Unable to Browse with Internet Explorer on Cingular and AT&T Devices

Technical Note 2216

Last Reviewed 02-Dec-2009
Applies to:
Mobility XE client version 7.0 and higher
Mobility client OS: Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC, Windows Mobile 6.0 and 6.1
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Summary

On Cingular and AT&T devices, web browsing using Internet Explorer does not work when the Mobility client is connected.

Root cause

The problem occurs because Internet Explorer tries to use Cingular's or AT&T's web proxy, which cannot be used when the Mobility client is connected.

Windows Mobile 5 Pocket PC Solution

Simply unchecking the "Use Proxy" setting in Connection Settings is not enough to solve the problem because Internet Explorer comes preset to use the Cingular proxy. A registry change must be made to work around the issue.

There are two methods we recommend for modifying the registry setting. The first method modifies the setting during Mobility client installation. The second method modifies the setting independent of Mobility client installation and can be used at any time, before or after Mobility client installation.

Modifying the registry setting during Mobility client installation

The NMCEoptions.ini file allows customization of a Mobility XE client setup. This version of the file has been configured to set the value of the EnableAutoDetect key to 1. You can download the file by clicking the link below:

nmceoptions.ini

This file must be placed on the Cingular device in one of the three locations listed below for the setup CAB file to find it.

\Storage Card\

\Storage Card1\

\Temp\

The setup CAB file for the Cingular device (nmc_ppc_wm50.ARMV4I.CAB) should also be placed in the same location. If you don't want the NMCEoptions.ini and nmc_ppc_wm50.ARMV4I.CAB files to be removed – if, for example, you are using a memory card to install the Mobility XE client software on a series of devices – mark the files read-only before running the CAB file installation.

Modifying the registry setting independent of Mobility client installation

If the Mobility XE client has already been installed or is not yet installed, you can use a Windows Mobile 5 registry editor to manually change the key.

There is no native method available on a Windows Mobile 5 device to edit or inspect the registry for the EnableAutoDetect key and value. If you have a Windows Mobile 5.0 registry editor installed on the device, navigate to the path shown below to change the value of the EnableAutoDetect key from 0 to 1.

Warning: Using a registry editor incorrectly can cause serious problems, including device failure. Always make a backup copy of the registry before making any changes to it, and make sure you know how to restore the registry to its original condition if a problem occurs.

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings]

EnableAutoDetect=dword:00000001

Windows Mobile 6.0 and 6.1 Solution

Disable the proxy server by running AT&T's "Disable Proxy Server" application:

1. Close all instances of Internet Explorer.
2. Open Programs | Tools | Proxy Manager.
3. Tap the Disable Proxy icon.

4. The "Disable Proxy" application will run “removeHiddenProxy”

5. Internet Explorer should now work when the Mobility client is connected.

6. Device might have to be soft reset in order for change to take effect.
   

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