srhmd

When I try to install the ActiveSync 3.5 (or 3.6) onto my Dell Dimension 8100 running Windows XP Home Edition, it takes 10 minutes for the dialog boxes to appear and the software to finally install. When the installation is completed, the synch process is buggy, and often fails. After a day it does not recognize the Dell Axim when I place it in the cradle. I have uninstalled/reinstalled the software after disabeling Norton, and all other background processes, with the same results. Installation of the same software on my Dell laptop with XP is prompt and flawless. Dell has been unhelpful. Any tricks or suggestions to get this working properly? Tech support suggested that there may be a conflict in the XP OS but I cannot track it down.

JakeRich

Do you have the XP firewall running? That has been known to block the communications that Activesync uses. I have XP Home on a Dell 8200 and it has worked with no problems at all. I don't use the XP firewall (I have an external firewall on my router).

srhmd

Thanks for the reply. I have an external firewall (hub/router). Is there an XP software setting I should disable?

JakeRich

From the XP help menu:

To enable or disable Internet Connection Firewall
Open Network Connections
Click the Dial-up, LAN or High-Speed Internet connection that you want to protect, and then, under Network Tasks, click Change settings of this connection.
On the Advanced tab, under Internet Connection Firewall, select one of the following:
To enable Internet Connection Firewall (ICF), select the Protect my computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer from the Internet check box.
To disable Internet Connection Firewall, clear the Protect my computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer from the Internet check box.

srhmd

thanks for the reply. The software firewall is inactive. It still takes 8 minutes to get the activesync 3.6 software to install on my Dell Dimension 8100 - even when I closed all running background applications. When I installed the software on my laptop, it took 1 minute.
I have the ActiveSynch 3.6 running on my desktop now -and it is fairly stable. I often have to reboot the desktop computer between synch'ings.