How to back up a Microsoft Small Business Accounting 2006 Database with Windows SBS

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In a few days, we will publish an update to “How to Install and Configure Small Business Accounting 2006 on Windows Small Business Server 2003” that includes a section on how to back up the Small Business Accounting 2006 database using the Windows SBS backup utility. Since this is a highly requested procedure, we're passing it on to you in advance.

If you have configured Windows SBS to automatically perform regularly scheduled backups, you do not need to do any further configuration to include the Small Business Accounting database in the backups. Windows SBS automatically detects the new MSDE database and backs it up for you. For more information about the Windows SBS backup and restore utilities, see "Backing Up and Restoring Windows Small Business Server 2003" at the Microsoft Web site.

Note If you use backup software developed by a company other than Microsoft, refer to the documentation included with that software to configure the backup for your server. This procedure applies only to Windows SBS 2003 Backup.

With the Backup or Restore Wizard, you can run a manual, unscheduled backup of your server or of specific files on your server, or you can schedule a regular backup of specific files and folders. Use the following procedures to perform a manual backup or to schedule a regular backup of your Small Business Accounting database.

Note The preferred method for backing up all of your data files is to schedule a backup from the Server Management console and to assure that the backup finishes successfully each time. You should use the following procedure only to perform a manual backup of the Small Business Accounting database.

To manually back up the Small Business Accounting database

  1. Click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, click System Tools, and then click Backup. The Backup or Restore Wizard will open.

  2. On the Welcome to the Backup or Restore Wizard page, click Next.

  3. On the Backup or Restore page, click Back up files and settings, and then click Next.

  4. On the What to Back Up page, click Let me choose what to back up, and then click Next.

  5. On the Items to Back Up page, in the Name column of the Items to back up text box, do the following:

    1. Double-click My Computer.

    2. Double-click the system drive.

    3. Scroll down, and then double-click Users Shared Folders.

      Note If your Small Business Accounting database is in a different folder, double-click that folder instead.

    4. Select the SBA Database check box.

    5. Click Next.

  6. On the Backup Type, Destination, and Name page, do the following:

    1. Click Browse, and then navigate to the drive or folder where you want to save your backup.

    2. In Type a name for this backup, type a name for the backup, and then click Next.

      Note It is recommended that you include the date of the backup in the name for tracking purposes.

  7. To schedule a daily backup, do the following:

    1. On the Completing Back Up or Restore Wizard page, click Advanced.
    2. On the Type of Backup page, select Daily from the drop-down menu, and then click Next.
    3. On the How to Backup page, select the Verify data after backup checkbox, and then click Next.
    4. On the Backup Options page, click Replace the existing backups, and then click Next.
    5. On the When to Backup page, select Later, type a name for this backup, and then click Set Schedule.
    6. On the Job Schedule page, select Daily from the Schedule Task drop-down menu, set a time to start when the file will not be in use (usually in the early morning hours), and then click OK.
    7. In the Set Account Information window, type an account name and password for a user who is either a power user or an administrator, and then click OK.
    8. On the When to Backup page, click Next.
    9. If the Set Account Information page appears again, retype the user account name and password, and then click OK.

  8. On the Completing Back Up or Restore Wizard page, click Finish.

  9. You now have scheduled a daily backup of your accounting database. When the backup begins, the Backup in Progress page opens and displays the progress of your backup.

  10. When the backup is complete, click Report to view the backup report.

  11. Click Close to close the Backup in Progress window.

    Note The daily backup of the accounting database is not be reported in the Server Management console, and, therefore, does not appear in the Backup Details list on the Manage Backup taskpad. It is important that you make a note of where you saved the backup so that you can easily find it if you need to restore the database.

  1. Note You can also use the backup utility in Small Business Accounting. For information about how to use the utility, see "
  2. Create a Backup File Dialog Box: options and information
  3. " at the Microsoft Web site.

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.