Member Info Duplicated on New Computer

[WOLCC]

Hi! We just got another computer and I wanted to export the existing data to the other computer. Thought I did it right, but when we checked the other computer, the members were all in there multiple times. I don't want to mess this up because the info being transferred is so that finance can enter contributions on this new computer and I don't want to lose any information. Any assistance on what I need to do?

[NeilZ]

Hi! We just got another computer and I wanted to export the existing data to the other computer. Thought I did it right, but when we checked the other computer, the members were all in there multiple times. I don't want to mess this up because the info being transferred is so that finance can enter contributions on this new computer and I don't want to lose any information. Any assistance on what I need to do?

First off, what you should do is do a backup of the current computer, then just restore it on the other computer. That said, having two separate databases will eventually cause one to be out of sync with the other in one way or another.

Why don't you just network the computers, then have one computer be the client, and the other the server. If you're worried about access to data, you can setup permissions so that the contributions entry people can only do contributions entry, or only to certain areas of the contributions and membership areas.

Could you explain more about what you're trying to do ??

[WOLCC]

Hi! We just got another computer and I wanted to export the existing data to the other computer. Thought I did it right, but when we checked the other computer, the members were all in there multiple times. I don't want to mess this up because the info being transferred is so that finance can enter contributions on this new computer and I don't want to lose any information. Any assistance on what I need to do?

First off, what you should do is do a backup of the current computer, then just restore it on the other computer. That said, having two separate databases will eventually cause one to be out of sync with the other in one way or another.

Why don't you just network the computers, then have one computer be the client, and the other the server. If you're worried about access to data, you can setup permissions so that the contributions entry people can only do contributions entry, or only to certain areas of the contributions and membership areas.

Could you explain more about what you're trying to do ??

Thanks for responding, Neil. The computers are in two different buildings so I don't think that's network capable...or is it? All is new, so I haven;t done a separate backup yet. Info is saved to an external hard drive that we lock up at night in another location. Any help on doing a backup? Then would I delete what I imported on the new machine and just plug in the current hard drive? Then how do I copy? I am here at the church today (3/25), so let me know if you'd like to call here if it's too much to write in the email post, 770-969-0120. (Both computers use Windows Vista). THANK YOU!

[NeilZ]

Thanks for responding, Neil. The computers are in two different buildings so I don't think that's network capable...or is it? All is new, so I haven;t done a separate backup yet. Info is saved to an external hard drive that we lock up at night in another location. Any help on doing a backup? Then would I delete what I imported on the new machine and just plug in the current hard drive? Then how do I copy? I am here at the church today (3/25), so let me know if you'd like to call here if it's too much to write in the email post, 770-969-0120. (Both computers use Windows Vista). THANK YOU!

Are the computers currently using a network or sharing a network? If so, you can network the computers.

If not currently on a network, how close are the buildings ?? You may be able to use a secure wireless network to install a network.

The reason I'm pushing this option is that trying to synchronize data between two separate computers can cause problems.

For example: Computer 1 is used by the church secretary, and she regularly updated the database with new addresses, phone numbers, etc.

Computer 2 is used by the contributions secretary, who also adds new visitors to the database when a check or envelope with a name is placed in the collection plate.

If you backup membership data from Computer 1 to write to Computer 2, all the data that the contributions secretary may have entered is written over. Vice versa, if the Computer 2 membership data is backed up and restored to Computer 1, all the updates from the church secretary is overwritten.

Not knowing how you plan to do contributions entry, and other updates, I can only give you areas of concern.