after starting activesync go into the PC task manager and kill off the rapimg.exe, then syncing works fine.
I think you mean rapimg
r.exe which is part of activesync. From what I have read this application is what listens on your net connection for any LAN/WIFI devices - if you are connecting over a USB cable you may not need this and this is why killing that process may result in your stuff working. The process is probably hanging on access to your internet resources due to the firewall so you may find lowering your firewalls on your machine may cure the problem and allow the roadangel install to work.
Cheers