Backup & restore the software and data of your BactoBox®
You have two options on this page:
Backup your BactoBox® software and data to a GMI file
Restore your BactoBox® software and data from a GMI file
Use the tabs on this page to select between the backup and restore options. See the sections below for additional details.
Both backup and restore are lengthy processes
It may take 30–60 minutes for each. Schedule enough time beforehand.
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).
Backup
Backup your BactoBox® software and data to a GMI file. The GMI file is an exact replica of everything on your BactoBox® device.
Before you backup
Before you start the backup:
Schedule at least 30 minutes for the backup. It may take even longer if you have thousands of measurements on your BactoBox®.
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.
Your computer has at least 8 GiB of space available to store the GMI file.
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.
Once started, there is no way to cancel the backup. Wait for it to complete.
Backup your BactoBox® software and data. The result is a GMI file.
During the backup
After a couple of minutes, the GMI file 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).
Keep your BactoBox® powered on during the backup.
Do not tinker with the USB cable or your BactoBox® during the backup.
Do not close the Access window during the backup.
After a while, the browser downloads the GMI file. This is the backup-of-bb2241039-2026-01-09.gmi file in the upper right corner.
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.
A successful backup. Note the downloaded GMI file in the upper right corner.
Restore
Restore your BactoBox® software and data from a GMI file.
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. 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.
A GMI file is specific to a BactoBox® device
You can not restore from a GMI file that is made on another BactoBox® device.
Before you restore
Before you start the restore:
Schedule at least 30 minutes for the backup. It may take even longer if you have thousands of measurements on your BactoBox®.
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.
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. 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.
Once started, there is no way to cancel the restore. Wait for it to complete.
Restore your BactoBox® software and data from a GMI file.
During the restore
Keep your BactoBox® powered on during the restore.
Do not tinker with the USB cable or your BactoBox® during the restore.
Do not close the Access window during the restore.
When the restore is done
Once the restores is done, it shows a Restore successful dialog (see below). Restart your BactoBox® before further use.
