I seem to have run into a problem this past weekend. I purchased a 6-in-1 card reader because I had 3 separate readers for the different cards each device uses. But after installing the reader every time I went to sync my iPaq 2215 my PC locked up. I rebooted and re-installed Active Sync, it worked for a few minutes then it locked when I was trying to do a backup. A couple of times it would lockup right when it was completed. I uninstalled Active Sync and downloaded the 3.7.1 (that is what I was using but I thought a new download might help) and re-installed it. All the problems have come from the 6-in-1 card reader but XP found the drivers and I didn't even need the CD. I know the culprit but I really want to use the card reader.
Any Thoughts????

How do you have your card reader and your sync cradle connected? Are you using a USB hub?

I am using a Dazzle 6-in-1 card reader and I have no problems with activesync. I am not using a USB hub as activesync can have problems with a USB hub.

Ted Whitely
whitelyt at ipaqhq DOT com

HP rx3715
Dell Axim X50v
HP 2215
Dell Axim X30

 

I have a 2.0 USB card and the reader is using it and then the cradle us using the front USB connection. No HUB, I have had problems with the hub so I removed it and added the card.

Sorry, don't have a clue on this one. I will keep my eyes out for fixes though.

Ted Whitely
whitelyt at ipaqhq DOT com

HP rx3715
Dell Axim X50v
HP 2215
Dell Axim X30

 

Not sure what to tell you for a fix. I have a similar problem on my 2000 laptop. I can get the card reader to work fine, as long as I plug it in after booting the laptop. If I try to boot w/ the reader plugged in, I get the Blue Screen of Death.

The reader does not play well w/ AS. My laptop has 2 USB ports, so you would *think* they would. So I use one or the other.

Just a thought,

When adding a card reader it appears as a removeable drive that you can access to explorer. It is active on the system whether you are using it or not. When you plug it in, it appears as a device on your system. When plugging in your cradle, it will be a separate device as well. Each device should have its own IRQ. If they share IRQ's, then a lockup can occur. Your PC does not seem to lock up until you try to sync. The cradle device does not become active until you put the PPC in the cradle.

Try this,

Disconnect the card reader. Try to sync your PPC. While its connected, get the IRQ number and the memory range it is using. Then, take the PPC out of the cradle and unplug the cradle. Plug in the card reader in the slot you was using and go back into the device manager and check the IRQ and memory range for the card reader. See if the two are sharing the same device settings.

It's worth a try.

Ted Whitely
whitelyt at ipaqhq DOT com

HP rx3715
Dell Axim X50v
HP 2215
Dell Axim X30

 

Thanks I will try it when I get home.

Whitelyt,
That's an excellent thought. It's been awhile since I had to bother w/ IRQs or anything like that, so it never crossed my mind.

While I can't test this here at work without the card reader, in my case, I think you're right. With the iPAQ cradled & synced, the Device Manager sees it, but I can't see the iRQ used. It's listed as a Windows CE USB Device, HP USB Sync.

Under Administrative Tools, Computer Manamgement, System Information, Hardware Resources or Sharing/Conflicts, I see that quite a few devices are sharing IRQ 9, including all of the USB devices. I'll bet that's why I can do either one but not both, it gets to be too much or conflicts.

Thanks for the tip!
buckyg

After thinking about it for awhile, the thought just slapped me right on the top of my head. It's the only logical thing I can think of.

Ted Whitely
whitelyt at ipaqhq DOT com

HP rx3715
Dell Axim X50v
HP 2215
Dell Axim X30

 

OK, I am at home and no luck at all - EXCEPT when I moved the PPC to the same USB card and now everything has been working fine for more than an hour. I can't say I understand but I can live with it. Thanks for all your ideas.

Sounds like a hardware conflict between the USB 2.0 Card that you installed and the onboard USB bus. It's almost like it is either one or the other.

Ted Whitely
whitelyt at ipaqhq DOT com

HP rx3715
Dell Axim X50v
HP 2215
Dell Axim X30