Syncing Up Two Macs: "following folder paths are dependent"

[studioquery]

Hello. I use FreeFileSync to backup my boss' computer each day. I usually sync from his computer to mine. Recently, when I click "Compare" I am told that "The following folder paths are dependent from each other". How do I resolve this so that I can continue transferring his work from one computer to the other as before? This has only started cropping up in the last two days.

Thanks!

[Zenju]

viewtopic.php?t=161

[studioquery]

I still don't understand how to eliminate this issue. I would like to continue backing up one computer on the other but this message is now preventing me from doing so. Is there a way to reset it so that I can continue as before?

[Gianni1962]

Show us the folder pairs and the include / exclude filters!

[studioquery]

This is all that I can see (on the left I connect my boss' computer and one the right I have my own):
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following folder paths are dependent from each other:

/Volumes/CP
/Volumes/CP

[Gianni1962]

Please copy and paste the FolderPairs section from your script, something similar to this:

        <FolderPairs>
            <Pair>
                <Left>C:\TEMP</Left>
                <Right>E:\TEMP</Right>
            </Pair>
        </FolderPairs>


[studioquery]

I'm really sorry to seem stupid but how do I do that? Is this a tool in FFS or should I use Terminal on my Mac?

[Gianni1962]

In FFS save your sync settings in a file using File, Save.

Open the saved file with a text editor, find the word FolderPairs then follow my previous post.

[studioquery]

<FolderPairs>
<Pair>
<Left>/Volumes/CURRENT PROJECTS</Left>
<Right>/Volumes/CURRENT PROJECTS</Right>
</Pair>
<Pair>
<Left/>
<Right/>
</Pair>
</FolderPairs>
<OnCompletion/>
</MainConfig>
<GuiConfig>
<HandleError>Popup</HandleError>
<MiddleGridView>Action</MiddleGridView>
</GuiConfig>
</FreeFileSync>

[Gianni1962]

As you can see, the Left and Right FolderPairs are the same:

/Volumes/CURRENT PROJECTS

You are trying to sync a folder with itself!

[studioquery]

Yes, the folders are labelled the same on both computers
<Left>/Volumes/CURRENT PROJECTS</Left>
<Right>/Volumes/CURRENT PROJECTS</Right>)

The contents in the left is added to each day and needs to be transferred to the right. I did copy and paste a folder from right to left a few weeks back so could this be the cause of the issue?

[Gianni1962]

From what I can see, you are trying to sync the same exact folder belonging to the same computer.

I was expecting something on the right identifying the other computer.

Please paste the full content of your script.

[studioquery]

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<FreeFileSync XmlFormat="5" XmlType="GUI">
<MainConfig>
<Comparison>
<Variant>TimeAndSize</Variant>
<Symlinks>Exclude</Symlinks>
<IgnoreTimeShift/>
</Comparison>
<SyncConfig>
<Variant>Update</Variant>
<CustomDirections>
<LeftOnly>right</LeftOnly>
<RightOnly>left</RightOnly>
<LeftNewer>right</LeftNewer>
<RightNewer>left</RightNewer>
<Different>none</Different>
<Conflict>none</Conflict>
</CustomDirections>
<DetectMovedFiles>false</DetectMovedFiles>
<DeletionPolicy>RecycleBin</DeletionPolicy>
<VersioningFolder Style="Replace"/>
</SyncConfig>
<GlobalFilter>
<Include>
<Item>*</Item>
</Include>
<Exclude>
<Item>/.fseventsd/</Item>
<Item>/.Spotlight-V100/</Item>
<Item>/.Trashes/</Item>
<Item>*/.DS_Store</Item>
<Item>*/._.*</Item>
</Exclude>
<TimeSpan Type="None">0</TimeSpan>
<SizeMin Unit="None">0</SizeMin>
<SizeMax Unit="None">0</SizeMax>
</GlobalFilter>
<FolderPairs>
<Pair>
<Left>/Volumes/CURRENT PROJECTS</Left>
<Right>/Volumes/CURRENT PROJECTS</Right>
</Pair>
<Pair>
<Left/>
<Right/>
</Pair>
</FolderPairs>
<OnCompletion/>
</MainConfig>
<GuiConfig>
<HandleError>Popup</HandleError>
<MiddleGridView>Action</MiddleGridView>
</GuiConfig>
</FreeFileSync>

[Gianni1962]

Ok, I confirm that the Left and Right folder are the same and you are trying to sync a folder with itself.
Verify that and retry.

[Plerry]

Although you might have identical path names on both machines, your computer still needs to know how to tell the remote /Volumes/CURRENT PROJECTS folder apart from the local /Volumes/CURRENT PROJECTS folder.
I don't know exactly how that is done in a MAC, but in Windows this is done via a drive or network-path designator.
You should add something similar in front of your remote /Volumes/CURRENT PROJECTS location definition.
As it is now, you are trying to sync your local /Volumes/CURRENT PROJECTS folder to that same local /Volumes/CURRENT PROJECTS folder. That is obviously not possible.

[studioquery]

Problem solved! Thank you so much for your help. Fantastic service!