ActiveSync/Avantgo Synchronization Problems

[Oregon Trail]

When I insert my E-125 into the cradle, often all ActiveSync does is get stuck on "connecting" or refuses to acknowledge that it is even in the cradle as the icon on the tray doesn't light up. When it does sync, sometimes it just drops off when I am in the middle of syncing Avantgo and then says "not connected". I can then only get the PC to acknowledge connection after a system restart. Then I may go through the same drop off problem again. Any one with a similar problem? Is there an easy solution?

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

Welcome to the joys of ActiveSync (or what many refer to as ActiveStink!).

The behaviors you describe are nothing new (not necessarily experienced by all, but we've heard these reports numerous times). The reboot is a common technique. Uninstalling and reinstalling is another. You can also try to download the latest version of ActiveSync (3.6 I believe) to see if that resolves your issues.

What OS are you running?... and how are you connecting? Serial? USB?

I find that wireless ActiveSyncs tend to be REALLY reliable (WiFi / Bluetooth). I don't know if that's an option or not.

[Oregon Trail]

Thanks for the comments. Since we have a PPC that uses Windows CE version 3.0 can we upgrade to Active Sync 3.6? We have a Dell Dimension XPS 8400 with a 400Mhz Intel processor. It has a USB connection to the cradle. This is an ancient(?) system using Windows 98. The advice we got at the time was to expect 1 year of use for each 1K spent, so I suppose that we have gotten plenty of use for it's value. BTW, 18 months ago I called Dell about another problem. The service tech referred to the computer as a "legacy" system. Considering that the sysem was just 3 years old, I was surprised. We have reached a point where we are so frustrated with all of the system crashes that we are thinking about getting a new computer with XP. What concerns me is the add ons that we bought over the years. I'm not sure that they are all compatible.

[Pony99CA]

Since we have a PPC that uses Windows CE version 3.0 can we upgrade to Active Sync 3.6? We have a Dell Dimension XPS 8400 with a 400Mhz Intel processor. It has a USB connection to the cradle. This is an ancient(?) system using Windows 98.
Why wouldn't you be able to use ActiveSync 3.6? The Pocket PC environment runs on top of Windows CE 3.0. ActiveSync 3.6 was released by Microsoft to support that.

I use ActiveSync 3.6 on Windows 98 (SE, not the old one) just fine. (Well, as fine as the usual ActiveSync problems allow. :-)) I'm running a laptop with a 750 MHz Pentium III, but that shouldn't matter.

Steve

Updated to reflect that I have Windows 98 SE.

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

Thanks for the comments. Since we have a PPC that uses Windows CE version 3.0 can we upgrade to Active Sync 3.6? We have a Dell Dimension XPS 8400 with a 400Mhz Intel processor. It has a USB connection to the cradle. This is an ancient(?) system using Windows 98.
Windows 98? Not Windows 98SE (second edition)?

Windows 98SE supposedly handles USB connections much better than 98. Regardless, you may want to experiment with a serial connection to see if you get better stability. I'm pretty sure ActiveSync 3.6 should be OK. Go to the MS PPC website (http://www.microsoft.com/pocketpc) and check out the specs.

BTW, 18 months ago I called Dell about another problem. The service tech referred to the computer as a "legacy" system. Considering that the sysem was just 3 years old, I was surprised.
Computers become "legacy" quick nowadays. They probably stopped producing/selling all the critical components to your PC (motherboard, CPU, memory, video, etc.). Windows98 helps put the icing on the "legacy" label.

G'Luck.

[Oregon Trail]

Yes, It's Windows 98. Since we are considering a new PC, I am reluctant to try a serial connection. Also when the USB works, it's really fast. Sounds as though I have talked myself into a new system. Now all I have to do is figure out what to buy. :?

[spursdude]

For AvantGo, you can always try re-entering your information and verifying that all the settings are correct.

[Oregon Trail]

I don't necessarily know what the correct settings are. What puzzles me about the sychronizations is that often it does work. I am assuming that the software is not stable. Is there another program available that will do what ActiveSync does?

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

Yes, It's Windows 98. Since we are considering a new PC, I am reluctant to try a serial connection.
There's no risk involved in trying it... but of course that depends on how much the USB issue is annoying you.

Also when the USB works, it's really fast. Sounds as though I have talked myself into a new system. Now all I have to do is figure out what to buy. :?
If you really want your connection to scream, try WiFi!! Good luck on your new system.

[Oregon Trail]

I finally solved my Avantgo problem, at least for now. During another failed sync, I got a brief( less than 3 seconds) message telling me to update my Avantgo software, then the connection dropped and the PPC and PC were once again not connected. I went to the Avantgo site and tried to figure out what to do. After several more attempts at that I finally went to the advanced controls screen. There were three buttons to clear history, cache and authorization information. The message said that if there were synchro problems to use them. After clearing all of them, the synchronization worked. I am not advanced user, just a curious person. For someone that is technically challenged this sort of problem would be enough to give up using Avantgo. Problems like this continue to hold up market penetration for these devices because they are intimidating.

[Pony99CA]

I finally solved my Avantgo problem, at least for now. During another failed sync, I got a brief( less than 3 seconds) message telling me to update my Avantgo software, then the connection dropped and the PPC and PC were once again not connected.

What did the message say that you were getting? I've been getting one lately that says "Device components missing or out of date" when I try to reconnect via the cradle. I typically have to stop ActiveSync and restart it to get rid of that message.

Synchronizing works fine using the AvantGo Settings applet, but I can't tell if that's using my WiFi connection or a USB pass-through link when my iPAQ is docked.

Steve

[Oregon Trail]

In ActiveSync, it was on the Avantgo line. All of the previous items would synchronize, then Avantgo would connect. After the "connection successful" message, it said "contact Avantgo to update software", or something similar. Then it dropped the connection and all of the items that previously said "Synchronized", went blank. The device then dropped the connection to the PC and said "not connected". In order to get the device to reconnect I had to restart the PC. This repeated until I went to Avantgo.com and signed on to my account and went to the Advanced Controls section. Trying to replace the software first didn't work. The software was fine . Apparently there was a conflict with one of the items in the Advanced Controls section. Once I cleared all of them everything worked fine, and continues to work :roll: .

[Evee Ev]

you guys are the best! I don't think i've ever had a problem that the forums guys couldn't solve! i reinstalled activesync AGAIN and for some strange reason it loaded avantgo as a sync option...something it never use to do.

but it would hang when i would sync. but i went to avantgo, deleted the cache, cookies, and authentication settings and shazam! it worked! so now...no more manual syncing!