A couple of things.

First

Try going to start ->settings->connections->USB to PC

Uncheck/Check the "Enable advanced network functionality"

This will change the model from USB to pseudo-serial and vise-versa

Second

Try updating the WMDC

Third

Download the new version of the wireless connection thing on the phone

Fourth

Try turning off all of the wireless connections (bluetooth, phone, wifi) and leaving the phone alone

Fifth

Make the phone timeout after a while, not ten seconds. It seems like, on first sync, the phone will disconnect from the computer if the screen turns off.

Sixth

Try a hard reset. This should be the first thing one should do when they get the phone anyway. You never know what happened to it before you got it. You do it by pressing the reset and action button (in the middle of the four way pointer) at the same time. Then release the reset. Then release the action button.

Seventh

Call Verizon. They have an awesome tech support that will at least try to help you. If they cant help then they will send you to Samsung.

Hope that helps

<oh, and Newton could have told you that, when you press on the send button while only holding the battery portion of the phone, this phone would open>