Fields going blank

[sicamore]

Hi Folks,

We are having a number of problems with project file fields just going
blank. Sometimes it still retains information from the particular
task and the name just goes blank, sometimes more fields disappear.

We are running Microsoft Project 2003 SP2 with a master plan and about
30 sub project schedules. All sub projects are connected to a
single resource pool file. The issue occurs about once a week to any
random sub project and an archive has to be used. Sometimes, when the
issue occurs the schedule in question is unable to save the file due to
an error:

The file cannot be opened.
. Check that the file name and path are correct.
. Check that the file format is recognized by Project.

Again, the project apps are all SP2.

Anybody have any idea what is going on? I've already tried solving the
problem for a couple of weeks to no avail!

an example of the issue can be found at:
http://www.blue-dunes.com/temp/project.jpg

Thanks! - Shaun

 

[JulieS]

HI Shaun,

It sounds as though there may be some corruption that has been
introduced into the pool file, possibly through the sub project files
being copied, moved, renamed, or deleted without first disconnecting
the sub project file from the pool.

Have you opened the Resource pool file lately and done a check on what
files are connected to the pool? Open the Resource pool file and go to
Tools > Resource Sharing > Share Resource to see what files are
connected.

I hope this helps. Let us know how you get along.

Julie

 

[Shaun Munro]

Thanks, Julie, yes all files were removed from the pool and
re-attached with no further effect. We've now removed the pool for a
period to see if that will help with the issue.

As far as I know, none of the files however should have been removed in
the first place. We do make backups of the sub-project files though.
Do you think that effects the project pool somehow.

like dancing on petals a bit isn't it with project . . . ;-0

shaun

 

[JulieS]

Hi Shaun,

You're welcome Shaun and thanks for the feedback.

Yes, working with Resource Pools in project can be a bit challenging
.

Depending upon what you man by "backups" of the sub project files that
could explain the problems you were seeing. When you save a subproject
file attached to the pool through File > Save As and rename the file,
both the original project file and the new project file are still
attached to the pool. If you want to maintain the links properly, you
will need to open the subproject file and the pool file (read-write) and
detach one of the copies of the file through Tools > Resource Sharing >
Share resources, use own. Save and close both the pool and the
subproject file.

I hope this helps.

Julie