Intuit Data Protect Nightmare

Well, I know you have heard the old saying, "the dog ate my homework".  Last week it was "the cat broke my computer".  Yes, "the cat", that would be Simba, which can be seen on my Facebook page.  Oh, I cannot blame it all on the cat as it was my fault bringing the computer into the kitchen to multitask and eat breakfast while working.  The doorbell rang, Simba jumped out of the window, caught my computer on the jump down and sent it flying to my kitchen floor.

Off to the Apple store to have it fixed.  I could still start it, but the screen was dim and you could not really see what was on it.  I figured, being that this is a Mac computer, some geek at Apple would open it up, replug what undid back in and I would be off and running.  Well, no such luck.  They had to send it out to fix it, approximately 7 business days.  

So, now what do I do?  I purchased another computer (was on my list to do this year anyway since my computer was three years old).  Now comes the fun part, putting everything back.  As you know, I constantly nag about "backup backup backup".  I use backup.com (the QuickBooks version) and the new product Intuit Data Protect (IDP)*.

Since I was backing up using IDP at the time of the "crash", all of my backup did not complete.  With IDP, there are no extra backups.  The last one you have is the only one you get.  I have approximately 20 data files on my computer alone.   Seven backed up prior to the computer taking a tumble.  I called the ProAdvisor line to ask how do I restore from the backup from the prior day?  The answer is "you don't".  When you backup, it overwrites the earlier backup.  They do save that backup on their server for 45 days, but if I did not also have a second online backup program, I would have no copies of my other 13 data files.  

The moral of my story is do not rely on one backup system.  I was unaware how the newer program worked.  It would have been catastrophic for me to have lost these other files.  Fortunately, backup.com program backed up my data files as well.  I was able to go to that program to restore my other files.  I have been so busy, I have not had time to play around with IDP (by making a backup and restoring it).  

My recommendation to all of my clients is to not use this product yet.  Not until you have a way to save several backups.  I have seen it happen too many times where someone will create a backup and it won't restore.  If that happens and you use IDP, you have to other alternative as that is your only copy.  If they do want to use it, make sure you have another backup system in place as a fall-back.

*IDP is a new backup program for QuickBooks 2011.  ProAdvisors have this included with their membership.

And to answer your question.....yes, Simba is still alive and jumping and hanging out in the window.  We call it watching Gecko TV.  He loves to watch the Gecko's run up and down the palm trees.

Lynda
Check out my website www.artesanibookkeeping.com