Database Develop

Near Brick - Touchscreen Unresponsize

I think my phone is on its last leg. The screen has just recently become unresponsive. However, the hardware buttons (minus power) and the keyboard all still function.
I would try a reinstall of a new ROM to see if it is a hardware or software issue, but here is my dilemma. I am unable to connect to ActiveSync, so I am unable to get any contacts synced with my desktop and there were several new contacts from my last sync that I don't want to lose.
So, does anyone know of a trick to get the information (PIM is all I care about) off of the device even though ActiveSync isn't working? There is the PIMBackup (v1.9) program that I already had installed, but unfortunately it *requires* taps to activate. D-Pad and/or keyboard navigation does not work, so I can't backup to an SD card.
FYI, I'm using Helmi_BA_WM2k5_AKU3.5_v1.4.CF2 ROM if that helps.
Any help is greatly appreciated as I cannot make outgoing calls until this is resolved.
I'll try a ROM reflash as a last resort, but I would really like to be able to backup first. I'm even willing to mess around with hardware if people could walk me through it.

why can't you use activesync?

It says it cannot recognize the device. This is a somewhat recent happening, but not direclty related to this failure as that stopped working last week. I made the backup last week and never got around to investigating further.
Unless someone has a really great idea worth waiting for, I'm going to open it up when I get home (no tools small enough at work) and make sure that all of the connections are good. If that doesn't solve it, then I'm going to try reflashing a new ROM. If that doesn't work, then I've got insurance on the device (through Sate Farm) and I'll have to see what my options for repair/replacement are.
Hope it doesn't come down to it, but does anyone have any experience with phone insurance?

Would this work?
I just came across this thread/utility which will dump the entire ROM
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=238945
If I were to dump the rom, could someone with a "working" device upload it and then extract the PIM data (using PimBackup, whatever)? If so, I would be very grateful, heck I might even send some $$$ via PayPal.
Are there any other solutions?

Ok, I just got through disassembling the device and making sure that all of the connections were tight. Still, the touchscreen is unresponsive.
I've got ROM dumps, so if someone would be so kind as to flash those ROMs and extract the PIM data, I would be very appreciative. I don't want to just post the links for everyone to be able to download (since it does contain all of my information). If you would be willing to do this, then I'll give $20 via PayPal or another payment method. Either post here or PM me if you are interested.
Thanks,
Jonathon

have you tryed backup solutions like sprite backup or spb backup ?

I have not. I'm assuming that I would have to use the 2577 trick to install the program. Do you know if you can operate those programs without a touchscreen?

Someone tell me if I am wrong but only copying the file \pim.vol should be sufficient for backing up all PIM data. You can do this with Resco explorer, it can be controlled only with keys I think.

Wexx said:
but only copying the file \pim.vol should be sufficient for backing up all PIM data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is getting increasingly temperamental. Do you know if you can extract that from the ROM dump files? If so, can someone at least point me in the right direction as that would be much appreciated.
-Jonathon

Have you checked your USB cable, or tried to sync via blue tooth?
I had a similar issue. Every time I'd plug the phone into any computer, it would say that there was an error with the device and would not do anything with it.
It turned out that I had a broken wire in my cable. I replaced that cable with a working one (sacrificed a very old smart media card reader), and I was able to sync it.
From there, it was easy to pull the digitizer settings into a file (found a free program that was designed for people who have vision problems), flash the phone and reset the old settings as my touch screen is cracked and a manual alignment will not work any longer.
Plus, there are 'remote control' programs out there for WM that let you use it, even with a dead touchscreen.

No, I haven't checked the cable but I'll see what i can do. I don't currently have a computer that I can sync with Bluetooth, but I'll see if I can't get that working as well. I've already got 'remote control' programs installed, so if I do manage to get ActiveSync running, then I'll be golden. Thanks for the input.
Does nobody know if you can extract the pim.vol file from the ROM dump?

Just Sharing :
My friend have similar problem. Both of us use BA. Our Solution was :
- My friend have a PIM backup using SPB Backup (exe files)
- I ran the exe file in my BA to get the PIM
- Sync it to my PC and save the PIM with MS Outlook (pst file)
- My friend can open this pst file on his PC

I got it!!!
Here is what I did. Note, you can remap the softkeys to hardware buttons, so at least a few more commands are available.
First, I installed Pim Backup
http://www.pocketpcfreeware.com/en/index.php?soft=1806
Then I installed Resco File Explorer. I was able to put the Pim Backup executable on the storage card and run it without using the touchscreen. I stored the backup on the SD card, then just ran restore on a different device.
Thanks for all the suggestions!

Good to hear that you were able to backup, but were you able to do something about the unresponsive touchscreen?

Concerning the touchscreen, I am wondering if it isn't a software issue. It comes and goes, but interestingly enough there are certain things that seem to trigger it more than others. For instance, directly touching the Today screen will almost always lock it up and then nothing responds. However, other applications seem to work fine for brief periods of time.
I have just been swamped and a little hestitant to try reflashing to a new ROM. However, you can still navigate most applications (especialy basic ones) by just mapping the softkeys to hardware buttons and using the d-pad and keyboard.
Has anyone else had a similar problem in that the software was locking up the touchscreen? The only reason (other than being busy) is that if it is hardware then I won't be able to even get past the setup portion. I can't connect via ActiveSync (again making me think it is a software issue), so some types of backups are just not feasible. Oh yeah, I did try a different sync cable and it didn't work as well.

Sync Install and Uninstall problems

Happy New year to everybody...
Mine has started off bad, I just returned from my X-mas/New year break and I can no longer sync, install or uninstall programs ?
when I connect my PDA to the PC it sees it, but it can't sync, if I go to remove/add programs it shows empty nothing installed.
I can even brows the PDA but I can't copy files to or from it?
I'm lost, can anyone help me out on this I really don't want to do a hard reset.
Thanks.

Anyone.........?

tryed to reinstall active-sync?
did you installed some program has to do with network (kind of ftp-server or something else that uses some ports in you network-config)
i had the problem with filezilla ftp-server, using port 990 for ssl-authentification.
the problem was, active-sync also uses this port, but filezilla starting as service was bound to this, so AS could not work.

edi said:
tryed to reinstall active-sync?
did you installed some program has to do with network (kind of ftp-server or something else that uses some ports in you network-config)
i had the problem with filezilla ftp-server, using port 990 for ssl-authentification.
the problem was, active-sync also uses this port, but filezilla starting as service was bound to this, so AS could not work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Edi, No I haven't installed anything, but I think my problem might be something else (worse), I just realised that I can no longer copy move or delete files from either the PDA or the MC, I get an "access is denied" error.
Anyone have any idea what might have caused this? and better still, is there a fix.

I seem to be repeating myself lately with this answer, so I apologise if it seems down-right obvious, but have you ensured you have the latest version of ActiveSync/Windows Mobile Device Centre?
The reason I ask this is because I too was experiencing Sync problems using WMDV, but realised I didn't have the latest version (it doesn't automatically update with Windows Update, WTF?). Windows Mobile 6 is obviously programmed slightly different from revious versions, so updating Sync software is a simple step that's often missed...

Audio said:
I seem to be repeating myself lately with this answer, so I apologise if it seems down-right obvious, but have you ensured you have the latest version of ActiveSync/Windows Mobile Device Centre?
The reason I ask this is because I too was experiencing Sync problems using WMDV, but realised I didn't have the latest version (it doesn't automatically update with Windows Update, WTF?). Windows Mobile 6 is obviously programmed slightly different from revious versions, so updating Sync software is a simple step that's often missed...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Audio,
Thanks for the reply, but I do have the latest version and I never had a problem with it until this week.

Just so i can try and help, what is it you are using Dave? AS or WMDV?

Audio said:
Just so i can try and help, what is it you are using Dave? AS or WMDV?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Audio, I use both, AS at work and WMDV at home, both used to work fine.

And do you experience the issue on both?
EDIT: Apparently, there may be a problem with ActiveSync 4.5. Just take a look at this list of complaints about it lol.
One user stated:
"I was using AS4.2 with my ETen M700, everything was fine. I wanted to upgrade to WM6 and teh instructions said I needed to use AS4.5 I installed it and tried to connect my device - disaster! The rapimgr.exe process runs at 99% and slows the computer to a crawl.
After 3 attempts, I uninstalled it, and re-installed AS4.2 (available from www.microsoft.com) and now things are working again. "
This may be worth doing to see if this soilves your problem...

Audio said:
And do you experience the issue on both?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I have tried it on three different machines, I can see the PDA but it won't sync or let me move or copy files.
It look like I might have to do a hard reset, but I'm hoping not

Also, a chap on a premium (you have to pay for support!) site said the following, which seems slightly similar:
"I've been using ActiveSync for a while now to sync outlook up to my motorola q. For some strange reason it's stopped working. The connection takes place, you get the little signal saying that ActiveSync picks up on it, the "Connecting" message, followed by the "Synchronizing" message... and nothing. It just hangs there. I've reinstalled ActiveSync and Outlook and did a hard reset on the phone. I'm convinced the issue is with the desktop, if I take the same PDA home, I'm able to sync up with my PC there. Does anyone know what happens during the Synchronizing phase and what could be possibly causing it to hang? ActiveSync 4.5 is a new beast, solutions to the older versions don't seem to apply.
If I hit the Stop button, ActiveSync hangs on the "Stopping" message and ActiveSync on the phone becomes unresponsive until I unplug the cable."
So even a Hard reset didn't solve this guys problems...
I would recommend uninstalling AS 4.5 from your machine, and installing 4.2. Reason being, i believe you need your phone connected to the computer when you install syncing software, so it more than likely "fiddles" with some very well hidden settings on the device. If this is the case, 4.5 may have [email protected] it up, but 4.2 may be your savior.
If you decide to give it a go, let us know how it goes...

Audio said:
Also, a chap on a premium (you have to pay for support!) site said the following, which seems slightly similar:
"I've been using ActiveSync for a while now to sync outlook up to my motorola q. For some strange reason it's stopped working. The connection takes place, you get the little signal saying that ActiveSync picks up on it, the "Connecting" message, followed by the "Synchronizing" message... and nothing. It just hangs there. I've reinstalled ActiveSync and Outlook and did a hard reset on the phone. I'm convinced the issue is with the desktop, if I take the same PDA home, I'm able to sync up with my PC there. Does anyone know what happens during the Synchronizing phase and what could be possibly causing it to hang? ActiveSync 4.5 is a new beast, solutions to the older versions don't seem to apply.
If I hit the Stop button, ActiveSync hangs on the "Stopping" message and ActiveSync on the phone becomes unresponsive until I unplug the cable."
So even a Hard reset didn't solve this guys problems...
I would recommend uninstalling AS 4.5 from your machine, and installing 4.2. Reason being, i believe you need your phone connected to the computer when you install syncing software, so it more than likely "fiddles" with some very well hidden settings on the device. If this is the case, 4.5 may have [email protected] it up, but 4.2 may be your savior.
If you decide to give it a go, let us know how it goes...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Audio, I don't know what to do, I started another thread about no longer being able to either copy, move, delete, install or uninstall anything, I really don't think it's a sync problem anymore. I will wait another day or so and then I'm going clear storage and start again.
what really pisses me off is my wife has no problems at all? perhaps my PDA is ******.

Exactly the same has just happened to me - I tried to connect to ActiveSync this morning to copy a file across via bluetooth, but it refused to connect. I plugged in the USB cable, nothing - the phone charges but ActiveSync does not want to know.
I deleted the device in AS, tried to add a new one - nothing found.
I last sync'd up fine 4 days ago.
I am using Dutty's DualTouch v1.1 release.
I am using AS 4.5.0 build 5096
If I discover services via BT from the kaiser to the computer it finds the ActiveSync service.
I have done a soft reset, no difference, restarted the PC, same. I haven't applied any Windows Updates or made any changes since it stopped working.
I might try rolling back to AS 4.2
Edit: Same with AS4.2
Think it might be clear storage time
Cleared storage and then it worked fine...will take the opportunity to upgrade to dualtouch v2

Hi Blaze, damn it's annoying isn't it, my next move is clear storage as well.
Hope mine works again.

It's bloody happened again I reflashed the rom with Duty's Dual Touch V2. Much better rom, but activesync has just given up again via BT and usb. Maybe it's some inherent problem with WM, or with Duty's roms - which are you using Dave?
I've tried it on a fresh build of XP Pro on an old machine with nothing than AS & Outlook 2k3 on - same, AS sees the device, but wont sink. Problem seems with the device...

Dave... said:
perhaps my PDA is ******.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry I cant help other than to say my dutty rom is working fine on WMDC.
But I had to post and ask why you asterisked out the "ed" and left the lrest of the word in?

Brilliant! Lmao! :d:d:d

unwired4 said:
Sorry I cant help other than to say my dutty rom is working fine on WMDC.
But I had to post and ask why you asterisked out the "ed" and left the lrest of the word in?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good Point I didn't even notice, put it down to stress...
PS: For anyone who's interested, I ended up doing a hard reset, reinstalled my apps, restored my backups and it's working fine now.

Did you have F-secure Mobile installed? If not, I could take that away from possibilities that's causing this problem

**FRIENDS AGAIN** Activesync argument after 8yr friendship

I’ve had the diamond for approx 1 month and regularly sync it to my work and home pc running XP and Vista respectively. Up until now I’ve never had a problem with activesync to any of my past smartphones or PPC’s.
My diamond has all of a sudden decided that it doesn’t want to sync anymore. It connects ok and I can transfer files back and forth it just won’t sync.
I’ve searched the forum and found similar symptoms but nothing has worked.
I’ve deleted the partnership from the device and both pc’s, created new partnerships which on first connection does actually sync (sometimes) but from then on either says “looking for changes” or “synchronising” until it times out giving the error message “Synchronising cannot be completed successfully. Reconnect your device and try again. If the problem persists, see the Microsoft Activesync Troubleshooter in Microsoft Help on your desktop computer”
I’ve tried the help, I’ve let it do its own diagnostic, I’ve unchecked the “enable advanced network functionality” option in USB to PC. I’ve soft reset, hard reset, the only thing I haven’t done is re-flash a new rom.
Does anybody know if flashing a new rom/radio will solve the problem. I would normally just try it but I spent an hour yesterday after I hard reset putting everything back to the way I like it only to find that it synced the first time but wouldn’t work again.
If anyone has any other suggestions before a re-flash I would welcome them. Otherwise I’ll bite the bullet and hope for the best.
I’m currently running Duttys V1.6 Radio version 1.00.25.07

I Had this problem
Hey fella, i was having this problem and after doing a little research i found the following.. If you constantly activate and deactivate the mobile (pair and unpair) you can corrupt A/S on the system. The only way i got around this was to uninstall active sync and re-install it again.
Hope this helps...!

I've never been able to get activesync to work harmoniously between relationships with two PCs.
Most syncs with a second machine after successful syncs with a first tend to result in errors that require my intervention, especially if an item of data has been changed. Drives me mad sometimes, and I often need to spend more time fixing these errors than it would take to manually update stuff across my three devices. I get the feeling the comparison/processing engine activesync uses is no where near sophisticated or clever enough to carry out the processing, and when it does have errors, the scope for my intervention to help it in its quandary are fairly hopeless.
I'm hoping that as devices like the diamond bring this lets face, it fundamentally great, but nevertheless fundamentally flawed platform to the masses, then Microsoft will have to put more effort into activesync and how it copes with relationships across two (or perhaps even more in future) PCs.
Ps, neomagik, actual connection, which sometimes has hiccups, has never been a big problem for me, (a few minutes in the various settings usually sorts these), but I've been using activesync for about 4 years before my diamond with with my HP4700 and various double PC partnerships along the way, and can confidently say that the problems I describe are not device related, but are the result of activesync inadequacies.

Thanks fyew-jit-tiv but I've tried that already. Also, it wont sync to WMDC in Vista either and it's unlikely that the same fault occured in AS and WMDC at the same time. This is what leads me to believe it's the Diamond and not the PC's.

Been there, done that....
Suprised you've not had this issue earlier...I've been suffering with Activesync issues for years
There are lots of ways to diagnose and resolve but perhaps you just might want to get the sledgehammer out...this mostly works for me....(I hope your familiar with Outlook!)
On one PC (I would use the XP "older" Op system one) export your synced data from Outlook to a .pst or .ost file for backup and later import (after delete & tidy stuff you no longer need in Calander/Contacts/Tasks, etc)
then
Delete all your data in Outlook, create a new empty .pst (connect to same), delete old .pst
then
delete partnership with device (to be sure), and remove same data (Contacts/Calander etc) from device
then
You can then check the exported/saved .pst for errors (I can't remember the MS programme...google for it), once satisifed OK import all you info back into Outlook
then
Synchronise with new partnership to device.
Hopefully so far so good
(sometimes I even rename the device-partnersip etc in case something "residual" there stays behind and corrupts something )
Next
Prior to connecting device with WORK PC:
Delete all previously synced data in Outlook and delete partnership there. I then make sure that in Activesync (before establishing new partnership) that I click option for one way data transfer ie replace items on computer with those from device
then
...plug in and establish new partnership, hopefully no problems....data populates computer from device. Once established then put back how you prefer data to be transfered (if there is a conflict etc)
Return home and partnership there still synchronised, Hopefully this works
If you find that there are still issues, you can un-Check and Check each synced area (Contacts, Calander, Tasks, Synced Files) independently to see where the conflict is.....
...I have found conflicts mostly occur with:
i) Calander: Birthdays/Anniversarys (probably as they are extended recurring events)
ii) Calnder: Meetings etc that might be recurring
There are real issues if using old versions of Outlook (2000 for me at work ) syncing with most recent ones!!
Sorry for the mad typing but best I can do for a "Quick" reply....Good luck !!

Studz, I know what you mean, I often get errors where it asks you to "resolve item" and after a while of playing it usually works. This is different, it won't sync at all.

neomagik said:
Studz, I know what you mean, I often get errors where it asks you to "resolve item" and after a while of playing it usually works. This is different, it won't sync at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Presume you have done the most obvious, and that is un-install and re-install Activesync and the Vista sync programme on both PC's ?

neomagik said:
Studz, I know what you mean, I often get errors where it asks you to "resolve item" and after a while of playing it usually works. This is different, it won't sync at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had this once I think a year or so back. Tried so many things that I can't remember what finally fixed it.
I think a good place to start though, like PJ6363 says, is do a clean sweep... re-install activesync on both machines, and I would also reinitialise your Outlook Account (.pst) on the master PC and delete on all other devices.
Good luck, and tell us how you get on.

neomagik said:
Thanks fyew-jit-tiv but I've tried that already. Also, it wont sync to WMDC in Vista either and it's unlikely that the same fault occured in AS and WMDC at the same time. This is what leads me to believe it's the Diamond and not the PC's.[/QUOT
Neomagik... Sorry i could help any further fella.. As i said in last post i had this problem and i just re-installed A/S... The only other thing i done after i un-installed A/S was to run a registry cleaner.!
P.s i don't think is down to the Diamond. I Was having this problem with the Touch (elf) too...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

well, i have similar issue w/ sync and finally, i solved the problem by changing the sync cable.

Thanks folks,
I'm going to try all of these.
@ Snufkin, I'm using two different sync cables so I know this is not the problem.

My diamond did funny things when the screen would turn off quickly after connecting because i set it not to charge when connected. Gave all sorts of weird errors.
Now, screen stays on because i want it to charge and sync completes now, still takes a while though.

You guys are aware that WM6.1 has a problem syncing with 2 computers, aren't you?
Some people claim they managed to do it and I believe them, only none of the voodoo worked for me. Never had that problem with WM5 and 6.

pedmond said:
You guys are aware that WM6.1 has a problem syncing with 2 computers, aren't you?
Some people claim they managed to do it and I believe them, only none of the voodoo worked for me. Never had that problem with WM5 and 6.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there is a long thread about this issue somewhere conclusion 100% in wm 6.1 you can not sync with 2 PC. this is a wm 6.1. related problem.
i can sync with 2 pC my athena with wm 6 but i can not do it with the diamond or trinity. don't even try it. it will mes you the whole outlook!

Sync with WM6.1....off course u can!
Been syncing my Kaiser and now Diamond with WM6.1 for well over a year with 2 PC's. Must have done it at least 20 times with various devices and ROM's. Kicker is that my work has W2000 & O2000, and at home I use XP and O2007....still works!!
I'm not saying I don't occasionally have issues...but I do carry more than 1000 contacts and and extended calander with numerous recurring entries
.....like I've posted before (as many others) there are issues, but nothing insurmountable. I'd be lost if I could not sync my work PC, homw PC and PDA
Read around and you'll see........

here u are, i found the thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=377823
i tried long and hard to sync my diamond with 2 pc. all i got is errors and double tasks and appointments. got tired and gave up! my contacts list is too precious to play with!. i do have over 600 contacts and 1300 numbers (tlf, mobile, fax).
in order to have my diamond sync with 2 pc i syinc it with one, then i sync my athena and sync with the second....lol...this is my way to have 2 pc and 2 htc devices in sync.

I had my Diamond (and previous Trinity) synced with 2 pc's. No major problems until now.

It's dead
OK, I have tried the steps suggested by PJ6363 with no success. It won’t sync to the first pc let alone the second.
I then decided to dig out the old C500. After blowing the dust off I hard reset to clear out any info left on it. Plugged it in and hey presto, immediate sync. Unplugged it and tried again, another sync. Added a contact whilst synced and it updated straight away.
I then deleted all partnerships on pc and diamond and plugged it in. It went through the usual setup and connected to the device as before but surprise surprise, no sync.
Does this not mean that the data on the PC is fine and it is a problem with the Diamond, possibly a hardware problem?
Unless anyone else can suggest anything I’m going to flash a new rom but I have a strong suspicion it will not make a difference.

neomagik said:
OK, I have tried the steps suggested by PJ6363 with no success. It won’t sync to the first pc let alone the second.
I then decided to dig out the old C500. After blowing the dust off I hard reset to clear out any info left on it. Plugged it in and hey presto, immediate sync. Unplugged it and tried again, another sync. Added a contact whilst synced and it updated straight away.
I then deleted all partnerships on pc and diamond and plugged it in. It went through the usual setup and connected to the device as before but surprise surprise, no sync.
Does this not mean that the data on the PC is fine and it is a problem with the Diamond, possibly a hardware problem?
Unless anyone else can suggest anything I’m going to flash a new rom but I have a strong suspicion it will not make a difference.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It looks like something other than what I have been pointing out....see here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=377823
I think you need to get serious and re-install the actual software itself on the device (hard reset), appears that Activesync on PC's is good...but would re-install there anyway!!
Look at it this way, you have found a sweet excuse to update your ROM withthe latest version and clean up your contacts/calander etc....should not be an issue with a fresh ROM install (try SwiftB 6.0....excellent!!)...let us know how you get on

Ah ha....forgot something critical...if you are syncing using older version of Windows (2000) or Outlook ...or any issues syncing for that matter, then I found that you MUST go to Settings->Connections->USB to PC and turn off Enable Advanced Network Functionality...have you done this?

Oops, WM Device Center broken

I wonder if anyone can help me with a somewhat self-made mess. I've been able to sync fine with my Vista desktop using WMDC. However, I had some recent problems with media player trying to sync every god damn usb flash drive that I plugged in and on one forum somewhere I unregistered portabledeviceapi.dll using regsvr32.
I since found another solution to the annoying media player problem and re-registered the dll.
Unfortunately device center seems to have lost all my sync information and when I connected my Kaiser all the pim data disappeared! I managed to restore it as I back up every morning using spb backup. Interestingly the HanDbase sync module worked fine when I connected as I think it works separately from ActiveSync.
Can anyone make any suggestions as to how I can pair my Kaiser again with my PC without losing my contacts and diary? Ideally I'd like an "overwrite PC with data on mobile device" but you can't change these options until you make a connection, by which time everything has disappeared!

I'm afraid I can't speak with too much authority on this one as I only Sync with an XP laptop, I do connect my Kaiser to a Vista machine every now and then but it's only when dumping POI updates to TomTom and similar.
Unless I'm getting the logic wrong, or missing a crucial element, couldn't you set-up the sync between the PC and the PDA (with the PC then 'overwriting the PDA data with nothing'), then define as you mentioned that the PDA's contents have priority. Next restore everything from your spb backup, and then the next time you sync surely the setting made previously to give the PDA priority would mean everything is taken from your (spb-restored) PDA over to your desktop?
It's a bit clumsy and long-winded I know, but could it work?
Regards,
Rob.

Well I had everything backup up just in case. I actually reinstalled device center after downloading from the microsoft website. Everything just worked again after going through a long sync the first time. There were maybe a couple of duplicated calendar entries, not much to get upset about.
Will try not to go breaking things in future! Thanks for your suggestion.

Active sync alternative program?

Heya guys, what would you suggest in terms of a program that is a good alternative to active sync. i'm getting really really pissed off with active sync claiming that some of my stuff is not matching and it resyncs and wipes all my special ringtones as well as my contacts in my Peoples tab in tf3d.

I share your frustration but have found a sort-of solution. When you get the error "There has been change made on your server that requires re-syncronize all items on your device" I do a hard reset. You will loose all your changes since the last sync, plus you have to reload everything.
Many may dissagree with me on this, but here is how I have deleted this problem.
1) Hard Reset
2) Set Owner Name
3) Connect to PC and Sync. Do not disconnect from PC.
4) Open Active Sync or WMDC and change your Sync content to your preferences and let it sync again.
5) disconnect from PC and turn off "Advanced Network Conection or Enable faster data synchronization" (depends on WM version) on the phone: Start>Settings>Connections>USB to PC
6) Soft reset, and you are good to go.
7) reload all apps.
Personally I do not reload from a back-up as I find the problem can reappear. Others may find this overkill, but this problem bugs me so much, I am wiling to go to consderable effort to get rid of it for good. If you ever turn on the fast/advanced connection again, the problem will resurface.
I think the problem has to do with the high speed data transfer. Probably a polling timing or something. I think the PC or Phone is looking for a response and not getting it fast enough which causes the full resync. By disabling the advanced or faster USB connection, it works fine for me.
Other uses have also reported that syncing via BT eliminates the problem,but I have never tried this.
I used to get this about every 4-5 weeks, but since I maded the changes described above, I have not had the problem for over a year unless I forget to turn off the advanced/fast usb sync after a ROM flash.
Hopefully this will work for you as well. It is frustrating when you cannot trust the phone to keep your data entered between syncs.
Doug M.

I would suggest using PIMBackup, it runs from your phone and saves everything or just the items that you choose onto your storage card. It is way faster saving and retrieving your contacts than active sync, It also allows you to restore without a computer so if you mess up your phone and have to do a hard reset when you are away from your computer you can get your contacts back without going out of your way to get to a computer