NEED HELP - EXCHANGE ACTIVESYNC (EAS) will not connect to Exchange Server

Anonymous
2012-10-28T22:11:06+00:00

We have two Surface RT machines.  Neither will connect to our 2003 Exchange Server with the Exchange ActiveSync setup (EAS) option in Mail.  We have lots of other Smartphones and tablets connected.  After many hours, Microsoft Surface Technical Support has not been able to resolve. 

Errors received:

  1. "Unable to connect. Ensure the information entered is correct"
  2. A brief error message in the upper right corner of the screen that says ******@myOUTSIDEdomain.com is unavailable

Data Entered:

Using: Mail Tile/add your mail accounts/view all in set.../Other Account/Exchange ActiveSync (EAS)/show more details setup screen:

  1. Email address: ******@myOUTSIDEdomain.com
  2. Server address: webmail.myOUTSIDEdomain.com
  3. Domain: myINSIDEdomain
  4. Username: johnsmith
  5. Password: mypassword

Please let me know if you see something wrong with the above data - it works for about 40 other mobile device.

Surface | Other

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Anonymous
2012-11-05T19:50:10+00:00

Wow, there is a lot of misinformation on this board..... Surface does connect to Exchange and has since day 1. The problem is that you are using self signed certificates, and surface does not accept self signed certificates unless you install them yourself. This is done for security, it had nothing to do with joining domains or anything like that, there is no bug. Exchange mail has worked on my surface since October 26th. Make sure you install the cert under 

"Trusted Root Certification Authorities"

http://www.lonecpluspluscoder.com/2012/10/how-to-make-a-self-signed-ssl-certificate-work-with-windows-rts-mail-app-on-a-microsoft-surface-rt/

http://blog.brightpointuk.co.uk/adding-exchange-email-account-windows-rt

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-11-04T22:04:43+00:00

    Hi Steve,

    I think you misunderstand me. I'm not an iPad fan at all, and I'm also in IT. My point is that saying that a Surface is between a PC and Mobile Device is not an excuse for this not to work. If Windows Phone or an iPad can access my exchange servers, I'm expecting my Surface to do the same. I don't think it's a big ask.

    If these are bugs, I'm fine with that. However, I fear that there are indeed policies missing from this OS that will not allow me to use it. And so it's sad that a phone or iPad is secure enough for business but the surface is not.

    Cheers

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-11-04T21:51:51+00:00

    Surface and iPAD are very different devices for different purposes, if all you need is email and lots of 'consumption' apps then perhaps an iPAD would have been a better option.  But if you're after a tablet with roots from computing instead of a mobile phone then you've made the right choice.

    Obviously you'll need to make a decision of how long you are prepared to wait for a fix before exchanging your Surface for an iPAD... that will depend upon your reliance on email. The iPAD is indeed well tested, reliable and a proven communication tool, not forgetting that you can also get one with 3G..

    As an IT Manager, I've not met many techies who would recommend an iPAD as they normally see past the user friendly fluff in favour for versatility and compatibility.

    As an 'early adopter' I was prepared for some issues and still have my iPAD on standby. I have my mail app working but the Surface browser is the best I've ever used on a tablet so I can also access fully featured webmail too if things go wrong.

    Best of luck to all having issues with email and need to male these decisions.

    Steve

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-11-04T21:47:46+00:00

    No luck. Same message about lack of  support for some policies. Based on what you are saying mk1151, it may be because we cannot enforce the use of a strong password, and it's left up to the user.

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-11-04T21:32:45+00:00

    Honestly it's worth a quick call into IT. I work for a company that sounds like it is the same size as yours. I've had to report a number of issues with mobile client connectivity over the years and often times it is a server configuration problem that was never caught because a specific scenario had not been encountered before.

    The Surface absolutely does work well with Exchange. Me and many others have it going.

    That said, remember the Surface is a cross between a PC and mobile device, so while you can enforce strong passwords on a mobile device, you can't on the Surface. If the password for your surface account is a telephone number or a simple word, you may get the exact condition you reported. What happens if you make your Surface RT account's password as strong as your work password? Same problem?

    Thanks MK1151, I will try that.

    However, you highlight my point exactly. My firm does enforce a strong password, and if a mobile phone supports it, then I would expect something that is more than a phone to support it. Again, no problems with iPads or Android tabs, so there shouldn't be anything less on the Surface.

    Hopefully this works. thanks!

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