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Forum Discussion
Problem with making a local backup of Dropbox folder (version 14.3.17)
I make periodic full backups of my Dropbox folder to an external hard drive. This is (or used to be) simply done by copying and pasting the folder to the external drive. That worked perfectedly until...
Alexis G.1
Super User
Super User
Robert J. wrote:
I make periodic full backups of my Dropbox folder to an external hard drive. This is (or used to be) simply done by copying and pasting the folder to the external drive. That worked perfectedly until the latest release (14.3.17), but now the copy stops, and is reporting file access errors.
I tracked the failing files (24 of them) down to the .dropbox.cache folder. They are located inside a subfolder named 'qebcobkqbgpbzfynfuwbof', and are all called placeholder.*, where the * represents 24 different standard file extensions, like avi, doc, jpg etc etc.
Stopping Dropbox, deleting the offending subfolder and restarting Dropbox causes that subfolder to be recreated with 24 uncopyable files in it again.
The problem occurs on Windows 8.1 and Windows 10. I have found a very similar post in Spanish on another part of this forum (https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Buscar-respuestas/problema-con-files-in-cache/td-p/192449) and another in Russian on the Dr Web forum. Both mentioned exactly the same 'gobbldegook' subfolder name!
Hi. Congratulations. Make full backup of Dropbox data by yourself is actually a Best Practice. I make Dropbox backups every week on External HDD or NAS and an extra copy in Bluray disks every month.
Dropbox is not a backup solution, can work as a backup in some scnearios (i.e: delete files by mistake, damaged hdd, ssd crash, stolen laptop, etc.) but if you have issues for example with ransomware and you want a quick recover of your files, your manual backups are the best shoot!
In regards to the error you are publishing in this thread, let me tell you you DON'T need to backup the cache folder. The cache folder is a folder with files need it by Dropbox in order to properly sync data. It's Incremental - Delta Advanced Data you don't need to backup. You only need to backup your files, your data.
And allow me to share with you some great tools to backup your precious files:
Teracopy: Excellent to copy lot of files with better performance.
Beyond Compare: A great tool to sync content from your Dropbox with your backup!. You can see with colors the "difference"!!!
Dsyncronize: Auto free software to update your backup from Dropbox. You can even keep up to 5 old versions of your files! You can setup auto schedule of your backups.
Veeam Endpoint Backup Free: The best of the best. And free! You can backup your full PC (including Dropbox) to an external HDD and create a recovery USB memory boot device. If you have issues... no problem! Boot with your USB and recover in minutes! including Dropbox data!
And if you want to recover ONLY Dropbox data, you can recover Individual files from your Veeam backups as well. And backups take less than 10 minutes because the first one is full but the 2nd, 3rd, etc are incrementals! And you can setup your backups to be done automatically every day, at certain time, or the days you pick up from a week calendar. Options are endless!
I hope this info help you. Regards,
@Alexis G.1
I have been aware that Dropbox is mirroring software, and not backup software, ever since I began experimenting with its earliest releases.
I also know what I want to back up and what I don't, and what the .dropbox.cache folder is for.
I don't need any "great tools" - if I wanted one I would write my own. I have been managing computers, writing operating systems and producing applications since 1971.
The problem I reported with the beta release 14.3.17 is based on the principle that no software, Dropbox included, should create files that break the standard functions of the manufacturer's operating system. The writers of Dropbox have no right to decide which functions of my computer' operating system I can use on any part of my hard drive and which I can't.
- Alexis G.1
I have been aware that Dropbox is mirroring software, and not backup software, ever since I began experimenting with its earliest releases.
Good. Yes. Dropbox it's a Sync Software. You are correct: "mirror"
I also know what I want to back up and what I don't, and what the .dropbox.cache folder is for.
Good!
I don't need any "great tools" - if I wanted one I would write my own.
I just share it to give you better options for your backups. This is a public forum, other users can read it and use it (most users are no able to "write" state of the art backup/copy software like Teracopy, Beyond Compare, etc.). This options are better than Windows Explorer.
I have been managing computers, writing operating systems and producing applications since 1971.
Congratulations.
The problem I reported with the beta release 14.3.17 is based on the principle that no software, Dropbox included, should create files that break the standard functions of the manufacturer's operating system. The writers of Dropbox have no right to decide which functions of my computer' operating system I can use on any part of my hard drive and which I can't.
But you say in your initial Post the 24 files with issues are inside the Cache Folder. Files in this folder are normally hidden/protected OS files so It's ok if you cannot copy them. This is not relevant for your manual backups.
It's just my personal opinion. Please let me know if I miss-understand the problem.
Alexis G.1 wrote:But you say in your initial Post the 24 files with issues are inside the Cache Folder. Files in this folder are normally hidden/protected OS files so It's ok if you cannot copy them. This is not relevant for your manual backups.
It's just my personal opinion. Please let me know if I miss-understand the problem.
The Dropbox folder is a standard visible 'user' folder with almost all of my important files stored inside it. I have no problem with Dropbox or any other software creating a hidden folder within that 'user' folder and storing information in that folder in order to be able to perform its function. That's normal and acceptable software practice in many operating systems, not just Windows.
What is unacceptable is to create files inside that hidden folder, or anywhere else for that matter, which prevent the visible user folder from behaving as a user folder should. All of the standard commands of the operating system should always be usable on all folders that the user can see, and that includes the top-level Dropbox folder.
Here's what happens when the copy/paste process hits a file in the hidden folder:
There's no indication where the failing file is stored. The message might be indicating a serious disk drive problem. It might scare a naive user. It gave me cause for concern, and I did run a disc scan and repair, which reported no errors. That made no difference. I did a bit of research and tracked down the cause. I posted here and this was the most recent reply from a 'Dropboxer':
Hi Robert, I think we've identified the issue and we're working on a fix. Will follow up on this thread when it's in a build you can try. Thank you for reporting!
So the official standpoint is that it's an issue that needs fixing. That's good enough for me! :grinning:
bnDropbox Staff
Hi Robert, I think we've identified the issue and we're working on a fix. Will follow up on this thread when it's in a build you can try. Thank you for reporting!
I had the same problem; it was with the AVI placeholder as well.
Disabling sync and then deleting the contents of the .dropbox.cache folder worked for me (except I moved it to the Desktop as a precaution rather than deleting it - so if deleting the contents doesn't work, ie due to permission or access errors, try moving it).
I'm on Windows 10 Enterprise Anniversary update
What I tried before this, in case this helps the devs fix the problem:
Deleted just the file it was reporting the error on - problem moved to a new placeholder file
Exiting dropbox, deleting the files, reopening
Doing this with synchronization still on
Rebooting
Reinstalled dropbox after setting my Windows account to be a true Administrator account
I'm moving from one partition to another on the same raid array, both are NTFS
