Dell Axim X5 Connection Issues

[vbwizard]

Hello All,
I am having trouble getting my PocketPC connected so I thought I would ask the experts. Here is the information:

Background System Information
- Windows XP Professional SP2
- Windows XP SP2 Firewall:disabled
- Other Firewall Status : Hardware
- Dell Axim X5 (Pocket PC 2003
- All the latest drivers from Dell are installed on the PPC unit, I have been unable to locate a USB driver on the dell website for my cradle, but it is being detected no problem.

1. It was working about 1 week ago w/ Activesync 3.7.1 ... then it stopped working here is my troubleshooting.
2. The cradle is detected by the computer as when I plugged it all in, it said new hardware detected, and installed the Dell Axim X5 Driver, and informed me my hardware was ready to use.
3. When I open the Microsoft ActiveSync window and choose File-->Connection Settings : The checkbox under USB has a Status on it. Mine reads Status: Connected when my Axim is on and connected to the cradle.
4. When I choose File--> Get Connected option and choose next, it tells me my device is not detected. When this window is open and I disconnect and reconnect my device, the window closes. This is true even at the first screen.
5. I have done a soft reset of my Axim and the same problem exists, ditto with the main computer (I have restarted a couple of times)
6. Upgraded from ActiveSync 3.7.1 to 3.8.0 and ran through all the troubleshooting all over again and everything I stated above for AS 3.7.1 is now also true for AS 3.8.0

Any help would be appreciated. I want to get it working but am rather hesitant to wipe the memory on my device fully as I have no way to back it up right now..

I am reasonably proficient with computers as I design software for a living, but I have been banging my head against this wall for awhile now.

[AnswerDude]

You can get usb driver from the cd that came with the axim. If you don't have the cd, go to ftp://ftp.dell.com/Handheld/R55367.EXE
Disconnect the axim from the desktop, delete partnerships, uninstall activesync, remove any usb unknown device in device manager. Install the above usb driver. Reinstall Activesync and wait until it prompts you to connect to put axim in the cradle. Make sure the axim is charged or use power adapter.

[vbwizard]

I walked through those exact steps, in the order you listed and it still gives me that weird "I know you connected a device, but I still think its not connected stuff" that I described. Any additional ideas?

I do appreciate your help.

Brent

[AnswerDude]

Can you install activesync on another PC and try to sync as guest? If you can sync on another desktop then we can at least narrow the issue down to your XP. If you can't sync at all with any pc, then you may have to hard reset, or you can call Dell support and they will probably have you do pretty much the same similar steps i suggested, and if you still can't sync, they should send you another axim for replacement.

[vbwizard]

You put me onto the solution. Once I had tried to partner the machine with a computer at work that I know works with my Boss's Axim X5 then I knew it had to be my device. I tried soft resetting the device but that did not work (and I knew it wouldn't) as I had tried it before at my home base. I double checked that I had a relatively recent backup of the actual files on the device including what little calendaring I do with it and pulled all the batteries. When the Axim booted next it requested verification of erasure of all the device data which I proceeded to do. It now works! I appreciate all of the information and suggestions as without them, it probably would have been the end of the week before I would have decided to do that.

Cheers All, and a special thanks to AnswerDude