Droid Sync with Exchange 2003

[TLearnC]

I just received a new Motorola Droid yesterday, and then spent six hours trying to get it to sync with my Exchange Server. I am running SBS 2003.

At first, I was using a self-signed certificate. This worked with my Windows Mobile phones in the past, as long as I installed the certificate on the phone. I read in several forums where the Droid will not work without a third-party-signed certificate. Also, from my experience and from the forums, the Droid can not install certificates, even though it has a feature that appears to allow it.

So I bought a signed certificate from Go Daddy. Unfortunately, this did not change anything. I still could not sync.

I found this manual for setting up a Droid to sync with Exchange:

http://www.motorola.com/staticfiles/...ange-Email.pdf

I followed the steps, but no luck. I had already done everything it described. However, at the end was a link to an Exchange Server troubleshooting guide:

https://motorola-global-portal.custh...ountry_code/US

I followed the steps listed under "Exchange 2003 SP2 Instructions," but my properties window was missing the button for "Device Security...." Now what?

After some more forum surfing, I finally found the answer. SBS 2003 did not automatically install Exchange Server SP2. It had its own, scaled-down service pack. I then read where you could install SP2 on an SBS system. I did that this morning, and after my server rebooted, I was finally able to sync my phone.

This may not be the cause of your problem, but I hope some of the links above will help you or someone else.

[rza49311]

^^ Yep same thing I posted on page 7.

We use a cert and couldn't get email working. After updating our Exchange 2003 server from SP1 to SP2, email worked like a champ on the Droid.

[sthomas]

Same problem. They want people to switch to Google Apps from Exchange. By putting the corporate tool on the droid, then not having it work for Exchange, it encorages migration to Google Apps. Clearly they know how to fix it and would have if it did not serve their dubious corporate purposes. Microsoft used to do this crap all the time.

[insane_ai]

I am the admin for my network. I run SBS 2003 Premium R2. A common issue with the SBS server is that it creates and signs its own certificates. Make sure to check the box that says "Accept all ssl certificates" and "Use secure connection(SSL)" on your Droid.

When you configure your email account, make sure that you enter your username as DOMAIN\USERNAME. (The "\" is accessable by pressing alt then space, a popup come up where you can choose the "\" if you accidentally deleted it.)

Enter the full server address, do not accept the default of domain.com. The key to this is the OWA address or the remote web workspace address. If you use myserver.domain.com/exchange to get to owa or myserver.domain.com/remote for the remote web workspace, then use myserver.domain.com for the server setting.

If the connection still fails, check the settings for your mailbox from the Exchange System Manager. Navigate to the mailbox in question, right click and choose 'Exchange Tasks". From the Exchange Task wizard Clcik next then choose "Configure Exchange Features" and click next. On the following screen, make sure all Mobile Services are enabled;"Outlook Mobile Access", "User Initiated Synchronization" and "Up to Date Notifications".
ExchangeFeatures.JPG

If you follow all of that and it still does not work, rerun the CIECW and review your mail settings. Keep in mind if you complete the CEICW, you will create a new certificate and invalidate any others that you have previously issued. I would not complete the CEICW if I found the settings are all correct. Pressing the cancel buttonat the end leaves everything intact.

[takeshi]

Same problem. They want people to switch to Google Apps from Exchange. By putting the corporate tool on the droid, then not having it work for Exchange, it encorages migration to Google Apps. Clearly they know how to fix it and would have if it did not serve their dubious corporate purposes. Microsoft used to do this crap all the time.

</tinfoil hat>

Why wouldn't they just omit Exchange support if the goal is to push Google Apps?

[Glass Twins]

I too have the exact same problem!

I can sync my exchange calender, but email just shows a blank black screen (like there are no messages that it finds). But it shows the little spinning cirlce in the upper right corner (like it is doing something). I put in a support ticket with verizon (which I believe is talking to motorola).

PS. it doesnt work even with the "accept all cert" enabled.

I'm SOOOO FRUSTRATED with the DROID. When it works, its GREAT. Problem is, it only works half the time. I continually get a black screen when I hit the email button for my corporate email. I have gone thru two phones, spoke with Verizon and my IT guys at the same time and no one seem to know how to fix this. I NEED to get my emails. Any help out there. I'm convinced that my phone just doesn't get along with my server...any ideas on a fix. Please help.

[Ketchup]

Save yourself from headaches...

Purchase "Touchdown" in the Marketplace. Best solution out there for the Moto Droid. You can test it out with the trial version.

[REMilk]

Initially, I had the same problems with MS Exchange. I downloaded the trial version of Touchdown. I entered my corporate email address and password and the server names. Touchdown connected immediately. I then copied over the settings from Touchdown to the email application. Voila! I had access to my company email, (using Droid eMail app) via email and and company calendar (via Droid Corporate Calendar app).

For two weeks I played with the two Droid apps (email and Corporate Calendar) and Touchdown. I preferred Touchdown so I purchased it.

Just me experience, yours may vary.

Bob

[jsh1120]

I too have the exact same problem!

I can sync my exchange calender, but email just shows a blank black screen (like there are no messages that it finds). But it shows the little spinning cirlce in the upper right corner (like it is doing something). I put in a support ticket with verizon (which I believe is talking to motorola).

PS. it doesnt work even with the "accept all cert" enabled.

I'm SOOOO FRUSTRATED with the DROID. When it works, its GREAT. Problem is, it only works half the time. I continually get a black screen when I hit the email button for my corporate email. I have gone thru two phones, spoke with Verizon and my IT guys at the same time and no one seem to know how to fix this. I NEED to get my emails. Any help out there. I'm convinced that my phone just doesn't get along with my server...any ideas on a fix. Please help.

Pay attention to Ketchup and REMilk. The reviews of Touchdown are almost universally positive. Keep in mind that the folks at Google don't have the strongest possible incentive to encourage the use of a competing email server product (i.e. Exchange) or email client (i.e. Outlook.) But also keep in mind that Exchange is a highly configurable product that makes it difficult for software that is not very sophisticated to deal with all the combinations and permutations it presents. And finally, though your IT folks may be quite competent, if they're running a back rev version of Exchange (2003), they may not fully realize the implications of the settings in their configuration.

In short, get a program (Touchdown) from people whose business is to deal with all this complexity in a variety of environments.

[Ketchup]

Oh, and if you are looking to get the HTC Incredible ... Touchdown won't really be needed on that device!