I have an XV6700 that I got with no software so I downloaded MS ActiveSync 4.5.
When I try to sync my contacts, emails, calender, tasks, and notes it gives me an error saying I need to install Outlook and then do it.
Does this mean install Outlook on my computer or the XV? I have Outlook Express for XP on this computer. Can I do this with out getting Outlook?

Windows Mobile with Activesync only syncs with Outlook, not Outlook Express. If you are dead set on syncing with a pc, then you are looking at having to shell out some real money for software like Outlook, Thunderbird, or something similar.
Alternately, if you have a data package you could look at a combination of (free) mail2web account for email and (free) Dashwire account for everything else. Also, many people get by with no syncing at all and just rely on regular backups to their storage card using PIMBackup (free) or one of the commercial backup packages. Good luck, tmb

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XV6700 w/ Custom Apache WM6 Kitchen CE OS 5.2.1908 (Build 18508.0.7.0) - from Helmi_c and the guys at PPCGeeks.com

I use Google Calendar (free and it kicks butt). I purchased OggSync, which allows my phone to sync with Google Calendar. The whole thing works great!

There is a free version of OggSync that might suit your needs. It only syncs one calendar. I use multiple Google Calendars for different business things - the paid version handles all the multiple calendars.

Oh, also I use Yahoo mail (also free). Yahoo To Go works on my phone wonderfully. (also free).

I guess I store all my contacts on Outlook.

I am also having the same issue. I need to sync my contacts so I don't lose them when I do the AKU update.

I just used PIMbackup. It worked great. Thanks