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gtlittle's avatar
gtlittle
New member | Level 2
5 years ago
Solved

Old Computer , New Syncing Issues

Hello.  I have an old desktop PC that was using Dropbox and syncing.  I had to store that computer for a long period of time and I migrated to using a laptop exclusively with the same Dropbox account...
Delete
desktop
Error Messages
Space and storage
sync
  • Hannah's avatar
    Hannah
    5 years ago
    Hey gtlittle, thanks for reaching out and happy Monday!

    What you described is exactly what you need to do. 

    You'll need to sign out of the Dropbox application on your old desktop. This will disconnect the computer from your account.

    Then, you'll need to delete the Dropbox folder with the old files and sign back in. This will sync the versions of your files as they appear in your Dropbox account online.

    Let me know if you have any questions!
DHM42's avatar
DHM42
Explorer | Level 3
4 years ago

I don't think that I had a copy of the files stored locally.  I had deleted everything after signing out of my dropbox account, but maybe there was another copy stored somewhere that I am unaware of.  Some background:

The folder in question is shared with colleagues at work.  I use a Mac at work that is synced with my dropbox account.  About a month ago, I changed/moved/added several folders within that shared folder.  Then school ended for the summer and I didn't access dropbox for about a month.  Yesterday I opened that folder from my home PC and saw that I am missing several of the folders that I added (sadly with a lot of important files).  I can see all of the changes reflected in my online account, but it is not syncing with my home PC.

I tried creating a new sub-folder (in the shared folder) on my home PC.  It immediately appeared in my online account.  So it appears that the sync is working in one direction.  I just can't seem to get my locally stored files on my PC match what is in my online account.

DHM42's avatar
DHM42
Explorer | Level 3
4 years ago

Problem Solved!  AS it turns out, my computer was syncing properly, but the new folders were not being included because of the naming convention.  I named the folders with a word followed by an asterix to differentiate them from the old folders of the same name.  My online accoung and my Mac were happy enough with the asterix in the name, but the PC wasn't having it.  When I changed the folder names they appeared immediately on my PC.

Thanks for the help.

  • Megan's avatar
    Megan
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    4 years ago

    Amazing news there, DHM42!

     

    If you need us, you know where to find us. 

     

    Have a lovely weekend ahead,enjoy! 💜

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