Cannot Detect Device using USB Cradle (98/XP)

snsssMIS · 03-06-03, 01:06 PM

Got a user on the network that just purchased a Dell X5 w/ a Dell Cradle w/ USB. The handheld works fine. Needed to sync with the Outlook 2002 calendar so I loaded the software on his XP PC, connected the device to the USB port and it did not detect the device. Has anyone ever experienced this problem? Anyone ever have a bad cradle? Maybe I am doing something wrong. Downloaded a driver from the dell website. Still cannot detect new device. The bios is set for plug and play on both machines that I tried. Figure it is a bum unit. Tried this on a Win98 with no luck too.

Wayfinder · 03-06-03, 01:09 PM

The problem can be narrowed down to one of about a million causes---

* XP is buggy
* USB slots don't always detect USB devices
* The USB driver on the computer isn't functional
* Bad cradle
* Bad USB cable
* Bad USB slots on the computer
* Temporary insanity on the part of the computer
* The whole operating system needs to be reinstalled
* "All you need to do is try a few more times and eventually it will work" syndrome

... or any combination of the above. :rolling: :p

snsssMIS · 03-06-03, 01:22 PM

:D
Thank you for the reply. XP Professional is the OS that I first tries. Also tried Win98. No help
I have other USB Devices on the PC, Optical mouse to be descriptive. All Ports work as expected on a brand new box. It has 2 on front and two in back. Cameras, mice, modems, etc... work as expected.
Guess problem may be in the cradle or cable that is hard wired to the cradle.
I recommended that the user buy a new cable for $20.00.
Does anyone know where to get a serial cable?

lilsweepr · 03-06-03, 01:55 PM

Have you made sure the pc has seen the Dell usb driver? With cradle plugged in and power plugged in on XP look in the device manager and it should be at the bottom of the list labeled "windows ce usb devices". The "dell axim usb sync" device should be located under that. if it isn't, i wonder if the driver loaded correctly?
I have seen mention here that several people had to retry several times before it would magically start working for them.
Tell the user he should return the part to dell and have them replace it. He should not have to buy a serial cable for a defective part. Besides, serial will be slower will it not?

P.S. have also heard mention that people had different results with the ports in the back compared to the ports in the front. The back ones being the preferred ones.

Wayfinder · 03-06-03, 02:15 PM

You know, something else just hit me as well, and maybe you've already thought of this...

Make SURE the Ax wasn't plugged in to the USB port before installing the software. If there's any chance it was... unplug the Ax USB, remove the Dell software from your desktop, reinstall the software and then when it tells you to, plug in the Ax USB.

That's basic with just about all USB devices, but sometimes we all overlook the simplest things.

(Well, I THOUGHT the TV was plugged in...)

snsssMIS · 03-06-03, 03:13 PM

Thanks for the replies. I will check suggestions and try again.

Peace!

iamthericker · 03-07-03, 02:11 AM

Make sure active sinc is closed on your axim, then sinc it. I'm a retard as far as tech stuff goes, but I continually had the same problem and realized that was the solution.

JakeRich · 03-08-03, 07:12 PM

This is really dumb, but the cradle is not an active device that the USB port recognizes. The cradle is inactive until the Ax it put in it. It wasn't clear from your post that the ax was actually in the cradle.

Wayfinder · 03-08-03, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JakeRich
This is really dumb, but the cradle is not an active device that the USB port recognizes. The cradle is inactive until the Ax it put in it. It wasn't clear from your post that the ax was actually in the cradle.

You know Jake, now that you mention it... I'm trying to help this guy, and I've been in the business for (mumblety mumble) years, and that thought never even occurred to me.

Guess what they say about "two heads better than one" is true. You're absolutely right. Unless the Ax is in the cradle, the system won't recognize a completed circuit!

JakeRich · 03-08-03, 07:44 PM

*LOL* Too many years helping users!

snsssMIS · 03-10-03, 10:52 AM

Thought I might clear myself as to wheather the device was in the cradle or not....
Yes it was in the cradle and it still not not recognize the device when the device was placed in the cradle.
I assume that when the device was inserted in the cradle the ol wizard will pop up and ask were the driver is located. This does not happen.
My Computer, Hardware, does show that there are USB Hubs available, but no special dells in the list.
When the pocket PC is in the Cradle, it is turned on, I can see the screen lit up. Also the DELL in blue lights up on the cradle.
The user is suppose to bring in a another cradle to try.
By the way.... I loaded the software first as instructed by the instructions labeled IMPORTANT! Load software first. Then connect device to the USB port. Made sure the port worked on both the Win98 and WinXP Pro by plugging in a scanner. Scanner installed and was recognized as a new device.
I appreciate your help.

Wayfinder · 03-10-03, 11:02 AM

Well, considering that you did everything you were supposed to do and did follow all the instructions, then that leaves only one possibility:

Gremlins.

Yup, gremlins for sure.

:p

snsssMIS · 03-10-03, 11:08 AM

I think gremlins do exist...

If it was purchased direct from DELL, I would be a bit more positive that it was something I did wrong.

The user bought it from EBAY, it could be smoked.

;) Things happen for a reason

snsssMIS · 03-11-03, 12:01 PM

Good news to all those that replied to this thread. The other cradle purchased with USB connection worked.
All Outlook was syncronized and the user is happier than a pumpkin in a pontiac.

WindWalker · 03-11-03, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by snsssMIS
.......and the user is happier than a pumpkin in a pontiac.

I......I have no words for this....

Pumpkins prefer Pontiacs? Not Porches?

I'm flabbergasted...

:crooked: