UTILS\FLEXIBAK.DOC ·
DOC ·
24.9 KB ·
1989-05-24 ·
from PCPlus_Issue-41_Feb-1990_FluxEngine-360Kb
CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FLEXIBAK is an efficient, flexible hard disk backup system. Its
advantages over MS-DOS BACKUP are manifold :
1) User Friendly Environment :
FLEXIBAK has easy to use pull-down
and pop-up menus with context sensitive help throughout.
2) Selective Backups :
Mr. Average Hard Disk User goes to his
favourite computer supplier and purchases a program. He then
copies all the diskettes using DISKCOPY and then copies the files
to his hard disk. Then, if he is brave enough to use BACKUP, he
makes a backup of them, taking up yet more valuable floppies.
FLEXIBAK allows you to select only those files which you want to
backup i.e. your data files. For Example, a person might want to
backup those files with an extension DAT in a particular
subdirectory, and backup all files except for those with
extension BAK in another subdirectory. With FLEXIBAK, all this is
possible which means that registering and using FLEXIBAK could
actually save you money as well as time, patience, data etc.!!
3) Query Feature :
If you accidentally erase a file on your hard
disk then the next time FLEXIBAK is run, if that file has been
backed up, you will be queried as to whether you wish to erase that
file from the backup as well or to restore it from the backup
disk. This means that FLEXIBAK is far more useful than just for
recovering from a head crash - and it does it with ease.
4) AUTOEXEC Feature :
By adding a line to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file,
you can tell FLEXIBAK to warn you if you have not taken a backup
for a specified number of days. No more forgetting!
These are just some of FLEXIBAK's benefits - there are many more
besides.
Registering FLEXIBAK :
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FLEXIBAK can be registered by sending a cheque
(or Postal Order) for #14.95 to :
Adrian Mardlin,
26 Stanley Hill Avenue,
Amersham,
Bucks. HP7 9BD
In return for your registration fee, you will be
sent the latest, registered user version along with a printed manual.
You will also be entitled to receive upgrades at #5.00 and support by
mail. A registration form should be included on this disk which can be
dumped on you printer by typing 'COPY REGISTER.DOC PRN' at the DOS
prompt.
The registered version of FLEXIBAK is more
powerful than its shareware counterpart as the shareware version can
only handle 1000 files maximum whereas the registered version can
handle anything up to 3500 files. Also, FLEXIBAK is being continually
updated and improved, so if you register, you could end up with a much
improved version.
Legal Terms :
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The program FLEXIBAK is the sole copyright of Adrian
Mardlin. It may however be distributed and used freely by any person as
long as the following conditions are met.
1) The shareware version and NOT the registered user version is
distributed.
2) The whole contents of the disk, including this manual, are
distributed.
3) No price is charged other than a reasonable sum to cover the cost of
disks, copying and postage, and this must be declared as such.
4) If you find this package useful and you wish to go on using it then
you MUST register your copy.
Any breach of these conditions will be considered as an act of
piracy and will be dealt with as such. You have been warned!
Limitations :
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FLEXIBAK has the following limitations :
Maximum Files : 1000 (3500 in registered version)
Maximum Directories : 255
Maximum File Specifications : 1000
Maximum Backup Disks : 256
Maximum File Size : Size Of Backup Diskettes
You will not be warned when the limit is reached, but
FLEXIBAK will just ignore any additions so don't blame me when you
can't add any more files - register instead!! The other limits are high
enough so that they should not be reached by anyone. If, however this
is not the case, then let me know and I will be able to give you a
special version with your requirements.
The Future :
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have a few more plans for FLEXIBAK in the future such
as data compression (possibly linked to PKARC - now PKZIP, I believe),
encryption and handling of files larger than the size of the backup
disks. I would greatly value your ideas on improvements and alterations
that you would like to see made to FLEXIBAK. As with all programs,
FLEXIBAK is bound to carry one or two bugs which have so far gone
unnoticed. Please do tell me if you come across any as I will then be
able to fix them for a later release of the program.
CHAPTER 2 - INSTALLATION AND RUNNING
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Installation has been made simple thanks to the INSTALL.COM program
on the diskette. Just type 'INSTALL' and then tell it which drive to
copy the files to. If you have an AT compatible computer, then you might
like to copy the program FLEXI286.EXE to the FLEXIBAK directory and use
that program instead.
If you wish to make use of FLEXIBAK's alarm feature, then just add
the following line to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file :
\FLEXIBAK\FLEXIBAK n
Where n is the number of days before FLEXIBAK will warn you to take
a backup . If, when the computer is booted, it is n or more days since
you last took a backup , you will be notified of this and given a
chance to do so. Otherwise nothing will happen and boot up will
continue as normal.
The following files should be on the distribution diskette :
FLEXIBAK.EXE - The Backup Program
FLEXI286.EXE - An Alternative For AT Users
INSTALL .COM - The Installation Program
FLEXIBAK.DOC - This Manual
READ .ME - Last Minute Notes
REGISTER.DOC - Registration Document
To run FLEXIBAK enter the FLEXIBAK directory and type 'FLEXIBAK' at
the DOS prompt.
CHAPTER 3 - MAKING A FULL BACKUP
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This chapter is for those people who want to fork out the money for
loads of floppies. Those who can't, or don't want to afford this
expense should turn to chapter 4.
The one main advantage of making a full backup is that, if your
hard disk drive suffers from a head crash, you change computer or a
virus wipes your disk, the restoration process is so much simpler as
you don't need to reinstall all your program files.
How To Do It :
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Run FLEXIBAK and select the Global Backup option of the
Set Up menu. FLEXIBAK will then search through your disk and find all
the subdirectories. It will then log all the files for backup . This
could take some time, depending on computer and disk drive, so please
be patient.
Now, making sure you are equipped with handfuls of blank
floppies, select the Incremental option of the Backup menu. This will
lead you through the process of backing up the files to the floppies.
If, at any time, you run out of blank disks, pressing <ESCAPE> will
return you to the menus from which you can either leave the program
completely or 'Shell Out' to DOS in order to format some more floppies.
Keeping your backup up to date is just as simple as
starting it. Just run FLEXIBAK, answer any queries using the Answer
Queries option of the Queries menu, and then do an incremental backup .
The program will tell you which disks to insert and it will take care
of the rest. You don't need to worry about inserting the wrong disk as
FLEXIBAK will notice if you do so and will ask you to replace it with
the correct disk.
Upon leaving FLEXIBAK, you will be asked to insert the
master disk. This is the disk to which you copied the contents of the
distribution disk. FLEXIBAK will then copy its data file to this disk
(in case you wipe you hard disk). You can avoid this chore by pressing
<ESCAPE> but it is not really advisable unless you haven't done any
backing up during the current session.
When you add a new subdirectory to the hard disk drive,
it will need to be logged with FLEXIBAK. This can be done either by
reusing the Global Backup option or by using the Add/Edit Dir option
of the Set Up menu (see chapter 5 for details).
CHAPTER 4 - MAKING A SELECTIVE BACKUP
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In order to make a selective backup, you will need to make
extensive use of the Add/Edit Dir option of the Set Up menu. The best
way to begin is by working out the subdirectories and file
specifications within those subdirectories that you wish to backup .
Then, using the Add/Edit Dir option, type in you first subdirectory.
Now you will be prompted to type in your file spec. entries. This is
a straightforward process, all you do is type the file spec. (e.g. *.*
or *.DAT) and press ENTER. Adding a minus sign to the end of the file
spec. (e.g. *.BAK-) will result in those files being excluded. Consult
chapter 5 for more details. After selecting your files, you should
then log onto the disk by using the Queries, Re-Log Disk option.
Now, making sure you have enough blank, formatted floppies, select
the Incremental option of the Backup menu. This will lead you through
the process of backing up the files to the floppies. If, at any time,
you run out of blank disks, pressing ESCAPE will return you to the
menus from which you can either leave the program completely or 'Shell
Out' to DOS in order to format some more floppies.
Keeping your backup up to date is just as simple as starting it.
Just run FLEXIBAK, answer any queries using the Answer Queries option
of the Queries menu, and then do an incremental backup. The program
will tell you which disks to insert and it will take care of the rest.
You don't need to worry about inserting the wrong disk as FLEXIBAK will
notice if you do so and will ask you to replace it with the correct
one.
Upon leaving FLEXIBAK, you will be asked to insert the master disk.
This is the disk to which you copied the contents of the distribution
disk. FLEXIBAK will then copy its data file to this disk (in case you
wipe you hard disk). You can avoid this chore by pressing <ESCAPE> but
it is not really advisable unless you haven't done any backing up
during the current session.
CHAPTER 5 - REFERENCE GUIDE TO MENU OPTIONS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes :
~~~~~~~
The menus can be traversed by using the cursor keys and options
pressing <ENTER>. You can also jump from one menu to another by
pressing the leading letter of the menu name (e.g. 'S' for the Set Up
menu). If you accidentally select an option, you can return to the main
menu before any damage is done by pressing <ESCAPE> or answering 'No'
to the question 'Are You Sure (Yes/No) ?'. The only exceptions to this
rule are the Re-Log Disk and the Shell Out options.
Backup Menu :
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Incremental Option :
This option allows you to make an incremental
backup (i.e. Add only those files marked to be added). You will
first be asked whether you wish Verify to be on or not. This is the
DOS Verify Flag (refer DOS reference manual) and it means that all
files written are verified for correctness. It slows things down
considerably and so probably won't be a very popular option.
You will then be asked to insert a backup
disk (if anything needs adding, of course). Don't worry about
inserting the wrong disk as FLEXIBAK automatically checks this and
will tell you if you make a mistake. If a new backup disk is
required, then you will be asked to insert a blank disk. This
should be formatted and completely blank although it may contain
bad sectors and can be of any capacity. Should you not have any
blank formatted disks, you can return to the main menu by pressing
<ESCAPE> and either Exit or Shell Out in order to format another
disk (see DOS menu section).
FLEXIBAK will not allow you to do an
incremental backup while there are still any outstanding queries.
So these should be answered using the Answer Queries option of the
Queries menu prior to taking a backup .
Full Backup Option :
This option allows you to add all files on
record to the backup diskettes. This should be useful if anything
untoward should happen to your backup disks as it will
rewrite the data. See also the Housekeep menu options.
Recover Option :
On Selecting this option, you will be presented
with another menu containing four options. They work as follows :
1) Tagged Files Only : This allows you to recover all
those files that have been tagged for recovery (by
answering queries) into their respective directories on
the hard disk. It will also remake missing directories as
necessary.
2) All Queries : This option tags all the outstanding
queries for recovery and then recovers them. It can be
used after a major disaster as can the next option and it
saves you having to answer a whole host of queries.
3) All Files : This option is subtly different from option
2 and it recovers all the backed up files. This can be
useful for those who have only taken a selective backup as
it allows you to overwrite configuration files, which are
automatically placed your disk by installation routines,
with your own configuration files.
4) Specified Directory : With this option, you have to
specify a directory name whose contents have been backed
up. You are then asked for a new directory name (press
<ESCAPE> for the same name) and FLEXIBAK will recover the
contents of the one direct into the other. This can be
useful if you wish to move a directory to a different
directory on a different disk drive.
Set Up Menu :
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Add/Edit Dir Option :
Use this option to select those directories
from which you wish to take your backup and which files within
those directories you wish to backup . You will first be asked for
the name of a subdirectory. Enter this and press <ENTER>. You will
then be presented with any file specs. which you have already
entered for that subdirectory. To add new file specs., just type
them in and press <ENTER>. If you add a minus sign to the end of
the file spec., then those files will be excluded. For example you
might want to include *.* but exclude *.EXE and *.BAK. This should
be done by typing *.* <ENTER> *.EXE- <ENTER> *.BAK- <ENTER>.
If you wish to remove a file spec., then just
enter its opposite. For example, to remove *.EXE- from the previous
example, you would type *.EXE <ENTER> and to remove *.* you would
type *.*- <ENTER>. To return to the main menu, just press <ESCAPE>
or <ENTER> without entering a file spec.
Global Backup Option :
This option will find all the directories
on your hard disk and log them with FLEXIBAK. You will be queried
as to whether you wish to exclude all *.BAK. This means that all
files with the extension BAK will not be backed up. It will then
re-log the hard disk. This will mean that all the files on your
disk will be backed-up. Any fine tuning can be done through the
Add/Edit Dir option. Should you subsequently add a new
subdirectory to your hard disk, you can either use the Add/Edit Dir
option or re-execute this option.
Destination Option :
Alters the disk drive onto which the data is
backed-up. The default is drive A and any change is remembered
between sessions.
Queries Menu :
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Answer Queries Option :
There are two types of query that FLEXIBAK
will present to you. The first of these is 'File Not In Specified
Directory.'. This occurs when, during logging on, FLEXIBAK was
unable to find a file on the hard disk which had been backed-up.
You will be given a choice of Recover or Remove. The Recover option
will tag the file for recovery to your hard disk (see Backup menu,
Recover option) and the Remove option will remove the file from
your backup disk as well.
The second type of query that you will be
presented with is 'Can't Find Specified Directory.'.The options
that you will be given are Recover All, Remove All, Deal
Individually and Change Dir Name. Recover All will tag all the
files in that directory to be recovered, Remove All will remove all
the files in that directory from the backup disks, Deal
Individually will allow you to deal with the individual files (see
above) and Change Dir Name will allow you to change the directory
name. This is in case you have copied all the files into another
directory or used a fancy tool to actually change the directory
name.
Re-Log Disk Option :
Re-logs your hard disk. Should be used before
taking a backup if you have shelled out to DOS and altered files on your
disk.
Find File Option :
Type in a filename and FLEXIBAK will tell you
which backup disk it can be found on. If there is more than one
file of that name, then pressing any key will show you subsequent
occurrences or pressing <ESCAPE> will return you to the main menu.
This can be useful if you wish to access files other than through
FLEXIBAK. Unfortunately, wild-cards cannot be accepted at the
present moment (version 1.2).
Housekeep Menu :
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Check Files Option :
This option is largely for peace of mind, but
is also useful if you accidentally delete files from your backup
media. By executing this option and inserting a backup disk,
FLEXIBAK will report the number of the disk and how many files are
missing from the disk that should be there (hopefully none). If
any files are missing, they will automatically be tagged for
adding.
Refresh Disk Option :
This option just tags all the files on a
specified disk for adding. This is useful should you lose or
destroy a backup disk. The procedure in that case would be to take
a blank disk and make a subdirectory on it called FLEXIBAK.n where
n is the disk number. Then execute either of these options on the
disk and take an incremental backup .
Compact Data Option :
When you execute this option, FLEXIBAK will
attempt to fit all the data from the last backup disk onto the
others. The last disk will then be released for other use. This
is not an intelligent option in the sense that if it fails to
release the last disk then you will be required to insert another
blank disk which will be the new last disk. After running this
option, you will need to do an incremental backup in order to
relocate the information on the other disks. This opt will only
work if there are no files tagged for adding.
DOS Menu :
~~~~~~~~~~
Shell Out Option :
This option allows you to execute DOS commands
without having to reload FLEXIBAK. For example, if you wish to
leave FLEXIBAK temporarily in order to format a disk, then this is
the method you should use. Once in the DOS shell, you can return to
FLEXIBAK by entering the command 'EXIT'. The data file
'FLEXIBAK.DAT' is updated just in case you forget to re-enter
FLEXIBAK before switching off.
Exit Option :
This option should be selected if you wish to leave
FLEXIBAK. It updates the data file 'FLEXIBAK.DAT' on your hard disk
and prompts you to insert the master disk. This should be the disk
to which you copied the distribution disk using DISKCOPY. You have
the option of not doing this but it is highly inadvisable if any
significant change has been made to the backup during the current
session. However the disk identity is not checked so you could use
any disk for this operation. You should NEVER turn the computer off
during a session but you should instead always exit via this
option.
CHAPTER 6 - WHEN THINGS GO WRONG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Deleted Files/Directories :
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you accidentally remove any files or
directories, then they can easily be recovered by running FLEXIBAK.
First of all you should select Queries/Answer Queries and you will be
shown the files and asked what you want to do with them. You should
instruct FLEXIBAK to recover the files or directories. After doing this
select Backup/Recover and follow the instructions. Your hard disk
should now be back to normal with no missing files (unless, of course,
you neglected to back them up).
Major Crash/Data Transfer :
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you succeed in wiping/crashing your hard
disk or you simply wish to transfer the data to another hard disk (on
your new computer perhaps), then you will need to reinstall FLEXIBAK
on your disk. Just insert the master disk which should also contain the
file FLEXIBAK.DAT by now, and execute INSTALL.COM. You should now start
up FLEXIBAK in the usual way and select the Recover All option of the
Backup menu. Follow the instructions and your hard disk contents will
be reconstructed.
If you merely wish to transfer the
contents of one directory to another directory on a foreign hard disk,
then you should install FLEXIBAK (along with its data file
FLEXIBAK.DAT) on that disk and use the Specified Directory option of
the Recover option menu. You should then remove FLEXIBAK from that disk.