LapLink PCsync

Rating:
Summary: Forget it!!!!
Review: After 2 nights of attempting to get this product to work, I finally attempted to call customer support. I used the online chat feature with a support technician. Instead of giving me the information that I needed, they sent me on a wild goose chase, hunting down tech note after tech note. While I like the idea of online chatting with a support rep, this was far from helpful. One of the most important steps in setting up the connection is to make sure that once you have installed the product on both PC's, you must then share the files. I was never able to find this in the Quick Guide. This should be the first thing that the online support should tell you and not send you chasing after technotes. I was never able to get the transfer working with the USB port, so I had to use the serial port. The program initially indicated that the total transfer would take a little over 3 hours. The time would slowly decrease, only to increase again. The total time indicated never went over 3 1/2 hours. However, the total time that it took to transfer about 750 mg was just under 24 hours. Would I use this again? Only because there really is no other choice when you are trying to move files from one PC to another. I just think that this product could be great, but it has a long way to go.

Rating:
Summary: It works real well
Review: Before getting PCsync, I had spent hours unsucessfully trying to link a laptop with Windows 98SE and a new desktop with Windows ME using the Windows Direct Cable Connection program. I looked in the Windows user guide, Dell user guide, and at various internet sites.

Got PCsync on CD, loaded both the USB drivers and the program with one button click each from the PCsync startup page, connected the USB cable to the 2 computers. When I started the program on each computer, I really expected to be foiled again.

But, it worked great. The split screen shows all the drives and files on each computer and one click on the menu transfers selected files. With the USB, it is very fast, usually going >100 kbps. Even if you can get Windows Direct Cable Connection to work (using serial or parellel cables), the much faster speed of the USB would make PCsync worthwhile.

Rating:
Summary: Difficult to Get Running and Horrible Technical Support
Review: First of all, there's a PCsync 2.0 which Amazon doesn't offer at this time. Secondly, if you're looking for a product to move files from an old to new computer as I was looking to do, don't bother with this product. Spend your money on a Zip drive or use your CD burner drive to transfer files. The only useful help documents are on the website, there are no manuals and the CD-based help files are of the generic "make sure your computer is on" variety. The USB drivers are installed, the program displays them, but can't connect them -- aaargh!

Rating:
Summary: Out of Date -- Doesn't Work
Review: First of all, there's a PCsync 2.0 which Amazon doesn't offer at this time. Secondly, if you're looking for a product to move files from an old to new computer as I was looking to do, don't bother with this product. Spend your money on a Zip drive or use your CD burner drive to transfer files. The only useful help documents are on the website, there are no manuals and the CD-based help files are of the generic "make sure your computer is on" variety. The USB drivers are installed, the program displays them, but can't connect them -- aaargh!

Rating:
Summary: Difficult to Get Running and Horrible Technical Support
Review: I recently purchased PCSync 2.0. In order to get the software running, it necesitated several calls to LapLink's technical support line. In each case, their representatives were surly and discourteous. When I contacted the manager of technical support, I was told that they would no longer assist me. At that moment it became very clear where the A-OK for the technical support department's behavior stemmed from. In order to run the product takes an extensive amount of reading through manuals and help files. All-in-all PCSync is far too difficult to operate and their technical support problems are insurmountable. Seekers of file transfer software would be better advised to look at another product.

Rating:
Summary: Wait for the next version...
Review: I spent many hours trying to get this to work, but was not successful. I tried all the fixes available on their web site, including downloading a free version upgrade (v1.5). Still no success.

I have been a LapLink user for many years, but that product has grown so much with features that I don't need (and grown in price), that I had decided to stick with the old version.

When PCsync came along I jumped at the opportunity for the faster USB transfers.. but it is not to be. I'm back in the old version, which remains virtually flawless.

I have to say, the company responded to my e-mail enquiries and the product has an excellent satisfaction guaranteed policy: 100 days, 100% satisfaction, 100% money back.

Waiting for version 2.0 ...

Rating:
Summary: Forget it!!!!
Review: I would consider an alternate product, I am sorry to say. I got this product from Amazon.com, and, although I have not tried to return it yet, only hope I can if I am under 30 days (wish me luck <g>).

How did I reach this point? I was enticed by how easy and useful it was to sync my Handspring Visor with the computer. I bought it hoping my laptop and my desktop would become the best of friends. I installed it on one computer with WindowsME and AOL5.0, and it was easy. I attempted to install it on another desktop with Windows98and AOL6.0, and although the installation was easy, it always created GPFs when I tried to run PCSync. In consultation with customer support, I've installed this (with their ministrations and suggestions) a lot of times now (more than 10), and still have yet to get it to work one the Windows 98 computer.

Customer service was notable for the following: I contacted PCSync,and left copious messages on the board they run to offer customer service. To make a long story short, customer service 1) oftentimes did not answer my postings on the board. 2) had a _long_ wait time in excess of 20 minutes when I called them long distance on multiple occaisions 3) before I was ready or willing, closed my account on the board, without giving me a definitive solution. Note well: my tone, both in writing and in voice, was consistent with this message. To be fair, at this writing, they say they will "have a senior technician get back with you" when they have a solution, but their reticence at communication so far. . . Well, you can figure it out from there.

Nope, although there are other products out there that work and work well, this is not one of them. Take your hard earned money, register Winzip, and transfer your data files via another route. It's cheaper, quicker, and, unlike with this product, predictable.

I do hope that someone out there gives due consideration to synchronization between palmtops, laptops, and desktops. If someone can come up with "universal synchronization" between these three devices, they will be rich. Documents to Go, also available via Amazon, does it between a computer and a palmtop, and some programs try to do it between a desktop and a laptop, but, whoever does it between a laptop, desktop, and palmtop, will fill a niche that ever increases in an increasingly mobile computing world.

Best wishes from Edmund5169

Rating:
Summary: Warning: Can't say I could get it to work either.
Review: I would consider an alternate product, I am sorry to say. I got this product from Amazon.com, and, although I have not tried to return it yet, only hope I can if I am under 30 days (wish me luck <g>).

How did I reach this point? I was enticed by how easy and useful it was to sync my Handspring Visor with the computer. I bought it hoping my laptop and my desktop would become the best of friends. I installed it on one computer with WindowsME and AOL5.0, and it was easy. I attempted to install it on another desktop with Windows98and AOL6.0, and although the installation was easy, it always created GPFs when I tried to run PCSync. In consultation with customer support, I've installed this (with their ministrations and suggestions) a lot of times now (more than 10), and still have yet to get it to work one the Windows 98 computer.

Customer service was notable for the following: I contacted PCSync,and left copious messages on the board they run to offer customer service. To make a long story short, customer service 1) oftentimes did not answer my postings on the board. 2) had a _long_ wait time in excess of 20 minutes when I called them long distance on multiple occaisions 3) before I was ready or willing, closed my account on the board, without giving me a definitive solution. Note well: my tone, both in writing and in voice, was consistent with this message. To be fair, at this writing, they say they will "have a senior technician get back with you" when they have a solution, but their reticence at communication so far. . . Well, you can figure it out from there.

Nope, although there are other products out there that work and work well, this is not one of them. Take your hard earned money, register Winzip, and transfer your data files via another route. It's cheaper, quicker, and, unlike with this product, predictable.

I do hope that someone out there gives due consideration to synchronization between palmtops, laptops, and desktops. If someone can come up with "universal synchronization" between these three devices, they will be rich. Documents to Go, also available via Amazon, does it between a computer and a palmtop, and some programs try to do it between a desktop and a laptop, but, whoever does it between a laptop, desktop, and palmtop, will fill a niche that ever increases in an increasingly mobile computing world.

Best wishes from Edmund5169

Rating:
Summary: Run the other way!!!
Review: If you're looking for friendly telephone support people who will try their best to help you, but are willing to end up with nothing to show for your efforts, PC Sync may be for you. Otherwise, you'd be just as well off trying to transfer data using a couple of paper cups and a piece of string.

Installation is complicated and not at all well-documented. PC Sync requires special drivers to be installed, whether you use USB (but not on Win 95, they won't work there) or serial cable hookup. Dead-ends abound as installation crawls forward. Calls to customer support (toll calls only) will connect you with friendly people who are willing to help but acknowledge that there are "issues" with PC Sync installation. If you are used to using LapLink software (which has a well-deserved good reputation ever since DOS days), you'll find PC Sync a whole new (and terrible) experience!

It's been three weeks since I downloaded PC Sync from the LapLink website. Two weeks since tech support sent a set of cables, a week and a half since tech support noted that, well, USB cables don't work with Win 95; guess the promo doesn't mention that, and then sent the whole CD-ROM package, free of charge, and nearly one week since the last tech support guy said that LapLink Gold (which costs lots more) would install easily without cable drivers, and I have yet to transfer one bit of data.

I'm uninstalling PC Sync today, and packing it all the free stuff I received in this wasted attempt to install this complex and poorly-finished software. Save yourself this hassle while there's still time! Don't buy PC Sync until the company finishes inventing it.