How to Backup and work with a database on an external drive

Some users prefer to relocate their database on an external drive or on a network drive, and point Ideas Genie to work off that drive rather than the database created by default during installation.
This article explains how.

1 Use standard Windows programs (e.g. My Computer) to create a folder on the external drive with this structure:
F:\igdata_sets\DatabaseName \igdata
If you don’t know how to do that, follow the steps described in the article Working with Folders
The folder igdata should be empty.
You can substitute any name for DatabaseName above, but the other folder names and the path must be exactly as shown
In this exercise I have created the folder structure on the F: drive. Change that letter as necessary.
I have also substituted MyGarden2011 for the DatabaseName

2. From the menu click the System tab and start the program System Paths - GA197
Screenshot

3. Click one of the Get a Folder buttons. In this exercise I have clicked the Get a Folder button for Backup Folder No 2
Navigate and locate the igdata folder created above.
These screenshots may help you locate the igdata folder
Screenshot1   Screenshot2

4. Referring to this Screenshot once again, the full path to the igdata folder should appear in the Backup Folder No 2 field.
Click the Save changes button

5. Under the System tab, start the program Backups - GA201
Screenshot
You should not need to change the Backup From folder. It will automatically locate the Core folder.
Use the Backup To popup to select Backup Folder No 2.
Click the Do Test button
If all is OK, screen GA201S02 will appear.
Click the Do backup button.

6. The database has now been created on the external drive is now ready for use.
Under the Tools tab, start the program Switch Databases - GA026
Screenshot
Click the pop-up at the upper region of the screen.
The database created in the steps above should be listed.
Select your new database.
Note that the full path is not displayed.
In my case, it displays F Drive - MyGarden2011
After making the selection, Ideas Genie tests the files on the selected database.
If all OK, the Switch button becomes enabled.
Click the Switch button.

7. Ideas Genie has now closed the Core database, and opened your new database.
This database remains open for the duration of the session and is used by all programs.

8. Verify as follows:
Start the program GA004.
Click the Show button.
Ideas Genie will open a dialog box indicating the database currently in use.
In this configuration, when you close and then restart Ideas Genie, the Core database is opened on startup.
i.e. the setting made in Switch - GA026 does not persist in this mode.

9. If you’d like to make this new database your default database, do this.
Refer again to this Screenshot
Select your new database, then check the checkbox Make this my STARTUP folder and click the Switch button.

10. Verify again as follows:
Start the program GA004.
Click the Show button.
Ideas Genie will open a dialog box indicating the database currently in use.

10. Start the program About Ideas Genie - GA200 .
Observe the information displayed in Items 6 and Items 7

11. Note that the setting made in Switch - GA026 in step 9 now DOES persist when  Ideas Genie is closed and restarted.
Make sure the external drive is operational before using the program with this setting.

12. To revert to using the Core database
Under the Tools tab, start the program Switch Databases - GA026
Refer again to this Screenshot
Click the Reset to Core Folder button
Optionally, check the checkbox Make this my STARTUP folder
Click the Switch button.

End of exercise...