Connected But Can't Sync

gmcmh · 01-06-03, 02:59 AM

[COLOR=blue]Help please. I've been struggling with this for several days and many many hours with Dell. Love this device and would like to use it someday.

Everything goes fine for getting connected. But during sync it comes to a complete stop while "checking for updates." If I un-check ALL of the applications - then it will sync.; but of course, it's not really looking for anything to update.

The cradle is connected directly to the USB 1.1 port. Firewall is disabled. Outlook has been replaced with the Dell supplied copy. ActiveSync and driver has been removed and restored nemerous times. Now Dell support tells me ActiveSync is not compatible with Windows 98 First Edition. I've searched their site and the supplied Users Guide for System Requirements and find nothing.

Have I missed this required specification somewhere?

Is anyone else running Win 98 First Edition?

My system is a 2-1/2 year old IBM Aptiva. If I'm going to upgrade my OS, should I go to just 98 SE, or install the Windows ME which I already have on the shelf? - I've often heard ME is somewhat troublesome. What's the recommended OS for home use on an older system?

Thanks in advance; this is a great site for infomation exchange.

Mizar · 01-06-03, 06:06 AM

Microsoft's website indicates ActiveSync is compatible with "...Windows 98 (including Second Edition)..." which I would take to mean the original Windows 98, too.

You might try downloading ActiveSync 3.6 and giving it a whirl. You can also try IBM's website and see if there are updated drivers available for your USB port.

You can go here to obtain ActiveSync 3.6.

Wishing you success,

-Bill, Ottawa, ON

fade2black · 01-06-03, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by gmcmh@Jan 6 2003, 01:59 AM
If I'm going to upgrade my OS, should I go to just 98 SE, or install the Windows ME which I already have on the shelf? - I've often heard ME is somewhat troublesome. What's the recommended OS for home use on an older system?

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, don't go to ME!!! If you are going to upgrade, go straight to 2000 or XP. ME is a waste of time and effort...it sucks worse than 98 does. You will be much happier with 2000 and not only because it will sync more reliably. What are your system specs now?

Fade

gmcmh · 01-06-03, 11:53 AM

Thanks for the tips. I'll try ActiveSync 3.6 and look for new drivers at IBM. But, I'm still confused and undecided re which OS to select. When XP was released there were many reports of problems when installed on older systems. Does this still seem to be the case or have they gotten the bugs out of it?

Would you suggest I go with 2000 or XP???
I don't need more features - just smoooooth sailing!

Right now I'm going to mail back this spare init - apparently the Axim is not the root of my problems.

My 2-1/2 yr old Activa, made by IBM, is 500mhz, 256m ram, 3 hd's.
I've purchased and hope to use Netgear wireless and CF WiFi card.

Again, I'd be interested in knowing of anyone else's experience with ActiveSync and Win 98 First Edition.

T.I.A.
-== Dan in Oregon ==-

fade2black · 01-06-03, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gmcmh@Jan 6 2003, 10:53 AM
My 2-1/2 yr old Activa, made by IBM, is 500mhz, 256m ram, 3 hd's.

You should be fine to run 2000. You could add more RAM (which is dirt cheap now) if your motherboard will support it. You can never go wrong with lots of RAM :D

If you don't need bells and whistles I would suggest you go with 2000.

Fade

Talador · 01-06-03, 12:21 PM

Besides, ME is ANYTHING but smooth... 2000 is a good choise for its stability and functionality. XP is real nice for games though...

--Talador

TSB8C · 01-06-03, 03:55 PM

I have been running XP Pro for about 1 year now and love it. I would recommend it over Win2000 (or any other version). I am running a 650MHz laptop with 256 meg of ram and two desktop PC's (one 333MHz and one 1.2GHz) each with 256 meg of ram. It is the most stable OS I have used (besides the good ol' DOS days in the early 80's).

There were some issues with the USB port in Win98 FE that might be your problem. Win98 Service Pack 1 included a fix for these problems. I believe it is still available from here:

http://www.usbman.com/WebDrivers/Win98%20S...Pack1/WUCSP.EXE

Tokyo J · 02-05-03, 02:06 AM

Hey folks.
Hope I'm not jumping in with an unrelated topic.
I'm new to this forum (or any other forum for that matter). Please be gentle.
Can anyone offer some guidence here?
My PC pops up with a " WCESMrg.exe "

error when it gets around to sync'ing emails. The rest of the message is, "...has generated errors and will be closed by Windows. You'll need to restart the program." (did that 2x-but NG).

It sync'd once and when I used Cardscan to input new cards to Outlook, the Cardscan works fine. (not a MS product) but when I sync, this error comes up. :(
I'm using Win 2000 with 2000 Pro. at home and not part of a network. Nothing fancy is attached to the PC other than a printer and Zip drive.
Help is needed here.
Kind regards
Tokyo J

hkoyuncu · 02-05-03, 03:08 AM

TSB8C is right. Win98 FE is known to have some USB issues. Try the service pack. If you still can't get it to work, i'd go for win2k. works just fine and does not require as many much resources as XP does.