Please provide more information regarding the 'general function failure' error you encounter in ArcPad. What ArcPad version/build are you using? How are you importing the AXF file? * Are you using the 'Get Data From ArcPad' tool via ArcPad Data Manager toolbar? * Or using the 'ArcPad Check In' GP tool via ArcPad Tools toolbox (ArcToolbox)? Does the error occur with a single AXF file or every AXF file you test? Have you tried to repair the AXF file in ArcPad Studio > Compact AXF Database tool? Have you exported the AXF data to Shapefile format or Excel Spreadsheet to review possible data issues? Please review the ArcPad Team Blog topic detailing this process and linked here: http://arcpadteam.blogspot.com/2010/07/export-axf-data-to-shapefile.html
If you are still experiencing challenges with this AXF file, please contact Esri Support so you can work with an ArcPad specialist to help troubleshoot this issue further.
I didn't know about the export to shape option. I've just used it instead of fixing the axf. The compact AXF didn't work. It happenned with a couple of projects (out of 20 that worked fine) And i used the ArcPad data manager toolbar.