v2.0 Exchange support problems... bugs

[tharmsen]

So, when I attempt to setup my exchange service, everything goes smoothly until it prompts you to enter your password. Once you enter your password, it tells you that you will start receiving data once you set a new "passcode". Neither I nor my IT department knows what a passcode is (note, not a password).

Even if you try to enter a new "passcode" the second you try to start typing the window closes then Exchange locks your account out because you've used the wrong password (note, not passcode). So you have to have IT unlock your account to try it all over again... and each time you meet with the same result.

[ColsTiger]

I don't know. I couldn't set mine up either, but it wasn't because of the passcode. I think my problem is getting the right exchange server name. And there's not really a lot of explanation about setting it up on apple's site either.

[patrickj]

My setup also went without a hitch, and without any mention of or prompt for a 'passcode'. I just entered my Exchange account credentials / server address etc. as normal.

[tharmsen]

Ok, after jacking with this for an hour I finally figured out what I did wrong. It's both a user error (me being in a hurry) and a bug in the software that results in this rather frustrating exercise.

When you enter your user name, be sure that between your domain and your user name that you use a \ and not a /. In the iPhone keyboard menu the / appears when you click the "@123" button but the \ does not - not until you hit the submenu button that takes you to additional numeric/character keys where you'll find the \.

That's the user error part.

Now, if you do make this mistake the iPhone will accept it and it will validate with Exchange. It will ask you for your Exchange password then it will ask you for a passcode. Once it asks you for the passcode, that screen will immediately crash (close) and you'll get an error message saying your password is invalid. Depending on your companies security policies, it will lock your account out immediately and will require IT to unlock it.

If the application were properly coded, it would tell you that your user name was invalid and prompt you to reenter it.

So, if you have this problem - that's why.

Keep in mind that if you use Yahoo, Google or iCal calendars, once you activate Exchange you will wipe all of them out.

[tharmsen]

Oh, and I just figured out what the passcode is that it's forcing... it's to unlock the screen! That's horrible! I hope Apple gets enough complains to remove this junk... God, why would they do that? Now to wake your phone up you hit the slider then enter your 4 digit passcode.

I hear that the same nuisance occurs on the Blackjack (buddy at work has one). WTF?

[patrickj]

Originally Posted by tharmsen

Ok, after jacking with this for an hour I finally figured out what I did wrong. It's both a user error (me being in a hurry) and a bug in the software that results in this rather frustrating exercise.

When you enter your user name, be sure that between your domain and your user name that you use a \ and not a /. In the iPhone keyboard menu the / appears when you click the "@123" button but the \ does not - not until you hit the submenu button that takes you to additional numeric/character keys where you'll find the \.

That's the user error part.

Now, if you do make this mistake the iPhone will accept it and it will validate with Exchange. It will ask you for your Exchange password then it will ask you for a passcode. Once it asks you for the passcode, that screen will immediately crash (close) and you'll get an error message saying your password is invalid. Depending on your companies security policies, it will lock your account out immediately and will require IT to unlock it.

If the application were properly coded, it would tell you that your user name was invalid and prompt you to reenter it.

So, if you have this problem - that's why.

Keep in mind that if you use Yahoo, Google or iCal calendars, once you activate Exchange you will wipe all of them out.

Jeez - I almost mentioned the backslash not forward slash thing for domain name - forgot while I was drafting the reply - might've saved you a little time. Anyway glad you got it worked out.

One other small tip on how to enter the domain name - you can skip the slashes altogether and just enter username.DomainName in that field.

I agree that the iPhone is handling the mistake in an abismally stupid way as well - hope they change that quick.

[mediarite]

My setup went flawlessly. When it asked for a server, I just entered our Outlook Web Access address. I now have email, contacts and calendar all LIVE and managed via push, natively. This is a KILLER app for me. It's the one thing I wanted over anything else on this device.

YES!!

[NateEssex]

Are you guys who are successfully using Exchange also able to have a different set of iCals, contacts, email?

[mediarite]

Originally Posted by NateEssex

Are you guys who are successfully using Exchange also able to have a different set of iCals, contacts, email?

Contacts and Calendar are overwritten by Exchange (you get a warning before making them active). Which is perfect for me, but will likely be a problem for others.

You can still have multiple Email accounts.

You can opt to NOT enable the Exchange calendar and contacts, and JUST enable the email.

[JoeT]

Where do you set this up on the iPhone?! I have 2.0 installed.