TECHNICAL ARTICLE: howto_004.htm

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CARCare
Title: HOW TO:  Use a Backup Copy of your CARCare Database File


Background:

The CARCare database is a single file that contains all of your vehicle data.  As you exit CARCare, the software will make a backup copy of your database file, and will save it into the backup folder that you have defined.  This process is automatic unless you have turned-off this feature.

The backup folder can be defined on the General tab under the Options | Preferences... menu.  The backup folder can be any folder in your Windows file system, as long as the backup path is not the same as the location of your live database.  The backup folder should exist on an external storage device (USB drive, external hard drive, etc.).  This way you will have a backup copy to rely upon should the hard drive in your PC fail.

Each time you exit CARCare, the software will make a copy of your live database file, append a date/time-stamp to the end of the file name, and will store the copy in the backup folder that you have.

A database backup copy will look like:
CARCare.db.20060701-113233

Where:

  1. CARCare.db is your database filename

  2. .20060701 is the date (yyyymmdd) the copy was made

  3. -113233 is the time the copy was made

 
Locating the Most Recent Backup Copy:

The date/time-stamp represents the date/time that the backup copy was made.  Use the Date/Time-stamp to locate the most recent backup copy you plan to use.  The greater the serialized time value, the later it was in the day.

Replace the Damaged/Lost Database with Your Most Recent Backup Copy:

You should never attempt to open and use a backup copy as-is...  You must first rename the backup copy to what your actual database is currently named, then place the renamed backup copy into the appropriate folder.  This process involves simply removing the date/time-stamp from the end of the filename.  Once this is done, you can use this file to replace (overwrite) your damaged or lost database file.

When you restart CARCare, you will see the prior contents of the database at the time it was last backed up.
 

IMPORTANT:
Direct the the backup copies of your database to external media such as an external hard drive, USB device, or CD-R/RW.  Use the General tab under Options | Preferences... to set your backup folder.  Having backups on external media will protect you in the event of a hard disk failure.



If you need additional assistance, please write us:
 support@CARCareSoftware.com 


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