Archive for the ‘Windows Phone’ Category

Tip: Troubleshooting Miracast devices and Windows 8.x

Friday, July 3rd, 2015

Hi Folks,

did you get a Miracast enabled device like the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter? But now you suffer during the setup or it “just” did not work?

mswda

Here are a few simple tips’s how to troubleshoot a Miracast connection.

First of all verify that you device is Miracast enabled! To use Miracast you must be use a Miracast enabled GFX-Card and WiFi driver, you can check this out quite simple… Just execute “dxdiag.exe” and select “Save informations”, now open the saved “dxdiag.txt” file with a regular text editor and scroll down to the line beginning with “Miracast:” in the Display Devices area.  If you have “Miracast: Supported” than you are ready to go but i assume that you have a “Miracast: Not supported…”

For Windows Phone you can find a Miracast enabled device list here: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/mobile/support/faq/?action=singleTopic&topic=FA143456

If you run into a “Miracast: Not supported by Graphics Driver” issue make sure that you have installed the latest driver! By default newer Intel devices are working well also with low end Atom based tablets if they are not to old. You can download the latest Miracast enabled Intel Drivers from here: https://downloadcenter.intel.com/search?keyword=4th+Generation+Intel%C2%AE+Core%E2%84%A2+Processors+with+Intel%C2%AE+HD+Graphics+4400. This driver supports a bunch of devices but be aware that not all devices are supported for Miracast, just review the driver release notes (see picture below).

IntelMiracast

AMD could be also be tricky, in anyway you mostly are required to perform a driver update but for a couple of AMD Devices you are required to add a registry entry “DalWirelessDisplaySupport” as Dword set to 1 in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE_System\ControlSet001\Control\Class\{4d36e968-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}\00?? area. 00?? means you have to figure out which registry part handles your AMD GFX-Card.

If you run into a “Miracast: Not supported by WiFi Driver” issue you are required to update your wireless driver or maybe forced to replace the Wireless Module.  For Intel devices there is a good article here: http://supportkb.intel.com/wireless/wireless-display/templates/selfservice/intelwidi/#portal/1026/article/2511 to verify if your components are supported or “not”.

If you have a “Miracast: Supported” message in the dxdiag.txt but still you are not able to connect to the Miracast Device the fun beginns…

1) If the Hyper-V role is installed make sure that you have not assigned a virtual switch to the Wireless network card.

2) Make sure that no VPN client is installed during your tests, this can prevent the Miracast connection….

3) ..similar for a Virus Scanner inspecting the network traffic. During my tests i never got an issue with the enabled Windows Firewall but in any way disabling the Windows Firewall could be also tested.

4) Miracast currently works for 2,4GHz wireless connections, if you are connected to a 5GHz wireless lan a Miracast connection can not be started. This is not well documented but during my tests i never was able to connect to a Miracast device if my WiFi was connected to a regular 5GHz wireless network. The funny thing, i was able to browse the Miracast devices but if trying to connect it just hangs without any error message… So make sure that you are connected to a 2,4GHz network. In rare cases you might be also forced to fully disconnect from the wireless lan->setup the miracast connection->join the wireless lan again.

So the shortlist:

1) Make sure you have the right hardware and the right drivers installed!

2) Make sure you wireless network connection is configured well!

Have Fun!

Michael

 

Windows Phone Remote Desktop Services Client comes now with RDGateway support

Thursday, March 12th, 2015

Hi Folks,

the Remote Desktop Services Client for the Windows Phone now comes with RDGateway support (after a long time waiting…).

The RDGateway Client works fine but seams to have some issues with self signed certificates if the CA can not be reached to verify the certificate blacklist. So i recommend to use certificate coming from a public CA to make sure it’s working fine. You will get an 0x3000005 error in this case, this error will only happen if you connect thru an external network and not if you try it in the local network.

Cheers

Michael

 

 

Solution: Why iam using a Nokia Lumia now…

Wednesday, June 11th, 2014

Hello Folks,

today i discussed this with a few guys and why not write this into an article.

A few reasons why a Nokia Lumia / Windows Phone is the best enterprise phone in my opinion.

1) Updates, Microsoft don’t deal with Software Updates like other Vendors (Samsung with Android as example!). Mobile Providers have to agree, different updates by region? Forget it! If the update is available you will get it and this really is a benefit and the main reason why i kicked out all Android based devices.

2) Worldwide (yes.. worldwide!) offline navigation is included. You are traveling a lot.. Don’t get a Map for the UAE, Brazil or whatever for your Navigation Software or the Vendor  want to charge you (again). Not an issue with a Windows Phone 8.x, it already comes with a good offline navigation software called Here Maps or HereMaps+ (Windows Phone 8.1) for free incl. “offline” maps for 97 countries.

3) Dual Sim support, all new Nokia Mobiles are coming with a dual sim option by design and for only a few $.. Want to cut roaming cost? Here you go. Like 1) i call it the “Beat Mobile Provider” initiative and like 2) it’s very useful if you travel a lot.

4) Want to use mail? How much exchange connections can your current mail client handle? Want to use googlemail or whatever, just compare it to other mail clients and you will see the difference.

5) Nokia is the master of Mobile Phone device design.. For example if you get a Lumia 630 which is a very fast entry level phone, check out the case. Nobody can deal with plastic cases like Nokia (really), it feels expensive/precise with a perfect grip and well balanced weight and not like a 160€/US$ Phone. (did i already mentioned that a offline Navigation software is included?) 🙂

6) The new Universal Apps (Windows 8.1 / Windows Phone 8.1), means if you buy a Universal App you can use it with Windows 8.1 Laptops/Tablets/VM’s or Desktops and also with Windows Phone 8.1.

7) Change the region on the fly.. You want to change the region from the US to Mexico or from Germany to Switzerland? It’s just a setting (like for Windows) and not more, no region lock or useless crap like coming from other Vendors. If you move – Your device can also move and this is how it should be. Want to use cortana which is only available in the US? Change the region and install it..

These are only a few reasons and i don’t get paid for this 😉 …but iam really disappointed how Android or other solutions are used and offered as the biggest “thing” ever but big Vendors are not even able to provide similar updates at the same time for the same device worldwide; what a joke. I really like the alternative and what Microsoft is doing with Nokia at he moment and by this way, i don’t care that Android/IOS has more Games available in the Store.

 

Cheers

Michael

Tip: Hidden storage application in the Windows Store for Windows Phone 8.x

Wednesday, June 11th, 2014

Hello Folks,

you want a detailed overview about your Windows Phone Storage? ..or a way to move the maps for your offline Navigation App from internal Storage to SD-Card? Delete the Temp Files?

In the Windows Store is a very useful tool for your Windows Phone but it’s hidden and can not be found thru the Windows Store at your Phone. Just open the the following link to install the App on your Windows Phone.

 Lumia storage check

This tool is developed and provided by Microsoft Mobile and it’s not a “in App” sale, Ads or similar “worse” App. It’s only a “Beta” Version at the moment but until now i did not discover any issues with this app.

 

Cheers

Michael