Missing File
Andy
via web
When I opened Moneydance today, I got a message asking if I wanted to create a new file, import a file, or use a back-up file. That was a first. Moneydance did not open up with my most recent data file as it always has (and I've been using it for several months). When I went to look for the file, I could not find it anywhere. The only Moneydance files on my computer (Mac, running OSX Snow Leopard) were from months ago. And whenever I used Moneydance, I click "save" before exiting, thinking I had saved my most recent work, which would always be there the next time I open the program. I checked my Carbonite backup and my external hard drive Time-Machine backup, but found nothing there, except the very old files. What happened? Am I s.o.l.?
2 Posted by -Kevin N. on 03 Sep, 2010 08:44 PM
Hi Andy,
Unless you've changed this behavior in Preferences, by default, Moneydance creates backups of your data file and places them in the same folder as your main data file.
The backup files have the same name as your main data file except they have their creation date appended to them.
For example, if your main data file was named Moneydance.md, your backup file would be named Moneydance.md-2010-09-03
Try doing a Search for your backups.
HTH -Kevin N.
3 Posted by Andrew W. Cohen & Nicola O. Goren on 03 Sep, 2010 09:04 PM
I don't think I changed this behavior. I went and checked preferences and the separate back-up folder was unchecked. None of the moneydance files that are turning up when I search for "moneydance" or ".md" in the finder have any date appended to the file extension. Are they lurking somewhere else on my hard drive? Am I searching properly for the backups?
4 Posted by -Kevin N. on 03 Sep, 2010 09:28 PM
Hi Andy,
Was 'Make daily backups' checked on the Backup tab in Preferences?
Try a Search for either *2010 or just 2010.
Have you checked Trash bin or Recycle bin or whatever it's called on a Mac?
I'm at a loss for what might've happened to your original data file.
-Kevin N.
5 Posted by Andrew W. Cohen & Nicola O. Goren on 03 Sep, 2010 09:44 PM
Make daily backups was checked. I did empty the trash since the last time I used Moneydance (and the first time in awhile). How could my data file have ended up (and apparently been backing up) there?
6 Posted by -Kevin N. on 03 Sep, 2010 11:14 PM
Hi Andy,
If indeed your data file was somehow dragged or sent to the the Trash, then it's my understanding that your backups would've been created in the the Trash folder.
Emptying the Trash and subsequently deleting your data file, would explain Moneydance's behavior of generating the message asking if you wanted to create a new file.
I'm afraid you may need to recreate your data file from your Carbonite or Time Machine backups.
-Kevin N.
7 Posted by Andy & Nicky on 03 Sep, 2010 11:35 PM
Unfortunately, the trash wasn't backed up, so I'm really out of luck.
Sent from my iPhone.
Support Staff 8 Posted by Angie Rauscher on 05 Sep, 2010 12:45 AM
Andy,
I'm sorry to say that if you've done all the searches as Kevin has suggested (which is precisely what I would have advised) you are likely out of luck. We have seen this once or twice where are user accidentally moves their file to the trash (keeping backups in the same file) but keeps working from it and doesn't realize the issue occurred until they empty their trash and experience precisely what you have. I'm sorry to say I don't have any other solutions for you, I think you'll just have to start with one of the older data files you found and re-construct from there. I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this has caused you, and please let me know if I can be of further assistance,
Angie Rauscher
Moneydance Support
9 Posted by Andrew W. Cohen & Nicola O. Goren on 05 Sep, 2010 02:12 AM
Thanks Angie. I guess the only thing that surprises me is that Moneydance keeps working with a file that is in the trash. I thought that most programs didn't work with files in the trash or couldn't access them.
Support Staff 10 Posted by Tom Freeman on 05 Sep, 2010 05:38 PM
Andy,
I just logged into a mac running 10.5.1 and Moneydance would not open a file that was put in the trash.
Do you have multiple user acounts on your mac and have you looked for your .md files on those accounts?
Tom
11 Posted by Andrew W. Cohen & Nicola O. Goren on 09 Sep, 2010 07:31 PM
Angie -- I have recreated my data file. Fortunately, I did find one that was a few months old and therefore only had to recreate the last six months or so. I have established a separate folder for backups in my documents folder (on a Mac), I see the .md and date extension so I know it is backing up. But I also see the plain .md moneydance file in that same folder. Is that where it should be? Just trying to avoid a future disaster. . .
Andy
Support Staff 12 Posted by Ben Spencer on 10 Sep, 2010 02:14 PM
Yes, keeping you .md file in your documents folder is fine. This is exactly where I recommend people keep it.
Ben Spencer
Moneydance Support
13 Posted by David Wood on 17 Oct, 2010 11:56 AM
I have just had exactly same issue with Moneydance, i have not changed how i do things with computer . The files were there and now seem to be deleted. I have linux operating system. I had two files saved now it seems I have lost I years worth of data
Support Staff 14 Posted by Ben Spencer on 17 Oct, 2010 01:15 PM
By gefault Moneydance has backups turned on. Unless you specified a different backup folder the backup files are stored in the same folder as the main .md data file. If you don't see them please do a search of your computer for all files containing ".md" without the quotes.
Ben Spencer
Moneydance Support
15 Posted by David Wood on 17 Oct, 2010 02:25 PM
We have done a search Thankyou and the files are nowhere, the default was
still on for the backup files. I say we as I have a friend who works within
the computer industry who has also looked at it. I dont believe this is a
coincidence that another person has reported this, But there must be others
as well, You most obviously have an issue with the program not that I would
expect anyone to admit this.
I will go back to re-entering all this Data again, And have it backed up
elsewhere in case this happens again. Maybe you could look into the issue in
case The program has a bug.
I do not have time to continue looking into this as my tax return is far
more important so I consider this matter finished.
Thanyou for your response
Best Regards
On 17 October 2010 14:17, Ben Spencer <
***@tenderapp.com<tender%***@tenderapp.com>
> wrote:
16 Posted by David Wood on 17 Oct, 2010 02:56 PM
We have done a search Thankyou and the files are nowhere, the default was
still on for the backup files. I say we as I have a friend who works within
the computer industry who has also looked at it. I dont believe this is a
coincidence that another person has reported this, But there must be others
as well, You most obviously have an issue with the program not that I would
expect anyone to admit this.
I will go back to re-entering all this Data again, And have it backed up
elsewhere in case this happens again. Maybe you could look into the issue in
case The program has a bug.
I do not have time to continue looking into this as my tax return is far
more important so I consider this matter finished.
Thanyou for your response
Best Regards
On 17 October 2010 14:17, Ben Spencer <
***@tenderapp.com<tender%***@tenderapp.com>
> wrote:
Support Staff 17 Posted by Angie Rauscher on 17 Oct, 2010 04:24 PM
David,
The issue earlier in the thread may or may not be the one you are describing, there is not enough data currently for us to confirm or deny this possibility. I have heard of similar issues 2 other times, both of which ended up being caused by a user working with a data file that had been dragged into the trash. Clearly a data loss issue would be a serious problem we have and continue to look into such reports.
We take all bug reports seriously and it would be helpful for us to have the following information from you for diagnostic purposes: the OS you are running (complete version information), the versions of Java and Moneydance you are running, and the drive you were saving your Moneydance file to. I certainly understand if you don't have the time to provide us with this information, and if you have time to do so in the future we would greatly appreciate it.
I sincerely apologize for the difficulty you have experienced, and if there is some way I can be of assistance I hope you will let me know.
Angie Rauscher
Moneydance Support
18 Posted by David Wood on 17 Oct, 2010 05:56 PM
Hi
I havent used the trash for a while so in my case it isnt this but i had two
seperate files both dissapeared, os is Ubuntu 10.04LTS; JAva 1.6.0_16 :
Moneydance 2010R3 (751) : SAved to Home /Woody/Documents on The Main Drive -
called Filesystem. I would certainly want this resolved as I now am using
old version of microsoft money on old pc as not sure about using it again at
the moment
On 17 October 2010 17:26, Angie Rauscher <
***@tenderapp.com<tender%***@tenderapp.com>
> wrote:
Support Staff 19 Posted by Angie Rauscher on 17 Oct, 2010 07:21 PM
David,
I will ask one of our Linux focused techs to take a look at this thread. One thing I would suggest is to update your Java version- the most recent is 1.6.0_21. I don't know if it has anything to do with the disappearing file issue, but it will help us rule out Java related issues. We'll get back to you with more info in a few days.
Thank you for your help looking into this issue,
Angie Rauscher
Moneydance Support