Archiving Your Project Data to Text-Zip

Borehole Manager | File | Archive -> Text

Use this program to export all of the data from your project database to a text file, and then combine it with the Data Dictionaries and menu settings (.Ini files) into a .Zip file. You are offered the option of adding a password. This .Zip file is saved within the current project folder's Backup folder.

The primary uses of this tool are:

• Technical Support: The output .Zip file is in a format that can be sent to RockWare if we request a copy of your project. The text file compresses much better than the actual database, and all of the companion files we'll need are included.
• MSSQL Server Archives: If your data is stored in a database server like MSSQL Server, it allows an additional backup of your data separate from the database server’s normal backup.

This tool is different from the Backup Database option in the following ways:

• You can't restore the data using the File | Restore Database command. Instead, you need to follow the steps described below for restoring the data.
• The project data is exported to a single text file rather than retained in .sqlite (or .MDB) format.
• 
  

Step-by-Step Summary

1. Access the Borehole Manager as necessary.
2. Open the project to be archived as a .Zip file.
3. Select the File | Archive -> Text command.

   The program will:

   • Create a folder named "Backup" in your project folder (if it does not already exist)
   • Export the project database to a text file named "archive.txt"
   • Create a .Zip file in the Backup folder named "Archivexxx.Zip" where "xxx" is an automatic numbering system starting at 000 and incrementing (001, 002) each time you create an archive.
   • Move the "archive.txt" file to the .Zip file, in a "backup" folder inside the .Zip.
   • Copy the RockWorks global settings to the .Zip file, in this "backup" folder.
   • Copy your project's data dictionaries to the .Zip file, in a "system" folder inside the .Zip.
   • Copy your project's menu settings to the .Zip file, in this "system" folder.

   It will then offer you the option of password protecting the archive.

4. Click Yes if you want to enter a password to protect the archive. Click No if you do not.
   • Enter a password for the archive and click OK.
   • Enter the password again for confirmation and click OK.
   • Write this down - if you're sending your data to Rockware, you'll need to include the password.
   • 
     
5. If RockWare tech support has asked you to send an archive, address your email to the sender's address and attach the Archivexxx.zip file that was just created. If you protected the archive, be sure to send the password in a separate email.
   
6. Should you wish to restore some or all of this archived data, you'll need to follow these steps. Note that the automatic File | Restore Database does not interface with this type of archive.
   • Close RockWorks if it's running.
   • Use Windows Explorer or My Computer to open the "archivexxx.zip" file.
   • If you need to restore only your project menu settings:
     • Rename the "project.ini" file in your project's System folder to "menus.ini.bak".
     • Move the "project.ini" file from the archive's System folder to your project's System folder.
   • If you need to restore only your project's data dictionaries:
     • Make a copy of your project's System folder in a location of your choice, just so you have a copy of your current settings.
     • Move all of the XML files from the archive's System folder to your project's System folder.
   • If you need to restore all of your project data:
     • Move the "archive.txt" file from the archive's Backup folder to your project folder.
     • Start RockWorks and open your project folder.
     • Follow the steps for importing a text file into your project. (You'll be importing a single file.)
     • 
       

Back to Maintaining your Database

RockWare home page