INFO: mobile PhoneTools Outlook Calendar sync problem

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Cellular Phone Forum / Providers / Cingular / September 2005

INFO: mobile PhoneTools Outlook Calendar sync problem

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John Navas - 28 Aug 2005 19:07 GMT

APPLIES TO: Motorola/BVRP mobile PhoneTools (mPT)
VERSION: 3.25b (believed also to apply to earlier 3.xx versions)
TESTED WITH: Motorola V551j (believed also to apply to other phones)

SUMMARY: mPT locks up when attempting to sync Outlook Calendar with Motorola
phone.

CAUSE: Certain types of recurring appointments and/or appointments prior to
2000. According to BVRP, this is a known problem with no fix at this time.
Might be fixed in a future version (but don't hold your breath).

WORK-AROUNDS:

(1) Don't sync the Outlook Calendar.

(2) Use only simple appointments in Outlook.

(3) Create a new Calendar folder in Outlook just for phone sync (e.g., "Phone
Calendar"); limit entries in that Calendar folder to simple appointments; and
configure mPT to sync that folder to the phone.

NOTES: Approach (3) is also a good way to manage Phonebook sync if you have
too many regular Contacts in Outlook. (Filtering by Outlook Category is
another management option.)

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Best regards, HELP FOR CINGULAR GSM & SONY ERICSSON PHONES:
John Navas <http://navasgrp.home.att.net/#Cingular>

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dold@XReXXINFOX.usenet.us.com - 28 Aug 2005 21:34 GMT

In alt.cellular.cingular John Navas <spamfilter0@navasgroup.com> wrote:

> APPLIES TO: Motorola/BVRP mobile PhoneTools (mPT)
> VERSION: 3.25b (believed also to apply to earlier 3.xx versions)
> TESTED WITH: Motorola V551j (believed also to apply to other phones)

I have BVRP 3.25b and a Motorola 551 connecting via BlueTooth.
Mobile: Motorola CE, Copyright 2000 ** Model: V551J ** Version:
R472_G_08.18.16R_0A

> SUMMARY: mPT locks up when attempting to sync Outlook Calendar with Motorola
> phone.

I sync my phonebook and calendar with Outlook 2003 about once a week.

> CAUSE: Certain types of recurring appointments and/or appointments prior to
> 2000. According to BVRP, this is a known problem with no fix at this time.
> Might be fixed in a future version (but don't hold your breath).

Citation, please.

I don't have any appointments prior to 2000, but I do have several
recurring appointments. Those seem to sync into my phone nicely, reminding
me of Event as it should.

One time, I had some problem in Outlook caused by a meeting invitation that
included an attachment, so I deleted everything and imported the calendar
from my phone. the recurring appointments became a set of schedule single
appointments. The recurrence was lost, but other than that, I have had no
problem with sync between Outlook Premium 2003 and MPT.

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---
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley (Lake County) CA USA 38.8,-122.5

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John Navas - 29 Aug 2005 16:24 GMT

>In alt.cellular.cingular John Navas <spamfilter0@navasgroup.com> wrote:
>> APPLIES TO: Motorola/BVRP mobile PhoneTools (mPT)
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
>Citation, please.

See post from Support_MS of Fri Aug 26, 2005 1:08 pm in thread
"3.25b crashes syncing v551 with outlook calendar" at
http://www.bvrpforums.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=3831

>I don't have any appointments prior to 2000, but I do have several
>recurring appointments. Those seem to sync into my phone nicely, reminding
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>appointments. The recurrence was lost, but other than that, I have had no
>problem with sync between Outlook Premium 2003 and MPT.

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Best regards, HELP FOR CINGULAR GSM & SONY ERICSSON PHONES:
John Navas <http://navasgrp.home.att.net/#Cingular>

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dold@XReXXINFOX.usenet.us.com - 29 Aug 2005 18:38 GMT

In alt.cellular.cingular John Navas <spamfilter0@navasgroup.com> wrote:

>>> CAUSE: Certain types of recurring appointments and/or appointments
>>> prior to 2000. According to BVRP, this is a known problem with no fix
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> crashes syncing v551 with outlook calendar" at
> http://www.bvrpforums.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=3831

There is a missing feature that only simple recurring appointments are
transferred, but that's not a hang or crash.

There is a bug with recurring appointments that started prior to 2000.

There isn't any confirmation that this is the bug that is affecting the
original poster. The fact that he is running Outlook 2003 makes me wonder
about the "before 2000" part. The poster isn't clear in his response, but
I think he is indicating that the conditions of the known bug do not apply.

The BVRP forums for other problems are filled with repetitions of some rote
fix, with no confirmation that it was of any help. I enjoy the support_MS
statement "I understand that." I see that so often in support forums that
I conclude that it is inserted whenever the opposite is true. "There is a
bug that remotely resembles your problem, so this must be the fix."

BVRP does sync my V551 with Outlook 2003 on WinXP-SP2 with a DLink
Bluetooth adapter.

---
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley (Lake County) CA USA 38.8,-122.5

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DevilsPGD - 29 Aug 2005 20:15 GMT

>There isn't any confirmation that this is the bug that is affecting the
>original poster. The fact that he is running Outlook 2003 makes me wonder
>about the "before 2000" part. The poster isn't clear in his response, but
>I think he is indicating that the conditions of the known bug do not apply.

Why would the fact that he's running Outlook 2003 have anything to do
with whether or not he has appointments that start before 2000?

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-- Susan Ivanova, B5

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dold@XReXXINFOX.usenet.us.com - 29 Aug 2005 22:09 GMT

In alt.cellular.cingular DevilsPGD <spamsucks@crazyhat.net> wrote:

> Why would the fact that he's running Outlook 2003 have anything to do
> with whether or not he has appointments that start before 2000?

I was thinking that the move from my old PC to my new PC truncated the
earliest recurrence to the date that I made the move. That might have made
the oldest calendar entry equal to 30-60 days prior to the date it was
imported.

The calendar is held on the server, though, and it seems that it might have
been the day that we outsourced the server.

You could visit each of the recurring appointments and change the start
date within Outlook.

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Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley (Lake County) CA USA 38.8,-122.5

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DevilsPGD - 29 Aug 2005 22:38 GMT

>In alt.cellular.cingular DevilsPGD <spamsucks@crazyhat.net> wrote:
>> Why would the fact that he's running Outlook 2003 have anything to do
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>You could visit each of the recurring appointments and change the start
>date within Outlook.

Personally, I use the Start date on events to track when a recurring
item started (Days I started at a new job, anniversaries, birthdays,
etc), so I have recurring events which start over 80 years ago.

I archive old items in Outlook, where "old" is defined as the
end-of-appointment AND end-of-recurrence pattern are both greater then
60 days ago. For items that recur indefinitely, they'll stay in my
Calendar indefinitely.

This occasionally causes problems synchronizing items with external
hardware/software applications, but in general, it's a problem that can
be solved.

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If at first you do succeed, try not to look astonished.

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John Navas - 29 Aug 2005 22:40 GMT

>>There isn't any confirmation that this is the bug that is affecting the
>>original poster. The fact that he is running Outlook 2003 makes me wonder
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>Why would the fact that he's running Outlook 2003 have anything to do
>with whether or not he has appointments that start before 2000?

If most likely wouldn't have any relationship. That was a silly comment, most
likely because he didn't think it through before posting. ;)

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Best regards, HELP FOR CINGULAR GSM & SONY ERICSSON PHONES:
John Navas <http://navasgrp.home.att.net/#Cingular>

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John Navas - 29 Aug 2005 22:38 GMT

>In alt.cellular.cingular John Navas <spamfilter0@navasgroup.com> wrote:

>>>> CAUSE: Certain types of recurring appointments and/or appointments
>>>> prior to 2000. According to BVRP, this is a known problem with no fix
>>>> at this time. Might be fixed in a future version (but don't hold your
>>>> breath).

>> See post from Support_MS of Fri Aug 26, 2005 1:08 pm in thread "3.25b
>> crashes syncing v551 with outlook calendar" at
>> http://www.bvrpforums.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=3831
>
>There is a missing feature that only simple recurring appointments are
>transferred, but that's not a hang or crash.

It actually is a crash, for the originator of that thread, for me, and for
many others.

>BVRP does sync my V551 with Outlook 2003 on WinXP-SP2 with a DLink
>Bluetooth adapter.

That you don't experience it doesn't mean that it's not a real problem.

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Best regards, HELP FOR CINGULAR GSM & SONY ERICSSON PHONES:
John Navas <http://navasgrp.home.att.net/#Cingular>

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dold@XReXXINFOX.usenet.us.com - 30 Aug 2005 00:47 GMT

In alt.cellular.cingular John Navas <spamfilter0@navasgroup.com> wrote:

>>There is a missing feature that only simple recurring appointments are
>>transferred, but that's not a hang or crash.

> It actually is a crash, for the originator of that thread, for me, and for
> many others.

The forum topic title includes the word crash, but his posting describes a
hang, not a crash. You didn't describe your experience. How would you
count those many others? Did they hang or crash?

> That you don't experience it doesn't mean that it's not a real problem.

Nor did I suggest that it wasn't. Just adding my count to the tally of
those not having this same problem.

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Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley (Lake County) CA USA 38.8,-122.5

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John Navas - 30 Aug 2005 04:57 GMT

>In alt.cellular.cingular John Navas <spamfilter0@navasgroup.com> wrote:
>
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>hang, not a crash. You didn't describe your experience. How would you
>count those many others? Did they hang or crash?

I think you're splitting hairs, grasping at straws.

>> That you don't experience it doesn't mean that it's not a real problem.
>
>Nor did I suggest that it wasn't. Just adding my count to the tally of
>those not having this same problem.

Seemed to me you were trying to claim it wasn't a real problem simply because
you weren't experiencing it. Still does.

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Best regards, HELP FOR CINGULAR GSM & SONY ERICSSON PHONES:
John Navas <http://navasgrp.home.att.net/#Cingular>

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dold@XReXXINFOX.usenet.us.com - 30 Aug 2005 22:17 GMT

In alt.cellular.cingular John Navas <spamfilter0@navasgroup.com> wrote:

> Seemed to me you were trying to claim it wasn't a real problem simply
> because you weren't experiencing it. Still does.

Nah. I think it is valuable to know that it works for someone else,
just as it is useful to know that you aren't the only one with a problem.

Do you have the specified "aberrant" entries that are supposed to hang the
product, or does it just hang anyway?

I don't have any old entries. I don't populate my calendar as fully as our
other poster. I don't keep anniversaries, et al, in there. Mine works.

The BVRP forums are not impressive, and they certainly are a substitute for
proper tech support Knowledge Base information. There are 108 hits for
outlook calendar sync. The one you mentioned is high on the list, but only
because of its date. Many of the forum entries are from people who are
royally annoyed, and express their displeasure, only to be met with another
polite round of "I already know what your problem is".

In the forum topic that you cited, it wasn't clear that the failure was as a
result of having the entries known to cause failures, or if Support_MS was
just sticking with the bug and fix that Support_MS liked.

There should be some clue as to which problems are recognized/acknowledged.

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Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley (Lake County) CA USA 38.8,-122.5

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John Navas - 31 Aug 2005 23:01 GMT

>In alt.cellular.cingular John Navas <spamfilter0@navasgroup.com> wrote:
>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>Nah. I think it is valuable to know that it works for someone else,
>just as it is useful to know that you aren't the only one with a problem.

Then I suggest you phrase it that way in the future. ;)

>Do you have the specified "aberrant" entries that are supposed to hang the
>product, or does it just hang anyway?

It hangs with my full contact folder, and doesn't hang with the simplified
folder I set up for the phone. Since my problem is solved, I have neither the
time nor the interest to investigate further.

>I don't have any old entries. I don't populate my calendar as fully as our
>other poster. I don't keep anniversaries, et al, in there. Mine works.

My simplified Calendar also works.

>The BVRP forums are not impressive, and they certainly are a substitute for
>proper tech support Knowledge Base information.

I disagree.

>There are 108 hits for
>outlook calendar sync. The one you mentioned is high on the list, but only
>because of its date. Many of the forum entries are from people who are
>royally annoyed, and express their displeasure, only to be met with another
>polite round of "I already know what your problem is".

I found it easily by doing a more precise search.

>In the forum topic that you cited, it wasn't clear that the failure was as a
>result of having the entries known to cause failures, or if Support_MS was
>just sticking with the bug and fix that Support_MS liked.

I disagree.

>There should be some clue as to which problems are recognized/acknowledged.

I think you're quibbling. No offense intended.

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Best regards, HELP FOR CINGULAR GSM & SONY ERICSSON PHONES:
John Navas <http://navasgrp.home.att.net/#Cingular>

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dold@XReXXINFOX.usenet.us.com - 01 Sep 2005 01:06 GMT

In alt.cellular.cingular John Navas <spamfilter0@navasgroup.com> wrote:

>>Nah. I think it is valuable to know that it works for someone else, just
>>as it is useful to know that you aren't the only one with a problem.

> Then I suggest you phrase it that way in the future. ;)

Duly noted.

>>Do you have the specified "aberrant" entries that are supposed to hang
>>the product, or does it just hang anyway?

> It hangs with my full contact folder, and doesn't hang with the
> simplified folder I set up for the phone. Since my problem is solved, I
> have neither the time nor the interest to investigate further.

So, maybe yes, maybe no.

>>The BVRP forums are not impressive, and they certainly are a substitute
>>for proper tech support Knowledge Base information.

> I disagree.

Ouch... So do I... I left out a second "not".

>>In the forum topic that you cited, it wasn't clear that the failure was
>>as a result of having the entries known to cause failures, or if
>>Support_MS was just sticking with the bug and fix that Support_MS liked.

> I disagree.

I don't see any acknowledgment from the topic poster that he had those
"aberrant" entries, or if he was later able to sync a simpler calendar.
You were able to sync, and your suggestion here for alternate calendars is
an excellent workaround that you might want to contribute to that forum
posting.

>>There should be some clue as to which problems are
>>recognized/acknowledged.

> I think you're quibbling. No offense intended.

When I went looking for a Bluetooth answer, I found many varied entries
with the same rote answer. If they had a proper Knowledge Base, the right
answer would have been more obvious, and I wouldn't haven't been suspicious
about so many questions getting the same answer.

I generally dislike forums. The BVRP forum seems to be particularly
acerbic. Some people are very unhappy with features or answers, and I
don't want to read through all of that to find the rote answer that should
be neatly presented on a Knowledge Base. I've never looked at the forums
on the Linksys, DLink, Netgear, Dell, etc, web sites. They have Knowledge
Base searches that are useful.

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Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley (Lake County) CA USA 38.8,-122.5

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DevilsPGD - 28 Aug 2005 22:16 GMT

>APPLIES TO: Motorola/BVRP mobile PhoneTools (mPT)
>VERSION: 3.25b (believed also to apply to earlier 3.xx versions)
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>2000. According to BVRP, this is a known problem with no fix at this time.
>Might be fixed in a future version (but don't hold your breath).

Interesting, good to know. I have tons of calendar entries that have
recurrence patterns that started well before 2000. I've been debating
the merits of synchronizing my Razr with Outlook (once my PhoneTools CD
arrives), but this would be a show-stopper for me.

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nospam@ptd.net - 01 Sep 2005 15:39 GMT

I think I installed 3.23 when I purchased it several months ago. I
don't remember what the problem was for me at the time but I had to
install an earlier stable version that is working fine.

I am migrating to a new PC and was wondering if I should try a newer
version. Thanks to your post I will keep the current one.

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