Hardware: Sony Vaio vgn-nr180e
OS: Windows Vista Enterprise SP2 64-bit
When the problem started:
while no files were opened on the laptop, I made some changes to subfolder structure on the network file server.
The problem:
After a sync command there were 21 errors displayed. The laptop could not make the synchronizations.
My attempts at a fix:
In the sync center there were no options to to resolve these errors. In the details column for each of the errors was displayed the message: "Access is denied."
With no other action available, even under the task menu I opted to right-click on each and select ignore. After a restart and resync the errors were back. The sync folder itself displayed the wrong folder structure.
I decided to remove the offline file sync so I right-clicked on the folder name to uncheck the "Always avaliable offline", however it was grayed out along with the checkmark itself.
With that option to uncheck "Always vailable offline" unavailble the only remaining option I could see was to disable offline files in control pannel. I did so and after the restart it appeared that the offline files were successfully disabled, however the
mapping to the folder appeared to be lost. No big deal I thought, I can recreate it later. So I went to control pannel, reenabled offline files and performed another restart.
After logging back in I re-mapped the network drive and strangely there was the sync symbol over the file folder. I looked in the folder and the obsolete structure was still there. I initiated a re-sync and I got the 21 errors again.
What I am looking for
I want Vista to completely "forget" about the sync I had - I want to clear the cache for the sync so that I can start fresh. How can I do this?
(The KB article "kb 935195" is no longer available.)
I also found this:
http://www.vistax64.com/vista-general/97800-how-do-i-clear-client-side-cache-csc.html but it is very old. Are there any better suggestions?
Thank you,
DBuchanan
DB
Offline files - Sync Center persistent error
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Answer
It sounds like a permissions issue caused by whatever you did to the subfolder structure on the network file server. Without knowing what you did, it's hard to diagnose the problem - perhaps resetting the permissions on the server folders will resolve
the problem (they may have changed by whatever you did). Here's some information about that as it applies to Vista (I don't know if it works the same way on the server or what version of server you have):
To see your permissions, right click the folder/file, click on properties, and check out the security tab. Check to see what permissions you have by clicking on your username (or user group). Here are the types of permissions you can have: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/What-are-permissions. You need to be an administrator or the owner to change permissions (and sometimes being an administrator or even an owner isn't enough - there are ways to block even them from access (though a smart administrator knows these ways and can get around them - but usually shouldn't because they were denied access usually for a very good reason). Here's how to change folder permissions in Vista: http://www.online-tech-tips.com/windows-vista/set-file-folder-permissions-vista/.
To fix this problem with the folders, take ownership of the folders or the drive (as an administrator) and give yourself full rights. Right click the folder/drive, click on properties, go to the security tab and click on Advanced and then click on the Owner tab. Click edit and then click the name of the person you want to give ownership to (you may need to add it if it isn't there - or it may be yourself). If you want it to apply to sub-folders and files within that folder/drive, then check the box for replace owner on sub-containers and objects and click OK. Back out and now there's a new owner for the folders/drive and files who can change permissions as needed. You can now change them from read-only (even if the main folder says they still are read only - you can have access yourself as the owner). You can keep them as read-only for other users and guests and even administrators (though they can take ownership themselves and gain access if they so desire and there really isn't much you can do to stop this except protect the folder with a password using a 3rd party product. Here's more information on taking ownership of a file or folder: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/67717-take-ownership-file.html.
Do you know when this problem began? Try a System Restore to a point in time BEFORE the problem began. Here's the procedure: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/using-windows-vista-system-restore/. Be sure to check the box to show more than 5 days of restore points. If the first attempt fails, then try an earlier point or two. NOTE: You will have to re-install any software and updates you installed between now and the restore point, but you can use Windows Update for the updates. Use the recovery disk if the system prompt doesn’t work. You can make a bootable Recovery Disk using http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/ along with burning software like: http://www.snapfiles.com/get/active-isoburner.html and, of course, a blank CD.
If that doesn't work, then check out this article which includes how to remove a sync partnership: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Sync-Center-frequently-asked-questions.
Although for Windows7 (I don't know if it will work for Vista and you try this at your own risk), the following thread may be of use (but be careful - make a backup of your registry before doing anything and be careful about what you are doing - you can see one person who made a wrong entry and was forced to reinstall the OS): http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7itpronetworking/thread/9ce9195f-0aea-4019-84e5-13bd01e36b19/.
Another option is to treat the current user account as a corrupt account and fix it (with a new account). I doubt the sync will move if you change user accounts. To do this use http://windows.microsoft.com/en-AU/windows-vista/Fix-a-corrupted-user-profile. If that is the only available Administrator Profile (you need to be an administrator to fix this), enable the Hidden Administrator Account (HAA) using http://www.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/en-us/default.aspx?&lang=en&cr=US&guid=&sloc=en-us&dg=microsoft.public.windows.vista.administration_accounts_passwords&p=1&tid=d20f9db4-7b2c-48be-a087-7835dc2a9055&mid=d20f9db4-7b2c-48be-a087-7835dc2a9055. If you can't remember the password, try nothing as that's probably what you (or the vendor) did during installation. Once done, be sure to deactivate the HAA to save it in case it's needed again and for security purposes (since people often try to hack into systems using this account). Do NOT use the HAA as your administrator account because if you lose the only administrator account on the system or it becomes corrupt again then you are hosed.
I hope this helps.
Good luck!
Lorien - One - MCSE/MCSA/Network+/A+
To see your permissions, right click the folder/file, click on properties, and check out the security tab. Check to see what permissions you have by clicking on your username (or user group). Here are the types of permissions you can have: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/What-are-permissions. You need to be an administrator or the owner to change permissions (and sometimes being an administrator or even an owner isn't enough - there are ways to block even them from access (though a smart administrator knows these ways and can get around them - but usually shouldn't because they were denied access usually for a very good reason). Here's how to change folder permissions in Vista: http://www.online-tech-tips.com/windows-vista/set-file-folder-permissions-vista/.
To fix this problem with the folders, take ownership of the folders or the drive (as an administrator) and give yourself full rights. Right click the folder/drive, click on properties, go to the security tab and click on Advanced and then click on the Owner tab. Click edit and then click the name of the person you want to give ownership to (you may need to add it if it isn't there - or it may be yourself). If you want it to apply to sub-folders and files within that folder/drive, then check the box for replace owner on sub-containers and objects and click OK. Back out and now there's a new owner for the folders/drive and files who can change permissions as needed. You can now change them from read-only (even if the main folder says they still are read only - you can have access yourself as the owner). You can keep them as read-only for other users and guests and even administrators (though they can take ownership themselves and gain access if they so desire and there really isn't much you can do to stop this except protect the folder with a password using a 3rd party product. Here's more information on taking ownership of a file or folder: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/67717-take-ownership-file.html.
Do you know when this problem began? Try a System Restore to a point in time BEFORE the problem began. Here's the procedure: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/using-windows-vista-system-restore/. Be sure to check the box to show more than 5 days of restore points. If the first attempt fails, then try an earlier point or two. NOTE: You will have to re-install any software and updates you installed between now and the restore point, but you can use Windows Update for the updates. Use the recovery disk if the system prompt doesn’t work. You can make a bootable Recovery Disk using http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/ along with burning software like: http://www.snapfiles.com/get/active-isoburner.html and, of course, a blank CD.
If that doesn't work, then check out this article which includes how to remove a sync partnership: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Sync-Center-frequently-asked-questions.
Although for Windows7 (I don't know if it will work for Vista and you try this at your own risk), the following thread may be of use (but be careful - make a backup of your registry before doing anything and be careful about what you are doing - you can see one person who made a wrong entry and was forced to reinstall the OS): http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7itpronetworking/thread/9ce9195f-0aea-4019-84e5-13bd01e36b19/.
Another option is to treat the current user account as a corrupt account and fix it (with a new account). I doubt the sync will move if you change user accounts. To do this use http://windows.microsoft.com/en-AU/windows-vista/Fix-a-corrupted-user-profile. If that is the only available Administrator Profile (you need to be an administrator to fix this), enable the Hidden Administrator Account (HAA) using http://www.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/en-us/default.aspx?&lang=en&cr=US&guid=&sloc=en-us&dg=microsoft.public.windows.vista.administration_accounts_passwords&p=1&tid=d20f9db4-7b2c-48be-a087-7835dc2a9055&mid=d20f9db4-7b2c-48be-a087-7835dc2a9055. If you can't remember the password, try nothing as that's probably what you (or the vendor) did during installation. Once done, be sure to deactivate the HAA to save it in case it's needed again and for security purposes (since people often try to hack into systems using this account). Do NOT use the HAA as your administrator account because if you lose the only administrator account on the system or it becomes corrupt again then you are hosed.
I hope this helps.
Good luck!
Lorien - One - MCSE/MCSA/Network+/A+
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Last updated May 8, 2020 Views 8,620 Applies to: