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Backing up Data (PAF)

Backing up Data (PAF)

Posted: 11 Dec 2013 3:00AM GMT
Classification: Query
I would like to try to back up my data on a "Flash drive". Can I do this? and how do I do so without making it a zip file?
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Regards,
Donna

Re: Backing up Data (PAF)

Posted: 11 Dec 2013 12:54PM GMT
Classification: Query
11 Dec. 2013

The answer will vary depending upon what you want to back up.

I don't have any pictures or other documents attached to my PAF data, so the zip file that PAF creates when using the PAF backup feature contains only a compressed copy of the .paf data file. I don't know what it would contain if you have pictures, etc. attached.

So another way of backing up your data is to just copy the .paf file to a flash drive. And as long as you're at it, export your data to a gedcom and copy that to the flash drive also.

If PAF also gathers up any pictures and documents attached to your data and includes those in its back up zip file, then you'd need to add those to the flash drive.

A two step process would be to use PAF's back up to gather everything into a zip file, if that's the way it works with pictures, etc., then decompress that onto your flash drive. Most of the newer versions of Windows (XP on up) will let you drag and drop out of zip file and on to a flash drive.

Dave

Re: Backing up Data (PAF)

Posted: 11 Dec 2013 1:30PM GMT
Classification: Query
Backing up the PAF database has little value if you don't also keep a backup of the runtime environment.

It has been a little while since I have used PAF but I use to travel with the software running on a flash drive and before that running off a CD-ROM and floppy. I would install the entire application and database on a thumb or ROM drive with all electronic documentation and store it away in your safe place.

You should also export a GEDCOM and store safe as well.
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