backup problem

[janet324]

I am VERY new to Alpha. When I click on "backup" nothing happens. The backup dialog box does not open.

[DaveM]

Re: backup problem

Alittle more information could help.

Do you have a database set up? - Are you in the database when you do this?

Where and when are you pressing backup? ( what screen are you on? )

Typically, choosing backup will pop-up a dialog that asks where to backup to.

Dave

[janet324]

Re: backup problem

My predecessor created the database. I've been posting to it but not much else. My boss bought an external hard drive last week to backup the company's books to and that's when I ran into this problem. I'm in the Control Panel, Tables/Sets, then: Tools, Backup/Restore Database, Backup Database, then nothing. Thank you.

[DaveM]

Re: backup problem

Ok, Makes better sense. I can give you my code that I wrote before alpha came out with one similar. It will be up to you to attach it to a new button using x-basic.

You should have been able to run the backup from alpha5v8. The box should have popped up like the one I included below.

 
'Execute inline Xbasic code.
'Run a custom Backup job.
dim drivename as c
DIM comment_text as c 
comment_text = "Backup the Data"
DIM Shared  drivename as c 
drivename = ui_get_list("Select a drive","A:","B:","C:","D:","E:","F:")
dim global themasterpath as c
themasterpath = a5.Get_Master_Path()
if len(alltrim(themasterpath)) = 0 then
    themasterpath = A5.GET_PATH()    
end if
copy_folder(alltrim(themasterpath) ,alltrim(drivename) + "\bigsave",.T.)

You might change the saveto folder name to suit your needs.

Dave

[janet324]

Re: backup problem

Thank you but I'm not experienced enough to understand your suggestion. Also, while exploring this program I'm constantly getting error messages. They all have to do with script. I'm sure you have much better things to do than babysit me, although I appreciate your efforts. Do you know whether I can get help from the Alpha people themselves? Thanks.

[DickJames]

Re: backup problem

Janet --

Here is a link to the A5 Support page.

http://www.alphasoftware.com/support/

You should have seen the Backup dialog box shown in the thumbnail in the message above when you clicked on "Backup". Because you are not seeing this, I would wonder whether your A5 program was/is installed correctly. I suggest you look for your A5 install disk before you call Alpha so they can help you to re-install the software if necessary.

-- Dick James

[DaveM]

Re: backup problem

Janet,

An alternative because I don't know what your previous "programmer" did.

You can do a manual backup by copying the folder where your data is to a cd or other media(removable hard drive).

This strictly a copy or write operstion. You can also manually copy it to the removable hard drive your boss supplied.

Dave

[DaveM]

Re: backup problem

If you can post you program up here, I or others could look at it or modify it slightly to remeby your problem. It would be best to make a copy and leave any sensitive data out.

Dave

[janet324]

Re: backup problem

Dave, you're very kind to offer support. It occurred to me as well, that the application might have been installed incorrectly. It always closes in a funky way. All the script error messages are weird, too. I'll get my hands on the installation cd and contact alpha support. But it also occurred to me that I could do a manual copy/paste, however it's unclear which of the gazillion folders the data needing to be backed up is in. Do you know? Or should I just work with the alpha folks from here on out? Thanks very much, Janet

[DaveM]

Re: backup problem

You can go to the control panel, right click somewhere in the middle of it, set the view to details and get the path to the tables which should give you the folder names and locations.

Dave

[janet324]

Re: backup problem

Dave,
Thanks so much for your help. I just copied the first folder to the extra hard drive. 2 seconds, done deal. I still need to solve the backup command problem, but this takes the heat off a little.
Do you hang around the message boards because you're a good Samaritan?
Janet

[DaveM]

Re: backup problem

A lot of us hang around here, although most of us have to do work to eat. LOL

There are many here better than me.

Dave