Periodically, I back up my Pocket PCs to my
desktop using Microsoft® ActiveSync®. While using my Casio EM-500, I
found an issue with using the USB connection to back up. Here’s the
issue and how to work around it.
Are backups required?
A backup using ActiveSync allows you to
restore your system back to what it had on it previously at the time
the backup was performed. This includes the calendar, contacts, and
tasks as well as the installed programs and My Documents. This is a
fast way to restore your EM-500 in the event you lose your data.
What does ActiveSync normally copy?
Outside of an ActiveSync backup, your
calendar, contacts, and tasks are synchronized with Microsoft
Outlook®. Also, your files can be synchronized to the Pocket PC’s My
Documents folder each time you connect. If you choose not to make a
full backup, you will be able to resynchronize your calendar,
contacts, and tasks after you delete the existing partnership in
ActiveSync. To restore your My Documents files you need to make sure
you choose not to delete the files at the time you deleted the
partnership in ActiveSync. Then you can synchronize these files if you
use the same name for your device. You will have to reinstall any
third-party applications you previously installed. You can do this
from within ActiveSync using the Add/Remove Program option under
Tools.
Using ActiveSync to Backup
While using ActiveSync 3.1, I attempted to
perform a full backup of my Casio EM-500 using the included USB cable.
During the backup, ActiveSync froze while copying files. The backup
never completed. To cancel the backup you would think I would tap on
the Cancel button, however it did not work in this case! All I
had to do was unplug the EM-500 and ActiveSync stopped performing the
backup and returned to normal operation.
Using ActiveSync to Restore
I was able to use the EM-500 to connect using
ActiveSync via serial and infrared and perform full backups without a
problem. Further, I was able to restore a backup from serial or
infrared via serial, infrared, or USB without a problem.
Using the MultiMediaCard for Backup
Casio provides a built-in program to back up
the EM-500 to a flash memory card stored in the MultiMediaCard (MMC)
slot. You can access it by tapping Start, then Programs,
then tap Utility, and last, Backup. You are given the
option to back up or restore. Just tap Backup and you are
protected in less than a minute! The restore is just as easy and takes
about the same amount of time.
Summary
So if you want to keep a full backup of your
EM-500, I recommend that you use the serial or infrared connection
with ActiveSync. Another option is to use the MMC, however you should
remove the MMC card to avoid losing the backup. You can use the USB
connection to synchronize calendar, contacts, and tasks as well as
install applications or copy files. I do not recommend using USB for
backups until this issue is resolved.