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Author Topic: WHY a regular backup of .ahx files is a must.  (Read 6510 times)

Dan Lawrence

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WHY a regular backup of .ahx files is a must.
« on: October 21, 2009, 08:34:41 PM »

For ALL AHP users:  ALWAYS BACK UP YOUR .AHX FILES.  When you create one or make a change, after saving it.Copy it to a different drive, USB or ZIP drive, makes no difference.  It will save your butt.

Two days ago, AHP (3.228) began randomly skipping timers.  So, I went to AHP, cleared the CM15A, closed AHP, went to C:\Program Files\Active Home Pro and deleted all .axh files except the two AHP creates when you install it (both have file dates of 2004).  Then went to the drive where the backup folder is and copied all files back to the C:\Program Files\Active Home Pro folder, then opened AHP, opened the proper file and and uploaded it to the CM15A.  All timers work as they should.   
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Knightrider

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Re: WHY a regular backup of .ahx files is a must.
« Reply #1 on: October 21, 2009, 08:46:16 PM »

Sound advice from an advance member.  The external storage device is really a must.  I've had to learn this lesson the hard way.  B:(
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HA Dave

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Re: WHY a regular backup of .ahx files is a must.
« Reply #2 on: October 21, 2009, 09:45:07 PM »

Just emailing the tiny ahx file to yourself can save you... and requires no flash or external drives. You can use the mail servers to hold your file.
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Dan Lawrence

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Re: WHY a regular backup of .ahx files is a must.
« Reply #3 on: October 21, 2009, 10:30:49 PM »

Just emailing the tiny ahx file to yourself can save you... and requires no flash or external drives. You can use the mail servers to hold your file.

Just how do you send an send e-mail to yourself? 
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bitman

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Re: WHY a regular backup of .ahx files is a must.
« Reply #4 on: October 21, 2009, 10:54:47 PM »

Just emailing the tiny ahx file to yourself can save you... and requires no flash or external drives. You can use the mail servers to hold your file.

Man that's a good idea!

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Knightrider

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Re: WHY a regular backup of .ahx files is a must.
« Reply #5 on: October 21, 2009, 11:06:13 PM »


Just how do you send an send e-mail to yourself? 

type your own address in the "to" bar.
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Brian H

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Re: WHY a regular backup of .ahx files is a must.
« Reply #6 on: October 22, 2009, 06:23:47 AM »

Very good idea.
Many of us learn the hard way. ???
I had a hard drive one day just  B:( against the case and was dead.
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dave w

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Re: WHY a regular backup of .ahx files is a must.
« Reply #7 on: October 22, 2009, 12:17:23 PM »

Very good idea.
Many of us learn the hard way. ???
I had a hard drive one day just  B:( against the case and was dead.

Going down a rabbit trail here. I had hard drive crash and tried the "freezer" trick, and it worked. Worked long enough to get all the important files before it siezed.
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Dan Lawrence

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Re: WHY a regular backup of .ahx files is a must.
« Reply #8 on: October 24, 2009, 02:08:05 PM »

Just emailing the tiny ahx file to yourself can save you... and requires no flash or external drives. You can use the mail servers to hold your file.

Only problem with that is you can't use that method as a backup.  Send it to yourself and the e-mail winds up in your e-mail client, which resides on your C: drive.   If the drive happens to fail, you loose both AHP and the backup.  Backing up to a different drive on your system or on a USB flash drive is the only option.
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HA Dave

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Re: WHY a regular backup of .ahx files is a must.
« Reply #9 on: October 24, 2009, 03:11:09 PM »

Just emailing the tiny ahx file to yourself can save you... and requires no flash or external drives. You can use the mail servers to hold your file.

Only problem with that is you can't use that method as a backup.  Send it to yourself and the e-mail winds up in your e-mail client, which resides on your C: drive.   If the drive happens to fail, you loose both AHP and the backup.  Backing up to a different drive on your system or on a USB flash drive is the only option.

Get yourself a hotmail,AOL mail,Google mail,Yahoo mail.... any account that you can also use when you don't care to give out your "normal" mail address anyway. Then save the mail NOT on your C drive... but on the mail server. I use the mail servers a lot... so I can switch between computers. I like to use my laptop most of the time... but have a big more useful PC in my office.
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bitman

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Re: WHY a regular backup of .ahx files is a must.
« Reply #10 on: October 24, 2009, 03:52:13 PM »

Dave, How exactly do you make AHP email it's ahx file?

I want to do that.

Thanks,

:Ron


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Mellowmark

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Re: WHY a regular backup of .ahx files is a must.
« Reply #11 on: October 24, 2009, 04:45:48 PM »

you need to attach the file yourself from the ahp directory.
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HA Dave

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Re: WHY a regular backup of .ahx files is a must.
« Reply #12 on: October 24, 2009, 04:50:07 PM »

Dave, How exactly do you make AHP email it's ahx file?

I have a couple alternate email accounts (actually I have four... but thats a whole different story). These yahoo, gmail, or hotmail accounts are generally just accessed via your browser. Whatever, account brand you decide to use on your HA PC... make that your default homepage. That way if you decide you'll be emailing using yahoo... when you open your browser yahoo there [and the cookie will cause it to show] your mail account.

Find you AHP macros (startbutton/explore/C drive/program files/ActiveHome Pro). I like to right-click the ActiveHome Pro folder... and select "create a shortcut". A pop message tell me I can't create a short there... but if click yes.. windows will put a shortcut on my desktop. If you update a lot.. this is a real time saver for finding your ahx files. I rename my folders to easier to understand and remember names... like: AHP Files

I used to save my file the other-way-around... but now save them like 2009oct24.ahx they line up better that way. If I alter a file several times a day.. I can end up with 2009oct24e.ahx.

Now... after making changes in my ahx files...
  • Open my browser address a mail to myself
  • Click attach file (browse to desktop/AHP files/(select that days file)2009oct24e.ahx
  • send
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bitman

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Re: WHY a regular backup of .ahx files is a must.
« Reply #13 on: October 24, 2009, 04:59:17 PM »

Oh no, Sorry.

I thought you had AHP or associated plugin do it daily automatically.

That's what I wanted to know.

I have x10 dispatcher which can email based on events in AHP like my trash day alert but it does not support attachments!  B:(

 >!
« Last Edit: October 24, 2009, 05:04:18 PM by bitman »
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HA Dave

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Re: WHY a regular backup of .ahx files is a must.
« Reply #14 on: October 24, 2009, 05:36:27 PM »

... I thought you had AHP or associated plugin do it daily automatically.

No... and never even thought of that. I run my HA PC 24/7... but rarely touch it. Only when I make a change or modification to the setup. Then I can spend a few hours over a few days getting things right. I am sure I've had macros work perfectly the first time... I just can't remember when that was.

I've been working on Occupancy Sensing most recently... which has been a real learning experience for me. The macros I've been trying to create have been a challenge for me. It seems as though soon... the Occupancy Sensing Room... will hold most of the macros.
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