thanks for the advice guys..i have tried it all (reinstall, reboot, hard/soft reset, different cables, different usb ports, check/uncheck enable faster data, etc.), numerous times on different PCs. still no luck.
"SYNC" button is greyed out after hard reset when ActiveSync is launched on the phone. The screen gives the default message on how to synchronize with desktop computer or Exchange server. Only the "Menu" button is active.
even sprint repair had no luck. hopefully the refurbed tp2 i get doesn't have the same problem.