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Forum Discussion
annml
2 years agoHelpful | Level 6
My laptop doesn't show up in my connected devices list, even though it's syncing files
Having trouble with dropbox not seeing a device. As in, if you go to settings and then click Security - you scroll down and it shows your device list and the devices that have been removed from list....
- 2 years ago
Hi Nancy - yes, I had to relaunch the dropbox to get it back to the system tray - and yes it's there now.
I might have fixed it using the link with the overlay info - but I don't want to speak too soon. I'm letting things sync (I think!) so I'll come back after double checking some things.
Thanks Nancy!
annml
2 years agoHelpful | Level 6
Sorry to have so many issues but here's another thing. When I click backup button, it goes to the folder selection window -- but when I expand those options there is no option for me to choose to backup Dropbox, it's not one of the selections. I'm so confused.
Also not even sure the dropbox for desktop ever really installed. I've installed it several times but nothing looks like the screenshot tutorials. The 2 things I have available are the dropbox file explorer and the icon found in the tray. Is that normal?
annml
2 years agoHelpful | Level 6
Today I uninstalled and re-installed dropbox and I think my desktop app seems better, but when I hit backup I still can't choose my dropbox folder to backup.
- Hannah2 years ago
Dropbox Community Moderator
Thanks for the additional info here, annml.
I'm glad things now seem better after reinstalling the Dropbox app, but would you mind clarifying what you mean by "choose my Dropbox folder to back up"?
Are you trying to back up your folders to Dropbox or back up the Dropbox folder itself somehow?
- annml2 years agoHelpful | Level 6
Hopefully I can explain this better.
-- I believe my files are syncing correctly -- although I still don't see any dropbox icons next to the folders I'm syncing -- any thoughts as to why?
-- As far as backup vs syncing: Maybe Dropbox "backup" feature isn't a true backup, maybe I'm misunderstanding this feature. When I hit "manage backups" on desktop app, it eventually brings me to a window where I can select which folders to backup (vs just sync) -- there is no option for me to select my dropbox folder as part of that backup. The only options are music, pics, documents (empty), desktop, downloads, one drive etcetera. I want to also backup my dropbox folder (not just sync).
Does that make sense? Thank you Hannah!
- Hannah2 years ago
Dropbox Community Moderator
Thanks for clarifying, annml.
Unfortunately, this is not really possible.
You can back things up to Dropbox with Dropbox backup, but you can't back up the Dropbox folder; whatever's in your Dropbox folder and is synced to your account online as well, is already saved to our servers, that's why you can restore files that you delete.
If you'd like to back up the Dropbox folder itself, you could make a copy, which you can save to a different location on your computer or an external drive, but it won't be a live, two-way backup, just a simple copy for safe-keeping.
I hope this helps!
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