ActiveSync does not allow custom sync settings with Windows Mobile

I have been using an Orange SPV C500 for the past year. Lovely phone, running
Windows Mobile 2003. I have just upgraded my phone to the Orange SPV C600,
which runs Windows Mobile 5. The phone is nicer all-round, but the software
is very similar except for the newer version of Windows Mobile.

So, I came to synchronise my phone with my PC. I connected the phone via USB
and it detected fine. I chose to synchronise my Contacts, Calendar, and Tasks
- I don't use my phone on the Internet so I never sync my emails.

Now the problems begin.

On my old phone, synchronisation took about 10 seconds to transfer
everything (around 400 contacts, 100 calendar entries, and a few tasks) to a
blank phone (the old one wiped itself every so often, so I've done this a few
times!). On the new phone, it took 4 minutes. I don't know why it's so much
slower, but I can live with that.

The main issue is that for my old phone, I could choose what categories of
contact, etc. to sync with the phone. This is important to me, as I don't
want *all* my contacts on my phone - just some friends, family, work, etc.
Same with Calendar and Tasks. For my new phone, I cannot find anywhere to do
this.

To clarify:

In ActiveSync, with nothing connected, I go to File -> Mobile Device -> 1
SPV_C500. I then get a toolbar with buttons that say "Sync", "Stop",
"Details", "Explore", and "Options". The Details panel shows "Calendar",
"Contacts", and "Tasks". If I right-click on "Contacts", I can choose
"Settings". This then takes me to a popup that says, "Synchronise all
contacts", "Synchronise only the following contacts", and "Synchronise only
those contacts in the following selected categories". I select the last
option, and choose my categories. Hey presto, everything is fine. I can also
get the same options by clicking "Options" on the toolbar, and then selecting
"Contacts" and clicking "Settings..." button. I can do the same for Calendar
and Tasks as I can for Contacts.

However, if I go to File -> Mobile Device -> 2 SPV_C600, the toolbar changes
to "Sync", "Schedule", and "Explore". Nothing appears in the Details pane.
So, I connect my phone. In the Details pane, "Windows PC" appears. By
right-clicking this, and choosing Settings, I can access rules that used to
be in the Options popup. Anyway, under "Windows PC" I have "Contacts",
"Calendar", and "Tasks". I can right-click "Calendar" and select "Settings",
but the Settings option for Contacts and Tasks is greyed out. For the
Calendar, the settings allow me to choose what date range to synchronise. The
category options have disappeared.


So, how can I do what I used to be able to do? I do not think the phone
itself is at fault - this seems to be a problem with ActiveSync when
connecting to Windows Mobile 5? I find it incredible that Microsoft would
remove such a highly useful feature.

What can I do? Is there a hidden option somewhere, or will a future update
fix this?

I am running the latest version of ActiveSync 4.1 on Windows XP Pro, and I
have Microsoft Outlook 2003 installed, which is what I am synchronising with.
I don't use Exchange.

Hi,

Yes, the feature you are referring to is not available when you sync a WM
5.0 device. It is still available for pre WM 5.0 devices even if you are
using AS 4.1. At the moment, you have the option to move the contacts you
don't wish to sync to a new Contacts folder since AS doesn't support sync of
sub folders.

The initial sync will be slow. The subsequent sync's will be a little
quicker. Note that WM 5.0 has persistent memory storage now. Therefore
loss of battery power will not erase your data on the device.

--
Regards,
Raj Pillai
Microsoft MVP - Mobile Devices
http://www.pocketpcfaq.com/raj


"krycek" <> wrote in message
news:60B975F5-7DE4-488D-A3D5-...
>I have been using an Orange SPV C500 for the past year. Lovely phone,
>running
> Windows Mobile 2003. I have just upgraded my phone to the Orange SPV C600,
> which runs Windows Mobile 5. The phone is nicer all-round, but the
> software
> is very similar except for the newer version of Windows Mobile.
>
> So, I came to synchronise my phone with my PC. I connected the phone via
> USB
> and it detected fine. I chose to synchronise my Contacts, Calendar, and
> Tasks
> - I don't use my phone on the Internet so I never sync my emails.
>
> Now the problems begin.
>
> On my old phone, synchronisation took about 10 seconds to transfer
> everything (around 400 contacts, 100 calendar entries, and a few tasks) to
> a
> blank phone (the old one wiped itself every so often, so I've done this a
> few
> times!). On the new phone, it took 4 minutes. I don't know why it's so
> much
> slower, but I can live with that.
>
> The main issue is that for my old phone, I could choose what categories of
> contact, etc. to sync with the phone. This is important to me, as I don't
> want *all* my contacts on my phone - just some friends, family, work, etc.
> Same with Calendar and Tasks. For my new phone, I cannot find anywhere to
> do
> this.
>
> To clarify:
>
> In ActiveSync, with nothing connected, I go to File -> Mobile Device -> 1
> SPV_C500. I then get a toolbar with buttons that say "Sync", "Stop",
> "Details", "Explore", and "Options". The Details panel shows "Calendar",
> "Contacts", and "Tasks". If I right-click on "Contacts", I can choose
> "Settings". This then takes me to a popup that says, "Synchronise all
> contacts", "Synchronise only the following contacts", and "Synchronise
> only
> those contacts in the following selected categories". I select the last
> option, and choose my categories. Hey presto, everything is fine. I can
> also
> get the same options by clicking "Options" on the toolbar, and then
> selecting
> "Contacts" and clicking "Settings..." button. I can do the same for
> Calendar
> and Tasks as I can for Contacts.
>
> However, if I go to File -> Mobile Device -> 2 SPV_C600, the toolbar
> changes
> to "Sync", "Schedule", and "Explore". Nothing appears in the Details pane.
> So, I connect my phone. In the Details pane, "Windows PC" appears. By
> right-clicking this, and choosing Settings, I can access rules that used
> to
> be in the Options popup. Anyway, under "Windows PC" I have "Contacts",
> "Calendar", and "Tasks". I can right-click "Calendar" and select
> "Settings",
> but the Settings option for Contacts and Tasks is greyed out. For the
> Calendar, the settings allow me to choose what date range to synchronise.
> The
> category options have disappeared.
>
>
> So, how can I do what I used to be able to do? I do not think the phone
> itself is at fault - this seems to be a problem with ActiveSync when
> connecting to Windows Mobile 5? I find it incredible that Microsoft would
> remove such a highly useful feature.
>
> What can I do? Is there a hidden option somewhere, or will a future update
> fix this?
>
> I am running the latest version of ActiveSync 4.1 on Windows XP Pro, and I
> have Microsoft Outlook 2003 installed, which is what I am synchronising
> with.
> I don't use Exchange.

Hi Raj

Thank-you for your reply.

Can I ask, why on earth has Microsoft removed this feature? It is one of the
most useful things about synchronisation, and it does not seem not make sense
to remove it.

Is it a temporary issue? Can we expect to see it come back again? If not,
I'll probably have to return my new phone and continue using my old one





"Raj Pillai" wrote:

> Hi,
>
> Yes, the feature you are referring to is not available when you sync a WM
> 5.0 device. It is still available for pre WM 5.0 devices even if you are
> using AS 4.1. At the moment, you have the option to move the contacts you
> don't wish to sync to a new Contacts folder since AS doesn't support sync of
> sub folders.
>
> The initial sync will be slow. The subsequent sync's will be a little
> quicker. Note that WM 5.0 has persistent memory storage now. Therefore
> loss of battery power will not erase your data on the device.
>
> --
> Regards,
> Raj Pillai
> Microsoft MVP - Mobile Devices
> http://www.pocketpcfaq.com/raj
>
>
> "krycek" <> wrote in message
> news:60B975F5-7DE4-488D-A3D5-...
> >I have been using an Orange SPV C500 for the past year. Lovely phone,
> >running
> > Windows Mobile 2003. I have just upgraded my phone to the Orange SPV C600,
> > which runs Windows Mobile 5. The phone is nicer all-round, but the
> > software
> > is very similar except for the newer version of Windows Mobile.
> >
> > So, I came to synchronise my phone with my PC. I connected the phone via
> > USB
> > and it detected fine. I chose to synchronise my Contacts, Calendar, and
> > Tasks
> > - I don't use my phone on the Internet so I never sync my emails.
> >
> > Now the problems begin.
> >
> > On my old phone, synchronisation took about 10 seconds to transfer
> > everything (around 400 contacts, 100 calendar entries, and a few tasks) to
> > a
> > blank phone (the old one wiped itself every so often, so I've done this a
> > few
> > times!). On the new phone, it took 4 minutes. I don't know why it's so
> > much
> > slower, but I can live with that.
> >
> > The main issue is that for my old phone, I could choose what categories of
> > contact, etc. to sync with the phone. This is important to me, as I don't
> > want *all* my contacts on my phone - just some friends, family, work, etc.
> > Same with Calendar and Tasks. For my new phone, I cannot find anywhere to
> > do
> > this.
> >
> > To clarify:
> >
> > In ActiveSync, with nothing connected, I go to File -> Mobile Device -> 1
> > SPV_C500. I then get a toolbar with buttons that say "Sync", "Stop",
> > "Details", "Explore", and "Options". The Details panel shows "Calendar",
> > "Contacts", and "Tasks". If I right-click on "Contacts", I can choose
> > "Settings". This then takes me to a popup that says, "Synchronise all
> > contacts", "Synchronise only the following contacts", and "Synchronise
> > only
> > those contacts in the following selected categories". I select the last
> > option, and choose my categories. Hey presto, everything is fine. I can
> > also
> > get the same options by clicking "Options" on the toolbar, and then
> > selecting
> > "Contacts" and clicking "Settings..." button. I can do the same for
> > Calendar
> > and Tasks as I can for Contacts.
> >
> > However, if I go to File -> Mobile Device -> 2 SPV_C600, the toolbar
> > changes
> > to "Sync", "Schedule", and "Explore". Nothing appears in the Details pane.
> > So, I connect my phone. In the Details pane, "Windows PC" appears. By
> > right-clicking this, and choosing Settings, I can access rules that used
> > to
> > be in the Options popup. Anyway, under "Windows PC" I have "Contacts",
> > "Calendar", and "Tasks". I can right-click "Calendar" and select
> > "Settings",
> > but the Settings option for Contacts and Tasks is greyed out. For the
> > Calendar, the settings allow me to choose what date range to synchronise.
> > The
> > category options have disappeared.
> >
> >
> > So, how can I do what I used to be able to do? I do not think the phone
> > itself is at fault - this seems to be a problem with ActiveSync when
> > connecting to Windows Mobile 5? I find it incredible that Microsoft would
> > remove such a highly useful feature.
> >
> > What can I do? Is there a hidden option somewhere, or will a future update
> > fix this?
> >
> > I am running the latest version of ActiveSync 4.1 on Windows XP Pro, and I
> > have Microsoft Outlook 2003 installed, which is what I am synchronising
> > with.
> > I don't use Exchange.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Hi,
Microsoft had to reengineer ActiveSync 4.x to work with Windows Mobile 5.0
devices. They have not stated if or when the filtering settings will be
brought back.

If you really want these features, file a complaint with your Windows Mobile
OEM asking them to ask Microsoft for the features.


--
Chris De Herrera
http://www.pocketpcfaq.com
http://www.tabletpctalk.com
http://www.pocketpctalk.com
http://www.mobilitytalk.com

ActiveSync 4.x Troubleshooting Guide -
http://www.pocketpcfaq.com/faqs/acti...shoot-as4x.htm

"krycek" <> wrote in message
news:9BDDD326-0E85-4DB2-AA21-...
> Hi Raj
>
> Thank-you for your reply.
>
> Can I ask, why on earth has Microsoft removed this feature? It is one of
> the
> most useful things about synchronisation, and it does not seem not make
> sense
> to remove it.
>
> Is it a temporary issue? Can we expect to see it come back again? If not,
> I'll probably have to return my new phone and continue using my old one
>
>
>
>
>
> "Raj Pillai" wrote:
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> Yes, the feature you are referring to is not available when you sync a WM
>> 5.0 device. It is still available for pre WM 5.0 devices even if you are
>> using AS 4.1. At the moment, you have the option to move the contacts
>> you
>> don't wish to sync to a new Contacts folder since AS doesn't support sync
>> of
>> sub folders.
>>
>> The initial sync will be slow. The subsequent sync's will be a little
>> quicker. Note that WM 5.0 has persistent memory storage now. Therefore
>> loss of battery power will not erase your data on the device.
>>
>> --
>> Regards,
>> Raj Pillai
>> Microsoft MVP - Mobile Devices
>> http://www.pocketpcfaq.com/raj
>>
>>
>> "krycek" <> wrote in message
>> news:60B975F5-7DE4-488D-A3D5-...
>> >I have been using an Orange SPV C500 for the past year. Lovely phone,
>> >running
>> > Windows Mobile 2003. I have just upgraded my phone to the Orange SPV
>> > C600,
>> > which runs Windows Mobile 5. The phone is nicer all-round, but the
>> > software
>> > is very similar except for the newer version of Windows Mobile.
>> >
>> > So, I came to synchronise my phone with my PC. I connected the phone
>> > via
>> > USB
>> > and it detected fine. I chose to synchronise my Contacts, Calendar, and
>> > Tasks
>> > - I don't use my phone on the Internet so I never sync my emails.
>> >
>> > Now the problems begin.
>> >
>> > On my old phone, synchronisation took about 10 seconds to transfer
>> > everything (around 400 contacts, 100 calendar entries, and a few tasks)
>> > to
>> > a
>> > blank phone (the old one wiped itself every so often, so I've done this
>> > a
>> > few
>> > times!). On the new phone, it took 4 minutes. I don't know why it's so
>> > much
>> > slower, but I can live with that.
>> >
>> > The main issue is that for my old phone, I could choose what categories
>> > of
>> > contact, etc. to sync with the phone. This is important to me, as I
>> > don't
>> > want *all* my contacts on my phone - just some friends, family, work,
>> > etc.
>> > Same with Calendar and Tasks. For my new phone, I cannot find anywhere
>> > to
>> > do
>> > this.
>> >
>> > To clarify:
>> >
>> > In ActiveSync, with nothing connected, I go to File -> Mobile Device ->
>> > 1
>> > SPV_C500. I then get a toolbar with buttons that say "Sync", "Stop",
>> > "Details", "Explore", and "Options". The Details panel shows
>> > "Calendar",
>> > "Contacts", and "Tasks". If I right-click on "Contacts", I can choose
>> > "Settings". This then takes me to a popup that says, "Synchronise all
>> > contacts", "Synchronise only the following contacts", and "Synchronise
>> > only
>> > those contacts in the following selected categories". I select the last
>> > option, and choose my categories. Hey presto, everything is fine. I can
>> > also
>> > get the same options by clicking "Options" on the toolbar, and then
>> > selecting
>> > "Contacts" and clicking "Settings..." button. I can do the same for
>> > Calendar
>> > and Tasks as I can for Contacts.
>> >
>> > However, if I go to File -> Mobile Device -> 2 SPV_C600, the toolbar
>> > changes
>> > to "Sync", "Schedule", and "Explore". Nothing appears in the Details
>> > pane.
>> > So, I connect my phone. In the Details pane, "Windows PC" appears. By
>> > right-clicking this, and choosing Settings, I can access rules that
>> > used
>> > to
>> > be in the Options popup. Anyway, under "Windows PC" I have "Contacts",
>> > "Calendar", and "Tasks". I can right-click "Calendar" and select
>> > "Settings",
>> > but the Settings option for Contacts and Tasks is greyed out. For the
>> > Calendar, the settings allow me to choose what date range to
>> > synchronise.
>> > The
>> > category options have disappeared.
>> >
>> >
>> > So, how can I do what I used to be able to do? I do not think the phone
>> > itself is at fault - this seems to be a problem with ActiveSync when
>> > connecting to Windows Mobile 5? I find it incredible that Microsoft
>> > would
>> > remove such a highly useful feature.
>> >
>> > What can I do? Is there a hidden option somewhere, or will a future
>> > update
>> > fix this?
>> >
>> > I am running the latest version of ActiveSync 4.1 on Windows XP Pro,
>> > and I
>> > have Microsoft Outlook 2003 installed, which is what I am synchronising
>> > with.
>> > I don't use Exchange.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>