Problem with Offline Files.

[speckytecky]

We have a 64 bit Windows 7 Enterprise laptop that's set up to syncronise the Home Documents folder on. The user is working from home today and her documents are coming up greyed out. She has restarted the laptop - to no avail. She also experiences the same issue when at school on a regular basis and then carrying out a restart brings the documents up live and accessible again. Any ideas please Edugeekers?

[DavR]

I used to find Windows 7 Offline Files used to corrupt a lot, often the workstation would behave as offline, even though it had connection to the server. You'd see a different set of files in My Docs as to those on the server, and mapped drives would be inaccessible.

 

Only way to fix it was to rebuild the offline files database, as described here - How To Reinitialize The Offline Cache in Windows 7. Might not be exactly the same problem you're having, but could be worth a go. Make sure all files are synced first though, as this wipes the local cache.

[LukeC]

We have had this before when they have hit the limit specified for how much space to use. But again i have had to reinintialise the cache as well. But you wont be able to do thia from home as she will lose access to all her files and will delete any new she has done off site.

[speckytecky]

Thanks @DaveAshworth That looks pretty scary. Lots of reports of resultant BSOD's in the comments below the article!

 

I used to find Windows 7 Offline Files used to corrupt a lot, often the workstation would behave as offline, even though it had connection to the server. You'd see a different set of files in My Docs as to those on the server, and mapped drives would be inaccessible.

 

Only way to fix it was to rebuild the offline files database, as described here - How To Reinitialize The Offline Cache in Windows 7. Might not be exactly the same problem you're having, but could be worth a go. Make sure all files are synced first though, as this wipes the local cache.

[Joanne]

What I do is when in school, attempt to sync (make sure the limit is a big enough size (Control Panel - Offline Files) ) then when it's all synced properly, disable offline files, reboot, re-enable offline files, reboot then see if it works.

 

If none of that works, manually backup files off laptop. Delete users local profile in C:\Users and also delete UserProfile registry key (HKLM\Software\WindowsNT\Current Version\ProfileList) then re-sync offline files, then copy over the backup.

[psydii]

Make sure you've installed all these hot fixes: http://www.edugeek.net/showpost.php?p=1147542

 

Also watch out for netbios names vs fqdn as they are treated as separate locations, some files from different perspectives may or may not be available offline.

 

Finally a really basic question, (but somewhat related to my previous point): Are the files actually pinned offline and have they sync'd?

[witch]

@speckytecky Be warned - if you reinitialise, files may be lost. Make sure everything is synced first, if necessary by saving the folders onto a shared drive, or even copying them onto a memory stick. I know people have said this but it is REALLY IMPORTANT!!! (not that I have ever lost anything ever ...)

Then follow the instructions for sorting it out.

I would also delete all the profiles.

Don't panic too much , I do this all the time

[TheScarfedOne]

Definitely what @witch said. Force the machine offline. Manually copy off. Ive seen this go horribly wrong, and trying to restore aftwards with the CSC commands is not fun.