Migrating to AFX

Migrating - Method

Migrating from Firebird or AFV to AFX is a two step process - importing the messages and then indexing them.

It is recommended that you ensure you have an up to date 'safety' backup of your installation before starting the migration.

To create a backup - shut down Mailtraq and take a copy of the entire Database folder, normally located at C:\Program Files\Mailtraq\Database For more information on creating backups see www.mailtraq.com/backup

Using the Upgrade Wizard

The wizard is available from the Tools menu and will assist in importing the messages.

Once the process has started it should not be stopped until the Import is complete*.

It is important that this task is not interrupted. If the task is cancelled, the import will need to start from the beginning - it cannot simply be resumed. Therefore, ensure that external agents (anti-virus software, backup software, Windows update, etc) are prevented from restarting the machine, or stopping Mailtraq.

The wizard will start, and manage the upgrade process for you.

Note: The estimated time may not be valid for large databases (>10GB) You may also see fluctuations in the estimated time, and you may see negative numbers. There may be periods of seeming inactivity where the Wizard is reading the Firebird database - this is may be the case if there are very large mailslots in the Console.

Avoid clicking in the Wizard dialog during the import process. Should the process appear to stall, wait for 30-40 mins before considering the import to have failed: import failure is very rare.

After the import stage is completed, the messages need to be Indexed for them to be visible. This should take place automatically.

Tip 1.)
Once you have upgraded to AFX records will no longer be written to the old database structure or mailtraq.fdb file.
As the contents of these files have now been imported into the new database you may dispose of them when you have confirmed that the import process and indexing have completed as expected. 
If you are using Mailtraq's online backup system you will also be able to delete the redundant files from each day's folder.

Tip 2.)
* If the import was accidentally stopped before it completes, the Upgrade Wizard will no longer be available.
To re-enable the Wizard, shut down Mailtraq and then run mailtraq.exe from the command line, or Windows | Start | Run thus:

"C:\Program Files\mailtraq\mailtraq.exe" -afximport

Mailtraq will avoid message duplication during "re-import" based on file name.

Once you have upgraded to AFX records will no longer be written to the mailtraq.fdb file, however if you decide that you wish to return to using Firebird, or if the Wizard fails and you need to try again you will need to make an adjustment to the Windows Registry entry for Mailtraq.

You should be familiar with the necessary precautions for editing the Registry before proceeding.

Locate the Mailtraq Registry entry indicated above, and to revert to using Firebird.

1. Shutdown Mailtraq
2. Rename the Registry folder AFX to AFX_new
3. Rename the Registry folder FB_old to FB
4. Restart Mailtraq

When Mailtraq restarts it will be using the previous Firebird database.
You will not have access to any messages that arrived in the interim period.