Problems after Active-synch is UNinstalled?

[Guest Big Ron - No Longer a Mem]

Try not to boo too loudly... I'm "one of the guys you talk to on 156." :twisted: (And I'm hobbled to a large extent by limited availability of information - plus I support more phone types and connectivity issues than you could shake a serial cable at. NOT just SPV's.) A caller today complained that after he'd uninstalled active synch, he lost the use of Com1. He called 156, and was told "If it's a software problem, then ring Microsoft - they're supposed to deal with that side" (fair comment; we have neither the information, nor in most cases the training, to handle software problems) Microsoft sent him back with a flea in his ear: "Orange's problem, not ours!" (odd, as the license to use the software has Microsoft's name all over it!) And he got kicked back and forth between Microsoft and 156 until he reached me... and I happen to be a "former software support techie." I made a few informed guesses as to how the problem might be overcome, from switching off COM 1 in BIOS and rebooting, then switching it back on (maybe Win98SE would notice the "new" com port?) or, as a last resort, reinstalling Win98 - not a "full" reinstallation, but load setup.exe from the CD while Win98 was running (which has limited functionality as a self-diagnostics and repair measure) He went away a happy bunny, and I raised the issue as a potential problem - to be told "You should NOT have supported it!"

Point is... if this isn't a one off peculiarity, then when whatever-replaces-the SPiV (as 156'ers tend to call it) is released, thousands of upgraders are going to be uninstalling Activesynch, fining the same hardware problem... and the same lack of support. Not because we don't WANT to fix the problem, but because in most cases, we don't know HOW. I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has had a similar problem.

Note for those not already aware: 156 is split into two levels - "slightly techie" and "very techie". Even that is misleading... 156'ers are expected to cover a LOT of stuff, but none of it to any great depth. If the issue gets too complicated, then the call will be transferred to a subcontractor. You won't know you're no longer talking to Orange... but you won't be. The job description expects me to be able to talk customers through (for example) connecting pretty much ANY PDA to the internet using any of dozens of different phones as a modem, as well as dozens of other issues. Gaps between calls can be as low as ZERO seconds. There are problems... but we try our best!

[Guest janagan]

All i can say is Activesync is a M$ product and M$ should support the customers when something goes wrong. Well done to Big Ron, now i have slightly more respect towards orange support.