[nothingworks]

Problem : Unable to sync calendar
Contacts sync OK - "Syncing calendars with..." displayed for several minutes but doesn't do anything.

**** Ignore this method, see two posts below for the fix that I believe will work ***

I'm going to stay fairly anonymous, but I work for an operator and had access to an iPhone 3G before it was on general release. I came across the problem in regard to syncing Outlook Calendar.
We had no way of getting support from Apple and so a colleague and myself spent several hours messing around, eventually we found it to be a problem with recurring appointments.
A method has been posted on several sites suggesting exporting Outlook events to a file. I wouldn't suggest this as you loose the recurrence - but it may be a good idea to use the method as a backup.

Firstly, read and act on http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1692. This didn't make a difference to me but it does give some good advice.

The following instructions detail a method of removing recurring appointments, syncing the iphone, restoring the appointments, and ongoing syncing.
Read through and only attempt if you are confident.
It may be worthwhile deleting an unwanted/test appointment and ensuring that you can restore it from the Deleted folder before following the instructions in full.
The instructions were compiled using Outlook 2003.

a) Clear out your Outlook Deleted folder **Make sure you don't need anything in there!
b) Note your current Outlook calendar view ; Select your Calendar, menu option -View-Arrange By-Current View-a tick will be against your current preference

Change your Calendar view to recurring appointments only; View-Arrange By-Current View-Recurring Appointments.

***This is important, ensure that you change your view before proceeding***

c) *** See Update below before proceeding ***
Click an item in the window displaying the recurring events; press Ctrl-A to select ALL events (note: this should highlight all the events in the window).
Press Delete on your keyboard. Note: this will delete the selected items. Prompts may be displayed asking if responses should be sent to meeting organisers. It is suggested that these are actioned as “Deleted without sending a response” (They will be restored later).
d) Ensure all items have been deleted. Window should display “There are no items to show in this view”.
e) Attach iPhone and start iTunes. Ensure your settings are configured to Synchronise your Calendar & other options (Left column; Devices-iPhone, Info tab). Choose to Sync from the Summary tab.
f) This should result in Calendar and Home being shown in;
Left column; Devices-iPhone, Info tab Calendars- Selected calendars
(You do not need to explicitly select this item, it is just for illustration)
At this point, the iPhone should also display items (non recurring) in the calendar.
g) To restore your deleted recurring items, select the Outlook Deleted Items folder. Click on an item in the window and press Ctrl-A to select ALL events (note: this should highlight all the events in the window).
Use your mouse to click on the selected area and ‘drag’ the items to the Calendar icon shown on the left hand side of the screen.
h) Once the recurring events have been restored, you should Sync your iPhone once more.
i) Your Outlook calendar view should be changed back to your normal preference; Calendar-View-Arrange By-Current View-Day/Week/Month (as an example)

From this point, your synchronisation should work. This will occur automatically if you select “Automative sync when this iPhone is connected” from within iTunes (Summary tab).

Good luck
'Frustrated with the Big A'