Perhaps someone can help me. I have created a site using VSD and made a back up disc by using the "save as" and sending it to my CD burner. I wanted to make sure everything would work if I needed to open form the disc and when I loded the back up disc there are two files. One is the .VNU file and the other says HydroBlue website-website file folder. HydroBlue is my site name.

I tried opening it with the HydroBlue website file folder and it doesn't open. Then I tried the .VNU folder and it opens but the pictures do not load with it. I get a message saying "files not found". When I go into the HydroBlue website folder there is a file simply labeled "files". If I open this file all my pictures and images are there.

Why do I get the files not found message if in fact all the images are in the "files" folder? And more importantly, how do I reestore my site from the backup disc if the time comes? Can anyone help?

Hi Poolman,
I'll take a crack at it.
when you originally made your website, you were using the programs default location in MyDocuments. VSD make a log of where all the images were, the swf's anything you have, and if they are not located where you originally made your site then you will get this error. So in short you'll need to place your website folder in My Documents, (if thats where you had it) your VNU as well but outside the website folder. Then as the errors pop up saying it can't find them, then you just need to click the browse button and locate them in your website folder. I believe you should see, (maybe not) a db_vsd_website.php file which will tell you where everything was, if you do not have this file then I would suggest downloading it and save it as well, I don't know if this file is strictly for the server or not.
Hope I explained well enough.

Hey Bruzer,

OK, well I was trying the backup disc on my wifes computer (forgot to mention that, we also have VSD loaded on there too) because I wanted to make sure the back up disc would open on another computer with VSD in case mine crashed. On my computer I can restore the website from the >VNU folder no problem, all the images are there and evrything. On hers, it opens but can't find the images. Why can it find on mine but not hers if using the same back up disc. How can I fix things to where we know there will be no problem if we need to restore from disc on her computer?

It was made on yours Poolman, she will need to have the same exact placement as on your comp. you know the website folder in my docs, the images where they were etc;
if your comps were exactly the same set up should be no problems..

Poolman I believe you can place your site on her comp, (on the desktop) open VSD, and locate the images or files it looks for in the website folder, and resave it on her comp, then you'll have a copy of yours and hers.
A bit time consuming tho!

Oh i'm sorry,
another way to save is load your VNU file on your server after every update you make (change) so you'll always have a copy of your site as well

I think I am confused as I can see that the "files" folder located in the _website folder are the images the program is using since they can be opened and viewed. Why does the program need to still find them in My Pictures? I am an idiot so forgive my ignorance.

Also I stupidly went back and renamed some of my photos after the fact and now I have an issue there as well.

If I delete the images from My Pictures,will the images not show up even though they are stored in the "files" folder?

Hi Poolman,
I'm sorry if I'm not explaining it correctly so please bare with me.
The reason that VSD is looking for the images in My Pictures I believe is because originally those images were in the My Pictures folder when you made your website, as I mentioned before VSD makes a log file of everything you do to your website whether it be removing or adding to. It logs it's location and keeps it. So when you make a website in VSD , if you move, rename or add it updates that log file. Same with the log file on your server.
This has caused you to see an error message stating it cannot locate that image if you renamed and or moved you will most likely need to re-point the location of that image until you have them all found.
If you delete the images from My Pictures you will again get an error asking where they are, however you may overcome this by pointing back into your files folder, any error you recieve you must re-find that image when the window pops up asking for it, or it will place a colored square object in it's place. this is all due to the fact of the log file.

here's an example of what I mean. If i were to use an image located in My Pictures folder, and then take out later and move it to say images, I will get an error say it cannot be located as you have, so now I must browse for that image in images so it will correct itself in VSD., once you make a website it's best to make sure you will never move them or you will come across this problem agagin and again. to be continued:

Well what good does backing up on disc do if my computer crashes or I buy a new computer and I try to reload the website and it tells me it can't find the images?

Well it's just a matter of putting everything in the same order as it was originally made. I back up mine by placing the vnu file on my server, then when I need it, I download everything including the php log file cause that tells me where everything was, and I make those folders and I'm good to go.
It's really simple but maybe I'm just not explaining it right Poolman. I'm sorry.
I also have a flash back up as well

Where do I find the .php log file?