Microsoft KB Archive/917206

= When you run a Groove account on multiple computers, you may see synchronization or awareness problems after you restore the account from an account file =

Article ID: 917206

Article Last Modified on 11/28/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Groove Virtual Office 3.1 File Sharing Edition
 * Groove Virtual Office 3.1 Professional Edition
 * Groove Virtual Office 3.1 Project Edition
 * Groove Virtual Office 3.1 Trial Edition
 * Groove Virtual Office 3.0 File Sharing Edition
 * Groove Virtual Office 3.0 Professional Edition
 * Groove Virtual Office 3.0 Project Edition
 * Groove Virtual Office 3.0 Trial Edition
 * Groove Workspace 2.5 Preview Edition
 * Groove Workspace 2.5 Professional Edition
 * Groove Workspace 2.5 Project Edition
 * Groove Workspace 2.5 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Office Groove 2007

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SYMPTOMS
Consider the following scenario in Microsoft Office Groove 2007 or in an earlier version of Groove:
 * You save a Groove account to a file, and then use that file to import the account onto two other computers.
 * You delete the account from the first computer.
 * You use an account file that was created before you imported the account on the other computers to restore the account on the first computer.

In this scenario, you may see one of the following problems:
 * The three computers do not synchronize workspaces, contacts, or messages with one another.
 * Some contacts see that you are online in Groove only when you are using Groove on a particular computer.
 * The computers constantly show incoming and outgoing data in quantities that increase over time.



CAUSE
When you export a Groove account to a file, that file contains information about the exporting computer and any other computers that are associated with that account on the exporting computer. When you use that file to import the account to another computer, the new computer contacts those previous computers and lets them know that it is a new computer for the account. Groove cannot query for other computers or detect other computers that are using the same account. All instances of the account will receive updates from other accounts, but not from one another. Information for the account cannot synchronize among the computers. This behavior causes constant attempts to update the account information.

Note Automated Groove account backups create an account file. If you use the same account backup to put your account on multiple computers, you will also encounter this problem.



RESOLUTION
If you want to import a Groove account on other computers, you must save the account file again after you import it on each computer. Then, use the most recent account file that includes information about the new computer to import the account on the next computer.

The following scenarios describe how this problem occurs, and how to resolve it:
 * 1) The account exists on one computer (PC1).
 * 2) On PC1, you export the account to a file. That file contains information about PC1.
 * 3) You import the account file on another computer, PC2. PC2 now knows about PC1. PC2 calculates its account sequence number based on the one from PC1.
 * 4) PC2 sends an update. PC1 now knows about PC2, and the two computers synchronize account information.
 * 5) You import the same account file on a third computer, PC3. PC3 now knows about PC1. However, PC3 calculates its account sequence number based on the one from PC1, immediately putting it out of sequence with PC2.
 * 6) PC3 sends an update. PC1 now knows about PC3 and PC2. However, the sequence numbers cannot reconcile. Therefore, the three computers cannot synchronize account information.
 * 7) You lose your Groove account on PC1.
 * 8) You import the same account file on the original computer (PC1). PC1 does not know about the newer computers. Also, it calculates its account sequence number based on the one from when the account file was saved. The three computers cannot synchronize information for the account.

To resolve this problem, follow these steps:
 * 1) On any two of the computers, save any information that is unique to Groove on that computer. Then, delete the account.
 * 2) Exit and then restart Groove two times to process all the actions that are required for the account deletion.
 * 3) On the remaining computer, click Preferences on the Options menu, and then click Account. Confirm that the other computers are no longer in the Computers list.
 * 4) Create a new account file. The file contains information about the current computer.
 * 5) On one of the other computers, import the new account file. After the new computer has synchronized with the first computer, create a new account file.
 * 6) On the third computer, import the most recent account file.

Note If the account is not deleted from Groove on PC1, and it is lost because of file deletions or hardware failure, an old version of PC1 still appears in the Computers list for the Groove account. Additionally, PC1 becomes unsynchronized. This is an expected behavior. You should delete the invalid computer listing from the Multiple Computers list as soon as possible. This list is on the Account tab in the Preferences dialog box in Microsoft Office Groove 2007 and in Groove Virtual Office 3. . The list is on the My Computers page in Groove Workspace 2. . If you leave an unsynchronized computer that is associated with the account, you may experience additional problems.

In Office Groove 2007 and in Groove Virtual Office 3. , you can delete the invalid computer immediately. In Groove Workspace 2. , you must wait until the listing displays a synchronization message.

Note Do not delete the valid computer that has the same name. To make sure that you do not delete the valid computer that has the same name, delete the entry from the computer that you are currently using. When you click the computer that you are currently using, the Remove Computer option is unavailable.

Additional query words: TCN-01391 Groove2007

Keywords: kbtshoot kbprb kbexpertiseinter KB917206

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