Q1 Can I synchronise the contacts from Lotus Notes and Microsoft Outlook to the XDA, and how can it be done?

A1 Contacts from Outlook can be synchronized using ActiveSync. Lotus Notes is supported by a 3rd party product from Cadenza. For more details, go to

Q2 I am able to protect my Excel files with a password on my PC. During synchronisation I am asked for the password, but then it is deleted from the excel file. What can I do to keep the password?

A2 Since the xda has a slot for SD memory cards, the necessary files may be copied directly from the PC onto the card (for this purpose you need an SD-card-reader) and opened on the xda in Pocket Excel without the password being deleted.

Q3 After synchronising with the Desktop PC, the time on my xda is no longer correct. Why is this so?

A3 In the Activesync menu Extras > Options > Sync Options there is an adjustment: Synchronise mobile device clock upon connecting. When this option is activated, the xda assumes the time on the Desktop PC after every synchronisation. Since these clocks can be inaccurate, this creates a time difference. To avoid this, deactivate this option. In most companies Desktop PCs are synchronised with the server, which usually has a radio controlled clock. In this case, the synchronisation between Desktop PC and xda may be applied without causing any problems.

Q4 Is it possible to synchronise my PocketPC with my Apple Macintosh?

A4 The PocketMac Synchronisation Software makes it possible to synchronise your PocketPC with your Macintosh. The 'search through' the PocketPC via your Mac is also possible. The folder 'My Documents' may also be synchronised. Excel, Word, text files or Notes are supported. Visit http://www.pocketmac.net for more

Q5 What type of items can I synchronise between my xda and PC?

A5 Using ActiveSync, you can synchronise Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, Bookmark favourites, Pocket Access, Inbox, Notes, Files and AvantGo.

Q6 What can I synchronise with Microsoft Outlook?

A6 You can synchronise contacts, calendar, tasks, and email of Microsoft Outlook on your PC via ActiveSync. To synchronise your email over the air, you need to connect to a POP3 or IMAP4 mail server.

Q7 What is Microsoft Activesync?

A7 ActiveSync is used to connect a Pocket PC device to a desktop / laptop via serial, Infrared or USB connection. It provides for the conversion of standard data files, synchronisation of data files, synchronisation of Outlook 98 or later and e-mail synchronisation.

Q8 What can be synchronised?

A8 "Pocket Outlook, which includes calendar, contacts, tasks, inbox Pocket Internet Explorer favourites Pocket Office files, such as Pocket Word, Pocket Excel and Pocket Access AvantGo"

Q9 What is AvantGo?

A9 AvantGo is a free service that allows synchronisation with popular websites, for viewing on xda offline. Free registration is required at . Synchronisation is made via Activesync with the PC, or directly from the xda using O2 Mobile web. Once synchronised, the downloaded pages can be viewed while the xda is not connected. Any forms completed are also sent at next synchronisation.

Q10 What is the latest version available, and what changes have been made from previous versions?

A11 Activesync 3.7.1. Download it at

Q11 What is the minimum recommended version for use with xda?

A11 Version 3.5, which comes on the xda CD in the box

Q12 Can Outlook Express be used with Activesync?

A12 Outlook 98 or later is required. There are 3rd party Pocket PC applications available that enable synchronisation with Outlook Express.

Q13 Can the Palm Desktop Address Book be synchronised with xda contacts?

A13 Palm Address Book can be exported into a ‘Comma Separated Values' (CSV) file, which can be imported into Outlook.

To do this, open Palm Desktop and click on the Address icon.
Select File > Export and then name the file.
Select CSV format.
Close Palm Desktop.
Start Microsoft Outlook. Click on File > Import and Export.
Select Import from another program or file.
Select ‘Comma Separated Values (Windows).
Select the saved file to import.
Select where to import the data.
Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the import.

Q14 'Device not found' errors happen when connecting via USB

A14 Check the Activesync settings on xda.
Tap 'Start' and select 'Activesync'.
Tap 'Tools' and then 'Options'. Make sure that 'USB' is the selected method of connecting via the cradle connection.
Check that you are using at least Activesync 3.5.
Check that there are no other USB devices connected to the USB ports - Activesync works more reliably when no other devices are connected.
Make sure that a USB 'Hub' is not being used - Microsoft recommends that the USB cable needs to be connected directly to the PC's USB port.
Disable any running anti-virus software on your desktop PC

Q15 Activesync does not recognise xda when reconnecting the unit

A15 Microsoft confirm this is a problem with Activesync 3.5, which should be resolved by Activesync 3.7.1. ActiveSync 3.5 does not automatically reconnect to a Pocket PC2002 device that is connected on a USB connection after you log off and then log back on to a Microsoft Windows 2000 or Windows XP-based computer.

The observed error message is: 'Microsoft ActiveSync does not recognise the device that is trying to connect. If it is a mobile device, click Retry to try connecting again. If it is not a mobile device, click Disconnect COM Port to stop Microsoft ActiveSync from looking for a device on this port. If you later want to connect to this COM port again, open ActiveSync and on the file menu, select Get Connected.'

Disconnect the COM port or USB port in the ActiveSync connection settings (as the error message describes). Select the connection again in the ActiveSync connection settings, which should re-establish the connection. Soft-reset the xda before reconnecting

Q16 Using multiple Pocket PC devices, they all have the same name when setting up a partnership

A16 By default, every Pocket PC is called MyPocket_PC". To synchronise multiple units, change the name for each device.

To change the ID name on a Pocket PC device, tap on Start>Settings>System>About>DeviceID.
In the 'Device Name' box, enter a new name and tap OK.
This name will now be used.

Q17 What is a Guest Partnership?

A17 A Pocket PC can be 'partnered' with a maximum of two PCs. With a 'Guest' partnership a number of useful functions can be performed, such as Install applications.

Back up and restore Pocket PC information.
Copy and move files between the PC and the Pocket PC.
Synchronise using third-party synchronising applications.

Q18 Contacts and Calendar from the Activesync Options Menu is greyed out and not available

A18 Check that Contacts and Calendar etc. are not selected in Activesync on xda.
Tap Start > Activesync > Options > Tools > Server and deselect all items to synchronise.
These settings are for synchronising via a network only.

Q19 Can subfolders be synchronised with Pocket Outlook?

A19 By default, Pocket PC 2002 and ActiveSync do not display any sub-folders at first synchronisation. This is to conserve space on xda and minimise the time needed to synchronise folders.

Choose the subfolders to be synchronised.
Using Activesync on the PC: Select Tools>Options.
Right click on 'Inbox' and select 'Settings'. This will show the Inbox settings, and a drop down list from which sub-folders can be selected for synchronisation.
Click OK twice to get back to the Options screen. ActiveSync will then synchronise the selected subfolders (and the messages contained within them) to xda.

Q20 What are unresolved items?

A20 Unresolved items are caused by conflicts with the synchronisation process. This can occur when an item is changed on the xda and on the PC, and ActiveSync can't resolve it based on the synchronisation options you've selected.

To check options, click Options and then click the Rules tab. The Conflict Resolution section choices enable automation of conflict resolution. With Pocket Inbox, ActiveSync attempts to convert all attachments and synchronise them. Conflict resolution could occur with unsupported files (from 3rd party applications).

Low system resources can also cause unresolved item problems - A zero-length file may be created or an original file may be erased when synchronisation starts, but is unable to finish because of insufficient resources. To resolve this problem, free up system resources on the device, and then try to resynchronise. Resources can be freed by deleting files and closing programs. Adjust the division of memory between file storage and programs by using the Memory utility in Start>Settings>System.

Q21 A backup cannot be restored to an xda that has been hard reset

A21 Carrying out a hard reset totally wipes Activesync settings on the xda. It resets the device name, making it impossible for Activesync to use the original partnership.

A backup file is only good for an existing partnership. To restore personal data:
Set up a Guest partnership
Place xda in the sync cradle and connect as a Guest to establish a partnership.
Select 'Tools' Select 'Backup/Restore' to restore the original backup file
To regularly synchronise xda with Outlook, set up a new 'standard 'partnership

Q22 The Restore function does not restore POP3/IMAP service inbox

A22 IMAP and POP3 Inboxes are uniquely identified when they are created. When you restore IMAP and POP3 Inboxes from a backup, the unique identifier on the database is likely to change, causing the restored mail not to be associated with the service from which it was received. To work around this problem, delete your POP3/IMAP service, create a new Inbox service and download e-mail messages again.

Q23 Which settings do I have to change to make my XDA use the USB cradle to my PC Internet connection? When I try it, it tries to go through the cradle but gives an error... "There was an error: A connection with the server could not be established" GPRS work

A23 The Activesync application on the PC has a "Connection" drop down box in the Tools > Options dialog and then the "Rules" tab. This should be set to "The Internet". Another possible cause of not connecting is if a firewall application is in use. In this case it needs to be configured correctly otherwise the device will not connect.

N.B. Microsoft Windows XP has a built in firewall option that will prevent the device from connecting. There are security implications so we do not advise that the user permanently deactivate their firewall. Instead the end user should acquire alternative firewall software that allows, when configured, the device to connect. If no firewall application is running, or it is set up correctly, and the options are set in Activesync (on the PC) all you need to do is dock the device and run its Internet Explorer. No options need changing on the device.