Version 5 backup project folder

Ian_Haynes · Post by **Ian_Haynes** » 02 Apr 2012 20:49

I have tried to produce backups of my projects - the small option works OK [gedcom only] but medium and large options do not work on some of my projects. Small project folders do work but it seems that there is a limit on the maximum size of the folder that can be zipped.
When it fails I do not get any message within FH but the zipped file cannot be opened. Checking on the properties of the zipped file the ones that fail show a size of exactly 2GB. This is far less than the folder I am trying to zip.
Double clicking on the zipped file states : Cannot open file it does not appear to be a valid archive.
Have other users experienced this with large collections of data?
If other users do not have this as an issue I will make direct contact with Calico and seek advice.

ID:6095

Post by **tatewise** » 02 Apr 2012 20:52

Presumably your Hard Disk is not running out of space?

Ian_Haynes · Post by **Ian_Haynes** » 02 Apr 2012 20:56

I can zip the folder directly with winzip and it shows itself to be 7.8 GB. Still got 300 Gb spare on drive. What I am asking is if others have tried to use the zipping process for large folders [over 2gb] and have found it to fail/work.

BillH · Post by **BillH** » 02 Apr 2012 21:01

Worked fine for me just now. My backup zip file using the medium setting is 798 MB.

Bill

Seabreeze · Post by **Seabreeze** » 03 Apr 2012 00:34

I am having the same problems as described by Ian. My file is approx 5GB and I am backing up to a NAS - so no problems regarding space. Would appreciate a resolution.

sdl180 · Post by **sdl180** » 03 Apr 2012 08:05

From memory, windows has a problem zipping files over 2GB, using the standard 'send to compressed (zipped) folder' functionality. For larger files, WinZIP works well. I assume the backup must use the standard windows method.

Steve

TimTreeby · Post by **TimTreeby** » 03 Apr 2012 08:49

Yes windows does have a problem with large compressed folders, may only be with XP. see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/301325 .

'When you create a compressed folder (ZIP file) that is larger than 2 gigabytes (GB), the file may no longer be readable, and may become corrupted. You do not receive any error message when you create the file, but you cannot read the file after you create it.

Note In Windows Vista and in Windows Server 2008, compressed folders can be larger than 2 GB. The folders are compressed by the DEFLATE64 algorithm. However, the DEFLATE64 algorithm is not backward compatible with earlier versions of Microsoft Windows.'

Although should be fine with Vista and presumably Windows 7.

Ian_Haynes · Post by **Ian_Haynes** » 03 Apr 2012 09:51

Thanks for all replies showing that it is not just an issue that I am experiencing. I have winzip version 9 on my computer and this does zip the project folder with a size of 7.8GB when used as a stand alone.
So it must be the method that Family Historian is using to zip this folder. I have now contacted Calico direct and they have forwarded it to their developers for review.

Family Historian User Group