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4.172. How do I restore a data folder backed up on disc?

Before losing my computer, I copied estimate to CD. I simply extracted the entire Estimate folder and saved it on disc. I then downloaded the trial version on line and had it unlocked it for me. Can I extract my old estimates, overhead worksheet,and material & vendor lists from the folder I saved?

Yes, but you will need to use a different set of procedures than if you backed up the data directly in the program. Here is what you will need to do:

1. Close EstiMate. Right-Click on your Start Icon and select ?Explore?. Windows Explorer will appear.

2. In the left hand column open the C drive icon, if it is not already open, and find the ?Program Files? file folder. click the plus sign to the left of ?Program Files? to open it. Find the EstiMate folder and open it. TIP: If you do not see the EstiMate folder, make sure you are looking in ?Program Files? and NOT simply ?Programs?.

3. Once you have found the EstiMate folder and opened it, right-click on the data folder and select 'Rename'. Name the folder 'Data2' without the quotes and without any spaces. Press the enter key for the name change to take effect. Minimize Windows explorer for the time being.

4. Insert the disk you saved the EstiMate folder on into the drive. Double-click on your My Computer icon.

5. Find the drive that has the disc in it, right-click and select 'Open'. What you are really wanting to access is the EstiMate data folder only, so if you see the Estimate directory, open it and locate the data folder that resides
within the directory. Right-click on the data folder and select 'Copy' from the menu. This copies the folder to your computer's clipboard.

6. Restore Windows Explorer to the foreground and click Edit > Paste from the menu bar at the top. You should now see two data folders: Data and Data2.

7. Open the folder called 'Data' that you just pasted in and click Edit > Select All. All entries should now be highlighted. Right-click on any one of them and select properties from the menu. Review the attributes section of the properties screen. If the Read Only attribute is checked, then uncheck it and press OK. If the attibute 'Read Only' is NOT checked then simply press OK without making any changes.

8. Start EstiMate. You should now be on the correct set of data and be able to see all your estimates and jobs as before.