It is important to back up your files every day in order to avoid data loss due to unforeseen circumstances such as power surges, computer errors, or ransomware. AbacusLaw by CARET has an internal utility that allows you to back up and restore your files.

We do not retain a copy of your data, so your diligence in ensuring your data is backed up and safely stored is business critical! Without a backup, data cannot be recovered.

If you use third-party software or services to back up AbacusLaw by CARET, your best option is to do a complete copy of the ENTIRE AbacusLaw by CARET folder.

Index

• Schedule an Immediate Shutdown
• Backing Up Your Data
• Restoring Your Data
• Clearing Stuck Connections to the AbacusLaw by CARET Database

Scheduling an Immediate Shutdown

Schedule an immeditate shut down to ensure that all users are out of AbacusLaw by CARET, Abacus Accounting, MessageSlips, and Microsoft Outlook, if they are using the Abacus Outlook Add-in. This needs to be done whether backing up OR restoring data.

Click here for instructions.

Backing Up Your Data

1. In AbacusLaw by CARET, select File > Utilities > Backup > Backup.
   
   
2. If you see a Sharing Violation error when trying to backup AbacusLaw by CARET, verify that all users are logged out of ALL AbacusLaw by CARET software. If you still see this error, proceed to the section below to end any stuck connections.
   
   
3. The Backup Abacus Files window opens.
   
   
   

   Complete the settings on the window.

   • Destination: Indicates the directory where the backup file will be stored. To change, click the button. The Browse for Folder window appears. Select the directory and click OK.

   • Source: The directory containing the files you want to back up. To back up a different directory, first select File > Change directory from the main menu.

   • Password: Enter an optional password for the backup.

   • Number of backup files to retain: The number of the most recent backup files to keep. For example, if you select 5, Abacus will always keep the 5 most recent backup files. RECOMMENDATION: Select to retain at least 5 backup files if you have the disk space.

   • Forms .AF files: When checked, all form files (files with an .AF extension) will be included in the backup.

   • Saved Accounting PDF bills: When checked, saved PDF bills will be included in the backup.
     
     

4. If you check Send in email, an email will automatically be created after the backup is complete, and the backup file will be attached to the email.
   
   

5. Click Start Backup. When the backup is complete, a message window will open. Click OK. A backup file named LAW_XXX.zip is created (where "XXX" is the backup number) and stored in the selected directory.

Restoring Your Data

1. In AbacusLaw by CARET, select File > Utilities > Backup > Restore.
   
   
2. The Restore Setup window opens. Ensure the source file is correct in the Restore Setup window.
   
   
   
   

3. Complete the settings.

   • Source file: The file from which you will restore data (the backup file). To change, click the button. The Select a file to restore from window appears. Select the backup file and click Open.

   • Destination: The directory where restored files will be located.

   • Password (Optional): Enter a password if one was used for the backup.
     
     

4. Click Restore.
   
   
5. If you see a message that states “The database is open elsewhere and backup cannot be restored”, proceed to the section below.
   
   
6. AbacusLaw by CARET will restore your data and rename your existing database files with a .BAK or .TBK extension. This process ensures that you have a point to return to if necessary.

Clearing Stuck Connections to the AbacusLaw by CARET Database

These instructions only apply to the ADS version of AbacusLaw by CARET.

1. Log onto the server computer, where the main installation of AbacusLaw by CARET is.
   
   
2. Open the Advantage Configuration Utility and click Stop Service.
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. This severs all connections to the Advantage Database Server used by AbacusLaw by CARET. If everyone swears they are out of AbacusLaw by CARET and you are still unable to perform a backup, you can try this. You will need to start it again, however, to do the backup.
   
   
4. Open Computer Management. Computer Management can be found within Administrative Tools if you are unable to find it by searching for it on the Start Menu.
   
   
   
   
5. Navigate to System Tools > Shared Folders > Open Files. Select all entries that start with your Abacus directory path (e.g., C:\Abacus…), right-click, and click Close file.
   
   
6. If you are still unable to restore your data, try following the procedure here: Restoring a Backup when You Cannot Open AbacusLaw by CARET