Vista Windows Mobile Device Center Walk Through

[Kris Kumar]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://chris.leckness.com/2007/01/13/vista-windows-mobiles-device-center-walk-through' target='_blank'>http://chris.leckness.com/2007/01/13/vista-windows-mobiles-device-center-walk-through</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Since I installed Windows Vista yesterday, I had to set up the Windows Mobile Device Center. I use an Exchange Server (Which by the way works well with Outlook 2007) so I rarely sync anymore, but for when I do, I have to be ready. This walk through has over 25 screenshots, I hope you enjoy."</i><br /><br /> <img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Kris-jan2007-wmdc.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/> <br /><br />Chris Leckness is walking us through the Windows Mobile Device Center in Windows Vista. I haven't played much with Windows Vista's RTM version and somehow I am not compelled to run Vista on my daily use computer. What about you? Are you already running Vista RTM or planning to upgrade immediately once Vista is released?

[Mike Temporale]

I've been running vista on my old aged and dying thinkpad. Overall I really like it. I can't wait for new hardware to start shipping with Vista - I plan to get something pre-installed once it's available. 8)

[Jerry Raia]

My experience with Vista so far is best described here on my blog. (http://jerryraia.com/blog/?p=29) While I like it I'm a bit irked that even at this late date, a lot of things still don't run on it or have drivers ready. That said, I will transition over as soon as everything I need is up and running!

[Kris Kumar]

For me it a combination of drivers and application compatibility. The biggest one, I cannot print. :roll:

Anyway Microsoft is promising that on launch date the situation would be different. Let's see.

[Jason Dunn]

It's strange, I connected my T-Mobile Dash to Vista Ultimate RTM and I didn't get the WMDC...I was only prompted to set up a sync partnership with Windows Media Player. :?

[Jerry Raia]

I had to download it separately. I am using the MSDN RTM version.

[Jason Dunn]

I had to download it separately. I am using the MSDN RTM version.

Hrmm. I thought it was supposed to be automatically downloaded when I connected it... :?

[Jerry Raia]

Thats what I thought. To make matters worse once the device was discoverd by windows without WMDC, then it was never found by it! To date I cannot sync my BlackJack on Vista for that reason.

[Jason Dunn]

Thats what I thought. To make matters worse once the device was discoverd by windows without WMDC, then it was never found by it! To date I cannot sync my BlackJack on Vista for that reason.

NEVER FOUND? Oh man. This gets worse and worse. I was expecting to see the WMDC in Windows Update, but it's not there. Where the heck do I download this thing? :?

[Mike Temporale]

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/devicecenter.mspx :wink:

I don't know what version I have - I think it's beta 2. I might try downloading and installing beta 3 just to be sure.

[Jason Dunn]

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/devicecenter.mspx

Yeah, I was just lazy and wanted to rant because I had read it was supposed to be an automatic download when the OS detected that it was needed. I'll install it and see what happens...

[Mike Temporale]

I got burned the same way. I think it will auto detect and install once it's out of beta and up on Windows Update. Until then, it's a manual thing - I think.

[Rocco Augusto]

just a quick word of advice, if you're using windows live onecare you will have to open several ports up in the firewall to get it to work. took me weeks to figure this out, i thought WMDC was broken since i was using RC2 of Vista. Turns out, I had the same problem in the RTM release as well and then it dawned on me that i had the firewall running. almost kicked myself in the rump for not figuring it out sooner. :(

[Jason Dunn]

just a quick word of advice, if you're using windows live onecare...

OnceCare? Anti-virus programs are for sissies and n00bs. :lol:

[onlydarksets]

Just finished installing Vista, and that is definitely not obvious. The Firewall settings were throwing me for a loop.

[onlydarksets]

just a quick word of advice, if you're using windows live onecare you will have to open several ports up in the firewall to get it to work. took me weeks to figure this out, i thought WMDC was broken since i was using RC2 of Vista. Turns out, I had the same problem in the RTM release as well and then it dawned on me that i had the firewall running. almost kicked myself in the rump for not figuring it out sooner. :(

Do you recall which ports you opened?

[spacehippie2k]

So I've been reading about the new Mobile Device Center, and was excited to give it a whirl on my snazzy new computer. I downloaded the beta 3 version from Microsoft's website, hooked up my Dash, and everything seemed to be working smoothly. I deleted the partnership from my old computer, and I was able to sync up all of my data to Outlook 2007 without a hitch. However, any and all subsequent attempts to sync with Outlook have been unsuccessful.

I've tried everything I can think of: uninstalling and re-installing device drivers as well as the Mobile Device Center itself, checking and un-checking the "Enable advanced network funtionality" selection on the phone (under Settings>Connections>USB to PC). No matter what I do, I usually end up with an error message saying, "Windows Mobile Device Center Sync Host has stopped working."

The connection itself seems to be OK, since the Dash shows up in the Sync Center, My Computer, and I can even sync it with Windows Media Player 11. I also can sync on my work PC (running XP professional, ActiveSync 4.2 and Outlook 2003). The problem has got to be with the Mobile Device Center. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm thinking about returning my Vista PC, since syncing with my Dash and keeping Outlook up to date is a big part of what I use a computer for. Thanks.

[Jason Dunn]

Microsoft has just released the final version of WMDC (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/index.php?action=expand,53695&/microsoft_releases_windows_mobile_device_center_for_windows_vista.htm), so perhaps give that a try? I'm not using it regularly yet, so I can't offer any first-hand trouble-shooting tips. Are you going through a hub? Hubs are often problematic.

[onlydarksets]

Great - I just downloaded beta 3 last night. Hopefully it won't blow up when I try to install the final release. Vista has already destroyed Firefox.

[Jason Dunn]

Vista has already destroyed Firefox.

What do you mean? I installed Firefox 2.0x on Vista and had no problems with it.

[onlydarksets]

I get an error to the effect of "A previous installation is pending. Please restart" (I'm not at home so I don't have access to the error message). I haven't researched it yet, but I have restarted and reinstalled several times, but I cannot get Firefox to run.

[Jerry Raia]

I've gotten that on XP too with other applications. I ended up killing the extra instance of the installer app, I forgot the name of it. If you Google the error you will find it.

[onlydarksets]

Thanks for the heads up - I'll check it out when I get home.

It's really strange though, because Firefox was installed and working fine, but then suddenly it stopped and I got that error. I've rebooted several times, so there should not be any installers running.

[Mike Temporale]

In case anyone is wondering, and hasn't noticed todays news - Windows Mobile Device Center was officially released by Microsoft. Check it out over here --> http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=13494&amp;highlight= :mrgreen:

[spacehippie2k]

Microsoft has just released the final version of WMDC (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/index.php?action=expand,53695&/microsoft_releases_windows_mobile_device_center_for_windows_vista.htm), so perhaps give that a try? I'm not using it regularly yet, so I can't offer any first-hand trouble-shooting tips. Are you going through a hub? Hubs are often problematic.

I'm not going through a hub. I did, however, download the final version, and through the first half of the day - no problems! Ahhh...

Thanks so much for the link. Interesting how I find out about the release through this forum, and not from Microsoft themselves. Power to the people! Thanks again.

[alex_kac]

Thats what I thought. To make matters worse once the device was discoverd by windows without WMDC, then it was never found by it! To date I cannot sync my BlackJack on Vista for that reason.

NEVER FOUND? Oh man. This gets worse and worse. I was expecting to see the WMDC in Windows Update, but it's not there. Where the heck do I download this thing? :?

I spent 30 minutes trying to get WMDC installed on my RTM Vista Business install from MSDN. The only way I got the link was from PPC Thoughts actually. Nothing from MS. First time it "installed" it asked me to reboot so I did - nothing was different. So I installed a second time and it worked.

[Kris Kumar]

Folks who are having trouble with WMDC sync, should take a look at this - Arne Hess over at the::unwired has a good tutorial on how correctly setup things. (http://www.theunwired.net/?itemid=3597)

[ctmagnus]

Folks who are having trouble with WMDC sync, should take a look at this - Arne Hess over at the::unwired has a good tutorial on how correctly setup things. (http://www.theunwired.net/?itemid=3597)

Those instructions worked wonderfully for me.

[jfreiman]

I have found my Vista and MDC very easy to migrate to etc.

The one thing I did experience with my Dash and Windows Media Player is that when my phone is set to Advanced Network Functionality -- Settings, Connections, PC to USB the syncing is fine for Outlook, Media Player etc. -- except that my mini-SD card is not seen.

I don't remember, is the PC to USB funtion on by default? If so, many pepole might be confused as to why they can't sync music and television to their memory card.

-John