Hi,

 

I recently bought a Dell Axim X50v from a member on this board. It's a cracking bit of kit and works beautifully. I've been using it extensively but only got around to connecting it to my PC this afternoon. The kit came with all the bits (cradle, USB sync cable, official Dell MS Activesync 4.0 software, etc, etc).

 

As per the instructions I installed the activesync software and followed the instructions on how to connect the cradle and device. I have 8 USB ports on the PC, all of which work fine. Whilst finishing off the sync installation I was told to connect the cradle to the USB port, turn the device (PDA) on and insert it into the cradle - the sync software should then recognise it and complete the installation/sync. This is where the problem starts. The software does not recognise the hardware automatically and letting it search for it doesn't turn it up either. So I cancelled the installation.

 

Deleted the sync software, disconnect the USB cable and restarted the PC and followed the same procedure - same problem, still no connection. I then delete the sync software (again), restart the PC (again) and decide to see if the PC will pick up the USB cradle by itself. Put the USB cable into a free USB port and ... nothing! I have checked every USB port on the PC with my memory stick and they all work properly.

 

Being a sucker for punishment I decide to go through the process again and this time when I connect the USB cradle a "balloon" pops up from the task bar stating something to the effect of "the deivice is not installed properly and may not work correctly". There is no where to click on the balloon to investigate what's going on and further investigation in the system device manager shows no new hardware or any problems with existing hardware.

 

I'm now at my wits end. I need to get this PDA connected to the PC in order to (a) sync outlook files as well as (b) install TomTom software on the PDA. It's really doing my nut in.

 

Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions? I have been thinking that perhaps the USB cradle is defective but it wouldn't appear to be the case as it charges the PDA without problem.

 

Thanks for your thoughts!

 

Dan

Hello mate,

 

Might be worth having a search on here - http://www.aximsite.com/boards/forumdisplay.php?f=109

 

Vijay

try this first Danny;)

 

http://blogs.conchango.com/neilchapman/archive/2006/03/15/3091.aspx

ive had similar problems with the hp2790, and from what i gather its the usb connection. normally when connecting something via usb (like a printer ) there is a two tone beep to say device found. this sometimes does not happen, which then doesnt aloow the device to sync up ,as active sync cant find it. are you useing active sync 4 or 4.2? there were some known issues with version 4 so have a search for 4.2 it may solve your problem.

Thanks guys - will have a look in the morning. Have decided that one afternoon of frustration is all I can take at the moment ;)

 

Cheers,

 

Dan

Hi Dan,

I've done a lot of work with PDA's etc if you need some advice get in touch - I owe you a favour anyway.

 

The cradle itself works just as a cable so won't be detected on its own.

Reboot the PC, Install Activesync from the Dell CD, Reset your PDA (not sure on the Dell but probably a tiny reset switch to press with the stylus on the bottom or back)

Put the PDA in the cradle and it should detect it and you'll hear a noise as USB picks it up.

If there's no noise then it could be a USB hardware/software conflict and you could try using a different USB port.

Next thing to check is that Activesync is accepting connections on USB - Go to it's File menu then Connection Settings and check Allow USB Connections is checked.

After that the chances are that the driver didnt install first time and it needs updating but you'd have to go into Device Manager to do that...

Try Downloading ActiveSync 4.2

 

Olny other thing at the moment i can think of is in ActiveSync go Files & connection settings & make sure connect using USB is ticked.

 

I've got the same PDA so if yuo need help let me know

 

J

Try Downloading ActiveSync 4.2

 

Olny other thing at the moment i can think of is in ActiveSync go Files & connection settings & make sure connect using USB is ticked.

 

I've got the same PDA so if yuo need help let me know

 

J

 

Hi James,

 

Thanks for that. I had another go at it last night but still no cigar!

 

I did find out a few more details though:

 

I am running ActiveSync v4.5 on the PC and v4.0 on the PDA (I have tried v4.0 on the PC but that didn't help either)

I also found a connection reference to the previous owner's home PC network on the PDA ... but haven't figured out how to change that yet.

 

However, I think I have a much more fundamental problem in that my PC wont connect with the cradle. No matter which USB port i connect it to the PC just won't "see" it and therefore doesn't recognise it. And as long as that doesn't work ActiveSync won't see the PDA either ...

 

I'm having another go at it this afternoon when I'm done with my work and will report back.

 

Regards,

 

Dan

Hi Dan,

I've done a lot of work with PDA's etc if you need some advice get in touch - I owe you a favour anyway.

 

The cradle itself works just as a cable so won't be detected on its own.

Reboot the PC, Install Activesync from the Dell CD, Reset your PDA (not sure on the Dell but probably a tiny reset switch to press with the stylus on the bottom or back)

Put the PDA in the cradle and it should detect it and you'll hear a noise as USB picks it up.

If there's no noise then it could be a USB hardware/software conflict and you could try using a different USB port.

Next thing to check is that Activesync is accepting connections on USB - Go to it's File menu then Connection Settings and check Allow USB Connections is checked.

After that the chances are that the driver didnt install first time and it needs updating but you'd have to go into Device Manager to do that...

 

Hi Chris,

 

Thanks mate. I have followed your advise but I'm afraid it hasn't helped :( I'm having another go this afternoon and will let you know.

 

Cheers!

 

Dan

place the pda in the cradle and turn on connect the usb cable and see if windows picks anything up, if it recognises new hardware try letting it connect to the net to find the needed software, is the pda cradle a charger as well if so is it charging the pda if not then you have a cradle problem.

place the pda in the cradle and turn on connect the usb cable and see if windows picks anything up, if it recognises new hardware try letting it connect to the net to find the needed software, is the pda cradle a charger as well if so is it charging the pda if not then you have a cradle problem.

 

Hi mate,

 

Thanks for your input. Tried what you've advised but nothing happens ... Yes, cradle is also a charger and this function works well so could only be a USB cable problem ... I have another cradle (new) coming after the weekend and if I can't get the PDA to work before then hopefully that will solve the problem. Although I still think there is a problem with the PC picking up a USB device.

 

General Q: If the PC has installed either the wrong device driver for the PDA or the driver is corrupted ... shouldn't the device show up in the device manager? Also, how do I get it to remove the "faulty" driver assuming I can't see the device in the device manager?

 

Thanks!

 

Dan

 

PS - the Axim forum has only been of limited help but full of other useful information :) THanks Vijay!

if you have installed a corrupt driver the hardware should be listed but probably not fully functional, if you have no driver installed then the usb connection will show with a exclamation mark, if you have installed a totally incompatable driver the window will show either nothing or a exclamation mark on your settings if you connect the usb and windows sees nothing even with the pda sat in the cradle then its probably a cradle fault as i would of at least expected it to pick up the pda as a portable storage device

have u tried using bluetooth to sync, thats what i use and never had any issues

Hi James,

 

Thanks for that. I had another go at it last night but still no cigar!

 

I did find out a few more details though:

 

I am running ActiveSync v4.5 on the PC and v4.0 on the PDA (I have tried v4.0 on the PC but that didn't help either)

I also found a connection reference to the previous owner's home PC network on the PDA ... but haven't figured out how to change that yet.

 

However, I think I have a much more fundamental problem in that my PC wont connect with the cradle. No matter which USB port i connect it to the PC just won't "see" it and therefore doesn't recognise it. And as long as that doesn't work ActiveSync won't see the PDA either ...

 

I'm having another go at it this afternoon when I'm done with my work and will report back.

 

Regards,

 

Dan

 

If you have MSN mate add me - jamesbell41 AT msn.com

 

J

Thanks!

 

(1) There is no mention of any new and non-functioning device in the device manager. Not even a new portable storage device ... So I'm assuming this means no driver (correct or corrupt) has been loaded into the system

 

(2) I haven't tried bluetooth yet but will do so this afternoon.

 

(3) Sorry, I'm not on MSN.

 

I'm more and more leaning towards to possibility that the cradle is at fault here.

 

Dan

the driver could be loaded but if connection is not possible then the device wouldnt be listed so yeah the cradle is looking guilty, if you know the names of the driver files on the disc you could search the HD for them to make sure they have been loaded

RESULT!

 

I just "accidentally" dropped the cradle onto the desk. Put the PDA in it, turned it on and connected it to a USB port. And what do you know ...? The PC picked up the device, installed the driver and ActiveSync worked!!!!! :hyper: After all this head scratching all the cradle needed was a bit of a bash!

 

Anyway - I'm glad I've ordered a new cradle (which should be with me after the weekend) hopefully that will solve the problem once and for all. I have noticed that I need to hold the PDA down with my finger in order for it to make continuous contact with the cradle so I'm assuming there is a break in a wire inside the cradle somewhere.

 

I'm keeping my fingers crossed in anticipation that the rest of the day will go well and will let you guys know.

 

Many thanks to everyone who has offered their advise - it was very much appreciated!

 

Have a good weekend everyone!

 

Dan

I think you are getting a bit confused with how the cradle works ;)

Like I said in my first post, the cradle itself is not detected by the system, it's just a cable with a stand on the end.

It's the PDA that the PC detects :)

 

Maybe the connector on the cradle has been damaged by some rough use, examine the pins in the PDA as well.

I think you are getting a bit confused with how the cradle works ;)

Like I said in my first post, the cradle itself is not detected by the system, it's just a cable with a stand on the end.

It's the PDA that the PC detects :)

 

Maybe the connector on the cradle has been damaged by some rough use, examine the pins in the PDA as well.

 

 

Will do Chris. I understand the workings of the cradle now (thanks for your info) and I think it may be a fault in either the wired-in USB cable or the connection from the cradle to the PDA. In either case, I've got a new cradle coming my way and we'll see what happens then!

 

Thanks again mate! :)

 

Dan