Tip 244: Backup BCM databases

Three times last week I received messages that went something like this:

“Help me RESCUE data from CRASHED MS BCM! My computer with BCM installed (and full of my accounts) crashed. I had to pull the data off the drive, then reformat WINXP and go from there. I have reinstalled BCM, but am now LOST as to how/and where to find my accounts. (And nope,- I did not get to back them up.) I just want the data, the interlinks are not important.”

Rule #1 – Back up your data often! BCM includes a backup utility that makes it easy – use it.

If you don’t have a recent backup, you may be able to recover the data, if you have a copy of the two database files, ending with the extension LDF and MDF.

1. Create a new database in BCM, naming it the same as your old database.
2. Exit Outlook and stop the BCM service in Admin Tools, Services.
3. Replace the new database files with your old ones, making sure the file names are identical.
4. Restart the BCM service and Outlook.

See http://www.slipstick.com/emo/2004/up040708.htm#bcm if you need more details, such as file locations.

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This article is filed under Tips Archive.
Last reviewed on Jun 17, 2011