ActiveSync stopped working

JOSHSKORN · 25 Mar 2012

I do apologize if this could be the wrong forum for this, let alone, section. I'm a bit lost, though.

A few days ago, I had a nasty virus on my computer. I'm pretty sure I got rid of it. But I think it has destroyed some functionality of my applications/drivers.

Previously, I'd been able to connect my Samsung Omnia SCH-i910 Windows Mobile 6.1 phone to my computer. Under "Computer", my phone would come up as "Josh's Smartphone" and I'd be able to access it.

I plugged it in today, and no luck. After restarting my computer, my phone, changing the USB ports, I've had no luck. I then went into my phone and changed the "Select USB function:" selection, which was set to ActiveSync, naturally to sync my data. I set it to "Mass Storage: My Storage". With that, I was at least able to look at the data on my storage drive.

I'm suspecting something happened to my computer because of the virus. What could have happened? Why can't I sync my phone data any longer? Is there a way to fix this? Again, it would appear that anything wrong with my connection would appear on the PC side, since nothing has changed with my phone.

I just switched the USB connection mode in my phone and it disconnected. The Disconnect/Connect sounds keep bouncing around with no actual connection.

Do I need a certain service to run? Should a process be running? (OK that's probably obvious but what are the names of each?)

Thanks.

marsmimar · 26 Mar 2012

Hello Josh. If this is malware related it's definitely possible that some system files may have been damaged or corrupted. I'd trying using system restore to go back to a date/time prior to when the virus first made it's presence known.

System Restore

Then I'd run a full scan with your primary antimalware. Next I'd run at least a couple more on-demand malware scans "just in case". (No antimalware program is 100% effective 100% of the time. If there was such a thing we'd all be using it. :)) A few of the recommended free utilities are Malwarebytes, HitmanPro, Comodo Cleaning Essentials, and Trend Micro HouseCall. Make sure to update the data base before scanning.

If the computer comes back clean I'd try running a System File Checker scan from an elevated command prompt (option two, this tutorial.) If any problems are noted run the scan 3 times rebooting in between each scan.

SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

You could also open Device Manager and see if you have any warning symbols for any of the devices listed. Click on the + sign next to each major device to see sub-items. If a warning symbol is showing, double-click the specific device to open the device properties dialog box. The general tab will tell you if the device is working properly. If it's not you can access the troubleshooting button. You'll also have a driver tab that will let you check for the latest driver.

Device Manager Windows 7 - How Do I Open Windows 7 Device Manager?

JOSHSKORN · 30 Mar 2012

Well, this is odd, weird, and quite frankly, I'm speechless. I managed to get it to work, at least once, just now. How, I have absolutely no idea. I did do everything suggested and at first, it seemed like it did nothing. Maybe it did, but I really do not understand what the fix was.

Thank you for your help, marsmimar.

Rather than quoting all of the previous poster's response, I did try the following:

sfc /scannow - Ran 3 times as suggested. Only the first time did it correct any errors.
System Restore - Restore was unsuccessful, as I was prompted to disable my anti-virus or choose a different restore date, none of which worked. I have both MSE and Malwarebytes Real-time protection, I've disabled both. The error code is 0x80070005. I'm on an Administrator account and I've run Microsoft Fix It which detected a problem with system restore and said it fixed it.
Device Manager - Found that Windows Mobile Remote Adapter was not enabled. I enabled it, it kept trying to find my device and still could not.

I noted on another thread that I have something in my Device Manager called TCPZ Driver, with the entry TCP Half Open Limited Patcher (TCP-Z). I have not noticed this before. Is this something that I need? Should I try to delete it? When looking at the properties of this device, it shows the message:

Windows cannot verify the digital signature for the drivers required for this device. A recent hardware or software change might have installed a file that is signed incorrectly or damaged, or that might be malicious software from an unknown source. (Code 52)

Any help is welcome on this. Thanks.

F5ing · 30 Mar 2012

If you haven't done so already, you could try doing your System Restore while in Safe Mode after a reboot.