Activesync – now you see it – now you don't

In configuring a new phone – the TYTN II from HTC – I plugged in the device to a USB port hoping to see my trusty Active sync appear and go through syncing my details from Outlook to the new unit.

But no – no window appears though the tray icon shows active sync running. Theres a button on the taskbar but clicking it does nothing !! Mmmmmmmmm

Thought occurs to me that the application is realling running but somehow off screen. How do you get an application off screen back so you can see it ?

So heres what you need to do !!!

Click on the Taskbar entry for Activesync (or any program that has this issue of hiding at off screen co-ordinates)

1. Press Alt+Space
you will see the context menu appear that allows you to move, restore, etc. the window.

2. Use the down arrow key to highlight the Move item.

3. Type return to select Move.

4. Use the arrow keys to “move” the window I didn’t see the window move at that point. It was still off screen. But, I was typing away on the arrow keys. Keep moving down or up – right or left till you see either the app or or outline box for the app.

5. Now, move your mouse. You will see that the ActiveSync window is “stuck” to the cursor, and now you can drag it back onto screen. Then click where you want it.

Next problem – still no connection until I note – to synchronise this device you need Activesync 4.5 or newer.

So features of the new version ?

Note: Microsoft ActiveSync works only with Windows XP SP2 or earlier. If you have Windows Vista, your synchronization settings will be managed through the Windows Mobile Device Center. Windows Mobile Device Center is available through the Windows Mobile Device Center page.

Supported Features

ActiveSync acts as the gateway between your Microsoft Windows-powered PC and Windows Mobile powered device and allows you to synchronize Microsoft Outlook information, Microsoft Office documents, pictures, music, videos and applications to and from your device.
In addition to synchronizing with a desktop PC, ActiveSync allows you to synchronize Microsoft Outlook information directly with Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 and Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, so that you can keep your e-mail, calendar data, tasks and contact information updated wirelessly when you’re away from your desktop or tablet PC.*

Some of the new features added to Microsoft ActiveSync 4.5 include:
Several changes were made in ActiveSync 4.5 that help improve issues related to setup, partnerships, and connectivity with the PC and Microsoft Exchange.
In addition, ActiveSync 4.5 includes a troubleshooter utility that scans your computer and device to identify problems and offers information and corrective actions to solve them.
Customers using Windows Mobile 5.0 devices with the Messaging and Security Feature Pack and synchronizing to Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Service Pack 2 or Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 will benefit from the following feature enhancements included in ActiveSync 4.5:

Notes:

Microsoft Office Outlook 2000 is not supported by ActiveSync 4.5. If a customer wishes to take full advantage of ActiveSync 4.5, then it is recommended that users upgrade to Microsoft Outlook 2007.

Conversion of database files for use on a mobile device is not supported by ActiveSync 4.5. On previous versions, this feature was limited to devices running Windows Mobile software for Pocket PC 2003 and earlier.

Conversion of font files for use on a mobile device is not supported by ActiveSync 4.5. On previous versions, this feature was limited to devices running Windows Mobile software for Pocket PC 2003 and earlier.

System Requirements

Supported Operating Systems: Windows 2000 Service Pack 4; Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1; Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 for Itanium-based Systems; Windows Server 2003, Standard x64 Edition; Windows XP Media Center Edition; Windows XP Professional x64 Edition ; Windows XP Service Pack 1; Windows XP Service Pack 2; Windows XP Tablet PC Edition
Microsoft® Outlook® XP, Microsoft® Outlook® 2003 or Microsoft Outlook 2007® messaging and collaboration clients required for synchronization to the desktop or portable computer of e-mail, calendar, contacts, tasks, and notes. (Outlook 2007 is recommended)
Microsoft® Office XP, Microsoft® Office 2003, or Microsoft® Office 2007
Microsoft® Internet Explorer 6. or later (required)
Microsoft® Systems Management Server 2.0

The following mobile device operating systems are supported by ActiveSync 4.5:

Microsoft® Windows Mobile® 6.0
Microsoft® Windows Mobile® 5.0
Messaging and Security Feature Pack for Microsoft® Windows Mobile® 5.0
Microsoft® Windows Mobile® 2003 Second Edition
Microsoft® Windows Mobile® 2003
Microsoft® Pocket PC 2002, Microsoft®
Microsoft® Smartphone 2002, Microsoft®

And finally Installing Activesync 4.5

So a quick download – and execution of the setup program – allows me to overwrite the previous version of activesync (4.1) and after a few minutes the setup completes.

Disconnect the phone from the port and reconnect to reawaken the connection. One new option – Allow wireless data connection (such as MMS or Internet Calling) on your deice when it is connected to your computer – so selected that.

And finally Activesync appears and looks for changes between the new device and Outlook 2007.

A tale of two cities – well two books actually … »« Sentry – the hardware part

Sentry – the hardware part

Setting up the hardware for the Sentry project requires relatively little time. However to correctly configure you should install the included BV application. This article shows how to connect, configure and test each individual device before linking them in series. Get a coffee and I’ll begin !

Hardware

Connect the 5 pin end of the serial cable to the ribbon cable – the pin which has no wire in it should connect to the row of holes in the connector on the edge with the notch nearest it and with the red line at the left. Connect the 9 pin serial end to your pc’s serial port.

Don’t plug in the power supply yet ! Connect the 3 pin connector of the serial lead to the power regulator. This is also at the end of the lead with the 5 pin connector.

Its the three pin connector furthest from the LED on the regulator board that you need to connect to and the third pin of the connector is empty so – From left to right – the colour of the wires is yellow orange empty.

Next connect one of the LED matrixes to the ribbon cable – with the red line on the ribbon cable at the right hand side of the matrix as you look at it from behind. and its into the row of holes nearest the notch on the connector.

Recheck the connections and then add power by plugging in your transformer. The LED on the regulator should light up green.

Comms

Install the BV app and start it up.

Connect the serial lead to comm port and establish connection at 9600, 8, None , 2 stop bits

Press the red icon at the right hand side (it will turn green to show connection) and press return a few times to get the L> prompt

Device Addressing

Configure addresses for the devices one at a time !! Only have one device connected until you are sure each of them works.

type the following at the L> prompt (this sets the first LED matrix as device D1 and configuration slot 5)

ZAD1
ZC5 -w NNNYNNN
ZC5 -r

once done you will not get the L> prompt connecting to the newly configured device

Testing Output

in the BV application – connect as above and type
1CR65

this should output a RED A on the led matrix

TURN OFF POWER and remove that Matrix from ribbon and do next Matrix changing the commands to

ZAD2
ZC5 -w NNNYNNN
ZC5 -r

Disconnect the second Matrix from ribbon after testing

and finally setup the LCD as Device D3 and configuration slot 7 – note when connecting the ribbon cable to the back of the LCD – the red line is at the bottom and the pins of the LCD panels connect go into the row of holes nearest the notch on the connector.

set its ID and config slot with

ZAD3
ZC7 -w NNNYNNN
ZC7 -r

test it with slightly different command
3BT”its alive”

to get output of “its alive” displayed on line 1.

Things to remember

- the baud rate is 9600, 8 , none and two (2) stop bits

- the device name is case sensitive – so its D1 not d1 in this case for the first LED matrix if thats what you set it to

- once configured the devices need a colon in from when sending them commands i.e 1CR65 to get A and 2CR66 to get a B on second display

- finally remember that the LCD does not respond to 3CR65 rather you need 3BT”A” to get A displayed.

- on the ribbon cable connect the pins of the devices in the row of holes nearest the notch of the connector.

More about the control codes and theirs uses in the next article.

In conclusion

Finally – turn off the power again – assemble all the devices by pluging D1 into the first connecter nearest the end of the ribbon cable that has serial five pin connection into – with the pins nearest the notch – the the second LED Matrix into the next connector and finally the LCD panel with the red line to the bottom – and recheck working with
1CR65 2CR65 3BT”All done”

which should give you “A” , “A” and “All done” on the two LED matrices and the LCD respectively.

When finished click on the green icon in the BV application to close serial connection and close BV application down.

Activesync – now you see it – now you don't »« IPhone – therefore Iam

IPhone – therefore Iam

I just replaced my trusty rugged Blackberry 8700 with an O2 based Iphone. The acquisition and setup are almost painless and the integration of the contract setup with Itunes is silky smooth. I haven’t given up on RIM since I now use a Blackberry 8800 as my main email out of the office device.

I have to say that ergonomically and operationally the Iphone is very well laid out. However I’d say the weakest areas are the lack of written details regarding some of the phones features and the poor level of support offered by O2 regarding the unit.

Strongest point so far – Safari and browsing !!

However I’ll be trialling and comparing the unit in operation to the Blackberry 8800 and will see where the various strengths and weaknesses are.

Sentry – the hardware part »« I'm typing in the rain – I'm typing in the rain …