ActiveSync over Serial - does it work?

Does anyone successfully sync their HPC Pro with WinXP over a serial cable?

I can't get my PenCentra 130 to see my desktop, and vice versa. I have Activesync 3.7.1 but it refuses to work. I have tried all four speed options in the PC Link, changed the speed of the port manually on the desktop, tried the original WinCE services, but all to no avail.

The FAQ here at HPC factor suggests that this type of connection is possible. Has anyone managed to get it to work? If so, any hints?

I dont know anything about XP except it didnt like my computer..., have you tried a erlier version of activesync? I run 3.5 with Windows Me... 3.7 acted screwey to much.... I use serial and network ...Steve

I couldn't find 3.5, but tried 3.6 with no luck.

Thanks anyway, at least I know someone has serial working.

Yup.

I've used ActiveSync 3.7 to sync with my 680 and 720 without any problems over serial. I've also used IRDA on both, and USB on the 720...

Nothing special was needed, other than to set up what connections were allowed in Activesync. Perhaps I was just lucky?
Cheers,
Nick.

Zed,

I sync my H/PC's over serial (except the 720) with Windows XP. There isn't a problem in this action.
You can download most of the back archived versions of ActiveSync right here from us, just pay a visit to the sync software section in the top navigation.

I recommend that you uninstall older versions, put 3.7.1 on and stick to troubleshooting that version. If you were having a USB problem I would say try an older version. However there shouldn't be an issue with serial.

Please try giving the pickup on the devices COM port a clean. You can do this with soem cotton wool buds or the like.

First off, a tip for anyone trying to sync via serial. Never tweak the connection speed of the port in windows device manager. This usually breaks the connection capability! Once you have a working connection, adjust the speed in your device's Communications applet. ActiveSync will ad-hoc change the speed on the host pc.

If you have done this, in device manager please uninstall both COM (serial) ports and reboot to have them reinstalled under the correct settings.
Uninstall ActiveSync / CE Services and and any CE applications you've installed on the host
Start > Run > devmgmt.msc > OK
Expand Ports
Right click and select uninstall on any COM# entries

Once they're back. You should be aware that Palm Desk / Symbian sync services. Modem demons, Most Norton branded security applications and several commercial firewalls are known to get in the way of things. You must disable anything that is attempting to access the Serial port and or filter TCP/IP.

If at any point you have attempted to use "Network Connections" to create a direct cable connection to your device, please delete these from the connection manager. CE devices don't need manually established tunnels.
Before you disable firewall software please be sure to disconnect from the Internet as you don't want to wind up MS Blasted or the like.

If you can afford to hard reset, please do so before continuing. If not, don't worry. In Communications in Control Panel on the device in the name area please type a name for the device that conforms to the following rules:
http://www.hpcfactor.com/support/cesd/c/0009.asp
Then on the connection tab select the 19,200 bps option. Please don't attempt to troubleshoot on anything higher.

Lastly open ActiveSync and from the File menu choose connection settings
Be sure to choose the correct COM Port from the list. Click OK

Now plug in your H/PC and in ActiveSync on the host select File > Get Connected.
Usually this will sort it.

Thanks all for the feedback. I followed Chris's instructions here and at the HPC Factor FAQ but still haven't got sync working. I wondered if the serial port on my PC was dead since I've never used it, but I tried another XP machine with a known good port and that didn't work either. I might just have to let my HPC battery die so I can try it on a clean machine and if that doesn't work then perhaps the serial port on the HPC is dead (?).

Life would be much easier if ActiveSync worked, as I'd like to play with the file converters, back it up etc. Oh well, thank goodness for Compact Flash cards and CAB files, at least I can use my handheld with some degree of usefulness.

Zed,

I'm sorry to hear that. I don't know or any diagnostic system on the device to perform a serial port check.
In all liklyhood its either going to be the cable or the port on the device. You could perhaps get yourself a £20 USB Infrared adapter for your host and use that to sync against.
Other than that, due to the preparatory nature of the connectors, you'll need another serial cable to test if it is indeed the port / connector on the handheld.

I also doesn't get the syns over a serial cable to work.
but in the past it worked, so I will keep trying
but the sync with the IR does work>maybe you should try that??

greetings Barry
bve_searchbv@xs4all.nl

Thanks guys, I guess I'll start looking out for a USB IrDA adapter.

I also have a PenCentra 130, Serial Cable and Xp Pro and i dont get any connection whatsoever with Active Sync. It did'nt work any better on my old computer with win2000 either.

I can connect through Terminal software, but that does'nt help me much.

I have also ended up using cab-files and compact flash.

LiLLEN,

Sounds like you have a damaged serial port / lead either on your device or your PC. (assuming that the Windows XP and 2000 PC are the same box)

Hi Zed,

I use a HP 620LX running on CE 2.0 and I was able to successfully sync my HPC with the desktop running on Windows XP SP2 using ActiveSync 3.7.1 and a serial cable. I had no problems whatsoever. It runs fine for me. Check out your serial cable and also the docking station connectors, if you are using one.

best regards,
Ranjit

The win2k and Xp are diffrent boxes, and the serial cable works between 2 other computers, and i have tried connecting both directly to the tablet-pc and to the docking station.

It's a null-modem-cable. Is that the problem?

Oops.

If it wasn't obvious. I posted the last reply.

Are you saying that you're trying to sync over a null modem cable? That is, one going from modem port to modem port? That won't work, AFAIK. You can do some communication that way (I think there's a page on this site about that), but not sync. You should connect to a serial port or use an IrDA adaptor. (At least, that's what I've been told -- I don't have any means of syncing right now, but an IrDA adaptor should be on its way.)