Abacus

Backing Up and Restoring in AbacusLaw by CARET

It is important to back up your files every day in order to avoid data loss due to unforeseen circumstances such as power surges, computer errors, or ransomware. AbacusLaw has an internal utility that allows you to back up and restore your files.

We do not retain a copy of your data, so your diligence in ensuring your data is backed up and safely stored is business critical! Without a backup, data cannot be recovered.

Ensure that all users are out of AbacusLaw, Abacus Accounting, MessageSlips, and Microsoft Outlook, if they are using the Abacus Outlook Add-in. This needs to be done whether backing up OR restoring data. If you wish to force all users out, navigate to File > Setup > Scheduled Shutdown. Under the Immediate shutdown section, click Shutdown Now.

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If you use third-party software or services to back up AbacusLaw, your best option is to do a complete copy of the ENTIRE AbacusLaw folder.

Index

• Using the Backup Utility

• Restoring Your Data

• Clearing Stuck Connections to the Abacus Database

Using the Backup Utility

1. In AbacusLaw, navigate to File > Utilities > Backup > Backup.

2. If you see a Sharing Violation error when trying to backup AbacusLaw, verify that all users are logged out of ALL Abacus software. If you still see this error, proceed to the section below to end any stuck connections.

3. Set the location of the backup using the Destination button.

4. It is recommended that data be saved to removable media such as a flash drive, or other storage device independent of AbacusLaw.

5. Click Start Backup button at the bottom of the window.

6. Your data is saved to wherever you have assigned it as LAW_XXX.zip where XXX equals the backup number assigned to the folder (your first backup will look like LAW_001.zip)

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Tip: Set a calendar reminder to do a backup on a daily basis.

Restoring Your Data

1. In AbacusLaw, navigate to File > Backup > Restore.

2. Ensure the source file is correct in the Restore Setup window.

3. Your source file is the location of the data you wish to restore to AbacusLaw, ideally on media independent of your machine, such as a flash drive.

4. Click the Restore button in the Restore Setup window.

5. If you see an Inconsistencies found prompt, click Continue Restore.

6. If you see a message that states “The database is open elsewhere and backup cannot be restored”, proceed to the section below.

7. AbacusLaw will restore your data and rename your existing database files with a .BAK or .TBK extension. This process ensures that you have a point to return to if necessary.

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Clearing Stuck Connections to the Abacus Database

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1. Log onto the server computer, where the main installation of AbacusLaw is.

2. Open the Advantage Configuration Utility and click Stop Service.

3. This severs all connections to the Advantage Database Server used by AbacusLaw. If everyone swears they are out of Abacus and you are still unable to perform a backup, you can try this. You will need to start it again, however, to do the backup.

4. Open Computer Management. Computer Management can be found within Administrative Tools if you are unable to find it by searching for it on the Start Menu.

5. Navigate to System Tools > Shared Folders > Open Files. Select all entries that start with your Abacus directory path (e.g., C:\Abacus…), right-click, and click Close file.

6. If you are still unable to restore your data, try following the procedure here: Restore a Backup when You Cannot Open AbacusLaw