New X5 Owner with Serious Issues

MorpheusPhreak · 03-09-07, 08:56 AM

Hello everyone,

I just purchased a Dell Axim (refurbed) off of EBay.

I have 2 major kinks that I need worked out or I'm going to have to return it and buy another at a later date.

The first kink is with the backup battery. It came with an Energizer CR2032 & it registered as a 0.

I tried replacing it with a battery out of one of my desktop systems where I knew that as of recently the CR2032 in it was still good.

Well that didn't work so it seems there's an issue with not being able to use a backup battery which is a potential showstopper.

The other issue is that this PDA will not even allow me to setup a partnership over USB with Activesync or Windows Mobile Device Center.

I've searched around here and tried some of the tips but to no avail.

Does anyone have any ideas that could help?

axzilla · 03-09-07, 09:20 AM

buy a new backup battery they are about $2.00 clean the battery contacts and you may have to bend them carefully to make good contact with the battery and also make sure the battery is clean as far as using the backup battery it is for emergency use only when your main battery runs out or you are swapping main batteries it will only last for 20 min then you get a hard reset but if you keep your main battery charged and keep a backup of your files on a storage card you dont have to worry about losing data as far as active sync goes make sure you have installed the right version on your pc first before hooking the axim to it.

CrispyFried · 03-09-07, 10:57 AM

as well as the most recent active sync you may have to go through the options and setting for active sync on both the pc and axim. I know Ive had my setting lost a couple of times and have to re-select "USB" to allow it to sync using it.

especially check under File -> connection settings on the PC side activesync program make sure "allow USB connection to this computer" is checked, thats the one that unchecks on me occasionally.

the wording may be different as Im typing this on a WinME PC with activesync 3.8, the last Win9x version. the later 4.x versions may differ. make sure active sync is active on the axim before plugging it in.. this may not be needed but it cant hurt.

as for the battery, I had the same problem.. I did as axzilla suggested - clean the battery/contacts and bent the contacts a bit and *poof* 100% on the meter.

MorpheusPhreak · 03-09-07, 11:19 AM

Thanks guys :)

I went and bought a new battery.

My next step is to download an older build of ActiveSync to see if that fixes the issue.

I'm hoping it will. If not I just might contact Dell. When I went on their site and put in the service tag it shows that this X5 still has 128days of warranty service still left on it so I might see if they can replace it possibly.

axzilla · 03-09-07, 12:02 PM

there are no more x5 axims at dell and im pretty sure no x5 pda has any warranty left but I could be wrong

DoDoubleGeo · 03-09-07, 12:58 PM

For older versions of ActiveSync (3.8 is recommended for the x5) see this post.

MorpheusPhreak · 03-09-07, 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by axzilla

there are no more x5 axims at dell and im pretty sure no x5 pda has any warranty left but I could be wrong

I got it on eBay through a company that gets them in refurbished lots.

The warranty still has 128 days left on it according to the info on the site when I put in the Service Tag, as well as 128 days of complete care which means basically no matter what I am covered in this case.

Now here is a quick question that might settle some doubts I'm having once and for all.

When you plug in an Axim does it behave like any other item you've plugged in via USB? Meaning that when it's hooked in the computer does a bit of activity to let you know that the item is connected (even if AS isn't installed).

Either way I'm on my way downtown to pickup a new cable and worst case scenario is that it doesnt work and I have an extra cable for when the new X5 comes in if it needs to be replaced.

axzilla · 03-09-07, 03:08 PM

if active sync is not installed your pc will not detect the axim

MorpheusPhreak · 03-09-07, 08:19 PM

Originally Posted by axzilla

if active sync is not installed your pc will not detect the axim

Thanks

I have an actual X5 cradle on the way now to see if that takes care of the issue.

Plus since I just ordered a 2nd Hi-Capacity battery it'll be good to have that spare spot for charging :)

theAxMan · 03-11-07, 04:42 AM

Originally Posted by MorpheusPhreak

Thanks

I have an actual X5 cradle on the way now to see if that takes care of the issue.

Plus since I just ordered a 2nd Hi-Capacity battery it'll be good to have that spare spot for charging :)

are you sure you have the x5 and not the x50 or x51v?
because i didn't think they would be under warranty either just like axzilla thought

Gigi · 03-11-07, 08:38 AM

It is definitely the X5 if it has the CR2032 coin battery. No other Axim series has this.

MorpheusPhreak, once you get everything set up the way you want, I'd recommend using a 3rd party backup utility such as Sprite or Spb Backup. The advantage of these over the built-in utilities (there's one on the Axim and one on ActiveSync) is that there is a self-executing restore feature meaning that you can restore anytime you need to without the need for a PC. Just keep the backup files saved in a location not touched by a hard reset (e.g., Built-in-Storage or memory card).

MorpheusPhreak · 03-11-07, 07:31 PM

Originally Posted by Gigi

It is definitely the X5 if it has the CR2032 coin battery. No other Axim series has this.

MorpheusPhreak, once you get everything set up the way you want, I'd recommend using a 3rd party backup utility such as Sprite or Spb Backup. The advantage of these over the built-in utilities (there's one on the Axim and one on ActiveSync) is that there is a self-executing restore feature meaning that you can restore anytime you need to without the need for a PC. Just keep the backup files saved in a location not touched by a hard reset (e.g., Built-in-Storage or memory card).

Thank You Gigi :)

That was going to be one of my next questions actually was for a good backup utility.

Also for everyone that keeps inquiring about what I'm saying regarding the warranty I figure I'll just toss up a pic.

As I said it has a full warranty on it still as well as complete care, so that means even if getting the replacements doesn't work I'm covered as the seller I bought from is willing to replace it if need be, as is Dell.