* Backup files

[dawnreveler]

I believe I know what the answer is but before I start deleting files, I was wondering if someone knows the definitive answer to my question?

I have always performed ‘full’ backups of Family Historian. When I used V6 the full backup would create a zip file containing the data file. I ended up with many, many zip folders (each with a different date). Now I use V7 and it creates a file, again with a different date. Plus, I modified the name of each backup file with a number just to provide an extra level of certainty.

My question is: if I do full backups each time I exit, can I delete all previous backup files and simply retain the latest one?

[BobWard]

I would say "Yes".
However, I always keep the most recent 2 to 3 Full Backups on two external hard drives, just in case the most recent one might somehow be corrupted during an FH Restore Backup operation. Having 1 or 2 more in reserve, gives me a couple more shots at getting a successful Restore operation in case something bad happens.

[dawnreveler]

Hi Bob,

thank you for your reply. It is what I was hoping for and believed what happens. The 'FH FAQs' and 'FH Help' didn't specifically mention it or speak of incremental backups (they would be a nightmare for restoration).

So thank you once again.

[David2416]

Personally I am cautious about deleting backups. Unless I am short of disk space, which doesn't really happen these days, I will keep them. I only delete when I'm certain as I can be I won't need them.
Since August last year I keep alongside each of my daily backups I keep a screenshot of the file statistics (from menu File>File Statistics) so I know how many records of each type it contains.) I recall several threads where people have found their backups are corrupt in some way
Are you certain that the remaining backups will restore your project to a point where you are happy you haven't lost too much work?

Have you tried restoring a backup to check it works?

[Mark1834]

Speaking for myself, I’ve never run an FH backup, and don’t anticipate ever doing so.

What else on your PC needs backing up? Personal documents? Family photos? My FH data and media are part of my routine backups (three copies of different age - cloud, NAS and external HDD), so all I need to do in FH is run the Backup and Restore Family Historian Settings via Windows plugin whenever I change a setting or add a new Query, Plugin, Fact Definition, etc. These are not included in the FH Full Backup.

[tatewise]

Welcome to the FHUG Dawn.

The tactics suggested in the earlier posts plus a few more such as the FH automatic Snapshots are discussed in the FHUG Knowledge Base article Backup and Recovery.

[dawnreveler]

Thank you to both David and Mark.

I have never had a HDD fail (and I have been using personal computers since the old 8086/8088 XT processor). However, I do now use a USB stick to copy my 'Documents' folder. So I do have a copy of the FH backup file separate to the computer. I should look at taking an image of my HDD so that should everything fail, I can still restore. Thinking about it now if I don't have a HDD image, I should add some emails to the USB stick - they hold registration keys for my software (including FH V7).

Backup - you never need it or think about it until the worst happens. And when it does, you sit there and stare at a blank screen with your mind racing and your heart pounding going oh...!

[dawnreveler]

Hi Tatewise,

thank you. I did search the FAQs and the Knowledge Database but couldn't find the exact answer. I will certainly look at your links and review again.