Tip: +SmartHand Configuration Trouble Shooting Guide Date:

Transcription

1 Hi All, I decided to document this trouble shooting guide for the +Smarthand Mobile as I had three problems to solve before I could get the +Smarthand to work on different computers that I have. I also answered questions on two topics in the Railroad & Co forum as people were having similar problems (see forum links at the bottom of this document). My System Setup I have three computers networked together in my home. The main computer is my office (OS = Vista, SP2) which has the wireless modem for the Internet connection. The modem is wired to a high speed switch. From this high speed switch I run a network cable to my train room (the garage) connected to another high speed switch where I have my train computer (OS = XP, SP3) running TrainController and a backup computer (OS = Vista, SP2) and the ECoS 1. Problem 1 Ensure that your network is a public network not a private network. (OS = Vista) You can get to the Network settings from the Start button or the Task bar. In the Network and Sharing Centre you should have the Network (Public network) set. (See red rectangle) 1

2 Problem 1 continued If you have the Network (Private network) set. (See red rectangle) You will have the following problems. +SmartHand didn t respond because the XP OS that is being used to run the +SmartHand web server is at a lower level of protection than the main computer (OS Vista). You will also notice that you can only copy files across the network from the computers (OS = Vista) to the lower level OS = XP. You cannot copy files from the lower level OS = XP to the higher level of protection computers (OS = Vista) Change to Network (Public network) if the Network (Private network) has been set by clicking the Customize option shown in the red rectangle above. The following form will appear. Select the Public option then the Next button. And respond also to the Close option. 2

3 Problem 2 Skype (test fix) If you use Skype on the same computer as TrainController and the +SmartHand web server you will have to Quit Skype, then restart the +Smarthand Web Server under the +Smarthand Manager. Skype can be restarted once the +Smarthand Web Server is working. (OS = XP and Vista) Problem 2 Skype (permanent fix) On the Railroad & Co forum Mr Freiwald made a useful suggestion to fix the Skype problem that uses Port 80. Quote Mr Freiwald. This problem is apparently not specific to Mr. Freiwald. See The link above will display a page (below) which explains how to prevent Port 80 and Port 443 from being used by Skype. In case the above link fails or disappears see steps below. Within the Skype window select Tools Options Within the Skype Options form select Advanced User Name Under the Advanced settings form select the Connection option. 3

4 In the Connection form make sure that no tick appears in the box to use port 80 and port 443. Hit the Save button and then restart Skype. You may well ask how I found this problem so let me show you a few useful commands to help trouble shoot these network problems. 4

5 Useful Trouble Shooting Tools On a computer with Vista OS From the Start button will appear. select the Start Search window and type cmd and the following window Click on the cmd.exe and the following window will appear. On a computer with XP OS In the Run window type cmd and the following cmd.exe window will appear 5

6 When Skype is running without disabling Port 80 and 443 With the combination of the netstat command and the use of the Task Manager you can determine what process is using Port 80. In the cmd.exe window type netstat -o -n -a findstr 0.0:80 If you get a similar result to the line above TCP : :0 LISTENING 3856 The last number 3856 is the process id number (PID) (yours will be different) Use the combined Ctrl + Alt + Del keys to start the Windows Task Manager below. Under the Processes tab look for the PID number that matches (in this case 3856) and you will see that Port 80 is being used by the Skype.exe process 6

7 When Skype is running after disabling Port 80 and 443 With the Skype ports 80 and 443 disabled as in Problem 2 Skype (permanent fix) and before starting TrainController. netstat -o -n -a findstr 0.0:80 in the cmd.exe window, should return a null result. Now start TrainController and open the +SmartHand Manager Connection Tab. Ensure that you have also ticked Connection Tab. a few boxes [1-31] on the left hand side of the +SmartHand manager Now tick the box to Start Web Server and you will see a URL: address which is the address for your mobile device. In the example my URL is In the cmd.exe window type netstat -o -n -a findstr 0.0:80 Use the combined Ctrl + Alt + Del keys to start the Windows Task Manager above. Under the Processes tab look for the PID number that matches (in this case 4128) and you will see that Port 80 is being used by the RailTCG32.exe process. Once you see the RailTCG32.exe process is running, it means the +SmartHand Web Server is OK and you can now try to use you mobile device. 7

8 Problem 3 Port 80 wouldn t start until I changed the +SmartHand settings (OS = Vista) Sometime ago I decided to get +SmartHand running on a spare computer (OS= Vista) that I have which resulted in a strange fix/solution. Before starting TrainController I used the "cmd.exe" window and typed 'netstat -o -n -a findstr 0.0:80' to make sure that port 80 wasn't being used. Next I started TrainController and under the +SmartHand Manager, I ticked the box to 'Start Web Server' and it returned a URL address. I re-typed the above netstat command and still found that port 80 wasn't being used. After many hours checking that firewall and browser settings where the same as one of my other computers where +SmartHand works I decided to fiddle with the +SmartHand settings to try something new (out of desperation). My first choice was to go into the Connection Parameters- Mobile Advanced settings and in the Server: Start Page pull down menu I selected Login. The netstat command showed that port 80 was now running and the +Smarthand login screen was running in the browser. I then set the Server: Start Page pull down menu to the default blank space. Port 80 was still running and I could now use the +SmartHand in my browser. Success at last. As a final check I powered down all devices and then restarted them and I could now start up the +SmartHand without any problems. I don't know why this worked but I'm happy that I can run TrainController and the +SmartHand mobile from my spare computer. I hope this may help others that are having problems. To follow up on the links below you must login into the Railroad & Co forum first before using the links. Smarthand mobile web server not answering Smarthand port missing and mobile not answering As always have fun with your trains. 8