Curious problem saving to usb drive
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Hi:
I am not sure that this is a Sketchup problem, or a hardware problem.
I usually save models in progress on a usb portable drive.
Yesterday, I tried to save my work and an error window said "Can't access E:\2.skb"
I also noted that autosave was spawning a series of skb's on my desktop. They were numbered 0,1,2,3,4. I think this means that autosave couldn't access this E drive.
When I explore the drive, all the content is there.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
mitcorb -
My general advice, from bitter experience (with old floppies, though) is: Never open or save files directly from a detachable media.
The main reason is that applications tend to create temporary files or just write their temporary data alongside the open file, so the temp space requirement is often many times bigger than the file itself. Now if the disk is filled, or becomes inaccessible, or the app crashes, the risk for losing or corrupting data is much bigger.
Also, this continuous writing and erasing taxes the media. Flash devices, like USB sticks, are not eternal, and usually are guaranteed to work for only a limited number (in thousands, though) of read/write operations.
So I would recommend that while working, save your file on the local drive (like on the desktop) and copy it to your USB stick only after finishing with it.
Just my opinions
Anssi
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@mitcorb said:
Hi:
I am not sure that this is a Sketchup problem, or a hardware problem.
I usually save models in progress on a usb portable drive.
Yesterday, I tried to save my work and an error window said "Can't access E:\2.skb"
I also noted that autosave was spawning a series of skb's on my desktop. They were numbered 0,1,2,3,4. I think this means that autosave couldn't access this E drive.
When I explore the drive, all the content is there.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
mitcorbMitcorb FYI
You did not state what SU version you were using, they may act differently I don't know. For my Su 7.0+ it behaves this way:- Form a previously saved file when you open you will have a xxxxxx.skp and xxxxxx.skb file on your system( If you had create backup selected). As you work auto save will create a file (s) auto_save xxxxxxx.skp and no backup even though you have it selected and will continue as such auto_save auto_save xxxxxx.skp. I did not run test beyond two so don't know how long this goes till file name length kicks in. If you now close your file normally those auto saves are deleted and a new xxxxxx.skb is created along with the xxxxxxx.skp file. If you have a crash, I simulated by hitting the reset, you will have the the auto save file left and will loose data for only the trigger interval. For my Xp Pro sp3 I cannot open an xxxx.skb file ( click) until I associate that file extension with SU or drag / open with. you might check that and see if its a problem for you. My guess you were using SU6+ because of the multplie file names. I ran the above test because I preceived ( no test) SU6 was previously giving me problems in this area so just turned auto save off and made sure I did saves per good practice
Just some info for you
- Form a previously saved file when you open you will have a xxxxxx.skp and xxxxxx.skb file on your system( If you had create backup selected). As you work auto save will create a file (s) auto_save xxxxxxx.skp and no backup even though you have it selected and will continue as such auto_save auto_save xxxxxx.skp. I did not run test beyond two so don't know how long this goes till file name length kicks in. If you now close your file normally those auto saves are deleted and a new xxxxxx.skb is created along with the xxxxxxx.skp file. If you have a crash, I simulated by hitting the reset, you will have the the auto save file left and will loose data for only the trigger interval. For my Xp Pro sp3 I cannot open an xxxx.skb file ( click) until I associate that file extension with SU or drag / open with. you might check that and see if its a problem for you. My guess you were using SU6+ because of the multplie file names. I ran the above test because I preceived ( no test) SU6 was previously giving me problems in this area so just turned auto save off and made sure I did saves per good practice
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Mitcorb
If I can give you my experience, don't save directly to USB unless your file is small.
Saving a 20mb file takes about 5 minutes directly to USB.- last lacie creditcard usb 20Go hard disk got an electrical connection problem between disk and in-between system
- last esata usb "ram" 32Gb hard disk collapsed when pluging out without logical procedure
Anssi advice is good.
Marc
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@Anssi:
Yes, you are right about the limitations of the hardware for in/out transactions, not to mention the physical plugging in and out.
Thank you for your comments.@mac1:
Yes, I understand the skp/skb file structure. skb is the backup file, and is used by SU to retrieve work after a crash. I do not believe that the version of SU is part of the issue for this thread.
I mostly use the last version of SU6, because I have free version at home and Pro version at work.
Since I do not have SU7 pro, I do not do as much in that version, so Dynamic Components do not exist for me, nor does the new Collada export, which replaces the dxf/dwg export. And, of course, Layout is not part of my workflow--currently.I do understand and appreciate the GoogleSU policy about promoting newest versions, however, expounding on this is probably for another thread.
Thanks to all who responded,
mitcorb
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