Need Help - Lost Data, Possibly B/C of ActiveSync

96XJSport · #1 (**permalink**) 10-10-2008, 10:33 PM

Hopefully posting this in the right place...

Had my Mogul for a while now and have had few issues syncing my data to Outlook. But last night I had some issues, and this morning I noticed all of my contacts lost their:

a) voice speed dialing

b) specific ringtones for each contact (all using generic now)

So what I'm thinking is that something happened during the sync process that wiped the contacts clean, then I re-synced, causing all my contacts to be reinstalled from Outlook, but without the Mogul-specific settings (i.e. ringtones and voice speed dial properties).

2 questions:

Thoughts?

And any chance of recovering info?

Yes, I know I need to be backing up, and I haven't. I will definitely be looking into this now...never thought I needed to, due to being "synced" with my Outlook.

If anyone has recommendations on specific methods, I'd love to hear them...I'll spend some time researching regardless....

BTW, the "issues" I had were due to me, for the first time, trying to sync via Bluetooth, instead of USB. Never did figure it out...Computer side of BT wants me to use com port 41 everytime, which is obviously way to high of a port number for ActiveSync. So all that wasted time, all to lose my settings/info...

**jmorton10** · #2 (**permalink**) 10-10-2008, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96XJSport

Yes, I know I need to be backing up, and I haven't. I will definitely be looking into this now...never thought I needed to, due to being "synced" with my Outlook.

If anyone has recommendations on specific methods, I'd love to hear them...I'll spend some time researching regardless....

I have tried every BU system there is & all I use now is SPB Backup.

I don't even worry about messing up my system anymore as all I have to do is a hard reset & then restore my latest BU file & I am back in business in no time.

I have Sprite also, but I have not has as consistently perfect restores from that so I never use it anymore.

~John

96XJSport · #3 (**permalink**) 10-10-2008, 11:16 PM

Thanks J, I've heard a lot about SPB...I'll look into that some more for sure....

**Geekcop** · #4 (**permalink**) 10-10-2008, 11:25 PM

+1 for SPB. I use that along with a Dashwire account. There's no way in hell I would rely on just WMDC (ActiveSync for Vista). The great thing about SPB is that is backs up your ENTIRE device, apps, settings, and all. ActiveSync just backs up whatever is in Outlook. Dashwire takes that a step farther and also backs up emails, text messages, voicemail, pix, & videos. It's free, which is also a good thing.

96XJSport · #5 (**permalink**) 10-10-2008, 11:31 PM

Thanks for the advice guys...

Updated OP to provide some add'l info...just like to hear thoughts and if anyone else has experienced a similar situation...

rasmith3530 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-11-2008, 02:00 AM

+1 for Dashwire. Unlike the other solutions mentioned here, Dashwire is platform independent, menaing that your PC does not have to be running Windows to make it work!

Posted via Ubuntu Linux (v.8.04)

davidgelb · #7 (**permalink**) 10-11-2008, 05:26 PM

Yup, can't stress enough the use of a backup program. I agree with the other posters...SPB backup is consistently the best I have found. I have used free programs and Sprite, but SPB just seems to be faster and more reliable.

I tried Dashwire and found it to be a little much for me since I backup everything with SPB. I do use Mail2Web, though, which is great for backing up calendar and contacts. I would rather have availability to get my calendar and contacts if my device goes down or if I leave it somewhere. Since I know pictures, text, etc are in my backup, if I have an emergency, I know I can get to my current calendar and contacts on Mail2Web.

Mail2Web is also free and works via ActiveSync wireless (which has been extremely reliable for me). It is backed up whenever I change something on my Mogul or when I connect it to a computer running activesync.

Hope this helps a little.

-David

**schettj** · #8 (**permalink**) 10-11-2008, 05:35 PM

FWIW, outlook sync *should* preserve custom ringtones, etc. But then you know how that goes.

96XJSport · #9 (**permalink**) 10-11-2008, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schettj

FWIW, outlook sync *should* preserve custom ringtones, etc. But then you know how that goes.

That is what I was wondering! Does Outlook save "phone specific" settings along with your contacts? And I finally have an answer! If so, why do I have all of my contacts, but no custom ringtones or voice speed dialing for each contact?

Also worth mentioning: I have HTC HC, and also missing after this "debacle" is my customized "favorite people". "Launcher" still contains my chosen program "shortcuts". (leading me to believe my data loss was specifically "contact" related) THOUGHTS?

BTW, BIG thanks for all recommendations on backup options...keep them coming! Personal experience/recommendations hold a lot of weight...

**MrObvious** · #10 (**permalink**) 10-12-2008, 12:51 PM

I've only used DotFred's PIMBackup and it is amazing.