Additional facts about making backups

• A backup typically takes the form of a removable disk, external drive or tape backup system, depending upon the size of the information that's being preserved. You can get information about these systems from most computer manuals, as well as the person who sold you your MYOB package.
• If you don't want to use the AccountEdge Backup and Restore commands, other software programs are available that automate the entire process of making backups-not only for your AccountEdge company file, but for your entire hard disk, as well. If you don't want to take the time to make backups yourself, consider purchasing such a product.

(If you decide to use another software program for making backups, be sure to use the MYOB AccountEdge data verification feature to ensure your company file isn't damaged before you back it up. If you use a backup program other than the AccountEdge backup program, you won't receive automatic reminders to verify your data, so it's very important that you remember to perform this important task regularly. See Verifying company files to learn more about using the data verification feature.).

• We also recommend that you make multiple backups of your AccountEdge company file -- that is, more than one copy of your company file -- and store them at different locations. The purpose of multiple backups is simple: Backups can fail as easily as computers can. If you've made one backup of your company file and a computer problem damages the company file on your hard disk, your sole insurance is the backed-up file. If the storage device containing the backed-up file is damaged, as well, you're in just as much trouble as you would be without any backup at all.

Warning: We usually can't help if you don't have a backup

Not everyone makes backups of their AccountEdge company file, and we at MYOB often hear from these people as they attempt to recover from damaged company files. As much as we'd like to help, the most common way to regain lost data-if a backup doesn't exist-is to reenter the lost data, which may take hours, days or even weeks. Since you don't have time to waste, we suggest that you strongly consider making a commitment to making regular backups of your company file.

Related topics
Using the MYOB backup command
Following a system of making backups