Schedule an automatic backup of your ESC database

Overview:

Having a good backup of your data is absolutely critical. This article will show you how you can create a backup of your ESC data that automatically runs every night at a specified time. This is important even if you have another utility that is backing up your data, because many of those utilities cannot backup a SQL database that is in use. Follow this procedure and schedule it to run before your other backup program to ensure you are getting a good backup every night.

Details:

  1. In ESC, go to Help | About and note the name of your database.
  2. If you are not there already, go to the server computer and complete the rest of the process from there.
  3. Download the attached automated backup batch file creator, BackupBatchMaker.bat, by clicking here.
  4. Double-click the file to start the process of creating the new batch file (if using Vista, right click the file and choose Run as Administrator instead). When prompted for the database name, enter the name you noted in step 1. This will create a new batch file that can be run at anytime, even when people are in ESC, to backup your ESC database. The batch file can be found at C:\ESC BACKUP\databasename BACKUP.bat (where the databasename is the name you entered in this step).

Now that the batch file has been created it needs to be scheduled to run every day using the Windows Task Scheduler. See the directions below that match the operating system used on your server.

Windows XP

  1. Click Start | All Programs | Accessories | System Tools | Scheduled Tasks. This path may be different for other versions of Windows (consult your Windows help system when in doubt).
  2. Double-click Add Scheduled Task. The Scheduled Task wizard will help you set up the backup routine.
  3. When prompted for the program to run, click the Browse button. Navigate to the file created in step 4 and double-click it.
  4. Give the routine a name (we suggest ESC Backup) and ensure the backup is set to be performed Daily.
  5. Next, choose the time and how often you wish the backup to be performed. It is important to remember to schedule the backup for a time when the server machine is going to be running.
  6. If necessary, add the user password information to ensure that Windows can perform the task properly, then click Finish. You now have a new task set up in the Scheduler!

Windows 7, Vista, Server 2003, 2008 or 2010

  1. Click Start | Control Panel | Administrative Tools | Task Scheduler. This path may be different for other versions of Windows (consult your Windows help system when in doubt).
  2. Select Action | Create Task.
  3. On the General tab, enter ESC Backup in the Name field. Then select Run whether user is logged on or not and Run with highest privileges.
  4. On the Triggers tab, click New.
  5. Select Daily button and set the desired backup time. It is important to remember to schedule the backup for a time when the server machine is going to be running. Click OK.
  6. On the Actions tab, click New.
  7. Click the Browse button and navigate to the batch file you created. Click OK.
  8. Click OK again and enter in the password for the Windows account that is displayed. You now have a new task set up in the Scheduler!

Windows 8

  1. Bring up the Search charm and type taskschd.msc. Click the resulting taskschd app.
  2. Select Action | Create Task.
  3. On the General tab, enter ESC Backup in the Name field. Then select Run whether user is logged on or not and Run with highest privileges.
  4. On the Triggers tab, click New.
  5. Select Daily button and set the desired backup time. It is important to remember to schedule the backup for a time when the server machine is going to be running. Click OK.
  6. On the Actions tab, click New.
  7. Click the Browse button and navigate to the batch file you created. Click OK.
  8. Click OK again and enter in the password for the Windows account that is displayed. You now have a new task set up in the Scheduler!

This automated backup procedure will create a C:\ESC Backup\databasename.dat_bak file that can be used to restore your data in case of an emergency. For maximum data protection, you should now copy the file to another computer or piece of removable media so that you can restore the data even if something happens to the server. This can be easily accomplished by most backup software or through additional manipulation of the Windows Scheduler.

If you encounter any difficulties in implementing this procedure, we recommend enlisting the services of a qualified local computer technician for more help.