Unable to configure my Exchange email in Surface mail program

Anonymous
2012-10-26T21:49:17+00:00

First off, it's too bad Microsoft couldn't include Outlook with the other Office products.  In any case, I have had no problem configuring my exchange email address on my iPhone, iPad, PC laptop.  I've tried all sorts of combinations for server and domain, including the one I use for my iPhone, but not success!  Very frustrating.

Suppose my domain name was mydomain. On my iPhone I leave "domain" blank. I put in for server: webmail.mydomain.com.

I've tried that, I've tried addition both mydomain and mydomain.com to domain.  I've tried adding https:// to URL and also adding /owa at end (which I need for web log on).

On top of that after trying several combos Mail program presents me with blank screen, and I have to reset to get the screen back.

Not a happy camper!

Surface | Other

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-10-31T13:44:33+00:00

    Steven_B:

    I am very impressed with everything about the Surface except the inability to connect to Exchange Server - otherwise, Microsoft has left Apple and the others in the dust!  Windows 8 and the thin magnetic keyboards and kickstand clearly set the Surface apart from all others.

    3 points:

    1. It will be sad if I cannot get Exchange Server email on such a beautifully Engineered product - actually hard to believe since every other smart phone & table can connect.
    2. Many contributors on this forum have said they can connect
    3. My surface will not properly display or load the web-based Outlook (OWA) - gibberish at the top of the screen - using Internet Explorer.

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-10-30T21:48:50+00:00

    Hello AlanMead,

    The Surface with Windows RT does not support Domain joining, even through Exchange. Try using a web-based client like Outlook Web App (OWA.)

    Every smartphone and tablet on the market supports connecting to our Exchange email account.  This is the most ludicrous response I think I have seen so far.  You have got to be kidding me.  If this is truly the case, you can expect a significant number of these devices to be returned.

    I am hoping that this is just a joke and that that Steven_B is not really a support engineer with any real company.

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-10-30T20:29:45+00:00

    Hello AlanMead,

    The Surface with Windows RT does not support Domain joining, even through Exchange. Try using a web-based client like Outlook Web App (OWA.)

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-10-29T18:00:01+00:00

    I found this thread after my posting about the same Exchange Server Connection Problem yesterday.  I have heavily used the Surface RT for 3 days and everything is working great - except this - no other bugs or keyboard issues - I am very impressed with the Engineering of the product.  My post is below:

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

    We have two Surface RT machines. Neither will connect to our 2003 Exchange Server with theExchange 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 devices.  We have no 10 device limit.

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  5. Anonymous
    2012-10-29T16:08:06+00:00

    One thing I do want to say. Microsoft really ramped up tech support. I was able to get through each time.  Patrick spent an hour with me troubleshooting. I've spoke to several techs and they were very knowledgeable.

    Also, there is an upgrade apps option on the Surface. The mail app keeps getting revised, so Microsoft engineers are obviously hard at work fixing bugs.

    Having said all that, I'm returning Surface (so I won't be able to check to see if SBS (Small Business Server) settings were the problem.  I am going to wait for a full version of Windows 8 so I can install other Windows 7 apps. I'll also wait until most of bugs seem to be worked out.

    I think the Surface and WIndows 8 are potentially a strong products, and look forward to full implementation.

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