Database Users

alternative way to backup contacts?

Hi
Just got this thing the other day (O2 XDA Mini S) and am pulling my hair out with ActiveSync. A google and a look round these forums convinces me I'm not alone.
I'm now at the point where notes will sync, but Contacts and Calendar will not. This appears to be most likely because I'm not using an Exchange Server.
I give in. Can anyone advise whether this some alternative to ActiveSync that I can use to back up my contacts list? I'd hate to have to do it all over again.
I have a memory card, so adding software from that is no problem if necessary.
Thanks

You can try the backup tool Sunnysoft
in advanced mode is an option Backup PIM databases

lansalot said:
I'm now at the point where notes will sync, but Contacts and Calendar will not. This appears to be most likely because I'm not using an Exchange Server.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you just trying to sync with your pc over the usb link? You don't need Exchange Server for that - it sync's with Outlook directly. Have you set up what information you want to sync in ActiveSync's Tools->options?
Another possibility for not syncing is any firewall you are running - although, if it was that, you wouldn't even get Notes to sync.
John

yup
Thanks for that John, yep I've done all I can see that I need to do. Missing Exchange was about the only thing left I could think of. I think I might uninstall Outlook and reinstall it to see if that helps. Though I *hate* having to install that POS just so I can backup some settings !
Perhaps there's somewhere within the phone that will export the various settings somewhere. Or perhaps I should dig out VS2005 and attempt to write one myself. Backing up to storage card would be the best option I think, and from a look around the .net mobile CF, it would appear to be pretty well supported.
And I had to disable Zonealarm despite having all the appropriate configurations set up to allow it. I even put 169.254.x.x in the trusted zone, to no avail.
ActiveSync is a shocking piece of software - and I know from owning other phones that there's things like MobiExplorer and MobiManager that tends to work much better than the usual manufacturer-supplied stuff.
Chak, thanks for the lead with SunnySoft.

Copy the pim.vol file from the root directory of the device. This contains all your pim info (contacts, call history, tasks, calendar). You can't really make anything out of it if you try to view it, but when you hard reset, you can just overwrite the new one and soft reset to restore everything. I copy mine to my storage card every time i add something new that has to do with pim stuff.

guttrhead said:
Copy the pim.vol file from the root directory of the device. This contains all your pim info (contacts, call history, tasks, calendar). You can't really make anything out of it if you try to view it, but when you hard reset, you can just overwrite the new one and soft reset to restore everything. I copy mine to my storage card every time i add something new that has to do with pim stuff.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
in my case, pim.vol file is protected, so copying & replacing it after hard reset does not work. i have other workaround for backuping contacts (as my activesync with outlook simply does not work) - each contact via irda to computer. it saves contact as .vcf file that you can send to wizard back again after hard reset.

Try using total commander to get to the file.

I yust transfered the file via email inside my home WLan to the PC.....

Hey, is this a common problem for HTC devices or Windows mobile in general?
I just started searching because my calendar won't sync. (3 palm devices and 3 pda's later, I have 1,400+ contacts.)
Are there any workarounds that anyone knows?
I tried setting up the sync settings whilst the device was disconnected, but the calendar entry just disappears when I re-connect.
-Worried of Sheffield.

thanks
Thanks eva_d, I had already hit on the idea of bluetoothing all my contacts over (thankfully, there's not that many) from my nokia 6600. Luckily, the XDA didn't require my SIM to be in it during the transfer. It even took over the mini pictures I had for some of the contacts, quite smart.
But it would be some chore with more than the couple dozen I had.
I'm reading up on the windowsmobile classes in dotnet, I reckon the answer would lie in there somewhere. Writing an app in VS to back things up to some funky open format would be the ideal, even if it does just drop a directory full of VCF files for example.
Once I'm sure VS2005 is installed and working correctly (http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=41155), I'll throw some serious effort at it.

Re: thanks
lansalot said:
Thanks eva_d, I had already hit on the idea of bluetoothing all my contacts over (thankfully, there's not that many) from my nokia 6600. Luckily, the XDA didn't require my SIM to be in it during the transfer. It even took over the mini pictures I had for some of the contacts, quite smart.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
copying contacts to other handset is bit risky, because various producers are using various interpretation of .vcf file format. for instance, when i copy contact from siemens s65 to wizard, email field is always ripped off the contact and polish national characters are also absent. copying contacts to computer via irda is quite safe, however personal ringtones assigned to contact and voice dials are sacrified. all other data within a contact are still present, including contact picture.

A bit more info on the missing calendar link:-
I have one laptop using activesync V.4.1 this was where i first discovered the problem.
Just tried laptop #2 running a/sync v.3.7.1 which has an older copy of my appointments in outlook. Calendar doesn't sync to this either, so it must be something inside the MDA.
Tried to search microsoft support to find a solution, but no entries found. This seems to indicate that it is a HTC issue. I had a MDA Pro briefly sync-ed up which worked Ok. The problems are with my MDA compact running WM2003.

pim.vol not only saves the contact but also the assigned ringtone and pic. only way to do it is copy to storage card.
then after hard reset it won't let you overwrite the new one but if you rename it to pim.vol.old it lets you do that. then you can overwrite it.

laich71 said:
pim.vol not only saves the contact but also the assigned ringtone and pic. only way to do it is copy to storage card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
contact pictures are NOT saved in pim.vol. when i restore contacts via irda from .vcf files on my laptop, pictures are already there.

I know this thread has moved on a bit, but I've just got my calendar to sync. again and I'm soooo relieved!
Take a look at this forum to find out how:-
news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.pocketpc.activesync
Look at 'Cannot get calendar to sycnhronise' and the second reply.

Backing up the Contacts with Mail2Web Live Mail Service
I basically use the mail2web live mail service, and use its exchange server as the server source in Activesync. I only choose synching Contacts with this server (but you can choose others).
This way, all my contacts are always up to date in mail2web servers, and even if I need to hard reset, I can reget all of my contacts back very quickly.
Highly recommended...
Fast

please use the search PLEASE! ....search for PPCBckpContacts.exe
damn it!

Activesync missing contacts Wizard/i-mate k-jam

Hi
I am having an issue that I need some help with. I am trying to set up a second hand K-Jam that I bought on eBay.
Problem:
Activesync appears to work fine and everything seems to synchronize except for any contacts that have contact notes.
New contacts created on the PC with text in the notes field do not synchronize.
New contacts created on either device with nothing in the Notes field synchronize fine.
New contacts created on the K-Jam with text in the notes field synchronize back to the PC fine.
If a contact has had a note in it, if the note is cleared by deleting all text and saving, the contact is still not synchronized.
Operating Systems and programs:
ActiveSync 4.1 installed from scratch
K-Jam ROM 2.16..
Windows Mobile 5.0
What I have tried:
-Hard resetting the K-Jam
-Repairing Outlook 2003
-Running a repair on the PST file
-Removing the Mobile Device profile from ActiveSync and allowing it to recreate the synchronization relationship.
-Copying the contacts out to a different folder, syncing; copying them back
-Exporting the contacts to a CSV file, all other items to another PST. Creating a new PST file, replacing the default Outlook PST and importing all of the OK data. Then importing the contacts from the CSV file (when I first started troubledhooting, I had a subset of contacts that would sync. After doing the CSV import, no contacts would sync - I guess that the CSV import puts something into the contact notes field. New contacts still sync as explained above)
-Synchronizing only Contacts
Other:
I have loads of the following error messages in the WCESLog.log:
03/11/2006 14:06:56.156 p(2936) t(3308) SyncMgr -> Opening Item: echo CreateObject("Outlook.Application").GetNameSpace("MAPI").GetItemFromId("000000006F78E8A9F1B1BF4A9150F98C632AB565A4572200").Display > foo.vbs && foo.vbs - mhelp.cpp(8575)
03/11/2006 14:06:56.156 p(2936) t(3308) TraceToFile -> ERROR in CMAPIDataConverterBase::ConvertMAPIPropToDesktopSyncObject : hr = 0x80010104 - DataConverter.cpp(3664)
03/11/2006 14:06:56.156 p(2936) t(3308) TraceToFile -> ERROR in CMAPIDataHandler::_GetDataForItem : hr = 0x80010104 - DataHandler.cpp(1962)
I suspect that there is some sort of data conversion problem but do not know where to look next.
Any advice will be appreciated.

AS not syncing Calendar, Task or Contact notes PC->PPC
I have found that this problem affects Calendar, Task and Contact items. If I add a simple entry (with no Note) on the PC, it syncs to the PPC fine. If I then add a Note, the changes are not synced. If I add a Note at the same time as the item is created, it is not synced at all. Notes that are created on the PPC are synced back to the PC fine.

Soln: Missing appointments/tasks/contacts containing notes.
I have finally fixed this issue after 3 days of mucking about!!! My phone is syncing all items fine now... I stumbled on the solution in a forum for other software, but it seems to apply to WM5, AS 4.1 and Outlook 2003 too!
As per http://www.sbsh.net/forums/lofiversion/index.php?t8892.html, reregister ole32.dll using:
1. Click Start, click Run, type the following command in the Open box, and then click OK:
Regsvr32.exe %Windir%\System32\Ole32.dll
2. In the RegSvr32 dialog box, click OK.
3. Reboot computer.
4. Create an appointment in Outlook with notes attached and see if it syncs with Outlook.
The applicable text from the source article is:
The library file ole2.dll, is required by windows and is used when performing OLE (Object Linking and Embedding) operations . OLE allows objects created in one application to be embedded in documents/objects created by a different applications e.g. embedding an Excel spreadsheet inside a Word document. OLE is used fairly extensively in windows applications, so if possible you should not remove this file.
If this file is not registered well, it causes a variety of problems with synchronisation. Appointments and tasks with additional notes do not sync, contacts with additional notes or a picture ID do not sync and other programs like SmartphoneNotes can not sync. I found out that a MS security update in december or the beginning of this year also involved an issue with ole32.dll. Because of this something might have gone wrong with the registration of this file in Windows causing all sorts of problems relating to ActiveSync. (Re)registering this file can solve those problems as it did on my system. Since it´s a Windows file that has to be registered anyway, it can´t harm doing it again hoping it solves the problems experienced.

I love you man

I'm having this exact problem (WM6, courtesy of mfrazz, on Wizard) but the above solution didn't solve my problem. Is there a more recent fix I should try?

I love you too.
New stuff now fine, but I have to add a character to all old calendar notes on WM5 to get them to show up in Outlook.
Also glad you posted here because the original article link doesn't work....

You are god man, thanks a lot. Just bought the new Samsung i780 and experiencing this sync issue right out of the box after a pretty flawless experience with a Palm Treo 650 for almost four years was really frustrating. Thanks again.

Thanks a Lot!!.......Great Post....
Just a quick note to say well done to GQ. I have spent almost 7 hours troubleshooting this issue (1 way sync from PC to PocketPc but the other way is fine). Weirdly enough syncing with a spare Smartphone was totally unaffected.
I did everything, Removed\reinstalled AS, Created dedicated inbound\outbound rules for AS in Macaffe, Uninstalled AV, Deleted Partnerships on Device & PC, Decreased mailbox size, Created New PST, Downgraded from Office 2007 back to 2003, multiple Hard Resets....... to name but a few!!!....Tried lots of other stuff, manually searching through Registry for WindowsCE related stuff.
Re registered the DLL, Rebooted tested......Superb!.....Works again!
Top Posting gq......Great solution.

Shinteetah said:
I'm having this exact problem (WM6, courtesy of mfrazz, on Wizard) but the above solution didn't solve my problem. Is there a more recent fix I should try?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I too am having this problem with my Samsung Omnia WM6, and Win XP ActiveSync... I have 22 contacts with pictures that will not load from phone to PC... "The following contacts failed to synchronize from the device" Support Code: 1
Anyone else have a solution to this??? This one is killing me as I want to be able to actively manage contact pictures on my PC and phone, and use OutSync (for facebook pics to outlook contacts).

Hi Chadwicky:
Same problem here with my Omnia and XP SP3 Activsync 4.5. It did resolve a recurring calendar event issue but the contacts with pictures just isn't syncing up :-(

I think you can do this by installing Sim manager software also. It is a .cab extension file.

i love you too man, same here and worked out fine! should have used the search abit earlier, 6, 7 hours or so ;-)

Tks a lot
Need to confirm this issue happen even in Window 7 with the new Window Mobile Data Center (WMDC) and Outlook 2003 (Still not test with Outlook 2007)
Solution is the same in http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=903516&postcount=3

Fixed it for me. Been struggling with this for a month, now my contacts and notes all sync properly. I signed up just to say thanks gq.

Activesync and Outlook in Qtek S200-PROBLEM!!!

Hi everybody!
I have a problem with synchronizing my contacts, calendar, tasks etc. When I start Active sync, it synchronizes all the files (music, photos, etc) and programs but could not synchronize outlook!! I reinstalted several times Microsoft Outlook 2002 (which was on the getting started CD) but it doesn't help. When the synchronization is over, the following message appears, when I click on the Exchange message: "The server could not be reached.This can be caused by temporarly network conditions. Support code: 80072ee2"
On my PC, I use Outlook Express 6.0, maybe it's not compatibile with the MO 2002??
Also, I don't see any ikon of the MO 2002, I could not open it on my PC ( could not find it), but in the folder of Add/Delete programs is present (192 MB)!
The message on my device is: Exchange Server Synchronized: None.
I really don't have any idea what should I do to synchronize properly all the information.
Maybe someone of you had a similar problem and could share the experience.
I would be very grateful!!

Hi marbron!
First thing you need to do is sort out the Outlook installation on your PC. If you can not open it, it is not properly installed. Since you can't sync with express, you have to let Outlook 2002 replace it as your default mail program.
Second, when you created a partnership in ActiveSync, you must have chosen to sync with Exchange server directly (first V you get).
When device is not connected, go to File->Delete mobile device, then connect you device and create a new partnership. Make sure you uncheck 'Synchronize with Exchange server directly' on the first page.
Hope this helps.

I don't know why I still have problem with the Outlook. I delated the program and reinstaled it again, I delated the device on Active Sync and connected the device. The message was, that I could synchronize only files, music etc and not contacts, calendar, task because I don't have Outllook instaled...
During the set up wizard of Outllok there is a funny message, that the program will instal the following aplications: Microsoft Outlook 2002 and there is a red cross with (not available), but when I click:instal it does it properly only in one moment the system message appears: you don't have a disc inside, please insert disc (the disc is of course there!!). I have to click several times on continue and then the message disappears... Of course, again I can't find the program on my PC, only it appears on add/delate programs.
I really don't understand it. Maybe the version of Office that I have (Microsoft Office 2000 premium 9.0.2812) somehow creating a problem.... Or maybe the program on my official CD has problem (I don't think so, because Active Sync from the same CD is working ok)...
I really don't know what I should do.
Any ideas???? :idea:

So, any idea?? Could somebody suggest me what should I do???
Please!!!

Same problem
I am having the exact same problem. I tried various fixes but nothing worked. I can't sync my PDA at all now. It used to work ok but starting 10 days ago it simply stopped. The only think I did was using the Internet Connection Sharing applet. After using this applet - no sync at all. And the Windows Mobile Device Center (WMDC) in Windows XP displays a stupid message; see atachment.

marbron: It sounds to me like your CD may be damaged or dirty so some parts of it (namely the ones with Outlook) are not readable.
Try cleaning it and the drive.
In any case you should also delete the partnership from PPC side before establishing a new one.
Innovative: Internet sharing disables ActiveSync but should restore it when deactivated.
Did you try to reset your device? If you are using an unofficial ROM this may be a bug and you may have to hard reset.
Also how are you using WMDC under XP? It was my understanding that thing is for Vista only.
Any way, try AS 4.5 and see if that works better for you.

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.

Windows Live Failed Sync Error

When ever I click sync in Windows live it comes up as failed. I get my e-mail but my contacts in messenger aren't synced. In windows live on the PPC it only shows 4 of my contacts compared to the about 30 on my PC version.
It's not like I use Live anyway, I'm more of a Yahoo user but since Yahoo doesn't support their ppc client anymore I decided to go back to MSN since my Yahoo contacts are available on my PC MSN.
So, does any one know of a registry hack to uninstal and do a fresh install of Live on the Mogul.
Thanks

Same problem here
hi,
as Pocket MSN is replaced with Windows live in WM6, I believe this is a common problem that a Majority of folks are suffering around the world.
Use Google, and see.
I've been trying to Sync my 311 contacts for the past month, but NO WAY!
also, when I become online, and any of my buddies is online, I will still see them as offline. it's always like this: "0 Online". "217 Offline" (Since the rest failed to sync), even though I'm chatting with some of'em and they are ONLINE.
Note: Synchronizing 217 contacts happened successfully (Once upon the time) and as I wasn't able to wait more than 2 hours, I decided to disconnect and go, when I tried to sync again it failed. also, it failed everytime I tried it before this ONLY half-successful experience.
I've tried to sync using the USB cable which is connected to every available internet ISP. i.e. Dial-UP, DSL, also tried the phone's WIFI, GPRS. all in vain.
I've noticed that - during the sync proccess - synchronizing folders is successfully, also, when I check "e-mail messages" in the sync options, they sync successfully, but the FAILED thing comes along with CONTACTS. also, recently, PERSONAL SETTINGS are failing to sync.
therefore, the help of an expert is needed. as this is a global problem, and I don't think that microsoft will provide us with the solution soon (not in the current generation of software)
another question: when I use resco file explorer and bluetooth, how to see my desktop computer under "my network"?
in other words: is the known lack of profiles microsoft bluetooth stack resolved yet?
I installed the provided DUN profile, but what I need isn't DUN, btw, it also says OBEX doesn't exist when I try to recieve from any normal mobile phone (for example Nokia or so)! is that normal?!!
HTC PROPHET, WM6 Prophet Touch by Gullum
ROM Version 4.0.0.0 WWE
Radio Version 02.47.21

The folks at microsoft have identified this issue and have found not a solution, but a workaround to this problem. Go to the following website if you want more details.
https://forums.microsoft.com/WindowsMobile/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=2467855&SiteID=65
Basically, all you have to do is switch your live account and thal'll reset all your settings and contacts. Note that this is not a solution but it works. You can connect to messenger and your email account as long as you don't close the application, so if you have enough memory you can always leave it running in the background because if you close it and try to sync again it'll fail
Hope that helps!!

I've Got the Solution!
Hi Friends!
I've owned HTC Touch recently & Using Windows Live.
I've faced the same Sync Problem there but now got hte solution & is working fine.
here is the process:
Open Windows Live on your device and click Menu - Account Options. select Switch Account and follow onscreen instructions.
Also Tick all 3 options which comes after entering ur Windows Live ID And password.
Not It Works Fine.
Enjoy...
alabij said:
When ever I click sync in Windows live it comes up as failed. I get my e-mail but my contacts in messenger aren't synced. In windows live on the PPC it only shows 4 of my contacts compared to the about 30 on my PC version.
It's not like I use Live anyway, I'm more of a Yahoo user but since Yahoo doesn't support their ppc client anymore I decided to go back to MSN since my Yahoo contacts are available on my PC MSN.
So, does any one know of a registry hack to uninstal and do a fresh install of Live on the Mogul.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse