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awillia...@nospamcharter.net

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Dec 12, 2009, 9:55:51 PM12/12/09
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I just lost my complete data. I had just copy and pasted on my
portable hard drive, but it wouldn't recognize it. Just kept asking
if I wanted to register and everything had been wiped off

I have windows vista, how to I back it up?

Carroll Robbins

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Dec 12, 2009, 10:20:30 PM12/12/09
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awillia...@nospamcharter.net wrote on Sat, 12 Dec 2009 18:55:51 -0800
in <8ak8i5porg0vro532...@4ax.com>

>I just lost my complete data. I had just copy and pasted on my
>portable hard drive, but it wouldn't recognize it. Just kept asking
>if I wanted to register and everything had been wiped off

Agent couldn't find your agent.ini file. How did you tell agent where it
was?

>I have windows vista, how to I back it up?

With Agent closed you need to backup the Agent Data Directory. Accessing
the files in the Data Directory with Agent open can cause data corruption
or loss. For Vista, the default location of the Data Directory is in
\Users\<user>\Roaming... This is hidden so you can't see it unless you have
changed your Explorer settings. Normally before backing up you should purge
and compact. Then zip or RAR the files for backup.
--
Carroll B. Robbins, Jr.

awillia...@nospamcharter.net

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Dec 13, 2009, 9:08:17 AM12/13/09
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On Sat, 12 Dec 2009 22:20:30 -0500, Carroll Robbins
<carroll...@charter.net.invalid> wrote:

>Agent couldn't find your agent.ini file. How did you tell agent where it
>was?

I did a search and it was completely gone. I had to use the Agent.ini
from another computer. I had like three years of saved info, and I
thought copying it to a portable hard drive would have been enough.

awillia...@no.spam.charter.net

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Dec 13, 2009, 9:12:11 AM12/13/09
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On Sat, 12 Dec 2009 22:20:30 -0500, Carroll Robbins
<carroll...@charter.net.invalid> wrote:

>This is hidden so you can't see it unless you have
>changed your Explorer settings. Normally before backing up you should purge
>and compact. Then zip or RAR the files for backup.

Can you tell me how to change the properties so it's not hidden?
thanks

Carroll Robbins

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Dec 13, 2009, 9:52:11 AM12/13/09
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awillia...@nospamcharter.net wrote on Sun, 13 Dec 2009 06:08:17 -0800
in <j7t9i5ptp8rrk8rhi...@4ax.com>

Did you copy the entire directory, all the *.dat and *.idx files?

Where did you copy it to on the portable drive? Is it there now?

Copying the Data Directory to a portable drive make a complete backup.
Copying the Program Directory with agent.exe is not a backup and is not
useful.

Carroll Robbins

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Dec 13, 2009, 10:04:51 AM12/13/09
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awillia...@no.spam.charter.net wrote on Sun, 13 Dec 2009 06:12:11
-0800 in <egt9i5h3ambroru0r...@4ax.com>

Changing the properties isn't recommended and you have to be able to see it
to change the properties.

I don't know Vista but on XP the settings are in Folder Options. You can
get to Folder Options from the Control Panel or from Windows Explorer by
clicking "Tools -> Folder Options". Then click View. Then select "Show
hidden files and folders". Untick "Hide extensions for known file types". I
assume Vista is similar.

>thanks

You're welcome.

awillia...@charter.net.no.spam

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Dec 13, 2009, 10:25:59 PM12/13/09
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On Sun, 13 Dec 2009 09:52:11 -0500, Carroll Robbins
<carroll...@charter.net.invalid> wrote:

>Did you copy the entire directory, all the *.dat and *.idx files?
>
>Where did you copy it to on the portable drive? Is it there now?

Yes I did. The entire directory. I even put an agent.ini from
another computer. It keeps acting like the unregistered copy with
zero data.

awillia...@charter.net.invalid

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Dec 13, 2009, 10:34:56 PM12/13/09
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On Sat, 12 Dec 2009 22:20:30 -0500, Carroll Robbins
<carroll...@charter.net.invalid> wrote:

>gent open can cause data corruption
>or loss. For Vista, the default location of the Data Directory is in
>\Users\<user>\Roaming... This is hidden so you can't see it unless you have
>changed your Explorer settings. Normally before backing up you should purge
>and compact. Then zip or RAR the files for backup.
>--

Ok, I found all this. So I copy the roaming file, plust the agent
directory. I didn't move this file, just the program file>agent
folder.

Thanks

Carroll Robbins

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Dec 14, 2009, 11:24:41 AM12/14/09
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awillia...@charter.net.invalid wrote on Sun, 13 Dec 2009 19:34:56
-0800 in <2gcbi55ardi60qm7c...@4ax.com>

>Ok, I found all this. So I copy the roaming file, plust the agent
>directory. I didn't move this file, just the program file>agent
>folder.

There is no need to backup the Agent Program Directory (contains
agent.exe). It doesn't contain any of your data and can be reinstalled
without loss of data. You do need to backup the Agent Data Directory
(contains agent.ini). It contains all of your Agent data including your
registration. Don't back it up while Agent is open.

>Thanks

You're welcome.

Cindy Ross

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Dec 14, 2009, 2:19:16 PM12/14/09
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>>Did you copy the entire directory, all the *.dat and *.idx files?
>>
>>Where did you copy it to on the portable drive? Is it there now?
>
>Yes I did. The entire directory. I even put an agent.ini from
>another computer. It keeps acting like the unregistered copy with
>zero data.

Ok, so you have the entire directory, including the .ini file and all
the .idx/.dat files, have you tried creating a shortcut for agent.exe
that uses your directory as the "start in" or "working" directory?

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