<< Click to Display Table of Contents >> Navigation:  Collect > Collect Mobile > Data Backup and Recovery Process on Collect Mobile

Files

Collect Mobile stores all files locally on the user's device. These files include:

•FormsData.xml: The main data file – in which the user works and saves data to – when editing a form record.

•FormsData.bak: The backup of the FormsData.xml file.

•All images and files uploaded and created in Collect Mobile using various filed types.

 

When editing a data form, all changes saved will write back to the FormsData.xml file. The first time a form record is successfully saved, Collect Mobile generates the FormsData.bak file. The FormsData.bak file is continually regenerated after each successful save. If Collect Mobile detects that FormsData.xml is unreadable as an XML file, it considers it corrupted. Collect Mobile will replace the corrupted FormsData.xml file with the more recent copy of the FormsData.bak file.

 

Error Messages

 

File Corrupted

 

Message: "The data file was corrupt and a backup was restored from the last time this form was saved"

Reason: This message indicates that Collect Mobile detected that the FormsData.xml file was unreadable as an XML file. Collect Mobile restored the last version of FormsData.xml that was saved correctly to the FormsData.bak file. Any changes made since the last save may be lost and will need to be re-entered.  

 

File Cannot Be Recovered

 

Message: "Something is wrong with the form ‘[Data_Form_Name]’, “Data: Could not restore backup file. Please contact EarthSoft with this Error message"

Reason: This message indicates that the recovery process was unsuccessful. This message would occur if the FormsData.bak was also corrupt.

 

FAQs

Q: What can cause the FormsData.xml file to become corrupt?

A: A common cause is if Collect Mobile is closed while it is saving data. To avoid this, do not close Collect Mobile while you are actively editing a data form. If Collect is sent to the background (by minimizing, switching to another app, or returning to the device’s home screen) while editing the data form, the save process is triggered even if there have been no changes made to the data form since the last save. If Collect is then closed, data form corruption can occur.

 

Q: At what point(s) does Collect Mobile save to the FormsData.xml file?

A: There are two ways to save the data locally to the user’s device (i.e., the FormsData,xml file), both are listed below:  

1.When the user clicks the Save button within the data entry screen.  

2.When the user sends Collect Mobile to the background.  

 

Q: Does the recovery process work when Collect Mobile is not connected to the internet?

A:  Yes, the FormsData.xml is updated on the usersuser's local device rather than the server, therefore the saving/restoration process is independent of an internet connection.