Copyright: Copyright © 1998


Changes
Changes and Fixes

1.0 fixes and added features. Sometimes when the changed box was checked all the files were backed up again. Individually selected files would not back up. When the backup set was added to it would only backup some of the new directory. checks the disk free space on the target

Drive against the selected files to be backed up. Warn if there's not enough room.

1.1 when files changed was picked it would sometimes backup all the files again.

2.0 status box telling what is happening.  Option to backup even if files to be backed up is greater than disk free space (some files might be replaced and compression may be used). Horizontal scrollbar put in so full path and filenames can be seen on long paths or filenames. Option to restore files to a different directory. Can now backup files in the root directory.

3.0 added total files backed up progress bar, automatically creates a temporary file on hard drive so a 'backup changed files' will work with files over 50megs, cosmetic changes, doesn't re-read archived files after a restore.

4.0 totally changed the interface look and functioning, making it easier to use, replaced old directory browse with a win95 type, added a log file which records what files were backed up or restored last, fixed the restore progress bar - it now shows the correct percentage completed, took out confusing file filter box and put in a pull-down file filter box that has many file types, put in animated file transfer graphics, now has the option to delete more than one line from the backup set box, fixed 'searching for changed files' when changed is checked and restoring files, the changed check-mark now stays the same when restoring files, now uses LZH5 compression (30-50% more than LZH1).

4.1 would add a double \ when adding individual files, hint said double-click to add to file set when single click would add, double-click deleted a line in backup set.  Made adding and removing lines from backup set easier and safer. Directory tree now defaults to current windows directory. Archive form would not show bottom status line in high resolution settings.

5.0 totally changed the look and interface, now supports drag and drop file/folder selection, multiple disk spanning, IntelliBak suggests files to backup, eject disk on exit option, shows date, time, and elasped time of last backup, option to browse or format drive before backing up,  search and select files in list with a specific word, will accept any file filter, file icons show by files, automatically saves backupset on exit, only needs the name of the backup and assigns .set for the backup list and .001 and so on for each segment of the backup file, shows free space and uncompressed backup size, and allows user to select which drive the temp file is on. When copying zipbak.exe to the destination disk (optional), it would error when trying to write the log file, now has AutoBak which lets you put 2 parameters after the program when running it so it can be run automatically with no user interaction (such as with a scheduler which will be out soon from BlackBoard).

5.1 Fixed an access violation error in the IntelliBak function which appeared on some computers.

5.2 Fixed disk spanning problem, easy to use browse window before each restore, unselect all now works in the advanced backup section, doesn't show confusing 'mount segment' box, works with NT, files are sorted by name in advanced backup, restore progress bar shows correct percentage completed, sometimes would get stack overflow, when options was clicked it doesn't re-read entire backup list, better example of how AutoBak works in directions.


Directions

Options:

Click on CONFIG, EJECT ON EXIT to eject a Zip Disk when exiting ZipBak.

Click on EDIT, PASSWORD to encrypt your backup with a password.

To backup:

AutoBak:

This new feature allows you to backup automatically by calling a backup set (.set file previously created by selecting files and give it a name) and a destination (such as D:\)  In the near future BlackBoard will make a scheduler program which can make backups run automatically at selected times of the day, week, or month. You can also click START, RUN and find where you installed zipbak such as C:\program files\blackboard software\zipbak.exe and put a space after it and the parameters such as the backup set "DATA" another space and the destination drive "F:\" . You can also add or change an existing BlackBoard ZipBak icon by right-clicking on it, left-clicking properties and on the SHORTCUT tab you can put a space then the parameters.

Usage : zipbak.exe ("backup set name.set") ("destination drive and path")] with no parentheses or brackets.

Sample : C:\Program Files\BlackBoard Software\ZipBak\ZipBak.exe "DATA" "F:\"

The above sample will backup everything in the previously created data set/list and save it to drive F with no user interaction required.  The options (like compress) used are also from the previously saved backup.

Note : Since AutoBak is intended to be use as an unattended backup, it will not work on multiple disks.  Therefore the backup must fit on 1 disk to use AutoBak.

IntelliBak :

This feature searches for files that have been modified between specific dates.  This can be used to help you find valuable files (such as data and configuration files) that should be backed up yet you don't know where they're located and/or what they're called.

Step 1

Fill out the starting and ending date ranges in format month/date/year (such as 01/01/98). Then select a drive letter. Click START. IntelliBak will search files files within this date range.  Repeat this until you've selected all the drives you'd like to backup.  To start over and clear all of your selection, click EDIT, CLEAR.

Step 2

This is optional.  You can click FIND to search for key words or files that you want to remove from the backup set list (such as temp files).  Click on REMOVE to remove the selected files.

Step 3

Click this when you're ready to backup.

Advanced Backup :

Click the ADVANCED BACKUP tab.

Select which files and/or folders/directories you'd like to backup by left clicking on the browse window on the left.  Drag and drop these into the right box which holds your selected files to be backed up.   The white edit box on the bottom left defaults to *.* .  This means alle files in the above directory.  You can edit this filter by typing in the extension file type you'd like to backup.  For example, if you want to backup only your letters/documents you could replace the *.* with *.doc, then drag this directory/folder into the right box.  It might show something like this : C:\My Documents\*.doc .

If you'd previously backed up and would like to open a backup list, click OPEN.

Click the NEXT button on the bottom right.

Both Backups :

If there are many files selected it may take a few minutes for the next window to show.  The hourglass shows it's building a backup list and checking if there was a previous backup.  Once the backup form appears you can do several things before the files are actually backed up.

Now select a name for this backup.  The backup file and list of files will be kept with this name (such as backup.001 for the backup file and backup.set which keeps a list of files and folders to be backed up).

Select a destination for your backup.  Note the backup size and the disk free space.  The backup size shows how big the backup would be without compression (it will be approximately half that size with compression turned on - in OPTIONS).  This version of ZipBak supports multiple disk spanning where the backup can be saved to several disks.

Next you can select BROWSE or FORMAT to view and/or erase files on the destination drive.  After browsing you can click REFRESH to see how much free space is left on the destination drive.

The OPTIONS button pulls up an options window.

INCLUDE SUBFOLDERS - From this you can select if you'd like all files in each subirectory/folder to be backed up (for lines where a directory is only specified such as C:\My Documents\*.*).

COMPRESS - Check the box if you want to compress data (takes more time but also takes less space).

CHANGED - Check if you only want to backup files that have changed since your last backup.

TEMP FILE - Select where you want the temporary file to be made.  ZipBak makes a temporary file as it makes the backup file.  Then it moves the file to the destination drive.  For example if you don't have alot of space on drive C you might want to make the temp file on drive D.

Click OK to save or CANCEL to abort.

Click GO to backup.

If the backup will fit on the destination drive (calculated by uncompressed size), then a transfer form will pop up showing the status and files being backed up.

If the backup doesn't look like it will fit on just one disk or the destination drive then a small window will pop up (Mount Segment #1).  The directory path will be the destination drive you selected.  Just click OK to continue or CANCEL to abort the backup.  When the disk is full another window will pop up (Mount Segment #2).  When this appears put the second disk in the drive and click OK.  Continue until the backup is done.

To restore files from a backup:

If you've password encrypted the backup, click EDIT, PASSWORD first, then type in the password twice.

Click  the RESTORE/VIEW tab.  Click the OPEN button.  The dialog box shows files with the .001 extension which is the first (and may be the only) backup file.  Another dialog box will come up (Mount Segment #1).  The directory path will be the drive letter of the backup you're opening.  Just click OK.  If there are many files it could take a few minutes to load the list of files in that backup.

Select files to restore by left-clicking on the file(s) or click SELECT ALL to restore all files in the backup list.

Click RESTORE.  The Mount Segment #1 comes up again. Click OK.  A box will come up asking if you want to change the destination path.  To change the path type it in and click OK or click CANCEL to restore to the original path.  A Transfer Files window shows you the status of the restore and which files are being restored.  When done you'll see how many at the bottom.

Tips:

On some buttons and boxes you can hold the mouse cursor over them for a couple seconds and get a hint/description of what to do or what it's for.

Since floppies and Zip Drive disks usually won't fit all data from a hard disk it's recommended that you save all your data into a single directory such as C:\My Documents .  This way you'll only have to backup one directory, use fewer disks, and make quicker backups.  You can use IntelliBak to backup files that you've missed or where you don't have the option to save them into your data directory.


Features

More features than Windows Backup and 1-Step (the software that comes with Zip and Jazz drives).

This will work from any to any drive letter including floppy disks and networked drives.

Option for compression or use no compression for fast archiving and backups.

Now uses super high LZH5 (30-50% more than LZH1) compression.

Passwords protect option encrypts archive file.

Multiple backup sets by use of descriptive backup names.

Visual bar graph of backup progress.

Easy to use.

Drag and Drop.

Option to backup only files that have changed since last backup - for quicker backups.

View a log of files that were last backed up or restored.

Restore to differnt drives and/or directories.

Multiple disk spanning

IntelliBak suggests files to backup.

Option to eject disk on exit.

32-bit.

AutoBak allows 2 parameters after the program name to run backups with no user interaction (mainly to be used by scheduling programs - BlackBoard Schedule coming soon).


Registration Form
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The Registered Version of this program can be purchased and received immediately on the Internet at Albert's Ambry.  A link is on our page at http://members.aol.com/dalin.  Once at Albert's Ambry, click on the "Buy It" link.  Thankyou for registering this program.

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