Backing up a Microsoft Access Database
Backing up a Microsoft Access database ensure you have a fall-back if something happens to your current/working database. Basically, the program simply makes a copy of your current database and stores it in a designated folder.
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NOTE: This is applicable to Microsoft Access databases ONLY. Basically, the back-up utility simply makes a COPY of the selected database and stores it in the backups folder. To back-up a Microsoft SQL database, contact the SQL Database Administrator. |
Setting up automatic database backups
Click File > Open - the Open Databases dialog box displays
Select the database for which you want to adjust back-up setting and click Properties - the Database Properties dialog box displays.
In the Auto backup field, select the frequency at which you want to create backups (default is once a week) and the number of back-up copies to keep (default is 2).
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NOTES:
The default settings will create 2 backups of your database named <database>1.mdb and <database>2.mdb.
Backups are overwritten in order (for example, if you make 2 backups, the 3rd time the routine runs, the first back-up is overwritten). |
Backups are stored in your back-up folder defined in Tools > Options > Folders.
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Additional Information: See Options Dialog - Folders Tab for more information on setting folder options. |
The back-up routine runs when the application is closed, any OPEN databases are backed up based on their Auto back-up settings.
Manually Backing up a Database
Click File > Open - the Open Database dialog box displays
Highlight the database to back-up and click the Backup button.
A confirmation displays when the back-up is complete.
Quick Backup Using Right-Click Context Menu
You can make a quick backup of your database by right-clicking the database, on the Bids tab, and selecting Backup. This backup option is not part of the auto backup process and only creates a single backup of the database, overwriting the last saved database instance.
Safeguarding your backups
By default, all backups are stored in a subfolder of OCS Documents\OST named Backups.
The folder to which backups are made may be changed by clicking Tools > Options and then Folders.
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NOTE: On Center Software recommends storing all backups on a drive OTHER than the local hard drive if possible to prevent accidentally use of a back-up for performing work (a network drive or second hard drive or even an USB thumb drive will work). |
Click the Lookup button 
(magnifying glass) to browse to an alternate location where you want to store your backups.
Database Maintenance - Compact and Repair 