Offline File Access Problem

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Colin Higbie - 13 Oct 2003 01:51 GMT

I have files on my laptop computer that I replicated using Offline Files and
the Synchronize option in Windows XP. They are files from my domain at work. I
just removed my computer from the domain (it is now just a Workgroup computer,
no longer a member of the domain). Now it tells me I can't access any of those
files, even though I can see them all in my Offline Files folder.

Where are Offline Files really stored?

Can I just take over that directory as a local administrator and force the
computer to give me full access to those files?

I am very worried that I will need to wait until I can put my laptop back on
the domain in order to even open these files. Please tell me there's another
way.

I tried runas, but the account information for domain access is not on my
computer, so runas also rejected this.

Thanks for any help,
Colin

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Jeffrey Randow (MVP) - 15 Oct 2003 04:17 GMT

From a MS KB Article:

The Offline Files cache is a folder structure located in the
%SystemRoot%\CSC folder, which is hidden by default. The CSC folder,
and any files and subfolders it contains, should not be modified
directly; doing so can result in data loss and a complete breakdown of
Offline Files functionality.

Jeffrey Randow (Windows MVP - Networking & Smart Display)
winxp@longhornconsulting.com

Please post all responses to the newsgroups for the benefit
of all USENET users. Messages sent via email may or may not
be answered depending on time availability....

Remote Networking Technology Wiki -
http://www.remotenetworktechnology.com
Smart Display Support - http://www.smartdisplays.net
Windows XP Expert Zone - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone

>I have files on my laptop computer that I replicated using Offline Files and
>the Synchronize option in Windows XP. They are files from my domain at work. I
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>Thanks for any help,
>Colin

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Colin Higbie - 18 Oct 2003 21:17 GMT

I finally called MS, was told this would cost $245 to troubleshoot. Small
price to pay for the lost files. It turned out the solution was to directly
access the files in the Windows\CSC folder. Their dates and names were
meaningless, but the files were still all there intact with the same sizes.
All I had to do was take ownership of them and then try to figure out what
each file was (800034c6 is a typical file name).

MS agreed that this was a bug with the Offline Files system and didn't charge
me.

- Colin

> From a MS KB Article:
>
[quoted text clipped - 36 lines]
> >Thanks for any help,
> >Colin

Reply to this Message

Jeffrey Randow (MVP) - 19 Oct 2003 02:25 GMT

That's good... Glad they were able to help.

Jeffrey Randow (Windows MVP - Networking & Smart Display)
winxp@longhornconsulting.com

Please post all responses to the newsgroups for the benefit
of all USENET users. Messages sent via email may or may not
be answered depending on time availability....

Remote Networking Technology Wiki -
http://www.remotenetworktechnology.com
Smart Display Support - http://www.smartdisplays.net
Windows XP Expert Zone - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone

>I finally called MS, was told this would cost $245 to troubleshoot. Small
>price to pay for the lost files. It turned out the solution was to directly
[quoted text clipped - 54 lines]
>> >Thanks for any help,
>> >Colin

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