File Transfer Capabilities Stink!!

neurotic · 02-20-03, 07:46 PM

I've had my Axim for about 4 days now, and I got to say, the file transfer capabilities are really horrible. I don't seem to have any problems transferring Word and Excel files, but mp3's and video files are almost impossible to transfer to the Axim. I can get an mp3 to transfer like 1 out of every 5 tries. And, forget video. I also transferred a .jpg file. It transferred and it opened in the Axim in internet explorer for some reason. After opening once, it never opened again.

I've played around with a compaq ipaq 3650, and never had any problems transferring files. And that thing is 3 years old.

I don't mean to bash the Ax, it syncs pretty well with Outlook and all, but come on, the file transfer capability is a pretty big thing.

Basically what happens is that it starts to transfer and then it stops, and hangs up. About a minute later, the Axim disconnects from the desktop. I have to pull the axim out of the cradle and place it back in to sync again. Just telling ActiveSync to "Get Connected" isn't enough.

I'm guessing Dell's working on the problems, and possibly a future os patch, or maybe a later version of AS will address the problem. I just see it as the price you pay for having the newest tech toys.

JakeRich · 02-20-03, 07:49 PM

Not a Dell problem, neurotic, it's a USB problem. Sounds like your USB drivers are not installed properly. What O/S are you running? When you look at Device Manager and look under USB, do you see "Dell Axim USB Sync" when the Axim is in the cradle and turned on? If not, the Dell drivers are not installed.

Racer X · 02-20-03, 07:55 PM

I concur. Ihave My Ax since January and have had no probs whatsoever transferring MP3s, jpegs or mpegs.

Use PocketMVP to play MP3 and mpeg files. Use Resco Picture Viewer for the jpegs.

Good luck.

vino2nite · 02-20-03, 07:57 PM

I just checked mine and found the Dell USB sync under the USB Windows CE instead of the regular USB section. Is that OK?:rolling:

neurotic · 02-20-03, 07:57 PM

I'm running XP, and yes, the Dell Axim USB Sync driver is installed. In device manager, it's under the heading "Windows CE USB Devices".

Any other ideas?

Mike C · 02-20-03, 08:35 PM

There's got to be a problem with your USB connection, since I can verify that file transfer is easy and troublefree.

The easiest thing to try is plugging into a different usb socket, and making sure the connection to the Axim is completely seated and secure.
Are you surfing all over the place while file transfer is occuring? I try not to confuse the process when moving big files.

The driver is in a sub-heading to Windows CE Devices.

neurotic · 02-20-03, 09:08 PM

No, I'm not surfing when attempting to transfer files to the Axim. I don't see why the driver would be a problem for file transfers, but perfectly fine for syncing and installing software. And, it's not all file transfers, just big files like mp3's.

However, here's a stupid question. How does everyone transfer files? One way is to just drag and drop the file into the mobile device folder. That works for most things. Another way is to set up a synced folder on the desktop and drop the file in there and let the Axim figure it out. This latter approach has helped me to transfer a couple of things tonight that I haven't been able to get in other attempts.

So, if it was a driver problem, then why the touch and go performance with only large files. After posting this, I'm just going to close out of everything and see if that helps.

Thanks for all the help everyone. I hope I can join in on all the praise for the Axim soon.

neurotic · 02-20-03, 09:29 PM

Hey, I did a soft reset, and the file transfer seems to be working better. I'm using the synced folder to do it. Still can't copy and paste large files into the mobile device folder, but the synced method seems good.

Funny thing... sometimes when it's transferring, it appears to lock up, and then it disconnects. But, when you look in the folders on the Axim, the file really transferred. Not too smooth, but I'll take it.

Mike C · 02-20-03, 09:37 PM

Pasting files into the sync folder is my method, as it seems to keep things in order. Copy/pasting across platforms requires extra steps, and occasionaly there is trouble.

I have had excellent results with Media Player sending files directly to the Axim, mostly fresly encoded files from Audio CDs.

The bottom line here is that there is nothing inherently crappy about the Axim file transfer system. It's usually the USB system on the host that's deficient.

cparks · 02-20-03, 09:50 PM

Can one of you please explain the synced folder procedure your talking about? I have been cutting and pasting my NES's, MP3's and JPG's. Is there a better way?

neurotic · 02-20-03, 09:59 PM

There probably is an issue with the usb on my system. I had a really difficult time getting a new printer recognized through one of the usb ports. That was on Win. ME. XP had no trouble locating it and installing the correct drivers.

If it is the usb ports on my system, that's especially funny because it's a Dell Dimension.

Thanks for the tip of sending files directly through media player, I never even thought of that. Copying and Pasting large files is probably pushing it. I'll go with the sync.

Thanks

neurotic · 02-20-03, 10:01 PM

Csparks, under options in ActiveSync, check "files". It's a folder with arrows on it. When you do this, you'll be told that a folder will be placed on your desktop. Just drop your stuff in that folder, and the Axim will take care of the rest

Mike C · 02-20-03, 10:04 PM

If you select "Files" as one of the synchronized types of info, you get a folder in your PC My Doc called "(Axim ID Name) My Documents". Anything you paste into this folder will be sent to the Axim when next sync. It makes a handy place to drop stuff, and even though it takes longer, I then pick up the X and locally cut/paste the files to my mem cards or wherever.

cparks · 02-21-03, 08:04 AM

Cool thanks for the info

JakeRich · 02-21-03, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by neurotic
There probably is an issue with the usb on my system. I had a really difficult time getting a new printer recognized through one of the usb ports. That was on Win. ME. XP had no trouble locating it and installing the correct drivers.

If it is the usb ports on my system, that's especially funny because it's a Dell Dimension.

Thanks for the tip of sending files directly through media player, I never even thought of that. Copying and Pasting large files is probably pushing it. I'll go with the sync.

Thanks

Neurotic, some folks have had problems with Dell older machines and USB. Nothing with a trend, but I have heard reports on 8100's and some older machines. USB is a very flaky interface, particularly 1.1. If you had problems with a printer and USB, let me suggest you get a new PCI USB board and start fresh. There have been many posts about how this $20 investment has cured all sync and file transfer problems. What I suspect is that on long file transfers the risk of an intermittant problem goes way up. Small files tranfer, but the longer ones get hit. I think a new USB board would make things much better for you all the way around.

My $.02.