Possible ActiveSync Solution [Archive]

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WyattEarp

01-27-2003, 01:26 AM

If your PPC no longer connects via USB then this may be your cure. Windows may be seeing your PPC as another device for example a scanner, printer, etc. through the USB port. I don't know why but it does.

For some unknown reason my PPC was listed as my Epson USB printer. After I performed this little operation it worked perfectly. If you are having this problem or to find out if this is the problem follow this at least to #3.

WARNING: This involves editing the registry. So get some assistance if you need it.

1. Open up Device Manager on your PC and scroll down to the USB controllers and check on what is connected through the USB Hubs (built-in and external) by opening its Properties > Power > Power properties.

2. Remember what was there, close everything except Device Manager and connect your PPC through the USB port.

3. In Device Manager scroll down to the USB controllers and check on what is connected through the USB Hubs (built-in and external) again.

4. Should two entries for the same device appear or a device that is not connected appears then Windows is not properly recognizing your PPC and you need to go to your favorite registry editor and prepare to work.

5. Once in the registry open the key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Enum\USB

6. Open the subfolders (VID_0... ) to look in the next subfolder INST_0 which contains the information on what is connected via USB.

7. Look through each INST_0 folder until you find which device is listed twice or listed as USB when it is not.

8. Once the trouble entries are found delete the offending INST_0 folders that listed the problem device.

9. Disconnect your PPC and reconnect it again. (This will cause Windows to automatically search for a New USB Device.)

10. ActiveSync should automatically connect.

11. Reconnect the device(s) deleted from the registry. (This will cause Windows to automatically search for a New USB Device again.)

12. Restart your PC to be safe and ActiveSync should have no problem connecting at this pont.

Hope this helps.... :D

Ekkie Tepsupornchai

01-27-2003, 03:44 AM

Ha!! That's pretty funny... I've heard of some odd workarounds to get ActiveStink working, but this one takes the cake!!!

WyattEarp

01-27-2003, 10:36 PM

Ekkie Tepsupornchai

01-27-2003, 11:42 PM

Ha!! That's pretty funny... I've heard of some odd workarounds to get ActiveStink working, but this one takes the cake!!!

Just sharing my experience and how I got it to work. There's no need for the smart remarks. If you don't like ActiveSync then don't use it. If you have a problem then post it and maybe someone will have the answer. That's what we're here for, not for cracking on each others ideas. Nothing gets accomplished that way.
I actually didn't mean it as a smart remark. I've been using PPCs for 2+ years.

I thought your tip was a great one. My comment was directed at how unstable ActiveSync is. It's a terrible syncing platform for what is otherwise a great PDA... of course that's just my opinion. It really should not have require the technical expertise that you used to figure out the problem you had, but the fact is that it did. That's compliment to your troubleshooting capabilities and as well as a "thumbs-down" at how bad ActiveSync is.

In any case, my apologies for the confusion.

WyattEarp

01-28-2003, 12:26 AM

I actually didn't mean it as a smart remark. I've been using PPCs for 2+ years.

I thought your tip was a great one. My comment was directed at how unstable ActiveSync is. It's a terrible syncing platform for what is otherwise a great PDA... of course that's just my opinion. It really should not have require the technical expertise that you used to figure out the problem you had, but the fact is that it did. That's compliment to your troubleshooting capabilities and as well as a "thumbs-down" at how bad ActiveSync is.

In any case, my apologies for the confusion.

No problem, apology accepted and apology given. :D Other forums I've been in are full of people who just seem to want to crack on anything they don't like or understand (the I know everything syndrome). Anyway it is ashamed I had to do all that to get my PPC to sync via USB. Oh well, just another one of Microsofts usual screw ups :x .

If it works for you... Happy Syncing. :D

Ekkie Tepsupornchai

01-28-2003, 01:25 AM

Other forums I've been in are full of people who just seem to want to crack on anything they don't like or understand (the I know everything syndrome). Anyway it is ashamed I had to do all that to get my PPC to sync via USB. Oh well, just another one of Microsofts usual screw ups :x .
Well, I definitely qualify as someone who doesn't know anything!! :p

I've recently started relying exclusively on WiFi for my AS connections which is amazingly stable, but when I'm on the road my WiFi connections rely on Ad-hoc networking (peer-to-peer / no-hub) which comes with its own set of headaches.

I've copied down your tip though... every once in a while I have no choice but to do USB and this info you've provided is really an obscure finding that I wouldn't have thought of researching.

WyattEarp

01-28-2003, 10:16 PM

If you use it; hopefully you won't need to, then post your results. It was alot to remember in a short time and I had to do alot of back tracking. So I hope I didn't miss anything. I wrote it like 5 minutes after I did it.

Anyway, must try the WiFi connection, since it looks like I'll be stuck with two WiFi cards.

Are there any WiFi issues with AS I should know about ahead of time.

Ekkie Tepsupornchai

01-29-2003, 03:03 AM

Two WiFi cards? Well from your signature, it looks like you have one of the best one in Socket.

The only thing that might throw you off are the ConnectionMangler settings. It used to be I would have to alternate between "Internet" (for Internet usage) and "Work" (for AS usage) configurations. I've figured out now that I can support everything I need if I have my settings set to: Internet, Internet, Work.

In terms of network settings, I use my main desktop IP as the gateway and my ISP DNS as the WiFi DNS. No WINS specification. You probably already knew all of that if you've been using your WiFi with your home computer.

NOTE: If you're going to use two WiFi cards for ad-hoc communications instead of deploying a WAP, then you won't be able to surf the internet even if you have one of your devices online with ICS enabled (at least I haven't been able to under that set-up). Be aware also that peer-to-peer connections are very fragile. You'll need recycle both devices and once you do get a connection, you must maintain it. Any breakage will require a recycle of BOTH devices again if you want to re-establish the connection. Any breakage is defined as any loss of signal between the two devices, turning off your PPC, popping out the WiFi card, etc. Also, the communication speed is not a great in comparison to using a WAP since the signal has more overhead required for the peer-to-peer communication.