TFS 2008 erratically showing past builds

Question

We do use TFS to do automatic build and tests with our checkins.

Today we verified old builds we have done last week. We were seeking one specific : 2010/10/27 (5). For some kind of reason it was not showing when we opened TFS/Project/Builds in visual studio (or the build tab in TFS Web).

Here is a screenshot that shows what we saw:

(Bigger screenshot here : http://i55.tinypic.com/35lt1z6.png )

For some reason some builds are jumping, tho I can attest that each builds are iterating and on the 27th there was a 5th build.

Is there something that can prevent TFS from showing complete builds history ?

Answer 1

Did you check the retention policy? It removes builds when there are more then N builds.

Answer 2

Look at the Date Filter drop down at the upper right corner of your screen shot which is currently set for last 7 days.

Answer 3

It may sound obvious, but if you didn't lock the build, then it's also pretty easy to press delete on it (although hopefully the confirmation dialog would save you).

If the build's drop folder is still in your file system, then pretty much all the information on the build is still safe, even if the build has been dropped from your TFS database.

(The only problem I've seen with TFS (2005/2008/2010) is that even if you delete builds, they still show up in the WorkItem user interface so testers have to try to choose the build name from a nearly infinite list - so of course they type something sort-of-like the build number into the field. Sigh)