Urgent: external storage and how to restore missing folders and files

[HYPrep]

Hi everyone,

I recently re-installed Dropbox on an external SSD hard drive due to a size limitation of my laptop hard drive. This Saturday afternoon, I unplugged the SSD and this caused Dropbox to delete folders and files. I since came across this post (https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Dropbox-files-folders/Best-Practices-For-Syncing-To-External-HDD/td-...), which recommends against using an external drive for Dropbox.  

What's the best way to restore all folders and files? I really appreciate your help!

[Здравко]

Hi @HYPrep,

Storing on external storage isn't a problem on itself. Dangerous is to let Dropbox folder (or part of it, where possible - depends on your OS) without actual place, as in your case. In such situation Dropbox application "thinks" you have removed your files and, of course, syncs this action (the removal). There is such risk while using external storage; that's why the usage is discouraged.

Your files should be still in your "deleted files". 😉 Check there and restore.

Good luck.

[HYPrep]

Thank you, @Здравко!

A couple of questions:

1. We have a business account and there are too many folders/files to be restored manually. Is there a way to restore the entire company Dropbox folder (all sub-folders/files) to the time just before I unplugged the external SSD?

2. And speaking of the SSD, are there any Dropbox settings I can change to ensure no further disruption if I or my computer does something? I obviosuly won't unplug the external SSD but what if my computer restarts (with the external SSD still connected)?  I need to ensure this doesn't happen again as it will have quite serious consequences.

Thanks a lot for your help!

[Здравко]

Hi again @HYPrep,

1. What about "Rewind Dropbox" feature? Get in yours "All files" and try the rewind:

2. Hm... I'm not sure what exactly you mean "if I or my computer does something". Anyway... There isn't a specific settings affecting that, unfortunately.

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@HYPrep wrote:
... I obviosuly won't unplug the external SSD but what if my computer restarts (with the external SSD still connected)?  ...

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While your SSD is still connected, you don't have any problems. Just keep it connected whenever you are running Dropbox. If you need to unplug it for some reason (maintenance for example), this could be performed either while your computer is off or while Dropbox application got quit. Make sure Dropbox application can't get run in any way while the disk is disconnected!

Hope this sheds additional light. 😉

[HYPrep]

Hi @Здравко,

Thanks so much for your helpful and quick replies!

As for rewinding Dropbox to the time before the incident, I asked one of the admins of our Dropbox (I'm not an admin) to do that. He said the the Rewind Dropbox link for the main company folder was grayed out (not clickable) but he could do it for each individual subfolder (and we have 10 of them). Do you know why the Rewind Dropbox wasn't clickable for the main folder? Could we do it for each individual subfolder, that should work just the same?

Thanks again!

[Здравко]

Yes, of course. You can use "Rewind" for every one folder and/or "Version history" for every one file. 😉

You should ask some dropboxer why is that "greyed out", if you want.

[HYPrep]

@Здравко,

Blagodarya mnogo (thanks very much)!!

[Здравко · Accepted solution]

You just made me recall, can you vote my idea here up?

Благодаря! 😉

[HYPrep]

@Здравко,

Done!