(Last updated Oct 4, 2008)

Card Export for Windows Mobile

Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Handango and purchases made with the affiliate links in this post and throughout the site will help keep Palm Discovery running as well as paying for future giveaways offered from time to time. Thanks to your generosity, $20 was donated to Plan Canada (formerly Foster Parents Plan International) in 2006 and $85 was donated in 2007.

YES! You’ve read it right. Card Export for Windows Mobile, the Card Reader software from Softick not only works as a very handy card reader (allowing you direct access to contents on the memory card of your device) but also works very well as an unexpected fix for those ActiveSync connections that for whatever reason, doesn’t want to start.

Now, before everyone starts to pile on with a bunch of comments about how ridiculous this may be and sound, I am only providing a fix that seems to happen for me. I can’t guarantee or claim this for anyone else.

I, like many other Windows Mobile users out there, from time to time, experience the occasional problem that ActiveSync can’t connect to the computer, even when you can see that the connection is there and ActiveSync starts fine. I don’t know what causes the occasional problem of connection problems that I experience, and sometimes quite frequently. Anyway, ActiveSync will attempt to do a synchronization but fails for whatever reason and I’m stuck with some error message that the connection could not be made. Attempts to uninstall and re-install, have it scan for possible problems and fixes doesn’t help. But surprisingly, you may find that you can try this “trick” and avoid wasting time.

You will need to download and install Softick’s Card Export for Windows Mobile. Since Activesync isn’t working, you should be downloading the .CAB file. On Softick’s website, they incorrectly named the download file as for Windows Mobile 2005/2006. What they mean is Windows Mobile version 5/6. Please note that the links to Softick are NOT affiliate links. If you find that the program works and wish to purchase it, please purchase from the Handango (I am an affiliate) links found in this posting. Thanks!

Here are the direct links to the .CAB files (at Softick’s website). Click on them and the download should start immediately.

Direct link to Windows Mobile 5/6 CAB

Direct link to Windows Mobile 2003 CAB

If you need to download other versions for your device, visit Softick’s download page for the cab files here.

You do not need to “purchase” the program to try it as it comes with a fully working trial period. So, it doesn’t cost you anything to try this and see if it works. If it works, please buy it via Handango here and help support Palm Discovery! Please keep in mind that all proceeds go towards paying for expenses related to the running of this site and I donate a portion to Plan International. Thanks!

Brief explanation of the trick using Card Export

The trick is quite simple. I run Card Export and connect as a virtual drive (similar to using it as a card reader, viewing the memory card’s files on my desktop). Once it successfully connects, I disconnect. Within seconds after disconnecting, Activesync will start running. AND it will synchronize without any errors or problems! Yes, it’s that simple!

Here’s the entire process explained in more detail:

I run Card Export on my Treo. I connect the device to my computer (of course, the USB cable should be connected to the computer and my Treo is turned on) by tapping on the “Connect” button or press the Left Softkey/Action button.

If the program successfully connects, Windows will detect a new temporary virtual/removable drive and pop up the typical removable drive pop up window like this one on your desktop screen:

You can opt to ignore it (or open up Windows Explorer with it by selecting the Open Folder to view files using Windows Explorer option from the list in the pop up window). It doesn’t matter what you do. The main reason is that we want to establish a connection between the mobile device and the computer. Next, we will want to cut or disconnect that connection.

We now disconnect it by pressing the Left Softkey/Action button or the tapping the “Disconnect” button.

Wait for a few seconds up to half a minute (it doesn’t take that long) and normally, Activesync will start (provided that the default setting of automatically synchronizing is set). If it’s not, you can initiate a sync yourself and see if it works. Normally, (at least for me), it will work and run a sync successfully. What I am suspecting is happening is that Card Export does a very clean disconnect and resets the settings for Activesync to start. Activesync, on the other hand, by itself, may not necessarily do so when you remove your Treo or smartphone device thus causing the problem. Now, I am just guessing. If anyone has a better idea about why Card Export works to fix this or why Activesync doesn’t, please share it with us! Thanks!

Alternatively, you can also connect and disconnect from the tray (if you have SBSH’s iLauncher program). Here are some screenshots. The Card Export/Activesync icon is located at the bottom right corner.

So, yes! It does work (at least for me)! For the many times when Activesync would not connect regardless of whatever error message comes up, I was able to get it connected and working with this trick using Card Export. So, I decided to share this little information with the Palm Discovery readers. Hopefully it will work for you too.

Now, I can’t guarantee or claim that whatever ActiveSync problems you are experiencing can be fixed by this program by the connecting and disconnecting trick, but it doesn’t hurt to try with the trial version of Softick’s Card Export. If you find that it works for you, then, by all means, purchase the program not only as a card reader software program but also as your unlikely ActiveSync fixing app too. Even as a card reader program, it’s great. It’s so much easier to transfer files back and forth between the computer and my Treo by starting Card Export. Originally, I had to use bluetooth. It’s much slower but it works. Thank goodness, Card Export now supports Windows Mobile. For a long time, it only supported Windows Mobile 5 and actually broke Activesync when I tried it. Obviously, I am a happy owner of this software now.

If this “trick” works for you, please leave me a comment below. And please feel free to share this tidbit with others who may benefit! Thanks!

(EDITED Oct 4, 2008)

Here’s a few more ideas to fix Activesync.

- Uninstall and re-install Activesync.

- Hard reset your device (be sure to backup all your information first) and try ActiveSync first on a newly wiped clean device

- Delete the partnership or User profile connection and create a new one.

- Disable RNDIS. On your Windows Mobile device, go into Start. Settings. Connections. USB to PC. Uncheck “Enable advanced network functionality”. This switches the connection from USB network to USB serial.

Hopefully these ideas could help fix it. Most times, I find that the hard reset with the deletion of the User profile connection/partnership does the trick. Nowadays, I find the Card Export works for me (fingers crossed).

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