how to backup?

[JCross]

Hi! I am packaging and deploying my DB, and my boss wants to start thinking about how people (we're sending it out all over the country) can backup their runtime versions of the DB so that they can restore from it if they screw up their DB. Is this possible?

Thank you!
Jennifer

 

[sondriven]

Im interested in knowing this too.

 

[cdacey]

Back-up

Jen,
I would definately create a macro that performs a full back-up of your database to a separate directory on the same computer or a different computer on the LAN in that office. Select the "copy database file" from the macro options, and then list the destination directory file under database name at the bottom of the screen. Once you have created the macro, simply add a command button to your main menu that executes that macro.
Good Luck

 

[John.Woody]

Creating a copy in a different directory is all well and good BUT you need to cater for the worst case scenario. If the building and everything in it was destroyed by fire.

I have a maintenance db which I supply as well as the main dbs'. The system db or FE db can always be recovered off an installation CD and copies can be obtained from me, but the data db or BE db can not be replaced. I have a procedure which uses the command line add on to Winzip and zips up the data db to a location of the customers choice. Maybe the A: drive or a ZIP drive, or rewritable CD if they can be pursuaded to make the investment. 6 disks one for each day of the week means they can always go back 5 or 6 days if required and one further disk which is backed up atleast once a week and kept off site, usually at the owners home which covers the total loss scenario.

Some may consider this overkill, but after two or three years of data has been entered in the system you can't put a price on Loosing it forever.

HTH
John

 

[JCross]

I looked into the maco, and I don't think that will work for me. What I am really interested in is the Winzip route.........will this work with the runtime i am distributing? Can you tell me more about how to implement it?

I've downloaded the command line ad on.........now what?

Thank you for your responses!

J

 

[Peter D]

Here's an example database (with source code) that will backup to a zipfile archive.

http://www.peterssoftware.com/cal3.zip

One thing you might want to change in it is to use copyfile() instead of the "filecopy" statement. More info:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;102671

Hope this helps,

 

[JCross]

How and where do I go about replaceing the filecopy statement with the code in the KB?


J

 

[Peter D]

Copy one of the functions from the Microsoft article into the Compact A List module, then replace the filecopy statement in the same module with the copyfile() function.

Hope this helps,

 

[JCross]

Thank you, Peter. I also e-mailed you .....if you get a sec. I really appreciate the help.

Jen

 

[John.Woody]

I use the shell command to launch wzzip then give the zip file a name and tell it which mdb to back up i.e.

'Dim statements first

FullPath = Path & "\Myzip.zip"
FDL = DL & "\Mydata.mdb"

Shell ("C:\Program Files\Winzip\Wzzip " & FullPath & " " & FDL), vbMaximizedFocus

You might want to put some code in first to delete "Kill" any existing zips on the media with the same name and some error code incase the backup fails.

Don't forget if your planning on using this daily or giving it to customers to use daily you must register your copy of winzip, but at $29 it won't break the bank. There are some free ones out there but Winzip is well known and you get the updates when they come out sou you don't have to worry about it working with Bills new OS they'll do that for you.

 

[JCross]

Thank you John!