# Well Seeker X: Backing up a WS Db

## 1.0 - Introduction <a href="#toc194050167" id="toc194050167"></a>

When Well Seeker X is installed for the first time, part of the install is a database which can be found in the following location.

<figure><img src="https://100379801-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-McEwHTOM_v4MexTVGSe%2Fuploads%2FKHnlvEMTDZePVhiC1WOD%2F0.png?alt=media" alt="" width="509"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

When the program is opened for the first time, this is the database which Well Seeker will access. The database being accessed is referenced in the bottom left corner of the Well Seeker screen.

![](https://100379801-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-McEwHTOM_v4MexTVGSe%2Fuploads%2FFDJAxQHsfJx2cYQWLu2L%2F1.png?alt=media)

Well seeker database files have a **.mdb** file extension, and the user can easily create and switch between databases using the **Home** > **New** and **Home** > **Select** in the Database ribbon menu.

![](https://100379801-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-McEwHTOM_v4MexTVGSe%2Fuploads%2FwAxP5fmokdbEIqDuSss1%2F2.png?alt=media) ![](https://100379801-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-McEwHTOM_v4MexTVGSe%2Fuploads%2FX0AgOpdmK05tjXynP6cm%2F3.png?alt=media)

## 2.0 – Backing up a Database <a href="#toc194050168" id="toc194050168"></a>

It is very important that the user regularly backs up their databases to ensure they always have a copy in case something happens to their computer or in case there is some other issue.

### 2.1 – Backing up the current database <a href="#id-2.1_-_backing" id="id-2.1_-_backing"></a>

The current database is defined as the database which is currently being accessed when you open Well Seeker X. This database is backed up as follows:

* Open Well Seeker
* Select **Home > Backup**

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* Choose an appropriate location to save the database and select an appropriate name. For example, **Master Db.mdb** or **Master Db (**<mark style="color:red;">**Date**</mark>**).mdb** etc.
* **Note**: When backing up a database, it is recommended that you do **NOT** overwrite an existing backup, but instead create a completely new backup. That way if anything goes wrong with the process you will not lose he original backup.

### 2.2 – Backing up additional databases <a href="#id-2.2_-_backing" id="id-2.2_-_backing"></a>

It is not uncommon for a user to have multiple databases which they frequently switch between. It is very easy to back up a database without even opening Well Seeker, even if it is the current database. As an alternative method to the one described in section 2.1, any database can be backed up as follows:

* Locate the database to be backed up. This will be a **.mdb** file.
* Copy the **.mdb** database file and save it in the required backup location.
* At this point the user can rename the database if necessary (but this is not required). For example, **Well\_Seeker\_DB.mdb** could be renamed **Well\_Seeker\_DB (**<mark style="color:red;">**Date**</mark>**).mdb**, or it could be completely renamed. This is just for reference and has no effect on the database itself.

## 3.0 – Selecting a backup database <a href="#toc194050171" id="toc194050171"></a>

When necessary a backup database can be accessed when in Well Seeker by selecting **Home > Select** in the Database ribbon men&#x75;**.**

![](https://100379801-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-McEwHTOM_v4MexTVGSe%2Fuploads%2Ff2M2tCr59v2jgjfvlvJE%2F5.png?alt=media)

The user should then navigate to and select the relevant back up.

![](https://100379801-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-McEwHTOM_v4MexTVGSe%2Fuploads%2FRyYMWxXM7Yt4dwE0GAMD%2F6.png?alt=media)

## 4.0 - Important Points to Note <a href="#toc194050172" id="toc194050172"></a>

### 4.1 - Back Up Location <a href="#toc194050173" id="toc194050173"></a>

The backup location should **NOT** be in the <mark style="color:red;">**Programs (x86) folder**</mark>. Rather it should be in a documents folder on the computer C drive, or ideally somewhere that is backed up regularly i.e. a shared drive etc. The user’s desktop should also be avoided as files on the desktop are easy to delete by mistake.

### 4.2 - Uninstalling Well Seeker <a href="#toc194050174" id="toc194050174"></a>

When a new version of the software becomes available, the user needs to remove the existing version (via the add/remove programs feature in Windows) before they can install the new version. <mark style="color:red;">This uninstall process removes all the files which initially came with the install. This</mark> <mark style="color:red;"></mark><mark style="color:red;">**INCLUDES**</mark> <mark style="color:red;"></mark><mark style="color:red;">the original</mark> <mark style="color:red;"></mark><mark style="color:red;">**Well\_Seeker\_DB.mdb**</mark> <mark style="color:red;"></mark><mark style="color:red;">database</mark>. Although Innova recommends that users create their own database when they first start using the software some users prefer to work in the default. <mark style="color:red;">In this situation it is ESSENTIAL that the user backs this database up before they uninstall the software as this database will be DELETED during the uninstall process.</mark>

### 4.3 – mdb / ldb Files <a href="#toc194050175" id="toc194050175"></a>

Well seeker database files have a **.mdb** file extension. When a database is being accessed by Well Seeker an additional **.ldb** file is temporarily created. This is a very small file which, disappears when the database is not being accessed i.e. Well Seeker is using a different database, or when Well Seeker is closed.

When backing up the current database following Section 2.2 instructions, the user should be careful not to copy the .ldb file instead of the .mdb as this does not contain any data. To avoid making this mistake, it is safer to ensure that the **.ldb** file is not present, and Well Seeker being closed ensures this.

![](https://100379801-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-McEwHTOM_v4MexTVGSe%2Fuploads%2FSXR85eEpphJi7VLlMpQP%2F7.png?alt=media)

**Questions relating to any of the above can be sent to** [**support@innova-drilling.com**](mailto:support@innova-drilling.com)