Well I installed Vista Home Premium on my laptop last weekend and it is almost
up to where I want it except for the fact that so far I have been unable
to even setup a partnership between WMDC and my WM5 Axim X51v. The Axim was
previously synching via ActiveSync 4.2 / 4.5 to my laptop when it had XP
Home Media Center edition installed.

First I installed the MWDC without the Axim in the cradle and when I could
not setup the partnership I figured I should have had the Axim in the cradle.
So I uninstalled WMDC and started over.

During the installation process I note that when it says "Installing device
drivers" or something like that (I suspect it means to the Axim) it never
lists the name of the Axim, but instead says "Unidentified Device". Anyway
the installation continues and I assume runs to the end. It asks for my Axim's
password so I know it is trying to talk to the Axim. After I enter the password
the WMDC pop-up window appears at its initial screen, says "Connected" (does
not mention what is connected), and with the choices "Setup your device"
and "Connect without setting up your device".

I click on "Setup ..." and after about 5 seconds I get a popup window that
says "Windows Mobile Device Center Sync Host has stopped working" and has
2 buttons "Debug" and "Continue". Clicking "Debug" causes it to try and find
a solution which is never does, then it presents the "Close" button. Just
around that time another dialog box pops up saying that "There is a problem
with your connection. Please disconnect and reconnect your device and try
again". Doing that repeats the cycle once or twice after which reconnecting
the Axim does not cause WMDC to pop up.

Now -- if I click the other option on the WMDC main screen (Connect without
setting up your device), the laptop sees the Axim in My Computer, and I can
Explore the Axim from the laptop. So there is a connection but no partnership,
of course.

So, it seems it does not stay connected long enough to setup the partnership
and I suspect that WMDC Host application is crashing.

Firewalls -- I had McAfee firewall on defaults, so I switched that off, and
started using Windows Firewall (also on defaults since Chris de Herrera's
website -- http://www.pocketpcfaq.com/ -- says he had no problem with the
Windows Firewall running, I assume on default). The switch to Windows Firewall
made no difference.

What do I have to do to get these 2 Microsoft OSs to talk to one another?
I called MS Support and the CS guy says since the Axim is a third party hardware
item, Tech Support can take my case for $36, or I can go to their KB, or
Community fora, etc. Useless.

Regards,
Wayne Moses
Houston, Texas

"Wayne Moses" <wmoses@houston.rr.com> wrote in message
news:fd672428214398c951a2223f859c@news-server.houston.rr.com...
> Well I installed Vista Home Premium on my laptop last weekend and it is
> almost up to where I want it except for the fact that so far I have been
> unable to even setup a partnership between WMDC and my WM5 Axim X51v. The
> Axim was previously synching via ActiveSync 4.2 / 4.5 to my laptop when it
> had XP Home Media Center edition installed.
>
> First I installed the MWDC without the Axim in the cradle and when I could
> not setup the partnership I figured I should have had the Axim in the
> cradle. So I uninstalled WMDC and started over.
>
> During the installation process I note that when it says "Installing
> device drivers" or something like that (I suspect it means to the Axim) it
> never lists the name of the Axim, but instead says "Unidentified Device".
> Anyway the installation continues and I assume runs to the end. It asks
> for my Axim's password so I know it is trying to talk to the Axim. After I
> enter the password the WMDC pop-up window appears at its initial screen,
> says "Connected" (does not mention what is connected), and with the
> choices "Setup your device" and "Connect without setting up your device".
>
> I click on "Setup ..." and after about 5 seconds I get a popup window that
> says "Windows Mobile Device Center Sync Host has stopped working" and has
> 2 buttons "Debug" and "Continue". Clicking "Debug" causes it to try and
> find a solution which is never does, then it presents the "Close" button.
> Just around that time another dialog box pops up saying that "There is a
> problem with your connection. Please disconnect and reconnect your device
> and try again". Doing that repeats the cycle once or twice after which
> reconnecting the Axim does not cause WMDC to pop up.
>
> Now -- if I click the other option on the WMDC main screen (Connect
> without setting up your device), the laptop sees the Axim in My Computer,
> and I can Explore the Axim from the laptop. So there is a connection but
> no partnership, of course.
>
> So, it seems it does not stay connected long enough to setup the
> partnership and I suspect that WMDC Host application is crashing.
>
> Firewalls -- I had McAfee firewall on defaults, so I switched that off,
> and started using Windows Firewall (also on defaults since Chris de
> Herrera's website -- http://www.pocketpcfaq.com/ -- says he had no problem
> with the Windows Firewall running, I assume on default). The switch to
> Windows Firewall made no difference.
>
> What do I have to do to get these 2 Microsoft OSs to talk to one another?
> I called MS Support and the CS guy says since the Axim is a third party
> hardware item, Tech Support can take my case for $36, or I can go to their
> KB, or Community fora, etc. Useless.

I suspect this is a problem with WMDC rather than the Axim.

Try this way instead. Uninstall it totally. Plug in the Axim and let the
PC detect the drivers (if it does not re-detect, try another usb port).
Make sure device is installed, check you can browse the axim in my computer
then unplug and reboot. Plug Axim back in. Then install WMDC. Then reboot
again. Then start up the WMDC and see if you can then create your
partnership.
Seems a funny way round, but I have used this method successfully when WMDC
was in beta.

"Wayne Moses" <wmoses@houston.rr.com> wrote in message
news:fd672428214398c951a2223f859c@news-server.houston.rr.com...
> Well I installed Vista Home Premium on my laptop last weekend and it is
> almost up to where I want it except for the fact that so far I have been
> unable to even setup a partnership between WMDC and my WM5 Axim X51v. The
> Axim was previously synching via ActiveSync 4.2 / 4.5 to my laptop when it
> had XP Home Media Center edition installed.
>
> First I installed the MWDC without the Axim in the cradle and when I could
> not setup the partnership I figured I should have had the Axim in the
> cradle. So I uninstalled WMDC and started over.

Put your Axim in the cradle, switch on, then go to Windows Update...

Hello Beck,

B> I suspect this is a problem with WMDC rather than the Axim.

I think so also. I have had very little confidence in any of MS synch programs
over the years and my first experience with WMDC is not encouraging.

B> Try this way instead. Uninstall it totally. Plug in the Axim and
B> let the
B> PC detect the drivers (if it does not re-detect, try another usb
B> port).
B> Make sure device is installed, check you can browse the axim in my
B> computer

I think this is crucial, and AFAICT this has never happened in my efforts
so far. I have not switched USB ports, and will do so this time.

B> then unplug and reboot. Plug Axim back in. Then install WMDC. Then
B> reboot
B> again. Then start up the WMDC and see if you can then create your
B> partnership.
B> Seems a funny way round, but I have used this method successfully
B> when WMDC
B> was in beta.

This is an approach I have not deliberately tried, but have probably done
in the course of my three uninstalls / reinstalls of WMDC. However, I will
follow these steps to the letter and get back to you.

Regards,
Wayne Moses
Houston, Texas

Hello Schrodinger's cat,

S> "Wayne Moses" <wmoses@houston.rr.com> wrote in message
S> news:fd672428214398c951a2223f859c@news-server.houston.rr.com...
S>
>> Well I installed Vista Home Premium on my laptop last weekend and it
>> is almost up to where I want it except for the fact that so far I
>> have been unable to even setup a partnership between WMDC and my WM5
>> Axim X51v. The Axim was previously synching via ActiveSync 4.2 / 4.5
>> to my laptop when it had XP Home Media Center edition installed.
>>
>> First I installed the MWDC without the Axim in the cradle and when I
>> could not setup the partnership I figured I should have had the Axim
>> in the cradle. So I uninstalled WMDC and started over.

S> Put your Axim in the cradle, switch on, then go to Windows Update...

While brevity might indeed be the soul of wit, and I went to great pains
to try and explain all that I did and yet met with no success thus far, could
you please explain what putting the Axim in the cradle and going to the Windows
Update site was supposed to achieve?

Just to be sure, I did so and it said my Windows was up to date. I forced
it to check again and it said the same thing. I ran WMDC and it did the same
thing -- WMDC Sync Host stopped working and the connecton was lost.

Regards,
Wayne Moses
Houston, Texas

"Wayne Moses" <wmoses@houston.rr.com> wrote in message
news:fd6724282169e8c9521d20c5a244@news-server.houston.rr.com...
> Hello Schrodinger's cat,
>

<SNIP>

>
> S> Put your Axim in the cradle, switch on, then go to Windows Update...
>
> While brevity might indeed be the soul of wit, and I went to great pains
> to try and explain all that I did and yet met with no success thus far,
> could you please explain what putting the Axim in the cradle and going to
> the Windows Update site was supposed to achieve?

I wasn't trying to be witty - just helpful.

It was supposed to achieve a fix for you. Just like it did for me (and
others). After I installed Vista, I had to download an update before my X50v
would play. I can still see it in my Update History. It's called "Microsoft
Corporation driver update for Dell Axim USB Sync" and is dated 7th April
2007. You may already have that update but it wasn't clear from your
original post. I don't believe this update will be triggered unless you have
a Dell in the cradle.

You did indeed go to "Great pains to explain all" that you did. None of
things seemed to be what I suggested you do.

On the subject of brevity, your last paragraph (the one just below this)
would have been adequate as a reply. Instead you chose to add an unjustified
dig at someone who was trying to help you.

I believe the phrase you guys favour is "Have a nice day y'all."

Martin

>
> Just to be sure, I did so and it said my Windows was up to date. I forced
> it to check again and it said the same thing. I ran WMDC and it did the
> same thing -- WMDC Sync Host stopped working and the connecton was lost.
>
> Regards,
> Wayne Moses
> Houston, Texas
>
>

Hello Martin / Schrodinger's cat,

>> While brevity might indeed be the soul of wit, and I went to great
>> pains to try and explain all that I did and yet met with no success
>> thus far, could you please explain what putting the Axim in the
>> cradle and going to the Windows Update site was supposed to achieve?
>>
S> I wasn't trying to be witty - just helpful.

Now, I know that, and as a matter of fact, your present reply has been the
best one so far in that it had the one clue that set me on the right path.
More on that below.

S> It was supposed to achieve a fix for you. Just like it did for me
S> (and others).

As I said, I could not get that from the 13-word sentence you initially posted,
especially since it seemed almost to be a restatement of the obvious (especially
after I tried it and it did nothing for me), and therefore unhelpful and
'witty' as you put it.

S> After I installed Vista, I had to download an update
S> before my X50v would play. I can still see it in my Update History.
S> It's called "Microsoft Corporation driver update for Dell Axim USB
S> Sync" and is dated 7th April 2007.

*That* was the clue that set me on the path to what I believe to be success
-- I have not finished it yet since I wanted to reply to your post before
having to re-boot etc. I will report back later on the final outcome.

*However*, after your clue above, I Googles it and found a whole bunch of
other discussions, including ones focusing on Dell and Toshiba PPCs, and
the need for this special driver.

S> You may already have that update
S> but it wasn't clear from your original post.

True, it was not in my original post and it was not installed on my PC, even
after your suggested Windows Update with Axim in cradle option.

S> I don't believe this
S> update will be triggered unless you have a Dell in the cradle.

Here is the rub -- yes, the Axim has to be in the cradle, *but* it will only
get this update after you do certain other things.

a) On the Axim, go to Start... Settings... Connections... find and tap "USB
to PC"

b) Clear the checkbox that says Enable Advanced Networking Functionality.
This switches the device back to serial mode.

Once I put the Axim back in the cradle things started happening. First off
it loaded some Dell Sync driver or the other (forget the exact message now
and I did not capture the screen). *Then* after that was done, Windows Update
kicked in and said I had 1 update to install. Guess which one it was?

Even before getting the update, I (a) noticed that the Axim did not drop
connection after 10 - 20 seconds like it did before, and (b) did what Beck
suggested -- made sure I could browse the Axim from Start > Computer.

I went ahead and installed the "Microsoft Corporation driver update for Dell
Axim USB Sync" driver and then came to finish off this post. I am going to
attempt to re-install WMDC _again_ and see if I can finally achieve success.

S> On the subject of brevity, your last paragraph (the one just below
S> this) would have been adequate as a reply. Instead you chose to add
S> an unjustified dig at someone who was trying to help you.

It all has to do with putting yourself in the other guys shoes, and I believe
I explained why I said what I said above, hopefully convincingly.

S> I believe the phrase you guys favour is "Have a nice day y'all."

I am Canadian presently living (for the moment) in Texas. Still I have nothing
against that folksy parting wish. :-)

Regards,
Wayne Moses
Houston, Texas

Hi Wayne, Hope this helps!
I had the same problems you are having when connecting my Axim X51. I also upgraded from XP Media Edition. Here are some of the steps I took.
1. Go to remove programs and uninstall Active Sync. Until I did this I had all kind of problems as Active Sync was running in the background. Also uninstall Windows Mobile Device Manager and the Windows Mobile Device Manager Update.
2. Update your Axim BIOS to version A12. This update may be obtained from the Dell Support page. There are two versions make sure you get the right version for your Axim model. After doing this you will be able to go to connections and choose USB to PC. You may also want to uncheck the box for enabeling advanced network functionallity.
3.Plug your cradle into the USB port, turn on your Axim and insert it in the cradle, and redownload Windows Mobile Device Manager. You will know if this works if when finished installing you get a screen that says Setup Device. This will establish a partnership with the PC and will allow you to choose which files and folders you wish to sync. At this point in time you can only sync in Outlook or Exchange Server format for mail, contacts, canendar, notes, etc. You can also sync picturres, music, etc. using Windows Media Player.
Getting mine to work was a pain but it now works just fine. It is reconized as a Windows Mobile Device and I am now a "Happy Camper". Hope this will help you too.

Bob

Hello BVD,

B> Hi Wayne, Hope this helps!
B> I had the same problems you are having when connecting my Axim X51. I
B> also upgraded from XP Media Edition. Here are some of the steps I
B> took.

Bob,

Thanks for the suggestions, but I had done that already to no avail.

I called MS and eventually spent almost a full week of daily callbacks (they
called me) from a very helpful but ultimately useless (in terms of a solution)
person in the R&D Department (referred there since CS could not assist).
That ime when I called, the L1 support woman (also very nice) made *no* mention
of any fee either.

Long story short -- I solved it myself and passed along the solution to the
R&D guy, who was very grateful.

I used the excellent Vista Computer Management program to see the Event Logs,
wherein I determined that a dll file called PISync.dll was causing the problem.
Knowing that this was placed there by WebIS' Journal Sync, I removed PISync.dll
and all the other parts in the directory left back after an unclean uninstall.
I also edited the Registry to remove all references to that dll file and
other similar dll files. I then rebooted the PC and it synced right up after
that. Total time 15 minutes.

The MS R&D guy was reluctant to hack the registry and did not even clue in
about using the Event Logs to help diagnose the problem.

Now it syncs just fine, even after reloading 90% of the stuff I had on the
Axim. I still have to finish putting back all the software he made me uninstall
during his attempts at solving the problem.

Regards,
Wayne Moses
Houston, Texas