Offline files not available offline

If you navigate to the network location for the documents (so the redirected location) directly (instead of just double-clicking 'Documents' on the client), do the files and folders there show as being available offline also?

You could also try resetting the offline files cache on the client itself, and then allow it to resync with the network location (though this isn't a good idea of the client offline cache is more 'up to date' than the network location...

It explains how here, and says that the same works for Win7 - http://www.johnrpattison.com/blog/how-to-reset-offline-files-in-windows-vista/

Let me know?

Pete

Hello, you asked "If you navigate to the network location for the documents (so the redirected location) directly (instead of just double-clicking 'Documents' on the client), do the files and folders there show as being available offline also?"
The answer is yes it does. The Desktop folder does not present the "Always available offline" option. If I create a folder in Windows 7 C:\Users\Username\Documents and copy My Documents from the server "D:\Users\RedirectedFolders\Username\My Documents" into this folder? Will this make it available offline?

Nope afraid not. Besides, it still needs to sync which isn't happening at the moment...

The way it's sounding to me, is that offline files is set up correctly - The online copy is fine and on the server etc, but the offline copy isn't being used when the user is offline - It's just reverting back to C:\Users\<username>\Documents as opposed to the offline cache.

I would advise resetting the cache using the link I posted above (do this on the Win7 client). Once it's been reinitialized on the client, force it to try and sync (you can do this by right-clicking and just select 'Synchronise')

Once the initial sync has been completed, pull the cable out, and see if you can still see the correct files there?

I tried to synchronize the offline folders but I still don't get anything. With the notbook disconnected from the network the Documents and Music Folders are empty. Any Desktop icons need to be us \Users\Public to show up.

I am puzzled. This isn't supposed to be rocket science. Can I change the system to automatically synchronize but not to have a roaming profile? My user who is the company owner also has a part time position that requires a lot of PowerPoint and Music. He needs it backed up and needs it on his laptop.

Though I'd rather get to the bottom of the actual problem, as you asked: No you don't need a roaming profile at all - Offline files on it's own should do the trick. We use local profiles, but just have a home drive mapped by log on script, and we just tell all users to save all their work to the home drive. Then, offline files is enabled for each users home drive, so that when they access the drive letter offline, all their stuff is still there.

Did you actually try resetting the offline files cache on the Win7 client? I'm beginning to suspect some sort of misconfig between the roaming profile settings and offline files, but resetting the cache is a quick n easy thing to try. The problem clearly seems to be that the client is simply not reverting to the offline cache when not on the network (either through a misconfig somewhere, or that the offline cache is corrupt or something).

That's definitely where I'd start!

I tried resetting the cache. With the Network disconnected the Desktop, Documents and Music Directories under C:\Users\{UserName} don't exist.

I am going to accept your last comment and close the question. I am going on vacation tomorrow. If I still have problems,I wiull open a new question upon my return.

Accepting comment as much testing is required and I am out of the office for 2 weeks. Thanks for your help!