Google backup and sync and CQC

[kfly]

Dean,
Quick question. After waiting years google finally released the new google drive(Google backup and sync) that allows backing up files automatically that are not in the google drive path(yea).
It is a great way for me to automatically backup my CQC files with a 30 day history. 

I use it to backup my Bin and CQCData directories but everytime I upgrade CQC I need to re-setup Google backup and sync for those directories even though the directory name is the same.

My question(and no need to look into on your end to fix).
How does the CQC installer put files into "Bin" and "CQCData" when upgrading?  Do you rename/move directory then re-create and populate the directory? Or just install over current location?
Before I send email off to google wanted to understand a little more how the CQC installer does the files upgrade.
Thanks again
Kevin

[Dean Roddey]

There's a very careful dance that happens, so that it is absolutely sure it doesn't mess with the current installation until it knows everything has installed correctly, and of course it keeps the old info intact in case you want to put it back.

So it first creates two temp directories and does the install into those. Then it renames the current ones to the save names and renames the temp ones to the new. Before it attempts to do anything it does a test rename and back of both directories, to make sure that they are not locked by something.

My guess is that they are writing something into the directories, which is not a good thing. They should keep their own configuration somewhere else. They are probably creating some hidden directory or file or some such thing. When I create the new ones, their files would go with the old stuff and they'd think that the new current ones are ones they haven't seen yet. It's bad strategy on their part. They shouldn't be putting their own stuff into everyone else's directories.

[kfly]

There's a very careful dance that happens, so that it is absolutely sure it doesn't mess with the current installation until it knows everything has installed correctly, and of course it keeps the old info intact in case you want to put it back.

So it first creates two temp directories and does the install into those. Then it renames the current ones to the save names and renames the temp ones to the new. Before it attempts to do anything it does a test rename and back of both directories, to make sure that they are not locked by something.

My guess is that they are writing something into the directories, which is not a good thing. They should keep their own configuration somewhere else. They are probably creating some hidden directory or file or some such thing. When I create the new ones, their files would go with the old stuff and they'd think that the new current ones are ones they haven't seen yet. It's bad strategy on their part. They shouldn't be putting their own stuff into everyone else's directories.

You called it.. Looks like google puts a ".tmp.drivedownload" hidden file in the directory(arrggg). Do you leave the root "CQC" directly in place and just move around the sub directory? or is that involved in the "dance" .

[Dean Roddey]

Only the Bin and CQCData directories are affected. But, if you do the root you'll get two copies, the current and last replaced, so it'll be twice the data, unless they allow for selective sub-directories or something.

Also be careful about letting anything poke around in the data directories of active programs. They could possibly cause issues. And unless you stop the services you aren't really guaranteed to get a coherent image that will work when replaced.

[kfly]

Only the Bin and CQCData directories are affected. But, if you do the root you'll get two copies, the current and last replaced, so it'll be twice the data, unless they allow for selective sub-directories or something.

Also be careful about letting anything poke around in the data directories of active programs. They could possibly cause issues. And unless you stop the services you aren't really guaranteed to get a coherent image that will work when replaced.

Thanks Dean,  Google is cheap space so will test doing the entire CQC directory.