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The XM is the newest of the rovers, and unlike other units, it comes with software installed on the

unit as well as using software installed on the computer. In order to get these programs to run

together, we must install something called ActiveSync on our computers.

Pathfinder Office and the GeoExplorer XM

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To transfer data from your GeoExplorerCE, you will need install Microsoft ActiveSync on your PC.

1. Log on as Administrator, navigate in a web browser to www.microsoft.com/downloads, search for “ActiveSync” in the search bar, and press the “Go” button.

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2. In Search Results click on the ActiveSync 4.2 link...

and then click on the Download link to download the setup.EXE program.

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3. Save the setup.EXE file in C:\temp.

4. Before you install the software, remove the GeoExplorer from the support module and connect the support module to your computer using the USB cable.

5. Now, double-click the setup.EXE file to begin the download.

You will be prompted twice, simply click the Next button both times to finish the installation.

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6. We must restart our machine after installation. After the software is installed, open ActiveSync and a wizard will guide you through the connection process.

7. First, place your GeoExplorer on the support module, make sure it is turned on, then click Next on the Get Connected screen.

8. Wait for a few seconds while ActiveSync searches for the GeoExplorer. If successful, you will see the window to the right. Select the No option so that your device is set up as a guest, then click Next.

When you’re finished you will see the window to the right and a new, green icon in your “tray”.

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If you are still not successful, remove the GeoExplorer from the support module and restart your PC. After you log on to your account, and your desktop is loaded, place the GeoExplorer on the support module. The ActiveSync software will attempt to connect. When it has successfully connected, you will see the green icon (it will be grey if it did not connect) in the system “tray”.

IMPORTANT NOTE: In general, if you log off or restart your PC, remove the GeoExplorer from the support module before you log on again. Place the GeoExplorer on the support module only after your desktop loads.

If you still have problems, remove the GeoExplorer from the support module and uninstall the ActiveSync software (using Add/Remove Programs). Repeat the installation process, carefully following all instructions.

Once the ActiveSync software is installed and recognizes the GeoExplorer,it will run in the background. You will use Pathfinder Office 3.0 to transfer data between the GeoExplorer and the PC.

If you do not successfully connect, make sure the GeoExplorer is powered up and securely placed in the support module and that the USB connections to the support module and PC are secure. Remove the GeoExplorer from the support module, wait about 5 seconds, and then securely replace it. ActiveSync should try to connect.

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Now that the computer and the rover are able to communicate with one another, we need to get to rover to communicate with the satellites. In order to do this, we will need to install some software called TerraSync. The TerraSync CD should have been in the same package as the CE and Pathfinder Office.

Installing TerraSync

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9. When you put the TerraSync CD into the computer, the Main Menu window should come up. Select “Install”. 10. We want to install this software to

our GeoExplorer CE, so select “Install to a Windows CE device.”

Installing TerraSync

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11.You will now see a series of installation options. In the “Welcome” screen, make sure that the software will be installed under the drive that houses the “Program Files” and click “Next”.

12.Say “Yes” to agree to the terms and conditions on the “Software License Agreement” screen.

13.When you get to the “Customer Information” screen, type in the Serial Number and Authorization Key that came with the software. Most likely, you will find this information on the CD case. When this is done, click “Next”.

14.Type in “EAST” as the name for the “Customer Information” page and click “Next”.

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15. On this screen, check the information that you have entered.

If it is correct, click “Next”.16. A window should have prompted

you to click “No” towards the beginning of installation. Click “OK” here.

17. Click “No” to install TerraSync in the default directory. This will allow you install it in the permanent directory.

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18.The permanent directory is the “Disk” directory. Select “Disk” from the drop-down list and click “OK”.

Your installation is now complete!

Now, you should be able to communicate with the satellites and collect GPS data. The next step is to transfer a data dictionary to our rover and move outside for collection.

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Prior to going outside with your GPS rover to collect data for your school map, you must load a data dictionary onto your rover. A data dictionary is a digital list of point, line, and area features along with their associated attributes and values that will be collected during a field session.

Loading a Data Dictionary

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1. Connect your communications cable from your support module to the computer with Pathfinder Office.

2. Place the rover into the support module and turn the unit on.

Here, we have both the rover and the support module. The support module can be used to charge the unit, and to communicate with the computer.

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The data dictionary has been created using Trimble’s GPS Pathfinder Office application.

If you haven’t done so already, you must download the data dictionary created for you.

http://outreach.cast.uark.edu/east/SchoolMappingProject/schoolmap.ddf

3. To launch Pathfinder Office, go to the “Start” menu, and then to “All Programs”.

Look for the GPS Pathfinder Office folder. Then click on the icon for GPS Pathfinder Office.

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4. The “Select Project” window is the first window you will see when Pathfinder Office opens up. Click the “New” button.

5. For project name, type “School Map.” Click “OK”. Then click “OK” in the “Select Project” window.

6. Now go to the Utilities menu and select “Data Transfer.”

7. When the data transfer window opens up, wait for the communications port to make the connection. When the connection is made, click on the “Send” tab and “Add Data Dictionary”.

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8. Browse for and select the data dictionary that you downloaded with the data for this exercise. Click “Open”.

9. Click on “Transfer All” and wait for the file to complete the transfer.

10. Once the transfer is complete, you will see a message similar to the one above, indicating the success of your transfer. Click the Close button.

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Now, to configure your GPS for recording data, refer to the section which addresses your specific unit. (Geo II, Geo 3, or XM.)