|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 113
Apprentice
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 113 |
lets imagine i had a PC meltdown (it's happened before.you too.huh?) and lost EVERYTHING.....
last month i bought the BIAB 2011 discs from a store in England.lets just say for a moment that i have, sometime in the future, upgraded to BIAB 2012 and then the meltdown hits....what happens now?
i reinstall my discs?
but those are the BIAB 2011 pre upgrades......
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,486
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,486 |
Hi Vishnu,
I keep back-ups of all my installation files for exactly that reason. My motto is, "Never trust a computer".
When you upgrade, if you choose the "download" option, you receive a number of files which can very easily be burnt to DVD. My experience is that downloads are ONLY the files needed for the upgrade. In this scenario, you'd need to reinstall the original disks and then run the upgrade files.
Alternative, you could simply save a back-up copy of your entire BB directory. (I bought a USB hard drive expressly for that purpose.) Then, if you need to reinstall, you simply copy over the entire BB directory and then run the latest version of the BIAB/RB installation file (usually around 250 MB).
Every once in a while, I buy the USB hard drive version of BIAB because that gives me the entire, up-to-date program and makes it easier to keep track of everything because the USB purchase installs directly from that drive.
Hope these thoughts give you ideas.
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,840
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,840 |
Backup, backup, backup! And not just your user created data, but your program installation files and disks.
I have found there are very few programs that have to be installed from hard media (CD or DVD); so I have copied all my applications, updates, upgrades, add-ons, etc, to an external USB hard drive, categorized by type of application, with each application in its own folder. I include any license codes in the folder name, so it's easy to copy/paste when asked for them. I create text files with notes about the application, and I have an index spreadsheet that lists everything, including web links to the application. For applications that want to be installed from media, I just create an ISO image and then use a virtual CD utility to mount the image as if I had the original disk.
I synchronize this USB disk drive to another every so often to keep things up to date and to have a complete backup. So far it's worked very well for me, and it makes re-installs go much quicker.
But it takes time and diligence to do that; once done, however, maintenance is pretty simple.
And of course, I backup my own data to a different external hard drive. In general, if I crash, I might lose at most a little bit of recent email.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,505
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,505 |
If you did not have backups, PG Music could probably help you out. If you purchased directly from them, they keep good records of what you bought, and could supply replacements. I recall a few times when this has been done for the cost of the media and shipping (although there are no promises that would still be the case).
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Any time I add something major, and by "major" I mean software that cost me a lot of money, I do an image of the hard drive on to another hard drive.
And this is where I get on my "experience" soapbox and say NEVER NEVER NEVER buy through download only. ALWAYS get media. I bought a piece of hardware from a company called Dacal like 8 years ago that stores 150 CDs with a software interface where all my CDs and DVDs are. Everything I have ever purchased is in that library, down to drivers for NIC cards. When I need something, I load "CDLIB", find it, click it, and the box spits out the CD that holds what I need.
Also, as was mentioned, backup backup backup. I wrote a small batch file I called back2thumb.bat that is little more than
copy C:\documents\*.* h:\documents /Y
copy C:\songs\*.* h:\songs /Y
and so forth, where h: is an 8 gig thumb drive. That copies everything in those directories to my backup drive and overwrites existing files automatically. If you prefer to not automatically overwrite and be prompted every time, make the switch /-Y and it will ask if you want to overwrite. I use the switch because I know I want to, but that is your call. Just make sure you label your thumb drive if you have more than one that looks the same.. LOL!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 113
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 113 |
Quote:
Any time I add something major, and by "major" I mean software that cost me a lot of money, I do an image of the hard drive on to another hard drive.
And this is where I get on my "experience" soapbox and say ALWAYS get media. I bought a piece of hardware from a company called Dacal like 8 years ago that stores 150 CDs with a software interface where all my CDs and DVDs are. Everything I have ever purchased is in that library, down to drivers for NIC cards. When I need something, I load "CDLIB", find it, click it, and the box spits out the CD that holds what I need.
Also, as was mentioned, backup backup backup. I wrote a small batch file I called back2thumb.bat that is little more than
copy C:\documents\*.* h:\documents /Y
copy C:\songs\*.* h:\songs /Y
and so forth, where h: is an 8 gig thumb drive. That copies everything in those directories to my backup drive and overwrites existing files automatically. If you prefer to not automatically overwrite and be prompted every time, make the switch /-Y and it will ask if you want to overwrite. I use the switch because I know I want to, but that is your call. Just make sure you label your thumb drive if you have more than one that looks the same.. LOL!!
am i not right in thinking that REAPER is available as download only?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 113
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 113 |
i would need to have someone do this for me.......is it a straightforward enough job for someone with the PC skills?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 113
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 113 |
Quote:
Hi Vishnu,
I keep back-ups of all my installation files for exactly that reason. My motto is, "Never trust a computer".
When you upgrade, if you choose the "download" option, you receive a number of files which can very easily be burnt to DVD. My experience is that downloads are ONLY the files needed for the upgrade. In this scenario, you'd need to reinstall the original disks and then run the upgrade files.
Alternative, you could simply save a back-up copy of your entire BB directory. (I bought a USB hard drive expressly for that purpose.) Then, if you need to reinstall, you simply copy over the entire BB directory and then run the latest version of the BIAB/RB installation file (usually around 250 MB).
Every once in a while, I buy the USB hard drive version of BIAB because that gives me the entire, up-to-date program and makes it easier to keep track of everything because the USB purchase installs directly from that drive.
Hope these thoughts give you ideas.
Noel
i would need to have someone do this for me.......is it a straightforward enough job for someone with the PC skills?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 886
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 886 |
Quote:
If you did not have backups, PG Music could probably help you out.
I can testify to this, they went WAY above what was required to get me back up & running just a week or so ago...great company! 
i5 3.20GHz, 32gb RAM, 1tb SSD OS, 12tb HDD, 4gb gForce vid card, 32" monitor, Audient id44, Win10 x64, BiaB/RB 2023, Reaper 6,IK Multimedia Total Studio 3.5 MAX, Waves 10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,505
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,505 |
jcspro40, thanks for the confirmation. It is indeed a great company!
vishnu, I realize managing computer files is not everyone's strength, but in my opinion, nothing mentioned here is at all difficult for those of us who are practiced in file management.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,722
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,722 |
vishnu, Let me put it this way . . . my name would never be spoken about when people talk about the really PC savvy members on this forum. With that said even I was able to backup any and all files I deem worthy of saving (and BIAB tops the list) simply by purchasing an external hard drive and backing up to same. Therefore even a monkey can do it, as I peel a banana for lunch.  Later,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Vishnu, yes, anybody with basic PC skills can show you how to do this. Then YOU will have the skills for next time. Teach a man to fish....
Just remember that you are just copying files and don't let it overwhelm your thought process. Sure you are copying a LOT of files, but still you are just copying files.
At the very least, wherever your BIAB songs are, back that up often. For the example I typed in earlier, I created a folder on the root of the C: drive called "songs". Thus the path to those songs is C:\songs and to copy them you could copy and paste to a thumb drive. I backup more than one folder, thus the command line option of using a batch file. And that batch file actually copies 5 different folders so it is slightly bigger, but each line in the file I execute copies one folder on the computer to another location. Just think of it as taking a picture of a file drawer and saving it elsewhere.
You'll be fine.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333 |
Many of the hard drives you buy as 'external' backup come with software to manage the whole thing. I'd suggest that approach if you are not savvy in such stuff.
I presently use google's gmail and the storage you get for files to store important documents AND dropbox so I can use them on all my systems.
I sort of have system overload lol.
John Conley
Musica est vita
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
I use Dropbox as well, John. Copies of my songs are there so I can listen from anywhere. I use Google Docs for sharing. I like the security of it where you have to specifically email an invitation to people.
The external drive is great if you need 2tb of storage. If you are only backing up docs and such..... just a matter of each person's application and what they want to back up. Varying degrees of familiarity will end up with varying methids.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,163
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,163 |
It's always good to back up your software programs. However, if you are a registered user with PG Music, they will assist you in getting back up and running. They have helped me a few times.
I would recommend buying directly from them for this very reason. No iffs ands or butts when it comes time to reinstall and you don't have the disk.;)
PG & Team have THE BEST customer support of any business I have done pleasure with. Their products are amazing, even for geetar players :P
Trax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
I would also like to add something because the original poster appears to be a little new to computers. You need to be very aware of what the term "backup" really means. You can "back up " files, which makes a copy of the files. You can't "back up" a program by copying the folder from the hard drive to a backup device. There are supporting files in other directories that are necessary to run a program.
For example, if you install "Bob's Program" onto your hard drive, Bob's Program will install to C:\Program Files\Bob's Program, as well as create Windows registry entries that are not exactly the same on every computer. Also it will call up something known as .dll files that are located in the C:\Windows\system32 folder. (That means "dynamic link library".) If you were to copy C:\Program Files\Bob's Program to an external device, reformat your computer, copy Bob's Program to C:\Program Files\Bob's Program on the newly loaded hard drive, Bob's Program will not run because the supporting files and registry entries are not there.
DATA (files that a program reads and interprets) can be copied. PROGRAMS (the executable program that reads and interprets data) must be installed.
As an analogy, if you have a photo of you called mypicture.jpg, that is a DATA file and will not do anything by itself. A PROGRAM like Irfanview, Paint, Photoshop, Windows Image Viewer.... will INTERPRET that data and display the image. However it is important to understand that the PROGRAM is what runs and just reads and interpret data. I see a lot of customers who don't understand the difference between an executable program and a data file. Note, one is a program, the other is a file.
Hope this was not interpreted as speaking down to you, but as i said, I see a lot of people who don't understand the difference.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,730
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,730 |
Eddie is right on, and if someone wants to "backup" the programs and files they need to explore the world of hard drive cloning.
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
And hard drive cloning should NOT scare anybody away. Just follow the directions and know the difference between "source" and "destination" and it is a stroll in the park. You can download programs for free from the web. They will create a bootable CD, then you connect that second drive, and boot from the CD. Tell it to clone (or it might use the term "mirror") the source to the destination, and it will make a byte by byte "snapshot" of your original hard drive so if there is ever catastrophic failure, you can pop your clone into your machine and run it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 886
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 886 |
Seagate, Western Digital, and a few other HDD manufactures usually come with some kind of back-up utility, mostly based around Acronis. I have tried a ton of software over the last few years ( Norton Ghost, etc} both free & pay-for, and none were as easy to use as Acronis. Once set up it is a 4 click process. And after you make the image & you have problems, you just place the startup CD in your drive, reboot, and re-image the drive. After 2 years of using Acronis I have never had any problems re-imaging the drive back to a working state. I do a lot of software testing, so I have at times trashed my system beyond repair... And the good thing about this software is that it was one of 3 that kept ALL licensing information, so I don't even have to re-install codes or go online to re-activate. Like I mention, check your Hard Drive Manufactures web site to see if the offer a download of the software. I ended up buying Acronis when it was on sale, so it was not too much &&. Next to BiaB & Reaper I feel that this was one of the best investments I have made for my system!
i5 3.20GHz, 32gb RAM, 1tb SSD OS, 12tb HDD, 4gb gForce vid card, 32" monitor, Audient id44, Win10 x64, BiaB/RB 2023, Reaper 6,IK Multimedia Total Studio 3.5 MAX, Waves 10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,840
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,840 |
Quote:
none were as easy to use as Acronis
Don't know what I would do without my Acronis True Image. I know over time, some folks have had some problems, but I've never had a problem with it. I always backup/image using the bootable disk (even though you can do it from within Windows), and that has always worked for me. Re-installing complete configurations to new/different hard drives (to include resizing) has always worked great.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!
Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
Order now!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,050
Posts799,391
Members40,018
| |
Most Online44,367
Mar 4th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean