Monster Media 1993 #2/Image.iso/os2/biaf100d.zip/DEMODISK.ZIP/CCTBACK.HLP

OS/2 Help File | 1993-06-15 | 25KB | 673 lines

ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. General Help for Back In A Flash! ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The main screen for Back In A Flash! displays several important items.  The
items display are the active group name, the description of the active group,
the current time and day, and the time remaining until the next scheduled back up.

For more information on one of these items, please select that item from the
following list :

 Active Group
 Description
 Time
 Next Backup

The main application menu bar is also displayed.  The menu bar provides an easy
way to access Back In A Flash!'s powerful features.  For more information about
each menu option, select that option from the following list :

 File
 Settings
 Utilities
 Help

For your convienience, shortcuts to certain menu items are provided in the form
of accelerator keys.  These key combinations, when pressed, jump directly to a
specific menu item.  For information about these keystrokes, select the
following item :

 Keys help



ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2. Active Group Field ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The active group field screen shows you which backup group is currently active.
This is the group which will be selected when you go to the File->Backup menu
option, as well as the File->Restore menu options.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3. Group Description Field ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This field shows you the description of the group as entered under the
Settings->Groups menu item.  If the description is too long to fit in the space
provided on the screen, Back In A Flash! displays as much as it can fit into
that space.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4. Time and Day Field ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This field shows you the current time and the current day of the week, as set
by the system clock.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5. Next Backup Field ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This field shows you when the next backup will occur.

If the current group is set for a scheduled backup, the time and day of the
next backup is displayed.

If the current group is set for a timed interval backup, the number of hours
and minutes remaining until the next backup is displayed.

If the current group is set for manual backup, or if the automatic backup is
not enabled, this field states that no backup is currently scheduled or that
automatic backup is disabled.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6. Help for File Menu Item ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The "File" menu item for Back In A Flash! is used to start a backup, restore,
or verify operation.  It is also used to exit the program.  For more
information on a specific option, select that option from the list below :

 Backup
 Restore
 Verify
 Exit


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7. Help for Settings Menu Item ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The settings menu item allows you to define new backup groups, alter backup
performance tuning parameters and options, and to enable or disable automatic
(scheduled or timed) backups.  For more information about each menu option,
select that option from the following :

 Groups...
 Options...
 Auto-backup Enabled


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8. Help for Utilities Menu Item ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The utilities menu item allows you to format floppy diskettes, view or print an
existing log file, or rebuild a log file from the backup medium.  For more
information about a specific option, select that option from the following :

 Format Diskette
 View Log
 Rebuild Group Log


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9. Help for Help Menu Item ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The help menu item allows you to access on-line help about Back In A Flash!
For additional information, go to the help menu item and select the 'Using
Help' submenu item.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 10. Help for Accelerator Keys ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Back In A Flash! provides accelerator keys for commonly used functions.  They
are listed below :

 Alt+F - Jump to File Menu Item
 Alt+S - Jump to Settings Menu Item
 Alt+U - Jump to Utilities Menu Item
 Alt+H - Jump to Help Menu Item

 Alt+B - Begin a backup operation
 Alt+R - Begin a restore operation
 Alt+V - Begin a verify operation

 F3,Alt+X - Exit Back In A Flash!

 Alt+G - Go to group definition section


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 11. Backup Item ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Backup item on the file menu is used to start the backup process manually.
When this option is selected, you will be presented with a window showing the
parameters used for the backup such as backup device, all or changed files,
compression, etc. as well as a list of files to be backed up.  You may change
any or all of these parameters.

When you select Ok from the backup window, the backup process begins, using the
parameters specified.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 12. Restore Item ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Restore item on the file menu is used to initiate the restoration
procedure.  When this option is selected, you are presented with a window
listing the parameters to be used for the restore operation, such as device to
restore from, overwrite existing files, etc. as well as a list of files that
will be restored.

When you select Ok from the restore window, the restoration process begins,
using the specified parameters.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 13. Verify Item ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Verify item on the file menu is used to start a file verification
procedure.  When this option is selected, you will be presented with a window
showing the parameters for the verify operation including the name of the group
to verify, the device where the archive is loaded, verify mode, etc.

When you select Ok from the verify window, the verfication process begins,
using the specified parameters.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 14. Exit Item ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Exit item on the file menu is used to exit Back In A Flash!.  When you
choose this option, the program ends.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 15. Format Diskette Item ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Format Diskette item on the utilities menu is used to format a floppy
diskette.  When you select this option, the format program will appear.  You
may then specify the drive to be used and any additional parameters.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 16. View Log Item ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The View Log item on the utilities menu is used to view and optionally print a
log file generated from a previous back up.  When you select this menu item,
you will be presented with a window showing the log file for the current group,
if one exists.  You may also select a different log file, or print the log file
that is displayed on an attached printer.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 17. Rebuild Log Item ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Rebuild Log item on the utilities menu is used to reconstruct a log file
from an archive if the log file has been lost or destroyed.  When you select
this option, you will be presented with a window and asked to specify the
archive group name as well as the device where the archive is loaded.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 18. Groups... Item ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Groups... item on the settings menu is used to add, update, or delete
backup groups.  When you select this item, you are presented with a window
which lists all defined groups.

You may also select a default group from this window.  The default group is the
group that is automatically loaded when Back In A Flash! is started.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 19. Options... Item ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Options... item on the settings menu is used to alter the operating
parameters of Back In A Flash!.  When you select this option, you are presented
with a window showing the current settings for backup priority, I/O block size,
locked file options, and other parameters which govern the performance of Back
In A Flash!


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 20. Auto-backed Enabled Item ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Auto-backup Enabled item allows you to toggle automatic backup on and off.

When auto-backup is enabled, a check mark appears next to this menu item, and
the next backup field shows the time of the next scheduled backup, or N/A if
the active group is not set for scheduled or timed backup.

If no check mark appears next to the menu item, then unattended backup
operations are disabled, even if the current group is set for a scheduled operation.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 21. Backup Files ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This window allows you to change the backup parameters before starting the
backup operation.  Note that since a separate thread is used to build the list
of files, you are free to modify the other parameters while the file list is
being built.

If you opt to change any of the following parameters, the file list will be
rebuild to reflect your new parameters :

 Group Name
 All Files
 Changed Files
 Hidden Files
 System Files

You may press Cancel at any time to return to the main application window.

Related Information
 Backup/Restore devices
 Eligibility


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 22. Backup Files - File List ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This window lists all of the files which are to be backed up in this operation.
You may add files to this list, or remove files from this list.  Additionally,
the window may be scrolled both vertically and horizontally to view additional
file names.

To add a file or files to the list, press the Add button located directly below
the file list window.  You will be prompted for the name of the file, or you
may opt to select the file from a list.  Wildcard patterns are not allowed here.

To remove a file from the list, highlight it with the mouse and then press the
Remove button.  You will be prompted for a confirmation; answering yes will
remove the file from the list.

To scroll the list vertically, use the scrollbar located at the left edge of
the file list window.  To scroll the list horizontally, use the scrollbar
located at the bottom of the file list window.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 23. File Restoration ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This window is used to select which files you wish to restore, which device to
restore the files from, and whether or not to overwrite existing files.

The list of files is loaded from the log file generated by the backup
procedure.  If the log file is missing or damaged, you can rebuild it from the
archive before the restore process.

Related Information
 Backup/Restore devices
 Replace File options


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 24. Archive Verification ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This window is used to verify the contents of an archive.  Two different levels
of verification are available: Integrity Check and Content Verification.

The Integrity Check simply reads the archive to ensure that it does not contain
any media errors or things of that nature.  It does NOT compare the data in the
archive with the data on the system.

The Content Verification reads the files in the archive and compares them with
the files on your system.  This verification is slower, but is a more complete
verification of the backup.  Note that since attributes of a file change each
time it is accessed (last accessed date), attribute information is not
verified. Only the actual data in the file is compared with that on your system.

Related Information
 Backup/Restore devices


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 25. Backup/Restore Devices ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Back In A Flash! supports many different devices.  Essentially any device which
can be attached to the OS/2 file system may be used with Back In A Flash!.
This includes floppy diskette drives, hard drives, LAN attached drives,
removeable devices such magneto-optical and floptical drives.

The four different device specifications available are Drive A:, Drive B:,
Removable, and Hard/LAN.

Drive A: and Drive B: specify the A: and B: floppy diskette drives,
respectively.  Supported floppy drive formats include 5.25" (360K and 1.2MB)
and 3.5" (720K, 1.44MB, and 2.88MB) devices.

Removable drives must be specified with their drive letter and path.  For
example, if you have a magneto-optical drive mounted as drive F:, you would
check the removable device and then key in 'F:\' into the drive & path
specification.  Removable drives always use root directory to store archive
files.  Additonally, since the format procedure varies from device to device,
you must have formatted media available before you begin the backup process.

Hard drives and LAN attached drives are specified by checking the Hard/LAN
option and specifying the path for the archive file.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 26. File Eligibility ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

In addition to the name of the file, other parameters can be used to determine
whether or not a file should be included in the backup set.  These parameters
are part of the file's attributes, and include the archive (changed) flag,
hidden file flag, and the system file flag.

The archive (changed) flag is maintained by the operating system.  When a file
is changed, the flag for that file is set.  This flag can then be used to
select only those files which have been changed.  Optionally, you may choose to
have this flag reset after the file has been backed up.

The hidden file flag determines whether or not a file is visible in the directory.

The system file flag determines whether the file is system-related or not.
Files which have the system flag set are not visible, and are read only.  An
example of this kind of file is the OS2KRNL file.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 27. Compression ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Back In A Flash! provides an optional compression feature.  When used, this
option can greatly reduce the amount of space required by the archive file, and
in some cases can decrease the time required for the backup operation.

If the compression option is enabled, files will be compressed during backup to
be roughly 50% of their original size.  Compression varies from file to file,
however, and some files compress more that others.  For example, text files may
be compressed to be only 20% of their original size, yet executable files may
be reduced to 80% of their original size.

If you will be backing up files which have already been compressed, disable compression.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 28. Group/Log File Selection ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This combo box control is used to select a different group or log file from a
list of valid choices.  The current selection is displayed; to select a
different item click on the drop-down button and select from the list that appears.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 29. Group Description ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This field shows the description for the selected backup group.

This field may only be changed when creating or editing a group definition.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 30. Replace Files Options ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

When restoring files to your system, you have the option of choosing what to do
if the file being restored already exists.  You can select from the following
actions :

Replace Existing - Always replace any file that exists with the file that is
being restored.

Keep Existing - Always keep a file if it exists and discard the file from the backup.

Replace if newer - Only replace a file that exists if the file being restore is
newer (has a more recent date and time stamp) that the file that exists.

Prompt - Ask you on a file-by-file basis if an existing file should be overwritten.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 31. Restore File List ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This container shows the list of files that are to be stored.  If you wish to
restore only certain files, you may select the files with the mouse.

Ranges of files can be marked.  To mark a range of files, select the first file
to be restored and then press the shift key while selecting the last file to be
restored.  All files on the list between the two you selected will be marked.
Alternatively, you may 'drag' a range of files.  Select the first file to be
restored, and while continuing to hold the mouse button down, move the mouse to
the last file.

You may also select files by holding Ctrl while selecting with the mouse.  The
Ctrl key has the effect of keeping previous selections while adding new ones.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 32. All Files ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Click on this button to select all files.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 33. Selected Files ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Click on this button to restore only those files you wish to select.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 34. Archive Name ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Key in the name of the archive to be verified, or select from the drop-down
list.  In order for the drop-down list to work, you specify the location of the
archive before viewing the list.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 35. Integrity Check ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Select this option if you wish to check the arhive for integrity only.  This
option is faster than a content comparison, but it does not compare the
contents of the data in the archive to that on your system.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 36. Content Verification ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Select this option if you wish to compare the data in the archive to that on
your system.  This option is slower than an integrity check, but is more
thorough because is actually compares the data in the archive to that on your system.

This operation compares data only.  File dates & times are not compared, as
they change frequently.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 37. Group List ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This listbox shows all defined groups, in alphabetical order.

To add a new group, press the Add button.

To change an existing group, select the group you wish to change and press the
Change button, or double-click on the group you wish to change.  Both actions
have the same effect.

To delete a group, select the group you wish to change and press the Delete
button.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 38. Default Group ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The default group checkbox is used to mark the default backup group.  There can
be only one backup group, so checking this box for one group removes it for the
previous default group.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 39. Add Group ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Press the Add button to add a new group.  You will then be taken to the group
definition window.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 40. Change Group ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Press the Change button to change the selected group.  When you press this
button, you will be taken to the group definition window.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 41. Delete Group ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Press this button to delete the selected group.  You will be prompted for
confirmation before the group is actually deleted.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 42. Activate Group ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Press this button to activate the currently selected group.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 43. Backup Modes ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Back In A Flash! can start a backup in three different ways, or backup modes,
as follows :

Manual - The backup must be initiated manually.

Scheduled - The backup is run at a predefined day and time.  Note that since
the day of the week is specified instead of a single date, the backup group
does not need to be changed after every backup.  For example, the group may be
defined to backup every Monday at 17:30 (5:30pm) or every day at 2:00am.

Timed - The backup is run at a predefined timed interval ranging from 15 to
1439 minutes  (15 minutes to 23 hours and 59 minutes).


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 44. Include Patterns ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This listbox specifies the include file patterns to be used for finding files
to be backed up.

You specify a pattern by pressing the Add button located underneath the include
file pattern window.  You then key in the path name you wish to have backed up.
Wildcards '*' and '?' are allowed.  Subdirectories are automatically backed up,
so the pattern
 'D:\*'
would include all files located on the D: drive of your system.

Note: Since OS/2, unlike DOS, can store extended attribute information on a
directory, you must explicitly specify that directory as to backup any extended
attributes attached to that directory.  For example, to back up the OS/2
desktop directory tree, you would need to specify 'C:\DESKTOP' as well as 'C:\DESKTOP\*'.

To remove a file pattern(s), select them and press the remove button located
underneath the include file pattern window.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 45. Exclude Patterns ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This listbox specifies exclude file patterns, a powerful feature of Back In A
Flash! that allows you to exclude certain files or types of files from a backup operation.

The wildcard characters '*' and '?' are supported.

A typical example would be excluding '*.TMP' and 'SWAPPER.DAT'.  These patterns
would exclude any files found by the include patterns that had a file name of
swapper.dat or had an extension of '.TMP'.

To add an exclude pattern, press the add button located underneath the exclude
patterns listbox.

To remove an exclude pattern, select that pattern and press the remove button
located underneath the exclude patterns listbox.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 46. Backup Priority ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This slider bar allows you to adjust the priority at which the read and
compress thread runs at during a backup operation.  If you want the backup to
run a little faster, increase the priority.  If you want your applications to
be more responsive during the backup, lower the priority.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 47. I/O Block Size ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

You can adjust the maximum size of the I/O block used by Back In A Flash! from
32K to 128K.  A good rule of thumb is to make the block size smaller on slower
systems and larger on faster systems.

Note however, that by increasing the block size, more memory will be used by
Back In A Flash!.  Since up to 32 buffers can be allocated during the backup
process, the amount of memory used for buffers can range from one megabyte (32K
block size) to four megabytes (128K block size).  In a low-memory situtation,
increasing the block size may actually slow the system down dramatically due to
memory paging activity.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 48. Locked Files ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Back In A Flash! can be set so that it obtains a shared lock for a file before
backing it up.  A shared lock means that any other program can read the file
while it is being backed up, but no program may make changes to the file during
back up.

The number of file lock retries can also be set.  If Back In A Flash! requests
a lock on a file, it will automatically wait one second for that file lock to
become available.  If that lock does not become available, the lock attempt is
retried up to the number specified.  If after the number of retries has been
reached, no lock has been obtained, an error is generated and the file is skipped.

To have files locked during backup, check the Lock Files checkbox and set the
number of retries.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 49. Miscellaneous Options ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

You can opt to have Back In A Flash! automatically quick format diskettes
during the backup procedure.  A quick format erases all data on the disk and
requires that the diskette has already been formatted at least once before.  If
you wish to have diskettes quick formatted before they are used, check the
Quick Format Diskettes box.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 50. Group Name ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The name of a backup group can be up to eight characters long.  No spaces are
allowed; if a space exists in the name it will be replaced with an underscore
before the group is saved.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 51. Backup Status Window ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This window shows the current progress of the backup operation.

The reading/compressing field shows which file is being read and compressed,
the writing field shows which file is being output to the backup device, the
completed field shows how many files have been successfully backed up, and the
elapsed time field shows how many minutes and seconds have passed as well as
the backup throughput in kilobytes per second.

The progress indication bar shows how many kilobytes of data have been backed
up in relation to the total number of kilobytes that will be backed up.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 52. Restore Status Window ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The restore status window shows the current status of the restore operation.

The restoring field shows the name of the file currently being restored, the
volume field shows the current volume being restored from, and the completed
field shows how many files have been restored.

The progress indicator bar shows the percentage of files restored in relation
to the total number of files to be restored.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 53. Verify Status Window ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The verify status window shows the current status of the archive verify operation.

The verify field shows the current file being verified, the volume field shows
the current volume being read, and the completed field shows how many files
have been verified.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 54. Backup Groups ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

These windows are used to add, modify, and delete backup groups for Back In A
Flash!.

A backup group is a set of parameters that define which files should be backed
up, which device the files should be backed up to, how the backup should be
initiated, and whether or not data compression should be used.

Related Information
 Backup/Restore Devices
 Eligibility
 Compression


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 55. Back In A Flash! Options ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Back In A Flash! allows you to adjust several parameters which have an effect
on backup throughput and system performance.

The default settings will provide the best all-around performance, however, you
may wish to adjust the block size and priority depending on what kind of data
you are backing up and the device you are backing up to.

Related Information
 Backup Priority
 I/O Block Size
 Locked Files
 Miscellaneous Options


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 56. Log Name ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Select the log file to view by pressing the drop-down button and selecting the
log from the displayed list.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 57. Log Contents ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

You may scroll the log contents either vertically or horizontally using the
scroll bars provided.  The entire log is loaded, however, it may not all be
visible at