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More troubles syncing to a second computer

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jlwoodard

18 Sep, 2022 04:00 PM

Several months ago, I installed Moneydance on my MacBook Pro and struggled with Dropbox syncing. I got the very helpful information to use Dropbox folders as the method to use, and all was well for a while. I don't open Moneydance on the laptop all that often, but I expected it to sync properly, which it was not doing. I was encouraged by the latest update of Moneydance (2022.5 (4091)) that promised improved syncing. I deleted the old data in the Containers directory in my library on my laptop, downloaded the new version of Moneydance, and followed the steps to start syncing to the laptop (Create new account set, Sync via Dropbox Folders, put in passphrase). Unlike the previous version, most of my data populated fairly quickly, but some of my accounts are missing (e.g., credit cards), and my bank account totals are all wrong. A Bank Account was added called "Restored" with a lot of numbers and letters afterward that seems to contain at least a few transactions from a new Credit Card account that I added several months ago. Worse, when I open Moneydance on my iPhone, the garbled account information imports to the iPhone and is no longer in sync with my main machine (my iMac desktop). Opening Moneydance on the laptop a second time resulted in an additional "Restored" bank account being added. The iMac seems to maintain all of the correct balances, thank heaven, and after opening Moneydance on the iMac and closing it, I can get the correct balances back on my iPhone. Obviously, I must be doing something very wrong on my laptop. I'm not sure if syncing to iCloud would be better than Dropbox? Might someone have some suggestions about how I can fix this issue permanently? Many thanks in advance for any help.

1. 1 Posted by Stuart Beesley ... on 19 Sep, 2022 06:24 AM

   

   I presume you are running 2022.5(4091) on both computers?

   Presuming iMac is the master, I would do this:

   1. iOS app. Bottom left settings cog. Dropbox. Disconnect. Shutdown/kill iOS MD app.
      
   2. On MBP, toolbox extension, update mode, general tools, rename dataset, call it oldsync copy. Then file/new create a new / blank dataset, call it emptydeleteme. Restart MD.
      
   3. On iMac, file/export backup… and then…
      
   4. Run toolbox extension. Advanced mode. Force reset sync settings.
      
   5. Enable File/syncing, DB Folders. Wait a few minutes. Restart MD.
      
   6. On iPhone. MD app. Connect to Dropbox, Select the new / latest dataset sync copy.
      
   7. On MBP, file/new/open sync copy. Select the latest sync copy. Wait a few mins.
      
   8. Restart MD on all three devices.
      
   9. Check that txns work to/from all three devices.
      
   10. When finished, and it’s working, send iMac help/console file.
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2. 2 Posted by jlwoodard on 23 Sep, 2022 09:12 PM

   

   Dear Stuart,
      Thank you so very much for the wonderful set of instructions (and for the toolbox extension!!). I followed all the steps (also including my iPad and my wife's iPhone). I am down to step 9 and just waiting on incoming transactions to make sure they work on all devices. I'm not sure how to get the iMac Help/Console file--is that through the toolbox extension? Shall I just post it here or does it contain any personal data?

   Happily, all devices have the same balances and seem to be in sync at this initial point.

   If I want to download transactions using my MBP, will I have to set that up separately on the MBP? Also, all of my old accounts with zero balances appear even though the Inactive and the Hide on summary page if balance is zero boxes are both checked on the MBP only, while they are hidden on the iMac. Finally, the MBP opens the file without a password but on the iMac, it still asks for my password. Will I need to set the password on the MBP or did something go wrong with the syncing? Many, many thanks for your help!

   John

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3. 3 Posted by Stuart Beesley ... on 23 Sep, 2022 09:53 PM

   

   Moneydance. Menu. Help. Show Console. Save as txt file.

   File/passwords. Then set a password. Nothing to do with sync

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4. 4 Posted by Stuart Beesley ... on 23 Sep, 2022 09:55 PM

   

   I presume you mean old accounts appear on the left side bar? Just right click each and then remove from sidebar.

   You will have to clarify your ‘download’ question?

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5. 5 Posted by jlwoodard on 23 Sep, 2022 10:18 PM

   

   Thank you! Download accounts: I meant Online->download all accounts.

   Also, is it a problem if I am entering transactions on the iMac and my wife is entering transactions on her iPhone at the same time? Many thanks again.

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6. 6 Posted by dwg on 23 Sep, 2022 10:23 PM

   

   You will need to set up automatic data downloads on the new computer. The connection information including banking passwords are not synced between machines. This is consider local data to each machine and is also not copied because of security concerns.

   There are no problems in entering data simultaneously on different machines. That is one of the reasons why syncing was developed i.e. to facilitate concurrent use.

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7. 7 Posted by jlwoodard on 24 Sep, 2022 07:38 PM

   

   Thank you so much, dwg and Stuart! Very helpful, again. I've attached my help/console file, and will look forward to any other information you might have based on that file. One last question (I think...): For new versions or updates of Moneydance that come out in the future, is there an order that should be implemented (e.g., upgrade iMac first, then MBP or vice versa)? Thanks so very much again!

   • console.txt 25.3 KB
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8. 8 Posted by Stuart Beesley ... on 24 Sep, 2022 09:21 PM

   

   Console looks fine. No errors.

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9. System closed this discussion on 24 Dec, 2022 09:30 PM.