INFO: Windows CE Utilities Are Required for .NET Compact Framework Development for Non-Pocket PC Devices (818207)

SYMPTOMS

When you try to deploy or debug a Smart Device application from Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003 to a device that runs on Microsoft Windows CE .NET 4.1 and later versions, you may receive the following error message:

Error: Cannot establish a connection. Be sure the device is physically connected to the development computer.

CAUSE

Visual Studio .NET 2003 does not have immediate support for Windows CE .NET 4.1 and later devices.
Visual Studio .NET 2003 cannot dynamically determine the CPU of non-Pocket PC devices.
Without the add-on pack, Visual Studio cannot connect to devices that do not have an ActiveSync connection.

RESOLUTION

Download and install the Windows CE Utilities for Visual Studio .NET 2003 Add-on Pack.

The following file is available for download from the Microsoft Download Center:

Download the Windows CE Utilities for Visual Studio .NET 2003 Add-on package now. Release Date: Feb. 28, 2003

For additional information about how to download Microsoft Support files, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

119591 How to Obtain Microsoft Support Files from Online Services

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By using the tools in this add-on pack, you can use Visual Studio .NET 2003 to connect, deploy, and debug devices that are running Windows CE .NET 4.1 and later versions. After you install the add-on pack, you can find the utilities in the Tools menu in Visual Studio .NET 2003. Following is a description of the utilities that you can use:

Use the Windows CE CPU Picker utility for Windows CE .NET 4.1 and later devices that have an ActiveSync connection.
Use the Smart Device Authentication utility for devices that do not have an ActiveSync connection.

MORE INFORMATION

By using the Windows CE Utilities for Visual Studio .NET 2003 Add-on Pack, you can connect to a Windows CE device through the use of ActiveSync or TCP/IP over Ethernet. After you download and install the add-on pack, see the Readme file for specific device requirements and detailed information about how to use the utilities.

For Windows CE 4.1 and later devices, the utilities are required to be able to deploy and debug a Microsoft .NET Compact Framework application. For Pocket PC devices, the utilities are not required. Visual Studio .NET 2003 has immediate support for Pocket PC devices. For more information about how Pocket PC devices can use the utilities, see the ReadMe.txt file that is included in the download.

REFERENCES

For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

816826 INFO: Windows CE Utilities for Visual Studio .NET 2003

Windows CE Utilities for Visual Studio .NET 2003 Readme file:

When you install the add-on pack, the ReadMe.htm file is saved in the following folder:
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003\CompactFrameworkSDK\WinCE Utilities\Readme.htm

Developing Your First .NET Compact Framework Application for Windows CE .NET 4.1:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dnembedded/html/embedded04012003.asp