Offline Files

  • Thread starter Thread starter Chuck Pritchard
  • Start date Start date
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Chuck Pritchard

- Windows XP Pro w/ all updates
- Peer to Peer networking

I don't have the tab on My Computer>Tools>Folder Options for "Offline Files"
as described in help, technet, etc.

Read everything I can find on using offline files and
can't seem to find an answer. Suspect it is a service not
installed /started but not sure which.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance
 
Set up a network drive, (My computer >tools>map network drive) then once the
network drive is made you can r-click on the network drive to pull-up the
context menu. Making files available offline is one of the menu options.

HTH.
 
Graham:

I know your going to think I'm nuts, but have mapped network drive and
option is not available on context menu nor on Properties menu?

To further show my ignorance, assuming I do get to synchronize, where will
files be on my laptop when I disconnect?

Thanks again
 
Hi Chuck,

That's strange - let me know what *does* appear on the context menu.

When it works the files will be copied to your local drive and then
synchronised at logon/off as you choose, subject to the other machine being
online on the LAN.

Await your reply, we'll get this cracked! :-)

Rgds,
Graham.
 
Chuck try this too,............
My computer > tools > folder options > offline files tab > Enable offline
files

Rgds
Graham.
 
Chuck,

Another possible option found elsewhere on NGs ..........

Try this. Log on using the built-in Administrators account (or with an
account that
has administrator privileges), use the Services MMC snap-in (services.msc)
to start
the Server service; log off; log on; and then check for the "Make Available
Offline".

If Server is not listed in services.msc you will need to install "File and
Printer
Sharing for Microsoft Networks".
 
Graham:

The context menu when I r-click the mapped network \\Server\Data\Test drive
shows "Open, Explore, Search, Disconnect, Copy, Create Shortcut, Rename,
Properties". On the Properties screen the only thing / tab is "General",
type "Network Drive", File System "NTFS".

Selecting and then using Tools> I have options "Map Network Drive,
Disconnect Network Drive, Synchronize, Folder Options". On Folder Options
screen I have "General, View, File Types"

I can open/access/browse network folder just fine. Unfortunately, "make
available offline" or "Enable Offline Files" are not showing.

Going to Server about the same (i.e. no "make available offline" or "Enable
Offline Files". However, properties does show "Web Sharing", I presume
because running IIS5.x.

You suppose IIS is the problem?

Over ...

Chuck
 
Graham:

Affirmative:

- Logged on with administrative privileges on both machines
- Server service stopped and started on both machines
- Checked again and network setup for file / print sharing and folder is
setup to share and change files.

I'm baffled too!

Unfortunately going to have to go (football party) so will have to sign off
for now. I'll investigate a bit more this evening and post tomorrow if I
find anything.

BTW, where / do I have any control over where these files will end up on my
laptop when sync'd?

Thanks again and Happy New Year!!

Chuck
 
Chuck,
You may have something there. I'm not familiar with the details of IIS but a
quick trawl on the net has generated lots of hits for IIS and offline file
problem keywords!!!!
This may be premature, but could be worth eliminating as the cause.

Try the other suggestions I have posted first, but temporary disabling of
IIS may be worth a shot.

Let me know how you get on.

Graham.
 
Hi Again !!!

Bit of a toughie this problem. But it will be blindingly obvious when we
work it out! :-)

Enjoy the party!

Yes you can control the user access permissions and even encrypt the locally
stored data, but the content always seems to be held at the root of my
computer under the network drive icon. I haven't looked into moving this
elsewhere, but I can't help but feel we ought to be able to. Depdends on the
architecture MS have adopted I guess.

As per my previous post, it may be worth disabling iis (if possible) to
eliminate that as a cause?

Look forward to hearing from you.

Happy New Year to you too.

Graham.
 
More thoughts Chuck from XP Resource Kit.....
reasons for offline files not working:

1.Fast user switching environment;
2.Trying to share redirected folders;
3.Group Policy setting disabling offline files;

- could any of these be applicable to your situ?

group policy setting that controls offline files is:
computer configuration\administrative templates\network\off line
files\enable

To check run Gpresult.exe to check the status.

Graham.
 
I'm afraid I can't help with the original problem of
finding the offline files tab, but if you can get it
working, then in relation to your query about where
offline files are stored and moving them - I had this
reply a few months ago when I also wanted to move them
(thanks to Ryan Winland):

Those files are located in %windir%\CSC (hidden folder).

Offline Files Database
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/resk
it/prde_ffs_ludh.asp

To move it, you should use the tool cachemov.exe from the
Win2k resource kit
(you need to buy it). Here is an applicable paragraph
from MS TechNet:

Moving the Cache
The only way to safely move the hidden system folder (%
systemroot%\CSC)
is by using the Offline Files Cache Mover (Cachemov.exe)
tool available on
the Windows2000 Resource Kit companion CD. You can move
the cache
database to another location on a fixed disk only.

How to Change the Location of Client-Side Cache in
Windows 2000
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-
us;216581


Here is a workaround if you don't have the cachemov
utility:

From: Ryan Winland ([email protected])
Subject: Re: Changing offline files folder location on
WinXP Pro
Newsgroups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.work_remotely
Date: 2002-05-27 15:01:59 PST

<quote>
Hello:

The Resource Kit is not required to relocate the Client
Side Cache folder.

If your Windows 2000 (or XP) partition is NTFS, try
something like this:

1) Boot into Safe Mode and delete the contents of the CSC
folder.

2) While still in Safe Mode, create a reparse point
(junction) in the
%SystemRoot%\CSC folder and point it toward another
partition or a folder in
another partition. Use the Logical Disk Manager (Computer
Management\Storage\Disk Management) to mount a partition
or SysInternals
Junction
(http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/source/misc.shtml#junct
ion) to
mount a folder.

This works in Windows 2000, and should in Windows XP (I
haven't tested it,
however).

Hope this helps.
Ryan Winland
 
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