Windows Tip Sheet
Firewall Smart, Me Stupid
Windows is smarter than you think.
Just when you think you've got Windows all figured out, you go and do
something stupid that makes you realize how much smarter Windows is than you
are. Here's an example: I picked up a new Dell Axim 51v, a great little
Windows Mobile device with a cool screen and a great GPS add-on. I install ActiveSync
on my WinXP SP2 laptop, plug everything in and wait. This stuff is all automatic,
right?
The little ActiveSync icon goes 'round and 'round and nothing happens.
Unplug, plug, nothing. Uninstall, reinstall, plug, nothing. Grr. Calls to several
friends yield no useful tips apart from "try sacrificing a goat,"
and I'm starting to get worried about the carpet if it comes to that.
So then I run across this
tip on JSI FAQ.
Duh. Turns out the connection with Windows Mobile 5 is considered a network
connection, and the Windows Firewall is blocking it. True, ActiveSync adds itself
as a firewall exception, but I've gone and turned on the "Don's
Allow Exceptions" checkbox in the Firewall configuration and, therefore,
it isn't allowing exceptions. Clear the checkbox and everything works.
I never suspected the firewall because I didn't realize that Windows
Mobile was making what is considered a network connection, thereby bringing
the firewall into play. Which just goes to show how important it is to understand
what's happening under the hood when you're encountering technical
issues with something as complicated as Windows.
About the Author
Don Jones is a multiple-year recipient of Microsoft’s MVP Award, and is Curriculum Director for IT Pro Content for video training company Pluralsight. Don is also a co-founder and President of PowerShell.org, a community dedicated to Microsoft’s Windows PowerShell technology. Don has more than two decades of experience in the IT industry, and specializes in the Microsoft business technology platform. He’s the author of more than 50 technology books, an accomplished IT journalist, and a sought-after speaker and instructor at conferences worldwide. Reach Don on Twitter at @concentratedDon, or on Facebook at Facebook.com/ConcentratedDon.