So I finally got around to setting up my SBS 2003 server up for Mobile. I installed Exchange 2003 Service Pack 2 (Without the need for a reboot I might add) which went quite smoothly and added some extra functionality to my Mobile Settings in System Manager.

This service pack seems to give you a lot more features for OTA programming, very nice.

So I decided to plug in my trusty Motorola Q (In all truths, this is my Q 2.0, my first one took a bump or 2 too many and had to be recycled at the local Verizon store; boy do I hate dealing with them...). First thing is first, I tried to install the root certificate for SSL from my domain to my Q. Nope! Continued to receive the error "Security permission was insufficient to update your device"... Argh.....

So after some research and not much from help from Verizon's Data Support team (What a joke!), this is what I came up with. Note, this also works if your server's SSL root server is GoDaddy. Download GoDaddy's Root Certificate.

Steps to Add a Root Certificate to a Motorola Q (or other Windows Mobile 5 Device) - Please note MODIFYING YOUR REGISTRY CAN BE HARMFUL TO YOUR DEVICES' HEALTH

1. Download and install Windows Mobile Registry Editor, I tried several, the shining star by far is Resco Explorer, the registry module is included with the trial download.
2. Start "Resco Registry"
3. Navigate to HKLM\Security\Policies\Policies
4. Change these 3 registry keys:
   00001001 - change value from 2 to 1
   00001005 - change value from 16 to 40
   000010017 - change value from 128 to 144
5. Close Registry Editor

Now you can install you .CER certificate file, and SSL to your Exchange Server will work as needed.

UPDATE Sept. 12th 2006

Motorola.com recently released an update for the Motorola Q, it will completely wipe your memory (not storage card) and update a lot of little quirks I've noticed such as Ring Tone Preview (Boy, was that annoying!), the addition of Wireless Manager, better Exchange Support, etc. Actually I am still in the midst of uncovering all of these updates seeing as I was unable to locate any documents on the Motorola site stating new features and bug fixes.

One definate feature it did take away was the ability to do the ##342587 hack I so eloquently describe in my original entry.

To my surprise the Bluetooth profile for DUN (Dial-Up Networking) was now enabled! Woot Woot! I won't have to carry a USB cable around with my laptop!

Wrong! 

I made numerous attempts to connect to Verizon through my Windows XP laptop using my bag o' tricks, but, no go. I broke down and decided to contact Verizon. Argh, why must it be such a pain to get decent customer service from a company you pay damn good money to each and every month? Anyways, I'm told by a Technical Support supervisor that there is an additional $15 monthly fee to use my Motorola Q as a modem either USB tethered or using Bluetooth. She stated that they charge a different fee depending on the device. I'm sorry, my contract states "Unlimited Data Usage" which I pay $47.99 per month; why should I pay even more to use that Unlimited Data through my laptop? Why?

I've yet to re-install PDANET, although I'm fairly certain it'll work.

I'll update.

Original Post Aug. 23rd 2006

Having recently acquired a new toy, my handy dandy Motorola Q, I was hell bent on squeezing every ounce of functionality from this technological little wonder. This puppy is chock full of neat features, least of which is the BT Remote control feature, which allows me to remote control my PC through my Q! One of the features I expected, which was communicated to me by the Verizon salesman, was the ability to use my Q as a modem to connect to Verizon Wireless Internet service, functionality I plan to abuse since needing to add a $50 a month unlimited data fee (A data plan is necessary when using a PDA\Smart Phone with Verizon, unless you want to pay some outrageous per KB charges).

When I finally got around to setting up DUN(Dial-up Networking, or Dial-up NOT working as some would say) on my laptop, I realized that Bluetooth connection would not be an option, as Verizon disables the Bluetooth DUN Profile (I am still unclear why Verizon, amongst other national cellular services insist on disabling or crippling functionality of these ultra cool devices they so vehemently promote), so I attempted to connect using the USB cable. To my surprise, I did not have a Motorola USB Modem in my Device Manager. I previously owned a Motorola RAZR, so I am familiar with connecting a Motorola device to use as a modem (In order to use the RAZR as a modem, you must make some modifications which require more detail that mentioned, this site offers complete tutorials). I wondered if might be doing something wrong, well, I decided I would just call Verizon and get the step-by-step on how to set this up. After the litany of menus and transfers, I was speaking with an Internet specialist. He informed me that currently Verizon has released the Q minus the ability to tether the device via USB for Internet access.

What ?? Great, there goes my unlimited data access. I mean the Q is fine for looking up an address or a phone number real quick, but it certainly lacks the screen real estate to do any worthwhile browsing. What's a geek to do?

So I began my search, and after hours of hit and misses, I figured out how to get my Q connected and working as an amazingly quick broadband modem, around 950kbps downstream and around 90kbps upstream.

Here are the steps for the Q:

1. Dial ##342587 and press TALK (Green Circle)
2. Select 'Enable' Click 'OK' and then click 'EXIT'
3. Press 'START', select Accessories, and select the new item, 'Modem Link'
4. Select USB (Only Option) and click 'Activate'

On your PC:

1. Plug in the Q using the USB cable
2. When 'New Device Found' wizard comes up, use this inf as the driver.
3. Complete driver installation
4. Add a new Dial Up Connection, select the Motorola Q USB as the modem
5. For phone number use '#777', for username enter 'XXXXXXXXXX@vzw3g.com' (Replace the X's with your 10 digit phone number), for password enter 'vzw'

You now have a working dial-up connection!

A couple of things to note:

1. Sometimes you may receive 'Hardware error' from Windows when attempting to connect, a quick fix for this: On your Q, press and hold your 'Home' button until the menu appears, Select flight mode, wait 1 minute, then bring up the menu and turn Flight Mode off. The connection will work now

2. ActiveSync will not work when 'Modem Link' is set to active, it must be deactivated in order to sync. I recommend that you leave 'Modem Link' disabled whenever you are not using the Q as a modem. I locked up my phone a couple of time when using Bluetooth or other features. If this happens, just remove the battery and reinsert, then re-power.

Note: Anytime the phone is power cycled you will have to repeat steps 1 and 2 above on the Q to re-enable dial up networking.

So, until Verizon decides to stand behind their feature rich mobile devices, this will at least keep you connected when you most need it. 

Motorola Q Specifications:

• Modes: CDMA 850 / CDMA 1900
• Weight: 4.06 oz (115g)
• Form Factor: 4.57" x 2.52" x 0.47"   (116 x 64 x 12 mm)
• Battery Life: Talk: 4.00 hours   (240 minutes) Standby: 192 hours   (8 days)
• Display: Type: LCD (Color TFT/TFD) Colors: 65,536 (16-bit) Size: 320 x 240 pixels
• Platform / OS: Windows Mobile for Smartphones version 5
• Phone Book Capacity: Shared memory
• FCC ID: IHDT56FQ1

UPDATE (8/28/2006):

For those of us who would rather not have to go through all of this when needing you SmartPhone / PDA to act as a modem, I found this great little program that will do it for you - PDANet cost $35(one-time) and definately takes care of the hard work for you. I've tried the trial and will update once I have purchased as well.

Take into consideration everything mankind has accomplished, especially during the past century, science, technology, quality of living, etc; and still we must all suffer the reality that is the Department of Motor Vehicles.

White males are more than eight times as likely to kill themselves as women of the same age and the risk increases as they get older, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Bought a new toy! Motorola Q! Windows Mobile 5.0 (Already built an application in Visual Studio 2005, had a bit of an issue with certificates when I went to deploy, but found a quick and easy way around it here), 1.3 Megepixel camera, bluetooth (This really cool PC remote control feature), chock full of geek fun!

Atomic engineering helped to develop 110 Ghz circuit speed, a Guiness world record?