The following was my question to the Dell web site:

"Axim System Is Not Detected by Microsoft® ActiveSync" [All Dell™ Axim™ Handhelds]Date Published: 8/14/2003
Last Revised: 10/15/2007

The following is Dell's response (my additional questions follows):

STEP: Verify that AC adapter is plugged in to a known-good outlet.

Additional Information
To verify that the AC adapter is working, perform the following:

Disconnect the AC adapter from the system and wall.
Wait 10 seconds.
Reseat the connection between the AC adapter and power cord.

NOTE: Make sure to bypass any surge protector or uninterruptible power supply (UPS).

Plug the AC adapter directly into a wall outlet that is known to be good.
Plug the AC adapter directly into the Axim and check the power LED located in the power button.

Additional questions:

1. If the Axim charges in the cradle, wouldn't that indicate a good power connection?
2. What does the power supply have to do with synching if the Axim is running off a fully charged battery?
3. Why should it matter if the Axim is plugged into an operational Uninteruptable Power Supply? Power is running through the Dell AC adpter related to the cradle anyway.
4. Might the power source used (direct wall outlet vs. UPS) have anything to do with why the Axim connect to and synchs with my computer only after I momentarily remove and replace the Axim battery?

omg dude listen to fill you in about the truth about dell: THEY R READING FROM A BINDER OF HOW TO FIX/DO. try reinstalling activesync, make sure the active sync on the axim is check so the computer recognizes it by going into connections and there should be a option called USB to PC. Make sure you did windows update to verify that you have the drivers installed make sure the axim is in the cradle so then windows can detect it =]

This unit and the other two that were returned and exchanged, have a long history of inconsistent behavior, especially syncing. I wish it were as simple as following directions. It is not so.

If you've had two other untis with the same problems, it may be something related to your PC. I can remember having to uninstall and reinstall AS a few times before I stopped getting sync errors. It is frustrating and it's not just a simple set of steps to fix it.

You might want to search thru the AS forum threads to see if there is a similar issue and how it was resolved.

Do you have XP or Vista on your PC?

    

It was doing the same thing on two different desk tops, this one at home, and the one at work. That's why I don't think my desktop is the culprit. It would work initially for a few weeks, and then something would get in the way. I'm syncing with only the home computer with Windows XP professional.

My best guess is that my synching problems result from a program conflict. After a hard reset, I'm running it bare right now - no extra programs - and it syncs fine. I will next add Pocket Player alone for the next week...if it still works ok, I will next add Pocket Weather. If any program is the culprit, I think it might be that one because it has its own separate downloading/syncing protocal from what I can tell. We'll see.