GetBack allows you to set certain advanced options for backup. The default operation for these options will meet the needs of most users. For certain users, changing the defaults on these options will allow additional flexibility in backup. These options include:
Allow you to not keep the log files on the hard drive. GetBack defaults to keeping the last five log files on the hard drive.
Allow you to not automatically format the target drive if it is not formatted. GetBack defaults to automatically format the target drive if required.
Allow you to not automatically delete the files on the target drive. GetBack defaults to automatically delete all files on the target drive.
Allow you to not back up Hidden and System files. GetBack defaults to back up all files.
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Archive Help
Whenever a file is created or modified, a bit is set in the file to indicate that this file should be archived. This bit is called the archive bit. The archive bit is used by backup utilities (and XCOPY) to indicate that a file has been created or modified since the last backup. Generally you want the archive bit cleared when the file has been backed up. Generally, all FULL and INCREMENTAL backups will clear the archive bit of each file that is backed up.
For example, let's imagine you just backed up your entire disk. All files will have their archive bit cleared indicating that they do not need to be backed up again. After one day of creating and modifying files, you run an INCREMENTAL backup. This backup will only backup those files that have the archive bit set. It will generally clear the archive bit of those files. But, if you wanted to run two identical INCREMENTAL backups you could not do it if the archive bit gets cleared. If you wish to run two identical INCREMENTAL backups, you must run the first with this option set to ARCHIVE BIT UNCHANGED. The second will be run with the ARCHIVE BIT CLEARED.
You may also want to not clear the archive bit after any INCREMENTAL backup. In this case, each INCREMENTAL backup would include all files that have changed since the last full backup. This would (in effect) be a DIFFERENTIAL backup.
The archive bit will always be UNCHANGED during differential backups.
This option has no effect during Restore.
Press <ESC> to Close Help Window
Backup Help
Selecting this option will start the backup. Make sure that all the following options are correct before proceeding.
The Type of Backup - Full, Incremental, or Differential
To Compress or not to compress (should be ON)
To Verify or not to verify (should be ON)
The Include/Exclude specification
The Overwrite Warning (should be ON for safety)
The archive status (should be CLEARED unless you
are doing a special backup or a Differential backup)
The Drive letter
The Media type
If this is the first time you have run a backup with your current configuration, you may wish to preview the backup first to make sure that everything is correct.
NOTE: For Windows Users - When running GetBack from Windows, files
that Windows has open will not be backed up. Backup Windows
files using GetBack run from DOS.
Select this option to begin backup.
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Border Color Help
This option chooses the color of the border around the main window, the three status windows, and in text mode the borders around menus and text strings.
Press <ESC> to Close Help Window
Button Color Help
Buttons are those items like HELP and GENERAL HELP buttons that appear at the top left of your screen and the EXIT button that appears in the main menu. This options sets the color for the non-current (or non-selected) buttons. The color for current (or selected) buttons is set to the same color as the current Menu Item.
This selection also sets the color of the Scroll Bar.
The hot key color associated with a button is determined by the color of the Menu hot key.
Press <ESC> to Close Help Window
Color Help
GetBack allows you to specify the color of various items on your screen. It is possible to set the foreground and background colors of the following:
Borders around windows
Windows
Window objects
Titles
Menu items (both selected and non selected)
Buttons (like the HELP, GENERAL HELP)
Hot Keys
Prompts
Foreground color is defined as the color of the characters or lines. Background color is defined as the color of the paper the characters are written on.
It is also possible to reset the colors to their original settings. These settings are stored in a file called BBCOLOR.DAT and is located in the same directory that the GetBack.EXE is kept (or in the directory defined by the GBK_LOG environment variable). If you wish to save different color configurations, this file can be renamed to reflect any number of color configurations.
GetBack's colors are applied to all of the programs when run from BringBack. Thus, if you select red buttons with white characters for GetBack, the following programs will also have red buttons with white characters when run from BringBack:
BringBack (BB) FastDisk FileBack
For network users wishing to have the BBCOLOR.DAT file stored in some place other than the program directory (for example, to allow the program directory to be read only and allowing multiple color configurations for multiple users), the environment variable GBK_LOG may be set to any drive and directory. This will cause the BBCOLOR.DAT file to be stored in that directory. This is done by placing the following command in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file:
SET GBK_LOG=C:\MY_DIR\MY_SUBDIR
Press <ESC> to Close Help Window
Compress Option Help
With the Compress option on, GetBack will compress your files on the backup media while backing up your files. This causes them to take less space on your backup media than they took on your hard disk. Normally, GetBack will also run faster with compression turned on. Compression takes processing time to compress your data. But since disk I/O is generally the slowest part of any computer program, compression generally saves more time than it takes. However, with a very slow PC and/or a very fast disk or tape, GetBack may run faster with compression turned off.
You also may choose to turn compression off if you are only backing up files that are already compressed (.ZIP or .ARC) files.
This option has no effect during Restore.
Press <ESC> to Close Help Window $
Deletion of Files on the Target Help
GetBack always deletes all files on a floppy unless this option is selected. There are situations (networks in particular) where you would want to have multiple backup sets on one floppy.
Select this option if you do not want to delete files on the target drive when a backup is performed.
This option is only available for DOS media types.
This option has no effect during a restore.
Press <ESC> to Close Help Window (
Directory List Help - NOT CURRENTLY USED
GetBack allows you to start your list of Include/Exclude files with a directory tree. For example, if you wanted to start with all directories of the C: drive you would enter:
C:\
GetBack will then display all the directories on your C drive.
If you want to start your list with the list of all directories under the \USER\ directory, you would enter:
C:\USER\
This starting point will allow you to easily specify the files you want to include/exclude.
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Directory Tree Select
This screen allows you to individually select entire directories or individual files from those directories for INCLUDE or EXCLUDE. A check indicates that the directory and/or file is INCLUDEd. You may use the mouse or the <ENTER> key to INCLUDE or EXCLUDE a directory or a file. When you INCLUDE or EXCLUDE one directory, all of the files and all of the subdirectories with all of the files within those subdirectories are INCLUDEd or EXCLUDEd. By default all directories and all files are INCLUDEd.
You may move around this screen as on all other screens. The cursor keys, the scroll bar, or the <PgUp> and <PgDn> keys move you within a given list (either the directory tree or the file list).
As in other screens, the <TAB> key and the Shift<TAB> key allow you to move between the directory tree and the file list.
By default all directories and all files are INCLUDEd.
Selecting the Setup Ok button will exit this screen and copy this selection into the current configuration. It does not save it to a file.
Selecting the Cancel button will exit this screen and leave the current configuration unchanged.
Press <ESC> to Close Help Window
Display Backup Set Help
Associated with every backup, is a file that includes all the files that were backed up. You can see what files are on that backup set by selecting this option.
A preview will tell you what files you are restoring but not any other details about the files. View Backup Set provides the ability to obtain the following about the files in a backup set:
Name
Extension
Path
Date Created
Time Created
Size of the File
If you are restoring from a DOS type media (which allows multiple backup sets on the media), you will need to specify the backup set name.
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DOS Shell Help
Selecting this option causes you to go to the DOS prompt for you to perform any DOS operations. You must return to DISKBACK by typing "EXIT".
Press <ESC> to Close Help Window
Drive Help
You must specify the target drive for backups and the source drive for restore here. Generally only a letter is required. However, for DOS drives, you may also specify a directory. This is useful for networks or if you wish to segregate your backup files on your floppies from other files on the floppies. If you specify a directory, you will not be able to toggle this from the status window.
When specifying a directory for a DOS media, you must specify the full path from the root. You cannot specify a path from the current default directory. For example, to put the backup set in a subdirectory:
A:ABC\ is invalid as it specifies subdirectory ABC off the current
default directory. Although generally the current default
directory of a floppy is the root directory, this is not always
the case. For this reason you must specify this example as:
A:\ABC
Press <ESC> to Close Help Window .
Edit Current Include/Excludes File Lists/Trees'
GetBack always has one configuration defined. This is either the configuration you had the last time you used GetBack, or the configuration you used when you invoked GetBack, or the configuration you last loaded from within GetBack.
Selecting this option allows you to edit the INCLUDE/EXCLUDE portion of that current configuration.
When using a current configuration that is not a tree, GetBack will provide a warning and load the file as a list. The difference between a file list and a file tree configuration is that the file tree configuration does not contain:
- INCLUDE ALL specifications
- include SUBDIRectory specifications
- files specified with a partial wildcard (like *.DOC or
A*.DBF)
- files specified on multiple drives
Press <ESC> to Close Help Window
Load a Previous List/Tree
This option will allow you to load just the Include/Exclude list or tree from a previous backup configuration file. If you want to load all the options and the Include/Exclude list, you should use "Load Configuration File" from Main Menu. This option will not load any of the options like Media Type or Backup Type.
Selecting this option will offer you a selection of backup configuration files from which you can load the Include/Exclude list or tree.
When loading a previous configuration file that is not a tree, GetBack will provide a warning and load the file as a list. The difference between a file list and and file tree configuration is that the file tree configuration does not contain:
- INCLUDE ALL specifications
- include SUBDIRectory specifications
- files specified with a partial wildcard (like *.DOC or
A*.DBF)
- files specified on multiple drives
Press <ESC> to Close Help Window
Exit GetBack HelpX
Selecting this option will cause GetBack to exit.
Press <ESC> to Close Help Window #
Selected Files and Directories Help
You may specify the files you want INCLUDEd or EXCLUDEd in a definition file. You have four options to create/define this file:
- You may use a file that already exists from a previous backup or
one you created offline with your word processor or editor
- You may create a new file with all your directories listed
to allow you to edit from this baseline
- You may create a new empty file and build the definition from
scratch
- You may edit your current configuration
There are two methods available for using these options. The first (the File List method) allows you to define each file and directory using DOS file naming conventions (including wild cards). This method allows you the most flexibility. It allows you to specify multiple drives, partial wild card specifications and to include entire directory trees with one easy operation. The second (the File Tree method) is easier to use and allows you to select or deselect files and/or directories to INCLUDE or EXCLUDE from the definition file.
The following definition applies to the File List Method:
In most cases, you do not want to back up all your files and directories. With GetBack you can select only certain files, certain extensions and/or certain directories to back up. This is done with the INCLUDE/EXCLUDE/INC ALL option. Only those directories and files you specify will be backed up. This selection is performed by defining the directories and files in a backup configuration file. The file consists of a list of directories and files. Filenames may be specified using DOS wildcard characters (* and ?). Backup will only back up files you specify in this file.
INCLUDE means to back up these files unless overridden by EXCLUDE.
EXCLUDE means to not back up these files unless overridden by INC ALL.
INC ALL means to always back up these files.
Be careful not to have overlapping INCLUDE and/or INC ALL specifications or GetBack will back up the files twice.
EXAMPLE: To back up only ".DOC" files in all directories, you would create a file with the following contents:
INCLUDE/ File Specification With
EXCLUDE Subdirs
INCLUDE c:\*.DOC SUBDIRS
In some cases, you want to back up all your files with certain exceptions. This may be done with the EXCLUDE option. As with the INCLUDE option, you create a file with a list of files you want to be excluded from backup. GetBack will back up all files except those you specified.
EXAMPLE: To back up all files except those files in the "\user\tmp" directory, you would create a file with the following contents:
INCLUDE/ File Specification With
EXCLUDE Subdirs
INCLUDE c:\*.* SUBDIRS
EXCLUDE c:\user\tmp\*.* NO SUBD
When specifying INCLUDE, INC ALL and EXCLUDE three rules are very important:
RULE #1: EXCLUDE takes precedence over INCLUDE. This means that in the above example the INCLUDE specification (C:\*.*) defines all files except as exempted by the EXCLUDE. This rule always applies unless overridden by rule #2.
RULE #2: INCLUDE specifications that do not include DOS wildcard specifications can never be excluded.
RULE #3: INC ALL specifications can never be excluded.
For example:
INCLUDE/ File Specification With
EXCLUDE Subdirs
INCLUDE c:\*.* SUBDIRS
EXCLUDE c:\*.TMP SUBDIRS
INCLUDE c:\IMPORTNT.TMP NO SUBD
INC ALL c:\SPECIAL\*.TMP NO SUBD
In this example, all files will be backed up unless they have a .TMP extension. No .TMP files will be backed up except IMPORTNT.TMP and those in the SPECIAL directory.
Press <ESC> to Close Help Window
Files Definition Help'
You may specify the files you want INCLUDEd or EXCLUDEd in a definition file. You have four options to create/define this file:
- You may use a file that already exists from a previous backup or
one you created offline with your word processor or editor
- You may create a new file with all your directories listed
to allow you to edit from this baseline
- You may create a new empty file and build the definition from
scratch
- You may edit your current configuration
Press <ESC> to Close Help Window
Prompt File Menu
You may specify the files you want INCLUDEd or EXCLUDEd in a configuration file. You have four options to create/define this file:
- You may use a file that already exists from a previous backup or
one you created offline with your word processor or editor.
This file contains other configuration information, but
only the INCLUDE/EXCLUDE specification will be imported.
If you wish to import an entire backup/restore specification
use the Load Configuration selection from the Main Menu.
The same Configuration Files can be used for Backup and Restore.
- You may create a new definition with all or some of your directories
listed to allow you to edit from this baseline. This is useful if
you wish to back up up all or part of a directory tree.
- You may create a new empty definition and build the definition from
scratch.
- You may edit your current configuration.
Press <ESC> to Close Help Window
Existing Configuration File Help9
When creating a list of Include/Excludes, you may wish to use a list from a previous backup or restore configuration. This list will be extracted from the configuration file without taking the setup options (like COMPRESS and VERIFY options) and will ONLY load the Include/Exclude specification. These files are looked for first in your current directory and then in GetBack's directory.
You may enter the file name at the prompt or <TAB> over to one in the pick list and press enter. (You may also select it with the Mouse).
Press <ESC> to Close Help Window
Format Option Helpy
GetBack always checks to see if a floppy requires formatting before backing up to it. Sometimes, it may be important to stop the backup if the floppy isn't formatted (or is the wrong density). Optionally, you may have GetBack display a warning message if a wrong density or unformatted floppy is used during backup.
You are given three options:
Format Floppies as Needed
Never Format Floppies
Ask before Formatting a floppy
Format Floppies as Needed allows GetBack to format the floppies as needed without any intervention on your part. The possible danger in this option is that you may insert a different density disk than specified and GetBack will format it to that density. If you generally only use one type (density) floppy this is the best option.
Never Format Floppies forces you to put the proper diskette in every time. It will not automatically format the floppy for you. This is a good option if you have several types (densities) of floppies and they are always formatted in DOS format.
Ask before Formatting allows you to verify that you want GetBack to format your diskette before it does it. This option is useful if you have several types (densities) and they are not always formatted in DOS format. With this option, when a floppy requires formatting, you can either tell GetBack to Format it or you can insert a formatted floppy.
GetBack uses a DOS compliant formatted floppy. Although this is not as fast as some proprietary formats, it allows you to mix and match your floppies between backups and normal usage.
This option has no effect during a restore.
Press <ESC> to Close Help Window
General Help
Welcome To GetBack!
The steps to backing up your hard drive with GetBack are as follows:
1. Set up your backup/restore configuration (including
file specification, disk type, etc.) This is done
either by selecting "Setup Backup/Restore" from the
Main Menu, loading a predefined configuration file,
from your disk, or <TAB>ing to the status windows and
toggling the setup with the <ENTER> key. If you create
a configuration you wish to repeat, remember to
save it before exiting.
2. Select Start Backup from the Main Menu.
The steps to restoring your data are the same except that you select Start Restore from the Main Menu.
Navigating through GetBack's menus is performed using any combination of the following techniques:
Cursor Control Keys - use the <UP_ARROW> or <DOWN_ARROW> to
position the cursor. Once you have selected the entry
you wish, press the <ENTER> key.
Exit - The <ESC> key can be used to exit any window
Highlighted Character - in every menu, items may be selected
by pressing the key corresponding to the item. This key
is identified in bold for Text mode applications and
underlined for Graphics mode applications.
Mouse - items in menus may be selected by pointing the mouse
cursor at the item and "clicking" the left mouse button.
Any window may be closed with the right mouse button.
Status window options may be toggled by clicking the mouse on them or by using the <TAB> and SHIFT<TAB> keys to get to them, the <ENTER> key will toggle the status. Use the <TAB> and SHIFT<TAB> to get back to the menu selections.
The Include/Exclude lists may be editted with the following commands:
Cursor Movement:
<DOWN/UP/RIGHT/LEFT ARROW> - Move cursor one character down/up/right/left
<PgDn> <PgUp> - Move the cursor down/up one page
<Home> <End> - Move the cursor to the beginning/end of line
<Ctrl RIGHT/LEFT> - Move cursor one word to the right/left
<Ctrl Home> <Ctrl End> - Move cursor to the beginning/end of the file
{Left Mouse Click} - Move cursor to the Mouse cursor
Delete Text:
<Del> - Delete the character at the cursor
<Ctrl Del> - Delete the word at the cursor
<BkSp> - Delete the character before the cursor
<Ctrl BkSp> or <F8> - Delete from the cursor to the end of line
Mark Text:
<Ctrl F5> - Marks text for copy or cut
<ENTER> - Following a mark, copies text to paste buffer
<Del> - Following a mark, deletes text to paste buffer
<Ctrl F6> - Cut marked Text
<Ctrl F8> - Copies from paste buffer to cursor
Lastly, some Definitions:
Backup Set - This is a file that is stored on your backup media (like a floppy disk) at the end of a backup. This means that it is stored on the last disk in the backup. GetBack also (optionally) stores the last 5 backup sets in its C:\}H_DD_N{ directory (or optionally in the directory specified by the environment variable GBK_LOG). If you want these kept in a different directory, put the following in your autoexec.bat file:
SET GBK_LOG=C:\MY_DIRECTORY
This command also is used to define where the configuration files are stored (*.GBK and BBCOLOR.DAT).
Press <ESC> to Close Help Window "
Back up of System and Hidden Files
Certain files on your hard disk are not visible to you the user with normal DOS operations. These files are categorized as either System or Hidden files. By default, GetBack backs up both System and Hidden files.
Under certain circumstances (older methods of copy protection for instance), you may not want these files backed up.
Select this option if you do not want to back up Hidden files.
This option has no effect during a restore.
Press <ESC> to Close Help Window
HW Setup Help
Selecting this option allows you to select:
Type of Backup Media (360k, 720k, 1.2m, 1.44m floppy, or DOS drive)
Drive (and for DOS drives the directory)
Colors on your Display (foreground and background)
Titles
Windows
Window Text
Borders
Menus (Selected/Non-selected and Hotkeys)
Buttons
Prompts
Text or Graphics mode
Press <ESC> to Close Help Window
Load Configuration Helpt
You may specify the full drive, path, and filename (without extension) of a previously defined configuration file to setup either a backup or a restore. This configuration file will contain all the setup information required. This file always has the .GBK extension to allow you to easily find it on your hard disk. If no directory is specified (or if GBK_LOG is not set in the environment variables), GetBack first looks in the directory where GetBack is stored (\GETBACK by default). Otherwise, the file is loaded from the directory specified.
The pick list on the right hand portion of the screen, includes those files which are contained in GetBack's program directory (or in the GBK_LOG directory) and (if there are any), the *.GBK files contained in the current directory. Files in the current directory are indicated by including the directory specification in their name.
The configuration includes:
Drive to be backed up to/restore data from
Media type
Backup Type
Archive Bit Option
Compression Option
Verify Option
Restore Warning Option
Hard Drive Log File Option
Hard Drive Format Option
Delete Target Drive Overwrite warnings
Include/Exclude File list
Status of Hidden/System files
The same file may be used for either backup or restore. Certain options, however may not be selected and/or appropriate for both.
Selecting this option will load the configuration file information into GetBack.
For network users wishing to have all .GBK files stored in some place other than the program directory (for example, to allow the program directory to be read only), the environment variable GBK_LOG may be set to any drive and directory. This will cause all .GBK files to be stored in that directory. This is done by placing the following command in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file:
SET GBK_LOG=C:\MY_DIR\MY_SUBDIR
Press <ESC> to Close Help Window
Log File Option Help
Every time a backup is performed, a log file containing the list of files that were backed up and what disk they are on is stored on the last floppy in the backup set. In addition, the last five log files are automatically kept on the hard drive in BringBack's special directory }H_DD_N{. (or optionally in the directory specified by the environment variable GBK_LOG). If you want these kept in a different directory, put the following in your autoexec.bat file:
SET GBK_LOG=C:\MY_DIRECTORY
These log files are named as follows:
YYMMDDL#.BK1
Where YY is the year, MM is the month, DD is the day, L is the hard drive where the log file is kept, # is the letter (A-Z) representing the number of backups performed on that date.
When you want to back up just a few files from a backup set, many backup programs force you to go through all the floppies to find the file. GetBack uses the log file to tell you which floppy to insert to restore the files. Having these log files on your hard disk allows you to restore files without having to insert the last floppy in the drive.
This option allows you to not keep any log files on your hard disk.
This option has no effect during a restore.
Press <ESC> to Close Help Window
Main Menu Help
From the Main Menu, you may:
Use the menu system to:
Start a Backup
Preview a Backup
Start a Restore
Preview a Restore
Display a Backup Set
Setup Backup/Restore
Load Configuration
Exit
Toggle the configuration via the status windows on the right
Obtain Context sensitive help on any item (place the cursor on an
item and press <F1> or click the mouse on the Help button.
Setup the file specification fields to define what files to backup
and the names of the files to be restored
The status windows define the current configuration of GetBack. These entries may be changed by <Tab>ing over to these windows and using the <Space> key to toggle the entries between their options. With a mouse, you may point the mouse cursor on one of the items and click the left button to toggle the entries. The only configuration items that cannot be toggled from these windows are the screen colors (Use the Setup Backup/Restore and Initialize Hardware Setup item to configure the screen colors) and the optional directory path for a DOS target drive.
At the bottom of the screen, the list of files to be included or excluded are defined. First, define the files needed to be included or excluded (either <TAB>ing to the File Specification area or using the mouse cursor and pointing and clicking on the area). The file specification follows the standard DOS wildcard notation for defining files (using either * or ? for wild card characters). See your DOS manual for further information.
The first file specified on each line, specifies the file to be either backed up or recovered. The second file specified on each line is used when recovering files and is ignored during backup. For example:
C:\*.DOC
will backup all files with the .DOC extension.
In recovering files, GetBack uses the standard DOS XCOPY file renaming conventions. If you desire to recover files to the exact same directory and file name, only a single file specification is required on each line. If however, you desire to recover the files to a different directory (or drive), a second file specification can be provided on the line. For example:
C:\*.DOC D:\TMP\*.DOC
will recover all *.DOC files to the D drive in the \TMP directory. If the SUBDIR button is selected, all of the necessary subdirectories will be built off the \TMP directory.
Be careful to specify the target file name when specifying target subdirectories. For example:
C:\*.DOC D:\TMP
will recover all *.DOC files to the D drive in the root directory to a file called TMP! (per the XCOPY specification).
By selecting the INCLUDE button (either <TAB>ing to the File Specification areas and using the Arrow keys move to the INCLUDE/EXCLUDE button and using the <Space> key to toggle the entry or by pointing the mouse cursor at the button and clicking on the Button), you can define whether or not a file is Included or Excluded or always included (this is used to prevent definitions that overlap). The same method is used to define whether or not you want GetBack to search subdirectories for matching file specifications.
The following definition applies to the File Specification:
In most cases, you do not want to back up all your files and directories. With GetBack you can select only certain files, certain extensions and/or certain directories to back up. This is done with the INCLUDE/EXCLUDE/INC ALL option. Only those directories and files you specify will be backed up. This selection is performed by defining the directories and files in a backup configuration file. The file consists of a list of directories and files. Filenames may be specified using DOS wildcard characters (* and ?). Backup will only back up files you specify in this file.
INCLUDE means to back up these files unless overridden by EXCLUDE.
EXCLUDE means to not back up these files unless overridden by INC ALL.
INC ALL means to always back up these files.
Be careful not to have overlapping INCLUDE and/or INC ALL specifications or GetBack will back up the files twice.
EXAMPLE: To back up only ".DOC" files in all directories, you would create a file with the following contents:
INCLUDE/ File Specification With
EXCLUDE Subdirs
INCLUDE c:\*.DOC SUBDIRS
In some cases, you want to back up all your files with certain exceptions. This may be done with the EXCLUDE option. As with the INCLUDE option, you create a file with a list of files you want to be excluded from backup. GetBack will back up all files except those you specified.
EXAMPLE: To back up all files except those files in the "\user\tmp" directory, you would create a file with the following contents:
INCLUDE/ File Specification With
EXCLUDE Subdirs
INCLUDE c:\*.* SUBDIRS
EXCLUDE c:\user\tmp\*.* NO SUBD
When specifying INCLUDE, INC ALL and EXCLUDE three rules are very important:
RULE #1: EXCLUDE takes precedence over INCLUDE. This means that in the above example the INCLUDE specification (C:\*.*) defines all files except as exempted by the EXCLUDE. This rule always applies unless overridden by rule #2.
RULE #2: INCLUDE specifications that do not include DOS wildcard specifications can never be excluded.
RULE #3: INC ALL specifications can never be excluded.
For example:
INCLUDE/ File Specification With
EXCLUDE Subdirs
INCLUDE c:\*.* SUBDIRS
EXCLUDE c:\*.TMP SUBDIRS
INCLUDE c:\IMPORTNT.TMP NO SUBD
INC ALL c:\SPECIAL\*.TMP NO SUBD
In this example, all files will be backed up unless they have a .TMP extension. No .TMP files will be backed up except IMPORTNT.TMP and those in the SPECIAL directory.
See the General Help (<Alt-F1>) for information on how to select entries.
Press <ESC> to Close Help Window
Matrix Editing Help.
This screen allows you to select the files you want to Include and/or Exclude from your backup/Restore.
When backing up, enter all the file specifications you wish and indicate whether or not you wish to INCLUDE or EXCLUDE these files from the backup. If you wish the file specification to be inclusive of all subsequent subdirectories, select SUBDIR in the subdirectory button.
When restoring files, each line of the file specification can actually contain two file specifications separated by a space. The second file specification is the destination of where you want the restored files to go.
For example, to restore all *.DOC files in the C:\WORD\DOC directory to the C:\WORD\TMP directory, you would select INCLUDE and:
C:\WORD\DOC\*.DOC C:\WORD\TMP
To insert lines into this list, place the cursor where you want to insert and select the insert button, place the mouse cursor and click the left button or Hot Key <ALT-I>.
To delete lines in this list, place the cursor on the line where you want to delete and select the delete button, place the mouse cursor and click the left button or Hot Key <ALT-D>.
When you have made all your changes, select the OK button to exit. If you wish to cancel your changes, select the CANCEL button.
Editing and cursor movements while in this list are as follows:
Cursor Movement:
<DOWN/UP/RIGHT/LEFT ARROW> - Move cursor one character down/up/right/left
<PgDn> <PgUp> - Move the cursor down/up one page
<Home> <End> - Move the cursor to the beginning/end of line
<Ctrl RIGHT/LEFT> - Move cursor one word to the right/left
<Ctrl Home> <Ctrl End> - Move cursor to the beginning/end of the file
{Left Mouse Click} - Move cursor to the Mouse cursor
Delete Text:
<Del> - Delete the character at the cursor
<Ctrl Del> - Delete the word at the cursor
<BkSp> - Delete the character before the cursor
<Ctrl BkSp> - Delete from the cursor to the end of line
<F8> - Deletes the entire line
Mark Text:
<Ctrl F5> - Marks text for copy or cut
<ENTER> - Following a mark, copies text to paste buffer
<Del> - Following a mark, deletes text to paste buffer
<Ctrl F6> - Cut marked Text
<Ctrl F8> - Copies from paste buffer to cursor
In some cases, you do not want to back up all your files and directories. With GetBack you can select only certain files, certain extensions and/or certain directories to back up. This is done with the INCLUDE/EXCLUDE/INC ALL option. Only those directories and files you specify will be backed up. This selection is performed by defining the directories and files in a backup configuration file. The file consists of a list of directories and files. Filenames may be specified using DOS wildcard characters (* and ?). Backup will only back up files you specify in this file.
INCLUDE means to back up these files unless overridden by EXCLUDE.
EXCLUDE means to not back up these files unless overridden by INC ALL.
INC ALL means to always back up these files.
Be careful not to have overlapping INCLUDE and/or INC ALL specifications or GetBack will back up the files twice.
EXAMPLE: To back up only ".DOC" files in all directories, you would create a file with the following contents:
INCLUDE/ File Specification With
EXCLUDE Subdirs
INCLUDE c:\*.DOC SUBDIRS
In some cases, you want to back up all your files with certain exceptions. This may be done with the EXCLUDE option. As with the INCLUDE option, you create a file with a list of files you want to be excluded from backup. GetBack will back up all files except those you specified.
EXAMPLE: To back up all files except those files in the "\user\tmp" directory, you would create a file with the following contents:
INCLUDE/ File Specification With
EXCLUDE Subdirs
INCLUDE c:\*.* SUBDIRS
EXCLUDE c:\user\tmp\*.* NO SUBD
When specifying INCLUDE, INC ALL and EXCLUDE three rules are very important:
RULE #1: EXCLUDE takes precedence over INCLUDE. This means that in the above example the INCLUDE specification (C:\*.*) defines all files except as exempted by the EXCLUDE. This rule always applies unless overridden by rule #2.
RULE #2: INCLUDE specifications that do not include DOS wildcard specifications can never be excluded.
RULE #3: INC ALL specifications can never be excluded.
For example:
INCLUDE/ File Specification With
EXCLUDE Subdirs
INCLUDE c:\*.* SUBDIRS
EXCLUDE c:\*.TMP NO SUBD
INCLUDE c:\IMPORTNT.TMP NO SUBD
INC ALL c:\SPECIAL\*.TMP NO SUBD
In this example, all files will be backed up unless they have a .TMP extension. No .TMP files will be backed up except IMPORTNT.TMP and those in the SPECIAL directory.
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Media Help
You must select the type of media you are going to back up to. The options for this are:
360k 5
" floppy
720k 3
" floppy
1.2m 5
" floppy
1.44m 3
" floppy
DOS media - This can be a network drive, a tape drive, or an
unsupported floppy. You can also do cumulative backups to DOS
media. This allows you to have multiple backups on one media.
In general this mode is considerably slower than defining the
media type.
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Menu Color Help
Menus are those portions of the screens which allow you to select options for GetBack. Menu color selection consists of three parts because the menus themselves have three parts:
When a menu item is selected, it is a different color than when it is not selected. Only one menu item is selected at a time. When selecting the colors of menus, make the selected color different from the non-selected color. The selected menu item color is used for the color of the selected buttons.
You may also specify the color of the Hot Key for text mode operation. The background color of the Hot Key is the same as the non-selected Menu item.
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Mode Help9
Not used at this time.
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Create a New List of Include/Excludes
GetBack allows you to edit a list of Includes/Excludes that starts fresh with a new definition of files and directories to INCLUDE or EXCLUDE. This is useful if you have a fairly extensive list of included and/or excluded files, and want to start fresh.
You will be offered the option to seed this list with a directory specification. If you leave this blank, you will get a blank list with all files and all directories selected on the C drive. If you specify a directory, GetBack will seed the list with the directory and all its subdirectories and all files included. For example, if you wanted to start with all directories of the C: drive you would enter:
C:\
GetBack will then display all the directories on your C drive.
If you want to start your list with the list of all directories under the \USER\ directory, you would enter:
C:\USER\
This starting point will allow you to easily specify the files you want to include/exclude.
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Define a New Tree{
Selecting this option will allow you to select from a tree list of directories and a list of files. By default all directories are selected and all files are selected. Each directory and file may be separately included and/or excluded.
Directories and files are indicated that they are selected by the Check mark in front of their names.
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Overwrite Help
GetBack allows you choose whether or not you want to be warned if it is going to overwrite a file (during a restore) and data on a target media during a backup.
During backup, having this option On will cause GetBack to ask you before overwriting data on your target media. If data is detected on each media, you will be given the option to overwrite the data. If no data is detected on the target media, GetBack will not ask before writing to the disk. Having this option Off will cause GetBack to always overwrite data on your target media unless the No Delete Option is on.
During a restore, having this option On will cause an overwrite warning for every file that you recover that has the same file specification (filename and path). It will prompt you to proceed with the overwrite or to not restore this file. Having this option Off will cause GetBack to always overwrite files on your target media.
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Preview Backup Help
Preview will run a full backup as configured by your current configuration. This will allow you to see that you have everything specified correctly before actually writing to your floppy or network drive.
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Preview Restore Helpw
Preview will run a full restore as configured by your current configuration. This will allow you to see that you have everything specified correctly before actually writing to your target media.
If you are restoring from a DOS type media (which allows multiple backup sets on the media), you will need to specify the backup set name.
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Prompt For Backup Set Help8
Enter the appropriate Backup set to display, preview, or restore.
The list displayed in the upper right hand corner of the screen gives you the available options. You may select (using either the <TAB> key or the mouse) from that list or enter the name of the backup set.
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Help Prompt Color
Prompts are used in the Load Configuration and Save Configuration Windows to draw your attention the field requiring data.
The foreground color is the character color. The background color is the color the character is written on.
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Prompt File Help
You may specify the files you want INCLUDEd or EXCLUDEd in a configuration file. You have four options to create/define this file:
- You may use a file that already exists from a previous backup or
one you created offline with your word processor or editor.
This file contains other configuration information, but
only the INCLUDE/EXCLUDE specification will be imported.
If you wish to import an entire backup/restore specification
use the Load Configuration selection from the Main Menu.
The same Configuration Files can be used for Backup and Restore.
- You may create a new definition with all or some of your directories
listed to allow you to edit from this baseline. This is useful if
you wish to back up all or part of a directory tree.
- You may create a new empty definition and build the definition
from scratch.
- You may edit your current configuration.
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Restore Help
Selecting this option will start restoring your data using the current configuration. The current configuration determines what kinds of files to restore, where to restore them to, where to restore them from, etc.
In the unfortunate event you need to restore some data from a backup set, step one is to set up GetBack with all the appropriate options. Before starting the restore, make sure that the following options are set correctly:
The Include/Exclude specification
The Drive letter
The Media type
The Overwrite warning option
Select this option to begin Restore.
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Reset Color Options Help
GetBack allows you to reset the colors to the default with this option. Selecting this option will put all the colors back to their default condition.
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Return to Higher Level Menu Helpb
Selecting this option will return you to the previous menu.
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Save Configuration Help"
You may specify the full drive, path, and filename (without extension) of where you want the configuration file to be stored. This configuration file will contain all the setup information required. This file always has the .GBK extension to allow you to easily find it on your hard disk. If no directory is specified, GetBack saves the file in the directory where GetBack is stored (\GETBACK by default) or in the directory specified by the GBK_LOG environment variable.
The configuration includes:
Drive to be backed up to/restore data from
Media type
Backup Type
Archive Bit Option
Compression Option
Verify Option
Restore Warning Option
Hard Drive Log File Option
Hard Drive Format Option
Delete Target Drive Overwrite warnings
Include/Exclude File list
Status of Hidden/System files
The same file may be used for either backup or restore. Certain options, however may not be selected and/or appropriate for both.
Selecting this option will save the configuration file.
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Screen Help
GetBack runs in two modes:
Graphics Mode
Text Mode
On startup, if no mode is specified, GetBack determines the mode based on the hardware available, and the speed of your machine. For 808X machines, GetBack defaults to text mode. You may override this by specifying a "/T" or a "/G" switch at startup.
Also, you can switch screen modes from this menu option.
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Setup Menu Help
From the Setup Menu, you may specify the parameters for:
- Hardware Configuration
Type of Backup Media (360k, 720k, 1.2m, 1.44m floppy, or DOS drive)
Drive (and for DOS drives the directory)
Colors on your Display
Text or Graphics mode
- Setup options for Backup and Restore
Type (differential, incremental, full)
Files (all, only defined files, all except defined files)
Archive Bit (cleared or unchanged after backup)
Compression option (Compression On or Compression Off)
Verify (Check that the backup worked as you go)
Overwrite Warnings (Tell you that you are overwriting)
- Setup Advanced options for Backup and Restore
Formatting Target Drive
Keeping Log Files on Hard Disk
Deleting Files on Target Drive
Backing up System/Hidden Files
- Save the Configuration File (give a name to the backup definition)
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Setup Options Menu Help
From this menu you can define the options for backup. The Status windows define the current definition.
Type: GetBack allows you to specify three types of backups:
Full - This option backs up all specified files in all specified
directories even if the file has changed or is new since the
last backup.
Incremental - This option backs up only files that have changed or
have been created since the last backup.
Differential - This option backs up only those files that have changed
or are new since the last FULL backup.
Files: GetBack allows you to specify which files to back up:
All - This option will back up all files in all directories on your
hard disk.
Include/Exclude - This option will allow you to specify a list of
directories and files to back up (Include) or not back up (Exclude).
Archive Bit: GetBack allows you to select what happens to the Archive Bit of files that are backed up. Under most circumstances you will not want to change this option. Setting this will override the effect of the backup type. For example, a full backup always clears the archive bit. Setting this to not changed, will cause the archive bit to not get cleared.
Compression: GetBack allows you to disable its normal compression techniques. This option will cause the backup to use more disk space and generally will cause the backup to take longer. Under certain circumstances (a very fast backup media and/or a very slow PC), disabling compression will speed up the backup process.
Verify: GetBack normally verifies all data it writes to the backup media. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THE INTEGRITY OF YOUR BACKUP! In some circumstances, it may be desirable to turn this feature off.
Press <ESC> to Close Help Window "
Back up of System and Hidden Files
Certain files on your hard disk are not visible to you the user with normal DOS operations. These files are categorized as either System or Hidden files. By default, GetBack backs up both System and Hidden files.
Under certain circumstances (older methods of copy protection for instance), you may not want these files backed up.
Select this option if you do not want to back up System files.
This option has no effect during a restore.
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Title Color Help
Titles are the Main program Title ("GetBack Version XXX etc") and the titles of the Status windows. They default to blue background with yellow colors.
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Type HelpN
Full Backup is used when you want to back up all files specified in your INCLUDE/EXCLUDE specification independent of the status of the archive bit. Full backups generally clear the archive bit (unless overridden by the ARCHIVE BIT UNCHANGED option) of all files that it backs up. Selecting a Full Backup automatically sets the Archive bit option to CLEARED.
Incremental Backup is used when you want to back up any files that have changed or are new since the last backup. Incremental backups are made based on the status of the archive bit. The incremental backup clears the archive bit of each file it backs up (unless overridden by the ARCHIVE BIT UNCHANGED option). This means that the next incremental backup will not back that file up again unless it has been changed. Selecting an Incremental backup automatically sets the Archive bit option to CLEARED.
Differential Backup is used when you want to back up all files that have changed since the last full backup. Differential backups are made based on the status of the archive bit. The differential backup does not clear the archive bit as it backs up. This allows you to run consecutive backups after a full backup. Selecting a Differential backup, automatically sets the Archive bit option to UNCHANGED.
This option has no effect during Restore.
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Verify Help
There are two ways to verify your data as you write it.
Verify every byte that it writes
Use the DOS verify which merely checks the integrity of the data
GetBack defaults to checking every byte that it writes to your backup media. This adds a significant amount of time to your backup process. However, floppy disks are notorious in dropping data. If VERIFY is turned off, the backup program cannot attest to the integrity of the backup. We would strongly recommend that you leave VERIFY on.
Again, depending on the speed of your machine, this could add between 20% (for a slow machine) to 50% on a fast machine.
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Window Color Helpf
This option sets the character and background for the main window. The background color defaults to white and is the predominant color seen on the screen. The default character color is black. Currently, there are no characters written in the main window (i.e. the color doesn't make any difference for the foreground).
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Window Object Color Help
Window Objects are those items that appear on the screen that are not Menus, Buttons, Titles, Prompts, or Borders. This includes messages informing you about the details of a particular option.
File specifications that can be selected (like the Include/Exclude list or the Load Configuration and Save Configuration files) may be defined as a different color using this option.
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Help for all seasons Do not use this or it leaves an EOF in the help screen
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