Home Forums Discussions Problems Backup to file server

I am new to Amazing Charts and seem to be having an issue with backing up. I currently have a Windows XP Pro maching running AC and am trying to back up to a Windows Server 2008 File server. The scheduled backup to the server works when I am logged onto the AC System, but it will not work when I am logged off. It also works if I hit the backup now button in AC. I am wondering why the scheduled backup is not working. Just wondering if anyone can help. Thank You.

I would try calling tech support first to help get this ironed out.
They can log on to your machine and check out the various settings quickly.

Greg

Hey, I asked AC about this and they said AC automator requires a user to be logged in to run. If they tell you anything different please let us know. I'm going to be looking into work arounds for this tomorrow.

This is not my experience. The automatic backup occurs on my main computer nightly, whether AC is running or not, so logging in as a user isn't necessary. It even sends me a message confirming the backup, which I can read the next day when logging onto AC.

Do you mean you don't have anyone logged into AC, or you don't have anyone logged into the computer running Amazing Automator? If the latter then I'll see if I can figure out the problem.

Well, let me step in where I know nothing. I guess I should know the answer by ACUC time since the question could pop up. This is based on pure conjecture and logic.

First, any utility or program which allows something to run on a schedule defeats the purpose if you have to log into the program or the computer. Why even have it automated? May as well just run it.

I see no reason whatsoever why you would need to be logged into AC itself. The backup program, no matter where the icon is located is backing up the SQL databases on the server to wherever you are backing them up.

Now what does make sense (although not a great idea) would be that you would have to be logged into the computer with the data. The computer with the data is the one with the automator on it. If the computer were on but logged off, then all programs would not be running. Just as if Outlook or Word were open. All your system tray programs close when you log off. Now, if you locked the computer, then it would most likely run. If you look at the program, it even says, "run when you log in."

Now, I think the big issue (and again I could be way off here) is the fact that the program does not run as a service. All of your important programs that need to run in the background whether your computer is locked and on or logged off and on run as services. That would be SQL Server, your antivirus program, your backup software. I certainly don't worry if my computers are logged on when the antivirus program runs a scan on them. In fact, my users KNOW to log off their computers so the server backup has a better chance of backing up properly. It is not Best Practices for users to be logged into databases.

So, my guess is if the Amazing Automator were run as a service and not as a program, there would be no issues. Short of that, I think you will need to have your computer logged into, which is not the best case scenario.

Lastly, I have never understood why Jon set it up where you need a separate module to schedule the backup. It would make the most sense to have the schedule tied directly into the program.

Make any sense? Again, I don't use it. I guess I should start.

But, not to rock the boat, but for me, it is just as easy to click on the icon and click Start Backup and make sure it is running than to have it on a schedule. Certain large backup programs and antivirus software that really should be running at night need to be scheduled. But, AC, just click it when you leave for the night. Now, having said that, it works great for John, so there you go.

You are correct, AC does not need to be running for the Backup to work. As Bert observed, Automated Backup sits in the service tray area.

When I used Win XP Pro or Win 7 Pro on my main computer, I never tried logging out when I left at night. I used "change user" to switch the computer to the login screen. Backup worked automatically, but sometimes I had to reset the Automated Backup option if I rebooted the computer (the Automator wouldn't appear in the system tray after restart).

I now have Windows Server 2008/R2 running on the main computer. The Automated Backup works even if I don't log in as Administrator. It also always resets correctly even if I need to restart the server. I suppose this has something to do with the server software, as Bert was explaining.

I just wanted to clarify my post a little.

The scenario I am faced with is the following. I have a Windows 2008 R2 server that is my domain controller for Active Directory as well as my file server. I have Amazing Charts running on a XP Pro system that is joined to the domain. I am trying to use the scheduled backup feature in AC to run a nightly backup to the file server. Currently if no user is logged onto the AC system the backup does not get saved onto the file server, however it does still save locally to the AC system. This however does not do me any good if the AC dies. Hence the reason for the backup to the file server. I believe Bert may be correct though in that I may need to create a service account and keep it logged into the AC system and just lock the workstation in order for the backup to work. Thank you all for your responses. Please let me know what you all think.

Well, I have to let a few of these beers wear off before I let you know what I am thinking. I am mainly thinking it doesn't make sense. But, I am also thinking I need to ask more questions.

I am confused by the statement, "I have Amazing Charts running on an XP Pro system that is joined to the domain." Please clarify where you AC databases are.

Thanks.