Questions & Answers

ActiveSync is not working, what do I do?

Microsoft ActiveSync allows you to connect your mobile device (handheld) and desktop computer using a cable, cradle, or infrared. Once ActiveSync is working properly, PocketSurvey can install the mobile software, send questionnaires to your handheld and receive data back to you desktop computer.

ActiveSync is a Microsoft program and is therefore supported by them or your hardware supplier. If you experience any problems with ActiveSync please contact Microsoft directly or your hardware supplier.

Most problems with ActiveSync are because it fails to communicate with your handheld. Below are some tips for you to follow if you are tearing you hair out!

• Download the latest version of Active from www.microsoft.com.
• Make sure all the cables are plugged in!
• Re-install ActiveSync.
• Reboot your desktop computer and software reset your handheld.
• If you are connecting your handheld to different desktop computers check the computer names you are using, especially if you are on a network. The way Microsoft handles partnerships between computers can often give rise to communication problems.
• If you first connect and establish a partnership to a desktop computer named 'FRED' and then want to connect to a computer called 'GEORGE', make sure the first computer (named 'FRED') is not connected to the network when you try to connect to 'GEORGE'. This particular problem confused our testing team for days!

Why shouldn't I change my Questionnaire design while I am collecting data?

When you change your questionnaire design it is most likely that the structure of the data will also change. No computer in the world will be able to understand and collate data if the format or layouts are different!

Once you have sent your questionnaire to your handheld and started collecting data DO NOT change your questionnaire until you have received your results back to your desktop PC and imported the collected data into you database system.

Unless you are testing your questionnaires, always follow this sequence:

DESIGN >>> SEND >>> COLLECT >>> RECEIVE >>> IMPORT