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: "Unable to connect. Ensure the information entered is correct" 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: Email address: ******@myOUTSIDEdomain.com Server address: webmail.myOUTSIDEdomain.com Domain: myINSIDEdomain Username: johnsmith Password: mypassword Please let me know if you see something wrong with the above data - it works for about 40 other mobile device.

Exchange Server 2003 and 2007 support TWO methods of connection. Exchange Protocol and ActiveSync. Microsoft calls them both "ActiveSync" which can be confusing. There are well known issues with Exchange server 2003. In fact the same problems existed in iOS and Android until many platforms created a more "accepting" mail client with a compatibility mode to recognize Exchange 2003 Activesync vs. "true" ActiveSync. My Surface has been running flawlessly, connected to Exchange, since 10 minutes after I unboxed it. Well I didn't know about the two versions of ActiveSync/Exchange protocols - always nice to learn something new. I can't find a way to send a PM so this is a little off topic, but I want to ask MK1151 if he finds "push / as items arrive" to work as well as expected as mine is a little slow and intermitted at times? Steve

Well I didn't know about the two versions of ActiveSync/Exchange protocols - always nice to learn something new. I can't find a way to send a PM so this is a little off topic, but I want to ask MK1151 if he finds "push / as items arrive" to work as well as expected as mine is a little slow and intermitted at times? Steve I tried to explain it as best I could - it's not really that there are two completely different protocols, but many clients have either a hidden or manually selected "compatibility mode" to connect to Exchange 2003 servers. If you look here on page 10: http://www.nitrodesk.com/tddownloads/tdstartup.pdf You'll see that there is specific support for ActiveSync OR Exchange 2003/2007 and the text below says ActiveSync is always better. When I ran Exchange 2003, I had to use Exchange 2003 even though ActiveSync was enabled. When we upgraded our server to Exchange 2007, the ActiveSync option worked. I think it's all in how the server is configured as well as the service packs and updates. To answer your question, I've not noticed any appreciable lag - when I get notifications on my Windows Phone, I also get them on my Android and Surface. Sometimes it is a few seconds behind but I wouldn't describe it as intermittent.

To answer your question, I've not noticed any appreciable lag - when I get notifications on my Windows Phone, I also get them on my Android and Surface. Sometimes it is a few seconds behind but I wouldn't describe it as intermittent. When you added the account for your Exchange server did you choose "Outlook", or "Other / ActiveSync"? I chose "Outlook" but they look like the same thing to me? I'm seeing some issues while the tablet is asleep mainly and wonder if its down to my very old access points.

My Solution for Exchange 2003 I checkt ist out! (it cost me hours) for sure you will need the two certivicates from your Exchange Server. Ask your Admin! Open Desktop, open the Folder where your certivicates are. You have to install both. But not into the Folder "own certifcates",( win8 will install them automaticly there). install them Into the Folder "trusted cert..." After this you will be able to connect to your Exchange Server with Mail app. Hope this helps C.

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

Anonymous

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:

"Unable to connect. Ensure the information entered is correct"
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:

Email address: ******@myOUTSIDEdomain.com
Server address: webmail.myOUTSIDEdomain.com
Domain: myINSIDEdomain
Username: johnsmith
Password: mypassword

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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Answer accepted by question author

Anonymous

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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68 additional answers

Anonymous

2012-11-03T11:19:25+00:00

Exchange Server 2003 and 2007 support TWO methods of connection.

Exchange Protocol and ActiveSync.

Microsoft calls them both "ActiveSync" which can be confusing. There are well known issues with Exchange server 2003. In fact the same problems existed in iOS and Android until many platforms created a more "accepting" mail client with a compatibility mode to recognize Exchange 2003 Activesync vs. "true" ActiveSync.

My Surface has been running flawlessly, connected to Exchange, since 10 minutes after I unboxed it.

Well I didn't know about the two versions of ActiveSync/Exchange protocols - always nice to learn something new.

I can't find a way to send a PM so this is a little off topic, but I want to ask MK1151 if he finds "push / as items arrive" to work as well as expected as mine is a little slow and intermitted at times?

Steve
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Anonymous

2012-11-03T11:31:52+00:00

Well I didn't know about the two versions of ActiveSync/Exchange protocols - always nice to learn something new.

I can't find a way to send a PM so this is a little off topic, but I want to ask MK1151 if he finds "push / as items arrive" to work as well as expected as mine is a little slow and intermitted at times?

Steve

I tried to explain it as best I could - it's not really that there are two completely different protocols, but many clients have either a hidden or manually selected "compatibility mode" to connect to Exchange 2003 servers.

If you look here on page 10:

http://www.nitrodesk.com/tddownloads/tdstartup.pdf

You'll see that there is specific support for ActiveSync OR Exchange 2003/2007 and the text below says ActiveSync is always better. When I ran Exchange 2003, I had to use Exchange 2003 even though ActiveSync was enabled. When we upgraded our server to Exchange 2007, the ActiveSync option worked.

I think it's all in how the server is configured as well as the service packs and updates.

To answer your question, I've not noticed any appreciable lag - when I get notifications on my Windows Phone, I also get them on my Android and Surface. Sometimes it is a few seconds behind but I wouldn't describe it as intermittent.
Was this answer helpful?

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Anonymous

2012-11-03T11:43:57+00:00

To answer your question, I've not noticed any appreciable lag - when I get notifications on my Windows Phone, I also get them on my Android and Surface. Sometimes it is a few seconds behind but I wouldn't describe it as intermittent.

When you added the account for your Exchange server did you choose "Outlook", or "Other / ActiveSync"? I chose "Outlook" but they look like the same thing to me? I'm seeing some issues while the tablet is asleep mainly and wonder if its down to my very old access points.
Was this answer helpful?

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Anonymous

2012-11-03T13:44:18+00:00

My Solution for Exchange 2003

I checkt ist out! (it cost me hours)

for sure you will need the two certivicates from your Exchange Server. Ask your Admin!

Open Desktop, open the Folder where your certivicates are.

You have to install both. But not into the Folder "own certifcates",( win8 will install them automaticly there).

install them Into the Folder "trusted cert..."

After this you will be able to connect to your Exchange Server with Mail app.

Hope this helps

C.
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments