Pocket PC to Windows Synchronization

Requirements

In order to synchronize your Pocket PC PDA to your desktop, Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft ActiveSync must be installed. Pocket PC does not synchronize with Outlook Express. Install Outlook from the CD that comes with your PDA if not already installed. You can install ActiveSync from the CD that comes with your PDA also, but ITS recommends downloading the latest version from Microsoft ActiveSync Download Site.

Overview

This document will guide you through basic operations to get your PDA to synchronize with your desktop computer through the USB cable or cradle. Once connected, you can synchronize your Outlook data (e-mail inbox, contacts, calendar, etc.) and the date and time. You may also choose to use synchronization to backup your PDA in case of device failure. Please refer to vendor documentation for your device to determine what software (if any) is available to do so. ActiveSync is the latest synchronization software for Windows Mobile-based Pocket PCs. This software coordinates information stored in Outlook including Inbox, Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, and Notes. ActiveSync is also capable of matching documents you might like to store on your Pocket PC such as Word and Excel documents, or even pictures and PDF files.

Installing ActiveSync

To install ActiveSync on your computer, you will have to download the latest version of ActiveSync from Microsoft’s Web site.

NOTE: The following instructions demonstrate ActiveSync version 3.7.1 installation. New versions are released from Microsoft frequently. ITS recommends downloading the latest version from Microsoft’s Web site.

Follow these step-by-step instructions to install ActiveSync:

1. Download the latest version of ActiveSync from Microsoft ActiveSync Download Site. Click on the ActiveSync 3.7.1 link (newer versions may be available).
On the ActiveSync page that opens, click Download, as shown below:

2. A File Download window will appear. Review that the application you are downloading looks similar to the one below (MSASYNC.EXE), then click Open.

3. At the Set Up Microsoft ® ActiveSync® 3.7 window, as shown below, read the information and click Next >.

4. At the Select Installation Folder window, select a different installation folder if desired by clicking the Change… button. Then click Next >.

5. After all of the files are copied and installation is complete, the Get Connected window will appear. Follow the three steps shown here.

6. After you have completed these steps, click Next >.

7. At the Set Up a Partnership window, read the instructions on screen and choose the Standard Partnership radio button to sync data between your handheld and your desktop PC. Then click Next >.

8. At the Specify how to synchronize data window, choose Synchronize with this desktop computer and click Next >.

9. At the Select Number of Partnerships window, choose whether you would like to synchronize with more than one PC. If you will use this device with only one computer, select Yes, I want to synchronize with only this computer. If there is another computer you would like to sync with (e.g. a home or second office computer) then select No, I want to synchronize with two computers. Then click Next>.

10. At the Select Synchronization Settings window, select the content you would like to access through your handheld device. Note: In Pocket PC 2002, do not select Pocket Access data, because it is not available. Then click Next >.

11. At the Setup Complete window, click Finish.

12. After installation completes, ActiveSync will run a full synchronization with Outlook on your PC. This box may come up if you have information stored on your handheld before syncing to your desktop:

Selecting the first option (as shown above) may cause duplicate data to show on your desktop, PDA, or both. This being true, the first option is the best. Selecting the second option will delete everything on you PDA that is not stored on your desktop. Selecting the third option will do nothing.

13. After you make your selection, click OK. ActiveSync will automatically set the date and time from your desktop computer.

Configuring ActiveSync

After ActiveSync is installed, there are several customizable options available. Listed below are a couple of basic ways to configure ActiveSync and your PDA:

• To configure ActiveSync on your handheld device when connecting through the USB cable or cradle, follow the instructions provided by Microsoft’s support page.
• In order to synchronize your Outlook subfolders and limit the data stored on your PDA, follow these instructions provided by Microsoft.

Many helpful documents are on the support site for Microsoft. To review specific documents for your device, go to the Windows Mobile for Pocket PC homepage.

Conclusion

Once you have made any desired changes, ActiveSync will run continuously while the Pocket PC device is connected to the desktop through the USB cable. Information will be synchronized between your desktop and your PDA and any applications will be installed if specified.

Getting Help
IT Service Center
(303) 735-HELP
help@colorado.edu