How to create and use a backup of your WeatherCat preferences file

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(Created page with "==Why do I need a backup copy of my preferences file?== It is a good idea to create a backup copy of your WeatherCat preferences file. This file can become corrupt and the onl...")
 
m (How do I replace my corrupted preferences file with my backup copy.: Add reminder to make a new backup copy after using the old one)
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==Why do I need a backup copy of my preferences file?==
 
==Why do I need a backup copy of my preferences file?==
It is a good idea to create a backup copy of your WeatherCat preferences file. This file can become corrupt and the only solution is to delete it and recreate a new one. The problem with this is that you have to re-enter all of your preferences from scratch. It is much easier to make a copy of your functioning preferences file so that if you have to create a fresh file, you can simple delete your old one and replace it with the backup copy.
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It is a good idea to create a backup copy of your main WeatherCat preferences file (weathercat.plist). This file can become corrupt and the only solution is to delete it and recreate a new one. The problem with this is that you have to re-enter all of your preferences from scratch. It is much easier to make a copy of your functioning preferences file so that if you have to create a fresh file, you can simple delete your old one and replace it with the backup copy. Please note that there are several plist files in WeatherCat. This entry only addresses the main preferences file as it is the only one to date that has become corrupt and required first aid.
  
 
==Where is my WeatherCat preferences file located?==
 
==Where is my WeatherCat preferences file located?==
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# Start WeatherCat
 
# Start WeatherCat
  
Step 4. above assumes you left your backup copy in the same directory as your original. If this is not the case, you have to move your backup copy from wherever you keep it to the ~/Library/Preferences/ folder.
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Step 4. above assumes you left your backup copy in the same directory as your original and assumes the name of your backup copy is "com.trrixology.weathercat copy.plist". If this is not the case, you have to move your backup copy from wherever you keep it to the ~/Library/Preferences/ folder and make sure the backup copy is now named "com.trixology.weathercat.plist".
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DO NOT FORGET to make a new copy of your plist folder to use as your new backup file for next time.
  
 
==Why do I have to empty the trash and restart my Mac? Why can't I just replace the plist file and restart WeatherCat?==
 
==Why do I have to empty the trash and restart my Mac? Why can't I just replace the plist file and restart WeatherCat?==
 
Dream on. Just because this used to work, does not mean you can get away with it now. Due to the automatic caching feature in recent versions of macOs, you have to restart your Mac in order to flush the old plist file from the cache. If you do not restart the Mac, your old plist file will be moved into place from the cache and you will still be using the old plist file even though you replaced it with a new one. Restarting your Mac permanently eliminates the old plist file.
 
Dream on. Just because this used to work, does not mean you can get away with it now. Due to the automatic caching feature in recent versions of macOs, you have to restart your Mac in order to flush the old plist file from the cache. If you do not restart the Mac, your old plist file will be moved into place from the cache and you will still be using the old plist file even though you replaced it with a new one. Restarting your Mac permanently eliminates the old plist file.

Revision as of 01:29, 27 August 2019

Contents

Why do I need a backup copy of my preferences file?

It is a good idea to create a backup copy of your main WeatherCat preferences file (weathercat.plist). This file can become corrupt and the only solution is to delete it and recreate a new one. The problem with this is that you have to re-enter all of your preferences from scratch. It is much easier to make a copy of your functioning preferences file so that if you have to create a fresh file, you can simple delete your old one and replace it with the backup copy. Please note that there are several plist files in WeatherCat. This entry only addresses the main preferences file as it is the only one to date that has become corrupt and required first aid.

Where is my WeatherCat preferences file located?

Your WeatherCat preferences file is located in your home folder:

~/Library/Preferences/com.trixology.weathercat.plist

where the ~ is a substitute for the actual name of your home folder on your Mac. Keep in mind that OS X has been hiding the Library folder by default since OS X 10.7. In recent versions of macOS use the following procedure to quickly go to your home directory:

  1. Open Finder
  2. Select the Go pulldown menu
  3. Select Home

How do I create a backup of the file?

Select the com.trixology.weathercat.plist file with a single click, then right click on the file and select Duplicate. This creates a file called com.trixology.weathercat copy.plist. You may either leave this file as is, or move it to another folder of your choice.

What if I change one of the preferences in WeatherCat?

If you change one of the preferences in WeatherCat, you need to delete your backup copy and make a new backup copy. Otherwise, your backup copy will not reflect the same settings as your current WeatherCat setup.

How do I know if I need to replace my WeatherCat preferences file?

There are a few different manifestations of a corrupt preference file, including the following: If you are trying to edit your preferences and you are unable to make a change in one of the settings, your plist file has become corrupt. If you reset your console and can no longer connect to it from WeatherCat your plist file may have been corrupted.

How do I replace my corrupted preferences file with my backup copy.

If you need to replace your old preferences file with a new one, follow this procedure:

  1. Quit WeatherCat
  2. Move com.trixology.weathercat.plist to the trash
  3. Empty the trash
  4. Rename com.trixology.weathercat copy.plist to com.trixology.weathercat.plist
  5. Restart your Mac
  6. Start WeatherCat

Step 4. above assumes you left your backup copy in the same directory as your original and assumes the name of your backup copy is "com.trrixology.weathercat copy.plist". If this is not the case, you have to move your backup copy from wherever you keep it to the ~/Library/Preferences/ folder and make sure the backup copy is now named "com.trixology.weathercat.plist".

DO NOT FORGET to make a new copy of your plist folder to use as your new backup file for next time.

Why do I have to empty the trash and restart my Mac? Why can't I just replace the plist file and restart WeatherCat?

Dream on. Just because this used to work, does not mean you can get away with it now. Due to the automatic caching feature in recent versions of macOs, you have to restart your Mac in order to flush the old plist file from the cache. If you do not restart the Mac, your old plist file will be moved into place from the cache and you will still be using the old plist file even though you replaced it with a new one. Restarting your Mac permanently eliminates the old plist file.

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