RE: Issues and Tips with SyncToy v2 command-line

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Continuing...

1) Is there any way to save files in a dir and not the other folders? For
example, I have a single directory that has a huge number of subdirectories.
I don't want to save any of the subdirectories, I'm saving them in separate
pair/profiles. I just want to save whatever files get posted to this single
directory.

2) Can we group the profile/pairs so that we can run backups in batches? So
far I have about 30 profiles that I either need to run all at once, or I need
to check off groups of them manually.

3) Given the above scenario, let's say I add a new sub-directory to the root
mentioned above which is not being saved. For example, under a Transactions
folder maybe I'll have Jan and Feb, later March, etc. Since the Transactions
folder isn't being saved SyncToy won't be aware of new folders. Can someone
recommend a good practice for finding folders that are nested in tree
structures but not getting saved? I was thinking about writing a program that
would find folders that do Not have SyncToy_zzz hidden folders, and use my
own FileSystemWatcher routine on them to log changes where a new profile may
need to be created.

4) Why is this file being modified during the SyncToy run? I'm certainly not
using Windows Media during a backup.
\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows Media\11.0\WMSDKNS.XML
I get this same message in every run: "Error: The source file has been
modified during the synchronization process. The data is invalid." The last
modified date on that file is about a month ago.

5) I'm surprised a log entry isn't created when a sync starts. I'm getting
errors like this first:
SYNC: 12/04/2007 15:57:07:218: Error: …
And then at the very end I see:
SyncToy run of My_Pair_Name (...) completed at 12/4/2007 4:32:08 PM.
SyncToy action was 'Contribute'.

6) Note from the above that the time format for errors is 24 hour format but
the format for the completed message is AM/PM format. Not that it matters
much but it would be nice if it were consistent.

7) I believe I read another posting about this. When we minimize the Preview
form, the main window with File/Help menu stays on screen. Because Preview is
a modal we can't minimize its parent. I right click on the task bar and from
the right-click context menu click Show Desktop. That minimizes everything
but at least I can see my screen again.

8) Understandably to some extent, I'm getting some files that can't be saved
from every run with the following source path:
C:\Documents and Settings\tony\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft
The files ar mostly .dat files, a "Windows Defender\File Tracker\{GUID}
file, and of course synctoylog.log itself.
I'd like to be able to exclude specific files not files with specific
extensions. Can someone recommend the best method to do this?

9) In the Preview and Errors pages can you show the name of the
Pair/Profile? When an error says a file isn't going to be saved because it's
already there I'd like to know which profile I need to tweak without reading
the .log.

10) On the error grid, when the Error column shows "Error: Cannot read from
the source..." The Source file and Source Path columns are empty and the
actual Source path is displayed in the Target Path column.

11) Saved the best for last, I got an exception when checking errors:
************** Exception Text **************
System.ArgumentOutOfRangeException: InvalidArgument=Value of '6' is not
valid for 'index'.
Parameter name: index
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.MarshaledInvoke(Control caller, Delegate
method, Object[] args, Boolean synchronous)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.Invoke(Delegate method, Object[] args)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.Invoke(Delegate method)
at SyncToyUI.PreviewDialog.DisplayErrors()
at SyncToyUI.PreviewDialog.lnkLabelSeeErrors_LinkClicked(Object sender,
LinkLabelLinkClickedEventArgs e)
at
System.Windows.Forms.LinkLabel.OnLinkClicked(LinkLabelLinkClickedEventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.LinkLabel.OnMouseUp(MouseEventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmMouseUp(Message& m, MouseButtons
button, Int32 clicks)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Label.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.LinkLabel.WndProc(Message& msg)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg,
IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)
*********


Still hoping to see answers to other questions about using command-line to
exclude folders. If the SQL database is open for update then I'll do it that
way after the profiles are created. Just let me know.

Just as an FYI for anyone using SyncToy, it seems to skip open files, like
other backup programs. So you really need to make sure all possible apps are
closed before running a backup. Certainly MS Office apps, also tools like
Skype and maybe other tray utilities and background services.

That's all for now. (Aint that honkin enough?! :) )
.

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