Activesync is a great little utility to sync your computer to your with your Windows Mobile device. It is fairly easy to get up and running but here at Inspect My Gadget, we want to get the most out of it.

Since the removal of Wireless synchronising in version 4 due to security reasons, we are left with USB sync or Bluetooth sync to transfer data between our device and our computer.

USB sync works fine and is what the majority of people use. I like to have my phone with me around the house so the Bluetooth solution works better for me.

This article will explain how to synchronise your bluetooth enabled Windows Mobile 5 device with your Windows XP computer using Bluetooth.

What you need:

• Windows Mobile 5 Bluetooth device.

I will be using a HP Ipaq rw6828, as companies make changes to WM5, some of the menu’s may look different.

• PC/Laptop running Windows XP

Up to date, Service Pack 2 is probably required & Activesync installed.

• Bluetooth built-in to your laptop or a Bluetooth USB Adaptor.

These are available in most IT shops and range in price greatly. I use a Belkin Bluetooth USB Adaptor - Model F8T013 I bought at Harvey Norman. No name brand adaptors can be found at local computer shops for around $20, though I have no idea if these will offer the hands-free service.

• Pocket Bluetooth Tools – Makes life a little easier. Download and install it on your Windows Mobile Device. This is not necessary but I do use it in some of my How-To’s. If you don’t install it, skip the Pocket Bluetooth Tools step later on in this article.

I am assuming drivers have been installed on the computer for the Bluetooth ready PC or Laptop.

You should also already have created a partnership with your mobile device. If not continue on and do it after the next step.

Setting up ActiveSync.

We first need to configure ActiveSync to receive requests from Bluetooth devices. Open up ActiveSync, ensuring you are not currently synchronising your PDA via USB.

Click “File”

Select “Connection Settings…”

Ensure that your settings are the same as the image below and press “OK”

If you have not yet set up a partnership with your Windows Mobile device and ActiveSync, plug your device in via USB and follow the wizard.

Pairing the Smartphone with your Computer.

In order to use ActiveSync via Bluetooth we need to pair the your device with your computer. This enables the Bluetooth communication between the two devices.

On your WM5 Device, tap on the following buttons

tap Start

tap Settings

tap Connections

tap Bluetooth

tap Mode,
both boxes should be ticked, this turns Bluetooth on

tap Devices

tap New Partnership

Your Windows Mobile device will now scan the area for Bluetooth devices and list them

tap “Your computer’s name” and press Next

Your Windows Mobile device will now ask you to enter a passkey. This is a code that you put in to allow for a secure connection between your Smartphone and your computer. You make this key up in most cases and if you do forget it in the future, you can re-pair the devices. They are usually 4 characters long and numeric. I usually use 1234 or 9876. Another option is to use the last 4 digits of a phone number associated with the mobile phone. I don’t see there being huge security issues here but if you have sensitive data on your device you may want to look into Bluetooth security.

Enter your passkey, e.g. 1234 or 2435

tap Next

Your PC will request the Passkey. Click on the bubble popup

Enter your Passkey and Press OK

You should see that your connection is successful. the icon will change to an aqua colour.

Back on your Device: select “ActiveSync”

tap Finish

If you loaded up Pocket Bluetooth tools, Tick ActiveSync. If you didn’t load it, skip this step.

Go back to your connections menu and open “ActiveSync Mode”

Set your Windows mobile device to run in RNDIS Sync Mode. If you want to sync via USB at a later time, you will need to change this back.

I am not sure why you need to set it to the network sync as ActiveSync should auto detect this. Everything works fine for me when I switch it from one to the other.

Open up Activesync on your device. This is in your Programs folder.

Tap “Menu”

Tap “Connect Via BT with Computername”

Your computer will now start synchronising with your Windows Mobile device.

To synchronise in future, open ActiveSync and repeat the last step.

I hope you will now be able to synchronise your Windows Mobile Device. This method works for me. If you have any problems, please post them in the comments section and I will do my best to answer them.

I hope you have enjoyed this article and found it useful. Please stick around and read some of my other articles at inspectmygadget.com