ActiveSync Troubleshooting Guide
By Chris De Herrera, Copyright 2001-2007
 Version 1.36  Revised 2/11/2007

Troubleshooting/Tips

Before starting, please upgrade to ActiveSync 3.5 for all Windows CE 2.x or 3.x PC Companions.  If you have a SmartPhone then install ActiveSync 3.6. (3.6 adds no additional features for the Pocket PC) or ActiveSync 3.7.1 or ActiveSync 3.8.  This release resolves some of the problems listed below.  The readme file included with ActiveSync describes the fixes that are provided which include daylight savings time problems, synchronization of notes in contacts, support for Outlook 98, Windows 2000, Windows XP etc.

Sections:

1. Installation - Issues regarding the installation/reinstallation of ActiveSync on your PC.

2. Initial Configuration - Issues regarding how to setup the first connection to the PC.  This is before setting up a partnership.

3. USB Issues - Issues regarding connecting Pocket PCs via USB.

4. Guest Issues - Issues where you already have a partnership or you are trying to setup a new partnership and the Pocket PC only connects as a guest.

5. Firewall and Proxy Issues - Conflicts between firewalls, and proxy configurations that prevent ActiveSync from working.

6. Outlook Errors - Errors occurring with Outlook when you synchronize.

7. Synchronization Errors - General errors that occur after you already have a partnership with your PC.

8. MIS - Mobile Information Server - Errors regarding the implementation of Mobile Information Server.  This may assist users of Exchange 2003 which integrated MIS functionality.

9. Exchange ActiveSync Error Codes and Solutions - List of known error messages and possible solutions for Exchange ActiveSync errors.

10. Missing Calendar, Contacts or Tasks Items - Issues regarding why calendar, contacts or tasks may be missing from your Pocket PC.

11. Security Advisories - Known security issues with some versions of ActiveSync.

12. ActiveSync 4.x Troubleshooting Guide  - General - General errors occurring with ActiveSync 4.x not covered in the other articles above.

13. ActiveSync 4.x Troubleshooting Guide - Limitations - Known limitations that exist in ActiveSync 4.x

14. ActiveSync 4.x Troubleshooting Guide - 85010014 - Solutions to the 0x85010014 error.

15. ActiveSync 4.x Troubleshooting Guide - Firewall, VPN, Proxy - How to configure a firewall, VPN or Proxy to work with ActiveSync

16. ActiveSync 4.x Troubleshooting Guide - Logs & Services - Explains the logs that ActiveSync creates.

17. ActiveSync 4.x Troubleshooting Guide - Connection Flow - Explains the initial connection to help users diagnose problems.

18. USB Advanced Network Functionality - Option to revert back to using PPP instead of RNDIS.

19. Microsoft ActiveSync 4.2 Troubleshooting - Microsoft's built-in troubleshooting tool for ActiveSync

If your problem is not resolved here, try Bev Howard's Solving ActiveSync Issues, the Microsoft ActiveSync Troubleshooter or Microsoft's Knowledge Base search on ActiveSync or Microsoft's Knowledge Base search on Mobile Information Server.

Other Articles on ActiveSync:

ActiveSync Versions FAQ
ActiveSync 3.8 Review
ActiveSync 3.7 Review
ActiveSync 3.6 Review
ActiveSync 3.5 Review
ActiveSync 3.1 Review
ActiveSync 3.0 Review
ActiveSync - Identifying Unresolved Items
ActiveSync - Multiple Partnerships
ActiveSync - Using Categories to Sync
ActiveSync Configurations
ActiveSync Future Directions
Configuring Norton Internet Security and ActiveSync
Removing ActiveSync 3.X