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Can't Make Files Available Offline to Synchronize

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by natcolley, 2009/01/28.

  1. 2009/01/28
    natcolley

    natcolley Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    I am trying to set up a home network and synchronize my laptop to my new workstation. I have file and printer sharing working, but I cannot make any files available offline. I have followed the instructions to get rid of fast user switching, I have checked the folder option to enable offline files, but when I click file after selecting a shared folder, the option to make it available offline does not appear. What am I doing wrong? Both machines are XP sp3. Thx.
     
    natcolley,
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  2. 2009/01/28
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    AFAIK Offline Files are only available when used in conjunction with a server.
     
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  4. 2009/01/28
    natcolley

    natcolley Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Thanks.

    I set up internet connection sharing in order to do the file and printer sharing. That apparently assumes, or makes, one of my computers the server. So are you saying that I can only synch files on the server, not on two clients?

    And, silly question, but why don't microsoft's instructions make that clear?
     
    natcolley,
    #3
  5. 2009/01/29
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    Seems my AFAIK was wrong :)

    How to use offline files in Windows XP

    I've tried it, and it works fine. I think you may have skipped this part:

     
    Arie,
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  6. 2009/01/29
    natcolley

    natcolley Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    No, I didn't skip that part. That's where I learned to get rid of fast user switching. But I still have no option for making the folder available offline.

    Maybe you're on to something, though. Let's go through the steps:

    I enabled offline files in the place you indicated on both machines. I had to change both users away from fast user switching to do this.

    I made the relevant files shared on the network.

    I highlight the folder and click file. There is supposed to be an option to make this folder available offline. There is not.

    Both machines are XP SP3 and I have no trouble printing from one to the other....

    And just like that I think I see the problem. Just now the laptop showed 'make available offline' as an option, but only for a subfolder, not the whole folder I shared. And it consistently hangs every time I try to open network places.

    So, after giving it several chances, it now is synching me up. Thanks for your time and ideas.

    I have 4 files that did not synch, 2 say 'incorrect function' and 2 say 'access denied'. However, NONE of these four files are open on either machine. It also reports under 'progress' that 'status' is 'failed' even though it only failed for 4 files. And now I am seeing 'active desktop recovery on the laptop! :mad: Any thoughts on that?

    I suspect explorer.exe is involved in both the active desktop and network places crash. If you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear them.
     
    natcolley,
    #5
  7. 2009/01/29
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    OK, lets see:

    Computer 1
    Computer 2

    On Computer 1, access your network, select any shared files/folders from Computer 2. Those you can select to make available Offline.

    If that's what you are trying to do, make sure your network is working good before attempting to make files available offline. Check if you can access shared files & folders.
     
    Arie,
    #6
  8. 2009/01/29
    natcolley

    natcolley Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Yikes! It has all the files but none of the folders!!!! Any thoughts on that?
     
    natcolley,
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  9. 2009/01/30
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    That seems to be how it is. All your files get lumped in the "Offline Files" folder.
     
    Arie,
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  10. 2009/01/30
    natcolley

    natcolley Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Ok. I think that stinks, but oh well. Thanks.
     
    natcolley,
    #9

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