Replacing an Erased File

Problem

User lost a file from MacNail construction accounting software or estimating software. Or, they erased a file, or replaced a file with older version accidentally. Or, they can't find a file missing from hard disk drive somehow.

Diagnosis

Try find file— is file somewhere else? Hooray!

Do they have a backup? If so, go back to that. Life is good.

If both of the above, figure out whichever is most recent.

Solution

If no backup, life sucks. Preach the IMPORTANCE of backup copies!
They may be able to recover some or all data from any of the following:
• did they print the file?
• did they make an extract or report from the file (if a Ledger or Log, etc)?
• A Project List or a Condensed Estimate from an Estimate?

Comments

If the user lost a ledger or log that had SOME items posted to job costing but not all, life really sucks-- they may have to erase all cost control files and repost.
Definitely be sympathetic, but stress the importance of a regular (daily or more often) backup system to floppy disk, a second hard disk, or a tape backup unit. We've had a few users lose several files before it sunk in they need to back up! Really.

Entered 9/21/93 by Dennis. Updated 11/12/2010.