Offline files no longer synchronizing

Hi,

We would like to know more information about this issue, please answer the following questions.

1. Were you able to sync files earlier?
2. Do you've any security software or any non Microsoft sync software installed on the computer?
3. Any recent changes made on the computer?

First check if there is any sync conflict. To do this, follow these steps.

1.Open Sync Center by clicking the Start button , clicking All Programs, clicking Accessories, and then clicking Sync Center.

2. In the left pane of Sync Center, click View sync conflicts.
3. Select one or more conflicts, and then click Resolve.

Follow the instructions to resolve the conflicts.

For more information on resolving sync conflicts, fixing sync errors and troubleshoot many more sync problems, refer the following link: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/Troubleshoot-sync-problems

This error "Unable to sync at this time. Please try again." also appears if there is an interruption of non Microsoft program.

Try disabling the non Microsoft programs and sync. If you're able to sync, then it confirms that some program is interfering with the task.

To disable non Microsoft programs, follow step 1 in the article: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

To find the program that's interfering with the task, follow step 2 to step 6.

NOTE: Do not forget to follow step 7 to start the computer as usual.

Post back with the results, so that we can assist you further.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Syed V

Microsoft answers support engineer.

FYI, and a further update, I get the same error no matter whether trying to set up a synchonization from a Vista machine, XP, or a NAS: "Unable to sync at this time.  Please try again."  I have not been able to find any further errors or messages.  Please help!

-Tim K.

Hi,

Thanks for the response.  Further update:

1. Yes, I restarted a number of times, and had the same result: "Unable to sync at this time."
2. Yes, I tried a new user account, and had the same result: "Unable to sync at this time."

I ran SFC, and it reported no errors nor corrupted files.

I created a brand-new account, and had the same results.

Thanks,

-Tim K.

Hi,

1. Did you try to restart the computer and try to sync the files?
2. Did you try in a new user account?

Run the system file checker (SFC) scan to fix the corrupt system files. To run the SFC scan, follow the steps mentioned in this link: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929833

If the issue still persists, try to sync files in a new user account to check if the existing user account is not corrupt.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Fix-a-corrupted-user-profile

Try these steps and post back the results.

Thanks,

Syed

Microsoft answers support engineer.

Hi,

Thanks for the response.  Further clarification:

1. Yes, previously I was able to keep files in sync.  I don't know when it stopped, although the Sync Center et al were reporting a last succesful sync date back in September.
2. Security software: yes.  Non-MS sync software: no.
3. Since this seems to have been going back quite a ways, yes, there have been changes, but I have no idea what they were -- probably quite a few by now!

Even when the Sync Center reports "Unable to sync at this time" in the Sync Results, there are still no Sync Conflicts listed.  Also, there are no options available for resolving the sync conflict within the Sync Center, just the message in the properties "Unable to sync at this time."

I have tried disabling all security, antivirus, and adware/malware systems, and still no go.  I tried following the troubleshooting methods doing a clean boot, and still the same result. 

One puzzle I'm working through -- even trying to do the clean boot from the KB article you linked, I'm still getting programs starting up that I deselected.  Which is weird, but after killing all non-MS processes, and verifying no non-MS services are running, still the same result.

Thanks,

-Tim K.