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Only partial file is uploading

I'm having trouble uploading a file that I've successfully uploaded numerous times before. It's loading about 20%, then stops. I've tried repeatedly and it does the exact same thing again and again. Since this is a file I need to share with someone else so he can complete his tasks, I'm at a loss on what to do. I've turned off my computer, turned off the router, restarted everything, nothing seems to be working. Any other suggestions?

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Walter

Hey @Gustynpip, sorry to jump in here.

Your browser is the web browser you're using to access internet pages etc. For example, I'm using Google Chrome at the moment. You can see more information on how to troubleshoot issues with your web browser here.

If you're using the desktop app to do this by updating the file within your Dropbox folder, note that the pattern you follow needs to be:

1. Let files sync
2. Start application
3. Save files
4. Quit application
5. Repeat on different computers.

Most programs create a "file lock" on any file that they are using, and this lock will prevent Dropbox from syncing the file. In some cases you must fully quit the application before Dropbox can sync the data. You must then make sure Dropbox has finished syncing before trying to access the file from any computer.

If you are sharing the data between computers you must NOT run the application on more than one computer at a time as you will probably generate file conflicts and other problems.

This is why we recommend that people do not sync live databases like Quickbooks with Dropbox. Most databases have remote access methods anyway, so you don't need to sync the live database. You can sync saved snapshots, however, with no issues.

I hope this helps!

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Hannah

Hey @Gustynpip, thanks for bringing this to our attention.

Are you using our website, the mobile app or the desktop app to upload this file?

How large is the file you're trying to upload in size?

If you're using the website, can you also try from a different browser or a private browsing window, to see if that helps?

Keep me posted.

Gustynpip

I'm using my laptop, which is the same one I've used for the last year or more and upload this file once a week. It's a Quickbooks file - not really sure of the size. I had trouble loading it last week, had to try a half dozen times, but it did finally upload. This week, I've tried dozens of times and it stops at the exact same point every time.

I'm not tech savvy, by any stretch, so just pretty much know how to do what I do, so when it doesn't work, I'm a bit lost.

Hannah

Thanks for the update, @Gustynpip, but would you mind clarifying how you're uploading this file to Dropbox?

Gustynpip

I back up Quickbooks on a file on my laptop, then upload that file into Dropbox. My coworker can then download that onto a file on his computer, then restore that file onto his version of Quickbooks. That allows him to enter the deposits that are his responsibility, then he saves that to a file, uploads it into Dropbox, I then download it onto a file on my computer, restore it into Quickbooks and pay the bills, etc. So we just switch it back and forth with the updates each week, so we both have a copy of Quickbooks that the other did the previous week.

Megan

Hi @Gustynpip, you mentioned that it loads 20% and then it stops.

Is it safe to assume you're using your browser in order to achieve that? If this is what you do, can you also try using a different browser to upload the files?

The other way would be for you to take your Quickbooks, and add them into your Dropbox folder locally, so the app can sync the changes online. Can you clarify which way you're choosing?

Also, do you see any errors when the upload fails?

Gustynpip

This is embarrassing to say, but I'm not certain what browser I'm using - I guess just what's on my laptop. And I don't know how to switch browsers. Or even if I can on the same laptop?

We're not doing it where Quickbooks syncs online. I don't know why. The system I'm using was set up by those paying the bills previously (and they might have been less tech savvy than even me, if that's possible), and I've just continued what they did.

About 1 time out of 6 tries, I get a message saying that my internet connection failed. It's still working for everything else when that happens, though, so I don't think it's the internet.

Walter

Hey @Gustynpip, sorry to jump in here.

If you're using the desktop app to do this by updating the file within your Dropbox folder, note that the pattern you follow needs to be:

1. Let files sync
2. Start application
3. Save files
4. Quit application
5. Repeat on different computers.

If you are sharing the data between computers you must NOT run the application on more than one computer at a time as you will probably generate file conflicts and other problems.

I hope this helps!