XCLN: Troubleshooting Schedule Synchronization in Schedule+ [Q170605]

PSS ID Number: Q170605
Article last modified on 09-09-1999

SUMMARY

This article describes issues related to synchronization of the local '.SCD'-file, and troubleshooting steps to help correct these issues.

MORE INFORMATION

Background

Schedule+ can use a local '.SCD'-file that replicates the server based schedule file. This file allows Schedule+ to be used without a network connection. It also improves overall speed and response times, reduces network traffic, and prevents network-related interruptions.

When a user reconnects to the server after working locally, changes to the local '.SCD'-file merge with the schedule file on the server. While connected to the server, Schedule+ synchronizes the local '.SCD'-file automatically. The user is normally unaware that the files are being synchronized, because no confirmation prompts are displayed.

Synchronization Options

In Schedule+, if you click Options on the Tools menu, the following settings are available on the Synchronize tab.

Synchronize Every N Minutes:
This option sets the synchronization interval between 1 and 99 minutes of CPU idle time. Because this is based on CPU idle time, a heavily used system may not automatically synchronize regardless of this setting. Clearing this option turns off synchronization, and forces the local '.SCD'-file to be used exclusively.

Always Synchronize upon Exit:
This option synchronizes the local '.SCD'-file with the server copy when you exit Schedule+.

NOTE: Synchronization occurs only if the time interval specified by the "Synchronize every minutes" option has expired.

For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q164421 Behavior of Schedule+ 7.0 Synchronize on Exit

Work Primarily from Local File:
This option saves updates to the local '.SCD'-file. Updates to the server are made according to the "Synchronize every minutes" option, and whenever Synchronize Now is clicked. If a local '.SCD'-file does not exist, selecting this option generates a prompt for a new '.SCD'-name.

For additional information about creating an '.SCD'-file, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q149986 Creating a .SCD File for an Existing Profile

NOTE: If there is a problem connecting to the Microsoft Exchange Server when you start Schedule+, or if you run Schedule+ offline, this option is automatically selected. You must clear this option again to work exclusively from the server.

NOTE: If others regularly update your schedule, you should probably clear this option. This insures that updated information from the server is always being displayed.

Synchronize Now:
This button causes the local '.SCD'-file and the server schedule file to synchronize immediately. You must run Schedule+ online for this option to be available.

For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q163634 Can't Synchronize Microsoft Schedule+ File if Offline

Troubleshooting

IMPORTANT: Before you perform these steps, you should first make a backup copy of your schedule data. To do this, point to Export on the File menu, and then click Schedule+ Interchange.

NOTE: If you are using Microsoft Exchange 4.0, update BOTH the Exchange client and server to Service Pack 2 (or later) prior to performing any synchronization troubleshooting. This corrects certain major issues with file locking.
[When you use the files mentioned in How can I get Schedule+ version 7.0, 7.0a, or 7.0b? What new features are in these versions? to install Schedule+, you automatically have this update -- Remark CB]

Typical issues that may arise with schedule synchronization include:

• A delegate updates their manager's schedule, and the manager cannot see the update.
• A user has updated their schedule, but others viewing the schedule cannot see the updates.
• Synchronization error messages are displayed, either during startup or during synchronization.

1. Determine if the problem is truly a synchronization problem, or a problem with the server based schedule data.
2. Determine if the problem is account (mailbox) specific, and if so repair the mailbox by exporting the data and resetting the account.

The rest of this article describes a specific sequence of methods for troubleshooting synchronization issues. If a given method does not resolve the problem, go on to the next method.

Setup Schedule+ to Work Strictly from the Server:
To test if there is a synchronization problem, follow these steps to setup Schedule+ without a local '.SCD'-file (so there is nothing to synchronize).

1. On the File menu, click "Exit and log out."
2. Rename all local '*.SCD'-files to *.old
3. Start Schedule+, and in the "Welcome to Schedule Plus" dialog box, select "I do not want a schedule file on this machine." This prevents an '.SCD'-file from being created, and allows you to work directly from the server.
4. Test the creation of appointments, make a meeting, and so forth.

Create a New '.SCD'-File:
If no problems are encountered while working strictly from the server, follow these steps to create a new '.SCD'-file:

1. Start Schedule+.
2. On the [Tools]-menu, click Options.
3. On the [Synchronize]-tab, select "Work primarily from local file," and then click [OK].
4. In the 'Select Local .SCD'-dialog box, enter the correct name in the 'File Name'-box, and then click [Open].

Troubleshoot the Mailbox:
If Schedule+ stops responding while logging into a server-based folder, follow these steps to determine if the problem is account (mailbox) specific:

1. Create a new profile to another mailbox on the same server.
2. Log on as a user who can use that mailbox. Start Microsoft Exchange [= Inbox -- Remark CB], and then start Schedule+. Select the 'Connect'-option when prompted.
3. If both Microsoft Exchange and Schedule+ work correctly, then you may need to re-create the original mailbox of the user. See the "Creating a New Mailbox" section later in this article.
4. If the user still can not log on, then it may be necessary to check for network connectivity issues or re-install the Microsoft Exchange Client.

For additional information about reinstalling the client, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q165961 How to completely remove the WIN95 and NT Exchange client
[and
Q235713 How to Reinstall Microsoft Fax and Windows Messaging -- Remark CB]

Attempt to Force Synchronization:
To attempt to have Schedule+ immediately synchronize with the server, follow these steps:

1. Start Schedule+ (online).
2. On the Tools menu, click Options.
3. On the Synchronize tab, select "Work primarily from local file," and then click Synchronize Now.

Reset Server Based Schedule+ Information:
If you suspect the server based Schedule+ information is corrupted, you may clear that information.

For additional information about how to do this, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q150612 Deleting the Schedule+ Data From the Exchange Server
[This also works for MS Mail-servers and WGPO's -- Remark CB]

Creating a New Mailbox:
If resetting the Schedule+ file on the server does not fix the synchronization problem, you may need to re-create a new mailbox.

For additional information about how to do this, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q146920 Restoring Individual Mailboxes, Messages, or Folders [applies only to an MS Exchange Server -- Remark CB]

REFERENCES

For additional information about troubleshooting Schedule+, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q153937 Creating an .SCD After Schedule+ Configured for no .SCD
Q145706 New Local Schedule+ Files Do Not Synchronize with Server
Q146774 New Profile & SCD File Resets Default Access Permission
Q147679 Synchronizing with Different SCD Files [This article seems to have been retracted from the Knowledge base (both on the Internet and on the TechNet CD-ROM) -- Remark CB]
Q146074 Restored Schedule+ File Not Synchronized w/ Server File

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