...
5. Put your GPS unit into its dock. Make sure that the unit is fully docked by pressing gently but firmly until the front latch clicks and the light next to the power button lights up. Microsoft ActiveSync will start automatically, and load your file into the mirror file on the GPS unit.
Create a New Shapefile in ArcPad 8
If you are going to capture GPS data, you must do so by first creating a new Shape File in ArcPad.
...
Name your document, choose a folder for it, and choose whether or not you want to save it to the Main Memory or the SD Card. Saving to the SD card allows you to bypass the use of ActiveSync and plug the SD card into a card reader that can be used by your computer to directly download the file from the GPS unit.
To open a new map from a non-default location:
From the Start Menu, choose ArcPad 8
Click on the Options icon. It looks like a piece of paper. The Options menu will appear.
Tap Options... at the top of the menu.
Tap the Paths tab at the bottom of the screen. The ArcPad Options screen will appear. Tap the Folder button next to the Default Maps & Data Path.