Just this week I contacted the Microsoft folks, via their website, about an issue I was having with my Pocket PC and my computer. Yeah, I’ve been using an electronic calendar and address book (not to mention my recipe file, grocery list, and task scheduler) for about five years now. Hopefully, my next cell phone will have both Pocket PC and Bluetooth capabilities, but I digress. Electronic gadgets and quilting notions hold a siren-level allure for me, however I must continue with my story.
In search of a solution to my problem, I went to the Microsoft website and located the entity that would provide an answer. I was brief, since I was allowed a limited number of words in the box provided on the website. I said:
My pocket PC and my computer (using Activesync) cease to synch when the device is in the cradle for a period of time, and the computer has gone to sleep. When I remove the device and reconnect it to the cradle, it still doesn't synch. There is no error message. It is as though the device was not in the cradle at all. How can I force a synch between the computer and the device?
TIA for your help.
Kari Burns
As promised, I heard back from Microsoft’s obedient employee named Naveen within 24 hours. He/she said:
Hello Kari,
Thank you for contacting Microsoft Online Customer Service.
I understand that you are unable to synchronize your Pocket PC with your computer. I realize the importance of the issue.
However, from the information you have provided in your message, I found that you are located in Venezuela. If you have purchased the Microsoft product in Venezuela, your best resource for support is the Microsoft Venezuela subsidiary.
There are significant programming differences between North America and localized versions of software. You will be best assisted by the subsidiary that specializes in the version. You can locate contact information for the Venezuela subsidiary from the following web site:
http://www.microsoft.com/venezuela/
Also, you can contact the Venezuela subsidiary at: +58-212-2760500
Kari, I hope your issue gets resolved soon and appreciate your patience in this regard.
Thank you for using Microsoft products and services.
Naveen
Microsoft Online Customer Service Representative
Thank you, Naveen! This week commenced as many others, with more things to do than there is time available. A brief trip to Venezuela was something I hadn’t expected. It was so relaxing, and I appreciated the chance to get away for a few minutes. But, as the fly did with the spider, Naveen has stepped into my parlor, and I couldn’t resist the opportunity to demonstrate a little good old-fashioned Midwest ribbing for him.
Dear Naveen,
As you can see from my signature, I live in Iowa. That’s in the United States, just below Minnesota and just above Missouri. These states are in what we call “The Midwest”. Perhaps you have heard them referred to as “flyover country”. Amazingly, we have computers and are hooked up with the internet, and everything! My 89-year-old father, who also resides in Iowa, has two computers. Can you believe it? I think the latest one was delivered four months ago by Dell via Wells Fargo Wagon, and he picked it up during the noon mail call at the town square.
It is my only hope that there are not significant programming differences between North America and The Midwest, but I think you can understand that I now believe anything is possible. If there is a distinct Midwest subsidiary that specializes in this version, could you please send me the link? I will keep the generator going on my computer until I hear back from you.
Just kidding! Thanks, Naveen, for letting me have some fun. Since I contacted you from the Microsoft website, I probably didn’t notice that I had to check the U.S. box, or whatever I needed to do to hep you to the fact that I am a US resident and so is my three-month-old HP media center computer. I hope you can help me with my problem, which is that the synchronization between my Pocket PC and my computer (using Activesync) disconnects when my computer goes to sleep. I cannot always get that synchronization to re-engage, even if I remove the device from the cradle and reboot my computer. I was wondering if there is some way I can force a synch between my computer and my device, or if there are some steps I can take to re-engage the synch between my device and computer.
Again, thanks for your quick reply and for letting me tease you a little. I hope you have a great day, and I look forward to hearing from you again!
Kari Burns
And then it was back to same ol’, same ol’. Perhaps I deserve it if Naveen doesn’t get back to me at all, and I’ll probably have to start over on the Microsoft website. I wouldn’t leave the Midwestern life for any other, though. Sitting under the shaded shelter of a maple tree and watching the Synchronized End Loader Team during one of our local parades is something one just cannot bear to trade.
Besides, in these cyber-days, a trip to Caracas is but a mouse click away. Thanks for the break, Naveen!
Copyright © April 2006 Kari E.O. Burns
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