Backing up and moving WinTOTAL without Titan Drive

This document outlines the process of moving WinTOTAL Aurora without using Titan Drive.

Document 5000  |  Last updated:  09/13/2021 SPB

The processes and tools required to back up WinTOTAL without the Titan Drive vary widely from one network or office setup to the next and often involve multiple 3rd party utilities. Our support staff cannot aid you with this process. If you're comfortable performing the backup and restore processes yourself, the general process is as follows:

1. Ensure that WinTOTAL is installed on the new computer.
2. Back up your databases. Then, copy 2 database files and 4 folders from your old computer to a portable device such as an external hard drive or thumb drive.
3. Move your portable device containing your data to the new PC, and transfer the data to the appropriate locations.

If you're moving Aurora to a new server, follow the steps below on both your old and new server. Afterwards, you'll need to consult the WinTOTAL Networking Guide to get the workstations networked to the new server. Click here to download the WinTOTAL Networking Guide. Click here to see a video for getting Aurora installed and configured for the first time.

1. Install WinTOTAL on your New PC

Before getting started, make sure that WinTOTAL is installed on the computer where you plan to transfer your data. Click here to log in to your account and begin the download, or click here for step-by-step instructions on downloading and installing WinTOTAL.

Next, download and install any WinTOTAL updates on the new PC. Go to Start, [All] Programs, WinTOTAL, and select Instant Customer Update.

If you're using Windows 8, press the Windows key + R on your keyboard, copy and paste C:\a la mode\WinTOTAL\updwiz.exe in the Run window that opens, and click OK.

Once you've finished installing your updates, run WinTOTAL's database verification scripts to ensure your new computer is on the latest database version:

1. Press Windows key + R on your keyboard.

   

2. In the Open: field, type tsa, and press Enter. Or, go to Start, [All] Programs, WinTOTAL, and open the Tech Support Assistant.

   

3. Select WinTOTAL Utilities and click Next.
4. On the left double-click 1. Database verification scripts.
5. In the window that appears, select DBV0046 and click OK.

   

Once WinTOTAL has finished verifying its databases, close any windows that were left open and continue with the section below.

2. Back up your data

This portion of the process is broken up into two parts:  Backing up your databases and backing up your WinTOTAL data. Remember that this portion of the process is performed on the computer that contains all of your WinTOTAL data.

Backing up your Databases:

Keep in mind that Titan Drive can do this for you automatically, ensuring you always have a backup copy of your databases.

If you're uncomfortable following these steps without assistance, consider using Titan Drive instead, so you can easily back up and restore your data. Click here for more information and pricing options for Titan Drive.

1. Press Windows key + R on your keyboard.

   

2. In the Open: field, type tsa, and press Enter. Or, go to Start, [All] Programs, WinTOTAL, and open the Tech Support Assistant.

   

3. Select WinTOTAL Utilities and click Next.
4. On the left, double-click 11. Backup all databases.

   

5. Wait while WinTOTAL performs the backup process. We need to run this utility twice, so when the progress bar disappears, double-click 11. Backup all databases again.
6. When the progress bar disappears for the second time, continue with the section below to back up your WinTOTAL data.

Now you'll need to browse for your two database files and the four WinTOTAL folders and copy them to your portable storage device. We'll start with your database files:

1. Browse to the following location that corresponds to the version of Windows you're running on the old computer (the computer that has the data):

   Windows XP:

   C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL$ALAMODE\Data

   Windows Vista & Windows 7

   C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.1\MSSQL\Data

   Windows 8

   C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL10_50.ALAMODE\MSSQL\DATA

   If you're using a 64-bit version of Windows you'll use the same paths listed above, but instead of looking for a Program Files folder, you'll look for Program Files (x86) and then continue with the rest of the path.

2. Hold down the Ctrl key on your keyboard and select the WINTOTAL-Backup1 and WINTOTAL-Backup2 files.
3. Right-click the highlighted files, and choose Copy.

   

4. Browse to your portable storage device, right-click a blank area, and choose Paste. Or, simply press Ctrl+V on your keyboard.

Now you just need to back up your WinTOTAL folders.

Backing up your folders:

1. On your keyboard, press Windows Key + R.

   

2. In the Open: field, type %wt% and click OK.

   

3. Now, hold down the Ctrl key on your keyboard, and click each of the following folders:
   • Files
   • Images
   • Network
   • Users
4. Right‑click the highlighted folders, and choose Copy.

   

5. Browse to your portable device, right-click a blank area, and choose Paste. Or, simply press Ctrl+V on your keyboard.
6. Depending on the size of these folders, this may take a few minutes or longer. When it finishes, you're ready to continue with the next section and move everything to the new PC.

If you also need to move your TOTAL Sketch labels and settings, click here for more information.

3. Moving to your new PC

Before moving your data to the new PC, make sure you have installed WinTOTAL, downloaded and installed any updates, and ran your database verification scripts. For instructions on this process, click here to return to that section at the beginning of this document. Then, continue below:

1. If you haven't already, move your portable storage device to the new computer.
2. Select the two database files you copied from the old computer (WINTOTAL‑Backup1 and WINTOTAL‑Backup2), right click them, and choose Copy.
3. Browse to the following location that corresponds to the version of Windows you're running on the new computer:

   Windows XP:

   C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL$ALAMODE\Data

   Windows Vista & Windows 7

   C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.1\MSSQL\Data

   Windows 8

   C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL10_50.ALAMODE\MSSQL\DATA

   If you're using a 64‑bit version of Windows you'll use the same paths listed above, but instead of looking for a Program Files folder, you'll look for Program Files (x86) and then continue with the rest of the path.

4. Right‑click in a blank area and choose Paste. Or, simply press Ctrl+V on your keyboard.
5. Return to your portable storage device, highlight the four WinTOTAL folders (Files, Images, Network, and Users), right‑click one of the selected folders, and choose Copy.
6. Browse to your WinTOTAL directory on the new computer. The default location is C:\a la mode\WinTOTAL.
7. Right‑click a blank area and choose Paste. Or, simply press Ctrl+V on your keyboard.

Now, you just need to restore your databases on the new computer using the Tech Support Assistant:

1. Press Windows key + R on your keyboard.

   

2. In the Open: field, type tsa, and press Enter. Or, go to Start, [All] Programs, WinTOTAL, and open the Tech Support Assistant.

   

3. Select WinTOTAL Utilities and click Next.
4. On the left, double‑click 12. Restore all databases and wait while WinTOTAL preforms the restore process (you only need to run it once this time).

   

5. When prompted, click Yes to continue and overwrite the existing blank database.

   

When the progress bar disappears, you're finished!  Just close the Tech Support Assistant and open WinTOTAL. All of the data from WinTOTAL on your previous PC is now available on your new computer. Remember, if you followed this guide to move servers, you'll need to utilize the WinTOTAL Networking Guide to get your workstations back up and running. Click here to download the WinTOTAL Networking Guide.