices, the RAPI security policy must be modified manually using a 3rd-party registry editor (like Resco Explorer).

Install the registry editor of your choice on the handset and use it to browse to the following registry key: HKLM\Security\Policies\Policies

The registry entry 1001 controls the security setting for RAPI. A value of 2 means RAPI is restricted, 1 means all applications are allowed to use RAPI and 0 means RAPI is turned off. Set the value to 1 to allow to communicate with the device.