Nokia E61 Wireless: 802.1x with EAP-PEAP and EAP-MSCHAPv2

I’m using 802.1x authentication with EAP-PEAP and EAP-MSCHAPv2 for wireless access at home which can pose a unique challenge in getting a myriad of devices to work within my network. I’m using the box standard Active Directory on Windows Sever 2003 with the Internet Authentication Service coupled to a Linksys WRT54G running custom firmware. I’m also self-signing Digital Certificates with the Certificate Authority (CA) service in Windows Server 2003. The following is what I did to get the Nokia E61 working:

Installing a CA Certificate:

  1. Point your browser to http://IPofCA/CertSrv/.
  2. Click Download a CA certificate, certificate chain, or CRL.
  3. Select the proper CA Certificate.
  4. Pick DER under Encoding method.
  5. Click Download CA Certificate.
  6. Save the certificate file (.cer extension) to any location on your PC.
  7. Connect the Nokia E61 to the PC and copy the download certificate file to any location on the phone.
  8. On the Nokia E61, browse to the location of the certificate file with the file browser and click on it to install.

Configuring Wireless on the Nokia E61:

  1. Navigate to Tools -> Settings -> Connections -> Access points. Press the Options (soft-key) -> New access point -> Use default settings.
  2. Connection name: (Pick an appropriate name)
  3. Data bearer: Wireless LAN
  4. WLAN netw. name: (Your WLAN)
  5. Network status: Public
  6. WLAN netw. mode: Infrastructure
  7. WLAN security mode: 802.1x
  8. Select WLAN security sett.
    1. WPA mode: EAP
    2. Select EAP plug-in settings
      1. Highlight EAP-PEAP and press Options (soft key) -> Enable
      2. Raise the priority of EAP-PEAP via Options (soft key) -> Raise priority until it is in position #1
      3. Uncheck everything else by pressing Options (soft key) -> Disable
      4. Go back to EAP-PEAP then press Options (soft key) -> Configure
          5. General tab:

        1. User certificate: (not defined)
        2. CA certificate: (Pick the certificate you installed above)
        3. User name in use: User-configured
        4. User name: (Your Active Directory user name ONLY! No reference to the Domain should be here. For example, “MyDomain\BobJones” or “BobJones@MyDomain” are wrong. Only “BobJones” should go in this field.
        5. Realm in use: User-configured
        6. Realm: (Your Active Directory Domain)
        7. Allow PEAPv0: Yes
        8. Allow PEAPv1: No
        9. Allow PEAPv2: No
          EAP tab:

        1. As before, select EAP-MSCHAPv2 and move it to the #1 position via Options (soft key) -> Raise priority and unselect everything else via Options (soft key) -> Disable.
        2. Select EAP-MSCHAPv2 then press Options (soft key) -> Configure
          1. User name: (Your Active Directory domain and username in the format: “MyDomain\BobJones”)
          2. Prompt password: No
          3. Password: (Your Active Directory password)
          Encryption tab:

        1. Enable all

Now go to the web browser and select your new access point to test it out. If everything went as expected, then you’ll see both the Nokia wireless icon with a little lock in the status bar and be able to browse the internet.

December 23, 2006 | Filed Under Tech/Gadgets | 5 Comments 

Removing Ads for Popular Windows IM Clients

The latest bunch of official IM clients have ads that not only play animations but some have sound that don’t respect the application’s other options of disabling sounds. Although the debate of removing ads while using a “free” is still quite valid, providing the information isn’t a crime (yet). Below are instructions on how to remove ads from the four official clients I use most frequently.

  1. Google Talk: No ads (tongue-in-cheek). In addition to its integration with other Jabber clients, the lack of advertising alone should be reason enough to use the service but a large chunk of the untamed masses can’t be bothered to switch.
  2. AOL Instant Messenger (AIM): Use AIM Ad Hack v4.15 for the old client (version 5.9.6089) or Ad Hack 5.2 for the new AIM 6.0 client. One caveat to watch out for if you’re using the old client is although AIM Ad Hack will successfully download the client, AOL has piggy backed upgrade software to download the new 6.0 client. If a window pops up with a progress bar and a message claiming to download new AOL software, just hit cancel and delete the resume download icon off the desktop. The rogue AOL downloader software is in a Windows temp folder which CCleaner will happily delete.
  3. MSN Messenger / Windows Live Messenger: A-Patch is a tool with a whole host of options to configure the box standard MSN/Windows Live Messenger. Make sure to get the right version for the client running on your system.
  4. Yahoo! Messenger: If running the 8.1 (latest version), Y!MSGR AD-Remover new 2 by Sunboy454 will remove the ad box completely.

    Prior to version 8.1, a simple edit of the Registry in Windows eliminated all ads. If you are still using an older client open Regedit, navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ Yahoo\pager\YUrl and create a new string key named Messenger Ad that has the value * (an asterisk).

    Other keys you can create to remove ads from Yahoo Messenger:

    Webcam Upload Ad
    Webcam Viewer Ad
    Webcam Viewer Ad Big
    Webcam Viewer Ad Medium
    Change Room Banner
    Conf Adurl
    Chat Adurl

December 21, 2006 | Filed Under Tech/Gadgets | Comments Off 

Force Flashing Vodafone-Branded Nokia E61

I’ve been rather frustrated with the reluctance of Vodafone UK to release any new firmware upgrades for the Nokia E61. As an American mobile phone user, I had always naively assumed Europe to be the panacea of the latest GSM-based gadgets (and associated firmware) that would take months before arriving State-side–not so with Vodafone. Although I have no knowledge of how other carriers are handling Nokia’s online software updating system, I was due in for a reflash due to various software bugs.

A big thank you goes out to Jeff Cross over at Average Admins for having already done the dirty work to make my wish a reality. I’ll make some comments on his basic instructions below (in italics) and provide screenshots of the process but I’d suggest heading on over to read up the discussion for useful pointers.

Note: This is an unsupported procedure and could leave your phone unusable so take the proper precautions if you choose to follow this tutorial. I cannot be held responsible if anything unexpected happens or if your phone is bricked.

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December 21, 2006 | Filed Under Tech/Gadgets | 40 Comments 

Duplicate Appointments and Contacts in Microsoft Outlook

Outlook Duplicates RemoverFor years I’ve been using the same Outlook data files from Office XP to the latest Office 2007. Through all of these upgrades and synchronizing against various PDAs, phones, Exchange servers, and Google Calendar imports, I’ve amassed quite a large amount of duplicate appointments and contacts. It has gotten to be so bad that I specially allocated time during the Christmas season to eradicate the clutter.

My procrastination had gotten the best of me until a little digging on Google revealed the existence of a free utility called Outlook Duplicate Remover by Fr. Simon. This clever program only requires a few simple configuration options and does its job without a lot of fuss. There is no preview mode so take the necessary precautions (i.e. backup your PST file). Although the splash screen doesn’t mention Outlook 2003 nor Outlook 2007, it worked for me but your mileage may vary. Another item off my task list!

December 20, 2006 | Filed Under Tech/Gadgets | Comments Off