Windows 7: Briefcase does not work

First issues is that I can not get the breifcases on my laptop to link up to my desktop. This happened in XP when if I tried to update the files before the computers where talking to eachother. I am 100% sure the computers are talking to eachother now, but not after one hell of a headache, thanks windows 7 for making it so easy like in your commercials

I have found that if I use a thumb drive or pocket drive or whatever you want to call it, and copy the files from the desktop into a breifcase on the thumb drive, then open the files on my laptop and modify it, then put the thumb drive back into my desktop and hit update.....it looks like verything works....BUT when I open the file on the desktop it hasn't been updated.

So, problem 1 - Breifcases do not work over the network.

Problem 2 - Breifcases acts like it works if I use a thumbdrive but infact the files to not update, windows 7 just says that they are updated.

I've also read about the Sync Center in Windows 7. I have yet to figure out how it works. From all I have read it only works with media items that plug into the computer via a USB port. So my understanding is that it is only for ipods and mp3 players.

I use Breifcases on a daily basis so this issue is critical to me. Please Help!!!!

Alright now, the briefcases in 7 really suck, they simple do not work. You can't tell me that I'm the only one in here that uses them. Not help at all?????

First, Windows 7 does not do networking well at all. Since no one has any ideas on the issue but I thought I would post my solution.

I've placed my briefcases on the sim card from by camera and then transfer the card back and forth from my laptop to the desktop. Since Windows 7 doesn't network very well, this method bypasses the issue but does not fix it.

Everything worked find in XP, thinking of dumping Windows 7 until they get things in order, might be waiting a while.

Unhappy customer......

Maybe you should try Synctoy 2.1 Download details: SyncToy 2.1

It works much better than briefcase

I detest what Synctoy does with it's little command files for jobs, by dropping them into the directories you ask it to work on. Also, on a couple of occasions it showed itself to be capable of causing losses when it shouldn't have.

SyncBackPro IMHO is by far a better sync' tool

Thanks for the heads-up on the update there! .. nice tool, does exactly what I need.

Sadly I don't know anything about Briefcase , and I don't know anybody who actually uses it! .. but it does seem a bit odd to junk a whole OS because of something pretty trivial.

Networking works OK for me .. but forget about Homegroups , just stick to the normal *older* methods that worked in XP and Vista and everything is good!

Briefcases was great. I would simple copy files from my desk top into a briefcase on my laptop, modifiy the files while at work and then when I got home, simple click "Update All" and it would find what files were changed and update them.

My only complaint was that the more you put in the file, the slower opening the briefcase was to open. I just downloaded SyncToy to try it out but currently, using the SIM card is working out ok. The briefcases work fine as long as I don't use them over the network.

I'm not thinking about dumping the OS simple for this one reason. I've had many issues with networking ever since I upgraded to Windows 7. Everything else seems ok but I do a lot of networking on my laptop so if it doesn't work the way it did in XP then the whole OS won't work for me.

Hi Guys
I understand your frustration at things when they dont work like they are supposed to...in relation to the topic posted (the briefcase windows 7) i never really used them but after reading this i thought i would create one and give it a bash. I created a briefcase on my desktop and on my flash drive and named them the same name (briefcase). Inside each briefcase i placed a .txt file with 1 or 2 lines of information...also named same name as each other (file1.txt). Then i removed the thumb drive and inserted into another machine running win 7, opened the .txt file and modified it, saved it and ejected the drive and reinserted back into main PC. I then right clicked the briefcase that was on my desktop and selected "update all", to which a window opened indicating that there was a difference and something needed an update. I then proceeded with the update by clicking "Update". I then opened each text file to check...each text file was the same...the latest file had successfully updated the other one...i thought maybe i had fluked something so i did it a few more times...sometimes i modified the text file on my main pc and updated the flash drive and vice versa...I have to honestly say i found no problem whatsoever with the briefcase and have come to the conclusion that you may be doing something wrong...i didnt need to sync anything or do any extra things...exactly what i typed is what i did...i have both files inside their own briefcase and i used identical names...i never tried it across a network or domain...what it did was good enough for me and because i saw it work and know it works then i would imagine that it would work across a network also...
I hope i havent upset anyone with this post but i really think you need to check what your doing is the right way to do it...BTW mod9k i find windows 7 networks fine i have 6 machines set up here...3 with windows 7 one with xp one with sme centos and one with linux mint...all networked, all transfering files and all pc's can see each other and perform tasks quite well. I even have some virtual machines that are networked with windows 7....i have 2 windows 7 machines within arms reach and i use synergy (sort of a virtual kvm switch) via the network so i dont have to use different keyboard and mouse...the same keyboard and mouse works on both machines...i like windows 7
Regards

Guys. Aside from briefcase problem. I found Windows Seven is the best Microsoft OS to work with. Simple, fast, and concise to install not to mention how it works. Sure we need to take a closer look to everything in it. Trust me, it is the best.
But I'm now moving to Windows Eight Build 9102. It is promising though a lot of things still need to get fixed on it stable release. .