Connection paths PDA -> server

[Mandelbrot]

Dear All,


I'm new to developing with PDAs, and will be asking quite a few questions about the topic from here on!

Is there any simple way to tell if my PDA is connected to my PC viewing from the PDA side? I do have code to tell the other way round, but this isn't as muh of a worry. Alternatively, how do I refer to files on a server - how do I structure the path?


Thanks in advance,
Paul.

[Strider]

If your PDA has not got a wifi card or grps you can check for an ipaddress (as one is assigned to the device when docked with the pc)

Alternatively you could try a webrequest from the device and if it fails it means its not connected

Or try this code below for checking if activesync is active on the device.

<DllImport("CoreDll.DLL", SetLastError:=True)> _
Private Shared Function CreateProcess(ByVal imageName As String, _
ByVal cmdLine As String, _
ByVal lpProcessAttributes As IntPtr, _
ByVal lpThreadAttributes As IntPtr, _
ByVal boolInheritHandles As Int32, _
ByVal dwCreationFlags As Int32, _
ByVal lpEnvironment As IntPtr, _
ByVal lpszCurrentDir As IntPtr, _
ByVal si() As Byte, _
ByVal pi As ProcessInfo) As Integer
End Function
 
Public Class ProcessInfo
Public hProcess As IntPtr
Public hThread As IntPtr
Public ProcessId As Int32
Public ThreadId As Int32
End Class
 
Public Function RunSync()
Dim si(128) As Byte
Dim pi As New ProcessInfo
CreateProcess("\windows\repllog.exe", "/remote", IntPtr.Zero, IntPtr.Zero, 0, 0, IntPtr.Zero, IntPtr.Zero, si, pi)
End Function

[Mandelbrot]

Strider,


Many thanks for your informative and swift reply. I have thought about the ActiveSync choice, but unfortunately the device does not actually end AS automatically.

I've given your suggestion about the IP address a try, and do get a response on that. For some reason, even though the file exists, the FileInfo class I create seems to have a value of nothing, thus the resulting attempt to check for the existence of the file (in the code below) always returns a false, even though the code executes without exceptions.

    Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click
        'Check the network to see if we can find a specified file or whatever...
        Dim netConnect As New System.IO.FileInfo("\\Morph1\Sys$\Donhost.ins")
        TextBox1.Text = netConnect.Exists.ToString
    End Sub

Paul.

[Strider]

On your device can you access that location ("\\Morph1\Sys$\Donhost.ins") if you browse to it in the File Explorer? Does it ask you for user name and password?

[Strider]

also you will need make sure that it is a shared directory you are trying to access as otherwise permissions will fail and return false!!!!

[Mandelbrot]

Hmm... I'm not quite sure if the PDA is set-up properly. I think I need to check that more first. It seems that, even though I know the server and share exist and are accessible, that the PDA can't attach.

Thanks for your help, Barry. I think this is a PDA setup issue, so I'm going to have a deeper look at what should be setup and where.


Paul.

[Strider]

what type of device are you using?? pocket pc or windows ce OS??

[Mandelbrot]

I'm using an iPAQ hx4700 running PPC WM2003(2nd Edition). Like I say, though - this is the first time I've ever had the pleasure, and it is quite a nice little box of tricks.

I've got a project on to write an auditable diary system. It's been an uphill struggle all the way. I only started properly using .NET about a couple of months ago. I found that the biggest problem was getting my head around the structure, but now - it's the best thing since sliced bread!!

[Strider]

ya its pretty good, but the current version of the .Net compact framework is limited, the full version 2.0 of CF.Net will be released wit visual studio 2005 which i assume will be a lot better.

Also there is an open source community for the .Net framework. www.opennetcf.org
This will come in quiet handy

[Mandelbrot]

Thanks for all your help Barry - you're a star, mate