I am just posting my notes on things I have learned about making ActiveSync work and things that interfere with it working and things that fix problems. I use ActiveSync with plug-ins for Quicken, PhatNotes, SprintDB Pro, and I have Calendar, Contacts, E-Mail, Tasks, Favorites, and Files checked. I also run MobSync, TomTom Home, MobiPocket, Acrobat Digital Editions, Isilo X sync, Sprite Backup, and PocketController in the background. I use McAffee Firewall and Virus Protection (the most recent versions, I get them free, I don't like them other wise). I keep my firewall set either Tight or Stealth level of security which is pretty high. My main computer is a Sony Vaio. I use an Axim X51v PDA but have used the X30 series as well and the same issues applied to them. I have also used several Dell laptops and the same things apply with them. I run WinXP SP2, I am able to sync reliably but I have had plenty of problems along the way. The first thing to try is usually un-checking the Advanced Networking Functionality option in the PDA control panel, connections tab, USB to PC option (not found on the X30). I also try to delete my existing ActiveSync partnerships and start over. If that does not fix things (and it usually only fixes things temporarily) I do the following.
First, I start with a clean install of ActiveSync. I use 4.2 now but I have also used 4.5. All I say here I believe should apply to both. I am not an expert but I am a determined user. Some of the recommendations I make require editing your PC registry so be warned that if you delete parts other than that recommended you can really mess up your system. I have done this dozens of times so I am fairly confident that it is safe.
HOW TO COMPLETELY DELETE ACTIVE SYNC AND ASSOCIATED USB INFORMATION AND START OVER
I start by uninstalling from the control panel utility but that does not complete the job.
Also delete the following folders:
C:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync
C:\Documents and Settings\[Your Name]\Application Data\Microsoft\ActiveSync
Within The Windows Device Manager delete the following
Remove all previously installed xxUSB Sync and USB Root Hub devices.
Click Start, click Run, type Regedit, and then click OK.
Locate and delete the following registry keys:
HKey_Local_Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr ent Version\Uninstall\Windows CE Services
HKey_Local_Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows CE Services
HKey_Users\Default\Software\Microsoft\Windows CE Services
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CCS\Control\Class\{25dbc e51-6c8f-4a72-8a6d-b54c2b4fc835}
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CCS\Control\DeviceClasse s\{25dbce51-6c8f-4a72-8a6d-b54c2b4fc835}
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CCS\Services\Class\{25db ce51-6c8f-4a72-8a6d-b54c2b4fc835}
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CCS\Services\Class\WCEUS BS
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CCS\Services\EventLog\Sy stem\Wceusbsh
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CCS\Services\Wceusbsh
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Enum\WCE* (this key may not exist on all computers)
Restart the computer, TURN OFF FIREWALL AND VIRUS PROTECTION, then reinstall ActiveSync.
I have followed the Microsoft Website Instructions for setting up my Firewall regarding allowing particular programs to pass through. I have set program permissions for my firewall to allow the following:
Within the C:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync folder
WCESMgr.exe
wcescomm.exe
cbexport.exe
rapimgr.exe
astu.exe
CEAPPMGR.EXE
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\AcroRd32.exe
C:\Program Files\iSilo\iSiloX\iSiloX.exe
C:\Program Files\MobSync\MobSync.exe
Within the C:\Program Files\PhatWare\PhatNotes folder
notesnotify
Dbengsrv.exe
dbsqueeze.exe
winnotes.exe
pNotesReg.exe
C:\Program Files\PocketControler-Professional\PocketController.exe
C:\Program Files\Landware\Pocket Quicken 2.5 for PocketPC\PQ25ConduitPPC.exe
C:\Program Files\Mobipocket.com\Mobipocket Reader\reader.exe
C:\Program Files\Sprite Software\Sprite Backup\SpriteService.exe
C:\Program Files\TomTom Home\TomTomHome.exe
After this I have had to reinstall all my ActiveSync plug-ins (PocketQuicken, PhatNotes Pro, and SprintDB Pro). I have also had to uninstall and reinstall Acrobat Reader for PPC so that my encrypted E-Books will synchronize.
I have found that sticking to the same USB port every time helps. When I use a USB hub I have problems. I can usually get it to sync but it is buggy and unpredictable and tends to degrade to useless. I have had to delete all ActiveSync and USB information from the computer and registry and start over to correct problems. When I do, it works again. Most of my problems have come from either my failing to allow necessary programs through my firewall or from trying to sync through a USB hub. If I try to sync trough a USB hub even once, it messes up the entire thing and I have to start over.
FOR SUCCESSFUL BLUETOOTH SYNCRONIZATION
Setting up Bluetooth Synchronization. This tutorial should help for the XP Bluetooth Stack:
Syncing via Bluetooth with Windows Mobile 5.0 (Axim X51 series)
If your dongle uses the Widcom Bluetooth Stack (Linksys, Belkin etc.) then you first need to install the software and you need to follow the instructions that come with the software but basically the process is like this: be sure that if you right click the BT icon in the tray you see a menu with the “Explore my Bluetooth Places” option present. If it is then all went well with your install, if you see two icons in the tray, something went wrong. Stop and uninstall. Do over. If installed properly and the dongle is in place then
a. Right click BT icon in the tray on the PC, select “Explore My Bluetooth Places”, in the left panel select “My Bluetooth Services”, Select the ActiveSync icon, Select Properties, look at the comport and note which com port is available. In my case it is 8. Note this number.
b. Check/Select the comport for active sync. Right click the AS tray Icon, select “Connection Settings” from the menu, check “Allow Connections to one of the following” in the drop down box select a comport that matches the port found in MyBluetoothPlaces/MyActiveSync. Ports 1-10 are ok, ports 11 and above will not work. My drop down box shows a selection of 3 or 8. I chose 8 to match the setting in MyBluetoothPlaces/MyActiveSync.
c. On the PDA click the BT icon on the tray, select connection manager, and hit new. Select “ActiveSync via Bluetooth, next, next, next, Select your computer from the list, hit finish.
d. A bubble will pop asking you to authorize your PDA. Click the bubble. Click “Always allow this device to access this service, click ok. AS may startup at that time. If so, you are done. If not, there is a problem with the com ports so do letters a-c again.
Bluetooth Synchronization works fine for me after a clean install of my Bluetooth software and ActiveSync and if I do not plug my Bluetooth Dongle into a USB Hub. The hub messes up the entire ActiveSync integrity and I have to uninstall and start over if I accidentally plug my dongle or cradle into a hub. I have found that if I do not uninstall my Bluetooth software before reinstalling it or trying to repair it --new com ports get installed that become hidden in the back ground and I have had to dig them out of the registry and device manager before my Bluetooth would work again. The hidden comports have been my biggest problem with getting my Bluetooth up and working for synchronization. As I do with my cradle, I always plug my Bluetooth Dongle into the same port.
Synchronization via active sync works but installing larger programs or transferring larger files will not. The best way to handle that is to transfer files over a Bluetooth network. This is possible with if your dongle or Bluetooth device uses Widcom Drivers or other drivers that support Bluetooth networking. The XP Bluetooth drivers do not (or at least I could not figure out how to make a Bluetooth network with the XP Bluetooth Drivers). On the other hand, the XP Bluetooth Drivers are more reliable for ActiveSync Synchronization from my experience. I prefer the Widcom drivers on my PC nonetheless because I like Bluetooth networking. I have also noticed that I have less ActiveSync crashes and drop outs when I am connected to my Bluetooth Network and file share.
With a clean install of ActiveSync and Bluetooth Drivers, avoiding any attempt to connect my cradle or dongle through my USB Hub, and consistently using the same USB port I have had no problems with Advanced Network Functionality on my PDA.
When all works I like to make a system restore point on my computer labeled "Working Active Sync" so if I mess up I can go back to it.
I hope this helps others who are fighting with the ActiveSync. Enjoy.
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Making ActiveSync work for USB and Bluetooth
no activesync in blue tooth services
