ActiveSync problems are only with USB and do not affect radio connections via Bluetooth

Windows ActiveSync breaks mobile connection

Stay connected, or not, as the case may be

vnunet.com, 24 Oct 2005

Microsoft has issued an alert over connection problems with the latest edition of its ActiveSync mobile software.

The advisory warned that some common PC programs will cause synchronisation problems between PCs and mobile devices.

The issues occur when USB connections are attempted and range from total failure connecting a PC to a smartphone or PDA device, to dropped file transfers and partial synchronisation only.

"In some specific cases, Windows Mobile device connectivity to a Windows PC running Microsoft ActiveSync 4.0 may experience connection problems," said the company.

"[The problems] are probably caused by interoperability with desktop firewall applications or applications that manage network traffic. These applications appear to conflict with the TCP traffic between a device and the PC."

Most popular firewall software products are cited in the advisory, including products from Zone Labs, McAfee, Symantec, Trend Micro and Sygate. The problems are only with USB and do not affect radio connections via Bluetooth.

Microsoft has included a workaround for the problem in its advisory and will be issuing a new version of ActiveSync in November.