Backing up: Archive vs Year-End file

[JFW]

I have about seven years of data on one backup CD. Now I've run out of space
on that CD. In order to start backing up on a new CD, I think I would need
to archive the past years' data and begin backing up on the new CD from the
current year. But I'm not sure whether to use the "archive" or the "year
end" function. What I would like is for the register to continue showing all
the data, but that when I backup now, the backup would begin with only the
current year's data. Is this possible? This is a new problem for me--I would
appreciate any help someone can give.
TIA
Jude

 

[gmalis1]

I have about seven years of data on one backup CD. Now I've run out of space
on that CD. In order to start backing up on a new CD, I think I would need
to archive the past years' data and begin backing up on the new CD from the
current year. But I'm not sure whether to use the "archive" or the "year
end" function. What I would like is for the register to continue showing all
the data, but that when I backup now, the backup would begin with only the
current year's data. Is this possible? This is a new problem for me--I would
appreciate any help someone can give.
TIA
Jude

If you have an available USB slot, purchase a USB flash drive. They
are cheap, reusable, reliable and easier to back up to than a CD.
They have tons of storage space. Just a random check on Staples right
now shows a 2 GB USB flash drive for about $13.

 

[gk]

What I would like is for the register to continue showing all
the data, but that when I backup now, the backup would begin with only the
current year's data. Is this possible?

I don't think Quicken lets you do that.
The backup is a copy process of the Quicken file set.
Since you want to keep and use ALL data, the backup would be the whole
thing also.

 

[JimH]

I have about seven years of data on one backup CD. Now I've run out of
space on that CD. In order to start backing up on a new CD, I think I
would need to archive the past years' data and begin backing up on the
new CD from the current year. But I'm not sure whether to use the
"archive" or the "year end" function. What I would like is for the
register to continue showing all the data, but that when I backup now,
the backup would begin with only the current year's data. Is this
possible? This is a new problem for me--I would appreciate any help
someone can give.
TIA
Jude

I have about 10 years of data in Quicken. I use a CD-R for backup each
day. It holds about 1 month of backups. When it fills, I take it to my
safe deposit at the bank, and start with a new CD. I format the new CD
with the Roxio Drag-To-Disk program, then create a new backup on the
formatted disk.

I use "Karen's Replicator" (free software) to perform the backups, as
I've found that the Quicken backup function comes and goes with new
releases of their software. "Karen's" creates a new directory on the CD
for each daily backup.

CD's are cheap by the spindle, but not as reliable as I'd like for my
critical data. By having multiple disks and multiple file sets on each
disk, I'm assured of having an available backup, even if it isn't the
latest. Since I keep the backup CD's at the bank, I'm safe even if my
computer is stolen, or there is a fire in my house.

 

[Andrew DeFaria]

I have about seven years of data on one backup CD. Now I've run out of
space on that CD. In order to start backing up on a new CD, I think I
would need to archive the past years' data and begin backing up on the
new CD from the current year. But I'm not sure whether to use the
"archive" or the "year end" function. What I would like is for the
register to continue showing all the data, but that when I backup now,
the backup would begin with only the current year's data. Is this
possible? This is a new problem for me--I would appreciate any help
someone can give.
TIA
Jude

https://defaria.com/quikiwiki/tiki-view_faq.php?faqId=4#q5

 

[R. C. White]

Hi, Jude.

I don't understand the whole point of filling up a CD with old routine
backups.

I definitely agree with having A backup! And having archival backups at
certain milestone points, such as each year-end, makes sense. Quicken's
five (by default) automatic backups seem reasonable because that gives us a
month or more to notice and correct a mistake. Additional current backups
stored offsite insure against fire, theft or other loss of the ones kept
here with the computer.

But I see no reason that I would ever restore a June 2007 backup, for
example. Or August 2002? Those backups were valuable resources for a few
weeks, but after that, they are just wasted CD space.

My current Quicken file - the one that I have open right now - includes all
my 2007 transactions, and all my 2002 transactions. If there was an error
in August 2002, either it is still in my March 2008 Quicken file or I have
found and fixed it somewhere along the way. Either way, I see no benefit
from restoring the old backup. Using File | Restore Backup File |
X:\Backups2002\QDATA.QDF would show me those 2002 amounts, but I can get the
same benefit from just asking Quicken 2008 to produce reports as of 8/31/02.
The old backup would not include any corrections I've made since then. And
any corrections I might make now to that old file would not be reflected in
my current .qdf file - unless I also correct the current file - and then
each interim file since the old one will need correction, too.

I have about seven years of data on one backup CD. Now I've run out of
space

I have over 17 years of data in my current Quicken file on my computer. The
oldest data is still readily available in this current file. All of that is
also in backups on my USB thumb drive and on a second hard drive. If I were
as diligent as I should be, all that data would also be on a CD - multiple
CDs stored in different locations. But not a separate CD for each week or
month or year.

What benefit do you see from having very old routine backups?

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(Retired. No longer licensed to practice public accounting.)
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP
(Currently running Quicken 2008 Deluxe in Vista Ultimate x64 SP1)