restore with attachments

stevefu

Has anyone tried restoring 1Password backup with attachments? I have several attachment files in a few security notes. My storage is on dropbox, and my backups are on my local machine. So far so good. Today I tried to restore from an old backup. All my attachments are gone when I open the restored 1Password Data Folder. Luckily I still have the current folder on dropbox.



But...shouldn't restore include all my attachments too? Any other answer does not make much sense. Help!



-Steve

[Deleted User]

Hello stevefu and welcome to the Forums!



I hate to just refer you to another thread, but one of AgileBits' resident experts on 1P4Windows explained the answer to your question much better than I could.



Please see his comments here: [url="http://forum.agile.ws/index.php?/topic/3973-import-backup-to-windows-without-attachments/page__view__findpost__p__22615"]Import backup to Windows without attachments[/url]



After reading, please let us know if you have additional questions.



Cheers!



Brandt

stevefu

Thanks Brandt,



But that really did not help. In fact I found new problems with export/import.



First what I wanted to do: backup my whole 1Password folder regularly (including login, secure notes, wallet, everything) and being able to restore them reliably. I don't think that is too much to ask. If that does not work, I risk losing some very sensitive data that I trust to keep with 1Password. Please don't tell me dropbox is perfect. Nothing is.



So I tried with the feature designed for this: backup and restore. But I found attachments were not restored. I was in panic. How can this not work?



You pointed me to use export/import in place of backup/restore. So my regular backup was useless? Now I can't restore an old backup I made one month ago? And I have to manually do export, instead of auto backup? I was very disappointed. Then I tried export/import. Now I found out it only take care of my login data. My wallet, secure notes are not exported/imported. How is that acceptable?



Help, guys. I like 1Password very much. But without reliable backup/restore, it is really missing a critical component. Please fix it before I lose all my secrete attachments.



-Steve

Stefan von Dutch

Attachments are included with backups. You might want to update to our latest beta version.

[Deleted User]

Steve,



My answer did not help you at all, because I completely misread what you were asking and directed you to a thread discussing [i]importing[/i] data vs. [i]restoring[/i] a current [i]backup[/i].



[b]Please forgive me[/b]. I think I had just answered four "import" questions, and my thoughts were blurring together.





Now, on to your actual issue:



As Stefan points out, your backups should include attachments. Using 1P's restore function, you should have access to all attachments that were included at the time of the specific backup you are restoring.



So, since I've already shown an ability to misread in this thread, I'd appreciate it if you would indulge me one more time.



Please reply with the exact steps you took to restore a backup that did not include your attachments. I want to be sure we are on the same page...so far, I've been the one in another book! <img src='http://forum.agile.ws/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />



Also, please let us know what version of 1Password and Windows that you are using.



We will figure out what is going on in your situation and resolve it. You are correct that reliable backup/restore functionality is critical.



Thanks for your patience.



Brandt



P.S. I am a Dropbox fan, but I do not think it's perfect. You hit it on the head when you said "Nothing is".

stevefu

Hi Brandt,



Thanks for understanding.



I might have a config that you did not expect, as these are such basic operations. I myself is in the SW/security industry. So this is not unexpected. I was obviously too frustrated by this. Sorry about giving you a hard time.



Anyway, I used 1Password on PC, Mac and iPhone. It is on my PC where I had this problem. I run Windows 7/64-bit, 1Password V 1.0.0.190 . My main 1Password folder is on dropbox, while I have regular auto backup to my local disk. I have never tried restore until two days ago. 1Password/Windows restored my folder to my local disk. After unlocking it, I found all my attachments are gone from my secure notes. I don't have attachments in other items (like Logins, etc) so I can't speak for those. Let me know if you can't repro the problem.



Separately I want you to test my export/import scenario too: I exported my whole folder, but after importing my PIF file, I only got my logins, no other items (secure notes, wallets, etc).



Look forward to hear back from you. Have a great weekend.

-Steve

[Deleted User]

Hey Steve,



Thanks for replying. I didn't feel that you were giving me a hard time. You just stated the obvious! Actually, I thought you held back a little. <img src='http://forum.agile.ws/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />



I appreciate the additional information regarding your system setup. I'm going to try to reproduce your issue, and will reply as soon as possible.





[quote]Separately I want you to test my export/import scenario too: I exported my whole folder, but after importing my PIF file, I only got my logins, no other items (secure notes, wallets, etc).[/quote]

Regarding your .1pif experience, 1Password currently imports only Logins. I know the dev team is looking at future upgrades to this functionality, but I do not have a time line.





I know this type of problem is frustrating for the typical end user, but with your experience in the industry, this must be [i][b]especially[/b][/i] frustrating for you.



Thanks for your patience so far. I promise we won't forget about you.



I hope you have a great weekend too. Hopefully, we'll have an answer for this riddle before it's over!



Brandt



Regarding your version of 1Password, did you mean 1.0.[b]5[/b].190? In addition, considering your experience level, would you consider testing your issue with the latest 1P4Windows Beta version?

One of AB's Windows experts, Stefan, mentioned it in his earlier post. Not sure if this situation would be affected by the change, but there have been several fixes and functionality upgrades. Your call.

stevefu

Yes my 1Password version is 1.0.5.190 . Sorry about the typo.



I can give a try with your beta version. Due to the nature of sensitive/important data, I try to stay with stable build only. I guess it won't hurt if I copy the folder as "backup" first. But where is the beta download? I could not find a link.



I have to say the limitation of export/import is interesting. I see you want to support exporting in text files so that the data can be used by other program. But what is the point of PIF? Anyone wants to transfer data from one machine to another (without dropbox) can use backup or just copy the whole folder. That is a bit pointless. Just an observation.



-Steve

[Deleted User]

Steve,



The easiest way to download the Beta version is to enable "include beta versions" here: File > Preferences > Updates. Then manually check for updates. An update box should pop up giving you the option to download and install.



Regarding the export/import limitation, the .1pif file was created at a time when there was only a Mac version of 1P. The Windows version came later, and there has been steady progress bringing feature parity with 1P for Mac. As I use 1P primarily on the Mac and my iOS devices, I certainly understand your observations. You are quite correct.



If you just want to populate your Windows version with your existing 1P for Mac data, the easiest way is to copy your Mac data file to Windows. AB's David Brown lists the steps in a separate thread:



[quote]



1. Launch 1Password for Mac, and look at the Data File field on the General tab of 1Password preferences to find the location and name of your 1Password data file on your Mac.



2. In the Mac's Finder application, locate that data file, and copy it from your Mac to your PC (where it will become a folder).



3. Make sure the name of that copied folder ends with .agilekeychain (for example, if it was named 1Password on your Mac, you'd change its name on the PC to 1Password.agilekeychain).



4. Launch 1Password for Windows, choose File > Open 1Password Data Folder, and choose the folder you just copied and renamed.

[/quote]



Of course, using this method only transfers the data. The data on your Mac and Windows versions will not be in sync once you make a change to either. That's where Dropbox is usually mentioned. (Don't worry, I won't type that word again! <img src='http://forum.agile.ws/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' />



However, your original issue regarded the loss of attachments when [i][b]restoring[/b][/i] from a [b][i]backup[/i][/b]. I'm still looking into that issue, but I wanted to reply to your observation first. Obviously, you have a keen understanding of what is going on, and I appreciate hearing your views. I always enjoy hearing from members like you. You have a lot to add.



Looks like we're spending our weekend in the same place! (no need tell me how sad that is! <img src='http://forum.agile.ws/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />)

stevefu

I upgraded to the latest beta and backup/restore appeared to work fine for me. Cross my fingers waiting for your next stable build.



Hey, I don't hate dropbox. They are great. But it would be foolish for me to bet on cloud as my single backup source of secrete materials.



Keep the good work with cross platform support. The more platforms/devices you support, the better chance you will grow your customer base. I abandoned other solution and moved to 1Password just for that reason. Nowadays, everyone has three+ devices. And I am hoping you come up with a Linux port soon (text mode only is fine.)



BTW, great customer support too. Keep it up.



-Steve

[Deleted User]

First off, I'm very happy to hear the Beta version solved your immediate problem! Getting your attachments back was the primary focus of this thread.



I was just kidding about the Dropbox comment. You never implied that Dropbox was bad...just that nothing was perfect. I agree with you wholeheartedly. Personally, i use Dropbox for device syncing, but I do not rely on Dropbox for secure backups.



I make daily backups on my Mac and Windows desktops, and I keep separate copies on USB drives stored safely in an actual steel vault. So, I believe we are on the same page. I certainly respect your pragmatic approach, and I am sure that one day you'll be proven right for not putting all your virtual eggs in one basket.



You are correct when you say that everyone has 3+ devices these days. Currently, I have 7: Mac, PC, iPad & iPad 2, iPod Touch, iPhone and an Android phone. Do I need all these toys right now? Of course not...but try prying them from my grip! Luckily, I can access my 1P data on all the devices, but not all platforms have achieved parity yet, so there is room to grow.



Regarding Linux, your desire has been brought up before: [url="http://forum.agile.ws/index.php?/topic/2846-suggestion-1password-for-linux/page__view__findpost__p__28732"]Suggestion: 1Password for Linux[/url] Granted, there is no promise for porting, but as Khad states we are getting closer than ever to the possibility. As more customers request the functionality, the opportunity to grow the customer base will likely guide the decision. You've just added your vote to the tally!



I appreciate the kind words regarding our customer service. Being in the software/security industry yourself, I am sure you know how important it is to make sure the user is not only confident in the technology, but also happy with the UI. That is why your previous frustrations will bear fruit for AgileBits' future customers.



Thanks again for your patience and your willingness to work with me on this issue. Had it not been for WWDC, you probably would have received the correct response on the first reply...actually, Stefan gave you the correct answer in his first post!....However, I would not have had the opportunity to discuss the issue with you, so I'm glad it happened that way. Hopefully, you do too.



Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Hope to see you around the forums.



Brandt

Stefan von Dutch

[quote name='stevefu' timestamp='1307823978' post='28997']

it would be foolish for me to bet on cloud as my single backup source of secrete materials.

[/quote]



This is why we have automated backups. Dropbox is not a backup solution - it is about syncing your stuff across multiple devices.