BASIC Vista / PPC Question

[brianchris]

I've been using Pockt PC's since day 1 (April 2000). Also, I was an early adopter of Vista, but, to date, haven't syncronized a PPC with a Vista computer.

Here's my question: What is "Windows Mobile Device Center?" Is it built into to Vista (Ultimate and Business), or do I need to install it seperately? Is it installed and/or updated via Windows Update? Is "Windows Mobile Deivce Center *6* the latest version?

IN OTHER WORDS: Do I just plug my PPC into a Vista computer, or do I need to install Windows Mobile Device Center (6?) first, similar to needing to install Activesync?

Sorry for the basic question and the confusion.

[Cybrid]

its preinstalled. in control panel. be aware though...reports of trouble abound. my 2002 Outlook (came with PPC) won't sync correctly.
pvtl doesn't work...
many others are getting their hate on :(
http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=55303&highlight=

[Darius Wey]

its preinstalled. in control panel.

It is? None of my copies of Vista include WMDC "in the box", and Microsoft is still advertising it as a separate download.

[Darius Wey]

Here's my question: What is "Windows Mobile Device Center?" Is it built into to Vista (Ultimate and Business), or do I need to install it seperately? Is it installed and/or updated via Windows Update? Is "Windows Mobile Deivce Center *6* the latest version?

In a nutshell, Windows Mobile Device Center (WMDC) is the equivalent of ActiveSync for Vista, and as far as I'm aware, it's still not integrated in any consumer editions of Vista. You can download it from the Windows Mobile web page (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/devicecenter.mspx), and yes, v6 is the latest.

IN OTHER WORDS: Do I just plug my PPC into a Vista computer, or do I need to install Windows Mobile Device Center (6?) first, similar to needing to install Activesync?

Install WMDC first, and then connect your Pocket PC. If you're having issues syncing, go through each step in this troubleshooting guide (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/devicecenter/troubleshooting.mspx). Windows Live OneCare is notorious for causing frustration in users new to WMDC/Vista, so if you have that installed, you'll want to configure it first (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/devicecenter/onecare.mspx).

[Cybrid]

its preinstalled. in control panel.

It is? None of my copies of Vista include WMDC "in the box", and Microsoft is still advertising it as a separate download.I'm running an OEM version of Home Premium...but you're right assuming its pre-installed in all versions or even mine...is unlikely. I just don't remember downloading and installing it.

[brianchris]

Here's my question: What is "Windows Mobile Device Center?" Is it built into to Vista (Ultimate and Business), or do I need to install it seperately? Is it installed and/or updated via Windows Update? Is "Windows Mobile Deivce Center *6* the latest version?

In a nutshell, Windows Mobile Device Center (WMDC) is the equivalent of ActiveSync for Vista, and as far as I'm aware, it's still not integrated in any consumer editions of Vista. You can download it from the Windows Mobile web page (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/devicecenter.mspx), and yes, v6 is the latest.

IN OTHER WORDS: Do I just plug my PPC into a Vista computer, or do I need to install Windows Mobile Device Center (6?) first, similar to needing to install Activesync?

Install WMDC first, and then connect your Pocket PC. If you're having issues syncing, go through each step in this troubleshooting guide (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/devicecenter/troubleshooting.mspx). Windows Live OneCare is notorious for causing frustration in users new to WMDC/Vista, so if you have that installed, you'll want to configure it first (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/devicecenter/onecare.mspx).

Thanks for the clear explanation (and rumor control). I had heard conflicting information over the past months (especially on whether it was built in to Vista or not), and I appreciate you setting the record straight. ALTHOUGH, Microsoft should explain this more clearly somewhere.

Oh, and I use OneCare too, so an extra bit of thanks for the configuration walk through link!!!

[Sven Johannsen]

Some of the confusion may be because there was some indication that if you hooked a WM device to Vista, it would be recognized, and you could browse the device and do media syncing out of the box. That is true.

There was also some indication that on first connection it would offer to go get WMDC from Windows Update and configure it for synchronizing PIM and other items. That actually worked for me during betas of Vista. I don't know if it still does it, consistantly, because I haven't tried it. Only so many times you feel like re-installing Vista to make sure it is clean, just to see if the WMDC thing works.

You should find though, that even if you hook the device up without WMDC to browse the device, once you install WMDC you should be able to get that running. It's not like the old AS thing where if you hooked it up before installing AS you where hosed.