WLC contacts Sync not always reliable?

Currently i use WLM in 2 countries (Germany and Austria) on 2 different
machines.
On both machines there are several eMail accounts, including an @live.de
eMail address,
with which i connect to Windows Live.
Understanding that such an address is required for Calendar and Contact
Syncing,
the calendar Sync works,
the contact sync is not always up to date.
When adding a contact on machine1, even 2 days later, it will not appear on
machine2.
Is any special sync needed? Or can this be a temporary problem of windows
live?

greetings


Roland Schweiger

When using machine 2 (after adding a contact on machine 1 two days earlier)
have you logged on to contacts.live.com with that same Live ID to verify if
the contacts added by machine 1 are on the web server. If not, no amount of
sync'ing in WLM (on machine 2) will make them available on machine 2.


--
....winston
msft mvp mail

"Roland Schweiger" wrote in message
news:ijji9p$h7q$...

Currently i use WLM in 2 countries (Germany and Austria) on 2 different
machines.
On both machines there are several eMail accounts, including an @live.de
eMail address,
with which i connect to Windows Live.
Understanding that such an address is required for Calendar and Contact
Syncing,
the calendar Sync works,
the contact sync is not always up to date.
When adding a contact on machine1, even 2 days later, it will not appear on
machine2.
Is any special sync needed? Or can this be a temporary problem of windows
live?

greetings


Roland Schweiger

"...winston" schrieb im Newsbeitrag

>When using machine 2 (after adding a contact on machine 1 two days earlier)
>have you logged on to contacts.live.com with that same Live ID to verify if
>the contacts added by machine 1 are on the web server. If not, no amount of
>sync'ing in WLM (on machine 2) will make them available on machine 2.

Yes indeed. Both machines are 'logged in' with the same Live ID (i.e. the
same live eMail address / account) and it is the 1st time that i notice such
a problem.

Could it be that some new contacts (the contact was not added manually; it
was added after replying 3 times to the sender),
could it be that some contacts don't go into the Windows Live system, but
end up instead in the local store?

greetings

Roland Schweiger

I'm still not sure if the contacts (you) added on machine 1 are present on
the web server at contacts.live.com.

Fyi...Occasionally I've seen some delays when adding a contact before it
appears on the web (one the same machine ranging from immediate to about
10-12 minutes) but once the contacts are also present on the web a fresh
signon a different (second, third etc) machine yields common contacts on
all machines and the web. WLM does not have a 'contacts special
sync'...sync, if not immediated, appears to be performed by WLM on a
pre-determined polling schedule which seems to be about every 10-12 minutes
and/or about every 6th opening(also apparently by design) and also with a
full sign off and sign on.

If the contacts are not present on the web server(contacts.live.com) after
adding on machine 1
1. Signout of Windows Live on machine 1 (and signout then close Messenger
if open)
2. Close WLM
3. Open WLM and sign on
- if still not present on the web after waiting or repeating steps 1
through 3..then you may have to delete that Live ID's contacts folder(first
repeat steps 1 and 2 before deleting the Live ID's conacts folder), then
repeat step 3, re-add the contact manually(caution if you have a lot of
missing contacts to avoid manual reentry, it might be appropriate to export
first to a csv file, edit the csv file to delete all except the missing
contacts then import the missing contacts). If it doesn't sync then repeat
steps 1 through 3.

If the contacts are present on the web server when accessing
contacts.live.com (with machine 2) but not present on machine 2 in WLM's
contacts
1. Sign out of Windows Live on machine 2 (and signout then close Messenger
if open)
2. Close WLM
3. Open WLM and sign on
- for this scenario (one the web but not in WLM on machine 2) - > Sign
out of Windows Live, close WLM on machine 2, delete the local Live ID's
contacts database folder for that same Live ID (on machine 2), open WLM,
and sign on to Live with that same Live ID. The deletion may be necessary
if the database for that Live ID is corrupted (i.e won't sync).


--
....winston
msft mvp mail

"Roland Schweiger" wrote in message
news:ijmkl2$3d1$...

"...winston" schrieb im Newsbeitrag

>When using machine 2 (after adding a contact on machine 1 two days
>earlier) have you logged on to contacts.live.com with that same Live ID to
>verify if the contacts added by machine 1 are on the web server. If not,
>no amount of sync'ing in WLM (on machine 2) will make them available on
>machine 2.

Yes indeed. Both machines are 'logged in' with the same Live ID (i.e. the
same live eMail address / account) and it is the 1st time that i notice
such
a problem.

Could it be that some new contacts (the contact was not added manually; it
was added after replying 3 times to the sender),
could it be that some contacts don't go into the Windows Live system, but
end up instead in the local store?

greetings

Roland Schweiger

"...winston"
>If the contacts are not present on the web server(contacts.live.com) after
>adding on machine 1
>1. Signout of Windows Live on machine 1 (and signout then close Messenger
>if open)
>2. Close WLM
>3. Open WLM and sign on
>- if still not present on the web after waiting or repeating steps 1
>through 3..then you may have to delete that Live ID's contacts folder(first
>repeat steps 1 and 2 before deleting the Live ID's conacts folder), then
>repeat step 3, re-add the contact manually(caution if you have a lot of
>(...)


Thanks for the information. Well i have to be cautious with what i am doing
as i have many contacts...
Right now the scenario is:

Machine1 (in Vienna) : 1178 contacts in the "all contacts" folder of WLM
when logged into live ID

Machine2 (in Dresden): 1173 contects in the "all contacts" folder of WLM
when logged into live ID

And when logged into the live ID with the web-browser, it only shows me 1171
contacts! :-(

The most recent ones are not synced.
I can help myself becaus i ran start the machines remotely and work on the
remote desktop,
but still this is a phenomenon ...

Some of the contacts are indeed doubled, but still, WLM does not show if
"some" contacts are only stored locally and don't sync.
I have logged off on both machines (logged of in WLM from Windows Live),
deleted the local contacts folder, re-logged on on both machines,
the numbers i stated remain the same ...

greetings

Roland Schweiger

"Roland Schweiger" schrieb im Newsbeitrag
news:ijqrbn$h10$...
>Machine1 (in Vienna) : 1178 contacts in the "all contacts" folder of WLM
>when logged into live ID

>Machine2 (in Dresden): 1173 contects in the "all contacts" folder of WLM
>when logged into live ID

>And when logged into the live ID with the web-browser, it only shows me
>1171 contacts! :-(

Some addendum:
Although i like WLM and the delta sync princible, there are some
disappointments.
Still regarding the above situation,
on machine1 (with the most contacts) i exported into a CSV file and then
deleted all contacts in windows live (by web browser),
and on both machines made sure that all contacts were "gone".
Then i copied the CSV to machine2, logged on WLM and imported the CSV.

Twice, WLM crashed in the middle of the import process, to make sure
everything goes right, i deleted all the contacts again.
Finally the import of the CSV on machine2 worked, i have my maximum of 1178
contacts.

Now, when logging into the live account by web browser, first, only a few
hundred contacts appeard,
half an hour later, 1000 contacts (so still not all).

When i start machine1 remotely, log onto remote desktop, start WLM, log into
Windows Live,
right now it tells me that there are no contacts at all. :-(

Will wait till the evening. And then try again.

greetings

Roland Schweiger

Three comments about your approach.

1. The recommendation was to delete the Live ID contacts folder on the
machine 1 and/or 2.
- It was not to delete your contacts via the web UI. The purpose was (1)
Ensure your contacts were intact on the web, (2) delete the local contact
database and (3) ensure that WLM would recreate(by signing on with the
same Live ID) a new(local) Live ID contacts database from those on the web.

2. The recommendation was to export your contacts to a csv then edit the
csv file by deleting all contacts in the csv file except those missing (not
syncing) so you wouldn't have to manually re-enter them.
- it was not a recommendation to export the file for later importing of the
entire file after wiping out all contacts in the web UI
Note: The full set of one's Live ID contacts should be exported and
imported via the web interface not WLM

3. See above


--
....winston
msft mvp mail

"Roland Schweiger" wrote in message
news:ijr2v5$49d$...

"Roland Schweiger" schrieb im Newsbeitrag
news:ijqrbn$h10$...
>Machine1 (in Vienna) : 1178 contacts in the "all contacts" folder of WLM
>when logged into live ID

>Machine2 (in Dresden): 1173 contects in the "all contacts" folder of WLM
>when logged into live ID

>And when logged into the live ID with the web-browser, it only shows me
>1171 contacts! :-(

Some addendum:
Although i like WLM and the delta sync princible, there are some
disappointments.
Still regarding the above situation,
on machine1 (with the most contacts) i exported into a CSV file and then
deleted all contacts in windows live (by web browser),
and on both machines made sure that all contacts were "gone".
Then i copied the CSV to machine2, logged on WLM and imported the CSV.

Twice, WLM crashed in the middle of the import process, to make sure
everything goes right, i deleted all the contacts again.
Finally the import of the CSV on machine2 worked, i have my maximum of 1178
contacts.

Now, when logging into the live account by web browser, first, only a few
hundred contacts appeard,
half an hour later, 1000 contacts (so still not all).

When i start machine1 remotely, log onto remote desktop, start WLM, log
into
Windows Live,
right now it tells me that there are no contacts at all. :-(

Will wait till the evening. And then try again.

greetings

Roland Schweiger

Ok, true, i did not read carefully enough.

However as i have soooo many duplicated contacts and bad entries,
it is not so bad that i exported everything to CSV - now i can edit the CSV.

However in the webinterface of WL, there seems to be no import function for
CSV? So i thought i must use WLM to import from csw?
In the webinterface all it tells me when going to the options --> import is
that i should connect to other services like facebook etc. to import
contacts from there,
did they hide an csv import feature somewhere?


I have currently 1178 contcts, could this number be a problem? i read
somewhere that only about 1200 contacts are allowed,
well, after having cleaned everything, i will have < 1000 contacts.



greetings

Roland Schweiger

The web UI has a duplicate cleanup option (we may have discussed before).

I've included an overview of the possible different scenarios possible for
importing and exporting. Do read the 'Important Notes' since variation
exists depending upon method.

Importing and Exporting in the web UI (How To)
-------------------------------------------------
Web UI (contacts.live.com) Import
Click Manage/Import
- select 'Another Windows Live Account or Outlook, choose Outlook or
Windows Live Hotmail, browse to the file, then click Import
- both above options can import a csv file (

Web UI (contacts.live.com) Export
Manage/export
- enter the 8 characters then click Export. Save the file to a location on
your pc.

Important Notes:
These notes cover what happens based on the method noted

Exporting to a CSV: (applicable to items 1 and 2)
------------------------
1. WLM Export to CSV
- one email address personal is exported; work, other, and IM
addresses are all omitted
- exports personal email address to 'Email Address field' in CSV
- exports first name to first name field in CSV
- exports last name to last name field in CSV
- exports Name(combo of first and last) to Name field in CSV, if
Nickname is blank; if Nickname is present, Name field contains Nickname
- exports Nickname to Nickname field in CSV if Nickname is present
- exports other data fields to CSV(e.g. street address, company etc,
job title)
- does not export Categories

2. Hotmail Export to CSV (web UI - contacts.live.com)
- all email address personal, work, Live ID(IM)
- exports personal email address to 'Email address field in CSV
- exports work email address to 'Email 2 Address' field in CSV
- exports other email address to 'Email 3 Address' field in CSV
- exports IM address to 'User 2' field in CSV
- exports Nickname to 'User 1' field in CSV
- exports other data fields to CSV(e.g. street address, country,
company etc, but not job title)
- does not export Categories


Importing from a CSV: (applicable to items 4, 5a, and 5b)
----------------------------
4. WLM Contacts Import (into WLM via a CSV created by WLM, Hotmail,
Outlook, Windows Contacts)
- one email address; work, other, IM omitted
- other data fields (e.g. street address, company, country etc, but
only Job Title if csv created by WLM)
- does not import Categories

5. Hotmail Contacts Import (contacts.live.com)
a. From a Hotmail web UI created/exported CSV file
- imports personal, work, other email addresses but not IM(Live ID)
- imports First name, Last name, Nickname
- does not import Categories
Note about IM:
- If one manaually adds an IM to a contact in the web UI or WLM, it
will be processed as'friend' invitation to your Live ID
Network/WLMessenger. (Network friends and Messenger contacts are one and
the same). Normally an IM for a contact is shared by the contact (only if
a Network friend/Messenger contact) and the contact privacy setting permits
sharing of contact information

b. From WLM createed/exported CSV file
- selecting the Windows Live Hotmail option (No Email/IM addresses) but
name(first, last, nickname, address) and other location info(e.g street
address, city, company, country)
- selecting the Outlook option (same as above No Email/IM address but
name first, last etc)

As one can see....if you wish full management of contacts using traditional
methods (CSV file export and import) one obtains the most flexibility via
the Web UI....which also lends more credence to using a Live ID in WLM to
ensure one retains the maximum (CSV file export/import) benefit.
- I do realize that many have hardship storing contacts on the web but if
using WLM as your email client the Live ID sign-on approach, imo, trumps
the no Live ID sign-on especially if one has any desire to export/import
and uses all available email address data fields(personal, work,
other)...WLM's import/export ability doesn't even come close to the web UI.


--
....winston
msft mvp mail

"Roland Schweiger" wrote in message
news:ijtikv$1s9$...

Ok, true, i did not read carefully enough.

However as i have soooo many duplicated contacts and bad entries,
it is not so bad that i exported everything to CSV - now i can edit the
CSV.

However in the webinterface of WL, there seems to be no import function for
CSV? So i thought i must use WLM to import from csw?
In the webinterface all it tells me when going to the options --> import is
that i should connect to other services like facebook etc. to import
contacts from there,
did they hide an csv import feature somewhere?


I have currently 1178 contcts, could this number be a problem? i read
somewhere that only about 1200 contacts are allowed,
well, after having cleaned everything, i will have < 1000 contacts.



greetings

Roland Schweiger

Thanks for the important notes.

Meanwhile i got all my contacts sorted out, partially by manually cleaning,
partially by using the clean-duplicate feature of the web UI.

There is one thing i have noticed when using different language versions of
WLM and exporting to CSV from within WLM:
The first row of the CSV which contains the names of the data fields, will
be labled in the current language of WLM.
So in the English Version this would be
FirstName MiddleName LastName HomePhone etc.
In my case in the German version, it yealds to
Vorname 2Vorname Nachname TelefonPrivat etc.
If using the same language version (no matter if WLM or the web UI) when
importing from csv, there is no problem.
If using a different language version, one unfortunately has to re-map the
data fields.

Well, all in all, contacts and calendars are still a problem unfortunately.
My sony ericsson mobile phone for instance only has an SE-specific software
which can sync with outlook contacts (these can also include a picture),
but as Outlook is not Windows Live, there is currently no syncing.


As i experimented on different machines, i meanwhile found out that when
using WLM and logging onto WL, it can take up to 10 minutes to sync
contacts.
Does anyone know if there still is this limit of 1000 contacts per live ID?
I now have less than 500 and all seems to be working ok.

Still, all in all i like the idea of Windows Live (and WLM) and consider it
a good direction.


Thanks again for the info.

greetings

Roland Schweiger