Copyright: ABC Backup
Citation: ABC Backup


<ABC Backup>
ABC Backup

Make backups as easy as ABC!

Introduction

Starting up work with the software

Overview of the New Task Wizard steps

•	Step 1. Choosing a name for the project

•	Step 2. Selecting files

•	Step 3. Compression

•	Step 4.  Destination

•	Step 5. Setting a schedule

•	Step 6. Other actions

•	Step 7. Save task

Editing a task

Deleting a task

Executing a task

Preferences

Warranty disclaimer

Copyright

ABC Backup is copyright of ABC Backup Software. 2004.

www.abcbackup.com  All rights reserved.


<Introduction>
Introduction

Make backups as easy as ABC!

•	Do you have valuable data and want to be completely sure it's safe?

•	Do you want to transfer your data over the Internet automatically or upload to your FTP server on schedule?

•	Do you need your data to be synchronized automatically on several computers?

•	Do you get tired of archiving your data manually?

•	You have no time to gather files scattered in various folders, drag and drop them into your archiving software and invent comprehensible file names?

•	If you need software that can do the above and more, and need it to be as simple as A-B-C?

Then ABC Backup is for you!

ABC backup allows you to copy data automatically on schedule from your PC to various storages – network disks, remote FTP servers, etc. The program can either mirror your data "as is" or create archived files or directories for copying. The user can customize the method of naming backup files adding, for example, the date of archiving to file names. The program uses the zip algorithm to archive data. It is fully gzip compatible (which is important for GNU utilities users and in cross-platform environments.) A built-in task scheduler helps you to build a queue of automated backups, or run third-party utilities to process the data before or after copying/archiving.

ABC Backup has no limitations on the number of scheduled tasks.

Main program features:

•	Automatically backups/mirrors data to local or remote storages

•	A built-in task scheduler

•	Compressing with zip (gzip compatible)

•	Unlimited number of profiles (saved backup scenarios)

•	Ability to start third-party utilities before and after archiving/mirroring

•	Comprehensive logging of operationsAbility to run tasks manually

Everyone knows how important it is to backup critical data. However, we often postpone this procedure because of the time and effort it requires.Unfortunately, we start to think about regular backups only after a hard drive crash or a virus attack. What is the solution? Usually, you have to install a complex backup system with a complex interface and a bewildering array of options? You might even have to learn another macrolanguage? No!

There is ABC Backups which makes the process as easy as A-B-C.

Here are the problems you can solve with ABC Backups:

•	Avoid critical data loss with automated backups.Ease the process of gathering files from various folders by using profiles (saved backup scenarios) Make exact copies of documents or databases located on other computers in your LAN. For example, you may need to have local copies of some documents created by your colleagues on regular basis.Synchronize data between your main and remote offices or remote affiliates. Restore your data after a virus infection or a hard disk crash.Transfer data over the Internet, logging all the operations.

•	Copy your data to the vast spectrum of FTP servers. The programme supports most of the modern FTP protocol variations and implementations and is able to make connections through proxy servers.

•	Synchronize data between your local PC and a database on your web site.Schedule time-consuming tasks to effectively use your network bandwidth and processors time.

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<Starting up work with the software>
Starting up work with the software

System Requirements

Windows 95/98/Me or Windows NT 4.0/2000/XP/2003Approximately 2MB of free disk space

Installation

Download the "abcbackupsetup.exe" fileMake sure you have administrator privileges in the system where you wish to install ABC Backup. Start "abcbackupsetup.exe"  and follow the Installation Wizard steps.Run the program.

Uninstall

Close the ABC Backup  program window.Select "ABC Backup" in the Windows Start menu and click "Uninstall".The Uninstall Wizard will guide you through the necessary steps.

Or you can use the Windows Control Panel "Add/Remove programs" applet to remove ABC Backup.

Starting the program

Select "ABC Backup" in the Windows start menu and click the "ABC Backup" item.

Quick start

Start the program. You will see the main program window containing the main program menu and toolbar:

•	Add – add a task

•	Edit – edit existing tasks. You should select a task first to make this button enabled.

•	Delete  -  delete a task selected

•	Run – manually start a task selected for immediate execution

•	Preferences – change options. Set default file paths and a naming scheme.

The main window contains the list of existing tasks along with some of their important properties: task name, file name, scheduled start, started at, executions, status.

The list is empty on first start. The user can define tasks, adding them to the list.

The program will count executions and show actual tasks properties as the tasks become active.

To view or edit properties of an existing task, select it in the list and click the "Edit" button.

Creating a new task

Click the "Add" button. Follow the step-by-step Wizard instructions to create a new task.

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Overview of the New Task Wizard steps

Step 1. Choosing a name for the project

Enter a name for the new task and a filename to save its options.

Example:  Your Project 1

By default the program uses "Task 1" as a project name. And "task1" as a file name.

Step 2. Selecting files

Specify the kind of storage where you wish the files to be copied from. For example, a folder on your PC or a directory on a remote server. Then click the "Add" button and select files and/or directories on your computer that you wish to copy or archive.

Step 3. Compression

This feature is used to reduce the backup size using the ZIP compression algorithm. Select the "Compress files" option and enter a name for the archive if you need a compressed backup. Select the "Change file name on every run" option.

Step 4.  Destination

Choose the type of the destination storage.

Local/LAN  -  if you wish the files to be copied onto a local disk or a disk that is available through your LAN

FTP - if you need the files to be copied to a remote server via FTP.

Then, select a target directory where you wish the files to be copied or a file name for a solid archive. In order to do this, you should select appropriate options from "Copy compressed archive", "Copy files as is (Mirror)", "Delete source files".

For an FTP transfer, enter your login information and the path where you need to copy your files.

Step 5. Setting a schedule

Select the interval and time to begin the event. Enter the start and the end date. Then choose a period:

•	Daily - select the number of days

•	Weekly - select day(s) of week

•	Monthly -  select the day of the month

•	Once - Enter the exact date

Step 6. Other actions

If you need a third-party tool to be used for this task, select the following options:

•	Exit the program and unload it from memory

•	Wait while the program finishes

•	Start the program before executing the task

•	Wait while the program finishes

•	Start the program after executing the task

•	Wait while the program finishes

In this manner, you can start or stop third-party applications before or after making backups.

Step 7. Save task

Your new task is now saved. It will be executed at the time scheduled if ABC Backup is running on your PC.

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<Editing a task>
Editing a task

You can edit task properties later. Select it in the list and use the "Edit" function.

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<Deleting a task>
Deleting a task

Select a task and click "Delete".

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<Executing a task>
Executing a task

You can start a task manually, if needed, without scheduling its start time. Simply select it and click the "Run" button.

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<Preferences>
Preferences

After installing the program all preferences are set to their default values. Use the "Preferences" button to edit them.

The first page of the preferences dialog contains the following options:

•	Start the program automatically on system start

•	Do not start another copy of the program if one is already running

•	Minimize to tray. The program will sit in the system tray after using the Exit function.

•	Notify when a scheduled task is executed

•	Save windows position

The second page contains the following options:

•	Default task name

•	Path to the folder where tasks files are saved

•	Default compressed archive name

•	Default path to save compressed archives

•	Default folder to save "mirrors"

Change necessary options and click "Save".

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<WARRANTY DISCLAIMER>
WARRANTY DISCLAIMER

THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED AS IS WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, VISTA, FURTHER DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NONINFRINGEMENT. THE ENTIRE RISK ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE PRODUCT AND DOCUMENTATION REMAINS WITH RECIPIENT. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL VISTA BE LIABLE FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, OR OTHER DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF BUSINESS INFORMATION, OR OTHER PECUNIARY LOSS) ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE PRODUCT, EVEN IF HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

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<Copyright>
Copyright

ABC Backup is copyright of ABC Backup Software. 1998 - 2004.

www.abcbackup.com  All rights reserved.

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