Revo & Outlook 2000 contacts [Archive]

morchard

06-03-2003, 10:50 PM

Please help!!!

I've got a new IBM R40 laptop running XP Pro and Outlook 2000. I installed Psiwin 2.3.3, email sync update 1.1 and the contacts2.00 update.

With 207 contacts in the Revo and zero in Outlook I synchronized but only got 10 contact items into outlook. No errors were reported.

I have run scanpst. I've renamed my pst file, created a new pst and imported all my email and agenda files, but NOT my outlook contacts file. My thinking was I'd have a virgin Outlook contacts file to play with. Tried it all again with no success.

As a work around, using C2F I exported my Revo contacts, imported that into Excel and cleaned it up, and then imported that into Outlook so I had 207 contacts in both devices. I then synchronized but Outlook will not pickup changes in contacts in the Revo. It will send new contacts created in Outlook to the Revo.

My life is my Revo!!! Please help.

Thanks,

Mark

Jim Cooke

06-04-2003, 01:21 AM

Mark,

I'm assuming that you've previously synced your Revo to another computer. I don't know if you started your new computer clean or restored files from your old computer. If you transfered any files from your old computer, you may have transfered your backup files from your Revo. This would have included syncing history from your old install of PsiWin which could be causing the problems you're seeing now.

First, back up your Revo. Next, go to the Psion/YourName/Syncro folder and delete all the files there. Delete the current sync tasks in PsiWin and set up a new sync task that only includes Contacts. Delete all the contacts currently in Outlook.

Sync your contacts and answer No if you get a dialog box about missing items on one machine or the other. If all your contacts from your Revo now appear in Outlook, try creating a dummy contact on your Revo and then sync again. If all now appears normal, you can add the remaining sync tasks in PsiWin.

Regards, Jim

morchard

06-04-2003, 01:44 AM

Jim,

Thanks for the quick reply. Unfortunately it didn't work. I did everything you said and still got only the 10 contacts come across from the Revo.

Is it significant that it's always the same 10 contacts?

Re your assumptions:
Yes, I've synced the Revo (had it since 1999) with numerous laptops and currently sync successfully with my home PC running 98SE and Outlook 2002.

I started the new computer clean. Just installed Psiwin and the patches and then did a sync.

I just had a thought. The last laptop (from my previous employer) ran Lotus Notes. I purchased and ran InSyncPro to sync to Notes and it worked with no problems. Could this be an issue? Mind you, I have no probs syncing at home.

Again, thanks for your help and any ongoing assistance you can give me.

Regards,

Mark

Jim Cooke

06-04-2003, 01:07 PM

Mark,

Are you using Outlook under Exchange or as a standalone at work? Just so I understand, you can sync all the contacts correctly at home on a different computer but can't sync using the laptop? Does the laptop have a serial port or are you suing a USB adaptor? Was the laptop given to you by your employer or did you buy it? If it was given to you by your employer, did the IT people add anything before they gave it to you? Were there any files on the network that were restored automatically when you first connected?

I don't think that formerly using InSyncPro should be a problem because you should have the same problem syncing to your home computer unless some files were restored to the laptop that you don't know about. There has to be something different on the laptop that's causing the problem. If the contacts sync always stops at the same 10 contacts, PsiWin has to be getting a spurious end of file indication.

Try deleting the Contacts.cdb file in the system/data folder on your Revo. Open contacts, which will say it can't find the contacts file and let it create a new contacts store. Sync with Outlook and see if all the contacts come across. If this works, try creating a dummy contact on the Revo and then see if that syncs.

This one sounds like it's going to take some detective work to figure out.

Regards, Jim

morchard

06-04-2003, 05:43 PM

Jim,

Re your questions:
Outlook 2000 without Exchange.
I can sync at home but not at work.
IBM R40 with a serial port which is connected to the Revo.
Employer's laptop, new and all software installed (I'm told) from the CDs.

What I've done in response to your latest posting:
Using C2F I exported my contacts in the Revo to a delimited, comma separated file.
I renamed the contacts.cdb.
As you said, Contacts asked me to create a new file, which I did.
I then created a contact in Outlook and synced. No probs.
I then created a contact in the Revo and synced. No probs.

I assume I'll now have to import my Revo-exported delimited file into Outlook? What's the best way to get back my contacts?

Cheers,

Mark

Jim Cooke

06-04-2003, 06:46 PM

Mark,

Now we're getting somewhere. It seem obvious that your original Contacts file had some corruption that was giving PsiWin the false end of file message.

You can import your CSV file directly into Outlook.

* Got to File, Import and Export, Import from another program or file and click Next

* Choose Comma Separated Values (Windows) as the file format and click Next

* Browse to find your contacts CSV file

* Choose the Contacts folder in Outlook and then click Next

* Click on the "Map Custom Fields" Button

* Match up the field names by draging the corresonding fields from your CSV file to the field names in Outlook that most closely match the CSV file.

Make sure that your CSV file has the field names in the first row or this won't work. Open the file in a spreadsheet and, if you don't see the field names in the first row, add column headers that match the type of data in each column and then save as CSV again.

With some luck form the Computer Gods, this will restore your contacts to Outlook. You should then be able to sync and transfer the contacts to your Revo.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed. :)

Regards, Jim

morchard

06-04-2003, 07:44 PM

morchard

06-04-2003, 09:10 PM

Jim,

Our postings seem to have got out of sync.

In answer to your posting re importing:

I deleted the Revo contacts.cdb file.
Imported the delimited file into Outlook.
Created a new sync task in Psiwin.
Synched with the revo and had 207 contacts in each machine (Good).
I then added a new contact in Outlook and modifed another contact in Outlook, synced and the changes went to the Revo (Good).
I then added a contact in the revo and modified a contact in the revo, synced and the changes did NOT come across into Outlook (bad).

Unless you have a better idea (and I'm all ears!), perhaps the thing to do is to do a hard boot on the revo, synch Outlook to the revo and re-install all my non-revo apps.

Your thoughts?

Regards,

Mark

Jim Cooke

06-05-2003, 02:31 AM

Mark,

This is really bizarre. What I can't understand is why your Revo works just fine with one computer and not the other. In theory, if the sync works when you first load up the contacts, then it should work for changes also. It seems like this is more a problem on your laptop than it is with your Revo.

I would first uninstall PsiWin 2.3.3 and run the registry cleaner available at www.mikemcc.org.uk in the 5mx section. This will assure a complete uninstall of PsiWin. Check when you're done for any Psion folders that still might be left and delete them all. Reinstall PsiWin and then set up a new sync task with contacts only. See if it now syncs in both directions.

If it still doesn't sync, then a hard reset of the Mako seems like the last option. Do the hard rest and don't restore anything. Once again, sync just the contacts and try the same sequence of events as you have already done and see if you now get a bi-directional sync.

Make sure you have a good Revo backup on your home and work computers before you do the hard reset.

Good luck- something's got work this time. :)

Regards, Jim

morchard

06-05-2003, 05:43 AM

Jim,

I did all that you said (and was amazed at the number of files uninstall left on the PC!):

Downloaded the reg clean file.
Uninstalled PsiWin.
Ran the clean reg program.
Rebooted.
Search for *psi*.* and deleted the obvious Psion files.
Deleted my contacts.cdb file on the revo and created a new one.
Reinstalled PsiWin and Contacts 2.00.
Created a new contacts-only sync task.

No bloody good! The sync won't bring across updated or new contacts from the revo to Outlook.

I guess I'm stuck with a cold boot. I'll do that tomorrow (it's night here now) and advise. Although I'll check in here first in case you've had a brain wave.

Again, I appreciate your help.

Cheers,

Mark

morchard

06-05-2003, 07:15 PM

Jim,

I’m lost here!!

This morning I did the following:

Uninstalled Psiwin and email update 1.1
Ran the reg clean program.
Rebooted, searched for and deleted *Psi*.* files.
Cold booted the revo.
Installed Psiwin 2.3.3 and the email and contacts updates.
Synced and got 207 contacts to go from Outlook to Revo.

I then added one contact in the Revo and synced again. No luck. I didn’t come across.

I then repeated the whole process but did not install the email or contacts update.

Same result.

AAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I’ve had the Revo since 1999 and had at least 3 desktops and 6 laptops since. I have never had a problem with setting up the sync.

Yours dejectedly,

Mark

Installed Psiwin 2.3.3 ONLY. Not the email or contacts update.

morchard

06-05-2003, 07:16 PM

Let's try that again. Please ignore the last line in my previous post.

_________________________________________________
Jim,

I’m lost here!!

This morning I did the following:

Uninstalled Psiwin and email update 1.1
Ran the reg clean program.
Rebooted, searched for and deleted *Psi*.* files.
Cold booted the revo.
Installed Psiwin 2.3.3 and the email and contacts updates.
Synced and got 207 contacts to go from Outlook to Revo.

I then added one contact in the Revo and synced again. No luck. I didn’t come across.

I then repeated the whole process but did not install the email or contacts update.

Same result.

AAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I’ve had the Revo since 1999 and had at least 3 desktops and 6 laptops since. I have never had a problem with setting up the sync.

Yours dejectedly,

Mark

Jim Cooke

06-05-2003, 09:01 PM

Mark,

I hate IBM laptops. I also do support for Lotus and even Lotus software doesn't right on IBM laptops. I have no idea why they are always such a problem.

It's time to bite the bullet and do a hard reset on the Revo. Don't reinstall anything but the e-mail and contacts upgrade. Delete the sync tasks on the laptop and set up a new one with just contacts. Try syncing again and see if the contacts sync now works as expected.

Let's hope this finally sorts out the problem.

Regards, Jim

morchard

06-05-2003, 09:27 PM

Jim,

I've already done the hard reset. In my previuos posting I said I "cold booted" the Revo. What I meant was I did a reset by pressing pins 1 & 2.

Mark

Jim Cooke

06-06-2003, 02:18 AM

Mark,

Sorry, I didn't take cold boot to mean a hard reset.

The facts as I understand them so far:

1. Your Revo syncs contacts without a problem on your Win 98 machine

2. The same Revo won't sync contacts on your IBM laptop running Win2k.

3. You've already taken all the steps to eliminate the Revo itself as the problem.

4. You've already taken all the steps needed to eliminate PsiWin 2.3.3 as the problem.

5. You've started with a fresh PST file, making it unlikely that Outlook is the culprit.

This only leaves the laptop and the OS as remaining suspects. PsiWin 2.3.3 is known to sync correctly with Outlook under Win2K. This now leaves the laptop and any IBM or other third party software as the only remaining suspects.

I've run out of ideas at this point. Is it possible to use another IBM laptop as a test to see if the same problem occurs? Are there any other non-IBM laptop Win2k machines at work that you can use as a test machine? This is the only way I can think of to rule out that there's a problem with your laptop in particular.

Regards, Jim

WolfUK

06-06-2003, 04:29 AM

I'm wondering if it is anything to do with service packs / patches for Windows or Office (can you compare the SP numbers with a PC that you can sync with?) or even that the laptop is using an OEM version of Windows or Office. Is the machine running IBM-versions or the official Microsoft versions?

Jim Cooke

06-06-2003, 03:51 PM

Simon,

The problem is he's running Win 98 on the machine that works so he has no way to compare sevrvice packs for NT between the two machines. That's why I'm hoping he can find another Win2K machine to use as a test.

Your point about the IBM version of Office is good. IBM typically makes changes to MS Office that is preinstalled on their laptops to make it work better with Lotus SmartSuite. This has caused no end of problems for people who are trying to sync with their slightly modified version of Outlook. I've seen similar problems with both Palm and Pocket PC machines.

Regards, Jim

morchard

06-06-2003, 11:13 PM

Jim,

Just for interests sake I've taken the revo home and synced, adding and modifying contacts. All worked perfectly.

As you say, it must be something on the laptop. I'll have a think about this. I know the IT guys run some sort of Novell software instead of Exchange. Perhaps that's it.

Maybe, as I've only had it for 2 weeks, I'll reformat the laptop and start from scratch.

Again, thanks for you help and advice.

Cheers

Mark Orchard
Brisbane Australia

morchard

06-06-2003, 11:18 PM

Simon,

I haven't specifically asked the question of IT as to where they got MS Office but I believe they loaded direct from a CD as I sighted it with my name on it.

I'll check this out though.

Thanks,

Mark

Jim Cooke

06-07-2003, 01:10 AM

Originally posted by morchard
Jim,

Just for interests sake I've taken the revo home and synced, adding and modifying contacts. All worked perfectly.

As you say, it must be something on the laptop. I'll have a think about this. I know the IT guys run some sort of Novell software instead of Exchange. Perhaps that's it.

Maybe, as I've only had it for 2 weeks, I'll reformat the laptop and start from scratch.

Mark,

Danger, Will Robinson! :) Does your organization use Groupwise as part of the Novell installation? GroupWise has been a big problem when used with Outlook and an even bigger problem when used on IBM laptops. If you're allowed to, I would certainly reformat the laptop and then install MS Office from original CD's that you are know are pure Microsoft and not MS Office as provided by IBM. This may very well fix your problem.

Regards, Jim

morchard

06-07-2003, 06:49 AM

Jim,

I'll find out and get back to you. Its Saturday night here and Monday's a PH so I'll be a few days in getting back to you.

Cheers,

Mark

morchard

06-13-2003, 02:34 AM

Jim,

Apologies for the delay in getting back to you.

Our IT guys have confirmed that:

MS Office and Outlook 2000 were installed from the original CDs.
The IBM R40 is running IBM’s OEM version of Windows XP Pro build 5.1.
The IBM R40 is running Novell client to allow connection to the server but we do not run GroupWise.

Having learnt this I have uninstalled Outlook 2000, Psiwin, etc and installed Outlook 2002, Psiwin, etc.

No luck. Still the same problem.

Any ideas??

Regards,

Mark

Jim Cooke

06-13-2003, 05:53 PM

Mark,

My brain is being stretched to the max here!:)

Is there any other WinXP machine in your office that you can use for an experiment? If so, try installing PsiWin and OL 2002 on that and see if it works properly.

I think there's got to be something different about IBM's OEM version of XP than the Microsoft version that's causing this. I have the identical set up that you have except I'm on a Compaq desktop. Both my 5mx and Mako sync contacts perfectly. I can't find anything at the IBM web site that seems to be a fix for this.

One other thought - did you ever try syncing with OL 2000 before you installed OL 2002? Just a long shot but it might be the interaction between IBM's version of XP and OL 2002 that's causing this and wouldn't cause it with OL 2000.

Regards, Jim

morchard

06-13-2003, 07:21 PM

Jim,

When I first got the laptop it had IBM's OEM XP on it with Office 2002 from CD but for some reason the IT guys installed Outlook 2000 from another CD. This is where I was at when you and I first started to correspond.

Yesterday I uninstalled Outlook 2000, Psiwin, etc. Rebooted and installed Outlook 2002. Same problem.

My summary of the situation is that we have eliminated everything except the OS, being IBM's OEM XP.

I back this up by the fact that I'm running Win 98 at home with Office 2002 and Outlook 2002 with no problems.

In recent years I've run Toshiba, Dell and Compaq laptops with OEM OS and various versions of Office and Outlook with little or no problems synchronising.

Re your suggestion of installing Psiwin on another machine in the office: IT-wise we are up to date here in that everyone has new IBM laptops which I'm sure will be running the OEM OS.

I think what I'll do is ask the IT guys to install XP from the CD. I assume, but haven't looked, that I can download the various ThinkPad drivers from IBM as required.

If that doesn’t work, I’ve no idea what to do. Maybe I’ll have to go over to the dark side and by a Palm!!!!!!!!

Cheers and thanks,

Mark

morchard

06-17-2003, 05:44 PM

Jim,

On the weekend I was mucking around checking my work email via dialup. I was asked to update VPN SecuRemote, which I did, and guess what?

The revo and Outlook now synch all new contacts and changes to contacts in both directions. I still can't get Outlook to take all my existing contacts from the revo to Outlook. It'll do 60 of the 240 revo contacts.

This is progress of sorts although I don't really know what. I suppose I could export all my revo contacts as V cards, inmort them and then I'm away.

Attached is a screen print of VPN SecuRemote FYI.

Cheers,

MO

Jim Cooke

06-17-2003, 08:15 PM

Mark,

Ah, VPN can cause any number of issues with Outlook, depending on how it's set up. When you sync with Outlook contacts, do you get the message about something trying to access your adress book from Outlook? If so, how long do you give it? It can easly take five minutes on the first sync to transfer all the contacts from the Revo to Outlook if you don't give it enough time.

Your VPN may also be set up so it only allows another program a limited amount of time to access the OUtlook contacts folder, regardless of how many minutes you give it when you get the Outlook security dialog. That may not be enough time for the sync to finish and give PsiWin a false end of file message. It sounds like the upgrade has unlocked at least the ability to sync when it's just a few changes but it may not ever give you enough time to transfer your whole contacts list.

You can use C2F to convert all your Revo contacts to a CSV file and then import the contacts into Outlook. You can find it at http://www.pdacentral.com/epoc/preview/6910.html . It's easier than using Vcard and gives you more flexibility in field mapping the Revo data to Outlook. One point to to remember is that PsiWin assumes that the home e-mail will always be e-mail3 in Outlook so make sure you map those two fields correctly.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Regards, Jim

morchard

06-17-2003, 11:14 PM

Jim,

I do get an access message from Outlook when I sync and I always give it ample time. BUT I could have cut it short the first time I suppose.

Here’s what our IT people have said re the VPN:

“The SecuRemote VPN Client does not interface with any programs at all. It is used only when a TCP/IP connection is made across the internet to one of our servers. There are many different VPN programs available, which may do more complex things as outlined in the emails below, however SecuRemote is the only one we use.”

I’m always skeptical when IT guys use the words “not”, “never” or “its fixed” so I’m not convinced that my updating SecuRemote and the sync starting to work was just a coincidence.

I suppose the thing to do now is to export my Revo contacts into Outlook again. I’ve already got C2F.

Cheers.

Mark

Jim Cooke

06-18-2003, 01:37 PM

Originally posted by morchard
Jim,

Here’s what our IT people have said re the VPN:

“The SecuRemote VPN Client does not interface with any programs at all. It is used only when a TCP/IP connection is made across the internet to one of our servers. There are many different VPN programs available, which may do more complex things as outlined in the emails below, however SecuRemote is the only one we use.”

I’m always skeptical when IT guys use the words “not”, “never” or “its fixed” so I’m not convinced that my updating SecuRemote and the sync starting to work was just a coincidence.

I suppose the thing to do now is to export my Revo contacts into Outlook again. I’ve already got C2F.

Cheers.

Mark

Yea, right, you updated the VPN client and something which never worked now started working. Just a coincidence, I'm sure. ;)

I'm assuming they're using the Checkpoint VPN-1 client. This can be configured to deny access to almost any type of device that adminstrator chooses. Since this is probably part of your company's security scheme, they're not going to tell you what it's actually configured to do. After all, you're just a dumb user and it's on a need to know basis. :mad:

Once you get Outlook loaded with your Revo contacts, the sync should continue to work, assuming they don't change VPN configurations again.

Regards, Jim

morchard

06-19-2003, 04:09 AM

Jim,

I've imported all my contacts again into outlook, created a new contacts file in the revo and all appears normal.

I knew it would be something basic but like all things "IT", the trick is figuring our what the "basic" this is!

Anyway, thanks for all your help. I've certainly learned a few things about Outlook and the Revo.

Cheers,

Mark

Jim Cooke

06-19-2003, 01:23 PM

Mark,

Thank goodness! Now, if your IT folks just won't change any configurations, it should continue to work. Glad I was able to help.

Regards, Jim

morchard

10-02-2003, 12:24 AM

Hi Jim.

Just thought I’d pass on a recent experience that may be of some help to someone help down the line. When last we corresponded I had this weird problem with not being able to sync my Outlook contacts to the Revo. I now know why!

Yesterday he IT guys here changed servers on me so they had to make some changes to my laptop. Whatever it was they did, they created the same problem I had back in June (The buggers!).

While trying to fix it I noticed that if I changed the date range for synchronization in the Psion Synchroniser, Outlook would pass all my contacts to the Revo and not recognize what was already there, resulting in double the number of contacts.

As a fix, I created a new contacts.cdb file on the Revo, changed the synch date range in the Psion Synchroniser and it work perfectly. If I didn’t change the date range, and even though I created a new contacts.cdb file, the old problem would still occur.

I can only assume that changing the date range does something weird.

Anyway, I hope this is of some help.

Cheers,

Mark
:D

Jim Cooke

10-02-2003, 01:42 AM

Mark,

Thanks for the update. I've also had the experience of changing the date sync range resulting in the doubling of my contacts records. I do just what you did - delete the contacts.cdb file, run another sync and then I don't get any more repeats.

As to why you IT folks broke what was working in Psiwin, I can only conclude that they have it in for you.:) Seriously, though, PsiWin depends on about 100 DLL files and I can see how updating any part of Windows or Outlook can cause one little thing to change that throws PsiWin for a loop. Unfortunately, this is likely to become an increasing problem with all the security patches being issued by Microsoft and Outlook 2003 on the horizon.:mad: