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!

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.

[Q] Using the Dash 3G on a mac?

Hi all I am new to windows mobile 6.1, well windows mobile period.I have a Macbook and do not have windows on a desktop available at all, which is really starting to bug me. I love this phone but have no real way of using it for what I would like, one of my biggest problems is that I cannot mount it as a USB drive on my mac and therefore have no way of transferring large files to my sdcard. I have tried bluetooth, but cant get it to work right and the only solutions I can find for mounting are $40+, money I really cant spare just to connect the phone to my computer. Any solutions or suggestions, thanks all in advance.

I am also a Mac user (most of the time). Here are some tips:
-I take photos directly to the storage card and just pop it out to transfer them to the Mac. When you plug the card into a regular USB card reader, it will mount.
This way you can also transfer large files back and forth.
Yes you have to take to back off, it's annoying I know.
-I have a corporate Exchange account so there is no need for me to sync locally. I never do. All my organizer data is synced over the air.
BUT if you need to sync it, there are a few choices:
-Buy "Missing Sync".
-Sync over the air to your Google account. Google now gives you OTA Activesync. There are also tools to sync your Mac into your Google account. Basically Google becomes your master DB.
-No experience with this, but I bet there are WiFi network sharing utilities. That could be another way.
-Bluetooth File Exchange is also available (though a bit slow).

Look at the Mark Space Missing Sync programme for mac, it will sync everything and allow you to mount the memory card if you wish.

there's also an apps called SyncMate for mac.,

adisuneo said:
there's also an apps called SyncMate for mac.,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Though without the pro version, no way to copy programs.

search wm5storage + install cab. your phone is now a mass storage.

HTC makes a program called HTC Sync, Its for MACs to sync HTC Devices, I believe it is still free

sugarsync does not sync my desire with my laptop

Anybody tried this app?
I installed it fine on my home laptop and the client on my Desire.
Now I can sync folders with the so-called cloud online but only independently.
That is, I do not seem to be able to sync two folders between my laptop and desire directly.
This is so awkward.
All i want is whenever a file is changed on one side it is synced automatically on the other side. But it does not work like that .
any ideas ?

I use this app and I like it a lot since the new GUI update.
I think that for the sake of mobile traffic, there is no option to automatically sync a folder to the mobile device. You would always have to download the file, edit it and then upload it again. Have you tried putting a file in the "Magic Briefcase"? Maybe that would be a workaround. If I find some time, I'll try it out myself later and report back.
Other than that, you could maybe try another couldstorage service (e.g. Dropbox), but I'm not sure how it works there.
ps. sorry, since I'm a new user, I cannot post links to other sites, so just google for "dropbox android"

thx for your help but i tried the magic stuff but it is not that magic at all. Also tried several other clouds (zumo, dropbox, etc) as well but they all seem to miss what a user is really looking for = conveniently = automatically sync my device with my home PC (thru the cloud if need be).
It is all too complicated now.
All i want is to be always in sync between my home laptop and mobile device.
That should not be too difficult to do?
they do allow to sync between computers and to share folders with other PCs but why not sync the "same" folder between a mobile device and my home PC?

I'm in the same boat
I can't believe that sugarsync or dropbox just don't do it. I only want to keep synced 1 excel file.

Well, like I said, maybe because this would generate more mobile traffic. You could send a message to the devs and ask them, maybe such a feature is planned. SugarSync just recently updated their GUI. Before that it was really, really bad!

I always inform the supplier in these cases and i received a ticket but i still wait for their reply ....

and this is what they replied:
//////////////
Hello .....,
You will not be able to add your HTC desire as a computer to sync data to. You can download files you need from your SugarSync account to your HTC mobile device and sync data from the HTC Desire mobile phone to the account but cannot setup syncing between the 2 device because not everyone have unlimited data plan.
Regards,
SugarSync Customer Care
///////////////
Well i think this answer is just rubbish ....
Why not offer it as an option, btw many apps warn about the cost of data transfer ....
pitty, i have removed it ....

Sjengie said:
and this is what they replied:
//////////////
Hello .....,
You will not be able to add your HTC desire as a computer to sync data to. You can download files you need from your SugarSync account to your HTC mobile device and sync data from the HTC Desire mobile phone to the account but cannot setup syncing between the 2 device because not everyone have unlimited data plan.
Regards,
SugarSync Customer Care
///////////////
Well i think this answer is just rubbish ....
Why not offer it as an option, btw many apps warn about the cost of data transfer ....
pitty, i have removed it ....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not suprised. I AM doing what you are looking to do using Sugarsync and [ViceVersa Pro VV Engine combination]. This combination costs about $60 but I already had it.
If you use the not so Magic Briefcase that sugarsync supply and add files/folders from your PC/laptop through that what happens is that those files/folders are duplicated in USER/USER_NAME/MYDOCUMENTS/MAGIC BRIEFCASE on your PC.
Those files will be available on your Desire through magic briefcase. When you edit a file on your Desire, after you close that file you will told to upload it as it has changed.
On your PC, the relevant file in USER/USER_NAME/MYDOCUMENTS/MAGIC BRIEFCASE will have been updated.
I now use ViceVersa Pro to ensure that the 2 versions of the file on my PC are kept in sync, and VV engine does the task every 20 mins.
Hopefully I have explained how I do this in a straight foward fashion beacuse it seems to work flawlessly. Sugarsync does 75% of the job but just does not sync the 2 versions on your PC.
The key is to examine USER/USER_NAME/MYDOCUMENTS/MAGIC BRIEFCASE
Hope this helps.

@lyrrad
thx, nice idea, but bit complicated though, with a risk of duplicates.
nevertheless i will give it a try as i already use goodsync to sync my home network
I will now add these two folders and see how it goes.
cheerio

Sjengie said:
@lyrrad
thx, nice idea, but bit complicated though, with a risk of duplicates.
nevertheless i will give it a try as i already use goodsync to sync my home network
I will now add these two folders and see how it goes.
cheerio
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me the only complication was the setup, and that was far less painful than tring dropbox/sugarsync and zumo and finding out that things just don't work as advertised.. My way seems to be 100% okay, and I have not experienced any duplicates YET. The only thing I now have to do is to upload the file from my Desire when asked. It just works. Let me know how you get on, just in case I'm overlooking something.

[Q]Push Files To Android Via Internet

Well, I'm a typical WinMo guy. So please, excuse me if this is foolish. But, according to the research I've done, I think this topic has not been touched.
Many a times, we work on desktop PC. We have some of our files which we would DEFINITELY want on our Android. And we don't always have our device tethered to the desktop computer! Its also tiresome to manually copy files to the device!
Is there any service which allows us to sync our PC as well as Android with cloud? I wish, I can just put files on a folder on PC and they will be available on my device. Yeah! I know you would shout 'Dropbox'! Actually, in Dropbox, we have to manually download the files which we want. I want the automatic sync of a folder (chosen by me) to my device, so that it syncs in background and I have my files available on the go.
Thanks in advance.

Dropbox automatically syncs the dropbox folder... why dont you just use that as your chosen folder? Im not sure but i believe you can also choose whichever folder you want to use as you dropbox folder.
Sorry if this doesnt help

Actually dropbox does _not_ sync to Android devices. Their Android client does download on demand only, which really sucks, and I complain about it a lot.
Given that their iPhone client _can_ sync selected files it's just pure lazyness on their part.

But, this thread wasn't meant for DropBox discussion. Is there anything which solves the problem! C'mon Dropbox team, you need not to worry about our storage space! Get us app like iPhone!