Sync Dell Axim X51 With Vista Ultimate X64 WMDC
December 8, 2008 by Geovani Martinez · 17 Comments
For the past month or so I been trying to configure my Dell Axim X51 to Sync with my new Vista Home Premium laptop. I looked at hundreds of threads to the point I gave up and figured I used my desktop machine for development and testing when it came to mobile device development, that is all I use my Dell Axim X51 for.
Today an application I had written for mobile devices needed some enhancements and without hesitation I went back to attempting to make it Sync with my Vista laptop since I really did not want to pull out my XP machine and set it up, so off I went. First thread I bumped to read “you installed vista…good luck!” which made me think “why do people like to post garbage?”, if you are not providing valuable input or at least helping out in a positive way then don’t post nothing at all! and why the hell do most of the message boards out there have not implemented a voting system where we can bump up the good post and vote down useless post.
Any how you came here for a possible solution so here we go. First I will inform you of my device configurations
Laptop
HP Pavilion dv4 (say’s so on the right hand corner of the display)
Running Vista Home Premium, AMD 64 bit processor (should of gone with the 32bit!)
Dell Axim X51
Windows Mobile 5.0 (Build 14957.2.3.1)
Processor Intel® PXA270
Downloads
If you have not done so you need to download the Windows Mobile Device Center (ActiveSync does not work on vista). You can do a search for it or go start your search here Microsoft is always moving things around to the point it’s useless to provide a direct link.
Ok, now will list the steps I took to get my device working with Vista
Did a Hard Boot which restored my device to factory settings, I did this because I had installed so much junk on the device it really required for me to do so. I don’t think you may need to do this.
Connect the cradle (just the cradle) device to your machine (normally USB connection), DO NOT cradle your device yet!
Run Microsoft Windows Device Center and set your settings as shown below
Now on your Mobile Device open up ActiveSync and Click the “Menu” –> “Connections”, make sure the “Synchronize all PCs using this connection:” is checked and USB is selected in the drop down box. Save your settings (normally by closing the screen)
Now go to “Start” –> “Settings” –> Select the “Connections” Tab, there click on the “USB to PC” icon and uncheck “Enable advance network functionality”, in XP enabling this featured resolved a lot of Sync issues but in Vista this breaks Sync (at least for me that is).
Now that you have Windows Mobile Device Center running and the cradle is connected via USB; its time to cradle your device so go ahead and place it on its cradle. Immediately you will notice Vista begin to install the Drivers for your Axim and after its done you should be able to begin the partnership process which I hope your familiar with.
I hope the process mentioned above solved your issue, but just in case here are a few things I would like to point out
I heard a lot about people having to disable their antivirus, spyware, ect. Today I uninstalled Norton Internet Security, I only had 10 days left on the free subscription, I’m not saying its the solution but worth looking in to. I wish I could of kept Norton but they make it so difficult to completely disable their product.
I also disabled the Windows Firewall, Malware Protection, during this process; after getting the partnership configured I went back and turned them on, everything works fine.
I may purchase Norton and reinstall it hopefully it was not Norton breaking the Sync process and will update this post.
Well that’s all folks!
Thanks Geovani! After months of trying to sync my Dell Axim x51v with my Vista laptop, your instructions made it a successful process. Thanks a million! Happy New Year!
No problem, glad to be of help.
FYI, I am running a similar setup (HP dv9999, Vista Ultimate 64-bit, Axim X51v), and did not need to disable the 'advanced network functionality' under USB to PC.
That is odd, can you provide the specs of your mobile device? bios version? OS version?; prior to following the steps above where you able to Sync your device?
Thank you so much! This worked perfectly for me and has allowed a new lease of life for my Dell Axim. Keith
I don't have the "USB to PC" listed under my "connections" tab. So, I skipped this test a month ago when setting it up but now, I can't get it to sync at all. I have uninstalled WMDC and reinstalled it, rebooted my computer and dell axim, and still I can't get anything to work. Any suggestions?
Just to be clear: in the past you managed to get it to Sync with your PC but you did not have to do the "USB to PC" step? What OS Version is installed on the device?
Yes, I used to sync with my PC with XP, and then after using this website, I was able to sync to Vista 64-bit. But, just one time was I able to get it to sync and then it quit working. But in answer to what OS version, I have Microsoft Windows Mobile Version 5.0. So, when I go to start, settings, and then my connections tab (on my Axim), my options are "Beam," "Bluetooth" "Connections" "Dell WLAN Utility" "Network Cards" and "Odyssey Client."
I remembered this happening to me once but it was right after I installed a Sync component on the mobile device and it interfered with the sync process. Make sure you are using the latest version of WMDC (6.1.6965). In the list of connection options I did not see "USB To PC" this may be due to a missing firmware upgrade from DELL, check their site to make sure your not missing one; Other then that I'm stumped for now but will do a bit more research to see what else i can find for you. here are a few suggestions
1) Have you tried Sync via Bluetooth? (if your device is capable)
The final solution would be to: (I think you may have done this already)
1) Remove All WMDC components via the Add Remove Programs
2) Reinstall WMDC
3) Reset your device to factory settings (hopefully you wont mind this)
4) Follow the steps mentioned on this post make sure your cradle device has electrical power coming into it (not just a connection from the cradled to the USB port)
I have uninstalled and redownloaded the latest version of WMCD. The only download from Dell I could find required a hard reset of the Axim…which I really don't want to do.
I have not been able to sync via bluetooth. I have it on my axim but I can't find any settings for my PC.
Thanks for checking into other options….
I too had to do a hard reset when I downloaded the latest ROM update (this could be the reason the USB To PC does not appear on your device); Not sure if that update is what is keeping you from Sync your device thou since you had it Sync at one point. For how long where you able to Sync before the Sync process got screwed up?
Good point. I got it to sync on February 9th. I usually only sync about once a week. Then when I tried, it didn't even recognize it. I did a soft reset, rebooted the computer but nothing worked for a quick fix. Then I just put it on the back burner until today when I have spent a lot of time on trying to fix it. The only thing that has changed that I can think of is that my husband also used the home computer to sync his cell phone that has windows mobile. I deleted the sync partnership with my phone with the hopes of just starting from scratch, but now it won't even recognize it.
I posted a comment, but I don't know where it went. I was able to sync on February 9th after following the steps on your website (except the USB to PC one) and it worked great. Then my husband also set up a sync partnership with his cell phone that has windows mobile on it, and it was able to sync. Then about a week later, I tried it again and it wouldn't work. So, I was only able to do the one time. And I just haven't had time until today to try and figure out why. I tried soft resets, rebooting, uninstalling WMDC and reinstalling WMDC, and read website after website trying many different things but nothing has worked.
Theresa,
Having WMDC installed can you plug your Aximcradled(make sure the USBcradledhas power coming in) on another USB port then follow the steps i mentioned. let me know if it works.
thanks so much for the help. I used your info to sync my two Axim X5's. Awesome!
Glad to be of help. take care.
well, it reconizes AXIM v51x, but it has it as "Sync media unig Windows Meida Player" and I need to sync with the OUTLOOK.
Any suggestions?
Alex