Purging the server acatalog folder

[Laurie Sedman]

Possibly a question that has been asked a few times, but I'm new to the forum so forgive me.

I recently had network connection issues which resulted in the catalogue being loaded into the cgi-bin, don't ask....

I was eventually able to resolve these issues, remove acatalog from the cgi-bin and upload to the root of the server again. To do this however I had to use an oldish back up copy which connected to my server but which contained files that were no longer appropriate.

Since then we started to recieve orders for product that weren't on the current catalogue (they came from the old back-up) so I ran a complete refresh which hasn't resolved the issue.

I have just checked in the server root directory and in there are hundred's of old files and images. It seems, as I've always suspected, that the Purge element of the uploading procedure doesn't remove all unneeded files. Because of the above I need them removed because it is getting embarrassing receiving orders for items no longer available.

So, without deleting the acatalog folder from the root directory of my server (which will take ages) and then uploading the catalogue again (this will take 5-6 hours even with broadband, as our catalogue is huge). Is there another way to purge my server of all the unneccary files and images as there seems to be in version 7.

Thanks for any help and my apologies for such a long intro....

[I-CC]

Actinic can only remove files that it knows about from its own database, so in effect if somehow the files have been uploaded and Actinic was then re-installed, then it will not be able to delete any files which it has not uploaded since the new install..

The only way would be to manually delete the files which should not be there anymore, but this sounds like from your example of size, like looking for a needle in a haystack probably.

Think you may need to bite the bullet, delete the content of the acatalog folder complete and then do a web | refresh started just before you go to bed one night maybe

[Laurie Sedman]

I didn't want that reply, but I suspected that was the only way.

I have manually removed some of the obvious needles that jumped out at me, but there are image files there that have not been used for 2 years!

[I-CC]

If your FTP software can sort the destination folder (acatalog) by Date order, then this might make things a bit easier

But that is assumming that anything over a certain age or date range is no longer used - so still suggest caution when bulk selecting, but maybe a quicker solution.

[Laurie Sedman]

Thanks again.

Having received your reply I was convinced it was the only way. So, I bit the bullet, deleting took 5 1/2 hours then a refresh. Got to bed at 3.30am leaving the computer to complete the refresh. Computers eh!!!!

[I-CC]

If only they (the ADSL providers) would provide equal upstream and downstream for those that want it (and most likely willing to pay for it), then it would make life so much easier and quicker It may be great having 1/2Mbps down streams, but an upstream of 128/256kbps is a nitemare for the larger Actinic site operator hey.