ActiveSync 4.2 Public Beta

[Ed Hansberry]

<a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/downloads/activesync42.mspx">http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/downloads/activesync42.mspx</a><br /><br /><i>"ActiveSync 4.2 Beta Preview is an early look at the latest sync software release for Windows Mobile devices. Microsoft ActiveSync provides a great synchronization experience with Windows powered PCs and Microsoft Outlook right out of the box. ActiveSync acts as the gateway between your Windows powered PC and Windows Mobile powered device, enabling the transfer of Outlook information, Office documents, pictures, music, videos and applications from your desktop to your device. In addition to synchronizing with a desktop PC, ActiveSync can synchronize directly with Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 so that you can keep your e-mail, Calendar, Notes, and Contacts updated wirelessly when you’re away from your PC.*"</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/2005/20051228-activesync.gif" /><br /><br />Well, this is a first, and a good step too. Microsoft is offering to publicly beta ActiveSync 4.2. I haven't installed it myself but I understand it does fix a number of issues you may be experiencing with 4.1. I strongly recommend you <i>don't</i> install this unless you have a Windows Mobile 5 device. Overall, ActiveSync 4.x is geared towards WM5. While it supports WM2003 devices, it doesn't do anything for them that is new, and disables your ability to sync via a network connection, like WiFi.<br /><br />For those of you with a WM5 device though and the courage to run a beta app, download and have fun!

[OSUKid7]

Well, I get errors every time I sync my Smartphone and Pocket PC... so I went ahead and installed it.

I didn't do the "required" restart after the install, but it appears that the new version is working now. Unfortunately, I'm still getting the same error when I just tried syncing my Smartphone.

"The server is busy. Support Code:85010017"

Worth a shot, anyway. Guess it's back to my minitue-and-half long workaround. :|

[cameron]

I don't know what else this update is supposed to accomplish, but it solved the 85010014 problem that I was having tonight.

[andbrown]

I didn't do the "required" restart after the install...

This is actually extremely important with upgrading ActiveSync - it's a key troubleshooting step. Not saying it will fix your specific issue, but in general, it's very important to do the restart after updating to a newer version.

[Vincent M Ferrari]

I don't get it. Why don't they tell people what this update supposedly fixes?

I just don't get it.

[OSUKid7]

I didn't do the "required" restart after the install...

This is actually extremely important with upgrading ActiveSync - it's a key troubleshooting step. Not saying it will fix your specific issue, but in general, it's very important to do the restart after updating to a newer version.
Ah, good to know. I'll try again after the restart. I just try to avoid restarts unless absolutely necessary, since it takes awhile to reboot and get things up and running again. (Incidentally, this is why I hate the mandatory/forced reboots in the WinXP application version of Windows Update.)

[Vincent M Ferrari]

Hmmmm... Okay, well, it seems that it does fix the vague "Activesync Encountered an Error on the Desktop" problem... Nice!

[Darren Behan]

I agree with Vincent in wanting to know what they were trying to fix and/or add to this release. A quick google on ActiveSync 4.2 Beta yielded zip so far.

db

[Jason Dunn]

I just try to avoid restarts unless absolutely necessary...

If software tells you to reboot, it means it needs to replace system files that are in use. So if it says to reboot, I think it's necessary. ;-)

[PDANEWBIE]

Incidentally, this is why I hate the mandatory/forced reboots in the WinXP application version of Windows Update.

Here here this is why I download the KB's seperately and install them manually then you can choose not to reboot.

What I have a question about is does activesync actually give your cradled device an IP address on your network that is different from your PC's? I have someone who is having activesync problems and is blaming it on firewall permissions but I thought activesync was JUST a passthrough from the PC to the PocketPC?

[schwuk]

If software tells you to reboot, it means it needs to replace system files that are in use. So if it says to reboot, I think it's necessary. ;-)

And if you really want to know if that reboot is necessary, then try Why Reboot? (http://www.exodus-dev.com/products/WhyReboot/). It...

displays a list of pending file operations that will occur after rebooting your computer

...and is very useful. You'll be surprised how many "required" reboots really aren't.

[OSUKid7]

If software tells you to reboot, it means it needs to replace system files that are in use. So if it says to reboot, I think it's necessary. ;-)
Right, but most of the time when I'm asked to restart, the program works (relatively) fine even if I don't. And if it really doesn't seem to be working well, I usually just don't use that program until I get around to restarting.

[Darius Wey]

What I have a question about is does activesync actually give your cradled device an IP address on your network that is different from your PC's?

The device will be assigned a 169.254.*.* IP address. So, your friend's firewall concerns are valid. A firewall without valid permissions set for 169.254.*.* and relevant ActiveSync files will prevent the Pocket PC and PC from syncing.

Ask him/her to refer to this troubleshooting guide (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/help/activesync/default.mspx) for assistance.

[Paragon]

Microsoft ActiveSync provides a great synchronization experience...........


I can't be the only one who finds that statement absolutely hilarious?! :lol: :lol:

Dave

[ale_ers]

Microsoft is offering to publicly beta ActiveSync 4.2.

I thought all the ActiveSync releases were Beta's.

[deemota]

They still didnt address the firewall issue. They give tips on how to get it working with Zone Alarm Suite, but I use the free one. Anyone have any idea how to setup the free Zone Alarm?

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/help/activesync/default.mspx

[Darius Wey]

They still didnt address the firewall issue. They give tips on how to get it working with Zone Alarm Suite, but I use the free one. Anyone have any idea how to setup the free Zone Alarm?

All versions of ZoneAlarm have the same firewall interface, so Microsoft's instructions for configuring the Security Suite can still be used when setting up the free version.

[deemota]

They still didnt address the firewall issue. They give tips on how to get it working with Zone Alarm Suite, but I use the free one. Anyone have any idea how to setup the free Zone Alarm?

All versions of ZoneAlarm have the same firewall interface, so Microsoft's instructions for configuring the Security Suite can still be used when setting up the free version.

Not really, it shows I have to go to an Expert tab. The free edition doesn't have this tab and I can't find anywhere that has the same settings its asking to adjust.

[tedder]

I agree with Vincent in wanting to know what they were trying to fix and/or add to this release. A quick google on ActiveSync 4.2 Beta yielded zip so far.

Same here. Release notes would be nice.

[nickpope]

"....ActiveSync can synchronize directly with Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 so that you can keep your e-mail, Calendar, Notes, and Contacts updated wirelessly..."

Can anyone who as already installed this confirm you can now sync notes with exchange server?

Probably a mistake and they should have written Tasks instead. I'd be oh so happy if you can now synch notes.

[griph]

"Probably a mistake and they should have written Tasks instead. I'd be oh so happy if you can now synch notes.
Well I can only see Contacts, Calendar, Email and Tasks under Exchange Server. Notes only appears under USB coonections set up on my Q9100.

[alex_kac]

They still didnt address the firewall issue. They give tips on how to get it working with Zone Alarm Suite, but I use the free one. Anyone have any idea how to setup the free Zone Alarm?

All versions of ZoneAlarm have the same firewall interface, so Microsoft's instructions for configuring the Security Suite can still be used when setting up the free version.

Not really, it shows I have to go to an Expert tab. The free edition doesn't have this tab and I can't find anywhere that has the same settings its asking to adjust.

I've done it - and here is how I do it with the free one. Go to Firewall and then Zones. Add IP range. Name it "AS" and make it 169.254.2.1-169.254.2.255. Put it in the Trusted Zone. And it works fine.

[deemota]

I've done it - and here is how I do it with the free one. Go to Firewall and then Zones. Add IP range. Name it "AS" and make it 169.254.2.1-169.254.2.255. Put it in the Trusted Zone. And it works fine.

Thanks so much, worked perfectly.......

[bnycastro]

I have AS4.1 and I can sync my PPC fine. Everything works except Media. I opened WMP10 on my notebook and I couldn't see my PPC on the Devices list. Should I install this beta?

[Janak Parekh]

I have AS4.1 and I can sync my PPC fine. Everything works except Media. I opened WMP10 on my notebook and I couldn't see my PPC on the Devices list. Should I install this beta?
Either try reinstalling AS4.1... or you can try this beta. There's a condition where some setting can get overwritten whereby WMP10 stops seeing an attached WM5 device; in at least a few situations, reinstalling ActiveSync restored that configuration.

--janak

[bnycastro]

thanks Janak will try a re-install of 4.1 and report back if the issue is resolved

[bnycastro]

Janak

It worked! 8O Gee... Before repairing the AS4.1 install, I tried two ROM updates and a lot of Hard Resets, I even downloaded and re-installed WMP10 for my notebook. I never suspected AS was the problem... Anyway thanks for the suggestion. Everything is in sync now... 8)

[William Yeung]

Anyone can tell what is actually being changed in this Beta? I miss my multi device sync of contacts...

[Michael G.]

Microsoft is offering to publicly beta ActiveSync 4.2.

I thought all the ActiveSync releases were Beta's.


Hmm... That's a little generous. Activesync 4.1 struck me as alpha software, bordering beta........!

[maxnix]

So does this version add back any of the funtionality lost in 3.8?

No one, not even MS, has commented on it's functionality.

[randyzon]

I would enjoy the option to activate GPRS without having to open IE so I can use some other browser or weather program.

[Janak Parekh]

It worked! 8O Gee... Before repairing the AS4.1 install, I tried two ROM updates and a lot of Hard Resets, I even downloaded and re-installed WMP10 for my notebook. I never suspected AS was the problem... Anyway thanks for the suggestion. Everything is in sync now... 8)
It's not AS 4.1 being broken per se. It has to toggle some setting for WMP so that it recognizes Pocket PCs, but some third-party programs (like Rhapsody) that use WMP install a component that changes it back. You'd think MS could make this a bit smoother. It took me hours the first time to figure it out... :?

--janak

[Janak Parekh]

So does this version add back any of the funtionality lost in 3.8?
I would not expect this. WiFi sync is out for the foreseeable future. :?

No one, not even MS, has commented on it's functionality.
As far as I can tell so far, it's a bugfix for 4.1 -- no new functionality, with the possible exception being a prompt that brings up the ActiveSync troubleshooter when it runs into trouble.

--janak

[halr9000]

I just try to avoid restarts unless absolutely necessary...

If software tells you to reboot, it means it needs to replace system files that are in use. So if it says to reboot, I think it's necessary. ;-)
Not necessarily. Lots of programs that install services say they require a reboot, but often simply starting the service yourself achieves the same effect.

Also, reboot after uninstalls are almost NEVER required. I mean--who cares when file x is deleted, as long as it is?

Like the saying "don't believe everything you read"--"don't believe everything your puts on the screen". :D

[Janak Parekh]

Also, reboot after uninstalls are almost NEVER required. I mean--who cares when file x is deleted, as long as it is?
I'm not sure about this one. I know there's an entry made in the Registry to delete a file on boot-up... but isn't it possible that the entry may get overwritten by another cascading delete request? Just to be safe, I usually reboot -- if not immediately during the uninstall, then soon after.

--janak

[petvas]

If a reboot is really needed? Hmm, if you create a standard installation package with an application like Installshield, the Reboot dialog is just an option, so anyone who creates a program can select in Installshield to activate the Reboot dialog. I have seen many times that a reboot isnt necessary...

[mschoe]

can any versions of activesync save an option to automatically overwrite the PPC content each time instead of two-way sync?

[digital-doc]

Anyone can tell what is actually being changed in this Beta? I miss my multi device sync of contacts...

I too want to know will change. Right now I am sying on 3 PCs with Manypartners and a Intel Mac with Pocketmac.

Gotta have my muliple partners!

[Ed Hansberry]

can any versions of activesync save an option to automatically overwrite the PPC content each time instead of two-way sync?

No. That wouldn't be a sync, that would be a one way copy. If you want to do that, you'll need to delete the partnership on the desktop before docking then tell AS to clear everything off of the device.

Or, just don't ever change anything on the device and it'll never be copied back to the desktop.

[Ed Hansberry]

Anyone can tell what is actually being changed in this Beta? I miss my multi device sync of contacts...
Nothing is changing. It is bug fixes.

What is it you miss? As far as I know, AS4 didn't remove anything from AS 3.8 as it relates to syncing the contacts database with multiple devices.

[jerryyyyy]

Found your discussion by Google since I was a tad suspicious of this Beta. Does anyone know if it fixes the known problem with inability to transfer large (8+MB) files. There is a tendency for the sync to crash and lose the connection. This makes it difficult to use podcast software on my pda.

Cheers

[maikii]

Microsoft ActiveSync provides a great synchronization experience...........


I can't be the only one who finds that statement absolutely hilarious?! :lol: :lol:

Dave

I second that hilarity! :lol: I laughed heartily the moment I saw that! Did Ed really write that, or was he copyiing Microsoft advertising?

ActiveStync is by far the worst thing about Windows Mobile. Everyone seems to have problems with it. I had a lot of problems with AS 3.8. In getting a WM5 device, and AS 4.1, I hoped that AS would be better--but it's worse!!!

I sure hope they have made some real improvements in this 4.2!

[ChristopherTD]

For me 4.2 seems worse - I used to get intermittent errors with 4.1, it would complain that the Server was Busy, or that a critical error had occurred. After a few attempts it would then sync but would give dire warnings that work could be lost.

4.2 seems to do this all the time!

It certainly isn't a great experience for me. I can't even sync Outlook mail sub folders which 3.8 was perfectly happy to do. It lets me select them, and will even (sometimes) copy mail from those folders. But they are all deselected every time there is a critical error!

[amberbamber]

I upgraded to 4.2beta to try and solve my 85010014 error code. I have the Verizon PPC 6700. What's weird is the the notes in outlook will Sync but everything else gives me the 14 error. I didn't uninstall anything first so should have I uninstalled 4.1 before upgrading?

I tried syncing other info like e-mail but I still get the 14 error. I don't use outlook for my e-mail so there is only one message there thus a small file. It seems if you have a lot to sync that can be an issue.

Any ideas as to why my notes will sync but everything else gives me the 14 error code?

Also, my notes sync to my pc but do not copy all of my notes to my PPC. How do I get them to my ppc please?

Thanks.

[KimVette]

Microsoft is offering to publicly beta ActiveSync 4.2.

I thought all the ActiveSync releases were Beta's.

No, the last beta was 1.5, which actually worked. Releases since have been alpha quality. ;)

[Ed Hansberry]

Microsoft is offering to publicly beta ActiveSync 4.2.

I thought all the ActiveSync releases were Beta's.

No, the last beta was 1.5, which actually worked. Releases since have been alpha quality. ;)

1.5? The first version of ActiveSync was 3.0, so named after replacing Windows CE Services 2.2.

[Janak Parekh]

1.5? The first version of ActiveSync was 3.0, so named after replacing Windows CE Services 2.2.
And, in my experience, CE Services was worse than horrible. I found the experience to be alpha-quality at best. ActiveSync is a huge step up in comparison. 8O

--janak

[Ed Hansberry]

1.5? The first version of ActiveSync was 3.0, so named after replacing Windows CE Services 2.2.
And, in my experience, CE Services was worse than horrible. I found the experience to be alpha-quality at best. ActiveSync is a huge step up in comparison. 8O
Ever put it on NT4 Workstation? The installer had to remove RAS, install CE Services, then reinstall RAS, and then you had to reinstall your latest service pack before rebooting. It was a 1 hr job to install it. :roll:

But, you could sync with your machine over the network, so CE Services has that on ActiveSync 4.x. :(

[amberbamber]

We bought a new laptop and for some reason active sync works on that pc but no other I have. Everything syncs for some stupid reason.
I wonder if will work better on windows vista since that laptop has a free upgrade to windows vista.