Help! Problems with Activesync and the Audiovox XV6600 syncing....

[ToddJ]

I have a friend who has the Audiovox XV6600 Pocket PC phone (for Verizon.) Prior to that, he had a Verizon Samsung i700 phone. On both phones, he could not get either one to sync with his computer (he's using Windows XP.) On the first attempt to sync, it would say "Critical communications services have failed to start. Try resetting the mobile device and then connect again." I have tried everything i could think of. I started with Activesync 3.7 and then tried 3.8 and 4.1. I did a hard reset on the device, but it didn't help. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[Darius Wey]

More often than not, this error message appears due to a firewall issue - usually because access privileges for ActiveSync and its communication services haven't been properly set. Does your friend have any software firewalls installed and running - e.g. ZoneAlarm, Norton Internet Security, Windows Firewall (this is included in Windows XP, by default), etc.?

[ToddJ]

Yeah...i shut both off (the McAfee Firewall and the Windows one) to no avail.

[Darius Wey]

What have you set to synchronise between the Pocket PC and computer? Third-party ActiveSync conduits can cause errors if it hasn't been properly put together.

Also, what third-party software do you have installed on the Pocket PC? Some products may be breaking the sync routine.

[ToddJ]

I'm not sure if it even let me choose what to sync. It would come up with the error from the start.

I even tried doing a hard reset and it still did the same thing....might the rom on the phone possibly need an update?

[Darius Wey]

I'm not sure if it even let me choose what to sync. It would come up with the error from the start.

Usually, you can only choose the options when (1) the device has synchronised, or (2) you first create the partnership. This is usually performed in Tools > Options.

I even tried doing a hard reset and it still did the same thing....might the rom on the phone possibly need an update?

Well, I can suggest a few options from here. Something has obviously gone wrong and it's difficult to pinpoint the exact cause.

(1) Open ActiveSync on the Pocket PC and open the Connections settings. Ensure USB is selected as the active connection.

(2) Remove any intermediary devices such as USB hubs. Have the device directly connected to your PC at all times.

(3) Delete the partnership and start over. You will find this in File > Delete Mobile Device (for ActiveSync 4.x on the PC).

(4) Check to see you've allowed USB connections in ActiveSync on the PC. You will find this in File > Connection Settings > Allow USB Connections (make sure it's ticked).

(5) Soft-reset your Pocket PC. Usually, that fixes most problems.

(6) Completely uninstall ActiveSync (which you've already tried), but also any related third-party programs (e.g. Pocket PC installers, sync conduits, etc.). Then reinstall ActiveSync.

(7) As you suggested yourself, try updating the device to the latest ROM. But do not attempt a cross-ROM backup/restore. That only creates further problems. It's better to update the ROM, then start fresh.

If you want a quick way of localising the problem to your PC or Pocket PC, try connecting the Pocket PC to another computer. If a connection can be established and maintained, you can safely assume that it's not the Pocket PC at fault, but rather the original PC. Because you've already tried hard-resetting your Pocket PC, I'm guessing it's the PC causing these issues - most likely, something tampering with the USB connection (system conflicts and/or old drivers).

[ToddJ]

If putting a different ROM on the pocket pc worked...how could I restore the data then?

[Darius Wey]

If putting a different ROM on the pocket pc worked...how could I restore the data then?

If it's application files you're talking about, then you'll have to install the applications manually.

If it's PIM data (e.g. contacts, calendar, etc.) and you have them stored on Outlook on the PC, you can sync them across by establishing an ActiveSync partnership.

[ToddJ]

that is the problem....i can't activesync...i never have been able to

[Darius Wey]

that is the problem....i can't activesync...i never have been able to

Did you try synchronising with another computer, as I suggested earlier? That's the best way for localising the issue to either your PC or Pocket PC, and by the looks of it, the former is what's at fault here.