File Syncronization

[Assassin]

Is it possible to change the default location used by the file Syncronization. On my PC I have a second HDD which I use for storing all my data files on. I'm running Windows XP and I have the MY Documents folder on drive D: rather than the default C:\Documents and Settings\username\My Documents.

Active Sync insists on using the C: Drive. Can this be changed ?

[AnswerDude]

Here's a recommendation from a user from other board;
Originally posted by davidspalding
This is a rather extreme measure. Assuming that what you're saying is that you don't use the default My Docuemnts on your PC, you keep your files on, say for example, L:\.

I have not tested this, and don't want to. AS is notorious for wiping out data even when you're trying to protect your data.

1. Back up everything. Twice.
2. Open AS and delete the partnership. Delete the files as well (this is the scary part).
3. Right click on My Documents on your desktop, click properties, and see you can change the location to where you keep your files (e.g., L:\documents\). If you can't, you may need to use TweakUI, a free MS Powertoy which customizes the environment. Reboot.
4. Sync your PDA, establish the partnershp again. Hopefully the synced My documents will be created under your new local documents location.
5. You might have to uninstall and de-install AS, but at this point, you're playing with fire and might just want to live with the inconvenience.

Before burning bridges, compare my suggestion with your problem, andprovide amplifying information if this doesn't sound right. ,:)

I have not tried this either, but it sounds okay. You can also use 3rd party software to let you sync outside of My Documents folder;
MightySync
http://www.mydocsunlimited.com/html/mightysync.html
MobSync
http://www.pocketpcfreewares.com/en/index.php?soft=985

[Assassin]

I'll have a look at the method you suggested.

I've also had a look in the registry on the windows PC and found the location is saved in there. I was going to try changing that. :eek:

I was just backing everything up before giving it a go. Annoyingly though the iPAQ Backup software has decided it doesn't want to play. It failing saying an error occured. and thats all its telling me. So I've no idea what the error is.

I've deleted loads of files off the SD Card thinking it might have been too full but thats not fixed it. I'm going to try a soft reset next and then see if it will back up.


{edit} that method is basically what I did without the deleting of the partnership. I removed the file Sychronization section out of active sync and then moved the My Documents folder to the D: drive. Turning back on the file Sych hoping it would pick the new My Documents, it didn't it continiued to use the old one that I'd deleted. I'll try the registry next then give the deleting partnership one a try. I didn't want to do that as last time I ended up with duplicate Calendar and Contacts list :(

[Assassin]

finally got the backup to work after a soft reset.


The Registry edit seems to have done the trick. :)

The reg key was under

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows CE Services\Partners\672f0d93\Services\Synchronizatio n

the Briefcase Path entry was changed to the new location.


For anyone else who may try this please Note* if you are not familar with editing the registry, be warned it could damage your data and mess up your PC

I've done a couple of sync since and created new files on both the iPAQ and the new store location and both have sync'd correctly.