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Every Pocket PC (PPC) user encounters the above dialog box at some point of time although the Information Type might differ. The information below tries to explain why this dialog box is prompted and the scenario's when this dialog box can appear.
When you connect your Pocket PC for synchronization purpose ActiveSync compares the data on the Desktop and the device using something called as "store identifiers" to determine if the information type has changed. If the identifiers do not match, then it tries to re-establish the mapping between the Desktop and the Pocket PC by displaying the above dialog box.
The Combine or Replace dialog will appear in the following scenarios:
When you synchronize your Pocket PC with existing data for the first time.
When you delete a partnership on the Desktop without deleting the information on the device, and then reconnects the device to create a new partnership.
When you try to synchronize with a different Outlook profile for the first time.
When you synchronize with two computers and perform a replace operation on one computer, and then synchronizes the device with a second computer.
When you synchronize after restoring the Pocket PC data from a backup file.
When you delete the repl.dat file, which stores the
partnership information. This file can be found in the ActiveSync
Profiles directory. The default path would be:
C:\Documents and Settings\<<User Name>>>\Application
Data\Microsoft\ActiveSync\Profiles\<<<Partnership Name>>>
If you are synchronizing with only "one computer" and this dialog appears on a regular basis, then you might need to recreate the partnership since the store identifiers seem to be are getting affected during every synchronization and are not able to map themselves correctly.
To delete a partnership ---
1. Disconnect the PPC from the computer.
2. In ActiveSync -> File -> Delete Partnership. Select whether you want
to delete your synchronization folder as well.
3. Connect the device and follow the onscreen instructions to setup a new
partnership.
If you are synchronizing with "two computers" and
the dialog appears on a regular basis, then it appears that for some reason, the
store identifiers for the selected information types is getting affected when
you synchronize with the second desktop PC and therefore the first computer is
unable to match the identifiers when it compares and pops up the Combine or
Replace dialog.
Although the Combine option creates duplicates, as far as I know the version
3.7.1 checks for duplicates as well and even prompts you whether you would like
to remove since I have experienced this myself. But in some scenarios it is
unable to identify the duplicates since the identifiers are different. If
you have a lot of duplicate entries, then I recommend you use the free Outlook
Duplicate Remover utility, written by Fr. Simon Rundell. It is available
for download at the following SlipStick Web site URL ---
http://www.slipstick.com/files/ODR5.EXE
You could verify if the problem is caused due to synchronization with a
secondary PC by first synchronizing with either of your computer and then
before synchronizing with the second computer, create a new Contact/ Appointment
on your device and another set on your Desktop (all having
different name or else a conflict will occur) and see if you are displayed the
dialog. In this scenario the information will get updated automatically on both
the devices without the C/R dialog since the store identifiers have not been
affected.
To resolve the issue, try running the ScanPST for the .pst file. To run
ScanPST, search for a program called scanpst.exe. This is a small utility
included with Microsoft Outlook which will scan your *.pst file (the file that
contains your personal information) for possible corruption and attempt to
repair it. The default file name is Outlook.pst. Usually the location of the
file are as follows:
* Windows XP, NT and 2000:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\Mapi\1033\NT\scanpst.exe
* Windows 95, 98, and Me:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\Mapi\1033\95\scanpst.exe
Note: C: might need to be replaced with the appropriate <drive letter>.
If you are synchronizing with Exchange server, then try running ScanOST for the .ost file.
Then try the following approach:
Before you leave work, synchronize your PPC and after synchronization is
successful delete the partnership. Go to your home PC. Delete the
partnership on the home PC as well before connecting. Now connect and then
create a new partnership and you might be prompted with the Combine or Replace
dialog once select combine since you want the data on your PPC to reflect on
your home computer as well. Once this is done, repeat the steps to create a new
partnership on your work PC.
This should help solve the recurring
Combine or Replace dialog that appears whenever you try to synchronize with
either of your computers.
~
Raj Pillai
(Created: August 12, 2004)
(Updated: September 22, 2004)
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