Ericsson MC 218 – 1. EPOC Connect to Win. 2000; 2. Sync. to Lotus Organiser V.5

[castorrans]

1. Although there are a few problems from time to time, EPOC Connect generally works ok with my home PC using Windows 98SE with Microsoft Office XP Outlook.

My first query is in relation to integration with PC running Windows 2000 or later.

The Manual states that integration is not inclusive of Windows 2000 or later. However, I have had some limited success with my work PC running Windows 2000 and MS Office 2000. That is, I have been able to synchronise either or both Calendar/Contact files, and separately convert Word files either way, etc.

The problem is that after performing any one of these actions, the connection is lost and seems to be frozen. Also, the Copy Anywhere (“X”) icon displays on the right of the Connection icon on the taskbar. Using End Task does not help. The only way to re-establish a connection is to restart (or shutdown and restart later).

During the process of restarting or closing down my work PC, either or both (I think it’s usually both) of “Copyany.exe” and “Psconsv.exe” messages come up trying to shut down, followed by not responding – end task. Ending the task/s allows the shutdown (although on one occasion the computer had to be turned off manually to achieve shutdown).

Since EPOC Connect (at least my version of software) is designed to integrate with PCs running versions earlier than Windows 2000, I shouldn’t be surprised that there are problems with my work PC. However, I am wondering if there is any solution.

I have not found any upgrades to EPOC Connect on the Sony Ericsson website. Does such an upgrade exist somewhere that can be downloaded to enable integration with at least Windows 2000?

Alternatively, is the solution to replace installation of EPOC Connect software with PsiWin supplied with the Series 5mx (because the MC 218 is a re-badged Psion 5mx)? This is assuming that PsiWin (or an upgrade) would allow such integration.

2. The latest version of Lotus Organiser referred to in the EPOC Connect synchronization wizard is Organiser 97.

I have a later version installed from Lotus SmartSuite millennium edition Release 9.5, namely Organiser 5 (File version 5,0,1,1). Selecting Organiser 97 will not allow synchronization to this later version. Also, I have had no success with synchronization by changing the file path to “C:\lotus\organise\org5.exe”.

Again, I have not found any upgrades to EPOC Connect on the Sony Ericsson website to enable recognition of Organiser versions that are later than 97. Do these exist somewhere for downloading?; or does the equivalent exist with PsiWin software for 5mx (again assuming it is viable for the Mc 218)? Are there any other solutions?

[MikeMcC]

For Windows 2000 connectivity, install PsiWin 2.3.3 from www.psion.com/downloads/pc/psiwin2/233/english.exe

You won't find any upgrades on the Ericsson (or Sony Ericsson) website because the MC218 was discontinued in their product range quite some time ago.

For your Lotus Organiser problem, try the PsiWin plug-in from www.psion.com/archive/pc/lotus/org56.zip

[netBookBabe]

I have an MC218 and can confirm that it works fine with Win2000 and PsiWin 2.3.3.

Julie

[castorrans]

Thank you very much for both replies. I will tryout the answers soon.

Adrian Griffiths

[castorrans]

I downloaded PsiWin 2.3.3 for use with Win and Office 2000 at work.

It's better than before, but "CopyAnywhere is active" duplicates on the taskbar everytime a sync activity is performed, eg I already have 2 on the taskbar and it's only 9am. However, neither are registering on Windows TaskList.

Also, when shutting down the computer at end of day, each CopyAnywhere requires the "task?" to be ended separately and then to repeat the shutdown process. At the end of it all, a blank screen appears and the computer must be manually turned off.

Any clues as to how to get rid of the duplicated CopyAnywheres please.

[diem]

I get this same behaviuour occasionally. If you bring up the Task Manager and go to the Processes tab, you'll see CopyAny.exe - kill this and you won't get the problem at shutdown. I haven't managed to determine what causes it to stay active :(

[WolfUK]

Originally posted by castorrans
Any clues as to how to get rid of the duplicated CopyAnywheres please. I can't have CopyAnywhere running on my Windows 2000 PC at all. If I need it I tend to start it and then shut it down again once I have finished. It seems to be the most unstable part of PsiWin.

[castorrans]

Yes, I agree it is unstable. Sometimes it works to end the process, sometimes copyanywhere remains even after ending the process.

I have decided that I must have a better syncronisation process with my desktop, and have decided to buy a s/h Jornada 820 running WinCE V3.0.

So, If anyone in Australia is interested in purchasing my MC 218 boxed in excellent condition with all software, external modum, and connection cable (new), please e-mail me at toby@airnet.com.au.

I'd like to thank the moderators for the excellent and timely advice they have provided.

[diem]

Sorry to see you go Castorrans - before you give up on Psion, have you tried Intellisync from Pumatech? Its a complete Psiwin/EPOCConnect replacement ;)

[Jim Cooke]

Diem,

Sorry, but I have to disagree with you on Intellisync. It doesn't replace PsiWin at all but merely rides on top of it. My experience with it is that it does a much worse job than PsiWin in terms of dupes, it's much slower, and adds virtually nothing that's not already available in PsiWin. Since it needs PsiWin to connect first before it runs, it's of no value to people who already have connection probelms.

I'll repeat what I wrote in an another thread. Before you give up on Psion, at least try an upgrade to Win XP Home. I've used both Win 98 and Win2K and had all the problems described in this thread. Since getting a computer with XP Home, all is bliss. Copy Anywhere doesn't duplicate and works great. Connections are totally reliable and even the sync speed is faster. It seems that XP and PsiWin 2.3.3 are the combination that finally got things right, just as Psion decided to get out of the business. Figures<g>.

Regards, Jim

[castorrans]

Thanks for the above.

I principally sync. at work and we use Win 2000 and there are no plans to change. I work for the State Government and I don't think XP will be used until its been fully tried and tested and all the bugs are out.

At home, I use 98SE (with Office XP Prof.) and my supplier says to stick with as it still is a good version, but if upgrading, either wait until the next version of XP comes out (with bugs ironed out), or move to 2000 Prof. (which is still relatively expensive).

Also, I am not looking to outlay more on sync. software.

Another reason for considering the change to Hewlett Packard is personal preference (as I have glasses) for a larger and more easily readable screen, especially in low-light situations.