ActiveSync 3.7.1 Released - Guest Issue Focused On

[Ed Hansberry]

<a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/resources/downloads/pocketpc/activesync37.mspx">http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/resources/downloads/pocketpc/activesync37.mspx</a><br /><br />Microsoft has released a small upgrade to ActiveSync, now at version 3.7.1. There are no new features over ActiveSync 3.7. Everything is centered on making ActiveSync connections more reliable and avoiding the dreaded "Guest" issue with a partnered device. Fixes include:<br /><br />• Enhances USB driver to improve connection stability and avoid crashes<br />• Improves detection of cradled devices<br />• Addresses issue with ActiveSync falling into guest mode repeatedly<br />• Addresses issue where desktop fails to detect cradled device<br />• Addresses issue where device and desktop report different connection states and sync does not start<br />• Improves the reliability of large file transfers<br />• Enhances Desktop Connection Wizard UI to make connection setup easier<br />• Improves stability to reduce application level crashes<br /><br />Just like ActiveSync 3.7, you'll need Windows 98, 98SE, ME, NT4 with SP6a, Windows 2000 or Windows XP. Office 97 and higher are supported except for Outlook 97. Outlook specifically needs to be 98 or higher. Of course the new Office System 2003 product line is supported. It is a free update to all Pocket PC owners and is a 3.7MB download.<br /><br /><b>Update:</b> This may appear to "hang" at around 92% complete. Be patient. I've seen AS 3.7 installs hang at 91% for 10 minutes before completing. It only took about 45 seconds here but your mileage may vary.

[sixsixty]

yes, i want to comment on that hanging issue. when i installed 3.7 on my desktop pc, it went just fine. and the first time i installed 3.7 on my laptop it went fine as well. i had a laptop harddrive failure and had to replace the harddrive and then reinstall everything. when i went to reinstall activesync 3.7 it hung at around the 92% mark. i let it go for about 5 minutes and still nothings. so i figured something was wrong. i looked all over the internet for help or advice, but nothing. i tried reinstalling a bunch of times, and still nothing. finally i tried again and just let it take its time. and after about 8 minutes or so, it finished, and everything was fine.

silly thing.

[Don Tolson]

Yup, I got the 'hang' at 92% as well -- for about 2 minutes or so on a 400mhz celeron processor (old laptop, what can I say :roll: )

Seems to work fine handling the bluetooth connection between my iPAQ 2215 and laptop, but seems to be slower getting to the 'Looking for Changes' message.

Still slow as molasses trying to talk to Outlook 2002 on my laptop and the Outlook 2000 server here at the client. It seems to sometimes take 10 minutes to complete synchronization, with tons of 'Requesting information from the Server' messages (I didn't see this when running Outlook 2000 on my laptop).

Still as slow as ever to do a backup onto the laptop..... :treadmill:

Sigh....

[karinatwork]

Before I even realized that it is in fact an official ISSUE (the "guest" thing that drove me NUTS about a hundred times already :evil: ), they've already brought out a fix.

:)

[Ed Hansberry]

Still slow as molasses trying to talk to Outlook 2002 on my laptop and the Outlook 2000 server here at the client. It seems to sometimes take 10 minutes to complete synchronization, with tons of 'Requesting information from the Server' messages (I didn't see this when running Outlook 2000 on my laptop).That is fixed in Outlook 2003. OL2003 caches all Exchange info to your hard drive and from then on, *that* is what ActiveSync syncs with, not directly against the Exchange server through the Outlook "conduit."

This is different from an OST file that OL2002 has. Very cool feature.

As for backups - I quit doing them in ActiveSync. I use www.spritesoftware.com Pocket Backup.

[petvas]

I've been using AS 3.7.1 for a couple of weeks now (beta testing it) and I am very happy with it. Very stable and quite fast. 8)

[Don Tolson]

Thanks, Ed... for the link.. I didn't know that SpriteSoft was offering a $10 US upgrade to the version they provided with the 2215. Looks pretty good.

[surur]

The installer is however a crock of something.

The web page said it should install without a restart, but after a brief hang, it said "you need to restart your computer, OK" No cancel, restart manually or anything.. And when I clicked on the X on top, it still decided I wanted to restart, and promptly did.

Hopefully this installer is not a reflection of the software, else I see a bumpy ride ahead. I already had to remove and re-seat me device in the cradle before activesync saw it for the first time.

Surur

[royisher]

Thank you ed :D

Though I don't see any difference :roll:

[Ed Hansberry]

Thank you ed :D

Though I don't see any difference :roll:
What is broken on your AS 3.7 setup that AS 3.7.1 didn't fix?

[delfuhd]

The installer is however a crock of something.

The web page said it should install without a restart, but after a brief hang, it said "you need to restart your computer, OK" No cancel, restart manually or anything.. And when I clicked on the X on top, it still decided I wanted to restart, and promptly did.

Hopefully this installer is not a reflection of the software, else I see a bumpy ride ahead. I already had to remove and re-seat me device in the cradle before activesync saw it for the first time.

Surur

Interesting, I just installed it and recieved no prompt to restart...

[Stealthboy]

:( I was hoping that this might include a fix for the dreaded Guest issue when connecting via LAN. I just tried 3.7.1 and I'm still connecting as Guest.

I'm using an AXIM upgraded to WM2003 and a Linksys WCF12 card. Since updating the OS, when I wirelessly connect using Activesync, I connect as Guest about 95% of the time. Activesync on the Axim displays "Connecting" and I'm able to browse the PPC on my PC, but the Outlook/File/Avantgo sync never starts. This didn't happen when I was still running PPC2002 on it. A Hard-reset does not resolve this.

There have been many posts on Usenet about this affecting the WM2003 iPaqs also, but according to a Microsoft MVP, there is no solution yet.

[that_kid]

This didn't do anything for me. I still can't sync via wifi and I still get that critical communications error about 70% of the time. Maybe I'll uninstall altogether and reinstall. Oh well this got me all excited but the excitement is over.

[deich]

I came here to post the same complaint surur posted. I have Sony PCG-V505, a 1.8 GHz P4, and WIN XP Pro. It takes forever to reboot. Normally, I hibernate the darned thing. If I want to reboot, I start the process when I go to bed so the computer will be ready for me after lunch the next day :( But this stupid installer rebooted right away even though I just closed the window. Oh, well. At least I had time to paint the living room. :roll:

[shawnc]

I just tried to install 3.7.1 and got prompted that "AS 3.7 is already installed, do I wish to override". I selected No because I'm certain that I selected the link to download 3.7.1.

It wouldn't have said 3.7 if it was really 3.7.1 that I was attempting to install, would it?

Oh well, my AS seems to work fine anyway. Maybe I'll just pass on the update.

[ctmagnus]

I got the same prompt and said Yes. Help -> About reports 3.7.1 now.

[shawnc]

Good looking out ctmagnus. I'll go back and try again. UPDATE: It Worked. BTW, I got hung up at 92%, but only for about 30 seconds. Other than that it went straight through.

Thanx,

[rwolf]

I just install on on celeron, and it took 6 minutes. It overide the 3.7.0 with no problems. No restart or reboot was necessary.
Seems pretty good
:mrgreen:

[NeilE]

Microsoft has released a small upgrade to ActiveSync, now at version 3.7.1.

Don't let the .1 fool you... the version number may have only had a minor tick upwards, but the changes to the USB system are significant. All the energy poured into this release was specifically targeted at addressing the issues with USB connectivity. A whole team of developers, testers, and program managers were specifically tasked with making this work, and they put their heart into it.

I've seen some amazing charts that show the reliability of USB sync before and after this update, and they made me go 8O :rock on dude!: :clap:. For everyone who's complained about how frustrating USB sync was, this update is for you!

And now, back to the ball game that will never end...

[royisher]

Thank you ed :D

Though I don't see any difference :roll:
What is broken on your AS 3.7 setup that AS 3.7.1 didn't fix?

I don't know, I didn't saw any difference... It's just the same syncing... 8O

[ppcsurfr]

Having some Anti-Virus protection active while doing an ActiveSync install may slow down the installation process.

UPDATE: Whole upgrade from 3.7 to 3.7.1 took me 2 minutes only.

Mabuhay! ~ Carlo

[Bearjaw]

Hello I have an Axim 400Mhz running PPC 2002, and a system running XP Pro. I was experiencing intermitant activesyncs...Sometimes the computer would see the axim and sync sometimes not. So i went ahead and upgraded to 3.7.1 hoping that my hook ups would be more consistant. Well install went fine..with the pause at 92% like everyone. The first link up between the axim and computer was good...So I went to bed. This morning I wake up turn the computer on and the activesync trys to connect but the axim connects and disconnects before anything can happen. Activesync on the computer sits there and keeps looking untill I shut the program down. Anyone have a clue as to what I should do....Short of upgrade to Windows Mobile 2003..lol.Any help would be appreciated. Thanks! Jeff

P.S. I should add that I have no Firewall running on my system. Including the xp fiewall. I have a router, dont worry guys I'm not naked..lol

[Ed Hansberry]

Thank you ed :D

Though I don't see any difference :roll:
What is broken on your AS 3.7 setup that AS 3.7.1 didn't fix?

I don't know, I didn't saw any difference... It's just the same syncing... 8OWell, since this didn't create anything new, as stated in the original post, and nothing you had was broken, you won't see any difference. :wink:

[dazla]

The upgrade installer fails to work at all on my XP machine. The files are unpacked to the temp directory, then nothing! Task manager reports is_setup.exe and setup.exe are running, but after several hours still nothing. Anyone else have the same problem or a solution?

[Ed Hansberry]

The upgrade installer fails to work at all on my XP machine. The files are unpacked to the temp directory, then nothing! Task manager reports is_setup.exe and setup.exe are running, but after several hours still nothing. Anyone else have the same problem or a solution?
Have you rebooted and cleared your temp folder. There is also a process to remove the Installshield engine. You might check their KB site.

[rpgman]

still connect as Guest....using WiFi :cry:

bummer

Greg

[dazla]

The upgrade installer fails to work at all on my XP machine. The files are unpacked to the temp directory, then nothing! Task manager reports is_setup.exe and setup.exe are running, but after several hours still nothing. Anyone else have the same problem or a solution?
Have you rebooted and cleared your temp folder. There is also a process to remove the Installshield engine. You might check their KB site.

Traced the problem to the Webwasher app I am running (www.webwasher.com). Once I'd unloaded it, the install sprang into life. :D

[donbacardi]

Just finished downloading this update and hot-syncing my T-Mobile MDA PPC. Took less then 1.5 munutes !! Outstanding.

:beer:

[robert_biggs]

I tried downloading and installing AS 3.7.1. Everything went fine until I restarted my computer. ActiveSync would not recognize my Axim and when I uncradle and recradle, it crashed my PC. I tried uninstalling and reinstalling 3.7.1--same results. I tried redownloading the file from MS and reinstalling, but still the same problem. I switched back to AS 3.7 and everything works fine again. I'm running Windows 98 SE with Outlook 2000. Anyone else have this problem?

[QYV]

Robert, I think it must be related to Windows 98, because I have an Axim and Outlook 2000 running on WinXP and it worked fine.

[rpgman]

I tried downloading and installing AS 3.7.1. Everything went fine until I restarted my computer. ActiveSync would not recognize my Axim and when I uncradle and recradle, it crashed my PC. I tried uninstalling and reinstalling 3.7.1--same results. I tried redownloading the file from MS and reinstalling, but still the same problem. I switched back to AS 3.7 and everything works fine again. I'm running Windows 98 SE with Outlook 2000. Anyone else have this problem?

running Win 2000 and I re-installed AS 3.7.1.....

everything went fine the first time but it didn't fix my WiFi Sync....

still sync as Guest....so I re-installed...

the AS 3.7.1 bombed on the second install, screwed my HP 2215...

had to do a hard reset....

now, everytime I try and install AS 3.7.1, it bombs saying it can't find a certain dll file...

so, back to AS 3.7 and running fine...

but, still no sucess running WiFi Sync...still hooks up only as Guest.

bummer...

Greg

[Jonathon Watkins]

Intstalled it on XP Pro. The whole install took 45 second, including a 20 second hang at 92%. Well, if it's much more reliable - then I'm all for it! :D

[Evee Ev]

i upgraded today for my monthly "hard reset day" and activesync installed and re-synced without a hitch. so far so good....

[stevehiner]

After upgrading to 3.7.1 my AvantGo won't sync any more. I noticed that the upgrade page says to reinstall AvantGo when that happens but my system is an iPAQ 2210 so it has AvantGo built in and when I go to the AvantGo site it won't give me a download for PPC2003 since it's built in.

What do I do? Where do I go? I guess I should just reinstall 3.7 since I wasn't having problems with it.

[deich]

After success with my laptop XP Pro (other than the unexpected reboot), I installed it at work on Win 2K. For some strange reason, the computer "lost" the Axim driver. I went to the Dell site and re-loaded the Axim driver. There were no further problems. Still, this sounds like a strange thing to happen. How can an ActiveSynch install upset a USB driver????

[Ed Hansberry]

After success with my laptop XP Pro (other than the unexpected reboot), I installed it at work on Win 2K. For some strange reason, the computer "lost" the Axim driver. I went to the Dell site and re-loaded the Axim driver. There were no further problems. Still, this sounds like a strange thing to happen. How can an ActiveSynch install upset a USB driver????
ActiveSync is where the USB drivers come from. After upgrading my machine to work with my 2215 and docked the first time, XP reinstalled the USB drivers and acted as if it were detecting a new device. No data or partnership info was lost though.

[powder2000]

I have had problems at work with syncing my eg-800 over wifi with as3.7. The update to 3.7.1 on my xp pro dell worked great and now syncing over wifi works without a hitch. This makes me very happy.

[fixerdude]

Somehow 3.7.1 would not authenticate. Switched back to 3.7 and works like a charm.

[Don Tolson]

As for backups - I quit doing them in ActiveSync. I use www.spritesoftware.com Pocket Backup.


thanks,ed. I upgraded the version that came with my iPAQ, but now there seems to be some sort of difficulty backing up to my PC over a bluetooth connection. I'm working with spritesoft on this one.

[Pencils]

Hi:
Haven't been here in awhile. I'm running AS 7.5 on an HP 745 and linking with two desktops, one running NT4.0SP6a and the other runs XP. Any reason for me to upgrade my AS if i'm not having any problems?

Thanks,

[deich]

Haven't been here in awhile. I'm running AS 7.5 on an HP 745 and linking with two desktops, one running NT4.0SP6a and the other runs XP. Any reason for me to upgrade my AS if i'm not having any problems?
No.

[masseyc_99]

I may have a different issue from you guys - I have had to reinstall my device probably 15 times because my batteries keep dying ... I bought another one because I thought it might be a bum one; no difference. I have since started using Sprite's PocketBackup, which has saved me one more time (and didn't save me one time, actually), but I still have the same issue. When I am in town, I use it on the way into work and out of work to get numbers to make calls. That's really it - the rest of the time, I just use Outlook!

I don't use my iPAQ 2215 any more than I used I used my Toshiba e310, yet I have to charge every day. If I leave the office on Friday without having fully charged since Thursday, I have less than 20% battery left every single time. It's really getting maddening ... hopefully I don't get yelled at for posting in an Active Sync discussion, but it is SORT OF related ... can you guys offer any help, or is it just something I have to deal with?

[dcharles18]

After upgrading to 3.7.1 my AvantGo won't sync any more. I noticed that the upgrade page says to reinstall AvantGo when that happens but my system is an iPAQ 2210 so it has AvantGo built in and when I go to the AvantGo site it won't give me a download for PPC2003 since it's built in.

What do I do? Where do I go? I guess I should just reinstall 3.7 since I wasn't having problems with it.

I'm having the same problem. I really don't want to do a hard reset and have to rebuild. Does anyone know how to get around this?