I have been testing Windows Mobile 6.x devices (HTC units) and have come across a problem with Outlook that I first encountered two years ago with version 3.x of ActiveSync, in that Outlook periodically hangs when performing certain operations including Creating a new mail message, Opening an attachment recieved in a mail, Editing a mail that took a while to create. By periodically, I mean that most of the time Outlook operates fine, but then at some points during the day the hang will occur when one of the Outlook actions is requested.
The issue appears to also other applications called by Outlook from shortcuts, for example Internet Explorer will be unable to access the contents of a linked page (the link will open a new tab, but the contents will not be found), or Adobe will be unable to open to display a PDF.
The way out of the hang appears to be to disconnect the WM device from the USB, which disconnects the activeSync and releases Outlook (or Internet Explorer or Adobe) to continue the requested action.
The issue appears in the following scenario:
ActiveSync is set to auto run automatically when the Windows mobile device is connected via USB
Outlook 2003 is running (and synchronised by ActiveSync)
OS is XP
ActiveSync is version 4.5 (build 4096)
WM is 6.1 Standard CE OS 5.2.20279
HTC is a S740 Smartphone
First, welcome to Mobilitysite. Lots of good info and ppl here.
Second - It may be a memory issue in your computer or PDA/Smartphone. When the memory in my PDA was low it would lockup Outlook periodically. Once I cleaned up the memory it would work fine. Most of the time it was clearing out the messages on my PDA. I finally gave up have Outlook download messages. :exc:
Ps - I have the same version of Outlook, ActiveSync and OS (XP) as you do.
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KCallahan: I've not gone away - its just that the hang up has not reoccured - yet :)
What has changed: Well I took your advice and cleaned out the HTC memory by removing the contacts (I have around 365 on file) and resyncing them. To do this I used the email options on the HTC for Outlook (has to be done when not syncing) and deselected the contacts check box. Let WM clear the memory, then re-entered the settings menu and reslected contacts. Alowed the HTC sync and I'm working fine.
I could have probably done the same from ActiveSync, but the above was the way I chose to do the clean this time.
I'll let you if and when it decides to fail again...:exc:
Well, that didn't take long. By memory I assume it means memory available for the program? Which, with 199Mb should be plenty. My AX is usually at 20 - 25Mb.
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Still can't resolve this issue so I tried another approach:
My HTC and my PC have Bluetooth available so I thought I would set up a trust for ActiveSync to use this mechanism rather then USB - However when I tried to set up a COM port for ActiveSync to use I got the message 'Device HTC_S740' does not support service 'Bluetooth Serial Port'
So next attempt is to use WiFi to perform the ActiveSync function. Two settings of note to make this work:
1) Remove the setting on WM 6.1 under ActiveSync that specifies 'Synchronise all PCs using this connection'. On my device the only connection allowed is USB - Does anybody know why I can't select 'Internet' here?
2) Disallow ActiveSync on the PC from connecting via USB (check box in the Connections... dialog), as I still connect my phone to USB to charge during the day.
I can't browse the device :( but that is no loss (I can always turn the USB connection on again if this is necessary).
So far no freezes in Windows and a synchronized device. Bluetooth would be nice though
BT doesn't work with AS 4.5. You'd have to go back to AS 4.2 for BT to function. :o
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My machine still appears to exibit the same issues in Outlook when my HTC is connected via USB (hangs opening a mail then clears as soon as the USB is disconnected) even when not connected (see above)
One point of note is that when reconnecting Windows shows me a systray icon that appears when my PC starts and is tool tipped 'Aquiring network connection' - What is this about and why is it still happenning when ActiveSync connections are disabled?
Box: Thanks. I've found the setting and disabled it - What is this going to fix - Bluetooth, WiFi, or my original hanging problem?
On the BT thing, I have successfully paired my HTC aqnd laptop (appers as a red tick in BT Explorer) but I can't see how to tell ActiveSync to use BT. I've tried creating a COM port on the HTC but ActiveSync could not detect the device on this port, and I've tried creating a COM port on the PC, but got that 'Device HTC_S740' does not support service 'Bluetooth Serial Port' message. What's the trick to connecting the ActiceSync tool? I cant see a 'use BT check box in ActiveSync!
On your HTC, go to Start/settings/Connections/USB to PC and untick the box that says something like enable advanced network functionality.
I've never been able to get mine to sync Outlook files with BT. The only thing I can get it to do is transfer files.
So, I guess it's how you define sync.
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The advanced network thing might help with your hanging.
If you have successfully paired the HTC and the PC, go to AS on the HTC and in the menu you have "connect using BT".
Try that.
If that doesn't connect then go to AS on your PC, go File/ connection settings, then in the drop down box under "allow connections to one of the following" try each of the options until you find the one that is your BT port. It won't necessarily be the same number as your HTC. i.e. you don't need to set the com ports to the same number, the number only refers to it's ID on the device, it can be COM 7 on your HTC and COM 5 on your PC.
Note, some BT systems don't have the correct profiles for AS.
Much like my new netbook BT doesn't have the correct profiles for a BT Mouse
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Outlook Hangs when ActiveSync connected - WHY?
