BUG: ActiveSync file converter issues (325652)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft ActiveSync, Version 3.1
  • Microsoft ActiveSync, Version 3.5
  • Microsoft ActiveSync 3.6
This article was previously published under Q325652

SYMPTOMS

You may notice the following issues with the Microsoft ActiveSync file converters:
  • The Microsoft Outlook 2002 Setup program does not update the file converters that ActiveSync uses. However, the Microsoft Word 2002 Setup program and the Microsoft Office XP Setup program will update the file converters.
  • If ActiveSync is installed before Office XP and then you remove ActiveSync, the updated converters that Office XP installed in the ActiveSync folder are removed. Also, if you then reinstall ActiveSync, the older versions of the converters that come with ActiveSync are installed instead of the updated Office versions of the converters.

    Note The converters may be removed when ActiveSync is removed. However, the Office Repair feature will add the converters again the next time that you use Office.

    If you install ActiveSync after you install Office XP, this problem does not occur. In this case, removing ActiveSync does not remove the converters that Office XP put in the ActiveSync folder.
  • If you install ActiveSync 3.5 in a folder that is different from the default folder (\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync), ActiveSync does not use the updated Office XP file converters. This behavior does not affect Office or Word. Only file conversions that ActiveSync performs will use the outdated converters.

    Office XP installs the following converter files in the \Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync folder, regardless of where ActiveSync is installed or will be installed:
    • Msconv97.dll
    • Mswrd832.cnv
    • Richink.dll
  • The German version of Office XP does not update the Richink.dll converter file.
Outdated or missing document converters may cause the following problems when files or e-mail file attachments are synchronized with the mobile device:
  • ActiveSync may stop responding.
  • You receive the following error message:

    Cannot Convert File

CAUSE

You may need document file converters that are newer than those that are installed by ActiveSync to convert Office XP documents.

RESOLUTION

Start the Office Repair feature to make sure that the most current conversion files are on your computer. To do this:
  1. In Control Panel, click Add/Remove Programs.
  2. Double-click your Office product under Currently installed programs.
  3. When you are prompted, click Repair.

If you installed ActiveSync in a nondefault folder

If you installed ActiveSync in a folder that is different from \Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync, copy the files from \Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync to the folder where you installed ActiveSync.

If you have the German version of Office XP

Copy the Richink.dll file from the Office installation CD to the folder where you installed ActiveSync.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a bug in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

MORE INFORMATION

Both Office and ActiveSync use the following converter files:
  • Msconv97.dll
  • Richink.dll
  • Mswrd832.cnv
The converter files that installed by Office XP are put in the following two folders:
  • \Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\TextConv
  • \Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync
The converter files that are installed by ActiveSync are put in the folder where ActiveSync is installed. The location of this folder varies if the folder location is changed during installation. By default, the folder is \Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:8/18/2005
Keywords:kbfix kbbug KB325652 kbAudDeveloper
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