Need Help Please

dell_axim · 04-26-05, 10:21 AM

I have a Dell Axim X30 which successfully synced with my home and work computers for several months. Suddenly, my device stopped syncing with my work computer. I had added no recent software or hardware to my Axim when this occurred... and the Axim continues to successfully sync with my home computer. However, when connected to my work computer... AS indicates that the device is not connected. When I connect my device to my work computer, the computer recognizes it as a USB device and it usually appears as an unknown device in the device manager (note: see no. 1 below; I have deleted from device manager and reinstalled AS). Here is what I have done already in my efforts to resolve this issue, but I REALLY NEED HELP OR SUGGESTIONS.

1. I have deleted the unknown device appearing in device manager. Reinstalled AS (tried both versions 3.7 and new 3.8)... making sure that sync cable and device are not connected upon install. I have tried this process (which seems like the normal fix) several times. Note: I did not initially have device in its cradle when setting up AS... it was set up properly and working properly. I also did not shut down my computer with the Axim connected.

2. Numerous soft resets of PPC (both in and out of cradle) to no avail.

3. I have tried all of my computers USB ports to no avail. I have also tried a different AS cable... to make sure the problem isn't with the cable itself. I am not using a USB hub.

4. Several other Axim users have noticed that they can't sync their Axim when their SD cards are in the device. I have tried taking the SD card out... this is not the problem.

5. I do not think the problem is with the device... since it syncs just fine with my home computer. I would prefer to avoid the hard reset option and am dubious of its merits as a panacea... particularly when the device already syncs fine at home.

6. I think the problem may be that the X30's DRIVERS aren't properly installed on my work computer. I attempted to update the driver and pointed to the AS CD-ROM with wceubsh.inf file... and it responded "the specified location does not contain information about your hardware." I also downloaded the wceubsh file from dell and saved it to my hard drive... and tried updating my driver from the c: drive location. That resulted in the same message. I read a thread on aximsite.com (dated 1/7/03) that mentioned (see post by Enticer) that the Intel USB driver for USB ports will not accept the Dell Axim driver... and recommended using the Microsoft Universal USB driver. Accordingly, I switched the Microsoft Univ. USB driver, uninstalled AS, rebooted, resinstalled AS... and then encountered the same result upon trying to update the driver. Do you think this is a driver problem? I am still uncertain.

7. We run McAffee virus software at work. I have tried disabling the virus software and reinstalling and running AS... again to no avail. My work computer's OS is Windows 2000 SP4. The computer is a Dell Optiplex GX 240.

I would love to get my Axim syncing again at work... so if you have any thoughts at all they would be GREATLY appreciated.

FINAL ASIDE (so sorry for the long post) -- does anyone have any potential AS workarounds? For example, I have heard of the XTND CONNECT software... is this an alternative to AS or does it require AS to be running in the background? Or if AS isn't working will XTND connect also not work? Is it possible to cut and paste my contacts/calendar files from one computer to another (as a way to get my home computer's contacts to my work computer; if so, how?)? I am not a computer guru, but I can follow instructions. Again, many thanks to those who respond. :)

Howard2k · 04-26-05, 10:24 AM

That's a very thorough write-up :)

Could your office have deployed some firewall software maybe?
Can other USB devices work on the work computer?

dell_axim · 04-26-05, 11:16 AM

That's a very thorough write-up :)

>>AS is killing me slowly... and I wanted to make sure I didn't miss anything or get flamed.

Could your office have deployed some firewall software maybe?

>>I know there is a firewall of some sort... although not sure if it is implemented via software (I can't see any firewall software running on my desktop). However, I understand that other folks in my office using AS (for other devices) are not affected by the firewall.

Can other USB devices work on the work computer?

>>Yes. Thanks for replying.

Howard2k · 04-26-05, 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by dell_axim

That's a very thorough write-up :)

>>AS is killing me slowly... and I wanted to make sure I didn't miss anything or get flamed.

Could your office have deployed some firewall software maybe?

>>I know there is a firewall of some sort... although not sure if it is implemented via software (I can't see any firewall software running on my desktop). However, I understand that other folks in my office using AS (for other devices) are not affected by the firewall.

Can other USB devices work on the work computer?

>>Yes. Thanks for replying.

In that case - try and plug you PPC (and/or cradle) into one of their PCs. Try and plug one of their PPCs (and/or cradle) into yours and see if you can narrow it down a little further.

dell_axim · 04-26-05, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by Howard2k

In that case - try and plug you PPC (and/or cradle) into one of their PCs. Try and plug one of their PPCs (and/or cradle) into yours and see if you can narrow it down a little further.

The two people I thought used AS had Sony PDAs.. which I now realize don't use AS to sync. All of the other PDA users in my office use Palm Pilots (which have no problems no syncing). I sent out an office wide email and have confirmed that I am the sole AS user. I did speak with my IT person and he has agreed to let me try installing AS on another a computer in a couple of days... and see if that works.

Other thoughts?

Also, does anyone have thoughts on some of the workarounds proposed in my initial email? Does anyone know if XTND Connect is an alternative to AS? What about copying and pasting my home contacts and calendar to work machine... will that work? Please advise.

Continued thanks to the Aximsite.com community. :)

dell_axim · 04-27-05, 03:12 PM

I tried installing AS on another computer in the office and it still isn't working (same issue). I feel pretty certain that the problem lays with my network firewall. I am doomed. :(

If anyone can think of anything... I would be most grateful.