How is data stored in Outlook? ActiveSync?

[MS]

I use Outlook 2002 as my PIM, and recently I got a Pocket PC (HP IPAQ 2210,
running PPC 2003, with ActiveSync 3.7).

In Outlook, when I make any kind of data change, add a contact or
appointment, make changes in a note, etc., is that change saved to disk
immediately? I assumed so, since I didn't see a "save" or "save all" command
in the file menu.

However, sometimes after I have synced Outlook to the IPAQ, using Active
Sync 3.7, although I get the message afterwards that everything was
synchronized successfully, and although all areas (contacts, tasks,
calendar, etc.) are chosen for synchronization, when I look at the PDA
afterwards I see that the new info isn't there, or some of it isn't there.

What's going on? Is it possible that Outlook hasn't saved that info to disk
yet, and therefore ActiveSync cannot read it? If so, how often does Outlook
auto-save, since it doesn't seem to do that automatically on file change, as
I thought. Is there any way to manual save--to make sure that all info is
saved to disk before syncing?

Thank you for your input.

 

[Beverly Howard [Ms-MVP/MobileDev]]

One way to check what's going on is to connect your PPC and sync... the
"spinner" should then turn green.

Leave the device connected and either enter or modiy a contact and
"close and save" The spinner should turn yellow.

Sync and determine if the change transferred. If not, check on the PPC
and confirm that "All Contacts" is selected.

If the spinner doesn't change color, it could be that you are editing or
adding an entry to a subfolder that does not sync... one approach would
be to leave it attached and watch the spinner color as you edit (sync
after each yellow) until a change is made and the color remains green
and then persue from there.

To answer your tech question, the outlook data is contained in a .PST
file on the PC and in an access compatable hidden file on the PPC.

Hope this helps...
Beverly Howard

=============================================================
Note; The contents of my postings and responses here represent my
personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views, thoughts or
feelings of Microsoft or any of its employees.

I am not an employee of Microsoft. I visit and post here because I
(generally ;-) enjoy the experience and learn a lot by participating here.

More info on the MVP program at

 

[MS]

Thanks Beverly,

Are you saying then, that when any data is changed or added in Outlook, it
is saved automatically and immediately to the PST file? (or at least, is
supposed to be?) Or, does it auto-save every 5 minutes, or 10 minutes, or on
exit, or whatever?

The data in question was definitely in areas selected to be synced. That's
why I wondered, whether perhaps Outlook on the PC hadn't written the changed
or added data to disk yet.

 

[Beverly Howard [Ms-MVP/MobileDev]]

watch the spinner... but would assume that changes are not "flushed to
disk" until you click "close and save"

Hope this helps...
Beverly Howard

=============================================================
Note; The contents of my postings and responses here represent my
personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views, thoughts or
feelings of Microsoft or any of its employees.

I am not an employee of Microsoft. I visit and post here because I
(generally ;-) enjoy the experience and learn a lot by participating here.

More info on the MVP program at

 

[MS]

watch the spinner... but would assume that changes are not "flushed to
disk" until you click "close and save"

Hope this helps...
Beverly Howard

I don't always see that option "close and save". Yes, if you edit a contact,
there is the option to "close and save", which I always do.

When, for instance, writing a "note" in Outlook, or adding to or deleting
from a pre-existing note, one can do that right from the note, without
getting a dialog box, without seeing the option to "close and save".

Or adding a task--one can write something right in the top space, then press
enter to add it to the task list, without a "close and save" dialog.

Or, even on the calendar, one can write something right on a line on the
calendar for a particular day (just becomes the "subject" of that calendar
entry), without opening a dialog box that has "close and save". That's why I
wondered if items added or changed are automatically saved, and when.