Database Users

ARRGH! - Constant Probs with ActiveSync

I love my everything about my MDA - However, MS ActiveSync is absolutely terrible to work with and with a mind of its own.
When I first start my PC, ActiveSync works flawlessly. I am able to update and sync my contacts and install programs with no hassle.
However, as the day goes on, it becomes increasingly moody. When I plug in the MDA, there is no indication of it connecting. No swirly green circle etc.. Control Panel does not even indicate that something is connected.
When I plug into the next USB port, there is a "Unknown Device" error. ActiveSync again doesn't activate. I've restarted the comp as well as soft-resetting the MDA but to no avail. I was advised to uninstall all the USB drivers but still no result.
Whats strange though is that the very next day, it works all fine again in the morning and the daily dismal continues! :roll: :x
Anybody else facing these problems? I've got ActiveSync 3.8 but also had the same problems with previous AS's. In fact, I've also tried different computers but to no avail!
Do you guys happen to know of an alternative? This spawn of Microsoft is driving me crazy!!

have you tried a differnt usb cable? and does your case effect how far the plug goes when you connect your Magician (assuming your using a case)? just seems like it might not be connecting properly all the time. I had issues similar to yours when i purchased a new sync cable, it had slightly shorter data pins where it connected to my Jam which were not contacting. so it would power up and windows would detect but it would give the same errors.
SpeedN

thanks for the reply mate.
Its strange as I had another miniUSB cable but the problem was still there last time I tried. Very strange - I just hope MS could iron out these problems - I've heard that they are trying to use AS to contest with BlackBerry.

hmmm...it looks like there may be a possible solution to all this. I've researched a bit and apparently ActiveSync only works at the USB port originally used to connect the phone hence why it wasn't recognized by the other port.
But my one wasn't working with either port anyway!
Another suggestion was to hard reset the Pocket PC as this is apparently a common problem. And guess what? it worked!
This suggest there being a problem with the actual PocketPC settings itself - more specifically the ActiveSync settings. As doing a Hard-Reset is quite an inconvenient thing to do, is there anyway to delete/reset the ActiveSync settings without hard resetting?
Thanks again and I hope this is of help to anyone

i had a problem with activesync as well. i was traveling so in that time i had synched my jam with maybe 4 different pc's with activesync, all on guest partnership except my laptop. so when got back it had all these problems with my desktop. for example when i explored my device through activesync and tried to copy something to the computer it would show the copy dialog box but then nothing would be on my pc. i just reformatted my har drive for other reasons and now it works fine.. so i guess reformatting and reinstalling xp works. i did a hard reset on my jam and that didnt do anything.

From time to time Activesync will lock itself up. So go to task manager and shut it down - it's 2 apps, something like wcecomm.exe and something else; there's a number of apps freeware that will do this for you- i'm at work so can't help you more with the filename.
Then restart activesync and reconnect as normal.
Sometimes it does bugger up, but I've only had to reinstall windows once with an SPV.
V

ActiveSync 4.0 or 4.1 refuses USB connection to EXEC

Dear All,
Please help, my new O2 EXEC is sitting here almost totally useless without ActiveSync.
I did a very stupid thing:
I plugged in the Exec via the USB cable before installing ActiveSync 4.0.
What used to happen (back inthe day 2001 etc) would be that windows would install its own driver for the portable device and then when you subsequently installed ActiveSync its drivers would not go in and hence ActiveSync would not recognise your device.
What is happening now seems like the same sort of issue in that now having installed ActveSync it is just sitting there saying no connection.
For ActiveSync 3.6 and below this is a documented problem and here is the fix
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/264693/en-us
BUT for me this does not work (well because there is no yellow unknown device in Device managers other devices).
In AUDIBLE terms
a) I get a du-duh sound when I plug in EXEC (like if you plugged in a USB key for example)
b) It shows up in the Device Manager-> Network Adapters as "Windows Mobile-based Device"
c) ActiveSync 4.0 or 4.1 does NOT give me the dulde-de-dah sound
d) ActiveSync shows no connections
Anybody any bright ideas? Surely I am not the only twonk to have inadvertently plugged in the EXEC first
Answers greatly appreciated.
BASICALLY HELP
PS: Have also looked at ActiveSync trouble shooter 2001, the ActiveSync 4.0 troubleshooting article from Msoft, tried switching off firewall, no result. Have tried deleting the Mobile-based Device, uninstalling AS 4.0, rebooting, reinstalling AS 4.0 or 4.1 then plugging EXEC,no good.
PPS: I convinced a friend to let me install AS 4.1 on his computer and then plugged in the EXEC and all was fine, so the EXEC itself is sound.

Maybe this will help:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/help/activesync/default.mspx

Sorry, didn't read your message good.
Just see now you already did looked at the link....
But another idea: if your device works on your friend PC, then why not
do a clean install for the OS on your own PC?
Maybe this will solve your problem.

Dodger,
Thanks for the thoughts. Well actually thinking about a reinstall of my computer due a moments lapse of concentration is a difficult undertaking. With the backup of the on computer databases as well as over 100 applications installed, I think this would take me several person days.
Currently my thoughts are to clone the partition and then do a windows "over install" onthe clone, but logically that will not work because <of course> the whole point of an over install is that the registry and all applications are preserved.
I spent over 3 solid hours of googling, installing, uninstalling drivers yesterday trying to fix and can't believe I am the only one who has had this problem!
Perhaps somebody with a working ActiveSync can elaborate how does the EXEC show up in device manager (when its plugged in and synced), and also what device driver XP and /or Windows 2003 server would be using.
Thanks mb.

I was facing similar issue. Solution? Yes, uninstall my firewall, connect and sync with my JasjAr and then install the Firewall with Jasjar already connected !

This may help:
Open network connections on ur PC so u can see all connections.
Make sure AS (PC side) is enabled for USB
turn off JJ and plug it in to USB
Turn on JJ whilst watching the window of netwrok connections on ur PC
A new connection icon should pop up, then MAYBE dissapear again
Right click this icon, before it dissapears, and check it's enabled, then select properties
Now check the following items:
- does top box say "windows mobile based device"
- click "configure"
- under configure, is there a button somewhere (mine's working so I can't recall exactly where) that says something like "enable mobile device". If so, then you need to click this.
If this all fails, then repeat but with another USB port. The reason for this seeming waste of time is that you will get a DIFFERENT "Local area connection nn" icon, which may work for you.

I cant believe there hasnt been one mention of rebooting your PC - Which I can assume you already have done?
What OS are you running on your PC?
I have only just got my MDA PRO but this may help! as I did the same thing and for a while XP Pro wouldnt recognise the device.
Uninstall ActiveSync
Reboot PC
Install Activesync V4.0
Plug in USB Device
If there is still a problem connecting you shoudl see a USB device not recognised in your deviuce manager.
It almost seems like there is a time you have to wait before XP will respond normally to you unplugging and replugging in the USB.
Failing this you may have to uninstall Activesync and tehn remove all activesync registry keys it may have left behind! Then reboot and start again!

Just having tisproblem now, this is pïss poor of MS to still be foisting off onto us this Activesync package in such a terible state.

I've just had activesync stop working on me. It would connect but then refuse to sync anything even though it previously worked fine. I think it got upset after I booted up the PC with the Exec connected.
Anyway an uninstall and reinstall of Activesync on the PC cured the problem. Not the most robust software though.

Moandal said:
I've just had activesync stop working on me. It would connect but then refuse to sync anything even though it previously worked fine. I think it got upset after I booted up the PC with the Exec connected.
Anyway an uninstall and reinstall of Activesync on the PC cured the problem. Not the most robust software though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What works for me is to turn off the handheld, and connect the cable after that. Then turn on the device if needed. Works mot of the time then.... no excuse for MS though....

Help with I-Mate (XDAII)

Hello,
I'm currently trying to get a second hand I-Mate syncing with ActiveSync using a USB cradle. Everything else works fine, with the exception of a USB sync. When my I-Mate cradle is plugged in via USB, and the powered-on I-Mate is placed in the cradle, a Windows device message appears stating "USB Device Not Recognized". This happened with another I-Mate I was able to try and on multiple computers with multiple cradles. I'm quite baffled. I've tried verstions 3.7, 3.8 and 4.0 of ActiveSync.
I would really like to get the USB cradle working so I can try WM2005 and not have to xfer software to the I-Mate over my GRPS connection
Thanks in advance.
-Chris.

Hi Chris.
That certainly is odd since you've tried multiple ActiveSync versions on multiple PCs with multiple i-Mates!
What OS are the PCs running?
Normally when you first connect the i-mate via the cradle after installing ActiveSync, XP will launch the Add Hardware Wizard, which should find the drivers as ActiveSync installs them.
I have heard that reverting from ActiveSync 4 to 3.x can cause problems, but if you started with 3.7 & worked up from there, that isn't your issue.
Can you launch ActiveSync manually via Start - All Programs etc.?
Perhaps check the XP driver-signing policy - maybe it's stopping the driver from installing. I'd normally suggest trying a different USB port, but trying another PC covers that one .
Good luck - I know this one would annoy the hell out of me too!

Hi Chris.
That certainly is odd since you've tried multiple ActiveSync versions on multiple PCs with multiple i-Mates!
What OS are the PCs running?
Normally when you first connect the i-mate via the cradle after installing ActiveSync, XP will launch the Add Hardware Wizard, which should find the drivers as ActiveSync installs them.
I have heard that reverting from ActiveSync 4 to 3.x can cause problems, but if you started with 3.7 & worked up from there, that isn't your issue.
Can you launch ActiveSync manually via Start - All Programs etc.?
Perhaps check the XP driver-signing policy - maybe it's stopping the driver from installing. I'd normally suggest trying a different USB port, but trying another PC covers that one .
Good luck - I know this one would annoy the hell out of me too!

The PCs that I've tried have been running XP. My work machine SP1 while my home machine SP2.
I tried disabling the windows firewall in SP2 to no avail. The two other units I tried were in various states of order so that could be contributing to the issue.
The touchscreen is unresponsive on one while the other is stuck showing serial information (both issues I've found out how to resolve reading this forum, that'll make 2 more functional I-Mates!)
I have since completley removed ActiveSync from my PC at home. When I place my I-Mate into the cradle, no windows device messages appear and when I go into the device manager the I-Mate isn't even seen anymore.
I might just cut my losses and go cough up $40 for a usb bluetooth adapter for the desktop and sync that way. I'd rather not do this as I don't believe I can upgrade the ROM via bluetooth, and I'd very much like to throw WM2005 on one of these puppies, providing I can even get that far.

Ok, so a good majority will probably hate me after this.
My sync problem was caused by me not using a 5v power adapter. Yes, it was that simple. My power adapter looks like some kind of alien as it's being converted with 3 devices to conform to standard 110v north american AC. It was purchased for European users originally.
BUT, here's my saving grace. The I-Mate I was playing with won't sync via USB, it will do bluetooth and even serial but not usb???
Even more annoying is the unit I'm now using has an annoying issue with the touchscreen. If I receive a call or take care of any other incoming data activity, the screen freezes. I will not be able to use the touch screen until the battery is taken out. Very annoying, to the point I'm using the bluetooth unit. It's got the latest firmwares of the units (1.72wwe, 1.14 radio, 1337.38 for g (general?) bluetooth unit has 1,66wwe, 1.10 radio and 1337.2x for g) ...haha, sorry I thought that one was awesome and very fitting for a faulty device... just not the right number for a release...

Activesync'ing causing slowdown-to-freeze of Wizard

I have done a hard reset just to check this out, but when I am syncing I get a slowdown on the wizard that persists when disconnected from the USB cable. I then have to soft reset and all is well again until I connect.
I have to admit I am not running SP2 on the XP machine I sync with.
Anyone found this or found a solution?
Thanks,
Joe

I have exactly the same. But with XP SP2 on the PC and Norwegian ROM on the Wizard

Same here.
First sync after Softreset works great. 2nd sync normaly slows down device.
(AS 4.1, Win XP SP2, qtec 9100, 1.3.7.12 NOR)
Thilo

Yes you're right. That's how it works.
Anyone else? If enough people have the problem then maybe we can either put pressure on M$/HTC to tell us how to workaround it or alternatively a guru may take pity on us :lol:
Joe

Have only experienced this issue when the synch is hanging and I end up disconnecting the device during the synch. Only solution to that I have found is to close the comm managers for activesync in the task manager before disconnecting and then everything is fine. As to getting someone at M$ to take notice...... lets face it activesync 4.1 is a pile of junk only exceeded by 4.0. Wm2003 and 3.7 just worked. If M$ can't develop an interface between a piece of M4 software and another piece of M$ software without the device having to be soft reset (or the PC rebooted) every third synch then they ought to be put down.

Same problem here with SP2 and Qtek WWE Rom.
The first sync works well, but if i want to sync for a 2nd time i have to reboot either the Wizard or the pc.

Well, turn of events. I did a hard reset as I said, and have installed only spb gprs monitor, ae button plus, ms reader, gsplayer, vito tube london thingy and tomtom.
so far it hasn't done the crash thing. many syncs down the line and no slowdown.
so could it be software related?
did the people here have tcpmp?
what are you running if you also suffer from this problem?
joe

I find it happens if I accidentally press the power button whilst connected - this disconnects the XDA mini S and when I turn the power back on Activesync seems to repeatedly display 'connecting' and the XDA becomes slow to the point of useless.

and i spoke too soon, it's happening again :-(

same here, my Qtek 9100 1.6.7.1 WWE nearly stop respond while activesyncing....

devros said:
I find it happens if I accidentally press the power button whilst connected - this disconnects the XDA mini S and when I turn the power back on Activesync seems to repeatedly display 'connecting' and the XDA becomes slow to the point of useless.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And I spoke too soon. Seems that after every activesync, my Mini S is now requiring a soft-reset - WTF?
Only started today...?
Si.

Same thing happens to me, it's so slow to sync on the pc, but the only solution i found to not make your phone slow after syncing is not to disconnet or switch your phone off when it is syncronizing, as soon as you plug it in to your pc, leave it until it has fully synced, once done you can disconnect it and it will work fine, if you disconnect it in the middle of a sync it will be slow and you have to reset it, either way active syncing to the pc is still very slow...so there is a problem indeed...it's the same for active sync 4.0, so it's a problem with the phone I believe, I had an XDA2s upgraded to WIndows Mobile 5.0 and that was working fine with Active sync 4.0, no slowdown at all at synced very fast so it's not OS related..

Just installed the Qtek ROm wiht the AKU2 update adn the device seems much faster and best of all no slow active sync, works perfectly no crashes whatsoever...

Where did you got one with AKU2 already? :shock: I want it I want it I want it!

Same problem here with the Cingular 8125

Activesync slowdown
I have been doing a scout around and it appears to be a problem with things in the today screen. Unfortunately the only workaround (as i seem to have tested quickly) is to untick everything from your today screen and it wont slow right down and freeze.

BUMP!
I've encountered this problem in a big way after trying to sync my PC with Outlook.
- It syncs when you plug it in perfectly
- It stays in sync if you leave it plugged in
- If you unplug it and soft reset before reconnecting then it's fine
- If you plug it back in, XDA goes s-l-o-o-o-w and then freezes and will NOT re-sync (although you can still explore it!)
Obviously that's not acceptable... you can't be expected to reset your phone every time you disconnect it to make a call or whatever.
HOWEVER you're right - it does NOT hang if you remove all the Outlook items (messaging, tasks, calendar) from your today screen
That's my current fix to the problem although i see it more as a temporary workaround... the today screen is useful and the device looks dull with no menus on the default page.
Has anyone managed to fix this in any other way?

Just to add to that... after extensive syncing and rebooting I can confirm that you're OK to have the date, the battery power meter and the device locked/unlocked tools on the screen... and it will still synch okay. I reckon the personal info will probably work as well.
Anything other than that and you'd better enjoy soft resetting because you're going to be doing it a lot.
Anyone know who at Microsoft I would email about this?
[email protected]

same with me... though I had not correlated this with any items on the today screen... but many times I have noted that I need to reboot after syncing and removing the usb cable.. I can't get to resync..it says connecting on the pc but never connects...

I have so many problems with ActiveSync it's not funny any more....
I never had THIS many problems with WM2003SE and AS 3.8, now I get lock ups on both machines, regularly not sync'ing at all for no reason, WM Player on the PC crashing (I sync my music to a mini SD card) etc etc.
I have re-installed both PC AS and complete re-instal of WM5 (Both 1.6.x.x and 2.8.x.x) both have issues though not quite so bad with 2.8.x.x
C'mon MS, get your act together.
If this many users are having the same problems it isn't because we are ALL doing something wrong its your poor software. This is a fundamental item of these devices and to have it as tempramental (Is that spelt correctly??) as this is not acceptable. This facility needs to be "Plug and Play" not "Plug and Pray". They must realise this during in-house development of WM5 as they surely use it for their transfers??!!?
Oh, and bring back the f**king network sync, I used to use my device on the road simply sync'ing via GPRS to my always on PC or in the home via WiFi. Now I have to purchase a full Exchange Server??? I think not!
Hmmm, WM5, two steps forward one step back?
SORRY, rant over now....

PPC does not connect to PC via USB

Hello, and thanks in adance for any help
My Magician (ROM 1.13) is no longer recognised by my PC when I connect it via USB.
The device charges, but It does not connect to sync.
PPC Activesync doe have an error rmessage;
"Verify your dialup or proxy settings"
• I have tried all the suggestions from MS Troubleshooting
• I have tried all the suggestions on this and other forums.
• I have tried disabling Firewall (Kerio)
• I have tried with upgrade to Activesync 4.5 (was previously trying with 3.8)
Coincidence? The PPC failed to connect after I installed SonicStage, and plugged in a friends MD player into the same USB cable.
?? I would have liked to try rolling back USB drivers - though not entirely sure which ones - MS Device Manager not very helpful in describing what USB controllers are actually for (i.e. USB Composite Device?) ... however
• I tried restoring PC to an earlier state via Ghost (to a point I know the connection worked) but still no joy.
So I am now conerned it may be a problem with the connection manager on the Magician itself.
I don't want to hard reset just yet because I need to sync (an have little faith/experience with xBackup - which just took close to 1 hour)
Any help/pointers most appreciated
===========================
I've been using the Magician for 1.5 years, pretty successfully - consider myself fairly adept in IT, though not a hardcore coder.
But his has me stumped.

argh double post

yup i had this happen a few times, totally ticked me off.
try deleting your activesync profile and re-syncing, backup ur contacts etc first in outlook on the pc side just to make sure you dont over sync something.
other than that id say a hard reset is on the cards

double post
I always try due-diligence in researching answers before posting for help.
UPDATE
I didn't mention the specifics of my trials, but I had tried deleting the partnership in Activesync, but the problem is that my Magician just doesn't connect.
I did a hard reset, and Ghosted my PC back, but even in this "virgin" setup the Magician doesn't connect.
Am pleased that xBackup did work completely - restored everything including installed apps and settings. Small comfort.
Am now convinced that the problem is with the mini-USB port on my Magician.
Will be sending it back under 2Year warranty.