1.      Select option 4 – System on the main SPARKS menu

 

 

 

2.      Select option 3 – Backup Data Files from the System Utilities Menu

3.      A message window will pop up, hit any key to continue and reach the menu below. Select the second option, Sparks data files for your studbook.

 

 

4.      Another message window will pop up, hit any key to continue and reach the menu below. You may select an external drive, but please note this sometimes doesn’t work and an “Invalid Input” popup will appear. Don’t panic, hit enter again to save the file on the computer.

 

 

 

 

5.      When the backup is complete, hit any key to continue then exit out of SPARKS.

 

 

 

 

6.      If your file didn’t save to the drive your selected, the backup will default to inside your current studbook folder (using the basic set up, you can find it by navigating C:\ drive > ISISdosbox > Sparks > studbook folder). It should be easy to find as your most recent zip file. Be sure to move this out of your SPARKS folder!!! Leaving it sometimes causes complications the next time you open SPARKS