Installation - Restoring from a Backup

Before continuing, please verify that MacPractice has been fully installed and the MacPractice Server has been restarted. This document will outline restoring converted or existing data into MacPractice.

There are a few situations where a new server may be installed with existing data. Converting from another software, moving MacPractice to another server computer, or reinstalling MacPractice on the existing server. Follow the guide below to restore the existing database on the new server application. 

Conversions:
When you purchase a conversion from another system, you will receive an e-mail with a MacPractice data file attached. This file will contain the information you had converted from the other system. Place this file on your desktop for easy accessibility.

Restoring:
Make sure you have the backup in a safe but accessible location, such as an external drive, or simply moving it to the desktop of the new server computer. The backup file will look like this. 

Restoring the Database

To start the restoration process, open the MacPractice Login window enter the default username and password (admin / password). Open the Database Connection Settings Drawer and verify that is has localhost listed for the Server IP Address and macpractice as the Database Name.

Click the Lock icon and enter the computers Administrator User Name and Password. Next, click Restore Database.

 

If this is the first time you have opened MacPractice after restarting your computer, the Security Password window will appear. This is the password that was created doing the installation process. This password is required after the server computer has been restarted. 

 

After entering the Security password, click the OK button. This will open an authentication window requesting the computer's Administrator username and password. Enter the credentials and click the OK button.

 

Find the location where your converted data file has been placed. Select the file then select Open. You will then be presented with a Warning: Restoring Database From Backup! prompt.

The checkbox in the middle of this prompt, if enabled, will carry over all authentication credentials for third party services such as any Reminder Services, eStatements, Direct Messaging, and any other services. If you are restoring on your server computer, you will want to leave this option checked.
If you are setting up a secondary server (which can be done for a variety of reasons) that will be operational in addition to the original server, you will want to uncheck this option to prevent potential data loss that would be caused by multiple servers synchronizing their data to third party services.
Once you have decided and clicked the Restore button, another pop up will appear to verify that you want to overwrite the database.

There may be a slight pause while MacPractice prepares. When the restoration process starts it is very important that you do not force quit while MacPractice is restoring.

When MacPractice has completed the restoration process, restart MacPractice.

 

After MacPractice restarts, open the MacPractice Login window. Use the default username and password (admin/password) to open MacPractice. After logging in, you may be required to update the database. Click the Update button to continue. When MacPractice has finished updating, it will open to the default Patient window.

 

MacPractice will open and you can begin to enter information. You will have access to the MacPractice tutorial documentation and videos located on the MacPractice HelpDesk. We recommend the New User Orientation videos when first starting to learn MacPractice.

 

You will also need to connect any client computers to this server. Follow the documentation for installing or updating client computers. If the client computers are already on the same version of MacPractice, simply update the drawer information to connect them to the new server.