Synchronizing data files with ActiveSync

[Richard Kucia]

I want to synchronize data files in both directions. I'm using ActiveSync
3.7.1. I can't figure out how to do this from the documentation (which gives
new meaning to the word "skimpy").

1) Are there predefined folders I must use?
2) Do I need to tell ActiveSync about the folders or the file types?
3) What's the relationship, if any, between the source folder and the target
folder?
4) Can I designate the full folder paths for source and target, or must they
always be sub-folders of some magic name?
5) The content is XML text; do I need to do anything with these
filters/converters?
6) ActiveSync seems irregular -- the PDA is named "Dell" but the PC side
always thinks it's PPC2 (which was an older name I created) or Guest.
ActiveSync on the PDA always reports that it's in the "connecting" state,
even though I can push files through the link. I can't prove it, but I seem
to recall that this odd state began with 3.7.1. Should I uninstall it and
install some other version?

Somewhat related question: I associated the app's extension (.tda) on the PC
with the software package. Can I also set this associated on the PDA, using
Visual Studio deployment?

Thanks.

Richard Kucia

 

[Richard Kucia]

More info: if the only connection between PC/PDA is an ethernet, then I see
the behavior as described. However, if I disable the ethernet option in
ActiveSync and enable the USB option, then the PDA fully synchronizes with
its correct name. Files transfer, etc. The ethernet link seems to work OK as
far as Visual Studio debugging, Windows Explorer, etc., even though the
PDA's Active State stays stuck at "Connecting". Strange.