why are my profiles being deleted

[peterc]

Syncbackfree v8.2.11.0
W10
Can anyone tell me why Syncback keeps deleting all my profiles
Thanks
Peterc

[peterc]

More from Peterc

When my copy of SyncbackFree is launched, the GUI should display a summary page showing all profiles with extra data under the headings Profile:Type:last run:Result:next run:left/source'
In my case, that page is presented as blank with no profiles shown. Previously run/stored/created profiles have all gone missing/been deleted and seem to be unavailable for import from the declared storage location of HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\MJLSoftware\Syncback, which seems to be an empty key.
The problem seems to occur most, but not every, every time SyncBackFree is launched (and closed), requiring profile import from a stand alone export storage location nearly every time the program is required.
The program has been uninstalled, a new install .exe program down loaded and SyncBackFree reinstalled. Same situation.

A couple of other strange things:
The SyncBackFree program installation doesn't create a desktop shortcut, leaving the user to do that that task manually after installation.
The program isn't listed as either running at startup or running in the background (to enable scheduled tasks to be run on time) and doesn't appear in the list of programs available to launch automatically at start. Should it be both listed and running?

Other than these hiccups, the program is great.
Any help would be appreciated.

Peterc

[peterc]

V8.2.18.0, now available, hasn't fixed this problem.

[cliffhanger]

When my copy of SyncbackFree is launched, the GUI should display a summary page showing all profiles with extra data under the headings Profile:Type:last run:Result:next run:left/source'.In my case, that page is presented as blank with no profiles shown]

Judging by the complete absence of any 'Me too!' posts, I suspect your problem is 'local', possibly caused by interference from AV or other security or 'cleaner' software.

[...profiles] seem to be unavailable for import from the declared storage location of HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\MJLSoftware\Syncback, which seems to be an empty key

SyncBackFree does not store profiles in the registry - the registry was only ever used by the old/original/discontinued SyncBack V3 freeware. See KB article for details of where profiles are (or can be) stored in current versions of SB. Notice that the reference at foot of KB to a registry key is in a section headed "SyncBack V3 freeware (now discontinued/unsupported: information provided for legacy reasons only)"...

The SyncBackFree program installation doesn't create a desktop shortcut

IIRC, that is normal (I think maybe the developers believe in uncluttered desktops) - entries are only made in the Start menu. You can obviously make your own desktop shortcut, as you mentioned.

The program isn't listed as either running at startup or running in the background (to enable scheduled tasks to be run on time) and doesn't appear in the list of programs available to launch automatically at start. Should it be both listed and running?

The program doesn't need to be running at startup for Scheduled profiles to work. That aspect is catered for by SB auto-creating a Scheduled Task in the Windows Task Scheduler for you when you Schedule a profile from within SB; this Scheduled Task can then run at the desired time (and load/run SB > the profile, then close again afterwards) even if you are not logged in; the Task can also optionally be set to wake the PC first, provided the PC has power at the scheduled time. You may be confusing the need for an SB instance that starts with Windows to run Periodic profiles. As the KB article states, you can set SB to Start With Windows ('SWW') via Preferences menu > Options > Easy tab > 'Start With Windows' (there is also a 'click here' hint link in the When > Periodically settings page, if the program detects SWW is not set). Note that as per the KB the Periodic (needs SWW to work) & Scheduled (doesn't intrinsically need SWW, though you can set it if you want) modes/settings are separate/different; you can use both, but most people use one or the other.

[peterc]

Thanks, that all makes sense. I'm reluctant to disable my antivirus software (AVG and Spybot) just to see if it's the cause of profile deletions, but may be able to test same on other computers.Living with the band aid solution now in place (a separate, manual, storage folder for the profiles) may be the most practical solution for me.

[peterc]

More for Cliffhanger

I’ve been trying suggestions to pinpoint what might be responsible for the profile deletions in the copy of SBF on this computer. A summary of what’s been tried is as follows:
1. Shutting down/sleep and rebooting/reawakening the computer doesn’t delete the profiles.
2. Running AVG and Spybot manually doesn’t delete the profiles.
3. There’s nothing in the AVG logs which relates to SBF
4. Typically, the profiles are retailed by SBF for a couple of hours. No profile has lasted a full working day.
5. If I try to export the profiles to any disk other than C: , then SBF won’t execute the command. This is the same problem that Karen’s Replicator encountered when my OS was upgraded by MS from W8.1 to W10. i.e. a failure to recognize, and work with, discs other than C: Various web forums related to Karen’s Tools have background comment on that one.

I’m inclined to take all this to indicate that the problem is not AV related, but stems from a W10/SBF issue.
Also, pursuing a potential AV issue would seem to be dead end path. If the problem is related to one of my existing AV programs, then I have to decide whether to keep my AV programs (which have given good service over 20 years) or keep SBF which has been on this computer for a couple of weeks and has yet to perform as advertised.

[peterc]

There’s no indication that a solution to these problems is going to appear in my lifetime. Time to put the program aside and move on.
Thanks to all who provided input.

[andy.keeling]

Sad, but I've also decided to uninstall. I only backup my photos (daily) to a nas drive as I don't want to lose memories but three months ago the programme decided to stop doing the backups as I have reached the limit of 'freeware'
OK, so you have a limit. Would have been great if I got an error message or warning so I could have considered buying the full version but to just stop doing the job and leaving me open to losing copies of my photos without informing me is not good.

Why would I now upgrade a programme that treats it users that poorly?

[Swapna]

Hi,

Please note that SyncBackFree is completely freeware. Personal or business users can use it indefinitely for their backup needs (there is a no time limit set for SyncBackFree).

However, SyncBackLite, SE and Pro versions are commercial license programs that comes with 30-days evaluation period, therefore a valid license is required to continue using the commercial programs after the evaluation period (but its not required for SyncBackFree).

Thank you.

[youcantryreachingme]

Judging by the complete absence of any 'Me too!' posts,

Allow me to add a "Me too!" - partially.

Two profiles that were set up to use SFTP have been deleted. Remaining four profiles for moving files on local machine are still there. Windows 10, SyncBack Pro.