XDA 2s and OSX 10.3.8

Hi guys and gals,
Just wonder if someone has the time to help out a newbie.
I'm a mac user trying to sync up my new PDA, and try as I might nothing seems to work.
I've tried the Pocketmac pro demo and one other syncing app for mac (the name of which escapes me at the moment) with no success.
I've even tried installing active sync on Virtual PC but it fails to install.( gets to 92% and freezes.
I've followed all the steps that these softwares recommend as far as the XDA set up, but I'm stuck.
I just hope I haven't gone and blown a stack of cash on something I can't even use.
Any help would be appreciated
Cheers