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Computer Backup
97 Topics
Backup folder name change
Hello! I have 2 macs, one personal and one for work. Both had backup enabled and when I went online, I saw both computers' backup directories. The directories were both in the format of "My Mac (computername)" However, recently I disabled the Dropbox backup on my work laptop because I didn't think it would be wise to backup my work stuff to Dropbox. But I was subsequently told it was OK, so I re-enabled the backup. While everything was uploaded to Dropbox just fine, the name of the work laptop backup directory is now simply "Mac (2)". I would like to rename the folder to the "My Mac" format I previously had, but it is not letting me rename the folder. Any assistance would be great. Thanks in advance.Solved10KViews13likes43Comments
Dropbox moving my documents folder
Hi guys, I just tried the latest beta feature that allows me to backup my mac's folders. The issue is that when I select to backup my documents folder, dropbox just moves my entire documents folder from /Users/username/ to /Users/username/Dropbox/My Mac/ folder without asking me if that's OK. It just created a symlink in my home folder (/Users/username) that points to the the dropbox folder. THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE. 1. A backup software shouldn't move around the source files. I want my data to stay in a specific location that I prefer. 2. I have another backup software running on my machine that has to now re-upload ~9gb of files because dropbox decided to move the folder. 3. The replacement folder it created doens't even match the icon of documents folder. This frankly feels like an intrusion of my data. Until dropbox can figure out how to backup files/folders without moving my data in the dropbox folder I am turning this feature off. I hope this feedback reaches the right folks. Thanks.4.6KViews9likes11Comments
STOP Dropbox from backing up external drive
I made the mistake of accepting a request from Dropbox to back up an external drive plugged into my Mac. I didn't stop to think the files in that drive were going to be huge video files that should NOT be backed up to Dropbox. How do I stop the backup of that external drive? The help section says go to the preferences of the Mac Dropbox app and uncheck folders I don't want to be synced. There is NO such option. The only option is to uncheck something about set up notifications for new external drives. There was another help suggestion that suggested right clicking "the backup" and pausing it. WHAT backup?? I don't see the external drive listed anywhere in my Dropbox folder, and right clicking the external drive icon on my desktop doesn't show any Dropbox options. How do I stop this backup without disabling ALL backups?? Thank you for any help on this....Solved18KViews5likes22CommentsProblem with backup (folders not in default location)
Long Story - Short Version New pc/laptop. Installed 2nd hard drive/ssd Moved location of ALL my folders (public and private) to 2nd drive. Path D:\Users\XXXX(name of user)\folder(music, documents, videos etc) Installed upgraded dropbox with 1 year free gratis 100gb storage. because i bought a 2k laptop.... and discovered DropBox Backup& Sync.. It won't run because folders are not in default location. IE C:\user\XXXX\Folder Duh! Of course they ain't! And I dont want them there EVER! The repair option will move the folders back to C: and I DO NOT WANT THAT TO HAPPEN - EVER! And because of this, the backup funtion won't work. This is sloppy programming! I was using Glacier from Synology (which is FREE BTW) and i just point it at my folders and BOOM! backed up. This bit of software cant even backup if the files are not where DropBox programmers have decided they must be. Really Bad Idea. anyone these days with a pc or laptop, which can use a second drive WILL move their folders off the boot drive. unless they have a death wish, of course...Solved9KViews4likes25Comments
New Sync Feature is auto cloud only. I hate it. How do I turn it off permanently?
Prior to a recent Dropbox update, all of my files on my PC were automatically synced into the cloud. I've always had smart sync off, so that I get to choose what folders I want on my PC. I want them ALL on my PC, but a recent update has changed it to that now they are only on Dropbox in the cloud and NOT on my PC anymore. I hate it. I have looked and looked by cannot find any way to force any new folders or files I create on my PC dropbox folder to always stay there and not to be replaced by an image with an X and only a cloud link. Please help. If I can't fit this, I'm leaving Dropbox and finding some other way of keeping my files on my PC. Thanks for anyone who can help me. ~ JosephSolved4.1KViews4likes10Comments
Dropbox External Drive Backup - Changing Computers
I’ve just found out when you change Laptop / Desktop you can’t continue to use the same external hard drive with Dropbox Backup. This is absolute madness. If you want to continue to use that hard drive with Dropbox Backup you have to re upload the full HD. I have 2TB used on a 4TB external SSD and I’ve just changed to a new MacBook. I’m having to spend three days uploading / backing-up all my data again just to continue to use that same drive with the new device. What a waste of energy, electricity, data and bandwidth. For no reason. My old backup is sitting there in my account with all the same data and I just have to re-upload 2TB of the exact same files for no reason other than Dropbox can’t set up a way to re-link an external hard drive on on a new system. I can’t believe this is the current state of affairs for this service.1.1KViews3likes15Comments
I can't access my backup files, after Dropbox asked for a backup update
Since clicking on the file backup link that Dropbox sent me today, Dropbox is not featuring any of the files that I have on my PC. I use my Dropbox account on my PC, my iphone and my ipad. This one account allows me to see all my PC files across all my devices. But since clicking on the backup link DB sent me, there are none of my PC files appearing in my Dropbox account either on the web portal, nor on my files area of my PC or on the app on my iphone and ipad. This means I cannot get access to any important files while away from my PC until I can restore them to Dropbox. Very urgent! I am lost without my files and cannot work! Really hoping some clever person can help me please!6KViews2likes44CommentsI'm not able to share files that are saved in my backup folder
I'd like to know why the whole system of sharing has been removed with the introduction of Dropbox Backup. My workflow has completely been destroyed. Previously (Before Monterey and Dropbox Backup) I could share all folders directly from my Documents to clients. I have had this workflow in place for a year or so now. Now I'm hearing that this has been completely removed. I can't even access the folders in my browser because it keeps switching over to Dropbox Backup instead of the regular Dropbox site. From what I read if I want it to work as before I need to create a new folder inside my Dropbox folder instead of in the Folder that is connected to Backup. This would mean I have to duplicate every folder on my drive instead of just being able to share directly. This was working perfectly for over a year to just turn off this feature without notifying anyone is crazy. I literally can't work right not. There are folders on my drive that are shared and I can't access basic sharing features because dropbox won't even allow me to access them in the regular Dropbox browser client. I hope this can be resolved urgently otherwise I will have to look into a new provider for my cloud-based storage.3.4KViews2likes16CommentsPhotoshop won't Save for Web unless Dropbox Desktop & Documents backup disabled
This issue affects Adobe Photoshop and the Dropbox backup features on Mac Big Sur. When the Desktop and Documents are selected as Personal backup folders, it seems to mess up the Adobe permissions, so that the Save for Web option in Photoshop doesn't work. Only when you deselect the Desktop and Documents backup options do the permissions reset. Not sure if this is a Dropbox problem or Adobe problem. I found the solution in the Adobe forums here: https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/p-save-for-web-error-a-write-permissions-error-has-occurred-photoshop-22-1-1/m-p/11747734 Would be good if we could fix this so I can continue to back up my Desktop and Documents folders.6.2KViews2likes9Comments
Renaming Backup folder
Hi community, I have a question to those who use macOS devices. I recently got a new mac and set up the backup on Dropbox. Dropbox automatically named my new mac as Mac(2). However, I will be using this new device as my primary machine and I may end up selling my old mac if don’t see a reason to hold it. Therefore, I want to change the naming for these two macs. My devices are actually renamed as; MacBook Pro(2016) and MacBook Pro(2021), so there is nothing in naming as Mac(1) and Mac(2). I tried unlinking both my devices and set my new one first but it is still named Mac(2). Has anyone ever had a similar issue, and been successful fixing/renaming(backup) it?1.7KViews2likes6Comments