Losing measurement data due to crash or computer malfunction is always a risk. For that reason SA defaults to using automatic back- ups. These backup settings are controlled in the User Options on the Machine Configuration tab.
There are 3 types of backups that can be performed at a selectable interval:
Job File Backups or Restore Points. These backup files save the same information as a standard job file. (In fact, job file backups are simply regular SA files that are saved automatically for you).
Measurement Backups. These backups only store instruments and measurements.
MPs. If MP scripts are changed they can also be saved automatically as you work.
Backups are saved to the designated SA directory (which by default is C:\analyzer data\Backup).
So why are there two types of job backups? The main reason is to save space. You might be working in a file with a very large complex nominal CAD file. There is simply no reason why all of this information should be saved in a backup, because the CAD surfaces are typically not modified. As a result, they mostly just waste hard disk space. Measurement backups, on the other hand, only store instrument and measurement data which is much more critical and significantly smaller in file size. As a result, frequent measurement backups can be made without wasting hard drive space or causing performance delays, whereas frequent job file backups would cause a much bigger hit to performance and available drive space. Measurement backups are also regular SA files, and can easily be re-merged into the SA file containing the nominal CAD data using the File>Import command.
Sometimes, you might open a file, make a few changes, and accidentally overwrite your original file, which could be disastrous without a backup. To help prevent this type of mistake, you can optionally ask SA to create a file backup automatically upon opening the file, so you have a pristine, untouched backup in place.
You can also ask SA to automatically create Measurement Plan back- up files while making changes in the MP Editor. If the specified time has elapsed and changes have occurred to your MP, SA will store a backup of your script to the Backups folder.
To Restore a Job File Backup
Select Edit>Undo to Restore Point (Ctr+Z) from the menus. Select a desired restore point from the list, or
Select File>Open and select the desired file in your backup fold- er.
To Restore a Measurement Backup
Select File>Open and select the desired file in your backup fold- er.
To Restore a Measurement Plan Backup
In the MP Editor, select File>Open and select the desired .MP file in the backup folder.