Recovering after PC Failure

Abstract

If the main office PC fails for any reason, the ofice may operate for a period of time on a backup or secondary PC.  If this occurs, it may be difficult to re-instate Capable 21C back onto the main PC once it has been repaired.  This article discusses what to do when a PC fails.

Underlying challenge

In order to ensure minimum data loss, the following procedures should be followed:

Resolution

What to do when the main PC fails

  1. Close Capable 21C on all PCs in the network.
  2. Determine which PC will temporarily replace the main PC.
  3. Restore a backup onto that PC.  Ideally, the backup should be restored to the same folder location as it was stored on the main PC (eg typically C:\Capable).  Note that a complete backup should include all sub-folders.
  4. Share the folder where the database is stored on the replacement PC.  Ideally, the folder should be shared using the same share name as the original PC. PC.
  5. Identify the PC name of the temporary replacement.  To do this, right click on the My Computer icon and select Properties.  There is a Computer Name tab on the Properties window.
  6. Go to each PC in the office (including the temporary replacement).  Go to the C:\Program Files\Capable\Capable.INI file and change the first line (DATABASE=\\XXXX\YYYY)  so that it correctly points to the temporary replacement.
    1. Close Capable 21C on all PCs in the network.
    2. Copy the database folder from the temporary replacement PC back to the main PC (including all sub-folders).  This is usually C:\Capable.
    3. Check that any shares that were configured on the main PC are still present.  If the PC required a complete re-installation of Windows, these shares might no longer be present.  In particular, share the database folder as it was shared on the temporary replacement PC.
    4. If the main PC required a complete re-installation of Windows, its name may have changed.  Identify the PC name of the main PC.  To do this, right click on the My Computer icon and select Properties.  There is a Computer Name tab on the Properties window.
    5. Go to each PC in the office (including the temporary replacement).  Go to the C:\Program Files\Capable\Capable.INI file and change the first line (DATABASE=\\XXXX\YYYY)  so that it correctly points to the main computer.

    Detailed Information

    Notes for SQL Server implementations

    Note that the Capable 21C database is not typically located in the C:\Capable folder when SQL Server is in use.  In addition, it is likely that a temporary replacement PC will not have SQL Server installed on it.

    For these reasons, a PC Technician should be engaged to establish a temporary replacement PC while the main PC is being repaired.

    Note that when SQL Server is used, the main database folder still needs to be backed up and restored, as it will define the location of all image files and audio recordings.

This knowledge resource is designed for use on a Windows (tm) XP system operating at a screen resolution of 1024x768 or better. Windows Media Player must be installed for this training resource to operate correctly.

Copyright 2008 Capable Software Pty Ltd

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