Home Forums Automated backup question

I just upgraded my version of AC to 4.0 something. I now need to complete the backup. This has changed.... I have a duplicated data base on my server in a separate location the P drive. I also have an external hardrive that I backup and take out of the office...

Can someone hold my hand virtually and walk me through this new process.... please?

I'll send virtual coffee, chocolate, and Glenfiddich (after 5pm)

Thanks

Unfortunately you can no longer copy the databases like in version 3. One of the problems is that the files will report as being in use and cannot be copied. You could go into Amazing Utilities, disconnect the databases, copy them and reconnect the data bases. (Then drop the copied databases into the other sites (DriveP and external))

The easiest way is to use the amazing backup program. You can hit the advanced options to save into more than one location, then select those sites. Once you hit backup it will then check for database integrety, copy your import items, copy your database files and compress all of this, then save to the backup items folder under your main AC as well as the other sites you have asked it to save into.

You can set it to autobackup every day but I have found this is not always reliable. You may have to manually trigger a backup to make sure it happens.

To restore a backup, you go to the backup restore program and it uncompresses the files and puts them where they belong. Not as simple as V3 but the theory works well.

I can probably walk you through this but play with it, it is fairly straight forward. If you need additional help, send me a PM and we can try to find a time to remotely log in and figure it out.

Ditto on the automatic backup not being reliable. Haven't ruled out operator error, but somehow the backup utility seems to regularly unload itself (or not reload itself on a restart). Would it be better if they made this utility load as a Windows service (or however you get things to run in the background so we Luddites can't accidentally turn them off), rather than a taskbar utility?

My automated backup is now reliable. In my case, it was important to eliminate conflicts with other automated services such as system restore etc etc which I was not even aware were happening. Also for some reason must open amazing automator first and then run amazing backup and set the time. My automator (it's the Amazing Automator which starts up automatically in the tray on reboot and runs the backup) does start up on restart.

It would seem that my automated backup works intermittently. May work for 2 weeks then stop working. The machine is NOT restarting, but it stops autobackups. Sometimes I will reset the settings and sometimes it will start working.

The bottom line is I have to check and cannot trust it to back up.

I am testing restoring from a networked computer. This is probably a stupid question, but the Amazing Utilities Emergency Restore wants a ".bak" file yet the backups are ".enc"

What is going on here?

The backup program creates a .enc file

If AC Utilities does a restore it uses a .bak file which AC would make if it were upgrading or such. ("Making a backup just in case...")

You should probably use the Amazing Backup program NOT the AC utilities emergency restore

Hello all,
The .bak file is created every time amazing charts makes a change to the database, such as when you run the utilities, sync, run the tuner, ect. The emergency restore located in amazing utilities is in the case that you do not have a .enc file to backup to. The backup restore utility is located in the amazing charts folder with an icon of a red life preserver. This utility is what you use to restore to a .enc file. One important thing to remember when restoring to a backup, if you do not include imported items in your backup, you will need to copy over your imported items folder after you restore.

-Joe

Wendell,

Belated thanks on the info for automated back up and such. I have been away recouping from surgery. Just wanted to let you know your input was helpful and appreciated.

You're Welcome