How can I completely reset home syncing?

Question

Portable Home Directories remains unreliable and buggy for me. I have a Mac mini server and two client machines: an iMac 2010 and a MBA 2009. I have tried everything I could find on the net about PHD syncing but have found it very buggy and unreliable. Currently:
- when logging in as myself 50 conflicts are reported, but the remote file cannot be displayed (circular wait 'bar')
- the client starts one after the other sync trying to do the same
- Files removed on a client return form the server... sometimes
- Unknown errors reported but files on both sides are identical (openssl md5 shows that)
Home Syncing rules are managed always and controlled from Workgroup manager
Currently, the situation is so bad that my main account has become unusable.I am looking for fail safe instructions to completely reset home syncing.

Answer 1

I dont know about any complete reset but this is what i'd do.
Make 100% sure that everything is on your machines by switching off airport and unplug then Network port then turn on and check everything is there. Proceed at own risk
if it is and you know what your doing and happy that everything is backed up etc.
Leve the computers off the network until the end
On the Server for each accoun turn off mobile account syncing, creation etc everything in mobility preference should say never.
Set your Home directory in Workgroup manager to None for each of the accounts
Save new settings
Delete both the accounts home folders on the server (you will need the correct permissions to do this) empty trash
Reenable the home folders and create home on save
Go to the mobility preferences and set create home folders when next login etc  Check the Use local home template option,  Dont set any other options in there yet except under rules -> home sync - Manage -once or always depends on what you want then Apply
Reconnect the computers to the network (I always do this via ethernet not wireless, wireless sometimes causes problems) and restart and log into the account , it will sync away for a while (wireless can be used after the first sync)
Change settings in the mobility after the full sync if you need to and are sure you know what each setting will effect.
NOTE: If you have a huge iTunes library, Movies folder or Photos folder this can take ages perhaps think about taking them out of the sync.
Home syncs always have errors depending on what files are open at the time of sync etc
This is done from memory as i only had to do this about 2 weeks ago but i am fairly confident i didn't miss anything