How to restore and backup your Timesheet date on the Android OS!

Timesheet Pro: $2.50Backing it up!

I talked about 3 Different Timesheets but I still recommend TimeSheet Pro from Google Play store.  I’ve had nothing but success but I have had one or two problems along the way with this app.  I wanted to discuss this and possibly help people keep their important time information from being lost.   

Before we begin though there are a few things you need to make sure you have a way to backup your times.  You will need to register for a Dropbox account (Again, I get no money for the link other than the possiblity to get 16gb of space on dropbox).  I have yet to figure out how to use it with Google Drive but I am hoping the maker of the app has it planned in the comming weeks! :) It would be so much easier for me since I already have enough space on my Google Drive to keep it safe!

How to Back it up!

Right Now you will need to have your Dropbox account registered and download the Dropbox app.   You will then need to Authorize Dropbox.  You can get to that by going into your settings menu.   The easiest way I can do it by using the Menu button and then select More and then Settings.   Once their you should then go to the Backup menu and that is menu should look like the picture.   

If you want to have two different backup locations such as the cloud and and external SDcard.   You will need to enter the SDcard location.  It can be several ways like:

/storage/external_SD/(folder)

/mnt/sdcard/_ExternalSD/(folder)

/mnt/sdcard/external_sd/(folder)

/mnt/sdcard/(folder)

These are just a few but if you need help figuring out the name of the location of your SD Card, you can use something like Astro File Manager!  I use this all the time when start using a new phone or tablet.

Now since you have setup both your dropbox and ou sd locations.  You will need to test it out if this is your first time, if not you will just have to go to next step.  

Restoring your Information!

Now since you have setup the dropbox.   You will now need to restore the information that you have lost.   If you did not do this in the first place your data probably wasn’t backup and this will be useless but if you did this in the beginning to prevent that then please continue!

You will need to find the location that you have the newest backup of your data, either the external sd card or Dropbox.  You can use Astro File manager to know which dmp file was created the lastest.   Once you’ve found it, you will need to make a copy of the file.  This way if something while restoring you can still have a copy.   

The dmp file should start of with:

(year)(month)(date)_numbers_numbers.dmp

Even I do not know what the numbers mean but you can find the date that is needed to back up and copy to either the cloud or copy from the cloud.   Once you have made a backup of that file.   You will then need to rename the file to “automatic.dmp” and copy it to the location on the sdcard that you’ve told the program were to backup to.  I found this to be the easiest way.  You can however just use the file that is created but I like to keep it from being deleted or used.  

If you have setup the paths the right way and copy the files to the right directory you will see something like this when you click restore on your phone or tablet.   Each time you need to restore, you should follow these directions that way it makes it so much easier and simplier.  If you decided to use the automatic.dmp file, you will have a selection to select the automatic file.   Either way, once your restored your back to where you have left off.  

If I have helped you with this app please consider sharing it and also use my Amazon link whenever you want to buy something from Amazon.  This helps me keep doing the things I love.  A small commission is given to me everytime you use this link to buy products or services from Amazon and you pay nothing more for using it!

Note to Self: Keep a Backup with you at all times!

Chrome OS Back ups!

The story was a simple one, I went to friends house to use their wifi with my Acer Chromebook and I got an update reminder on my system for a update to the Chrome OS.   It seems that it was a beta version of the software that was the problem.  I’m a tinkerer at heart and you can change it from three different versions:

• Stable
• Beta
• Developer — Unstable

You can change to anyone of these simply by going to chrome://help/ and then clicking more info.  

Use it at your own risk!

As you can see you have a choice to try out the ones that aren’t very stable and might cause problems.   This is where I must grab my foot and stick it in my mouth.   I was trying the beta version of the Chrome OS to see what might be coming out in a few months.   I usually don’t have problems with a beta version of any Operating system but this last update for the Chrome OS Beta just made my computer boot and then just got to a white screen and it would just hang there for several minutes and then it would reboot.   Well I didn’t have my backup restore flash drive with me and was trying everything  I could come up with to get it running.   Finally I broke down and borrowed my friends 4gb flash drive to create a restore of the my Parrot CoffinFish E3181 ISO (Use at your own risk) that I made back a few weeks ago, just in case!  I used that to create a restore flash drive on my friends Windows system.  If you are looking for the tool to make one for your system, you can check out Google Page on that!

Restore Switch on the Acer!

I was searching long and hard to find this elusive restore switch to boot into the restore option of the Chrome OS.   Apparently after looking hard and long the simple way to do this is just hit the ESC-F3-POWER button at the same time.   There is no actual button you have to push to get into the restore mode.   At least that is how I got into the restore mode on my Acer Chrome Book!   

Truth Be Told!

I should of had my USB drive with me at all times but I didn’t have a good way to keep it with me at times.   I am now in search for a way to have a key chain USB to do just that.   Be able to put it on my key chain to take with me every place  I go and thus won’t have to worry about this next time around!   I am sure this won’t be the last time since I am always going to be a beta tester.

Why Data backup and Data Recovery is essential.

Master Chief, Backed Up by Rico-san, on Flickr

Behind the blog post!

I hate to rant on my family but sometimes they can be hardest people to deal with.  My Sister (I've got a lot of 'em) brought me this Acer Aspire One [Amazon Affiliate] laptop and asked me to get her data off it.  I really don't have a problem with the laptop myself but what happened was something only another Geek would cringe.  The screen was cracked and the laptop wouldn't boot.   The basic signs of a the laptop being dropped or smashed along the lines.  Anyways, she asked me to get her I-Tunes stuff off your computer.   That part isn't really a problem because you can pretty much find the technical manuals for free.  So that problem was solved for me because I never taken apart a small laptop like that.  However, upon inspection of the cables I would need to use the hard drive.   I found I had a really old version of the IDE and Atapi USB connector and didn't have a SATA USB Cable.   I bought one off Amazon which was Cables To Go 30504 USB 2.0 to IDE or Serial ATA Drive Adapter (Black) [Amazon Affiliate].   It Plugged in and started right up the Hard drive.   I must say it was the simplist plug and copy of files, that I've done in a long while.

Data Backup!

I really don't buy from Itunes because of the fact I only get one file copy and if that is lost or stolen, then I have lost my money.   I prefer Amazon Video [Amazon Affiliate], because I can have 2 downloads and still stream it all I want.   I wanted to at least talk about some ways to backup again, I'm sure you've heard me talk about backing up once.  I hate for anyone to loose their data because they didn't want to backup.  So I'm going to give you some help:

• Decide what type of backup! This is the first step I take to figure out what type of backup I want.
• Crashplan Plus [Affiliate link] is what I recommend.   You can backup all your household for just 6 dollars a month.  Works on All Major Operating Systems Linux/Mac/Windows, so no worries there.
• Keep alert for Warning signs of a Hard Drive going bad.   This is also why you need to keep your data backed up.
• Free backups are also better than nothing.   I don't recommend as much because you get what you pay for, but it still might help you if their was a problem.
• Don't forget about Backing up your Drivers for those important hardware add-on.   I've seen it before, people have to go re-download them once they re-install the Operating system.  This will help prevent it.
• If you want to keep your OEM Operating System, you might want to Backup your Hidden Partition on the Drive.  

In the End, it is what you want!

Nothing is set in stone, so you can always decide to do it your own way but you must remember to do it often and you must remember to have two or three ways to back up your software in case something terrible happens.   If you don't you just might regret it, and you know how important those pictures of your kids are. 

Paul Sylvester