Offline files - partial sync :-(

[Jake]

Hi,

One of our XP Pro users has enabled offline files and this normally
works fine after having worked offline at work.

However yesterday he had made substantial changes to the folder
structure and created many new folders which were filled with files.

After having logged on to the domain at work and waited for the logon
sync process he checked if the new folders were created and synced in
his server home folder. Only the new folders were created, but they
were empty with none of the files which he had put in these folders
while being offline.

He logged off and restarted the computer to check whether or not this
was permanent. After having logged on again and watched the sync
process all the missing files were copied into their appropriate folders.

Has anyone else experienced such behaviour with the offline files
feature? What should we do to avoid this...?

best regards

jake

 

[Anthony [MVP]]

Re: Offline files - partial sync :-(

Jake,
There's a couple of things:
- By default it is not a full sync. There is an option in GPO to set offline
files to do a full sync at logon or logoff.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc782388.aspx
- Some offline changes to folders are not synchronized.
SyncToy is great if you need a more deliberate sync with XP. Vista is much
improved.
Anthony,
http://www.airdesk.co.uk


"Jake" <jake44@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:eYMGtKNDJHA.3668@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> Hi,
>
> One of our XP Pro users has enabled offline files and this normally works
> fine after having worked offline at work.
>
> However yesterday he had made substantial changes to the folder structure
> and created many new folders which were filled with files.
>
> After having logged on to the domain at work and waited for the logon sync
> process he checked if the new folders were created and synced in his
> server home folder. Only the new folders were created, but they were
> empty with none of the files which he had put in these folders while being
> offline.
>
> He logged off and restarted the computer to check whether or not this was
> permanent. After having logged on again and watched the sync process all
> the missing files were copied into their appropriate folders.
>
> Has anyone else experienced such behaviour with the offline files feature?
> What should we do to avoid this...?
>
> best regards
>
> jake

 

[Jake]

Re: Offline files - partial sync :-(

Anthony [MVP] skrev:
> Jake,
> There's a couple of things:
> - By default it is not a full sync. There is an option in GPO to set
> offline files to do a full sync at logon or logoff.
> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc782388.aspx
> - Some offline changes to folders are not synchronized.
> SyncToy is great if you need a more deliberate sync with XP. Vista is
> much improved.
> Anthony,
> http://www.airdesk.co.uk

Yes, I have enabled full sync i GPO for logon and logoff.

Also the files and folders in question are just 'normal' ones, no app
data files and other 'hidden' stuff.

By that I hoped OF's sync behaviour would be predictable.

Do you still think that 'normal' users should use a 3rd party sync tool...?

rgds

jake

 

[Hank Arnold (MVP)]

Re: Offline files - partial sync :-(

Jake wrote:

> Do you still think that 'normal' users should use a 3rd party sync tool...?
>

When the built-in MS solution doesn't work, sure.......

My favorite sync app is the Karen's Replicator. I like it better than
SyncToy... It works well under Vista....

http://www.karenware.com/powertools/ptreplicator.asp

--

Regards,
Hank Arnold
Microsoft MVP
Windows Server - Directory Services

 

[Anthony [MVP]]

Re: Offline files - partial sync :-(

Hi Jake,
I was referring specifically to folders. I don't have the reference in front
of me, but re-organising and changing folders offline does not synchronise
seamlessly,
Anthony,
http://www.airdesk.co.uk


"Jake" <jake44@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:ORV7vYNDJHA.4696@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> Anthony [MVP] skrev:
>> Jake,
>> There's a couple of things:
>> - By default it is not a full sync. There is an option in GPO to set
>> offline files to do a full sync at logon or logoff.
>> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc782388.aspx
>> - Some offline changes to folders are not synchronized.
>> SyncToy is great if you need a more deliberate sync with XP. Vista is
>> much improved.
>> Anthony,
>> http://www.airdesk.co.uk
>
> Yes, I have enabled full sync i GPO for logon and logoff.
>
> Also the files and folders in question are just 'normal' ones, no app data
> files and other 'hidden' stuff.
>
> By that I hoped OF's sync behaviour would be predictable.
>
> Do you still think that 'normal' users should use a 3rd party sync
> tool...?
>
> rgds
>
> jake