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    Resolve a Missing or Duplicate .bzvol Error
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      Resolve a Missing or Duplicate .bzvol Error

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        When you select a drive for a backup, Backblaze Computer Backup creates a unique hidden folder called .bzvol at the root of each hard drive that you back up. Then a bzvol_id.xml file is created inside of that folder. This file helps identify the drives that are included in the backup. If this file is damaged or missing, it can cause errors or your data may be deleted.

        Cloning a drive that is selected for backup can also cause the .bzvol file to be cloned. Having two different drives with the same .bzvol ID confuses the Backblaze client. If you do clone your drives, you should exclude the .bzvol file from your cloning software and also remove the .bzvol file from the cloned drive. 

        Remove a .bzvol File (Mac)

        1. Open Finder.
        2. Press Shift + Command + . to reveal hidden files.
        3. Open the root of the drive in Finder.
        4. Select any instances of .bzvol, and move them to the trash.

        Remove a .bzvol File (Windows)

        1. Open File Explorer.
        2. In the View options, enable Show Hidden Items.
        3. Open the root of the drive in File Explorer.
        4. Delete any instances of .bzvol.

        Resolve a Duplicate .bzvol File

        A connected drive that does not have a .bzvol file but has a name matching that of a currently selected drive may result in a missing .bzvol notification. In this case, you must reselect the original drive for backup.

        1. Ensure that all of the external drives that are selected for backup are connected to your computer.
        2. Restart your computer.
        3. Within five minutes of starting your computer, open Backblaze system preferences.
        4. Click Settings.
        5. In the list of hard drives to back up, select the drive in question (even if that drive is listed as "unplugged"). If there are duplicate entries for the same drive, select all of them.
        6. If Backblaze alerts you that one drive will replace the other, click OK.
          Replacing the old drive does not affect backed-up data because your files go through a process called deduplication.
        7. Click OK to accept the changes.
        8. Restart your computer and allow it to run for at least four hours.
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