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    I've always used Ofline Files to access files, normally stored on a fileserver, on my laptop when away from home.  Before getting my WHS the server was a Linux NAS device and offline files were perfectly accessible when offline.  I have set up the same arrangement using the WHS and synchronization appears to work.  However when I try to open a Word or Excel file offline I get various error messages and can not open the file.  pdf, jpg and mp3 files open OK.

    Has anyone else experience a similar problem?  Does anyone have a solution?

    TIA
    Saturday, January 12, 2008 7:31 PM

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    I think the problem is that you are only synchronising the Tombstones: The actual WHS share only contains Tombstones which are references to the actual file which is stored elsewhere on your WHS. If you check the size on disk in the off-line files folder (right click file, properties) you will probably find that it's 4 kb for each of the files. If you want to use off-line files you will have to define a share outside the WHS shares folder. If you also want them duplicated on WHS find some way (Robocopy or Synctoy or whatever to sync this folder with a WHS share. A bit of a hassle, but it will probably work.

     

    The document Drive Extender provides background info on how WHS stores data.

     

    If you want this changed just post suggestion on WHS Connect website, https://connect.microsoft.com/WindowsHomeServer

    Tuesday, January 15, 2008 11:01 PM
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     milesm wrote:
    I've always used Ofline Files to access files, normally stored on a fileserver, on my laptop when away from home.  Before getting my WHS the server was a Linux NAS device and offline files were perfectly accessible when offline.  I have set up the same arrangement using the WHS and synchronization appears to work.  However when I try to open a Word or Excel file offline I get various error messages and can not open the file.  pdf, jpg and mp3 files open OK.

    Has anyone else experience a similar problem?  Does anyone have a solution?

    TIA

     

    What type of error messages are you seeing?

    Saturday, January 12, 2008 8:16 PM
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    With Word I get:
    "Word experienced an error trying to open this file.
    *Check the file permissions
    *Ensure sufficient free memory and disk space
    *Open file with text recovery converter."

    With Excel I get:
    "filename.xls can not be accessed,  The file may be read-only or you may be trying to access a read-only location.  Or the server the document is stored on may not be responding."

    Thanks.
    Saturday, January 12, 2008 8:31 PM
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    This problem is really annoying me.

    I've tested offline files on both my computers and on neither can I open Word and Excel files when offline.  I need to know if anyone else has encountered this problem or is it just me?  Either way if I can not resolve it, WHS will just become a glorified backup device and I shall have to revert to using my Linux NAS as a fileserver (which, of course, will not get backed up by the WHS).

    I really would appreciate some feedback.

    Thanks.
    Tuesday, January 15, 2008 4:43 PM
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    I think the problem is that you are only synchronising the Tombstones: The actual WHS share only contains Tombstones which are references to the actual file which is stored elsewhere on your WHS. If you check the size on disk in the off-line files folder (right click file, properties) you will probably find that it's 4 kb for each of the files. If you want to use off-line files you will have to define a share outside the WHS shares folder. If you also want them duplicated on WHS find some way (Robocopy or Synctoy or whatever to sync this folder with a WHS share. A bit of a hassle, but it will probably work.

     

    The document Drive Extender provides background info on how WHS stores data.

     

    If you want this changed just post suggestion on WHS Connect website, https://connect.microsoft.com/WindowsHomeServer

    Tuesday, January 15, 2008 11:01 PM
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    Thanks, brubber.

    Looking at the Properties of files in the offline files folder there are indeed two sizes indicated: Size - the full size of the original file and Size on disk - 4k in every case.  This applies to all file types, although it's only Word and Excel files (so far) that I am unable to open when offline.  pdf and jpg files open OK.

    I have read the paper on Drive Extender but there is no mention of offline files.  However I can see why they wouldn't work but can not understand why this is the case only for certain file types.

    It seems to me that Microsoft have designed WHS primarily as a sophisticated backup and file duplication device not as a server in the traditional sense of the term.

    When you suggest using Robocopy or Synctoy where are you suggesting that the primary data resides - on the WHS or the client PC?


    Tuesday, January 15, 2008 11:57 PM
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    I missed the part about the other file types. Done a bit more testing and found:

     

    1. 4 kb size on disk is only displayed when connected to server. When off-line size on disk is similar to file size

    2. I can open csv file in off-line folder with wordpad, however not with Excel 2003

    3. If I move csv or xls file outside off-line folder I can open them with Excel!

     

    Conclusion: Office (2003) has a problem with accessing files in off-line folder. Possibly some security setting.

     

    About Synctoy/Robocopy, I actually meant storing the files in a NEW share which is not in the WHS shares folder (not created using the WHS console) or perhaps even on a drive which is not part of the WHS drive pool, then sync with a WHS defined share to have a backup of the file in a (duplicated) WHS share

    Wednesday, January 16, 2008 1:12 AM
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    Thanks for your further advice.

    I too have been able to copy a file from the offline folder to another folder and opened it in Word while offline.  I have then edited it, saved it to a scratch folder, copied it back to the offline folder, re-synchronised and then opened the changed file when back online with the edits preserved.  Although a bit tedious, this seems to be a reasonable workaround for the occasions when I have to work offline.  That way I can continue to use the WHS as my primary repository of shared files and the offline files can act as a backup.  I will also try using Robocopy or Synctoy to copy the WHS share to my NAS as another form of backup.

    I will submit to Connect as you suggest.

    Thanks again.
    Wednesday, January 16, 2008 10:39 AM
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    Hi,

     

    Just wanted to let you know I experienced the exact same problem a few weeks ago and figured out the same workaround.  However, it was for my wife's work files and she was less than pleased with the "solution" so I had to undo moving her files to the Home Server (as well as my own).  Since my situation dealt only with Word and Excel files, I never tried any others.  It's good to know those file types are the only ones affected.  Hopefully Microsoft is already working on a fix for this (wink, wink, nudge, nudge MS) as I would like to move our files back to the Home Server as soon as possible.

     

    PipeStanK

    Thursday, January 17, 2008 6:44 AM
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    Well, I guess it's good to know I'm not the only one!

    I have submitted a suggestion to MS at their WHS Connect site.  No response as yet.
    Thursday, January 17, 2008 4:31 PM
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     milesm wrote:
      I will also try using Robocopy or Synctoy to copy the WHS share to my NAS as another form of backup.



    Well, I thought I was doing OK using Synctoy to copy my files on the WHS share to my NAS until I discovered that any files so copied that have changed since the last sync are left corrupted on the WHS.  So I have to copy them back from the Synctoy backup!

    Any thoughts?
    Wednesday, January 23, 2008 5:52 PM
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    I have the exact same problem with Vista and Office 2K7 on the wife's laptop.  Don't use SyncToy as it can corrupt files:  http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946676/en-us?spid=12624

    I have yet to come up with a real solution.  Right now I just have her store all of her documents locally on the laptop and then I periodically robocopy them to the server for backup.  I can't use the WHS backup for the laptop because it's Vista x64.  Pfft!

    Glad to see that this is an issue experienced by more than just myself.  Good luck to us all!
    Friday, January 25, 2008 5:08 PM
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     FlyGuyAZ wrote:
    I have the exact same problem with Vista and Office 2K7 on the wife's laptop.  Don't use SyncToy as it can corrupt files:  http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946676/en-us?spid=12624



    But the version of Synctoy I use is 1.2.0.75 not the Beta.  If I can find a way of scheduling RobCopy, I could try that.
    Friday, January 25, 2008 11:35 PM
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    Hi, I am experiencing the same problem (was planning to create a bug on connect but never found the time).

    And it seems that it is not completly a problem of Tombstones (as only Office documents are affected).

     

     

    Yet I have a workaround (kind of stupid workaround but it works perfectly) : change the properties of the file (or of all the files) and revert the change (set as read only, press OK then, remove it) the change in the file will allows you to open it again.

     

     

     

    I had this problem 2 different WHS installation (French RTM OEM version on home made configuration for both), with 3 different XP pro (french with SP2 and all patchs) as clients with office 2003 (french SP3).

     

    Repro steps :

     

    Create a new shared folder named test with folder duplication deactivated

    Put on this folder a working excel document. 

    Connect as a network drive (Y:/)

    Make Y:/ Available Offline

    Try to open the file on Y:/ - the file still works

    Now cut the connection between WHS and the computer.

    The file won't open any more

    change the file properties (check "read only" -> OK, uncheck -> OK) the file works back !

     

    So for me it is a conjunction of problem from WHS shares (on one test I had to activate folder duplication but not anymore) as I never had any problem with offline files before, XP (I don't know about Vista since I don't have an ultimate or pro version here) offline files as it only appends when the files are made available offline AND office (only tried 2003 French) since pictures, PDF and non office documents don't seems to care.

     

    So Good luck MS on correcting this one ! but it should be N°2 on your bug list (data corruption is obviously N°1).

     

    First I'm sorry for my English (I'm French as you could have guessed )
    Saturday, January 26, 2008 12:20 AM
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    Are the issues with files limited to Office files? Do I have to worry about other formats? Has Microsoft acknowledged the issues between WHS and offline files formally?

     

    For some reason I thought it would be a good idea last night to start using CSC (Client-Side Caching \ Offline Files) again. When I first got my Vista laptop I set it up the same way as my old XP Pro laptop...using offline files. This was good for my work and personal documents, but really good for media. This way if I added a song on one computer, it made its way to all computers automatically.

     

    What I found was that my new HP DV9000 dual core 2.4 x64 laptop was running 100% most all the time. Using Progman.exe I found the culprit....the CSC service. I worked with Jill at Microsoft (Offline Files Team) for a few weeks. They offered no solution and I stopped using the services.

     

    I can't find their team blog site any more to get updates on any progress, but I thought I would try the servie again with WHS. My mistake.

     

    I created an Excel file and saved it to the shared drive while online. I unplugged the laptop from the LAN and opened the file. No problem. I made some changes and tried to save. I got the message, "Document not saved." I plugged it back in and tried to save...same thing.

     

    I then closed the doument and reopened it. Made a change and saved it with no problems. By the way, while I was offline the file size did not say 4K. It had the correct size. I will now play with other file types....

    Saturday, January 26, 2008 5:36 PM
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     milesm wrote:
    But the version of Synctoy I use is 1.2.0.75 not the Beta.  If I can find a way of scheduling RobCopy, I could try that.



    I think I remember reading something about version 2 of Synctoy not being including in the known issues because it's still in beta.  Could be wrong though.  I have a simple batch file scheduled to run robocopy at night.  Something like this:

    robocopy C:\Documents \\Server\Documents\Laptop /mir

    The /mir switch just copies the changes to the server while also deleting any older files.  I also have a log file and maybe a retry limit but I don't remember atm.  Just type "robocopy /???" at the command line to get the plethora of switch options available. 

    If it says invalid command you can get robocopy from the server 2003 resource kit.

    Monday, January 28, 2008 4:31 PM
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     Mike Benton 01110 wrote:

    Are the issues with files limited to Office files? Do I have to worry about other formats? Has Microsoft acknowledged the issues between WHS and offline files formally?




    I haven't seen anything yet about MS formally acknowledging this as an issue.  I tried just Office files and since I had so many issues with it I didn't get around to testing with anything else. 
    Monday, January 28, 2008 4:34 PM
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    We need more validation and rating votes!

    https://connect.microsoft.com/WindowsHomeServer/feedback/ViewFeedback.aspx?FeedbackID=322547

    How do we report this as an issue and not just a suggestion or feedback?



    Tuesday, February 12, 2008 4:40 PM
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     FlyGuyAZ wrote:
    We need more validation and rating votes!

    https://connect.microsoft.com/WindowsHomeServer/feedback/ViewFeedback.aspx?FeedbackID=322547

     

    I'll check it out and if I agree with the way it's described I will confirm and vote. Please note that as far as I can tell synchronisation itself is NOT affected, only opening off the file (which does make the offline folder effectively useless for these filetypes)


     FlyGuyAZ wrote:
    How do we report this as an issue and not just a suggestion or feedback?
    Ordinary users (like you and me) can't. You need special status to submit bug reports. Probably Ken will detail this for you.

    Tuesday, February 12, 2008 6:28 PM
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     brubber wrote:

     

    I'll check it out and if I agree with the way it's described I will confirm and vote. Please note that as far as I can tell synchronisation itself is NOT affected, only opening of the file (which does make the offline folder effectively useless for these file types)


    I actually receive errors randomly when attempting to sync while DE is running.  It always says "file is in use" for different files.   I don't receive the error consistently but it is reproducible if I do a full sync.



     brubber wrote:

    You need special status to submit bug reports. Probably Ken will detail this for you.




    Thanks in advance Ken .  I can provide any details/screenshots/logs necessary.
    Tuesday, February 12, 2008 6:57 PM
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    I'm familiar with the issue; I bugged it in March, I think. It affects Word and Excel, and maybe PowerPoint. Can't find the report now, though, so I must have given it some stupid title that I can't remember any more. Smile I don't actually use offline files, so I managed never to revisit the issue...

    I need to play around with it, which I won't be doing for a few days as I have too much on my plate already. I'll add it to the list, though, so I can get a good set of repro steps for the bug.

    In the meantime, you should be aware that using offline files is not safe with WHS at present. When you're online and you open a file on your server, you're really editing the file directly on the server. This activity is subject to KB946676, about which Microsoft sayd "Don't do that 'til we fix the issue!"


    Tuesday, February 12, 2008 10:43 PM
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     Ken Warren wrote:
    I'm familiar with the issue; I bugged it in March, I think. It affects Word and Excel, and maybe PowerPoint. Can't find the report now, though, so I must have given it some stupid title that I can't remember any more. Smile I don't actually use offline files, so I managed never to revisit the issue...

    I need to play around with it, which I won't be doing for a few days as I have too much on my plate already. I'll add it to the list, though, so I can get a good set of repro steps for the bug.


    Thanks!  I'm sure you're a busy guy.

     Ken Warren wrote:

    In the meantime, you should be aware that using offline files is not safe with WHS at present. When you're online and you open a file on your server, you're really editing the file directly on the server. This activity is subject to KB946676, about which Microsoft sayd "Don't do that 'til we fix the issue!"



    I always assumed it opened from the CSC folder but if you're online then why would it?... Anyways, I actually haven't been using the offline files feature because of its own issues, let alone the possiblity of corruption.  I just have my x64 laptop files copy nightly via a scheduled task since can't backup the whole thing. 

    Actually, it's the wife's laptop and offline files was one of the features I used to sell WHS to her.  So now she feels like I duped her since it doesn't work. 
    Tuesday, February 12, 2008 11:39 PM
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    So I'm experiencing this same error with a samba file server. I mounted shares using CIFS and configured for offline files. This bug doesn't appear to be limited to WHS at all. I'm getting ready to take a business trip for 5 weeks so need to find a reliable way to sync this data to my new laptop. Looks like I'll be rolling back to XP tonight since it worked for 3 years on my old laptop.

     

    I see the last post is from Feb, any new hotfixes available for this issue before I go to those drastic measures?

    Tuesday, April 15, 2008 6:25 PM
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     uf97ddim wrote:

     

    So I'm experiencing this same error with a samba file server. I mounted shares using CIFS and configured for offline files. This bug doesn't appear to be limited to WHS at all. I'm getting ready to take a business trip for 5 weeks so need to find a reliable way to sync this data to my new laptop. Looks like I'll be rolling back to XP tonight since it worked for 3 years on my old laptop.

     

    I see the last post is from Feb, any new hotfixes available for this issue before I go to those drastic measures?



    I have no issues with my two Vista and XP machines when using Server 2003 and offline files.  I also have a Vista machine at work that plays happily with offline files and Server 2003.
    Tuesday, April 15, 2008 7:18 PM
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    For me it did not worked either, and we are facing the same solution as you: going back to another more reliable solution
    Tuesday, April 15, 2008 7:57 PM
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     Ken Warren wrote:
    I'm familiar with the issue; I bugged it in March, I think. It affects Word and Excel, and maybe PowerPoint. Can't find the report now, though, so I must have given it some stupid title that I can't remember any more. I don't actually use offline files, so I managed never to revisit the issue...

    I need to play around with it, which I won't be doing for a few days as I have too much on my plate already. I'll add it to the list, though, so I can get a good set of repro steps for the bug.

    In the meantime, you should be aware that using offline files is not safe with WHS at present. When you're online and you open a file on your server, you're really editing the file directly on the server. This activity is subject to KB946676, about which Microsoft sayd "Don't do that 'til we fix the issue!"


     

    Hi there  -  interesting thread this one...

     

    Is the short take-away that I should wait until PP1 is final before I start using Offline Files with my WHS ?

    Sunday, June 22, 2008 11:13 AM
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    Do you have PP1 installed?

    This is one of the reasons for it's beta status, they hope they have fixed this problem, but obviously there might be combinations that Microsoft hadn't covered.

    It's up to you, if you can afford to loose data - i.e. you have it stored somewhere else as well - then by all means try to use Offline Files after you have installed PP1. If your data isn't duplicated, then there might be an outside chance that there could be problems, so you should wait until final release.

     

    Colin

     

    Sunday, June 22, 2008 3:11 PM
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    ColinWH said:

    Do you have PP1 installed?

    This is one of the reasons for it's beta status, they hope they have fixed this problem, but obviously there might be combinations that Microsoft hadn't covered.

    It's up to you, if you can afford to loose data - i.e. you have it stored somewhere else as well - then by all means try to use Offline Files after you have installed PP1. If your data isn't duplicated, then there might be an outside chance that there could be problems, so you should wait until final release.

     

    Colin

     



    I see that KB946676 was updated on 7/18/2008 with a resolution that states "Updated the article to include Windows Home Server Power Pack 1 as the resolution".  Has anyone tried WHS with Folder Redirection and Offline Files after installing Power Pack 1 (PP1)?  I just setup my WHS this week and want to use Folder Redirection with Offline Files so that my laptop is always storing documents on the WHS Server.  That way I can access the same path/network share for my Documents offline when I'm not connected to my home network.
    Wednesday, January 14, 2009 5:16 PM