IMPORTANT: It is very important to make regular backups of your data!
If you work directly from the CodeMeter stick, your data is NOT included in any automatic backup systems, even if they are available in your office!
Backup CM stick
If you store actual observations on your thumb drive, it is very important to copy your data on a computer hard drive or other medium, regularly.
A stick can easily get lost or damaged. Either way, this can result in a total data loss.
If you have access to a computer that is regularly backed up, it is perfect to store a copy of your stick content there.
▪Choose a computer or medium on which you want and can regularly back up your data.
▪Create a folder e.g. Backup_INTERACT on this medium
▪Create a folder with the current date, inside this folder
▪Copy the ..\Mangold INTERACT Data\ folder or any other folder that holds your data, from the CM stick into this 'date' folder.
▪Repeat the last two steps regularly.
The extra 'date' folders allow you to get access to different backups, in case something went wrong (e.g. got deleted) without being realized immediately.
IMPORTANT: NEVER overwrite existing backups with new ones, because if anything goes wrong, all data might be lost.
Files that have been overwritten CANNOT be recovered!
Backup before big changes
If you plan to do some major data manipulations, like Replace certain Codes, Move and combine codes, Adjust Time Values or restructuring your data in different DataSets, or any kind of data manipulation:
Make a copy of the original data before your start!!!
 | In the Windows Explorer - If you know up-front, that you are about to use any of the many data manipulation routines on your data: |
▪Locate the *.xiact file or files you plan to modify in the Windows Explorer and select the file(s).
▪Choose Copy and afterward Paste from the shortcut menu (or use CTRL + c and CTRL + v on your keyboard) to make a copy of the original files.
▪Rename the *-Copy.xiact file properly.
| Within INTERACT - If you are working on a file and discover that you want to make some major changes: |
▪Save the current state of the original file by clicking Start - Current Document - Save 
.
▪Choose Start - Current Document - Save > Save as... to create a copy of the current document and name it accordingly.