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I am Not Understanding the File System Saving

Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2016 9:38 pm
by Tekman
CintaNotes Version 3.4

I am using Windows 7 Home

I had to carry out the repair of the database by importing a file that luckily I had on a backup disk of all my stuff. I went there, copied it to the desktop, renamed it etc and then imported it.

The bizarre thing is that when I go into the folder where CintaNotes is located then if you double click the most recent database an old version with hardly any tags opens up.

If you merely open CintaNotes, then it picks up the correct and most recent database.

Even if you do a save as within CintaNotes and then locate that file, then it opens up an old version as just referred to above.

I have tried for about two hours to resolve this and seemingly I cannot understand what is going on.

More to the point; it is very worrying that the file system is seemingly behaving in this way. I am worried that for future trouble-shooting or locating my data file, then this is seemingly impossible.

Even the most recent backup database file opens as an old version - missing tons of data.

As I say, I can only open the database up correctly and with all the data intact via merely launching CintaNotes Version 3.4 and which I have pinned to the Task Bar. I have checked which version I am running via the Help About etc and it is 3.4. And I am only running one instance.

Please can someone unravel what is going on here? I am very worried about where my large database is going.

Re: I am Not Understanding the File System Saving

Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2016 4:50 am
by CintaNotes Developer
Hi Tekman,

One possible explanation would be that another CintaNotes instance is registered for opening *.db files, not the one you expect.

How to check: run the correct instance, then navigate to Options/System, there should be a checkmark near "Associate with DB files".

Re: I am Not Understanding the File System Saving

Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2016 11:31 am
by Tekman
Thanks Alex for your prompt response; it is most appreciated.

Your solution has removed what was going on. You will see that I had managed to create this situation through multiple versions of CintaNotes remaining on my machine.

I have a few other queries and comments related to this issue which I feel it would be best to get sorted out. I can then move forwards with confidence regarding how to 'manage all things CintaNotes.

I have never really understood how to place i.e. install etc CintaNotes on my machine. I have always been worried about losing my data. I therefore had loads of instances of CintaNotes (older versions) stored in my 'root' Programs folder i.e. where I install all of my programs.

I have now deleted all of the folders and databases of these older versions of CintaNotes. I therefore just have version 3.4 in the Programs folder just referred to. This folder is not the one within Windows but on my D: partition.

Question 1:
Where does all of the database file(s) go whenever CintaNotes makes a save? I have the save hourly and the other save options selected as a safety precaution. I notice that your program creates a folder called Backup. I also notice that seemingly all of my saved current database goes into this folder. Is this correct or should there be, say the latest current instance stored in some other folder (say called CintaNotes Database) and then say another set stored in the Backup folder as a type of safety net? Is there any logical way to achieve this 'main folder' and then the Backup folder?

Question 2:
What is the best procedure to adopt when installing the latest version to replace the previous one?
I am afraid that currently I barely know what I am doing and so have been reluctant to install many of the minor versions as I know I will not be able to get my database back into the latest version. This is quite worrying. And as I seemingly am not understanding this with regards to what might overwrite various things like settings/configuration etc., then naturally I attempt to be very cautious.

Am I right in thinking that essentially CintaNotes is a portable application?

Thanks again, Alex for your excellent support.

Glyn

Re: I am Not Understanding the File System Saving

Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2016 8:53 am
by CintaNotes Developer
> Where does all of the database file(s) go whenever CintaNotes makes a save?

I assume you're talking about backup copy. For installed version, it foes to %APPDATA%/CintaNotes/backup by default, but the location can be changed by editing the "backup.folder" parameter in the cintanotes.settings file.

For portable version, backup simply goes into the "backup" subfolder in the app folder (also can be changed).


> What is the best procedure to adopt when installing the latest version to replace the previous one?

Well the rules for updating are different for portable and installed versions, but both are not very complicated:

1) Installed version
(In this case all your data is stored in %APPDATA%/CintaNotes.)
Simply exit CN and run the installer and accept its suggestions. It will pick up the existing location of CN. Yes, yes, next, ok. You're done.

2) Portable version
Unpack the zip file and replace old files with files from the archive. Make sure that files like cintanotes.exe are overwritten and not put into a subfolder. Note that the archive doesn't have any user files, it means that your data won't be overwritten.