I haven't been able to synch my Dell Axim X51v Windows Mobile 5.0 since July. I've gotten rid of all firewalls, removed any Norton or McAfee files (by deep cleaning the registry for Norton, Symantec, McAfee, etc.), uninstalled and reinstalled earlier versions of ActiveSync, and even tried "hard resetting" my device. Unfortunately, I'm stuck. If I run the ActiveSync Troubleshooter, I'm told that there are no errors; but I still get this error message every time I sync (from my log):

**** ActiveSync (4.2.4876 RETAIL) started, Cmd line: '/onconnect'
09/10/2006 13:19:24.310 Creating new partnership for device 0x0 (MarksAxim, PocketPC).
09/10/2006 13:19:24.310 p(3600) t(3800) TraceToFile -> ERROR in CUserInfo::GetUserSettings : hr = 0x80070534 - userinfo.cpp(415)
09/10/2006 13:19:26.082 p(3600) t(2100) TraceToFile -> ERROR in CConfigMgr::GetConfig : hr = 0x80004005 - cfgmgr.cpp(318)
09/10/2006 13:19:26.082 p(3600) t(2100) TraceToFile -> ERROR in CDataSourceCol::_QueryDevice : hr = 0x80004005 - DataSource.cpp(5305)
09/10/2006 13:19:26.082 p(3600) t(2100) TraceToFile -> ERROR in CDataSourceCol::Load : hr = 0x8000ffff - DataSource.cpp(3509)
09/10/2006 13:20:03.176 p(3600) t(776) TraceToFile -> ERROR in CConfigMgr::GetConfig : hr = 0x80004005 - cfgmgr.cpp(318)
09/10/2006 13:20:03.176 DTPT: Failed first query to find network. Dest={436EF144-B4FB-4863-A041-8F905A62C572}, HR=0x80004005
09/10/2006 13:20:03.176 DTPT: FAILED to find source network. Dest={436EF144-B4FB-4863-A041-8F905A62C572} fDeviceSrc=0 HR=0x80004005
09/10/2006 13:20:03.176 p(3600) t(3596) TraceToFile -> ERROR in CCeSync2::CreateGuestOrSyncPartner : hr = 0x80004005 - sync2.cpp(2191)
09/10/2006 19:49:42.985 **** ActiveSync exiting
09/10/2006 19:49:42.985 **************** Logging Stopped ****************
09/10/2006 23:08:19.961 **************** Logging Started ****************
09/10/2006 23:08:19.961 Process C:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\WCESMgr.exe p(1660)
09/10/2006 23:08:19.961




Any thoughts?

How are you connecting your PPC to your PC to run A/S?

When you try to Sync, does AS itself provide any error messages? Do you have another computer that you have attempted to connect to? Are you attempting to connect via USB cradle connection, or Wireless WiFi?

Elrendhel

Mobilitysite Administrator, Moderator, & Product Reviewer.

        

I'm using the USB cradle to connect with AS. Once I cradle the device, the AS window pops up and I see an assigned name in the AS dialog box (although if I delete all of the assigned names from AS, my original device name pops up). After a few seconds, the following dialog box pops up:

Microsoft ActiveSync

"Synchronization cannot be completed successfully. Reconnect your device and try again. If the problem persists, see the Microsoft ActiveSync Troubleshooter in Microsoft ActiveSync Help on your desktop computer."


By the way, if I run the troubleshooter, I'm informed there are no errors. I installed ActiveSync on two other computers and tried synching my device and the exact same error messages and problem occurs on each computer. Thanks to all who are trying to help.

Mark

Have you tried an earlier version of A/S?

(This will at least narrow down the problem either to A/S 4.2 if an earlier version works, or your PC & PPC set up if an earlier version doesn't work either.)

I uninstalled ActiveSync 4.2 (had to clean up my registry to get rid of all traces of 4.2 before I could install an earlier version) and installed AS 4.0, the version I was successfully using just before 4.2.

When I attempted to sync with AS 4.0, the same problem came up, that is, the error message described above. Furthermore, I came across an update for AS 4.5 beta 2 and thought I'd give it a shot, but no luck there either.

So it seems the AS error is following me to other computers and is independant of the version of ActiveSync. I'm really perplexed now.

Mark

Since you are not able to sync on multiple computers, the problem seems to be on the device. First of all try a hard reset of the device (not a clean reset) - not sure if the Axim can perform a hard reset, but on a WM5.0 IPAQ, the hard reset resets the hardware registers and you don't lose any of your data. Resetting the hardware registers has overcome this problem for other users....if you can't perform a hard reset, try removing the battery for a few seconds - sometimes this causes the hardware registers to reset (again not sure about the Axim). Otherwise, I think you may have to perform a clean reset....

Julie

     

This is where things really get frustrating. To overcome my ActiveSync problem, somebody suggested I try updating the ROM on my Axim (from A01 to A12). I did this, but at the very end of the update process, I was asked to perform a hard reset. On the Axim X51v, this is done by holding down the soft reset and power buttons simultaneously and then releasing them. As the PDA reboots, an 'options' screen pops up which gives you the option of pressing the 'contacts' button to perform a hard reset or the 'mail' button to skip this and boot normally. After that update attempt, I tried to perform a hard reset but the 'options' screen flashed by in what must have been a tenth of a second, and then the PDA just booted up normally. I tried it again and the same thing happened. In fact, it's been happening ever since then.... whenever I try to do a hard reset and no matter how fast I try to hit the 'contacts' button, I just can't get my PDA to pause and perform a hard reset. On other web sites, I see that others have had the same thing happen to them and it's apparently due to a flawed partial update which will correct itself if you repeat the process, but that's where the catch is... I have to have ActiveSync functional in order to repeat the ROM update!

I tried leaving the battery out for a few weeks, but the Problem persisted. My data is backed up and at this point, I'd even be willing to wipe my PDA clean (most of my data is on CF cards anyways) and start over, but I can't even do that.

Thanks to all who are responding.

So it seems you are stuck, eh? I have seen software that you can install to your Axim (look for a CAB file), that will allow you to perform hard resets by tapping a button, or maybe you've already got a piece of software installed to your Axim that does it and you don't know about it. Look around and see what you can find.

I'll look around tomorrow too and post back.

Julie

     

I have a process for recovering from a botched Firmware/BIOS upgrade, and a lot of users have had success using it. I do not use Dell Axims, so I do not know how much of it will work for you...

Elrendhel

Mobilitysite Administrator, Moderator, & Product Reviewer.

        

Okay, I found a free software that will perform a hard reset on a WM5.0 device (haven't found one that will perform a clean reset). Download PHM task manager here:

PHM Task Manager : Pocket PC Edition

This software comes packaged in a zip file. Open up the zip file on your computer and extract the ARM CAB file. Copy the ARM CAB file to a storage card, then insert the storage card in your Pocket PC, tap the CAB file and it will install to your device. After it installs, go to Start > Program > look for the Task Manager icon. Tap the Task Manager icon > Shut Down > Hard Reset.

Elrendhel: I have never had to use the procedure you reference in your previous reply, but I have referred many users to it. So many have reported back great success with restoring their previously "bricked" pocket pc. Thank you for finding and documenting this solution! From user responses, I get the impression that this procedure only works when ActiveSync is still able to recognize the Pocket PC (as a guest or partner). However, if ActiveSync does not recognize the Pocket PC, the user is usually not able to use the procedure. Do you know of any way to perform this procedure from a storage card?

Julie

     

Elrendhel, I couldn't apply your program to my Axim. Julie, apparently I have another issue, and it's probably part not a separate issue but part of the overall problem. It appears that I am unable to install any programs to my PDA. I transferred a registry editor and some other programs to my CF card (including the ARM CAB file of PHM task manager), but that's as far as I can go. After any attempts to install a program to my device or card, I receive a message telling me that the installation was unsuccessful. However, my Axim is fully functional. I'm able to use any programs that were installed on my Axim before the ActiveSync nightmare, I just can't install new ones. Furthermore, my PDA resets itself to July 1, 2005 at 12:00 midnight every time I turn it on. Manually correcting it doesn't help. Is there a way to perform some sort of a format for my Axim? My data is already safely backed up.

The PHM software (both task manager and the registry editor) is fairly simple software. You do not have to install it for it to work on your Axim. Both of these applications work off of an executible file. If you are able to copy the executable file to a storage card, you can run it from there by navigating to it and selecting it.

Do you have a way to get the exe file? If not, let me know and I will zip them up and email them to you (send me a private message with your email address).

I wish I knew of a way to perform a clean reset of your Pocket PC without having to manually press the buttons, because that is what you need here. Unfortunately, I have not found another way to do this. I have read of users who have been able to get their Pocket PC into bootloader mode and then flash the ROM without having access to ActiveSync, but I personally would be uncomfortable doing this and do not know how to do this. You may need to send the Pocket PC out for repair.

If your Axim is no longer covered under warrenty, you may consider sending your Axim to Pocket PC Techs. I have only read positive comments about this company....they perform excellent service, for a reasonable price, with a very quick turnaround. You can learn more about them here:

http://www.pocketpctechs.com/main.asp?unit=_No_Unit-0&area=home

Julie

     

No problem! It actually came from various conversations with 2nd level Tech Support techs over at HP over the course of a year, but none of them had the process scripted as I have it now. I simply aggregated their differing steps, documented them, and then made it available to the general public.

I do wish I knew more about the "Flash" mode and some of the other steps ...

Here's another situation where it would have been good to have worked inside of HP, so I could understand the reasons behind each step better.

For example, if the user stops the Active Sync service (in step-7), then ActiveSync should not even be part of the equation directly. Indirectly, it is my guess that AS (being unable to see the device across the USB connection) is probably a good indicator that nothing is going to be able to see the device across the USB connection.

I suggest to those who tried and failed that they should try to use the SERIAL connection and try the process again. Unfortunately, I have only had one user in the last three years advise me that the SERIAL solution worked when the USB did not.

I've been asking HP tech support for years to grant me access to the ways that you can place an iPAQ in a rumored "parrot mode". Conceivably, if a mode supports storage devices like SD/CF cards, the user should be able to load a BIOS from that location.

Elrendhel

Mobilitysite Administrator, Moderator, & Product Reviewer.

        

I figured it would not apply, but it never hurts to try...

Elrendhel

Mobilitysite Administrator, Moderator, & Product Reviewer.