Network Briefcase?

**arch0nmyc0n** · April 20th, 2005, 01:27 PM

I've got a laptop that I store all my current files (recent drivers, programs etc) and I want to duplicate the files and folders onto a desktop on the network. I've tried to use the briefcase that comes with windows, but I have problems accessing a briefcase across a network. I setup a briefcase on the laptop but I cannot click on it to open it from the desktop. It just sits there. I need to access the folder across the windows network to install programs or drivers as I need them. Is there a freeware alternative or perhaps someone knows what I'm doing wrong? The laptop has WinXP SP2 and the desktop has the same.

**Ferrit** · April 20th, 2005, 01:42 PM

Then I would say you could likely use the settings and transfer wizard built into XP

**arch0nmyc0n** · April 20th, 2005, 01:51 PM

Well that might work... but I was hoping for something like briefcase...where it will sync the folders by copying only the changed files... the laptop folder is where I want to update the files manually by going to webpages and checking for new versions... then use the briefcase type program to sync it with the desktop so I don't have to copy the entire folder structure...

**Ferrit** · April 20th, 2005, 01:56 PM

You might use a seperate folder under the Shared documents
which is avaliable to all

**Bigtimbre** · April 20th, 2005, 01:58 PM

Have you tried setting up file synchronization? It can be set up per folder, and can fairly easily do what you are looking to do.

**arch0nmyc0n** · April 20th, 2005, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by Ferrit

You might use a seperate folder under the Shared documents
which is avaliable to all

Well I've got it sorta setup like that... but if it's a briefcase I can't open it on the other computers in the network. When I double click it, nothing happens. I want it to be shared, but also easily syncronized... the briefcase is making it difficult by not opening over the network.

**arch0nmyc0n** · April 20th, 2005, 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by Bigtimbre

Have you tried setting up file synchronization? It can be set up per folder, and can fairly easily do what you are looking to do.

Please explain further. When checking Windows Help it only refers to this being done with briefcase but the briefcase itself doesn't seem to be openable over the network if it's in a shared folder...

**Jeff316** · April 21st, 2005, 08:57 AM

Can you use offline files or is that only available if the share is on a 2000/2003 server? (don't run server service on my laptop, can't check

)

I wrote a perl script to sync directories between my computer and a USB memory key, if you're not against installing/using Perl I can post the script for you.

**kato2274** · April 21st, 2005, 09:16 AM

robocopy copies only new and changed files. and there is a handy dandy gui tool for it called copyrite XP

**glenglenn** · April 21st, 2005, 11:54 AM

Regretably, XP Home Edition does not support offline file synchronization, like XP Professional does. What you are wanting to do across the network would be a snap with XP Pro.