Fixing ActiveSync
 | Simple fix |
| Some easy prevention |
| Problems for Palm users |
| USB port problems |
| |
| Speeding up ActiveSync |
Simple fix
If ActiveSync keeps acting up and misbehaving, the easiest way to remedy the problem is to download an update from the Microsoft web site. The updates are completely free, and about 3MB in size. Reinstalling ActiveSync is usually pretty straightforward.
Some easy prevention
There seems to be a small glitch with certain laptops and their sleep mode. ActiveSync does not like it if the device is still connected to the laptop while it is waking up from sleep. It gets all recalcitrant - sometimes the laptop has to be completely rebooted and the device soft reset to get ActiveSync working again. An easy way to prevent this is to disconnect the device from the laptop before waking the laptop from sleep mode.
Problems for Palm users
HotSync does not play nice. When it grabs hold of a serial port on your desktop, it does not let go, even when it has finished using it. For most other software using a serial or USB port, this does not matter but for ActiveSync and some other scanner software, this creates some problems.
Our experience with trying run HotSync and ActiveSync on the same desktop is that at some point, it will fail. Do a last HotSync to move your data from your device to the desktop and from then on, put HotSync away.
USB port problems
Users of scanners, and other unusual hardware connected to your USB port, will sometimes find that ActiveSync can't find the port. After doing the usual soft reset and desktop reboot, if the problem persists, the next step to try is to install the latest version of ActiveSync, as discussed above. This will fix 90% of these problems.
Avoid using a USB hub or port replicator between your device and the desktop machine.
If all else fails, it is sometimes a problem with you USB port. Even if it still works with Mice etc, that is no guarantee that your port is fully functional. It is worth trying the following steps:
- Make sure that you have your Windows install disks handy.
- On your desktop, right click on the 'My Computer' icon and select Properties
- In the System Properties dialog, find the button named "Device Manager"
- Open Device Manager and look in the device tree in the left panel.
- Click on any USB ports that you find and then click the 'Remove' button.
This fools Windows into thinking that you do not physically have any USB ports on your system.
- Shut down the desktop computer completely and then power it back up again.
As Windows wakes up and goes through its self-test cycles, it will rediscover the USB ports and reinstall the software for them. Usually, it is fine just to follow the default settings offered.
Charge & Sync cables
Some stores offer a cable that has a dual role - it will connect the device to the laptop for ActiveSync etc. But it also recharges the device from the laptop USB port. A great idea when traveling because you don't have to take your cradle and PDA power brick with you.
Unfortunately, PDAs suck a lot of current while they are recharging and if this exceeds the limits of the laptop's USB port, it just quits. No complaint, no error message from Windows. The port just disappears for all intents and purposes. The worst thing about this is that the USB port remains disabled, even after a full reboot of the laptop.
This can nearly always be fixed, using the above 6 step procedure where you lie to Windows and tell it there is no USB port...and then let Windows find it again.
On some newer PDAs, you can modify the settings so that the device draws less current when recharging. Another trick is to turn off the backlight while using this cable.
Speeding up ActiveSync
ActiveSync is usually quick and efficient in getting its job done. But if you have lots of information to sync then it still may take too long. Potential speed hogs to watch out for:
| AvantGo - if you have lots of links or information, this can take a few minutes to transfer. |
| Large sound files and Notes recordings, if you have File sync turned on. |
Try to avoid using a regular 9 pin serial port for connecting your device. Almost anything else is quicker. You must set up the initial connection using serial or USB but after that you can get connected using the infrared ports, a network link (much faster!), a WiFi wireless link, Bluetooth etc.