Offline Files gone !

[N.]

I need major help.

We have a user who was set up with offline folders. These folders were
copied to a network drive that no longer exists (no backups exist either).
When he logged in he kept getting the offline file synchronization error
that it couldn't get to the server that no longer exists. He has since
unchecked the Enable Offline Files option in Windows Explorer. After he did
this all the files that were in the My Docs offline folder are gone.

Are these files recoverable ? Are they kept in cache somewhere ?

Please Help

 

[frodo]

We have a user who was set up with offline folders. These folders were
copied to a network drive that no longer exists (no backups exist either).
When he logged in he kept getting the offline file synchronization error
that it couldn't get to the server that no longer exists. He has since
unchecked the Enable Offline Files option in Windows Explorer. After he did
this all the files that were in the My Docs offline folder are gone.

Are these files recoverable ? Are they kept in cache somewhere ?

Nope. They be gone. The client's folder contents are a reflection of the
cache, so they're gone.

Your only possible recourse would be a file undelete tool, to try and find
the copies that were in the offline cache folder. The longer you wait the
less chance that they have not been written over.

------------

Offline folders can be a major buggaboo, this sort of mishap is actually
quite common. I too have learned the hard way. Now, I often teach
clients to simply grab a copy a file they need and then copy back any
changes they've made if necessary. Not as nice, for sure, but less error
prone. One or two calls in the middle of the night and you stop
recommending Offline Files.

Offline File's BIGGEST flaw is a user that doesn't TOTALLY understand the
ramifications. Also, its STUPID behaviour of deleting the file on the
server if the client has deleted his local copy is really JUST PLANE
WRONG! It should prompt for what to do, and error on the conservative
side (ie, leave it intact on the server). Also, IT SHOULD ASK if you
really want to empty the offline cache when you turn off the feature.

You might want to consider teaching them about "the briefcase". It's
similar, but different. The copies don't automatically disappear until
you explicitly delete them.

Sorry...