Vista Windows Mobiles Device Center Walk Through

Admin · 01-13-07, 10:26 PM

Since I installed Windows Vista yesterday, I had to set up the Windows Mobile Device Center. I use an Exchange Server (Which by the way works well with Outlook 2007) so I rarely sync anymore, but for when I do, I have to be ready. This walk through has over 25 screenshots, I hope you enjoy.

Features of Windows Mobile Device Center

Streamlined setup - A simplified new partnership wizard and improved partnership management.
Robust synchronization - Synchronization of business-critical data such as e-mail, calendars, contacts, tasks, favorites, and files.
Photo management - Picture management helps you detect new photos on your Windows Mobile powered device, tag and import them to the Windows Vista Photo Gallery.
Media synchronization – Use Microsoft Windows Media Player to synchronize and shuffle music files on your device.
File browsing - A new device browsing experience enables you more quickly browse files and folders and open documents on your device directly from your PC.
Enhanced user interface – A simple and compelling user interface helps you to quickly access critical tasks and configure your device.

The standard terms and stuff…

I connected the Cingular BlackJack and it connected after some whirling in the background installing drivers. I then clicked on “Set up your device”.

The screen pops up asking what I want to sync. Since I use an Exchange Server, I clicked off email and calendar. I don’t use OneNote, so obviously it was clicked off.

This is slick, you get to choose your device name right here! I chose BlackJack.

This went REAL fast, the partnership is being setup.

Once your device is complete with a sync, you see connected below the checkmark. In addition, the last sync time is displayed below that. Today at 6:49pm. Another thing to note, the software determined that the BlackJack is a smartphone and displays a smartphone icon. Not that this is anything huge, but you will see why I mention this later. When you hover over the 4 options on the right, the box expands to give you sub menus.

In the 1st menu, Programs and Services, there is a more link on the main screen. Clicking this link takes you to a list like the one above.

Here is the add/remove programs screen, very similar to the old Active Sync.

Here you see the options available for Pictures, Music, and Video in the expanded box.

File Management

Browsing the contents of my device…

The Mobile Device Settings has several options you can view by clicking the more link. You can see above that you return back to the main menu by clicking <

Here is the manage partnership screen. As you can see, I have my Exchange Service setup already.

Oops, What if I delete the exchange server partnership?

Connection Settings.

If you sell your device and just want to delete your device, it looks simple. Active Sync was a son of a gun. Not tough, just repetitive.

Remember this:

This was my old mess of a list from my XP installation…

Ok, my sync was done, so I took the BlackJack off the cable and we are back to waiting for a device!

This is the Sync Center Icon.

This is the Sync Center Screen.

OK, now to set up the Dell Axim X51. I put it on the cradle and this is what pops up. I X’ed out and set up the device with the Device Center.

Uh oh, I have 2 computers already? Weird, but hey, let’s delete them both. In order to move on, I had to clear up at least one.

The software sensed that I use and exchange server with Outlook and asked me to fill this in. Well, I don’t want to set up Exchange on my Axim, so I hit skip.

It’s syncing, and when done, just like with the BlackJack. I have options to play with. Note the Icon on the left, a PDA. The software knows the Axim is a Pocket PC.

Now, the Treo 700w on the otherhand, shows no Icon. The software thinks it’s a ghost I guess.

And on the Sync Center Page, the Treo shows a folder.

View Original News Post

Kulnet · 01-14-07, 12:06 AM

Thanks for the walk through Chris. I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of Vista. Looks pretty sweet.

mental ambiguity · 01-14-07, 10:44 AM

I have to admit, the MDC is pretty nifty. Problem is, I keep almost everything I need on my microSD card for my 8525, so if I get the urge to hard reset it (like I did last night), I don't need to sync anything. I as well also sync through an Exchange server, so that takes care of pretty much everything.

I've been running Vista Business on my laptop for a few days now, and I love it. Taking a little bit to get used to some of the changes though.. But overall I definitely liked it.. And considering I hated XP and 2000 until well over a year after their release, this is pretty amazing in and of itself.

I'm looking forward to seeing further advancements on the MDC.

z3razerviper · 01-20-07, 11:27 PM

I cant get it to save the password on my pda and it keeps telling me that it cant open my outlook profile. Which I only have one of called outlook. Note I am using vista x64 and office 2007

z3razerviper · 02-02-07, 12:10 PM

Microsoft just released the 1.0 final version details in this thread.

sfischer · 02-28-07, 10:38 AM

Has anyone had any luck with getting an HP iPAQ hx2700 series to work with Vista/WMDC? HP claims they are not supporting it...yet, and could not give me a date as to when support will be available. When the Windows Mobile driver attempts to load, I get a failed loading error. Any ideas?

Anacleto · 03-07-07, 04:56 AM

Hi Chris,
I'm having the same problem you have had to connect my Samsung Blackjack device, could you give me any suggestions in order to solve this issue?
What do you mean with "some whirling in the background installing drivers"?
Thank you so much!!

swhoutx035 · 05-22-07, 01:11 PM

Thanks Chris for posting this (althought I found it a bit late). Has anyone found a way to set Windows Mobile Device Center or Sync Center to not automatically sync when you dock your device? I always preferred to sync manually after I saw what items needed to be sync'd. No big deal though, just curious.