Database Users

SMS from PC

Observation:-
When the Wizard is plugged into the PC via it's USB cable, Active Sync checks both the PC and the Device and synchronises all Files, Folders and Exchange/Email data between both.
Hypothesis:-
Presuming that the synchronisation is driven from the PC and not the device, the PC uses commands to push and pull data from the device including Exchange stuff. The device allows all data transfer with no questions asked.
Hypothetically speaking it should be possible to activate all the commands used to push/pull (send/recieve) SMS from the device, allowing a user to run a piece of software while the phone is connected to the PC which will grab all SMS's from the device and display them on the PC.
This would allow people to send/recieve/file/delete SMS's from their PC which would be much quicker, neater and easier than from the device itself.
Conclusion:-
If someone has a list of the commands used for SMS functions I'd be happy to look into the possibility of programming such a piece of software for the community... That is of course unless there's already software out there with this functionality.

Well, there's...
http://www.jeyo.com/extender.asp
...but it only adds SMS capabilities to Outlook, really.

Another workaround
I know it's not as nice as an intergrated product would be, but I use the "Windows CE Remote Display" from Microsoft successfully with my device and just remote in to send/recieve my sms's on the xda's Inbox software, with a 2x Zoom and some predictive typing the process is almost flawless, even with a little bit of lag over the USB 1.1 connection.

blackobsidian said:
If someone has a list of the commands used for SMS functions I'd be happy to look into the possibility of programming such a piece of software for the community... That is of course unless there's already software out there with this functionality.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It has been done by someone else already
Have a look here.

Yeah this would be really great and IMO should be part of the package.
I mean if the phone is activesync'd then it should route all communications to the host pc. A few years back I had a Sony Ericsson and connecting to my pc via bluetooth with FMA was a dream - sms's would popup with a nice interface (akin to msn messenger), and calls handled by the speakers/mic...
To be honest its a bit of a shame that nothing (that I can find) allows this kind of integration with WM5 considering that integration is one of the plus points...
Perhaps in time it will happen...

SMS Utilities
Has anyone tried some of the SMS utils listed on the site scaw posted? Seems there are a couple that offer SMS from the PC. Not sure about speaker and mic capabilities though.
http://ukaywares.blogspot.com/
Nice site scaw!

Thanks guys!
I'm using "Dr. Neil's SMS Utils" now and it's saved me a lot of code research

My MDA and my Mac

Hey there,
This is my first post. I'm a mac user (no snide comments please). I just got the MDA a few weeks ago, and just can't figure out if it's worth it for me to keep this thing. It surfs the web like sh**. Slower than a snail. I'm on the T-Mobile GPRS system, which is supposed to be really fast.
I've been reading a lot about the ability to MOD my MDA. But if i can't sync the sucker to my Mac, how can i get the files necassary to MOD the MDA? Let me add that i have NO idea how to MOD the MDA. Things like changing the THEME, the font color, etc.
Thanks for reading this post.....
Whalien

There is no official support for the Mac on any Windows Mobile device, but there are third party tools out there. The Missing Sync (2.5 beta) will sync to Windows Mobile 5 devices. It works nicely and syncs with iCal, Address Book, Entourage, etc. The beta only syncs via Bluetooth, but if you get the USBSwitch tool and switch the mode to Serial, Activesync via USB will work as well.
If all you want to do is send files to your MDA, all you need is OS X's built in tools. Pair the MDA with your Mac and use the Bluetooth file transfer utility to send files. You can also install from CAB files this way; send them to your phone and run it there.
What Mac do you have? If you have an Intel one, you can install Parallels Desktop, which provides a virtualization environment for running Windows inside OS X. They have rudimentary USB Support, but it's getting better. You can also install Boot Camp and boot to Windows when you need to sync.

See there you are with alot of options, dont give up on the MDA yet

got O2 Atom as well as missing sync 2.5. MS froze during connection

I too love my Mac and... well, like my Wizard. But I'd have real reservations about keeping the Wizard if you don't at least have regular accesss to a Windows thing. (An Intel Mac dual-booting would work, of course; Virtual PC mostly works too.)
Here's how I coordinate the Mac and the Wizard:
1) You really do need to flash the ROM, and you need a PC to do it. (I didn't risk this on Virtual PC, but it might work.) I grabbed an old Windows 2000 laptop, put ActiveSync on it, and it works fine. Run LokiWiz or another program to CID and SIM-unlock the phone, then put the newest customized 2.21 USA T-Mobile ROM on it. It makes EVERYTHING better - I get 3 bars where I used to get 0, you get push e-mail support, etc. But if you don't have access to a PC, you can't do this, and you're stuck with the terrible ROM T-Mobile gives you.
You also need a PC to install some software that doesn't come in a .cab installer, though sometimes you can just launch the installer in Virtual PC and grab the .cab file it unpacks and hand-install that.
2) You can pair the Wizard with the Mac through Bluetooth and use it (a) as an EDGE modem and (b) to push files. Use Bluetooth File Exchange, always dismiss the warning that the type of file isn't supported, and the file will push to your Wizard. This is a good way to install programs that come in .CABs. The other way, of course, is to get an SD reader and mount your MiniSD card.
3) There's a great little shareware utility called SyncTunes that will sync an iTunes playlist and your podcasts to an SD card (or MiniSD, of course). I mount my SD card and use that to sync music fairly regularly. iPhoto can also pull photos and videos off the card. Of course. I mean, of course it Just Works.
4) Although it's not as smooth as an iPod with video, non-protected video files prepared for the iPod work pretty well. I use the free iSquint to convert, and play back with TCPMP (with the AAC plug-in).
5) Finally, syncing. I haven't bothered trying Missing Sync, and don't expect to, because you don't need to.
Just make sure you have an Exchange account. If you have one for your main e-mail account, great; if not, get one through mail2web.com. (You might need to get the $2/month rather than the free one for all of this to work.) I'll assume you also have Entourage (the Mac equivalent of Outlook in MS office). Make sure you install the latest Entourage service patch.
That patch allows Entourage to sync with Address Book and iCal. So use Entourage to sync your Exchange account with your Mac information. Then use ActiveSync over-the-air to push all that stuff onto your Wizard. (I.e., configure an ActiveSync server on your Wizard.) Magically, all your Address Book and iCal stuff is there! And, if you do it right, changes on the handheld should sync back to iCal eventually as well (albeit always in the Entourage category).
Hope that's helpful. I'll keep an eye on this thread if any of that didn't make sense, or my fellow Mac faithful are welcome to message me.

As much as I've used Missing Sync in the past for other devices, it just doesn't work well with the Wizard. Too many problems. I also us it with my Mac all the time and I have an account with 4martphone.com. The nice thing is you can stay in sync without actually having to connect and sync (which i'd forget to do all the time). I use Entourage to sync with that Exchange account, then I configured Entourage to sync with OS X's databases (address book, ical, etc). My only wish now is a simple app for my phone that will let me mount the card on my mac as if it were a USB drive.

more on my mac and my MDA
monkey_42 thanks for the DETAILED post. it's so good to finally get some response to my questions concerning the MDA and my MAC. so far, i've only been able to bluetooth some apps to the phone and they seems to be running fine, SPB weather and AGILE messanger. aside that, i'm scared to do the ROM update. read loads of bad reports and issues people have been having. but you're a mac guy so that sooths my concerns. but back to the main issue, how the heck to i get the stuff on the computer. we havea PC at work. i suppose i'll update the ROM the way you mention. thanks again.
T-Mobile claims that they're working on fixing the CHAT issues they're having with the MDA. So at this point, their OZ app doesn't work. They gave me 50 mins extra this month to compensate. Thanks for nothing. But AGILE does work.
sounds like Entourage is the only way to SYNC my Mac to the MDA. So does that mean MAIL is out? i've been using that app for years now. i'd hate to have to give it up. any idea if there are mac folk out there working on any of these issues? it's such a pain to have to deal with a PC.....i know i now own on....time to learn how to deal.
thanks for the reply's guys. l'm hoping this will start more dialog concerning the mac and the mda.
cheers,
whalien

card reader
dma....didnt' mean to leave you out in my last response. i too wish the mac would recognize the miniSD when i plug it in via USB cable. no luck either.
is there a mac forum we can contact about this? everyone on this is just PC. i have no idea what they're all talking about. wish i was more PC fluent.
cheers,
whalien

MDA Working as Modem on a Mac
I was wondering if anyone had a way to use tthe mda as a modem on a mac using bluetooth and or usb? Thanks

Re: card reader
whalien said:
i too wish the mac would recognize the miniSD when i plug it in via USB cable. no luck either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've used WM5torage to mount the miniSD on my G4 iMac. Works pretty well with OSX, but I had problems with OS 9. Search the forum or Google for a link.
*** LATEST ***
Seems I was mistaken and WM5torage doesn't in fact work on my Mac. I must have used my card reader (which is also oblong and silver) to mount the miniSD card. Sorry if I've misled anyone with this posting.
*************
There's also Softick CardExport II which does the same thing, although you have to pay for this. (They wouldn't let me migrate my Palm licence, so I'm not too happy with them.)
Both apps work by emulating the USB mass storage interface over USB, which is the same way that most modern external USB hard disks work.
HTH

sounds like Entourage is the only way to SYNC my Mac to the MDA. So does that mean MAIL is out? i've been using that app for years now. i'd hate to have to give it up. any idea if there are mac folk out there working on any of these issues? it's such a pain to have to deal with a PC.....i know i now own on....time to learn how to deal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think I know what you mean by syncing mail with the OS X Mail.app. You sync mail with your server, not with your desktop mail client. What is your mail coming from? If it's coming from an Exchange server, you sync with that; ditto if it's coming from a POP server. Who's your mail account with - yahoo? gmail? your office? That determines how you check mail on the Wizard, not what program you use to check that same account on the Mac.
When I wrote about Entourage above, that was as a way of syncing tasks/contacts/calendar with an Exchange server. I assume that if that's working for you, you're just checing Exchange mail with Mail.app. If that's the case, just set up your Wizard to ActiveSync with the Exchange server and all will be well.
If that's not the situation, please explain better what you mean by syncing mail with Mail.app, and we'll see what we can do here.

I'm using Missing Sync 2.5 alpha 10 release. I have just found USBswitch which works great.
I can dual boot windows on my intel iMac, but syncing with outlook is not great - it seems to miss the last week or two's appointments.
I haven't tried my windows laptop for outlook - maybe that would work better.
I sync with iCal & Address Book. It won't sync with iCal, but if I enter all my appointments in iCal & let the Mac overwrite my MDA Vario, then all is ok.
Address book seems to sync properly.
Mounting the Vario works in 2.5a10, but unmounting seems to lock up the iMac every time, so it is a last resort.
I'm not upgrading to the US T mobile ROM. everything will be wrong for me in the UK.
I'm contemplating using the imate Rom 2.17 wwe version. What benefits will it give me over my 1.6.2.4 UK T mobile ROM?
And how will I get back all my T mobile stiings for the UK such as GPRS/voicemail/SMS/MMS etc.

syncing with the mac
hey Monkey_42
you wrote:
I don't think I know what you mean by syncing mail with the OS X Mail.app. You sync mail with your server, not with your desktop mail client. What is your mail coming from? If it's coming from an Exchange server, you sync with that; ditto if it's coming from a POP server. Who's your mail account with - yahoo? gmail? your office? That determines how you check mail on the Wizard, not what program you use to check that same account on the Mac.
i appologize for not being more specific. i do use my work email's server, and it pushes my emails to me no problem. the issue i'm having is that i'm trying to become a more appointment accurate indivdual. i figured the best way to do this was by enlisting a smartphone in my everyday routine. seeing that i am a MAC user, i was hoping to include my address book and my ical on my phone, and visa versa. i enter appointments and address directly to the phone most of the time, but sometimes that's tedious and then there's no way to get it on my MAC. when i had a PALM PILOT years ago, i could utilize the PALM software to sync the info to and from my old device, thus backing up any data i had just entered on my phone to my computer.
with the new MDA, there's no way for me to do this. i have seen the MISSING SYNC app out there. but is it worth it for me to buy it? just seems like there's got to be a way to get my phone and my computer on the same page. without spending another $80.00 i'm new to the organizing routine and i'd like to be sure i'm going about it the most efficient way so i can build on a good routine from MDA to MAC and MAC to MDA.
thanks again for the reply. might i ask if you've updated your ROM? and what other things have you modified on your device? i'd like to change my TODAY colors and layout. any suggestions?
cheers,
whalien

whalien -
to change the theme: start-settings-today to change the theme.
to change the way the soft buttons work in Today : start-settings-soft key
to change buttons: start-settings-buttons
to change the menu in today: start-settings-menu.
i.e explore your device!

sync contact list without outlook

hi, i wish to sync my contact list to my computer without using outlook, im looking for a software look like palm desktop... any 1 have idea???

ahsin said:
hi, i wish to sync my contact list to my computer without using outlook, im looking for a software look like palm desktop... any 1 have idea???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because or requirements at my job, we don't use Outlook. We use SyncML to sync contacts and calendar events with our internal server. Really nice being able to sync without hooking ot a computer and anyplace you have GPRS / WiFi access.
Here's a post where I put some info and links about it:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=1159992&postcount=4

i need an exactly same like palm desktop to sync my contact and calender when sync with usb cable

zzzzzzzzzzzz

any 1 have third party software that can sync contact to desktop to view and edit??
i have try uninstall outlook 2003 and activesync 4.5 many time, and the result remain the same

I have had the ActiveSync problem since 10/2006 and have not found a resolution yet. I have posted on this forum, tried all suggestions and tried everything except a Hard Reset. I still cannot get my Desktop or Laptop to recognize my MDA via ActiveSync even though my Desktop and Laptop recognize my MDA. I have asked for 3rd party software to update my Outlook address book and calendar and have not found anything. I have even asked if there is software to update/change the MDA PIM.VOL file via a desktop or laptop. Still no luck. I have researched this out and checked all possible sites. NO LUCK. I still have not given up. I continue to look daily for a solution other than a Hard Reset.
So, you are not alone. There are many of us out there. ActiveSync is a very poor application. Maybe someday we will find something to use instead of AS. The only think that is missing in the AS is the last 'S'.

Hey friends,
I dont know if this reply is useful for you. I am so new to this forum. I am using a Motorola Mpx220, but gonna get my Cingular 8125 within a couple of days. Anyways, when I was syncing my Mpx, I had the same problem. The solution I found out was(after a long research), while the phone is still connected to the computer, go to Start -> Accessories -> Modem link. In that "USB" connection, make it active and then deactivate. As soon as you do this your active sync will detect the phone and it will sync smoothly.
I have no idea why is it happening like this nor I dont know if it works with MDA coz my Mpx220 is running on WM 2003 SE. I can only check WM 5 after I get my 8125. If this reply help you guys in anyways, please let me know.
Thanks mates.....
Jish

So there is no third party "phone manager" like for example Oxygen Phone Manager for Symbian phones ?

Contacts backup without outlook
Try " Jeyo Mobile Companion" . Google for it. It can save the contacts + call log as well as SMS on your comp. You can restore/ update the it any time It doesnt sync though. Just use it for back up purposes. Very hand. You still need to connect that phone to the comp. and AS to recognize your device.
Trust this helps

I assume that I can backup my PIM.VOL file on my 2Gb Storage Card. I have not had to reinstall the PIM.VOL file so I don't know if it really will work. However, I still would like to find an application that will allow me to update/change my Contacts and Calendar without using ActiveSync. Bottom line, why can't we find something that can do this without using AS since we are having problems on using AS? I have used Palms since day 1 and other things without as much problems as AS.

asctony said:
I assume that I can backup my PIM.VOL file on my 2Gb Storage Card. I have not had to reinstall the PIM.VOL file so I don't know if it really will work. However, I still would like to find an application that will allow me to update/change my Contacts and Calendar without using ActiveSync. Bottom line, why can't we find something that can do this without using AS since we are having problems on using AS? I have used Palms since day 1 and other things without as much problems as AS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
asctony,
AFAIK, you still need AS to connect the PPC to any PC ( I cud be wrong). What you can do is to set AS not to sync your contacts and others and use another 3p software to update / modify contatcts. The prog - Jeyo mobile companion does just that + back up your SMS too. Which is very crucial, in many cases as they cannot be backed up through the regular way.

Retrieve SMS Messages From Device With Bad LCD

My LCD broke on my Wizard (8125). There were a few saved SMS messages
with some inportant information in them as well as a few that were unread.
Other than the LCD the phone works fine - I'm using the internet sharing from
it now to write this post ( I mapped it to a button before the screen broke so
that I could get to i quickly to get me laptop online when out an about.)
What I want to know is this: Is there a way to retrieve those saved and
unread SMS messages using my WinXP PC and Active Sync, or any other app
that I can run from the PC itself since I can't see anything on the device?
Anyhelp would be much appreciated. Oh its a G3 unlocked device running
the 3.3 AKU that lead to the ROM archive being taken down if that helps.

I think a program called Jeyo Mobile (or something similar) does that. I havent used it, but I'm sure I read about it somewhere.

You could also try to use a remote desktop application such as SOTI's Pocket Controler which lets you use your PDA on the desktop like you would use the real one ...
http://www.soti.net/default.asp?Cmd=Products&SubCmd=PCPro

i have used both Jeyo and Soti, and they both work really well.. but the one problem with Soti is that you need to install it on the phone before it can be used. if you have some type of software to take a screenshot of the phone, that may work too. good luck
-Nstefanelli-

[Tip] [Final update] ActiveSync is boring you ? Be your guest !

If you use it as a backup only, as I do, you may want to prevent it from synchronizing, cause it does it often even if you unchecked everything, it's long and it slows down your device meanwhile. Not a big deal, but we're all here so that our life becomes easier right ?
So, using PIM Backup, you can automaticaly backup your whole PIM + files\folder to the storage card, everyday at the time you want, and it will even wake up the pda to backup and suspend it right after, so that you can schedule it by night. It takes around a minute to backup.
Now you can just leave Active Sync in guest mode.... and then you tell me:
Yeah but it will ask me to pair everytime I connect my device !!
That's where my script is showing up: it will stay in background and will closes Active Sync windows as soon as they'll show up.
Just unzip & run once
To uninstall, just delete ActiveSyncBlaster in your Windows directory.
FINAL UPDATE (22.10.07) fyahstar just gave us the reg key I was looking for.... Add a DWORD "GuestOnly" = 1 in HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows CE Services for a perfect result (no window opening at all). Or you can rename attachment to .reg and launch it.
Update (21 oct. 07) Everything's fixed
I merged both scripts into one, which will handle both cases (Outlook installed or not).
It will not stay open in background anymore: Now it will only be launched when the device is connected.
It now comes with an installer, just run it and you're done !
Oh, & it's a bit faster too.
Update (07 oct.07) I made a version for those who don't have Outlook installed (extra window to close)

Huh.
Very cool idea. I do the same thing as I use OTA sync but I don't sync with my computer, so I get that dumb "guest" thing all time. I found AS continuous sync interferes with my DUN, overloading the device CPU.
I'll have to try this out tonight, but sounds great, so thanks!

it's easier than this - make a normal AS connection, and in a configurator, uncheck all options... and that's it

utak3r said:
it's easier than this - make a normal AS connection, and in a configurator, uncheck all options... and that's it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
believe it or not, it's not that easy.
even with nothing checked, the AS will still continue every couple of minutes to sync with the device, even if it's technically not synching information.

utak3r said:
it's easier than this - make a normal AS connection, and in a configurator, uncheck all options... and that's it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lastnikita said:
you may want to prevent it from synchronizing, cause it does it often, it's long even if you unchecked everything, and it slows down your device meanwhile
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It still synchronises: ie starting to exchange with the device, open files for comparison, etc.
The worst is, it will do it even if outlook is not installed.
I'll also check the registry when I get time to see if nothing can be done by that side.

does it still sync constantly in guest mode? I was reading a kind of related (very old) article...
GuestOnly is the real magic in our personal Sync Stations; it’s responsible for allowing all new devices (i.e., those that don’t already have a partnership with the PC) to connect as guests without being prompted to establish a partnership. (Note that all devices that have an existing partnership with the PC will still connect and synchronize as they did before.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.pocketpcfaq.com/applications/undocumentedactivesync.htm

Thanks for this - it is just what I've been looking for to get rid of the annoying "you will only be able to sync..." messages every time I hook up my phone. Will install tonight!

New version
I made a version for those who don't have Outlook installed (extra window to close), 1st post edited

the new version (no outlook) posted will work only once, I will post a working version tomorrow.

I have a questions. It may sound stupid, but I tried to fix it myself without resolution. The files are for the PC. How does it work?
Thanks

godzillaman said:
I have a questions. It may sound stupid, but I tried to fix it myself without resolution. The files are for the PC. How does it work?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mmm, I'm not certain to understand correctly... yep those are for desktop side (PC). You just have to put one of them (it depends if outlook is installed or not) in your startup folder so that it'll be launched along with act.sync when the computer starts. Then, when you connect your device, if you choosed NOT to pair it with that computer (so that no sync.will ever be launched), annoying windows are showing, and my script will close them instantly. I did it using auto-hotkey. Didn't have enough time to fix it right now, but I swear it will be done till wednesday ^_^'
I'll also investigate in another (proper) method to achieve the same thing via reg-editing and I'll let you know if something can (has) be done that way.

Everything's fixed
It will not stay open in background anymore. Now it will only be launched when the device is connected
I merged both scripts into one, which will handle both cases (Outlook installed or not).
It now comes with an installer, just run it and you're done
Oh, & it's a bit faster too.
See first post !

Here is the registry key to enable GuestOnly mode for activesync. Rename file extension from .txt to .reg. Hope this helps.

Well, while it makes all my work useless (and your file is missing slashes), it works fine, many thanks

my bad on the slashes, thanks for correcting it.

I don't mean to make stupid questions again.
What you made prevents Active Sync in my PC. What can I do to my PPC, because active sync sometimes opens itself when I turn on the phone...
Thanks for everything.

Read here to prevent Active Sync to run from PPC side.

Fabolous... and fast...
lastnikita said:
Read here to prevent Active Sync to run from PPC side.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Million thanks... You are fast! Very fast indeed...

oh, no-one read my link? You could have had that key on the 5th october
btw, it's my fault for being obtuse. Looking at what I wrote, it's kind of random.
And I said it was a very old article....
sorry about that anyway thanks for that activesync when you want link, I remember reading that ages ago.
I did look for it where I thought I saw it last...on another site! No wonder I couldn't find it.

Thanks for the reg key fix. I use Exchange OTA, so I don't need to sync with the PC. I ran this registry key on my PC and I no longer get the popup to pair with my phone each time I plug it in. It still allows me to transfer files and access the phone via activesync, but with no annoying popup.