There are several database maintenance options:

This option allows the user to create or delete storm databases as well as establishing the default and Hurrtrak Online Database. To establish a new database, select the Add New Database option and then change the database name.  To make a database the current default, highlight the database name and select the ‘Select new default database’ option. To select which database you want Hurrtrak Online updates to be applied to, again highlight the database name and select the ‘Select new Hurrtrak Online database’ option. For more information on the difference between the default database and the Current Hurrtrak Online Active Database, please review the appendix topic Default vs. Hurrtrak Online Active database.

It is advised that you create a new database for each Hurricane Season. i.e. 2015, 2016, etc. To add a new database, key in the new name and select the CREATE option. To delete a database and all its content, select that database and the DELETE option.

In addition, you can perform optional database maintenance including database backup / restore and compaction and repair. Finally to reduce the size of some of your databases, you can select the Record Maintenance set of options. More information on those functions is described below:

System Export: This option creates a compressed file that contains all of the critical Hurrtrak system files... which can then be used by a separate installation of Hurrtrak to import into. The result is a 2nd installation of Hurrtrak with identical data, user options, etc.. This is perfect for when you are upgrading your system to a new PC.

System Import: This option uses the file created with the export function described above and imports the critical system and data files.... to create a matching Hurrtrak system. Important: You can only use the export and import functions for 2 Hurrtrak installations of the same version... i.e. 2018 to 2018, etc..

Database Compact and Repair: This option compresses and repairs the system’s databases. It is a utility that reorganizes the databases taking advantage of empty space in the database file. The result should be a smaller database file (.MDB). The compress should be done only when there has been significant activity, especially adding and deleting of records, to the database. Once a week during very active periods and once a month at other times is sufficient.

Database Backup: This option will backup all of the system and storm MS Access (.mdb) files and stores them in a compressed format in a location specified by the user. We recommend an initial and then frequent backups of the system.

Database Restore: This option allows the user to restore the system's MS Access database files from a previous backup.

OBS.MDB reinitialize: This option replaces the obs.mdb database file with a new empty one. This may be necessary if this file gets too large or your system performance is impacted. Selecting the Auto Database maintenance option, "older than 1 day" (below) will help alleviate these problems.

QPF.MDB reinitialize: This option replaces the qpf.mdb (rainfall) database file with a new empty one. This may be necessary if this file gets too large.

Auto Database Maintenance: This option allows the system to automatically remove older current weather observation data based on the date criteria selected. This only affects the obs.mdb file.

Remove Reconnaissance Data: This option allows the user to selectively, by date, remove hurricane reconnaissance records from the system. This is suggested when the recon.mdb database begins to get large.

Remove Rain Forecast Data: This option allows the user to selectively, by date, remove rainfall forecast records from the system. This is suggested when the qpf.mdb database begins to get large.**

Remove Forecast Model Data: This option allows the user to selectively, by date, remove hurricane forecast model records from the system. This is suggested when the model.mdb database begins to get large.

Remove Wind Probability Data: This option allows the user to selectively, by date, remove wind probability records from the system. This is suggested as the windprob.mdb database begins to get large.

Remove Surge Probability Data: This option allows the user to selectively, by date, remove surge probability records from the system. This is suggested when the psurge.mdb database begins to get large.

Remove Station Observation Data: This option allows the user to selectively, by date, remove observation records from the system. Caution... this operation may take extremely long and is not suggested unless direction by PC Weather Products support.

** Note.. the Surge Prob, Wind Prob and rain forecast databases are likely to get large quicker than the other databases.