Total noob needs total help w/activsync

[indy]

Howdy, this will be lengthy as I'm new and will try to cover as much info as I have.

I recently purchased my 1st pda, an axim x5 (used from ebay). So far, lots of fun and I can see some potential here. Problem is I can't get it to work with my PC. I installed v 3.whatever that came with the unit. The software installed fine as far as I can tell. When I put the unit into the cradle (usb) I got a generic error popup from windows (xp) saying the Usb connection was broken, or words to that effect. Activesync tried finding the unit, but popped an error screen asking if the connection type was listed. It did list usb.

After repeated attempts I broke down and tried the troubleshooter. The troubleshooter recommended looking for the newest version, which I did. I downloaded v 4 and attempted to install. v4 said v3 had to be removed. v3 was nowhere to be found in the install/remove program, so I found the folder on the hard drive and removed it. v4 then installed.

During the install I got a popup complaining that outlook was not found or not the default mail client. I use thunderbird, so I chose to ignore this. After finishing the install I rebooted, tried again, but got the same results. Back to the troubleshooter. I disabled Norton and am not running any other anti-vir or firewall. I rebooted and tried again. Same results. I re-installed v4, rebooted and tried again. Same results.

What now? The only thing I can think of is to try it on my PC at work and see what happens.

Lastly, is there any way to install programs from a cf card? If I can't get this thing to sync, I would still like to get some 3rd party software up and running, but so far the closest I've come is being told the software will be installed on the next sync.

thanks in advance

[Mahstah]

Good idea to try the Axim on another PC to ensure that it's not the Axim itself that has a USB communication issue.

It is possible to install apps w/o syncing. Most Pocket PC apps are distributed as cab files inside of self-extracting executables. Using a decompression utility such as WinRAR, you can right click on installer executables and extract their contents. There usually will be 3 cab files, one for each CPU architecture PPCs use. Yours will be the *arm.cab file. Copy that cab to your card and execute it with a tap to install.

Best of luck with your X5!

[indy]

Ok,
uninstalled all Norton software, verified windows firewall is disabled. Tried both 3.5 and 4.1 with fresh installs of both, but got the same results. Windows popup saying a USB device is not recognized or malfunctioning, and activesync can't find the device. I tried different USB ports without success. I am running my printer off of a USB port and the PC is only a few months old, so I'm confident the ports are working.

I installed 3.5 on my old computer, which also runs xp and was able to connect to the PDA. I haven't tried my pc at work, which is really the important one, but I would like to be able to use it on both.

Any ideas?

[indy]

Curiouser and curiouser...
When I connected on my old PC I didn't set up a partnership. I returned to my new one, tried again and yada yada yada.

I go back downstairs to actually get it up and running, but can't connect. I reboot, soft reset, and it connects. I set up a partnership and it begins to sync. As it is sync'ing the PDA pops a window saying I'm using an incompatible version of activesync and that it disabling syncing. I again reboot/soft reset and it doesn't want to connect again. All I can say at this point is WTF?

I checked the system on the PDA, it says I'm running v. AO5. I don't really know what that means or if its a factor, but I've seen references to different AO's. I'm assuming I'm running the 2002 version but I have no way of knowing.

help help help

[Mahstah]

If you are running ROM A05, then your X5 has been updated to WM2003. I would suggest using Activesync 3.8.

Did you get a Dell installation CD with the Axim?

[indy]

I got it up and running, thanks for the help. Dell needs to amend the manual to read HEY MORON, MAKE SURE YOU SEAT THE PDA INTO THE SOCKET, DON'T JUST SET IT ON THERE UNTIL IT LIGHTS UP. I'm an idiot, I appologize.

[enquerir]

I am glad for you that it is a simple seating problem.

There are about 10 documented reasons why a sync cannot be established, & 5 generic error codes (85010014) that is caused by Outlook APIs ... ActiveSync.

I waited for you to try it out in the office first. I was about to post (took >1 day to check my work notes) ... luckily your post came in earlier. I've removed my Problem/Cause/Fix/Precaution but will keep it for someone who has similar symptoms summarized below.

I was expecting you to respond ... "thanks Mahstah for sharing on how to install on SD/CF ... By the way, I've my problem fix ..."

== Originally Intended Post ===

Hi Indy,

Feel free to edit your story (issues):

Upstairs XP w/ Norton:
• Installed v 3.x; sync error "Usb connection broken"
[security violation. USB ok]
• Install AS v4; Error "v3 had to be removed"
[v3 dll installed]
• AS v3.x not found in Install/Remove program; "removed" v3.x folder
[incorrect removal procedure]
• Install v4.1; Error "outlook not found"; "not default mail client."; Use thunderbird.
• After installation; Rebooted; same results.
[off course]
• Disabled Norton no firewall
[too late]
• Rebooted; Same results.
• Error "USB device is not recognized or malfunctioning, and activesync can't find the device."
[USB ok. USB-
• Re-installed v4.1
• rebooted and tried again. Same results.
• Msg "software will be installed on next sync"

Downstairs pc
• Can't connect.
• reboot, soft reset, and it connects.
• set up a partnership, try to sync; PDA msg "incompatible version of activesync"; "disabling syncing"
• reboot/soft reset; doesn't connect.

work pc
• Plan to install & sync

You want to sync X5 w/:
1. home XP w/ Norton.
2. downstairs pc.
3. office pc.


HOW TO COMPLETELY REMOVE AS 3.x/4.x
***** REMOVED ... SEATING PROBLEM *******


PROBLEM/CAUSE
***** REMOVED ... SEATING PROBLEM *******


FIREWALL ISSUES
***** REMOVED ... SEATING PROBLEM *******


FIX
***** REMOVED ... SEATING PROBLEM *******

TIP:
X50 w/ WM5.0 need ActiveSync 4.x (previous versions will not work with WM5.)

QUOTE:
We know what we do;
We know what it is.

Enquerir (l0l)

[Mahstah]

Glad you got it figured out Indy.

Nice post formatting enqerir!