Windows Mobile Device Center
Update - Microsoft have released this (for RC1 but works in RTM, I'm sure a new version will be out for Launch).
Dan pointed me in the direction of this blog.
I've done as suggested, and it works a charm on my laptop, syncing to my HTC Universal (please note however, this is an UNSUPPORTED way to get the WMDC installed. The current WMDC is for private/internal Microsoft testing only, and get's updated regularly. So there is a risk in using it.)
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Make sure your Mobile device is unplugged
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What you have to do is this, Fire up regedit and pop along to HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft -
Right Click the Microsoft key, then select New - Key
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Create a new key called WHOS
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Close Regedit down, now connect your device and let it connect. You know it's
connected when the storage is visible in the My Computer explorer. -
Now Goto Windows Update, make sure it says it will update Windows and Other Applications (see image right)
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Click the Check for updates in the top left corner.
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It should detect a new driver update called 'Microsoft Corporation driver update for Microsoft Windows Mobile Remote Adapter' -
Let Windows Update install the new driver.
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Plug in your Windows Mobile device, and hey presto you can now sync with Outlook or the Windows Mail/Contacts
- I'm not really sure why Microsoft have 'left this out' of the current builds of Vista. Although I suppose they have not, you have to download the update from Windows Update.
I've tried this with both Windows Mobile 5, and Windows Mobile 2003. The experience is not bad at all, very much improved on ActiveSync.
The system works with Office 2007 B2TR fine for syncing contacts etc. Also I quite like the way it shows you new items like pictures, video and music etc.
The application install experience is a little hit and miss at the moment. Some installers check for the ActiveSync process running, obviously it's not there so they fail.
However most applications install and work fine. After you've got it all running, and you want to find your way back to the application, then it's in the control panel, or if you have the green Sync Center icon in the taskbar then double click that and you will get the Sync Center up. This has all of your synchronisations in it for files, folders and now mobile devices.
Oh on a side note, the images are all taken using one of my favorite bit's of Vista, Vista Sniping Tool is brilliant. If you want to run it, just click start, then type snipper into the search.
The reg file needed looks like this (open notepad and paste the contents below in Italic into it then save as wmdc.reg)
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WHOS]
For those still struggling to get this installed, try downloading this msi installer and running it AFTER setting the registry. I would sudgest you then reboot the machine and do a windows update to check for a new version (as this one may be out of date).
Build5600 Vista RC1. Did everything as indicated. Haven't downloaded anything: no update available!
Very strange, I'll upload a .reg file for you to import.
I've just gone through this on a spare PC here, this time trying the initial device connection using a WM2003 device instead of my WM5 one. It works there.
Let me know.
What you describe, is what I did with one exception: I left the phone plugged. It did not cross my mind that I should unplug it. I am going to start all over again. We shall see
…and it did not work. Strange. It is not?
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. Your instructions worked like a charm. I'm sure I'll find out why MS doesn't want this feature available yet, but in the meantime you've saved me from switching over to my XP machine to sync my smartphone.
Be carefull with this. If you install the pre release you may not be able to install the real release. It does work, and it works great, but I would only suggest it if you ABSOLUTLY NEED TO SYNC!! Take a look at Mel Sam's blog and read up on the time frame for the real release. http://blogs.msdn.com/melsam/archive/2006/09/07/744902.aspx
From what I have read on several sites people are getting mixed results with this. I updated this way late last week, and while it added functionality as well as the ability to hotsync, it still doesn't allow me to sync ANYTHING with outlook (2007 refresh) except for notes. Under configuration it just says that outlook has not been configured, the same thing it said with beta 2. Sync is also extremely slow, and apparently this has been the case with some others as well. Of course some folks, including yourself have it working with no problem. Looks like you are one of the lucky ones.
It is nice being able to at least access it though. I can install/uninstall programs, and browse the file system, which means being able to sync documents and music. It's just the outlook data that's giving me problems.
WMDC beta to be available next week. My guess is Monday, Oct 2 (read on another blog) but then that could be wrong. This news came from nwhite on the Vista Team Blog. No word on PPC2003 compatability though.
That's great news because I have one hundred of things to synchronize, especially contacts. However, I still do not understand why the "advanced" process described at length in many blogs (Regedit, WHOS, etc.) did not work in my case. In addition, though the question does not pertain to this blog, the (only approved) Trend micro PC-cillin refuses to work, stubornly, when it worked very well with Windows Vista Beta2. Several installations (inclunding another downloading) did not change a bit the disppearance of the (interesting) antivirus software. As any one a clue? Hope McAfee anti-virus and/or Norton will be approved soon!
I noticed that Trend had issues when I updated to 5728. All I did to get it working again was to disable all the extended stuff.
Do this by uninstalling, then re-installing and selcting basic version when asked. The AV stuff then works, and the other benefit is it will not turn of the MS firewall, and use up 80Mb of ram for their version of the proxy.
Let me know if that works
Ashleigh
Oh yeah just one other thing to check.
If you are having connection issues, make sure the services "Windows Mobile 2003-based device connectivity" and "Windows Mobile based device connectivity" are started.
Talking of the WMDC, there is an update available for the driver on Windows Update as we speak.
The update I mentioned above is available as an MSI installer at the bottom of the post. Your welcome to download and try a manual install if you like. I'm not sure what your milage will be like doing it this way. But it's woth a try for those struggling to get the update to happen.
I must be wandering on another planet. First, the connectivity does not seem to be an issue: the device appears well in the "Computer" index. Two, I do not see any (new) update when I check and re-check. Last update was for Defender this morning. Three, I do not see any "MSI installer at the bottom of the post": could I get a link? Last, I have installed and re-installed the PC-Cillin antivirus and it is blocked: probably a heart attack when I migrated to Build 5600. In short, boring for a Friday!
Alain - it's in the bit that says….. For those still struggling to get this installed, try downloading this msi installer and running it AFTER setting the registry. I would sudgest you then reboot the machine and do a windows update to check for a new version (as this one may be out of date).
But here is the link to the download for the MSI http://www.nakedcleaner.com/files/wmupdate.msi give it a go
Hope it helps. Oh BTW just so you know I have always done clean installs on my laptop, the only upgrade I have attempted is from RC1 to 5728. I wonder if that's what your issues stem from.
I know it's a pain to do a clean install, but it might be worth giving a go.
Clean Install? I just cannot. I have so many files that I do not know how to save. However, this morning I wake up early and I re-installed Vista RC1 (Build 5600) just to see. Long, boring, a,d I saw nothing more after SEVERAL long hours. At present, I am downloading the "wmpupdate". At least that works. I do not see why I need to trim the registry (WHOS…) but I will do it. Let's keep tuned…
Alain,
If you cannot afford to do a clean install then to be honest installing beta software probably was not a great idea
But hey I know what it's like, I've done it before. Have you got no way of backing up the files (repartition the drive to 2 seperate partitions for example?)
If you can repartition it, then make a 15Gb one and try a clean install on that one. If that works ok think about migrating accross onto that version.
That's basically how I've done it from XP, I still have my XP partition just in case.
Let me know if you need a hand with anything.
I use ghost 2003. in 5min i have my old xp back or vista
ive got the business full release, no wmdc, downloaded the beta, but firewall seems to be getting in the way, says limited or no connectivity, any thoughts?
Yeah sure, if using OneCare then the following Apps need clearing for connection
c:\windows\windowsmobile\wmdc.exe and
c:\windows\windowsmobile\wmdhost.exe
ports are as follows if using another
Port Protocol Direction
990 TCP Inbound
999 TCP Inbound
5678 TCP Inbound
5679 UDP Outbound
5721 TCP Inbound
26675 TCP Inbound
Hope that helps, let me know if not