Where are Total data files stored and can I change them

[Fargo1]

I purchased Total over Thanksgiving and I'm just now starting to really look into it. One of the first things I always do when setting up my appraisal software is make sure all my files and folders are stored somewhere where I know they are located at and easy to backup. Typically, that means I make sure they are all located on the 'data' hard drive. All my previous software allowed me to control where my data was stored, but Total does not appear to give me any options. I found that I can change the directory for things like 'public reports', image files, and thumbnails. But the directory for 'Data Files' is grayed out and I can not change the location of the data files. This is the file that stores things like quicklist, user info, backups, etc. I really don't want this file sitting on my 'C:' drive. I'd rather put all this data together with the rest of my data where I can find it and back it up. This is especially true now that I am using a virtual machine.

So to get right to the point, does anyone know how to change the location of the "Data Files"?

 

[Tim The Enchanter]

There is an option in Total for where your files are stored. Look in the program,click tools, configure settings.

Or, to find your files use Windows Explorer or similar and look for a la mode folder / directory. I think default is to store them on C: under program files x86. My C drive is a relatively small SSD, and data files are on a larger HD, which is D: drive. I believe I set that up during install. It should be pretty easy, but if you can't find, give them a call, or send a support request from within the program, click help, submit support request.

I purchased Total over Thanksgiving and I'm just now starting to really look into it. One of the first things I always do when setting up my appraisal software is make sure all my files and folders are stored somewhere where I know they are located at and easy to backup. Typically, that means I make sure they are all located on the 'data' hard drive. All my previous software allowed me to control where my data was stored, but Total does not appear to give me any options. I found that I can change the directory for things like 'public reports', image files, and thumbnails. But the directory for 'Data Files' is grayed out and I can not change the location of the data files. This is the file that stores things like quicklist, user info, backups, etc. I really don't want this file sitting on my 'C:' drive. I'd rather put all this data together with the rest of my data where I can find it and back it up. This is especially true now that I am using a virtual machine.

So to get right to the point, does anyone know how to change the location of the "Data Files"?

 

[Fargo1]

Thanks for your reply. I found the settings section but I can only change 3 out of the 4 settings. The path for "Data Files" appears to be grayed out so I can not change it.

 

[marc paolella]

Thanks for your reply. I found the settings section but I can only change 3 out of the 4 settings. The path for "Data Files" appears to be grayed out so I can not change it.

I have noticed this too. My solution was to buy a huge SSD drive and let Total store my files on the C-Drive. I actually prefer my appraisals on the SSD because it is faster to store and retrieve them. For backup, I just use Vault, combined with imaging the entire SSD C-drive to a Synology NAS unit every Friday.

 

[Vermonter]

Thanks for your reply. I found the settings section but I can only change 3 out of the 4 settings. The path for "Data Files" appears to be grayed out so I can not change it.

Spoke with Alamode when I set up total on my new pc and they said certain things have to stay on the C drive.

I have noticed this too. My solution was to buy a huge SSD drive and let Total store my files on the C-Drive. I actually prefer my appraisals on the SSD because it is faster to store and retrieve them. For backup, I just use Vault, combined with imaging the entire SSD C-drive to a Synology NAS unit every Friday.

Did the same. Had an SSD with a partition just for Total, but ended up removing it. My backup and workfiles are kept on a separate HDD.

 

[VegasWayne]

Isn't the data stored in the My Documents folder? The My Documents folder can be remapped to a new location.

 

[Fargo1]

Isn't the data stored in the My Documents folder? The My Documents folder can be remapped to a new location.

Are you talking about creating a shortcut? I tried that once and it didn't work. I know in linux I can create a symbolic link and I can put the actual file anywhere I want. Is their a way for WinXP to do this other than create a 'shortcut' to the folder? Which didn't work but I will try again.

 

[Brian W Street]

You can accomplish this by using Audit Mode if you are installing a fresh Windows 7 install, not sure about 8. In Audit Mode it installs the User folder symlink to any drive that you specify. All of a la mode's data files are located in My Documents in the Users folder. I have ran the program on my ssd drive with the Users folder being a larger mechanical drive for data storage for years this way.

 

[Fargo1]

You can accomplish this by using Audit Mode if you are installing a fresh Windows 7 install, not sure about 8. In Audit Mode it installs the User folder symlink to any drive that you specify. All of a la mode's data files are located in My Documents in the Users folder. I have ran the program on my ssd drive with the Users folder being a larger mechanical drive for data storage for years this way.

Yeah, I am running XP in a virtual machine. I don't think XP had symlinks yet. Not that I could find anyway. It was one of the reasons I switch to Linux years ago.

 

[Fargo1]

I just found this article:
[url]http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/16226/complete-guide-to-symbolic-links-symlinks-on-windows-or-linux/[/URL]

It looks like there might be some software I can install to enable symlinks in WinXP as well. I'll give it a try.