Win OS reinstall looses Program files including logs - GCM file found

[John Ralls]

> On Jan 31, 2015, at 7:08 PM, Mary Ann Wallace <wallace at naples.net> wrote:
> 
> Facts:  Gnucash v.2.6.3 originally installed on Win 7 Pro 32-bit (X84) laptop.  Hard disk failed 7/2014, but an image of the disk was created and shows all logs and data through that date.  Program files and data were also able to be copied over to an external drive and loaded onto a Win XP substitute computer which was used for Gnucash until 1/16/2015 when the XP OS failed without having an image backup.  Extensive travel delayed repairs and both the Win7 & and XP were repaired this past week.  The Win 7, with a new hard drive and Acronis image backup restored Gnucash with all the program files and logs up to the last 6/25/14 log.  Unfortunately, the XP OS that had later data was re-installed and the process deleted all program files not originally on the OS and because the logs were saved in C/Program Files, these are gone.  The only remaining files are GCM files located in Documents and Settings under .gnucash.  The last entries were done on 01/06/2015 and this file exists:  gnuxmlaacounts.gnucash.20140917001406.gnucash.gcm dated 01/06/2015, 6kb.
> 
> The manual says nothing about GCM extension files.  I found a program, Dolphin, that handles GCM but this appears to be for video games.  When I tried to click on the above file, I got an error message saying "No suitable backend was found for the file." Gnucash would not open the file.  I downloaded Dolphin, but have no idea how to use it or if I should. I can't find anything in the manual under backing up and recovering data that applies to my situation.
> 
> It was my mistake not verifying more closely where my logs were being saved on the XP.  I thought they were being saved on an external hard drive since I started the program from there. Instead, I found too late that they were on the C drive in Program Files.
> 
> I do not know programming, although I can follow directions to edit registries and the like.  I am a retired CPA/accounting instructor. I love Gnucash and was delighted to have found it after being totally frustrated with using Quicken.  It's based on sound accounting principles and you make adjustments like you would in regular accounting.  I thank the developers for developing this program.
> 
> 1) Is there any way that this GCM file might contain the "image" of everything I've done up to the last date, 1/06/2015 and any way of restoring it to a log or other type of Gnucash file that the Gnucash.exe program would read?  The Win7 is now back in operation has everything up until July, 2014 and I've copied the .gnucash with GCM file in /books; /checks; /translog from XP to Win7. (checks and translog are empty). Any hope?
> 
> 2) Also, can important data logs be saved to Documents and Settings and run from there rather than C:/Program Files for easier backup? Apparently, in restoring Windows, users need to be aware that data files saved in C:/Program Files will be lost and diligence is required in backing them up.
> 
> 3) I notice each time Gnucash is started, whether or not anything is done, a GCM file appears with the current date in Documents and Settings and 3kb in size: gnuxmlaacounts.gnucash.gcm.  What is the purpose of these files?
> 
> Yes, I have pages of printouts and could painstakingly and with many days recreate over 6 months of data with the files I have on the Win7 as a last resort.  I'm hoping there might be another solution. Thank you for any suggestions and help.
> 

The documentation doesn't say anything about .gcm files because they're a gnucash implementation detail for saving the program's state with a particular book, things like which tabs you have open, what windows are displaying where on the desktop, stuff like that. If you've lost the .gnucash file -- it isn't in $HOME/.gnucash -- then the .gcm file won't help you at all.

If you still have the XP disk, there are a number of enterprises that will retrieve as much data as can be retrieved from a dead disk. http://www.drivesaversdatarecovery.com/ is one well-known example. They typically charge around $500 to evaluate the disk and provide a quote; the cost of actual data recovery runs to several thousand depending on difficulty and disk size. Since you have the paper trail it might be cheaper to hire a temp to keyboard the data for you. Your call.

There's nothing we can do for you, nor is there any magic hidden GnuCash backup. Sorry.

Regards,
John Ralls