These instructions will help you restore a backup copy of a database to your software. Restoring a backup is quick and easy, and will allow you to recover your database information should you experience data loss or your database encounter problems. If you've had complete computer failure or a hard drive crash, then you can restore backup databases if they've been saved to an external device or cloud solution.
Restore the Last Recorded Automatic Backup
When restoring a database using this option, the last backup created automatically by the software will be restored. It will be the most recent picture recorded by the software, provided that no manual backup was made after the last automatic backup was completed.
Click the File drop-down menu select Backup and Restore.
Click Restore Database.
The Restore Database screen will appear.
Select I would like to restore my last recorded automatic backup (recommended). Here you will also see the date and time that the backup was created on, and the location of the backup file. Use this information to determine if restoring this backup is the best option for you to restore a database.
Click the Next button.
The Are You Sure? screen will appear.
Click Yes to continue.
If you entered a database password, the Password Required screen will appear.
Enter your password and click OK.
Your database will be restored.
Click OK.
Restoring a Different Automatic Backup
When restoring a database using this option, you will have the option of deciding which automatic backup to restore. You will have a list with creation dates and times of the full list of automatic backups currently in your automatic backup location.
Click the File drop-down menu select Backup and Restore.
Click Restore Database.
The Restore Database screen will appear.
In the Backup Location section, select Restore a database from the automatic backup location. If the Automatic Backup option is grayed out, then restoring from an automatic backup is not available because the Automatic Backup feature is probably turned off. We highly recommend that you keep the Automatic Backup feature turned on.
Click the Next button.
In the Automatic Backup Files section, all of your automatic backups will appear. Select the automatic backup to restore and click Restore.
The Are You Sure? screen will appear.
Click Yes.
If you entered a database password, the Enter Database Password screen will appear.
Enter your password and click OK.
Your database will be restored.
Click OK.
Restoring from a Backup Location
When restoring a database using this option, you will select the location of the backup to restore. It's likely the location will be on an external device or a file directory that's outside the automatic backups location like your Desktop.
Click the File drop-down menu select Backup and Restore.
Click Restore Database.
Select Restore a database from a specific location.
Click Next.
Locate the backup file that you wish to restore on your computer or on the external drive.
Select the file to restore and click the Open button.
Click Yes.
If you entered a database password, the Enter Database Password screen will appear.
Enter your password and click OK.
Your database will be restored.
Click OK.
Restore Using a SQL Server Database File
When restoring a database using this option, you will use the database .MDF and .LDF files to restore. These files are normally located at C:\Program Files(x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.1\MSSQL\Data\, but may be in another location if you are selecting to restore using these.
Click the File drop-down menu select Backup and Restore.
Click Restore Database.
Select I would like to restore my database using an SQL Server database file.
Click Next.
Locate the .MDF file that you would like to restore from. Be sure that the matching LDF file is located in the same directory.
Select the file to restore and click the Open button.
Click Yes.
If you entered a database password, the Enter Database Password screen will appear.
Enter your password and click OK.
Your database will be restored.
Click OK.