# Backup & restore

You have two options on this page:

* Backup your BactoBox® software and data to a [gmi-file](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/encyclopedia/software/file-formats/gmi-file "mention")
* Restore your BactoBox® software and data from a [gmi-file](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/encyclopedia/software/file-formats/gmi-file "mention")

Use the tabs on this page to select between the backup and restore options. See the sections below for additional details.

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## Both backup and restore are lengthy processes

It may take 30–60 minutes for each. Schedule enough time beforehand.
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<img src="https://4216107837-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeYTtd7c0A325muFr5lMW%2Fuploads%2FmvaKVsx1JD5kCJQ2Ys9y%2Ffile.excalidraw.svg?alt=media&#x26;token=a635dc5d-6e0f-48a8-8eaa-034be006e7d6" alt="Example of a backup and restore process. Essentially, the restore is a time travel feature that allows you to restore your BactoBox® to how it used to be (in terms of software and data)." class="gitbook-drawing">

## Backup

Backup your BactoBox® software and data to a [gmi-file](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/encyclopedia/software/file-formats/gmi-file "mention"). The GMI file is an exact replica of everything on your BactoBox® device.

#### Before you backup

Before you start the backup:

{% hint style="success" %}
Schedule at least **30 minutes** for the backup. It may take even longer if you have thousands of measurements on your BactoBox®.
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{% hint style="success" %}
No program runs on your BactoBox®. Do not start the backup during, e.g., the *Measure* program. Wait for any program to complete before you start the backup.
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Your computer has **at least 8 GiB** of space available to store the [gmi-file](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/encyclopedia/software/file-formats/gmi-file "mention").
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The *Backup* page itself has a description that goes into more detail.

#### Start the backup

Press the *Download backup* button to start the backup. A *Backup in progress* dialog appears immediately. This dialog has a text log and a progress bar.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Once started, there is no way to cancel the backup. Wait for it to complete.
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<div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="https://4216107837-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeYTtd7c0A325muFr5lMW%2Fuploads%2FcxBklKYjb3qSRuQ7ORtw%2Faccess--start-backup.avif?alt=media&#x26;token=b0101c0a-4f04-440a-b2d8-02d2a4ed4eb5" alt=""><figcaption><p>Backup your BactoBox® software and data. The result is a <a data-mention href="../../file-formats/gmi-file">gmi-file</a>.</p></figcaption></figure></div>

#### During the backup

After a couple of minutes, the [gmi-file](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/encyclopedia/software/file-formats/gmi-file "mention") download begins. Some browser show a *Save file as* dialog in which you choose where to download the GMI file to. Other browsers simply begin the download immediately (as we show below for Microsoft Edge).

{% hint style="success" %}
Keep your BactoBox® powered on during the backup.
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{% hint style="success" %}
Do not tinker with the USB cable or your BactoBox® during the backup.
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Do not close the *Access* window during the backup.
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<div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="https://4216107837-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeYTtd7c0A325muFr5lMW%2Fuploads%2FoAlSSzhO9lnerftASHif%2Faccess--during-backup.avif?alt=media&#x26;token=f441cf96-83e9-4170-8ae9-2c5954f47a2b" alt=""><figcaption><p>After a while, the browser downloads the <a data-mention href="../../file-formats/gmi-file">gmi-file</a>. This is the <code>backup-of-bb2241039-2026-01-09.gmi</code> file in the upper right corner.</p></figcaption></figure></div>

#### When the backup is done

Once the backup is done, it shows a *Backup successful* dialog (see below). At this point it is safe to use your BactoBox® again or power it off.

<div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="https://4216107837-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeYTtd7c0A325muFr5lMW%2Fuploads%2FTZo1tQtUBh5ONdZbSpWR%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=c621ed39-7dd3-43de-abad-5a65bb43b690" alt=""><figcaption><p>A successful backup. Note the downloaded <a data-mention href="../../file-formats/gmi-file">gmi-file</a> in the upper right corner.</p></figcaption></figure></div>

## Restore

Restore your BactoBox® software and data from a [gmi-file](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/encyclopedia/software/file-formats/gmi-file "mention").

{% hint style="warning" %}

## Restore replaces all current software and data on your BactoBox®

Essentially, restore is a time-travel feature. It restores your BactoBox® to exactly how it was when you created the [gmi-file](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/encyclopedia/software/file-formats/gmi-file "mention"). All measurements made since then are gone after the restore. Likewise, all software updates, setting changes, etc. made since then are gone after the restore.
{% endhint %}

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## A GMI file is specific to a BactoBox® device

You can not restore from a GMI file that is made on another BactoBox® device.
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#### Before you restore

Before you start the restore:

{% hint style="success" %}
Schedule at least **30 minutes** for the backup. It may take even longer if you have thousands of measurements on your BactoBox®.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="success" %}
No program runs on your BactoBox®. Do not start the backup during, e.g., the *Measure* program. Wait for any program to complete before you start the backup.
{% endhint %}

#### Start the restore

Press the *Restore from backup...* button to open the *Restore from backup* dialog. Click the *Browse* button to select a [gmi-file](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/encyclopedia/software/file-formats/gmi-file "mention"). Then, click the *Restore from backup* button that starts the restore.

A *Restore in progress* dialog appears immediately. This dialog has a text log and a progress bar.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Once started, there is no way to cancel the restore. Wait for it to complete.
{% endhint %}

<div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="https://4216107837-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeYTtd7c0A325muFr5lMW%2Fuploads%2Fu2Jc7grK43JvfjbJxrIl%2Faccess--restore-from-gmi.avif?alt=media&#x26;token=fae6408b-a357-47b4-a281-8c0d97d582a1" alt=""><figcaption><p>Restore your BactoBox® software and data from a <a data-mention href="../../file-formats/gmi-file">gmi-file</a>.</p></figcaption></figure></div>

#### During the restore

{% hint style="success" %}
Keep your BactoBox® powered on during the restore.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="success" %}
Do not tinker with the USB cable or your BactoBox® during the restore.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="success" %}
Do not close the *Access* window during the restore.
{% endhint %}

#### When the restore is done

Once the restores is done, it shows a *Restore successful* dialog (see below). **Restart your BactoBox® before further use.**

<div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="https://4216107837-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeYTtd7c0A325muFr5lMW%2Fuploads%2FvkyNISHZ3KO4zIjhZpvR%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=c9c954d0-d63d-4ec3-b887-405608e7f917" alt=""><figcaption><p>A successful restore.</p></figcaption></figure></div>