If you can't get synchronization running, then read the paragraph Forcing Data Source synchronization.

About the synchronization

Users who synchronize contacts, tasks etc. know the problem: The Data Source exists at two locations (handheld, PC) and the records can be added/deleted/modified on either end. The big question is how to bring these changes together.

There are two basic methods:

• Copying, i.e. one side overwrites the other. The concept is simple, but has many drawbacks. Nevertheless, IDGuard lets you perform one-way copy if this is your preference.
• Synchronization, i.e. trying to merge the changes. While this is the most complex method, it is the preferred one and Palm users are used to it - it is how Hotsync works.

Hotsync conduits

Hotsync itself (i.e. without the conduit) performs only one-way copy:

• New files added through (for example) Quick Install are copied to the handheld.
• Modified RAM databases are backed up to the Palm Desktop backup folder.

The true synchronization is done through Hotsync plugins called conduits. Applications using a conduit perform general synchronization instead of the default backup.¹⁾

IDGuard synchronization

The first thing you need to do is to install the IDGuard plugin. (Menu command Hotsync Setup.)

As next you need to specify the Default Hotsync Action.
Normally you will select Synchronization, which means the following:

• A new Data Source created on either end (handheld or PC) will be duplicated to the other end.
• Data Sources created this way are paired and their records can be synchronized.²⁾
• Unpaired Data Sources (even if they share the same name) cannot be synchronized.³⁾
• Paired Data Sources are synchronized record by record based on the latest wins principle.
• Unresolvable differences are reported as conflicts. You will see the conflict icon that serves to open the Conflict Resolution Dialog. As long as there are unresolved conflicts, the synchronization will fail.

Additional notes:

• The PC and handheld time must - at least roughly - agree. In case of substantial discrepancies⁴⁾, IDGuard will refuse the synchronization as it would be potentially risky.
• If you need to overwrite either one of the paired Data Sources, then change the sync strategy to overwrite.
  Using other means (e.g. restoring the Data Source from backup) can break the pairing.
• If you have several Data Sources, you can employ different sync strategies for each of them.

Hotsync tips:

• To double check the conduit installation:
  Right click the Hotsync icon in the system tray and select Custom....
  IDGuard should be listed and you can press the Change... button to open the setup dialog.
• If the IDGuard conduit is enabled, Hotsync itself does not back up the PDA Data Sources.
• If the conduit is disabled, the PDA Data Sources are backed up to the Palm Desktop backup folder the same way as the other RAM databases.
• Check the contents of the Hotsync log (right click the Hotsync icon) to see the info about the IDGuard conduit activity.

Attachments

IDGuard implements only additive attachment synchronization. It first determines if the device uses the correct card. If yes, the attachments are synchronized except one thing - they are never deleted. The user must perform the deletion manually - on both sides, of course.

Forcing Data Source synchronization

If you have problems, then most probably one of these conditions is not fulfilled:

• You need to use Hotsync. Any other way - even if it produces an identical copy - will fail as the Data Source will not be paired.
• PC and PDA system times must be synchronized^{4) 5)}
• PC and PDA Data Sources must have identical name and password
• If you have old Data Sources, make sure they use the latest format.⁶⁾
• PDA: Make sure the correct card is inserted.⁷⁾
• IDGuard conduit must be installed
• Hotsync Setup dialog: Select one-way synchronization for your Data Source⁸⁾
• The last step is a Hotsync. On successful completion restore the synchronization mode in the Hotsync Setup dialog.