Roaming Profiles - Inconsistent roaming profile replication to ser

In Active Directory, we've had roaming profiles set up to replicate down to
the user's Profile Path (\\server\user\profile) for years, but it doesn't
always replicate the profile down when we want it to. I'm wondering what
triggers the workstation (Windows XP) to replicate the profile from the local
workstation to the server.

For example, when we upgrade a user to a new computer, I want to make sure
when I log on to the new computer that it brings in the most up to date user
profile. So, I'll log the user off of his old computer, make sure the server
profile updates, and then log him on to the new computer. However, sometimes
the profile doesn't update when I log the user off of his old computer.
Occasionally shutting the workstation down triggers the profile replication
to happen, but other times it takes 6 or 7 restarts before Windows XP will
finally update the network profile.

Is there a consistent way to make Windows replicate the profile down to the
Profile Path. It just seems like it randomly decides when it wants to
updates the server profile.

Thanks.

"Davidi" <Davidi@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:2DD88C6D-F032-4D75-8A28-A82729787407@microsoft.com...
> In Active Directory, we've had roaming profiles set up to replicate down
> to
> the user's Profile Path (\\server\user\profile) for years, but it doesn't
> always replicate the profile down when we want it to. I'm wondering what
> triggers the workstation (Windows XP) to replicate the profile from the
> local
> workstation to the server.
>
> For example, when we upgrade a user to a new computer, I want to make sure
> when I log on to the new computer that it brings in the most up to date
> user
> profile. So, I'll log the user off of his old computer, make sure the
> server
> profile updates, and then log him on to the new computer. However,
> sometimes
> the profile doesn't update when I log the user off of his old computer.
> Occasionally shutting the workstation down triggers the profile
> replication
> to happen, but other times it takes 6 or 7 restarts before Windows XP will
> finally update the network profile.
>
> Is there a consistent way to make Windows replicate the profile down to
> the
> Profile Path. It just seems like it randomly decides when it wants to
> updates the server profile.
>
> Thanks.
>
>

There are a number of reasons this could be happening, from incorrect DNS
settings, errors on the file server, DCs, workstations, etc, so it is
difficult to ascertain with the information provided.

However, if I may recommend the use of Folder Redirection and eliminate the
use of profiles. Using Folder Redirection for the My Docs, App data, Start
Menu and Desktop, a user will get their data no matter where they login.
Enabling Offline Files as well, will provide an additional performance
increase on the user side, as well as the ability to take machines off-site
(such as laptops) and the folks will have their data no matter where they
are.

Recommendations for Folder Redirection: Group Policy
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../cc785925.aspx

Folder Redirection feature in Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/232692

How To Configure Folder RedirectionAug 22, 2007 ... How to use Group Policy
to redirect the "Desktop", "My Documents", "Start Menu" and "Application
Data" folders.
http://www.msterminalservices.org/ar...direction.html

--
Ace

This posting is provided "AS-IS" with no warranties or guarantees and
confers no rights.

Ace Fekay, MCSE 2003 & 2000, MCSA 2003 & 2000, MCT
Microsoft Certified Trainer

For urgent issues, you may want to contact Microsoft PSS directly. Please
check http://support.microsoft.com for regional support phone numbers.