After Liz Gaines' unfortunate accidental-file-deletion mishap reported here last Friday I set about preparing detailed instructions for installing PIM Backup, a free backup utility for devices running the Microsoft Windows Mobile operating system, on the Trimble TSC2 / Survey Controller data collector.
The instructions document (PDF) is posted on the Inland GPS support page for Survey Data Collectors and Field Software. Click the link titled "PIM Backup on Trimble TSC2 / Survey Controller data collector".
Over the past five-plus years too many users of the Trimble TSC2 / Survey Controller data collector have learned (almost always the hard way) that there is no known method for recovering deleted files from the TSC2 - deleted files are gone forever.
Also, a few TSC2s have failed before critical data was downloaded. Data recovery from the internal memory modules of a dead TSC2 is impossible for all practical purposes because the surface-mount memory chips are soldered onto the processor printed-circuit board.
PIM Backup writes backups to a removable memory card that will be usable even in most cases of catastrophic failure of the TSC2.
Implementing a backup-and-recovery strategy is cheap insurance for your valuable survey data.
It is hoped this document will help someone avoid the grief and waste (of both time and money) caused by lost or unrecoverable data.
GB
Thanks, Glenn. It would be nice if Trimble (and the others) understood the value of the raw data and created some foolproof method to save it, or to have it in two places, like a RAID.
When I first started using Trimble receivers in 1986, there was no on-board memory. We were using Kaypro computers with dual floppies (no hard drives). The data was collected in ram, and written to floppies at the end of the session. Needless to say, we lost lots of data when computers died before we were able to save the data. Next, after many complaints, they set it up so that data was written to the floppies every 5 minutes. Wow, what an advancement! Still a p-i-t-a. I almost went to Wild Magnavox (WM101) because their new unit had a tape drive built-in. Wow, another great advancement. Just as I was about to buy some WM-101's, Trimble came out with the 4000SL with on board memory.
If only GPS users today knew what we went through in the old days...
Actually, I have never lost any TSC2 data. I have had the DC lockup, and the only way to restart is to remove the battery. The clock needs to be reset, but other than that nothing has ever been lost.
Over the years I have owned (or worked for companies that owned) 4000A, 4000S, 4000SX, 4000SL, 4000ST, 4000SE, 4000SSE, 4000SSi, 4400, 4700, 4800, 5700, and now R8's. VERY few times have I not been able to get the data out of the receiver, but it has happened.
Most of the lost-data episodes we heard of were the result of over-enthusiastic file-deletion campaigns - everything going along swimmingly until the "UH-OH - we never downloaded that job!!" moment.
We did have two TSC2s die before downloading.
The first time that happened the customer's field crew had been working away from the office for about two weeks straight without downloading anything. They did not have a computer with them and apparently no one thought to copy critical data to a USB flash drive or the like. They were back at the office attempting to download when the TSC2 went to silicon heaven. Figuring the costs for wages, travel, lodging, etc. (not to mention the schedule disruption), the data from those two weeks was worth a lot more than the data collector.
The second time was a TSC2 that contained data measured before some channel-dredging work in a river. The work had already started when the TSC2 died so the data could not be recreated. That made it a bit of a challenge to calculate quantities.
There were a few other tense situations where the TSC2s had to be repaired before it was possible to download the data. Those times the data was delayed but not lost.
In any of those cases it sure would have been handy to have all the data zipped up on a little removable SD card ready to connect to a computer.
GB
Thanks Glenn for taking the time to create this. We will be sure to check it out!
ps - I like this phrase "over-enthusiastic file-deletion campaigns"; that is exactly the type of campaign Kevin was enagaed in when this happened....
I use total commander (file manager) on my office computer. That is one of those absolutely essential utilities that are a must have.
They have a version for windows mobile. That makes it easy to copy anything to a USB drive, also to send via ftp to the office when there is an internet connection. Much better than any windows file manager.
The part about not having a computer in the field makes we wonder. I knew a firm that had the same thing happen. They didn't want to spend the money to equip their field crews with laptops. They drove from PA to CO to do a job, and didn't download until they drove back to PA. Had some bad data, so that meant another trip out there. Well, I would never drive that anyway, there are airplanes for that type of trip!
I can't even imagine going on a job without a laptop. I also have worked with crews who didn't have a simple handheld GPS, nor a digital camera. Pennywise-pound foolish.
"over-enthusiastic file-deletion campaigns" Like Liz said...a great way to describe how it happens...
We have had very little data lost out of the TSC2's....mostly from the above condition....
Thanks Glenn, for this info...could save someone...
John...I agree it is shocking how little care some take care of their data...
At least with the TSC2 they could have a USB memory stick and back it up to there...
You would be surprised at the people that don't have their drawing files backed up!
Then cry when the computer fries!
> "over-enthusiastic file-deletion campaigns" Like Liz said...a great way to describe how it happens...
>
> We have had very little data lost out of the TSC2's....mostly from the above condition....
>
> Thanks Glenn, for this info...could save someone...
>
> John...I agree it is shocking how little care some take care of their data...
>
> At least with the TSC2 they could have a USB memory stick and back it up to there...