Oh no... Sync Error
Recently, RIM announced the software that allows Mac users to do what Windows users have done for years — sync there desktop with their Blackberry. A long time in the running, those who used Blackberry and Mac had to rely on either 3rd party software, virtualized desktops, or hacks to sync their address book, calendar, etc. outside of a wireless corporate sync.
So, with software that’s only a week or two outside of Beta, new “undocumented features” aka Bugs are certain to pop up. And when they do, instead of navigating the endless IVR hell of your carrier (and then Blackberry), you can simply fix it yourself.
A sync error occurred. Please retry the sync.
What to do?
Well… first backup everything you can. Backup the data on the blackberry and also the data you are syncing against (such as your address book or calendar).
Then, reset your sync services on the Mac.
- Do you have a Sync Icon?
- Yes
- Sweet!
- Go to Step #2
- No
- Open System Preferences
- Click Mobile Me and then click the Sync Tab
- Select the Show status in the menu bar option
- Yes
- option-click (aka hold the option key and click) on the sync icon
- Choose Reset Sync Services
- Click Reset Sync History
If that does not work, or you don’t have a menu when you option-click the sync icon:
- Open Terminal
- In the Terminal window, type or paste the following command on a single line:
/System/Library/Frameworks/SyncServices.framework/Versions/A/Resources/resetsync.pl reset
- When the operation is complete quit Terminal
tried both, and the terminal solution made me able to sync the calendar (never had a problem with contacts) however now i get a warning that 600+ entries will be added / changed on my computer. when looking at the detail these are all entries that already exists… so i cancel the sync as i dont want 600+ duplicate entries.
also, then decided to replace calendar entries on the BB which worked. then tried another 2 way sync as a test and received same “a sync error has occurred” message…
driving me nuts. i am not switching from mac, but I don’t want an iphone. the fact that RIM does not invest more time and effort for mac users is frustrating and i making me hate BB
I first wrote this article about a year ago… I know the solution works for a lot of people and some still have an issue. My dealings with RIM at the time were incredible frustrating and remind me of a recent xkcd cartoon (it’s a good one).
Anyway, late December 2009 I permanently fixed my Mac Blackberry issue by switching to a Droid. Patrick’s also recently switched (he has the newer Droid2). Haven’t had a sync issue since.
- mac user
- blackberry bold 9700
- Terminal Solution
and its working =D
finally I’m able to sync my contact i really hate it , 2 weeks w/o any contacts number
thank you for the post
Had the dreaded “A sync error occurred” recently when trying to sync my ‘Calendar’ and ‘Contacts’. Calendar worked without issue but when it attempted to sync and write my contacts back on the phone it threw the error.
It appears that during a previous sync process a particular contact got stuck and it ended up putting 5 copies of it on the phone. The interesting part is that they can’t be modified or erased on the phone and thru the Desktop Software.
I turned off the ‘Contact’ sync, backed up the data and attempted to whip the contacts on the phone.
I went to the ‘Erase Data’ area and selected just the ‘Address Book’ using the Desktop Software. However, it threw an error stating, ‘Unexpected Clear Error’. When I looked at the number of records it states ’0′ but looking on the phone itself I still saw the 5 that it wouldn’t release. Nothing I did would release those corrupt records.
THE SOLUTION:
To fix the issue I pulled the battery and waited 1 minute. I put the battery back in the phone and let it reboot. I started the Blackberry Desktop Software and plugged the phone back into the computer.
When I returned to the ‘Clear Data’ screen it showed ’5′ entries in the ‘Address Book’. Again I cleared ONLY the ‘Address Book’ and ‘Address Book All’. This time it completed the clear without an error.
I turned ‘Sync’ back on for the ‘Contacts’ and the updated the phone from the Address Book on the computer.
I typed the command /System/Library/Frameworks/SyncServices.framework/Versions/A/Resources/resetsync.pl reset
and the contacts group disappeared from BB desktop manager and the program is not syncronizing.
What can I do?
Try following some of the suggestions posted earlier. I first wrote this about two years ago– long ditched the blackberry for an Android based smart-phone. I’ve never been happier.