Platform:
Windows XP SP2
Outlook 2003 SP1 (Tried without SP1 as well) - tested in cached and uncached modes
Exchange Server 2003
Desktop Manager v3.6.3.11 (SP3a) (Tried with 3.6.3.10 as well)
Desktop Redirector v3.6.0.61
Blackberry 7100t firmware v3.8.0.112 (Platform 1.8.0.83)
Symptom
Install Desktop Manager fresh, synchronize 7100 the first time, no errors. Subsequent syncs fail with one of two results:
Result 1
Desktop Manager begins to sync, reads Calendar items and crashes (disappears) with no error. No event log; the only logged data is from RIM.log deep inside the App Data\Research in Motion\Intellisync folder within my user profile.
The last line of the RIM.log file:
Total Inputs From First System: 80
This is the last line in the log file (with varying numbers for the items processed, of course) for every handheld function when it's selected as the only sync function (Address Book, Calendar, Memo or Tasks).
Result 2
Desktop Manager begins to sync, processes the function it's attempting to sync (calendar, memo, etc) and crashes with an Windows error window stating:
"Handheld Tools Desktop Manager has encountered a problem and needs to close."
Two windows Application event logs are generated with the crash:
Event ID: 1001
Source: Application error
Description: Fault bucket 137757190.
Event ID: 1000
Source: Application error
Description: Faulting application desktopmgr.exe, version 3.6.3.11, faulting module
ilxolk.fil, version 1.2.0.56473, fault address 0x0004a1b9.
The RIM.log file contains the same uninformative log data, though I recall noticing two lines in some of the sync entries that I can't seem to reproduce; I don't remember the exact wording, but it was something like:
User has requested re-sync.
Transfer canceled!
Workaround
I've developed a crude work-around that allows me to fully sync up.
- Disconnect Blackberry from USB cable
- Close Desktop Manager
- Delete the folder (and all contents) "c:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Application Data\Research In Motion"
- Start Desktop Manager
- Connect Blackberry
- Open the Intellisync window and click "Syncrionize now"
NOTE Do not click the "Configure PIM..." button before doing the sync, otherwise it will fail again.
The result of this is that the Blackberry will fully sync as a new handheld and work this one time. Subsequent syncs will fail.
Summary
I hope this helps someone else better understand what's going on and maybe find an angle to getting it permanently fixed. I'm very frustrated with the lack of support and shoddy software from RIM. I'm well within my 14 day return window for both the phone and the T-Mobile service, and if I don't find a solution I will go back to my AT&T Wireless service and look for another phone. Both T-Mobile and RIM are losing out if RIM doesn't get their act together quickly to support the influx of "non-enterprise" BB users with the 7100 release.