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Moved machines and sync folder location, can no longer sync

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Deborah

08 Feb, 2021 01:49 AM

We've been using Moneydance for years, syncing across multiple devices, currently using version 2017. I've repaved my Window 10 machine with a new C drive. In that process, the location of the shared sync folder changed (from \Dropbox\Dropbox to just Dropbox). I can't find anywhere to change that location -- the new installation of Moneydance just creates a new \Dropbox\Dropbox folder, and won't grab the new data in the \Dropbox folder. I've tried restoring from an old backup, same problem.
In all cases I cannot change the sync method settings in File->Syncing. The sync method in my original file is Shared Folder. The sync method in my restored backup is Don't Sync.
How do I get out of this rabbit hole and set Moneydance to use the proper sync folder?

1. 1 Posted by derekkent23 on 08 Feb, 2021 09:48 AM

   

   I am not support staff, just a user.
   Hi Deborah

   Lets see if we can fix your second issue first, cant change sync method.

   Do an EXPORT - BACKUP in case something goes Wrong.

   When you sync between computers you first set up one primary computer under FILE– SYNCING. You then set up syncing any number of secondary computers using FILE – NEW – OPEN SYNCED FILE.
   You can change the syncing method on a primary data set or a Moneydance backup restored from a primary data set.

   With a secondary data set the syncing method is fixed, greyed out and cannot be change. You get the same result after restoring a secondary computer Moneydance backup. Make sure the auto backups for the primary and secondary computers are not set to use the same location if you are say using Dropbox.

   If you have lost your primary computer data set first try to find a backup created from your primary computer and restore from that.

   If you only have a secondary data set try the following using the script attached after downloading:

   1. In Moneydance, select Window --> Python Scripting.
      
   2. In the window that opens, select 'Open Script' then navigate to the .py file wherever you saved it on your system.
      
   3. Select 'Run' to execute the file.
      
   4. Wait a few moments until you see a message on screen, confirming the script has run successfully.
      
   5. Close and reopen Moneydance.

   Once completed, navigate back to File - Syncing, and you should now be able to select the required sync method.

   Hope this helps.

   • md2017_convert_secondary_to_master.py 448 Bytes
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2. 2 Posted by Deborah on 08 Feb, 2021 04:56 PM

   

   I saw this, but what has me confused is "When you sync between computers you first set up one primary computer under FILE– SYNCING."
   We set up syncing a decade ago, and have been adding and or replacing devices since, so who knows what the primary computer is any more? How can I tell?

   I suspect it's the one I'm working on, but I don't want to break syncing by doing this. Nor do I want to lose the several weeks of data that's not in the file I'm trying to fix.

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3. 3 Posted by Stuart Beesley ... on 08 Feb, 2021 05:20 PM

   

   Easy - the one that will let you change the sync method is the primary. The ones that are greyed out are the secondary(s)....

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4. 4 Posted by Deborah on 08 Feb, 2021 06:05 PM

   

   My partner's W10 desktop allows the sync method to be changed. However he's leaving that machine turned off most of the time. Can/should we move the primary to a more frequently used machine?

   I also suspect that we might have had two primaries, if that's possible -- both his and my desktop machines.

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5. 5 Posted by Stuart Beesley ... on 08 Feb, 2021 06:30 PM

   

   You say you ‘suspect that we might have had two primaries -- both his and my desktop machines.’. Do both desktop machines allow you to change the sync options?

   I don’t think it really matters which is the primary, even if the primary is often / normally off... A ‘secondary’ machine still functions the same way.

   (Not support, just a fellow user)

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6. 6 Posted by derekkent23 on 08 Feb, 2021 07:43 PM

   

   I am not support staff, just a user.
   Hi Deborah

   A Stuart sates the fact that a primary computer is seldom used it should not matter.

   Another user somehow ended up with two primary computers defined by the fact you could change the sync method on both of them. They in fact will still sync with each other without further action.
   Although, I have not seen any bad things happen in this state that observation is only based on a small amount of testing. Probably best to put thing back as they were meant to be as follows.
   Once you have decided which is to be the primary computer you don’t need to make any changes on this computer.
   On the secondary computer click HELP – SHOW DOCUMENT FOLDER and close Moneydance. Now delete the data set on the secondary computer and re-open Moneydance. In the welcome window select CREATE A NEW ACCOUNT SET – OPEN SYNCED FILE – and follow the normal secondary set up procedure. Thing should be back to normal on secondary computer syncing, method greyed out.

   Hope this helps.

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7. System closed this discussion on 10 May, 2021 07:50 PM.