When you use the File menu and select "Backup Database", ALL of your records are saved to your backup file (the file is named hsrdat.mdb if you are using version 1, or hsr2dat.mdb if you are using version 2. You don't need to do separate backups for each student or for each year of data -- it's all included in one single backup file. If you ever lose your data, (PC crash or whatever) just do a data Restore Database operation from the File menu (you may need to re-install the program first). Note: the backup file is not "human readable" -- you won't be able to view it with a program like Microsoft Word or Notepad.
Restoring Data: How do I restore data from my backup? (G3) If you have done a data backup to floppy or to a Zip or hard drive, you will be able to recover your data in the event of a computer problem, or if you've re-installed HER on a new PC. The backup file is called "hsr2dat.mdb" (if you have HER version 2) or "hsrdat.mdb" (if you have version 1). Note: this file is not "human readable" on your PC. It is in a special database format that only Microsoft Access (the basis of HER) can understand.
To restore your data... If you have to reinstall the whole program from scratch After reinstalling your CD or your original floppies and any single-floppy upgrade you may have, just ignore the startup messages stating that you need to go through Basic Setup and Student Setup. Now get to the Home Form then click on "Restore Database" in the File menu at the top of the screen and follow directions. Once this is done, you will be running with all of your old data at the point where you did your backup. Data entered since the backup will be lost and you will need to re-enter it.
If your HER program is running but you wish to replace any data you currently have with your backup data Just get to the Home Form and click on "Restore Database" in the File menu at the top of the screen and follow directions. You will lose any data you have entered that is NEWER than what is on the backup. Another way to restore or backup your data If you manually copy the backup file (hsr2dat.mdb) from your backup source to your HER installation directory (over-writing the same file if it exists), you will have effectively restored your data. Do this when HER is NOT running, then the next time you start it, your data will be there.
Likewise, if you manually copy the backup file from your installation directory to a floppy or a Zip or a network drive, you will have effectively backed up your data. Do this when HER is NOT running. Backup tip Always do backups at least weekly and alternate between two different floppies or Zip disks if that is what you use. This way, if one floppy or Zip goes bad, you'll have the other as a safety net (although the older one won't have data that is as current).
Also, before RESTORING your data, it's an extra safety step to write-protect the floppy or Zip disk just so you don't accidentally overwrite it.