Installation and Upgrade Hangs with ActiveSync
Sean Brown
ActiveSync's installation program hanging up and not completing. I've
received quite a few emails regarding it's success, which is
interesting. Well, I went to upgrade from 3.6 to 3.7.1 and amazingly,
I had the same (or very similar problem) installing 3.7.1.
Like I said in the original post, I'm not a techie with some inside
scoop on ActiveSync... I actually PAID to get the solution from
Microsoft, and I'm still very happy that I did. The irony is that when
I went to upgrade to 3.7.1, I FORGOT how the fix worked, and worse
yet, I couldn't remember where I posted the fix.. until I found
http://www.cewindows.net/faqs/activesync/installation.htm that is. I
was pleasantly surprised that that page actually references MY post!
Well, while running through my fix, I became aware that the method I
posted was for people who were installing for the FIRST TIME, but that
it wasn't perfect for those upgrading. By luck and some risk taking, I
figured out how to upgrade. Follow the steps below and I'll add the
extra steps for the upgraders in << brackets >>. Basically, you just
need to delete the items in the temp file FIRST, THEN you want to run
ActiveSync installation. This deletes the OLD version in the temp
files.
Good luck,
Sean
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I was unable to install ActiveSync on my Windows XP machine. When I
ran the setup, it would install the Temp files into a Temp folder, but
it would not continue to run the setup dialog process.
I combed the net, especially Google groups, and got a lot of good
ideas, but no resolution. Absolutely NEEDING ActiveSync to work, I
called Microsoft and decided to pony up the $35 that would GUARANTEE a
fix or your money back. You might be cynical about it, but it was the
best $35 I have spent on my computer in a very long time. (Thanks to
John Wingard of MS for walking me through this fix!)
HERE'S THE FIX:
Before you start, ensure the Pocket PC device is NOT connected to the
desktop computer.
<< If you are NOT doing a clean install but are doing an UPGRADE, run
Step 2 and 3, THEN come back to Step 1>>
1. Run the ActiveSync install program. This is MSASYNC.EXE. (You
already have this program, otherwise you wouldn't know you had a
problem installing it on XP). After it hangs up (after it installs the
Temp files and fails to run the rest of the setup), restart your
machine. (This basically ensures that setup.exe stops running.)
2. From the Start menu, point to My Computer, RIGHT click, and select
Properties. Go to the Advanced tab, then click on Environment
Variables. In the top portion, there will be a variable TEMP. (There
is probably also a TMP variable, but YOU want the TEMP variable.)
Double click on it and the bottom section will be highlighted. Right
click on it and select Copy.
3. Now go to the Start menu and select Run. Highlight everything that
is there then RIGHT click and select Paste. Now click OK and a Windows
Explorer window will open. Double click on IXP000.TMP (it might be
IXP001.TMP or similar). << If you are doing an UPGRADE, delete ALL
contents in this folder, go back to Step 1 and run this entire
procedure, Steps 1-4, as if you are doing a clean install. >>
4. Double click on is_setup.exe. This should start the setup! (You'll
now be prompted to connect your device and ActiveSync should work.)
I'm no expert on this kind of stuff, so if you run into other
problems, it's doubtful I can help. But if you need clarification
about the steps in this process, feel free to email me.
By the way, I also had problems with Outlook 2002 on my Win XP
machine. It would crash every time Outlook would receive mail from my
POP3 server. The fix was to delete all instances of extend.dat,
outcmd.dat, frmcache.dat, and views.dat (although views.dat might not
be found, which is fine.) I then created a NEW PROFILE in Outlook,
went to the MAIL Control Panel and made the new profile the Default
profile, and I am able to run Outlook using the new profile (although
the original profile won't run, all you need is the new profile.)
Again, I'm no techie on this subject, so I can't really offer any
other solution if you're still stuck.
Good Luck!
Sean Brown
http://www.PropertyInvestment101.com