Firewalls and other network security settings can interfere with the Presenter's Edge connection between your PlayBook and your PC. Sometimes the problematic security is set up on your computer, and sometimes it resides on the network itself (e.g. built into the wi-fi router). Read below for help detecting and avoiding these problems.

Note: Presenter's Edge intends to support other connection options in the future that are less susceptible to such problems – such as Bluetooth or USB. The PlayBook does not yet allow individual apps to access those connection alternatives, but as soon as it is possible we will work to support it.

In general, the more locked-down the security is on your network or PC, the harder it is for any two devices to communicate successfully. For example, if you have to jump through a lot of hoops to get instant messenger apps to work at your office (e.g. Yahoo Messenger, MSN, or AIM), then it will also be a challenge to get Presenter's Edge to connect.

Quick troubleshooting

First, be sure you've eliminated these common pitfalls:

• Be sure your PC and PlayBook are both connected to wi-fi, and are both connected to the same wi-fi network.
• Is your PC also plugged into a physical network cable (Ethernet)? If so, please unplug the cable, wait a minute, and then try the Presenter's Edge connection again. (When a PC has both wi-fi and a physical connection available, it tends to ignore the wi-fi).
• Did you see a "Windows Firewall" prompt appear when you first started using the Connector app? If so, did you click "Unblock"?

If you are still unable to connect after trying the above, continue to the next section to determine more specifically where the problem lies.

Determining what is blocking the connection

To determine whether the interference is due to your computer vs. your wi-fi network, try these diagnostic tests:

1. If your computer is a laptop, bring it elsewhere and try connecting using a different wi-fi network (e.g. bring it home from the office, or to a local coffee shop with wi-fi).
   • Be sure to test on networks that aren't all managed by the same organization, since the goal is to test with differing network settings. Ideally, test on a home wi-fi network as these tend to have the simplest configuration.
   • If changing wi-fi networks corrects the problem, see "Workarounds for security on the network."
   • If your computer doesn't work on any wi-fi network you try it on, continue to test B...
2. Try completely disabling your firewall (temporarily just for this test).
   • Typically you can do this via Control Panel > Security (or Security Center).
   • If you have third-party firewall software installed – such as ZoneAlarm, Norton Internet Security, Norton 360, or Kaspersky Internet Security – refer to that software's instructions to disable the firewall.
   • If disabling your firewall corrects the problem, see "Workarounds for security on your computer."
3. Try installing the Presenter's Edge connector on a different computer on the same wi-fi network.
   • If you have been using a work computer, try a home computer – other computers at your office are likely to have the same settings as yours.
   • If a second computer works but your preferred computer does not work (on the same network), see "Workarounds for security on your computer."

Workarounds for security on your computer

If you have connection problems on all wi-fi networks, and disabling your firewall resolves these problems, try one of these options for a more permanent solution:

1. In your firewall settings, look for a way to "unblock," "whitelist," or "add exception" for a specific program, and add the Presenter's Edge Connector to the list.
2. In your firewall settings, look for a way to unblock, whitelist, or add exception for a specific "port," and add 7090 to the list (if you are asked to choose between TCP and UDP, choose TCP).
3. Re-enable the firewall and see if you are now able to connect.
4. If none of these options work, and you are only able to connect with your firewall 100% disabled...  Consider temporarily disabling the firewall for the duration of your presentation. In many cases this is relatively safe to do for short periods – as long as you remember to re-enable the firewall afterward.

If none of the above works, please contact us (enable JavaScript in your browser to display contact email; this is unfortunately necessary as an anti-spam measure) for more detailed support.

Workarounds for security on the network itself

Change network settings

If the network you are using is one you control – for example a home or small-office wi-fi network – you may be able to adjust the firewall settings directly on your router (a.k.a. base station or access point) to allow Presenter's Edge to connect. Refer to your router's manual for instructions on accessing its settings, then follow the firewall settings troubleshooting in the section above.

Connect USB cable

We have had reports that plugging your PlayBook into your PC via USB will allow you to connect even when the wi-fi network is blocking the connection (or when there is no wi-fi available). USB cables are available in lengths up to 30-33 feet; the longest ones are called "active" or "repeater" cables, and cost about $10.

A bonus advantage of this approach is that it ensures your PlayBook won't run out of battery, even with the screen on for the entire duration of a long presentation.

Windows 7 "virtual" wi-fi network

Many Windows 7 computers have the capability to create a private wi-fi network on their own, which you can use to connect to your PlayBook. The easiest way to do this is with a free third-party program called Connectify. Just follow these steps:

1. Optional: Check if your hardware is compatible...
   • See Connectify's list of supported cards & devices.
   • If your computer was manufactured after mid-2009, it is most likely compatible.
2. Download and install Connectify.
3. If the Connectify window is not visible, click its icon in the system tray in the lower-right of your screen.
4. Enter a name and access password for your temporary network.
5. Ensure the "Mode" dropdown is set to "Access Point."
   If this setting is not shown, or if the only choice is "Ad-Hoc," then your computer is not compatible with this workaround.
6. For further help setting up the network, refer to Connectify's online help.
7. Once the network is created, connect your PlayBook as with any other wi-fi network.
8. Launch Presenter's Edge Connector and complete the connection.

Note: Nearly all laptops can create a so-called "ad-hoc" wi-fi network. Although similar to the description above, an ad-hoc network is not a usable workaround because PlayBooks are unable to connect to ad-hoc networks.

Advanced troubleshooting

If you are not having any luck even after following the troubleshooting suggestions above, we may ask you to perform some of these more involved diagnostic tests.

Ping test from PlayBook to PC

1. On your PC, go to Start > Run...
2. Type "cmd" and press enter
3. In the window that appears, type "ipconfig" and press enter
4. Look for a heading that says "Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:"
5. Beneath that heading, look for a line that says "IP Address:"
6. Make note of the numeric code listed on that line
7. On your PlayBook, go to settings > Wi-Fi
8. Press the button in the lower-left that has a question mark overlaid on the wi-fi logo
9. In the "Diagnostic Information" dropdown, choose "Ping"
10. In the "Ping To" field, enter the code from step 6
11. Press "Send"
12. Wait a moment for the "Ping Results" list to appear and then stop updating
13. The results should include a line that says "4 packets transmitted..." – press that line in the list
14. The message box should say "4 packets transmitted, 4 packets received, 0% packet loss." If it does not, please write down exactly what it says and contact us (enable JavaScript in your browser to display contact email; this is unfortunately necessary as an anti-spam measure) to help further diagnose the problem.

MAC address test

1. On your PC, go to Start > Run...
2. Type "cmd" and press enter
3. In the window that appears, type "arp -a" and press enter
4. Look for the "Physical Address" heading. Make note of the 12-digit alphanumeric code beneath it (6 pairs of letters/numbers, separated by dashes)
5. On your PlayBook, go to settings > Wi-Fi
6. Press the button in the lower-left that has a question mark overlaid on the wi-fi logo
7. In the "Diagnostic Information" dropdown, choose "Wi-Fi Information"
8. Look for the line that starts with "AP MAC Address"
9. This line should list the same exact code as shown on your PC (except separated with ":" instead of "-")

If the codes differ, then your PC and PlayBook are not actually connected to the same wi-fi base station. This can happen in large wi-fi networks (such as at an office building or convention center), where multiple wi-fi antennas are used with the same network name and password. Although many times this is not a problem, it can interfere with the connection in some cases. To work around this issue, see the section "Windows 7 'virtual' wi-fi network," above.