Tag Archives: Window Mobile

An Easy Way to Explore and Transfer Files on a Windows Mobile 5/6 Device from Ubuntu 8.10

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Just to make something clear, this method of enabling file exploring/transfer is intended to be as simple as possible. I’m sure newer builds of OpenSync, SynCE and the various other packages would produce better results–after spending a day or more trying to get them to work. This method does not require compiling or the addition of repositories. It uses the packages that come with Ubuntu.

Our goal is to get the GNOME VFS URI “synce:///” to work. Nothing more, nothing less. Luckily for us, VFS is deprecated in Nautilus (read: it doesn’t work), so we’ll use another completely out-of-the-blue application called GPE File Manager to browse via VFS.

General notes:

  • This works with Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid). I have no idea whether this works in any other release.
  • Turn off the “password lock” feature in Windows Mobile; it causes problems.
  • Make sure “Enable advanced network functionality” is enabled on your Windows Mobile device (under ActiveSync settings).
  • Some of the packages listed below are probably unnecessary for browsing files. You can use them for syncing the device.
  • Don’t confuse GNOME VFS with the Kernel’s VFS. Two different beasts.
  • This post assumes you know how to install packages and run commands. No hand holding.
  • You will need to have “Universe” enabled in package sources.

Install the following packages:

  • multisync
  • multisync-tools
  • odccm
  • opensync-plugin-file
  • opensync-plugin-synce
  • synce-gnomevfs
  • synce-hal
  • synce-multisync-plugin
  • synce-sync-engine
  • synce-trayicon
  • gpe-filemanager

Run (in this order):

  • synce-sync-engine
  • synce-trayicon

Connect the Windows Mobile device to the computer. Ensure that the SynCE Tray Icon…err…icon indicates connectivity.

Open the GPE File Manager (“gpe-filemanager”) and browse to “synce:///”. You should see the files on your device.

Very nice!