Can I open two databases?

[yelokim]

Recently upgraded to Act! Pro 2011.

Before upgrading, I was having computer problems which damaged the database I was using.  I had backup that was about a year old, and I'm currently using that. 

However, I have a newer backup (about 6 mos. old) on an external h/d.

I would like to try opening the newer db, but I'm afraid I will ruin what I'm now working with.

Is there a way, as a single user, I can open the newer db, and still keep the old one? Can I have two db's at the same time?

I'm a long-time user, but not all that technical, so please bear with me.  Thanks.

[ghollister]

Hello yelokim,
Welcome to the Sage ACT! Community. Yes, you can have more than one database. You just can't have more than one open at the same time in ACT!. Opening another database will not have any effect on the other databases.

[Roy_Laudenslager]

You can have more than one database but you can only open one at a time. What you want to do is do a Restore As with the second copy of the database and that will force you to give that copy a different name.

[yelokim]

Thank you both for replying.

When I attempt Restore As, I'm getting error message:

the file you are attempting to restore does not contain act backup

[mscott821]

How was that backup created?