Difference between revisions of "Setting up the Platinum backup program"

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{{Review}}
 
 
== Summary ==
 
== Summary ==
The following article outlines will talk you through how to install the Platinum Backup program (SXBackup) and how to set up a shortcut to run the backup at the press of a button.
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The following article explains the Platinum Backup program (SXBackup) and how to set up a short-cut to run the backup at the press of a button.
  
{{warning|text='''IMPORTANT:''' Always remember '''ALL USERS''' must be out of Platinum and the user monitor screen cleared before any backup is done. If you are having problems with this the [[How do I clear Locked Users?]] article should help.}}
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{{Tip|text=If you have a full server backup in place then you may choose not to implement the Platinum backup program. However this option does provide the means of backing up your Platinum data to a seperate device or location aside from the full server backup. Please speak to our IT Services team or your IT provider if you have any queries regarding your current backup system.}}
  
== Downloading the Program ==
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== More Information ==
Click [[media:SXBSetup.zip|here]] to download the SXBackup program.
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{{Warning|text=Always remember '''ALL USERS''' must be out of Platinum and the user monitor screen cleared before any backup is done. If you are having problems with locked users, [[How do I clear locked users?|this article]] should help.}}
  
The install program has been zipped for quicker downloading. To extract once downloaded double left click the file.
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=== Installing the Programme ===
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The Backup program is now included with the standard Platinum installation and is installed or updated whenever you [[Downloading a Platinum update|update Platinum]].
  
== Installing the Program ==
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Typically this process will be part of your system installation but if you are unsure what process is in place please speak to your IT provider, our IT services team or our Support team.
Once extracted you will need to double left click the {{FilePath|SXBSetup.exe}} file. This will launch the installer and ask for the SX directory you wish to install to. This is the location where the Platinum software is installed (usually {{FilePath|f:\sx}}). The program will pick this up automatically.
 
  
Once the install location is entered correctly click install and the Platinum backup program will be installed (this may be VERY quick as the file is quite small).
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=== Starting the Backup ===
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A short-cut (icon) will be in your {{FilePath|Platinum Folder}} folder on your desktop, called {{FilePath|Platinum Backup}}. Double click this to start the backup process. The program will ask a question before starting the backup:
  
== Creating the Shortcut ==
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==== Choose Backup Drive ====
Although the backup program is now installed you at this point will have no way to run it. For this you need to setup a short cut on the desktop on the pc you want to do the backup on. This is done as follows:
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This question is asking you where you want the backup to go.  
  
*Double left click the '''My Computer''' Icon on the desktop.
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The location is down to your preference e.g. USB stick, external Hard Drive, One Drive etc. If unsure about the method most suitable for you please {{SalesContact}} for advice.  
*Double left click the drive that Platinum is installed on (E.g. {{FilePath|F:}} or {{FilePath|Public on server (F:)}}).
 
*Double left click the {{FilePath|SX}} folder.
 
*Double left click the {{FilePath|SXBackup}} folder.
 
*Right Click {{FilePath|SxBackup.exe}}.
 
*Go to '''Send to'''.
 
*Then across to '''Desktop (Create Shortcut)'''.
 
  
An Icon will appear on the desktop that will say "shortcut to sxbackup". This can be renamed if required.
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If using an external device please insert it into your computer now and select the drive letter it has been allocated. Alternatively select the drive letter for the alternative backup location.  
  
== Starting the Backup ==
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The Backup program will now show a black and white screen showing the progress of backup creation.
Now you have created your backup short cut you it can be double clicked to start the backup process. The program will ask 3 questions before starting the backup.
 
  
=== Question 1 - Select SX Directory to Backup ===
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When this box disappears the backup will begin copying to your chosen backup device and then a log of the backup operation will be displayed, noting any errors or warnings that may have occurred.
This first question is much the same as the question the installer asked when you installed so we can enter the same information here i.e. the location where the Platinum software is installed (usually {{FilePath|F:\sx}}). The program should will this up automatically.
 
  
=== Question 2 - Select Path to store the Log files? ===
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{{Tip|text=If you wish this process to be more automated, it is possible to schedule this using the Windows Task Scheduler. The help document stored in {{FilePath|<Platinum Installation Drive>\SX\SXBackup}} called {{FilePath|Usage.txt}} will help with the commands that you will need.
This refers to where the program will store its logs after the backup is finished for viewing later. Using the same installation drive as before enter the following:
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Please {{SupportContact}} if you need further assistance.}}
  
<Platinum Installation Drive >sx\sxbackup\logs
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== Checking your Backup ==
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Once the backup is complete, you should use Windows Explorer to check the details of the backup file created.
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* The file will have been created on your external drive as above and in {{FilePath|<Platinum Installation Drive>\SX\SXBackup}}.
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** The file is called {{FilePath|SXBACKUP.ZIP}} and should be dated either today if you have followed the instructions above or yesterday if it has been scheduled to run overnight.
  
e.g. {{FilePath|F:\sx\sxbackup\logs}}
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* You should also check the log files by going to {{FilePath|<Platinum Installation Drive>\SX\SXBackup\Logs}}.
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** Open the log file dated either today or yesterday.
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** If you find any errors or are concerned about any information in the log file please {{SupportContact}}.
  
=== Question 3 - Select Backup Drive ===
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* See [[Troubleshooting Your Platinum Backup]].
This final question is asking you where you want the backup to go. We currently recommend USB Pen Drives as a preferred method of backing up as they are cheap and easy to obtain and have adequate capacity. However any device with sufficient space can be used. At this point you need to insert whatever media you are using, if using a Window XP PC and the device is USB this will bring up a window saying:
 
 
 
This Disk or device contains more than one type of file content - What do you want windows to do?
 
 
 
This window is headed with the drive letter of the device, e.g. {{FilePath|KINGSON (X:)}} In which case this is what needs to be entered in the select backup drive box e.g. {{FilePath|X:}}.
 
 
 
The Backup program will now show a black and white screen with the following:
 
 
 
<pre>
 
Please wait compressing files in C:\sx\Sxutils\....
 
....Done
 
 
Please wait compressing files in C:\sx\SXCo1\....
 
....Done
 
</pre>
 
 
 
Wait until this box disappears and the system will display a log on the backup and any errors that may have occurred.
 
 
 
{{Tip|text='''TIP:''' If you wish this process to be more automated it is possible and the help doc stored in {{FilePath|<Platinum Installation Drive>sx\sxbackup}} called {{FilePath|SxBackup Usage.txt}} may help. If you need further assistance called Software support on '''0116 2301500'''}}
 
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
*[[How do I clear Locked Users?]]
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* [[Troubleshooting Your Platinum Backup]]
*[[Payroll End of Year]]
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* [[How do I Change the Drive Letter of my Backup Device?]]
*[[How to process a month end]]
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* [[How do I clear locked users?]]
*[[How do I Process a Year end?]]
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* [[Why is my Backup Not Copying to My External Device?]]
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* [[Payroll end of year]]
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* [[How do I process a year end?]]
  
{{Hint}}{{KB_Tags|Backup, sxbackup}}{{ZN_Admin}}
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{{KB_Tags|backup, back up, sxbackup, process, year, month, end, year end, process year end}}
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{{Guide}}{{Hint}}{{ZN_Accounts}}{{ZN_Admin}}

Latest revision as of 11:31, 18 January 2023

Summary

The following article explains the Platinum Backup program (SXBackup) and how to set up a short-cut to run the backup at the press of a button.

If you have a full server backup in place then you may choose not to implement the Platinum backup program. However this option does provide the means of backing up your Platinum data to a seperate device or location aside from the full server backup. Please speak to our IT Services team or your IT provider if you have any queries regarding your current backup system.

More Information

Always remember ALL USERS must be out of Platinum and the user monitor screen cleared before any backup is done. If you are having problems with locked users, this article should help.

Installing the Programme

The Backup program is now included with the standard Platinum installation and is installed or updated whenever you update Platinum.

Typically this process will be part of your system installation but if you are unsure what process is in place please speak to your IT provider, our IT services team or our Support team.

Starting the Backup

A short-cut (icon) will be in your 'Platinum Folder' folder on your desktop, called 'Platinum Backup'. Double click this to start the backup process. The program will ask a question before starting the backup:

Choose Backup Drive

This question is asking you where you want the backup to go.

The location is down to your preference e.g. USB stick, external Hard Drive, One Drive etc. If unsure about the method most suitable for you please Contact your Platinum dealer or our sales team on 0116 230 1500 or by using our website sales contact page for advice.

If using an external device please insert it into your computer now and select the drive letter it has been allocated. Alternatively select the drive letter for the alternative backup location.

The Backup program will now show a black and white screen showing the progress of backup creation.

When this box disappears the backup will begin copying to your chosen backup device and then a log of the backup operation will be displayed, noting any errors or warnings that may have occurred.

If you wish this process to be more automated, it is possible to schedule this using the Windows Task Scheduler. The help document stored in '<Platinum Installation Drive>\SX\SXBackup' called 'Usage.txt' will help with the commands that you will need. Please Contact your Platinum dealer or our support team on 0116 230 1500 or by using our website support contact page if you need further assistance.

Checking your Backup

Once the backup is complete, you should use Windows Explorer to check the details of the backup file created.

  • The file will have been created on your external drive as above and in '<Platinum Installation Drive>\SX\SXBackup'.
    • The file is called 'SXBACKUP.ZIP' and should be dated either today if you have followed the instructions above or yesterday if it has been scheduled to run overnight.
  • You should also check the log files by going to '<Platinum Installation Drive>\SX\SXBackup\Logs'.
    • Open the log file dated either today or yesterday.
    • If you find any errors or are concerned about any information in the log file please Contact your Platinum dealer or our support team on 0116 230 1500 or by using our website support contact page.

See also


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Keywords AND Misspellings
backup, back up, sxbackup, process, year, month, end, year end, process year end