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Submitted by jsolka on 2010/01/19 16:24

With the new release (0.9.25Pre-Rel13) I can't set- up automatic back-up. I chose the back-up file options->this file-> data storage. The file is on my memory stick. It used to work with the older version of IQ, but now it doesn't. Also "create back-up on program close" doesn't work. Only manual back-up works.

Thanks,

Jay

Comments

Hi Jay,

Can you provide a screenshot of the Tools>>Options>>This Database>>Data storage section ? Backups are working fine here...

I tend to use the following config for backups:

IQBase is in a DropBox Folder
DropBox will save a copy each autobackup file. I can, if needed, go back to any previous version
My settings are:

An empty backup folder means that it backs up in the same folder as the IQBase.

Okay, I copied your settings -- it worked twice, then it stopped. I have my IQ base on memory stick, but I tried different locations and it still didn't work.

Jay

OK... 2 questions

what do you mean when you say that it doesn't work ?
IQ only makes an auto-backup if changes have been made... did you make a change to an item or to field-values ?

I made a change. I closed the file. I opened it. No backup file (tried the ones I had, the change wasn't reflected)

Update: I think it is my file. I've downloaded the sample file and it works. With my file I never see snbka extension. Is there any way I could fix it?

Take care,

Jay

OK, we're progressing. Have you tried ? :

Rebooting your PC ? Windows may have locked the file
Tools>>Database>>Repair

I've rebooted, and "repaired". After rebooting 2 files "SNBK1" & "SNBK2" appeared. After closing "SNBK0" appeared. SNBK0 file actually gets updated every time I close IQ, so I guess it works, but automatic back-up still doesn't. I change the file, wait, nothing happens.

Take care,

Jay

How did you set the timer ? Try this :

- Go to : Options (dialog) -> This file -> Data Storage -> Auto backup every x minutes

- Set it to 1 min.

- Make a change, wait one min.

What happens ?

(subsequent backups will happen only if you modify something in the database, following the time frame you specified.)

That's what I did. If I don't find a solution, I may try to just transfer all my data to new file ("sample" file does work).

Update: I've noticed another thing -- I could never use pivot table, getting always an error msg "data provider could not be initialized" and "could not find installable ISAM". I was trying to solve it, long time ago, but never found a solution. And now when I tried pivot table with "sample" file it worked. It means that my IQ file is somewhat corrupted. It must have been for a long time, I guess. Maybe the original file was from some bad version, I don't know. Anyway, I will need to probably transfer all my data (weekend?) -- not very happy about it. I might need some advice how to do it. And for now thank you all.

I will be still curious though to hear, if anyone may know, why this have happened, and even more importantly whether it could happen again and how possibly prevent that?

Thanks again.

Jay

Hi Jay,

Before you transfer anything, let's wait for Pierre's take on what the problem could be.

Database corruption can happen but it's rare (it happen to me once, probably because I overwrote item numbers with other numbers while importing data from Outlook -- Pierre was supposed to look into that) and there are usually specific signs telling that it's corrupted.

The pivot table problem could prove to be a valuable clue as to what the problem is.

One thing you could try :

- save your DB to a different name

- Open it (be careful not to open the original DB !!)

- Tools (menu) > Database management > delete all items

- Try the backup etc.

Did it solve the problem ? If not try a step further :

- Tools (menu) > Database management > delete all item, fields, forms etc.

- Try the backup etc.

[quote=Armando]

[/quote]

I can confirm, Armando, that your issue was as you just said. I'll prevent that during import. As such, then, it was not database corruption, simply an issue with the ItemIDs, and I'll provide a fix (improvement Database>>Repair)

Nice !

Now let's wait for Jay's answer.

I deleted all items -- pivot & backup still didn't work

I deleted all items, fields, etc -- pivot worked but backup still didn't work

(I'm not sure if I understood Pierre.) Anyway, I guess I need to transfer data. How do I do it best so that I don't also transfer the bad part of it?

Thanks

Jay

Hi Jay,

I personally woudn't transfer anything at this point but would use something to create backups until the source of the problem is clearly figured out. Transferring items is not hard but not ideal and could be time consuming if you had extensively configured your grids and field (formulas, etc.) -- If there was only minimal configuration, well then just go ahead**.

In the mean time, you could :

1- make sure you have current backups of your by registering to a service like SugarSync or DropBox. The backup portion of your set up would be easily covered and you wouldn't loose much time.

2- Send your emptied DataBases to Pierre : the one with only items deleted, and the one with all items fields etc. deleted. He could test it and see what the problem is.

** If you really want to transfer your items at this point, the best thing is to display items in a grid with no source and no filters, using the hierarchical view -- but not full hierarchy (see the button). Then, Select all items (ctrl-a), or maybe a section... Copy (XML mode), and paste in the new DB. This is one of IQ's weakness at this time... Hopefully Pierre will implement a way to transfer items that is more straightforward and efficient (using the import dialog, maybe). (Pierre ? ;) I know there are many things to be done, but this is one of those important ones... Even if not used frequently, it's crucial to be able to easily import a full DB, grids, etc.)

Much obliged, Armando.

A few questions:

1. Grid with no source -- do you mean to display all the items in a single grid, and then manually add all the fields & all the grids?

2. Why not full hierarchy?

And to send my files to Pierre for testing, I need to wait for his okay on that.

Thanks,

Jay

You can send the file over, no problem. I'll look into the issue with automatic backups.

If you can send one with the problem with pivot tables, I'll look into that too. How old is this file ?

Thanks a lot -- I'll do it tomorrow. Should I delete all items?

The file with automatic backups problem and with pivot table problem is the same file.

Jay

Leave as much as you can / want. Zip and send. I'll destroy the file once finished.

[quote=jsolka]

Much obliged, Armando.

A few questions:

1. Grid with no source -- do you mean to display all the items in a single grid, and then manually add all the fields & all the grids?

2. Why not full hierarchy?

And to send my files to Pierre for testing, I need to wait for his okay on that.

Thanks,

Jay

[/quote]

I just saw you post Jay -- Pierre just said the problem was fixed... So hopefully, you didn't spend to much time on the matter.

answers to your questions

>1. Grid with no source -- do you mean to display all the items in a single grid, and then manually add all the fields & all the grids?

Yes : alt-s to show the task bar, clear the source box (leftmost text box on the source bar), clear all other text boxes.

No need to add anything to the grid.

Just press F5 and wait for your grid to be populated with all items.

>2. Why not full hierarchy?

It's not that important... Since there's not source, it shouldn't change anything.

BUT, performance wise, it will :

16 s for the grid to display 22360 items with normal hierarchy

... 161 s with full hierarchy. That's 10x more. Not sure why, but I won't bug Pierre with that at this point.... He's got enough on his plate. ;)

Thanks

Jay

Thanks Jay for the file.

This issue is now fixed. 0.9.25Pre-rel14 should be out today.