Basic Navigation through the ActiveSync minefield
ActiveSync presents a huge minefield of issues for me and many users on the forums that I visit. Because I am always messing around with my Pocket PCs, I often encounter synching issues. So far, I’ve been able to resolve my issues fairly quickly. Here are the strategies I use when I screw up my ActiveSync partnership:
1st Strategy
Performing a soft reset is the first thing I do. This simply involves inserting the stylus into the reset hole found on the bottom or side of the Pocket PC. Then I reboot my computer and try to sync. This strategy probably resolves 50% of my syncing problems.
2nd Strategy
I’ve found that whenever I delete, modify or archive a large number of Outlook data on the Pocket PC or computer, I often encounter syncing problems. These types of problems are often cleared up by deleting my existing ActiveSync partnership and creating a new partnership:
For ACTIVESYNC 3.8
Delete Partnership:
Do not attach the Pocket PC to the computer. Open up ActiveSync on the PC, select File > Delete Partnership. When prompted to delete the My Documents folder on the computer that gets synced to the handheld, select NO.
Create Partnership:
Do not attach the Pocket PC to the computer until the ActiveSync wizard prompts you to do so. Select File > Get Connected. The wizard prompts you through the remaining steps.
For ACTIVESYNC 4.X
To delete the partnership:
Do not attach Pocket PC to the computer. Open up ActiveSync, select File > Delete Mobile Device. When prompted to delete the My Documents folder on the computer that gets synced to the handheld, select NO.
To create new partnership:
Do not attach the IPAQ to the PC until the ActiveSync wizard prompts you to do so. Open ActiveSync, select File > Connection Settings > Connect. The wizard prompts you through the remaining steps.
When the new partnership is created, you will be prompted to perform a “first” sync. At that time, ActiveSync will recognize that there is data on both the computer and the handheld and will ask you how you wish to proceed
3rd Strategy (can be used for WM5.0 devices only)
Prior to WM5.0, all Pocket PCs synced via USB mode, but by default WM5.0 handhelds sync via RNDIS (Remote Network Driver Interface Specification) mode. When using RNDIS mode, the handheld appears as a network connection. And if you can use it, the RNDIS mode is faster than USB mode when syncing data. Check out Microsoft’s article entitled, “Remote NDIS (RNDIS) and Windows” if you wish to know more about this technology.
Unfortunately, some firewalls inhibit this connection, and, I have found that even when my firewall is disabled, I am still unable to sync via RNDIS mode. Changing the Activesync mode from RNDIS to USB sync mode often resolves this problem:
Tap Start > Settings > Connections tab > ActiveSync Mode icon
The earlier WM5.0 handhelds, such as the rx1950 and the hx2000 models, will only have the ActiveSync mode switch if these devices have the latest ROM or firmware updates installed on them.
4th Strategy
This is not a strategy I need to use since I do not use a USB hub, but if you use a USB hub, try plugging the Pocket PC directly into a USB port on the back of the computer (internal hubs provide USB ports on the front of the computer).
Thoughts about “upgrading” to the latest version of ActiveSync
If you have a windows mobile 2003 handheld and are using ActiveSync 3.8 (or earlier), there is no reason to upgrade to the latest version of ActiveSync. ActiveSync 4.x does not provide any additional functionality. In fact, it reduces functionality. With ActiveSync 4.x you are not able to sync via WIFI connection or sync data by category selection, so why would you want to upgrade?
Many users mess up their ActiveSync connection when they upgrade to the latest version of ActiveSync. I live by the “if it isn’t broken, don’t try to fix it” principle. Unless you have a compelling reason to upgrade, it’s probably not a good idea to upgrade to the latest version. Compelling reasons to upgrade include:
- If you purchase a new pocket pc that runs WM5.0, you must use ActiveSync 4.x. Pocket PCs that run earlier operating systems sync just fine to ActiveSync 4.x.
- If you installed ActiveSync 4.1, you should consider upgrading to ActiveSync 4.2 if you encounter problems since AS 4.1 is considered unstable.
Happy syncing!
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Once again it is Prof Julie to the rescue. I was having problems trying to sync so I came here first to find the answer.
Thanks for this blog. It is the only thing keeping me from throwing my PDA out the car window.
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Mark,
Glad I can help you out. Please don't throw your pocket pc out the window. . . If you throw it anywhere, throw it my way!
Julie
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I attempted everything you wrote for my ActiveSync 3.8. I am still unable to connect. Any suggestions would be great. Another week or so and I'm going to buy a new PDA that works right. This one has never worked right from the beginning (IPAQ rx1950)
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ActiveSync 3.8 will not work with any WM5.0 devices. You should be using ActiveSync 4.x. Here's a link to AS 4.2:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=7269173a-28bf-4cac-a682-58d3233efb4c&DisplayLang=en
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Oops, I'm running AS 4.0. An error comes up stating "Either their is no default mail client or the current mail client cannot fulfill the messaging requested. Please run Microsoft Outlook and set it as the default mail client." I have done that already. Any suggestions?
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First of all, install AS 4.2. AS 4.0 is known to be unstable.
Have you ever been able to sync?
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Yes, I have always been able to sync and now, thanks to you, I am able to sync again. After downloading AS4.2, I was able to sync and now can use my Ipaq. Your battery saver advice has changed my mind about using my pda for everyday use. I had given up on my pda a year ago and am very thankful to find your website. Thanks again!
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Glad to hear you are able to sync again! I'm glad my blog has helped you out. Thanks for stopping by,
julie
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Prof Julie.
Thanks for all the hard work you put into this blog.
I have an Ipaq 2495 with rom ver 1.00.01H installed.
I seem to have a weird sync problem. When I try to sync (have tried it on two computers), the calendar and contacts on the Ipaq seems to update, notes do not and nothing updates on the PC. The Ipaq shows the date/time of sync, the PC doesn't sync and fails each try.
I have read and tried many things to no avail. USB or RNDIS no matter.
I need a place to start from and a way to benchmark progress.
Thanks for any assistance
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Julie,
Well, AS strikes again! I tried all these tips AND renamed PIM.vol also. Still won't sync. It only tries when I select the RNDIS sync mode rather than the USB serial sync mode. Ran the Microsoft Activesync troubleshooter and it says:
===============================
Pinging Desktop gateway 192.168.1.1 started
Ping echoed successfully
Sygate Personal Firewall has been detected. Firewall settings can prevent Windows Mobile powered devices from connecting. Get up-to-date solutions to common firewall problems and step by step instructions for correcting them. Please click the following link:
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=65175
and follow the steps provided to make sure that your firewall is configured correctly.
Pinging Device 169.254.2.2 started
Ping echoed successfully
Unable to establish a connection between the PC and the device. Get up-to-date solutions to common connection problems. Please click the following link:
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=65257
The device appears to be disconnected. Please connect your device to the PC
ActiveSync is performing a sync, please wait......
Searching ActiveSync log file
No errors found in ActiveSync log file
Exiting
===================================
so I disabled the sygate firewall (than my company requires - even though it has worked with it activated before. But from the ping results, it appears to be able to ping the device, so from that it DOESN't look like it is the gateway.
Any other ideas before I wipe it? (I think it may be PhoneAlarm or Button Mapper, so if I do have to cold boot, I won't reload them.
Thanks for any ideas,
Rick
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Have you tried uninstalling those applications to see if you can sync once they are no longer installed?
Since you've been able to sync until recently, you could also try performing a system restore of your computer, restoring to a restore point when you were able to sync. A system restore only restores system files on the computer, so it won't mess up any of your data.
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