A couple of weeks ago I got my Samsung Blackjack from Cingular, which is a Windows Smartphone device. I’m also running Windows Vista RC2 on my computers. Since Vista is not officially supported by Samsung/Cingular, I had to research how to get everything working.
The first thing I wanted to do was get ActiveSync working. But wait, doesn’t Vista have a built-in Sync Center that replaces Active-Sync? Yes, but the mobile devices and drivers are not included with RC2, and I’m not sure if it’s in the RTM version or will be a separate download.
So after poking around Microsoft’s web site I found:
After you install this package, you will notice a new Icon called Windows Mobile Device Center on your desktop. I plugged in my BlackJack, and Windows recognized the hardware and started installing devices. After all of that was done, I was unable to Sync with Outlook or properly connect.
As it turns out, the OneCare v1.5 beta for Vista has problems with Mobile Devices. Apparently the synchronization process uses network ports, even though it’s happening via USB. I found a post on the OneCare beta forums on the ports to open, but it didn’t work for me. So I ended up disabling the OneCare firewall for the short periods that I sync.
After I got synchronization working, I wanted to tether my laptop to BJ since it supports 3G service (up to 3.6Mbps downstream). San Diego was one of the first areas to get 3G from Cingular, so I was excited to try it out. However, the setup software that comes with the BJ doesn’t support Vista so I needed to manually setup the modem.
After a lot of troubleshooting and talking with Cingular tech support, the solution was pretty easy. On the BJ change the communiucations mechanism for the USB connection to "modem" and plug in the USB cable. After the proper drivers install, open the device manager and locate the SAMSUNG CDMA modem and open the properties. Click on the advanced tab and type (case sensitive):
AT+CGDCONT=1,"IP","wap.cingular"
After this, setup a new modem connection and use the following information:
Phone Number: *99#
Username: WAP@CINGULARGPRS.COM
Password: CINGULAR1
Double click on the connection and viola, your computer is now tethered and you can surf the internet, download mail, etc. Note, you do need a proper data plan from Cingular for this to work.
Unfortunately tethering via BlueTooth does not work with Vista at this time. Vista is unable to discover the PAN services needed, but XP SP2 works just fine.
In case you are wondering how I like the BJ, it’s hands down the best phone I’ve ever had. It’s not perfect, but it will be a keeper.
