Occasionally, your HandiSoft Support analyst may ask for your SQL database to troubleshoot a reported error.
Note: This article does not apply to our HandiSoft Online SQL CHS clients, as this is a managed service.
Backing up a database using SQL Server Management Studio
After connecting to the appropriate instance of the Microsoft SQL Server Database Engine, in Object Explorer, click the server name to expand the server tree.
Expand Databases, and either select a user database or expand System Databases and select a system database.
Right-click the database, point to Tasks, and then click Back Up. The Back Up Database dialogue box appears.
In the Database drop-down list, verify the database name. Optionally, you can select a different database from the list.
The Recovery model text box is for reference only. You will have a selection of the following recovery model (FULL, BULK_LOGGED, or SIMPLE) choose Simple (not Full).
In the Backup type drop-down list, select Full.
For the Backup component, select the Database radio button.
In the Destination section, use the Back up to drop-down list to select the backup destination. Click Add to add additional backup objects and/or destinations.
Make a note of the destination.
Note: To remove a backup destination, select it and click Remove. To view the contents of an existing backup destination, select it and click Contents.
Shrink an SQL database
In Object Explorer, connect to an instance of the SQL Server Database Engine, and then expand that instance.
Expand Databases, and then right-click the database that you want to shrink.
Point to Tasks, point to Shrink, and then select the HandiSoft Database.
Database - Displays the name of the selected database.
Current allocated space - Displays the total used and unused space for the selected database.
Available free space - Displays the sum of free space in the log and data files of the selected database.
Reorganise files before releasing unused space - Selecting this option is equivalent to executing DBCC SHRINKDATABASE specifying a target percent option. Clearing this option is equivalent to executing DBCC SHRINKDATABASE with TRUNCATEONLY option. By default, this option is not selected when the dialogue is opened. If this option is selected, the user must specify a target percent option.
Maximum free space in files after shrinking - Enter the maximum percentage of free space to be left in the database files after the database has been shrunk. Permissible values are between 0 and 99.
Select OK.
Compress an SQL database
We request that you compress the backed-up database before transmitting it.
Navigate to the location of the backed-up database from step 9 above. (With the .bak extension)
Right-click on the .bak file and select Send to Compressed (Zipped) folder.
A zipped folder will appear in the same location as the uncompressed file.
Upload files to our online ExaVault
Click on the following link to open: ExaVault.
Zip the .BAK file and put the name of the file as <Your HandiSoft Reference>_<Date>_<CaseNumber>.zip
Use the Add Files button to browse to the location of the compressed file and attach it.
Or navigate to the location of the compressed .bak file and drag this file into the Window.
Complete the details, remembering to complete your HandiSoft client reference, Case Number, and Attention: <Consultant Name> in the subject.
After attaching the database and completing the fields select Send Files.