Managing Estimate Files

Product Support

ALLDATA Repair (DVD)

How To

Managing Estimate Files

Removing ALLDATA Repair (DVD)

Copying SERVICE ADVISOR Discs to your Computer (P&L Information Only)

Copying DATA Discs to your Computer (Both Repair and P&L Information)

Mapping the Drive for Data Networking

Switch to Printing Black Text on a White Background

Setting the Default Printer

Confirming that the Correct Security Key is Installed

Checking the Security Key Date

Checking the Subscription Code Expiration Dates

Checking the Compatibility Mode Settings

Verifying or Identifying Your Security Key ID

Adding Subscription Option Codes

Managing Estimate Files

IMPORTANT - ALLDATA Repair (DVD) was not designed to house a large number of estimates or to be used as a Shop Management System (SMS).

All estimates in an estimate folder are stored as a group. If one estimate file becomes damaged, it is possible for all estimates in that folder to become unusable.
To minimize the chances of data loss, it is highly recommended to:
- Periodically create new estimate folders.
- Back up the estimate files regularly.

Choose a topic below:

Locating the estimate folder

To look up the estimate location:

Open ALLDATA Repair (DVD).
Click Data >> Directories...
The folder that ALLDATA Repair (DVD) is currently storing estimates in will be listed in the Directory to store estimates section.

Creating new estimate folders

IMPORTANT - In order to reduce the chances that your estimate files will become damaged or corrupted, new estimate folders should be created periodically to hold a smaller number of estimates.

To create a new estimate folder, the existing estimate folder must first be renamed.

To rename the existing estimate folder and create a new one:

Close ALLDATA Repair (DVD).
If you have not already verified the location of the estimate folder, follow the Locating the estimate folder instructions above.
Open the directory containing the estimate folder.
- To open the directory from the default location:
  1. Open (My) Computer:
    - Double-click the (My) Computer icon on the desktop, or...
    - Click the Start Menu >> (My) Computer, or...
    - Press the Ctrl key and the Windows key on the keyboard at the same time.
  2. Open Hard Disc Drive (C:) >> ALLDATAW.
  3. The default estimate folder is named estimate.
- If you changed the location of your directory, navigate to the folder in the new location instead.
Right-click the folder that contains the estimates >> click Rename.
Type a name for the new folder.
- Suggestion: You can create folder names based on the date range of the estimates within the folder or the archive date (the date you are renaming the folder).
Open ALLDATA Repair (DVD).
- A new estimate folder will automatically be created in the directory listed in Data >> Directories... >> Directory to store estimates. This is where new estimates will be saved.

IMPORTANT - The only estimates that will display within ALLDATA Repair (DVD) are those in the folder shown in the Data >> Directories... >> Directory to store estimates section.

You may access older estimates at any time by using the Data Directories menu to switch back to a previously saved estimate folder.
If you choose to view an older estimate folder, be sure to switch the Data Directory back to the newest folder before creating a new estimate.

Backing up the estimates

IMPORTANT - The ALLDATA Repair (DVD) program does not include an automatic backup process.

At a minimum, a backup should be created in a backup estimate folder in case the estimate data becomes damaged or corrupted.
It is recommended to create a backup folder on a device other than your local computer hard drive, such as a removable USB device (thumb drive).

To backup the estimate data to a removable device:

Close ALLDATA Repair (DVD).
Insert a removable device.
If you have not already verified the location of the estimate folder, follow the Locating the estimate folder instructions above.
Open the directory containing the estimate folder.
- To open the directory from the default location:
  1. Open (My) Computer:
    - Click the (My) Computer icon on the desktop, or...
    - Click the Start button >> (My) Computer, or...
    - Press the Ctrl key and the Windows key on the keyboard at the same time.
  2. Open Local Disc (C:) >> ALLDATAW.
  3. The default estimate folder is named Estimate.
- If you changed the location of your directory, navigate to the folder in the new location instead.
Right-click the folder that contains the estimates >> click Send To >> click the name of the removable device that you have inserted.
- If another estimate folder already exists, click Yes to All on the Confirm Folder Replace popup.

Importing backed up estimates from an external device

Open (My) Computer:
- Click the (My) Computer icon on the desktop, or...
- Click the Start button >> (My) Computer, or...
- Press the Ctrl key and the Windows key on the keyboard at the same time.
Open the the drive letter of the memory device.
Right-click on the folder that contains the estimate files >> click Copy.
Return to the (My) Computer screen.
Open Local Disc (C:) >> ALLDATAW
If the folder to be copied from the removable device is named Estimate:
- Verify if an existing folder on your computer is already named Estimate. The existing folder should be renamed before continuing.
  - Right-click on the existing Estimate folder >> click Rename >> type a new name. Example: Estimate old
Right-click on an empty space within the ALLDATAW folder >> click Paste.
Verify the ALLDATA Repair (DVD) estimate directory location is set to the new folder:
1. Open ALLDATA Repair (DVD).
2. Click Data >> Directories...
3. The folder that ALLDATA Repair (DVD) is currently storing estimates in will be listed in the Directory to store estimates section.
4. Click the button with 3 dots(...) >> locate and choose the new folder on the Browse For a Folder screen >> click OK.