Syncing to a Vista computer
Syncing a Pocket PC to a Vista computer should be pretty easy. But from the forum threads I've read, it seems to be more trouble than syncing with ActiveSync. Before you try to sync to a Vista computer, make sure you've got a compatible mobile device and compatible software. Also be sure you've installed the right syncing software to your computer.
Make sure your device and software is compatible
The minimum requirements for syncing a Pocket PC to a Vista computer is that the mobile device is running Windows Mobile 2003 (or later) and at least Outlook 2003 is installed on the computer.
Windows Mobile 2003: To check what OS version your Pocket PC is running, tap Start > Settings > About
At a minimum you should see Version 4.20.1081 (Build 13100), which is equivalent to Windows Mobile 2003. If the version and build shown on your Pocket PC is smaller than 4.20.1081 (Build 13100), your Pocket PC is running a very early operating system and will not be able to sync to a Vista computer unless you upgrade the device to Windows Mobile 2003.
Unfortunately, not all Pocket PCs can be upgraded to Windows Mobile 2003, but if an upgrade for your model was ever available, you may be able to find it on eBay.
If your device can not be upgraded to Windows Mobile 2003, then you won't be able to sync to a Vista computer. 
Assuming your Pocket PC is running Windows Mobile 2003 or a later operating system, there is nothing else you need to upgrade on the Pocket PC. (You will not upgrade the version of ActiveSync that is running on the Pocket PC.)
Outlook 2003: Many older Pocket PCs were shipped with a free desktop version of Outlook 2002. I have read reports from users who have been able to install and sync to Outlook 2002 on a Vista computer, but Outlook 2002 is not supported by Microsoft under Vista and syncing to it may be inconsistent and wrought with problems.
Get the right syncing software for the job
If you don't know it already, you won't use ActiveSync to sync to a Vista computer. Instead you'll use Windows Mobile Device Center. You may find some software called Mobile Manager already installed on your Vista computer, but that is not Windows Mobile Device Center....If you see Mobile Manager on your computer, you still need to download and install Windows Mobile Device Center. Also, there is a 32-bit version and a 64-bit version of Windows Mobile Device Center, so make sure you download the version that matches the version of Vista that is installed on your computer (to find if the version of Windows Vista running on your computer is 32-bit or 64-bit, click Start, right-click Computer, and then click Properties. The version is listed after System Type)..
After you've installed WMDC to your computer, attach your Pocket PC to your computer and see if you can sync. But before you do that, you might want to check out this Vista Windows Mobile Device Center Walk Through.
Resolving Windows Mobile Device Center partnership and syncing problems
Let me preface this by saying I do not have a Vista computer and have never synced a Pocket PC to a Vista computer. But a few months ago I spent several hours helping one of the readers of this blog work out a successful Vista / WMDC syncing relationship with their Pocket PC. Since that time, I have helped many other forum users work out their WMDC / Vista synching issues, and I think I've figured out how to successfully sync a Pocket PC to a Vista machine.
Still reading? Okay, here it is . . . if you have not been able to sync your Pocket PC to your Vista computer, follow these instructions in this exact order:
- Uninstall Windows Mobile Device Center from your computer
- Reboot your computer from a cold start. - that means turn your computer off completely (no hibernation or standby) and then turn it back on a few minutes later.
- Perform a factory reset or full reset of your Pocket PC. Things to keep in mind when performing a factory reset:
- A factory reset is not a soft reset - inserting your stylus into the reset hole will not do the job.
- For WM5.0 and WM6.0 devices, removing the battery will not provoke a factory reset.
- A factory reset will wipe out all your user files, settings, and any software you have installed to the device, so make sure you have those items readily available (and any related software license keys) and some time set aside to rebuild your Pocket PC afterwards.
- You can consult the User's Guide that came with your Pocket PC to find the sequence of keys you'll need to press to perform a factory reset or you can ask for help here if you don't know how to perform a factory reset of your Pocket PC. If you ask for help, be sure to tell me what model Pocket PC you have and what OS is running on it, and I'll try to track down the procedure for you.
- Install Windows Mobile Device Center to your computer
- Attach your Pocket PC to your computer and sync your Pocket PC.
Please post a comment and let me know if this procedure worked for you. The more we are able to learn from other users, the better it will be for all the new users who are still wrestling around with this issue.
Windows Mobile Device Center Deficiencies
It seems that with every release of new syncing software for mobile devices, Microsoft removes more functionality. Here's a list of missing functionality in WMDC and my recommended workarounds to these deficiencies. If I've missed anything, please let me know and I'll add it to the list.
| |
| WMDC does not convert Pocket Word (psw) or Pocket Excel (pxl) files into format that can be used on the Vista computer.
| You can address this deficiency by abandoning the Pocket Word and Pocket Excel formats altogether. Instead of saving files on the Pocket PC to these default formats, you'll need to save them as full Word or Excel files. If you have a WM5.0 device that is running at least build 14847, you can install the Mobile Office 6.1 upgrade to your Pocket PC. See the "Pocket PCs and Office 2007" heading in my article entitled, "Adapting to Office 2007" for links to this software and to learn more about this workaround. |
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So, basically, there seems to be no free way to tag PDF files for reflow if one is using Windows Vista, since WMDC won't do it, Adobe Reader won't do it and the full version of Acrobat (which will) is not available for free. Since I am unwilling to spend the money to buy Acrobat solely so I can tag files (and perform a function that is free for XP users who have not "upgraded" to Vista), I will be unable to view PDF files the way I want to on my handheld. What a complete and utter failure on the part of Microsoft and Adobe.
Since Outlook 2002, which came with my Dell Axim x50v, doesn't work with Vista, and the Windows Sync Center doesn't work either, can anyone suggest a PIM that I can use instead? I particularly need it to import my Outlook notes and, of course, be sync-able. Suggestions welcome.
You should be able to use WMDC on your Vista computer to sync your Axim, and you can always upgrade to Outlook 2007pretty cheaply.
Well, I did the above and now not only can I not connect my ipaq to my Vista computer, but I don't have my programs installed. I really would appreciate your help!
What do you mean none of your programs are installed?