Dell Laptop + Dell Pocket PC = USB/ActiveSync problems!?!

Ever since I got my new Dell laptop, I have had problems connecting to my Dell Axim X5 Pocket PC.

Equipment: Dell Axim X5-400 running PocketPC 2003 and connecting via USB docking cradle. Dell Latitude D600 with Port Replicator.

Problem:

1) Boot-up laptop and sync Dell Axim X5 via cradle attached to USB port in Dell Port Replicator. Everything works fine.

2) Remove Axim from cradle (or turn off device), then re-dock Axim in cradle.

3) Receive error balloon-popup saying "USB Device Not Recognized"

I have tried replacing drivers, upgrading to the latest version of ActiveSync, and many other things, but nothing works! :(

Work-Around: The only way to get it working again is to plug the USB Cradle to a different USB port on the port-replicator. This works only 2 times, since I have only 3 USB ports. Afterwards, I must reboot the laptop to get it working again! :(

Solution: So far, I havent found one. However, a few messageboard and newsgroup posts have shown this to be a common problem with Dell laptops and Dell Axim X5's.

The only thing I havent tried yet is to use a powered USB hub. This has worked for some users, and may be my only solution. However, I would be much happier with a fix from/by Dell since I am using 100% Dell hardware!

20 Comments

  • Have you tried contacting Dell's support?

  • I have the same exact issue with a Dell 8500 in a docking station. I have found no fix either. I even reloaded OS and no luck. Same issue. It apparently has something to do with the Dell Drivers for OS 2003 or else, the bios update for the new update has something wrong.

  • I've exactly the same problem with Dell Latitude D600 with a Toshiba E740. Any one get it resolved yet!!!

  • I have had the same problem with a Compaq iPaq since upgrading to PPC 2003. The iPaq seems to work fine with a Compaq laptop and my old Dell Latitude CPi, but not my new Latitude D600. Infrared seems to work fine, but that's a pain of course. I'm hoping for a quick resolution from someone, though I'm not entirely sure with whom the problem lies.

  • were can i get a usb/activesync driver for my dell x5, can anyone help me

  • I had the same problems with a Palm T-3 on an Inspiron Laptop. Discovered it the problem was in the port replacator. The USB off of the laptop works fine, but I cannot hot sync off of the PR. I have tried down loading the lastest drivers, etc but no luck.



    Dell needs to weigh in and address this!!!!

  • I disabled the USB 2.0 enhanced hub on my D600's apr and it works great now... Not really a solution but a work around...

  • I have the same problem with my dell laptop and my ipaq when the laptop is in its docking station.



  • I am having the same problem with my D600 and T-Mobile PPC. I was going to try the work around of disabling the USB 2.0 Enhanced hub, but there is not a diable option on that one, only uninstall??

  • Well, I have heard to try and use a powered USB hub, well, NOPE no likey!!

  • I have a similar problem. My T3 syncs fine with my D600 directly using either USB cradle or Infrared. However, when I connect the T3's USB cradle via USB port on D600's docking station, I get the same error balloon pop up that original poster has mentioned.

  • Same problem with my Viewsonic V36. Worked fine once but then stopped. My D600 Laptop does not recognize the USB device.

  • USB port doesn't provide enough power, If you use a powered hub it will work.

  • Having the same on my HP5450 & my docked Dell Insp 7000.

  • I have the same problem. I have a dell D600 and an Axim x5. When I upgraded to PPC 2003 the sync got all messed up.



    I found that the device manager shows an unknown device. So I deleted it. Then diabled the "USB 2.0 Root Hub" device (which of course made my usb mouse stop working), then I used the keyboard to enable the device. At this point the AximX5 and the laptop immediately connected and synchronized.



    If I reboot and the Axim is not in the cradle, then I have to do this process again. If I reboot the the Axim is in the cradle then everything works fine and I see a Windows CE USB entry in the device manager.



    So far this works everytime for me. I just have to remember to have the Axim in the cradle (with active sync loaded/running) before I turn on the computer.



    David

  • There is a update for D/port USB driver.

    Download Notebook System Software package from support.dell.com

  • Hi,



    I think that Dell in general doesn't spend too much time making sure their drivers actually work, and when they don't work, their support stinks.



    The answer is "Dude, you gotta go away from Dell"

  • we were running in to the same problem it wasn't working through the docking station, i plugged it in to the docking station then restarted the laptop with the Axim in the cradle, everything seems to work fine now.

  • Dell Lattitude

    Viewsonic V36



    Worked fine for a long time

    Now I get the "Unknown USB device"



    Frustrating as hell!

  • You need to install Dell's Notebook System Software (NSS) version A14 or higher. R44785.exe is ver A14. Microsoft released QFE838989 to resolve this issue because they found the root cause to this problem was in the MS USB driver. Dell packaged the QFE in NSS as they do with all other QFE's. This fix has been available since 5/13/2004.

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