ActiveSync issue with my Vario

[Guest Phil Lee]

I've been having problems syncing my Vario using ActiveSync 4.0. The first time I sync after a soft reset works fine. If I then disconnect the phone and try to do another sync after this, ActiveSync either sits saying "Connecting" or "Looking for changes". After about 5 minutes it comes up with an error message.

I've just installed ActiveSync 4.1 build 4087 and am still getting the same problem. I can sort it out by doing a soft reset but I'd obviously prefer not to have to do this twice a day, once when I connect at home and once at work.

Is anyone else having a similar problem or have any suggestions as to how I might resolve this issue?

Edited November 14, 2005 by Phil Lee

[Guest bartsimp]

Same pathe exactly as yours with my new spv m3000 ;) + it rebooted by PC when I plugged back my c500 (it did it on a win200 computer but not on a winxp one)

I just can't believe they release such a buggy software set (win mobile 5 + activesync 4).

[Guest steve_smith]

Same pathe exactly as yours with my new spv m3000 :D + it rebooted by PC when I plugged back my c500 (it did it on a win200 computer but not on a winxp one)

My problem with the Vario and ActiveSync 4.0 is that if I connect to my laptop using USB, and WiFi is *not* enabled on the Vario, then it attempts to sync with Exchange Server (Exchange Server Activesync) using GPRS rather than the pass through connection. However, it eats up a few hundred K but doesn't sync (goodness only knows what it's doing, probably sending all my data to Microsoft...).

Very weird. If I turn on WiFi, then it syncs using the pass through connection as expected (and not WiFi so far as I can tell).

In my opinion, WM5 and ActiveSync 4 smack of being rushed out without the proper level of testing. I noticed a number of usability issues as well as strange behaviour. The kind of problems that should have been identified during user trials. At the moment, I think I prefer my C500 :|

Still, the T-Mobile tarrif I selected is only £16 a month for 12 out of the 18 months, so if I get fed up, I can put the SIM card in my C500 and happily use the 40Mb of data a month allowance without feeling too cheated ;)

Steve.

[Guest DancingMatt]

In my opinion, WM5 and ActiveSync 4 smack of being rushed out without the proper level of testing.  I noticed a number of usability issues as well as strange behaviour.    The kind of problems that should have been identified during user trials.  At the moment, I think I prefer my C500  :|

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi Steve

Would be very grateful if you'd post any other problems you've got with your Vario - I'm imminently about to buy one but do have reservations about whether I'll get on with it as a phone. Not always going to be using the stylus or slide-out keyboard!

So if you'd share your problems I'm sure I'm not the only one who'd appreciate it.

Cheers

DM

[Guest Phil Lee]

Apart from this ActiveSync issue I am very happy with my Vario.

[Guest crx16]

I have been having the same trouble, seems my firewall is the problem, with it disabled its works most the time, needed to reboot the vario a few times to get it to connect properly. with the firewall on it won't do anything.

[Guest steve_smith]

Would be very grateful if you'd post any other problems you've got with your Vario - I'm imminently about to buy one but do have reservations about whether I'll get on with it as a phone. Not always going to be using the stylus or slide-out keyboard!

In general, because I do a lot of emailing and typing notes and stuff (when on the train to and from work) the Vario - and it's usable QWERTY keyboard - is probably the ideal device for me. The minor gripes I have with it so far are insignificant compared to the benefits of the large (larger than my C500 anyway) screen and keyboard.

My moaning is maybe down to the fact I'm finding it a bit strange moving from the Smartphone interface (where most things seemed logical) to the Pocket PC interface (where sometimes it seems you have to go "round the houses" to achieve what you want to do).

One irritation is that in some ways I believe Microsoft have done a half hearted job regarding converting all the apps to operate in one handed mode (which I call "using the device without touching the screen"). The two menu buttons at the bottom of the screen which vary in function, and that are operated with the soft keys, are a good idea. However, for it to really work, from these two menus you ought to be fully able to drive the app you have open. Maybe not typing (for that I accept you need to use the slide out keyboard, or on screen keyboard), but at least to navigate.

This is why I find it odd that simple tasks (like changing mail folders in the email client) can't be done without resorting to prodding the screen with your finger, or getting out the stylus. Equally strange was the fact that the "OK" option used by almost all the apps didn't by default have a hardware button mapped to it (this may have just been T-Mobile's configuation of the device).

On the positive side, for a Pocket PC phone, it's barely bigger than my old C500 (and you don't feel awkward holding it up to your ear). You get PDA type functionality that is missing from the smartphone OS (ie. Pocket Word, Pocket Excel, bigger screen), and T-Mobile have bundled some useful commercial software with the phone, like the Clearvue PDF viewer and SPB GPRS Monitor (handy to know how much of your 40Mb allowance you've used up).

Pocket IE seems to work well (especially now you can use it in full screen mode with WM5), and since the device has built in WiFi, you can use it at home (for free!) to look up something or check a website without having to get the laptop out.

So it's swings and roundabouts really. Whether you would choose this, or a smartphone such as the forthcoming Orange C600, would very much depend on whether you are planning to use it as a phone the majority of the time, or use the PDA functions the majority of the time. Obviously, if you're never going to use the PDA functionality and the keyboard, you might as well get a smartphone instead. However, if like me you want to make use of apps such as Pocket Word and plan to do a fair bit of typing, choose the MDA Vario.

As a compromise between a phone and a PDA, I believe its more right than wrong.

Hope this helps,

Steve.

[Guest Phil Lee]

T-Mobile have bundled some useful commercial software with the phone, like the Clearvue PDF viewer and SPB GPRS Monitor (handy to know how much of your 40Mb allowance you've used up).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Where did you find the GPRS monitor? I don't appear to have it installed.

[Guest steve_smith]

Where did you find the GPRS monitor? I don't appear to have it installed.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You have to load it from one of the two CDs you get with the phone (not the one with ActiveSync, the other one).

Steve.

[Guest Pondrew]

One irritation is that in some ways I believe Microsoft have done a half hearted job regarding converting all the apps to operate in one handed mode (which I call "using the device without touching the screen").  The two menu buttons at the bottom of the screen which vary in function, and that are operated with the soft keys, are a good idea.  However, for it to really work, from these two menus you ought to be fully able to drive the app you have open.  Maybe not typing (for that I accept you need to use the slide out keyboard, or on screen keyboard), but at least to navigate. 

This is why I find it odd that simple tasks (like changing mail folders in the email client) can't be done without resorting to prodding the screen with your finger, or getting out the stylus.  Equally strange was the fact that the "OK" option used by almost all the apps didn't by default have a hardware button mapped to it (this may have just been T-Mobile's configuation of the device).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It is a Pocket PC hence it operates same as all the other models. None of the software has been 'converted', it's standard to the Pocket PC Phone format on which touch screen is a requirement. This device was never going to be a one handed primarily button operated job, as it was never intended as one. As you mention, you're looking at it from the point of view of a Smartphone user!

[Guest DancingMatt]

Hope this helps,

Steve.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Definitely, thanks a lot for taking the time Steve!

I have finally managed to try a Qtek and K-JAM, just not the Vario, and yeah - not being able to click OK without using the screen seems a Major Oversight to make it one-handed. You can sort of just about reach it with a thumbnail - not really clever enough.

Think it's going to be ordered though!

DM

[Guest steve_smith]

It is a Pocket PC hence it operates same as all the other models. None of the software has been 'converted', it's standard to the Pocket PC Phone format on which touch screen is a requirement. This device was never going to be a one handed primarily button operated job, as it was never intended as one. As you mention, you're looking at it from the point of view of a Smartphone user!

I'm sure I read in the previews of WM5 that Microsoft made claims that Pocket PC build could now be used "one handed", which is why I feel they could have made more of any effort to tailor the apps to work in that way. Just a bit more work on the user interface, and it would have been possible.

I'm not saying it ruins the device. I had to make extensive use of all the functionality this morning for about 2 hours when we had a powercut. Actually got a sensible amount of work done thanks to the keyboard and Pocket Word ;) I just pointed out that if someone is considering buying it who doesn't plan to make any use of the PDA functions, they might as well choose a smartphone instead.

Steve.

[Guest steve_smith]

I have finally managed to try a Qtek and K-JAM, just not the Vario, and yeah - not being able to click OK without using the screen seems a Major Oversight to make it one-handed. You can sort of just about reach it with a thumbnail - not really clever enough.

Luckily enough, a lot of the these shortcomings can be fixed by remapping some of the other hardware buttons to perform the necessary functions. Next job on my list is to alter the start menu and ditch some of the functions I'm never going to use.

If you need PDA functionality in a phone sized device, you won't be disappointed with the Wizard.

Now if only it had a faster CPU ;) ...

Steve.

[Guest Phil Lee]

To get back on topic, I just followed the steps on the ActiveSync 4.0 USB Connection Troubleshooting Guide web page for configuring Norton Personal Firewall which I have installed on my system. Before I added the setting MS recommend, I first deleted all ActiveSync entries from the firewall list. This has sorted out the connection issues I've been having with ActiveSync on my work PC. I've been able to disconnect and reconnect my Vario 5 times with no problem. I'll try the same settings on my PC at home tonight but I'm optimistic this is my major bugbear with the phone sorted.

Edited November 15, 2005 by Phil Lee

[Guest Pondrew]

I'm sure I read in the previews of WM5 that Microsoft made claims that Pocket PC build could now be used "one handed", which is why I feel they could have made more of any effort to tailor the apps to work in that way.  Just a bit more work on the user interface, and it would have been possible. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ah. Sounds plausible. Knew they were bringing the two formats closer even if not totally integrating them (yet?). You've got a point in that many of the Pocket PC Devices DO have an ok button (my MDA III for one) which serves to minimalise the apps without touching the X. Does the Wizard not have one? I don't recall...

@Phil Lee, good to hear you found a resolution. I suspect with time Activesync and the different firewalls will be able to live together in harmony ;)

EDIT: Speaking of which, just remembered that I'm having real connection problems with MSN Messenger since updating to the latest version 7.5. Half the time it won't work, each time because Norton has for some reason decided to start blocking it... Seems Microsofts/MSNs updates are struggling to deal with the way the Firewalls work. Annoying as didn't have problems in the past... :?:

[Guest steve_smith]

Ah. Sounds plausible. Knew they were bringing the two formats closer even if not totally integrating them (yet?). You've got a point in that many of the Pocket PC Devices DO have an ok button (my MDA III for one) which serves to minimalise the apps without touching the X. Does the Wizard not have one? I don't recall...

Sorry if I've played a part in hijacking this thread (my first comment was over some ActiveSync curiosity I was experiencing) ;)

Briefly before I shut up. The quote from the Microsoft web page announcing WM5 included "...improved one-handed keyboard navigation that empowers customers to access their information without a stylus". To be fair, I suppose it is "improved" over Windows Mobile 2003, which is all the quote claims.

The wizard has an OK button on the slide out keyboard, but not on the front or side of the device. The most obvious button for the job - and the one I've remapped - at the top right of the device is actually a shortcut to the internet browser, or T-Zones as I think T-Mobile call it.

Steve.