RE: SyncToy Disaster

George-

Is there somewhere I can view clear instructions for syncing laptop to
desktop outlook files? ... the PST files???

I'm hoping for a "Palm Pilot" type solution that lets me add, edit or delete
info on both machines and then sync to most current status to both machines.

I have tried an app called EZoutlooksync and it has a fine elegant UI but
when I tried syncing using a USB flash drive I corrupted my files.

I've been told that this type of sync will work with sync toy but almost all
of the discussion I've seen is centered on syncing folders, not .pst files.

all I need is a little encouragement <VBG>.

thanks,

tom



"George Goley - Microsoft" wrote:

> Rafinney,
>
> I'm sorry to hear that you lost your newest data and even sorrier to hear
> that SyncToy played a part. Yours is the first feedback we've had of this
> kind, though I know that doesn't help you much. I'd like to learn a little
> more about the issue if I can.
>
> First, you mention that "the sync didn't work and all of my newest data was
> lost on both machines." For a Sync to work in the scenario you describe,
> SyncToy should copy the newer outlook files over the older outlook files.
> When you say the sync didn't work, do you mean that you received an error
> from SyncToy, or that SyncToy didn't copy the newer file, or something else?
>
>
> Thanks Raffiney,
> george
>
>
> "rafinney" wrote:
>
> > I had used SyncToy a lot the past few days - synchronizing Outlook on
> > 2 XP Pro machines. I had made backups, just in case, but it worked
> > every time without fail. And it was fantastic being able to sync so
> > often and keeping data aligned.
> >
> > So, of course, the first time I didn't make a backup - disaster. The
> > sync didn't work and all of my newest data was lost on both machines.
> > I wasn't too worried as I "knew" that SyncToy supposedly deleted the
> > original files to the Recycle Bin - and there they were. Except that
> > those files were also no good - same bad synched data.
> >
> > So, total disaster for me. I guess I can only blame myself for not
> > making backups every single time. I can't imagine that there is
> > anything I can do now - except, of course, never, ever use SyncToy
> > again.
> >
> > I will go back to previous methods, which are not as elegant and
> > time-saving, but at least do not wreck my data.
> >
> > It is just too depressing to even contemplate right now. Well, another
> > horrifically painful lesson learned the hard way. Too bad - synching
> > regularly would have been very useful, but no way in hell I would now
> > ever synch on a regular basis throughout the day.
> >
> > In case there is some recovery I am not aware of, please feel free to
> > suggest anything that comes to mind. System restore is out but
> > desperate folks will try just about anything at this point!
> >

Hi Tom,

SyncToy synchronizes files, including PST files. However, there are two
complications with PST files:

1. Users hope SyncToy will only sync the changes in the files. SyncToy works
with entire files.
2. PST files change a lot. That means that SyncToy will be copying them often.
3. PST files are often open when users attempt to run SyncToy against them.
SyncToy can't work against files that it can't open exclusively.

So, it is possible to sync PST files (I do it all the time) but it can take
longer than expected to copy the entire file and copies can be skipped
because outlook has the file open.

I hope this helps...
george

"Tom O''''Connell" wrote:

> George-
>
> Is there somewhere I can view clear instructions for syncing laptop to
> desktop outlook files? ... the PST files???
>
> I'm hoping for a "Palm Pilot" type solution that lets me add, edit or delete
> info on both machines and then sync to most current status to both machines.
>
> I have tried an app called EZoutlooksync and it has a fine elegant UI but
> when I tried syncing using a USB flash drive I corrupted my files.
>
> I've been told that this type of sync will work with sync toy but almost all
> of the discussion I've seen is centered on syncing folders, not .pst files.
>
> all I need is a little encouragement <VBG>.
>
> thanks,
>
> tom
>
>
>
> "George Goley - Microsoft" wrote:
>
> > Rafinney,
> >
> > I'm sorry to hear that you lost your newest data and even sorrier to hear
> > that SyncToy played a part. Yours is the first feedback we've had of this
> > kind, though I know that doesn't help you much. I'd like to learn a little
> > more about the issue if I can.
> >
> > First, you mention that "the sync didn't work and all of my newest data was
> > lost on both machines." For a Sync to work in the scenario you describe,
> > SyncToy should copy the newer outlook files over the older outlook files.
> > When you say the sync didn't work, do you mean that you received an error
> > from SyncToy, or that SyncToy didn't copy the newer file, or something else?
> >
> >
> > Thanks Raffiney,
> > george
> >
> >
> > "rafinney" wrote:
> >
> > > I had used SyncToy a lot the past few days - synchronizing Outlook on
> > > 2 XP Pro machines. I had made backups, just in case, but it worked
> > > every time without fail. And it was fantastic being able to sync so
> > > often and keeping data aligned.
> > >
> > > So, of course, the first time I didn't make a backup - disaster. The
> > > sync didn't work and all of my newest data was lost on both machines.
> > > I wasn't too worried as I "knew" that SyncToy supposedly deleted the
> > > original files to the Recycle Bin - and there they were. Except that
> > > those files were also no good - same bad synched data.
> > >
> > > So, total disaster for me. I guess I can only blame myself for not
> > > making backups every single time. I can't imagine that there is
> > > anything I can do now - except, of course, never, ever use SyncToy
> > > again.
> > >
> > > I will go back to previous methods, which are not as elegant and
> > > time-saving, but at least do not wreck my data.
> > >
> > > It is just too depressing to even contemplate right now. Well, another
> > > horrifically painful lesson learned the hard way. Too bad - synching
> > > regularly would have been very useful, but no way in hell I would now
> > > ever synch on a regular basis throughout the day.
> > >
> > > In case there is some recovery I am not aware of, please feel free to
> > > suggest anything that comes to mind. System restore is out but
> > > desperate folks will try just about anything at this point!
> > >