PsiWin & Windows XP + minor Outlook problem

[Colin Thorn]

Hello all

Two questions:

I have ordered a PC for the house with Windows XP. I've been synching at work without serious problems (except one minor one - see below!). Any advice regarding potential synch/backup problems (e.g. updates - I have PsiWin 2.3), so I can nip them in the bud? I'd also like to synch/back up two machines, as I have an MC218, and my wife got my original 5mx (Italian version) ... well, she's Italian! This should be straightforward, shouldn't it?

Oh, and another question: when I synch my contacts with Outlook, my Home e-mail field goes missing (I've only noticed it recently, as I only do it to have an extra copy somewhere - Outlook is horrible!). I remember once I was able to specify the labels in the synch setup dialogue, so I'd like to do that again, but all I get is a greyed-out box. Has anyone else run into this problem?

Regards

Colin

[netBookBabe]

Hi Colin

Two answers: ;)

1) If you're using Win XP then you definitely need PsiWin version 2.3.3. Please refer to the following thread for further info on this:

http://www.pdastreet.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3239

Take care to follow MikeMcC's instructions for the reinstallation - it matters!

2) Re the MC218 and 5mx, PsiWin should recognise them as separate machines and will ask you to name them, then it's no problem. I've got five different Psions identified on mine.

I'll leave the Outlook synch problem to someone else - I long ago gave up trying to synch contacts because of this type of annoyance. Nowadays I do all my contacts updating on PC and dump a copy to each of my Psions. Not ideal, but it works for me.

Julie

[106112909]

Hello Colin

With Windows XP, you need PsiWin 2.3.3 which you can download from http://www.psionplace.com/software/series5/PsiWin-1999-04-28-psion-series5.html . If you are removing an earlier version of PsiWin, make sure you run the PsiWin Registry Cleaner which you can download from http://www.isbg00598.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/faqSerial_USB_IR.htm#upgrade .

Kind regards

[fraynelson]

I realize lot of people is sustaining problems with connectivity. I am one more. I cleaned the registry (thanks Mike!), uninstalled the old version, installed PsiWin 2.3.3 but can't get a connection yet between my laptop running Windows XP and the Psion 5mx. Please: What else should I do?

[wanman]

Hi Fraynelson

Does your laptop have a proper serial port or are you connecting via USB-Serial connector.

If you have an RS232 port (serial port), how is it set up? Go to device manager and click on the properties of your port (usually Com1 or the like). Please post them here (or attach a screenshot). Next thing to do is check your Psion connection properties. Psion Properties can be obtained by right clicking on the Psion icon on your desktop.

Do you run any other peripherals from the serial port normally? If you do, then you need to check there is no software running in the background for this item. The reason for this is that if PsiWin detects any other application is trying to use the same port, it will not be able to connect.

If you have a USB-Serial connector have you installed the correct serial port drivers? Is it running? Can you connect anything else to the port? It should create a simulated com port which has to be selected within Psion Properties, Connections.

Let us know how you get on.

Regards,

Si

[fraynelson]

Configuration of the port (COM1)

Bits per second: 9600
Bits data: 8
Parity: None
Bits stop: 1


MY PSION Properties:

Settings: COM1, COM2 selected.
Baud rate: "Maximum attainable"
Other options: (selected only:) "Start copy anywhere..."

* I have tried changing the bits per second, bits data, parity, both in the PC and in the Psion.

* Also tried disabling the Antivirus (Norton).

* I installed the Service Pack for Windows XP. Could it be related with this troubles?

* I don't know how to check if other program is trying to use COM1. I tried (and failed) to use it with the preinstalled program Win XP brings for updating configurations and files from an 'older' to a 'newer' PC.

Any proposal?

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME!

[wanman]

Although you did not confirm this on your reply, I assume you have a normal serial socket (just the one).

The Com port settings I have are:

Baud - 115200 (9600 ok though)
Data Bits - 8
Parity - None
Stop Bits - 1
Flow Control - None

Advanced Settings
Com Port Number - 1
Base I/O Port Address - Default
IRQ - Default
FIFO Enabled - Ticked

Change your Psion settings to Com1 only. Everything else seems ok.

Re: the other applications using the com port. Have you ever used the serial port for anything else other than your Psion? If so, what have you used the port for? This will give you a clue as to what to look for. I enclose an extract from the PsiWin Connecting Help files:

Stop PsiWin searching COM ports used by other devices

It may not be possible for PsiWin to connect because another device on the PC is using the COM port.
This may happen if you have certain modems or a serial mouse attached to your PC, and also if your PC has internal devices which can access the COM port (e.g. an internal modem). It is therefore a good idea to tell PsiWin to ignore some ports, so that conflicts with other devices do not occur.__How?

~~~

Make sure that the COM port you are using is not 'linked' to one in use by another device

If you have a Fax/Modem using COM 2 or 4 and the PsiWin cable connected to COM 1 or 2 (or vice versa) you may experience some difficulty when trying to connect with the Psion.
This is because of the way the PC handles COM ports: COM 1 and 3 are linked as are COM 2 and 4. Specifically, they share the same Interrupt Request. In practice, this means that if you have a modem on COM3 it may conflict with the Psion on COM1 (and the same applies for COM4 and COM2).
Use the Psion on a different port.

Switch off you cable link (ctrl+l set to OFF). Restart your Link (ctrl+l set to cable - 115200). Try connecting again. What happens? Does the connecting popup appear confirming your laptop is trying to connect? What error message, if any, is issued if your laptop can still not connect? (Standard Connect Problem popup)

Other things you could try is to:

1) Make sure all applications on your Psion are closed. Some apps also can use the serial port such as Route Planner, Email, Web apps, etc.
2) Try installing PsiWin on another machine, can you connect now?
3) Check the cable for damage?
4) Check the port on the back of your Psion for damage. Do you have a modem or other device that you plug into the back of your Psion? Does this connect ok?

Let us know how you get on.

Regards

Si

[fraynelson]

People, you're so nice! God bless!

The problem actually was the port, that has been left attached by a Win XP application, the "Wizard fro transfering files..." from the older to new PC. This application uses com1, and, although it did not work for me (I had the wrong cable), it caught the port.

Now everything seems working properly.

THANKS AGAIN!