Back-Ups

If you own a DJW Server:

You already have a backup system installed. Follow these instructions to understand how to keep your backups organized and safe.

1. Verify that the tapes you are using are the correct type for your system. Some older versions of these tapes are compatible with your system as "read only". Be sure to consult us about the right tape for your system.
2. Verify that the tapes you are using are not switch to the "lock" position. This will stop the backup system from writing onto the tape. Set it to "open" position.
3. Before backing up DJ Wizard data, you must make sure that DJ Wizard is not running on any PC or the backup will never be complete. Double-check that all computer users have closed the DJ Wizard program before leaving the office at night.
4. A Zip disk backup should be done once a day using the DJWizard Autobackup Utility. Please do not close this application or the backup will not be done. You need to have at least 4 - 5 Zip disks that can be rotated every Monday.
5. A Tape backup should be done once daily and once a week using the Backup Exec Utility. This utility is used to do a Full Backup on your system every Monday and a differential backup once a day. You need to replace the tape once a week on Mondays. You should have at least 3-4 tapes and these should be rotated. Store all tapes in a fire proof Safe or offsite when not in use.
6. If you are having any problems with Windows or using DJ Wizard or any other program, shut down your computer and then turn back on. If it still gives you a problem, call DJW, tech. support at 415-491-1616.

DJW Inc. can not guarantee complete data recovery without a fresh backup. Always remember: you cannot restore what you never backed up.

If You Do Not Own A DJW Server:

Backing up your DJ Wizard data is not a choice, it is a vital business practice! You must use a backup system.

Imagine you come tomorrow to work and your server crashed. How would you feel if you check your backups and none of them are current or good?

After calling us and we determine that your hard disk has a major failure, guess what our technician will ask you? "When was the last time you have verified that you have a current backup?". Can you definitely say "Last night"?

While hard disk crashes are rare, they can happen at any time for any computer, old or new! It is more likely to happen 2 or 3 years from the date your server was purchased. The only remedy is having good current backups and utilizing several backup systems such as zip, hard drives, tape and the DJWizard Auto Program. That way, if one backup system did not do its job for some reason, you will still have secured a backup on one of the other systems.

Verify that the tapes you are using are the correct type for your system. Some older versions of these tapes are compatible with your system as "read only". Be sure to consult us about the right tape for your system.

Verify that the tapes you are using are not switch to the "lock" position. This will stop the backup system from writing onto the tape. Set it to "open" position.

We strongly recommend that you backup your system often especially on the last working day of the year. Tape, hard disk and floppy backups are ok, but we recommend a Zip disk backup on a fresh Zip disk. It can be checked easily to find out if your backup is good.

Check your backup, and do not use the same tape or disk for the following consecutive backups. If you backup to your hard disk it is recommended to rename the "Diamond1.zip" file to "Backup.zip" in the R:\diamond\bkup folder after the backup is done. Make sure that DJ Wizard is not working or loaded anywhere on the network on any PC before you backup your data.

The important message is, backup every day! A few minutes of your time at the end of a day can save you hours or days of frustration and down time.

Why should I verify my backup?

After performing a backup, it is necessary to check and make sure that the data was properly written to your backup media. Just because you have run your back system doesn't guarantee that the backup was a success. Even the best programs encounter errors sometimes - that's why backups are needed in the first place! Otherwise when you try to use your backup to recover your system, you may find that some of the data you had tried to backup is missing. Verifying the success of a backup after it is performed will prevent such a problem.

How The DJ Auto Backup System Can Eliminate Your Worries

The latest version of the "DJW Auto Backup" system is automatic, quick and will verify that the backup job was done correctly. You can see in just seconds a whole day of data backed up in front of your eyes. Or if you wish, set it up to run automatically at night. You will be able to tell if the backup was done correctly the next morning. If it cannot confirm a backup was done it will show a distinguished message in large red letters: "Your backup CANNOT be confirmed, try backing up again." It will also display when your last backup was done.

Some of you have already have purchased this automated backup system. Those who did not, should know that we have discounted it from $300 to a more affordable $200. If you already own DJ Auto Backup we can upgrade you to the latest version and check your Zip disk backup system for only $100. It is a small, one-time investment that will give you piece of mind that your business' data is safely backed up.

NOTE: Although DJWizard Auto Program can backup to a hard disk, it is recommended that you also backup to a removable Zip drive, so you can physically rotate and store the data in a fire proof safe or off site.

Why Tape Drive Backups Are Also Needed

While the DJW Auto Backup System backs up just the DJ Wizard information, tape backups will backup your entire hard disk. While your most crucial data is backed up daily, having a backup of you entire system can greatly expedite recovery time in the event of a system-wide failure. Making this backup can mean the difference between prolonged downtime for you business and a quick recovery.

Tape backups can take up to a few hours to backup and verify the data, but it is worth it. You can run a backup at night then verify it the next morning.

• At least 1 Full Weekly Backup of the entire hard disk - we recommend on Monday nights.
• Daily differential Backups - backing up files that were changed since the last full backup.

We recommend these daily backups to be done Tuesday, through Friday at 6:00, 7:00 or 8:00pm. You have to rotate at least 4 backup tapes: One for each week. Keep a tape in the machine for the whole week and by next Monday replace it with the backup for the next week. Keep one tape away from your office. And rotate it on a biweekly basis.

If you are not sure how operate your backup system, our technicians will be glad to help you. There may be a small fee if your tape backup is not working and needs to be reconfigured or rescheduled.

DJW Inc. can not guarantee complete data recovery without a fresh backup. Always remember: you cannot restore what you never backed up.

End-of-Year/Quarter Backups

We strongly recommend making at least one backup copy on the last working day of the year (or fiscal year), and preferably at the end of every quarter as well. Keep this copy in your safe for tax filling purposes. It is preferred that you copy and save your company data on a USB memory key (min. 512MB of space is needed). Other kinds of media can be used for this backup, however please verify with DJW, Inc what other means of backup are appropriate if you are not sure. Follow these steps to retain a backup for later use.

1. Backup your DJ WIZARD data on the last working day of the year.
2. Keep the backup in your safe or at home. Do not overwrite it or reuse it!
3. If you are still using backup tapes or zip disks make sure to replace them every few months. Old media is not reliable.

You can also print out the following reports on the last work day of the year if needed:

• Aging
• Due Amounts
• AP Aging
• Due Amounts For Suppliers
• Diamond Value
• Jewelry Value
• Gems Value
• Sales Statement

If you wish to automate your end-of-year and quarter backups, please call DJW, Inc. for an AutoBackup upgrade.