Home Forums Discussions Problems TRANSFER DATA

Can somebody help me in solving this problem.
I have Version 4. I am trying to transfer the data from my office computer to my home computer. I tried to copy the folder of Amazing Charts to USB drive but 2 files do not copy.
Tried using the backup utility that comes with Amazing Chart, but cannot restore in any other computer but the original.
Thanks

I have had success with doing backups/restore, you have to make sure they are the same version.

were you able backup on one computer and restore to another one off sie(office/home)

I had trouble trying this in the past and have not attempted it in a while. When I did it some files did not copy and I believe that somehow SQL was not letting the database copy over correctly. I do not know why the Amazing Backup would only work on the same computer, as if your computer crashed, theoretically you could use that backup on another computer. If I had the time I would definitely try it, but right now I do not. I would think that it would be far too much work to have the database in a separate location, as you would have to sync all the time. I would suggest the free version of LogMeIn from logmein.com. It is safe and secure, as well as fast and easy to setup. This way your data would always be "live" and not a possible old version.

Thank you Paul. I am trying to have an extra copy of all my files at home in case somebody breaks in and steals the computers (bad neighbourhood). The backup thru Amazing charts only allows me to restore to the original computer but if that computer is gone, I am out of luck.

I suggest logging out all of your client computers and then restarting the main computer (with the AC databases). Then you will be able to copy over all the files, including the two that are causing the error message.

Thank you very much. will try and let you know

VKB,

John's suggestion should help as it will make sure everyone is out of the database. BUT, most SQL server engines run all the time. The engine runs the database and maintains the objects and files.

You should NEVER just copy and paste the AC folder. This can cause corruption, connection losses, and problems with files. When you use AC's backup, it automatically stops and restarts the service.

You can do what you need to do in one of two ways:

Open AmazingUtilities, the one with the goofy guy on it. You should right click and choose to run as admin unless you already are. Now, DO NOT use any of the three big bars. At the top left, click on advanced. There are six objects of which you want to use one or two. The two selections I refer to are the ones which "detach" your databases (the ones in the AC folder) from the SQL Server engines which are elsewhere on your computer. So, one method would be to choose the one that says "Detach databases -- but do not move them." Then you can grab the entire chart, but personally I would just put a new folder on your desktop and move the six databases: AmazingCharts, Meds and Codes both .mdf and .ldf and put them in the folder. Then copy the Imported Items folder if you have imported items, the Data001 folder if you have any images such as a signature file or a picture/photo and just for fun your .xml file. You can put these files/folders in your program at home and you will be all set.

The other method which is similar, would be to choose "Detach and Move Databases." This will give you a window to browse to where you want to store them. Make sure you choose or make a new folder. That will put the databases plus the .xml plus the Imported Items and Data001 folder in the folder. If you do this, though, you would have to copy (not cut) the databases and other folders back into the main AC folder. Whichever works best for you.

Either way, when you are done, you have to open AmazingUtilities and click on the bottom bar so it will reconnect to the databases.

Think of it like a car. The engine of the car would be the SQL Server and the rear axle the databases. If you wanted to remove the axle, you wouldn't want to do it with the engine running and the car in drive. You would put the car in neutral and turn off the engine.

HTH

Thank You all.
John's suggestion worked perfectly.
Appreciate the help. Better than any tech support I ever dealt with.
Vijay

Bert,

A pediatrician, computer techie ....and a mechanic?!! I found your response helful. Thanks.

Tom

LOL. I am glad it was not for naught. But, don't tell anyone. I am not a very good mechanic.

And, I should add my post was specifically directed at the user's question which is why I mentioned copying the databases back to the main folder. If you were just trying to move the databases to another drive, you would not need to copy them back, in fact, I wouldn't. Then, the little man can find and reconnect the databases. You may need to browse to the folder.

sorry bert just so i understand you for transferring your database from one computer to another to make it "a server" for ac- you detach the databases- then copy which specific folders from the ac- program file folder? can you just copy them all? and then paste into the program file folder of the new server?

Also I detached the database using your instructions above but what do you click on in the bottom of amazing utilities the reset paths button- I havent gotten my v4 to run again after I detached the database- sorry I'm a bit stranded right now so any help would be appreciated
thanks tim

Hi tlewan,

Sorry for the confusion. Once the databases have been detached, you can move the entire folder including the databases to another computer. You can reset the path at the bottom of the Amazing Utilities window, but you shouldn't have to.

What should happen is when you click on Repair Connections, it will try to reconnect the sql server to the databases, BUT, they will no longer be there, so it will open a window and allow you to browse to the net databases via the .xml file. Then it should reconnect everything. Just be sure to have a backup of your databases.

Let me know if you need more help. I can always remote in.

Hi Bert- if you have time and are willing to help me figure this out today to get me to v4 today rather than waiting for next weekend would be very helpful- you can call me at 555-5555 and I can call you back if needed and get you remoted in- thanks tim

caution you wont like my operating systems!

I'll make do. I am all set. Send me a PM or email when you are ready. badams AT riverviewpediatrics.org_remove.

Another way which is not mentioned in AC help file is:

Step 1:
Backup using the backup utility and create that .enc file.

Step 2:
Install the AC in new computer, created a dummy practice entering some info re: practice.

Step 3:
Then in the new computer open the AC folder in program files- find that life saver donut (what ever that is called in Navy/ships) called backup restore utility. This will give you the option of overwriting the dummy practice and you restore from the .enc file from step 1.

(this eliminates the need for detaching the database and reattaching/repairing the connections)

I do not know why John did not put the backup restore utility donut in a much easier spot to find - like in Amazing utilities. And put this in AC help file under restore section.

I tried this but this process looks for the original computer.
Ex I backed my main computer called HP laptop and took this and tried to restore to my home computer called "e-machine"
Half way thru, I get error message saying cannot find HP laptop.
Any Help? I tried to detach and copy the files in a seperate folder, copied the entire amazing charts but am unable to transfer the amazing charts to another computer for safety.

Vijay,

Sorry you are having so many problems with that. It's hard for me to say what is happening because I can't reproduce the error. When I take a backup from the server and move it to WIN7 on a virtual machine, it restores in seconds. It just seems odd that it actually gives you an error message that it is looking for the HP laptop. How does it know what computer you use? Is it really saying that or just saying it can't find the databases?

Also, while I really don't want to tempt fate and remove the databases from my server, that should work without a hitch as well.

You do say that you are trying to do this for safety. How do you mean? Sure, taking the backup home and installing it may mean you have it on your home machine but that is no safer than backing it up locally or taking the backup home. You can always put the backup file on your home computer, but there is no reason to actually restore it for archive purposes.

Hope this helps. Let me know if that is the exact error message you are getting.

My experience with the above mentioned 3 step restore approach:

1. It takes a couple of hrs for our more than 7 GB AC including import items.
2. Need to disable that zone alarm firewall.
3. Versions (where the back up is done from and the new server) need to be the same.

I tried on 2 different computers and it went smoothly.