Change Activesync Device Name?

[brianchris]

How do I change the davice name (as used and displayed by Activesync). I know how to to that in PocketPC's, but I can't figure it out in WM5 Smartphone.

I believe I *have* determined that the name initially given/created is determined by the Windows XP Windows user account you're logged into upon the device's first sync (a "WM_" is thrown in front of it). So, for example: WM_Brian where Brian is the exact name of my Windows XP user account.

I really would like to change that device name, and can't find a way to do it. Thanks!

[Jerry Raia]

Tweaks2k2 (http://www.tweaks2k2.com/) will do it for you.

[Mike Temporale]

Or you can edit the registry yourself. Depends on your comfort level. It's stored in the following key. And make sure you don't put any spaces in it.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Ident\Name

[brianchris]

So, either way it appears I need to install extra software to accomplish this (either a registry editor or Tweaks 2k2), correct?

Thanks again!

[Mike Temporale]

Yup. :(

[Jerry Raia]

I'm not sure if any of the free Registry Editors work on WM5 either. I use the one with Resco Explorer.

[Sven Johannsen]

Yup. :(But not on the phone necessarily. Mobile Registry Editor works for me in my SP5. It installs on the PC. http://www.breaksoft.com/Blog/posts/2006/2/Mobile_Registry_Editor_1.2_Preview.aspx

[Mike Temporale]

But not on the phone necessarily. Mobile Registry Editor works for me in my SP5. It installs on the PC. http://www.breaksoft.com/Blog/posts/2006/2/Mobile_Registry_Editor_1.2_Preview.aspx

Cool. I didn't know that there was a anything that worked on WinMo5. Good to know, thanks! :)

[byrnefm]

I can confirm it works for me too - I used the Mobile Registry Editor to change my Smartphone's name (WM 5). Worked a charm! :)

[billcalle]

I went the registry editor route myself and it worked like a charm (or so I thought). When I sync'ed up the name changed in ActiveSync and I thought everything was finished. The next day (after a machine reboot) when I tried to sync, the name was changed back in ActiveSync but not in my device. ActiveSync tried to create a new partnership but then complained because this device was already sync'ing with this machine. After trying many things, I had to delete the partenership on the device and on ActiveSync and recreate it again. On doing so, the device registry change was reset.

As I've seen this hack posted in several places I assume there was something I did wrong or unique to my situation. That said, in the end I just decided to go with the default name and avoid the trouble.

[c_prano]

Ah, but there is a way! To view or change your smartphone's current Device ID: Press Start, then select Settings. Choose the System tab, then select About. Select the Device ID tab, and observe the "Device name." This is the same device name that appears in ActiveSync on your desktop PC

Cheerio!

[Mike Temporale]

Ah, but there is a way! To view or change your smartphone's current Device ID: Press Start, then select Settings. Choose the System tab, then select About. Select the Device ID tab, and observe the "Device name." This is the same device name that appears in ActiveSync on your desktop PC

Cheerio!

Thanks, but that's for a Pocket PC device. We're talking about Smartphones ;)

[c_prano]

My apologies.

[Mike Temporale]

No worries. It's a major source of confusion. And it doesn't help that some PPCs are advertised as Smartphones. :roll: Anyway, that's a topic for another day. ;)

[c_prano]

Yes indeed. As a matter of fact, I retreived this information (including the word "smartphone") from the Treo 700w website (a PPC). While I understand the difference, one of the forum post-ers had an avatar of the Cingular 8125, which happens to be another PPC.

False advertising sucks.

[jackdornothing]

Or you can edit the registry yourself. Depends on your comfort level. It's stored in the following key. And make sure you don't put any spaces in it.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Ident\Name


Many, many thanks!

I searched nearly 2 hours for this... I just didn't see this registry key in Mobile Registry Editor!

Best regards

[Jerry Raia]

Welcome to the site! :)

[edu1981]

Disconnect Axim from your PC.
On the Pocket PC ->
1. Start > Settings > System > About > Device ID
2. Change the Device Name to what you want, and press OK

[Sven Johannsen]

Disconnect Axim from your PC.
On the Pocket PC ->
1. Start > Settings > System > About > Device ID
2. Change the Device Name to what you want, and press OK

That is solution, that is the solution IF you have a PPC. We are talking Smartphones here and similarities notwithstanding, that option just isn't available. Why? Who knows? Maybe someone will get the chance to ask someone who may know, some day. But until then, or MS sees fit to change it in a new SP release, you have to resort to registry hacking for the most basic form of personalization..naming your baby.

[Mike Temporale]

But until then, or MS sees fit to change it in a new SP release, you have to resort to registry hacking for the most basic form of personalization..naming your baby.

On Vista, you can do this from the WMDC. So the problem is better. It would be nice if you could control this on the phone. , but at least you can change it from the PC and you don't have to resort to registry hacking.

[Sven Johannsen]

On Vista, you can do this from the WMDC. So the problem is better. It would be nice if you could control this on the phone. , but at least you can change it from the PC and you don't have to resort to registry hacking.Haven't found that to be 100% consistant yet. I've hooked up a new device and had it decide to change the name for me without giving me a chance to change it. WMDC is still beta though, so you may be right. Shame that you have to upgrade PC OSs though to name your WM device ;)

[Mike Temporale]

Haven't found that to be 100% consistant yet. I've hooked up a new device and had it decide to change the name for me without giving me a chance to change it. WMDC is still beta though, so you may be right. Shame that you have to upgrade PC OSs though to name your WM device ;)

It don't think it asked me during the setup, but once it was connected, I found a setting to change it. Can't recall where exactly, but I'll try and locate it and let you know.

Update: Alright - I'm sure I changed the name of the device after setup, but I can't find where I did that. :?

[ditch_azeroth]

after a fresh hard reset, you are usually given the option to name your device on your first activesync. it should be in the registry somewhere, but i can't quite put a finger on where it is exactly

[Jerry Raia]

HKLM>Ident>Name :)