Contents

VersionBackup Master - Main Index

Short Hints:

•	The VersionBackup Dialog Pages

•	How to Configure a Source Path

•	How to Schedule the Backup Run

•	Full Backups

•	Backup Versions

•	View and Recover Backups

•	Archiving

•	Deleting Backups

General Topics:

•	Overview

•	General Remarks Regarding Backups

•	General Remarks Regarding Full Backups

•	General Remarks Regarding the Archiving

•	How to Create an Archive Media

•	Is There Enough Disk Space For All Those Backups?

•	Registration

•	Imprint

These dialog pages are available to configure VersionBackup Master:

Main Dialog Pages

•	Overview

•	Paths

•	Scheduling/Start

•	Archive Copy

•	Backup-Browser

Configuring a Source Path

•	Source Path / Dest Path

•	Exclude

•	General Settings

•	Full Backups

•	Delete

Hints for Experts

•	The Data Structures Created by VersionBackup

•	Information in the Control File

•	Access to the Backups Without Using the Backup-Browser

•	Manual Deletion of Backups

•	Automatic Backup Deletion Without Creation of New Backups

•	Delete Parts of a Backup

•	Request a Repeated Archiving

•	Prevent VersionBackup From Deleting Specified Backups

•	Save Selected Files, Which not Have been Changed


Please select the page to be displayed:

•	Short Tips

•	Main Index

•	Overview of the Function of VersionBackup

•	Description of the Dialog Page >Overview<


Overview

VersionBackup is a software program, which automatically creates backups from the files, which have been processed. Using VersionBackup, you can recover the status of a certain day in the past. You can select the desired day from a list.

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Functionality of VersionBackup Master

The Backups are created day by day.

Every day, a new version of each file will be stored, if

•	it has been changed,

•	it has been added   or

•	name or path of the file has been changed.

All these versions of the files will be kept for any desired time.

If you need a backup, normally you have to fear, that it is not yet available, because it has been deleted or overwritten in the meantime. With VersionBackup, this danger is significantly reduced.

VersionBackup is able to create Full Backups in regular time intervals. Full Backups include not only the changed files. So, one Full Backup saves the data completely.

From Time to time you should archive your backups on an external media (on a CD for instance). Also for this job, VersionBackup supplies an efficient functionality.

With the >Recover<-Function you can reset selected files or complete directories to the state of a specified day in the past, which you can select. This is easy, even if the original versions of the files have to be copied from an external archive media.

But if you want, you can also read the archive media on a different computer, even if VersionBackup Master not has been installed on that system.

The Operating System offers you a file classification by the Path and Name of the files (Windows Explorer for instance).

VersionBackup offers more: a classification by the Path, Name and the Date of the files. Appropriately, the Backup-Browser does not have two lists to choose your selection. It has three lists: Path, Name and Date. This is additional functionality, which you only get using VersionBackup.

More information:

Short Tips

Main Index

Description of the Dialog Page >Overview<

Registration

Imprint


Dialog page: Overview

Quick Start to the Basic Configuration

As an entry point into the VersionBackup-Program, this page provides you a fast access to the main functions.

You can reach these functions also from the configuration dialogs, which can be selected with the blue buttons on the left side.

Input Fields:

•	Define a New Backup Path

•	Optimize your Settings

•	Create Backup Copies Now

•	Archive Existing Backups to External Media

•	Check and Recover from Existing Backups

•	Registration


Optimize your Settings

Dialog page: Overview

Optimize your Settings

With this dialog, you can select the range of settings, which you want to change. This dialog is started from the main page >Overview< by clicking the button >Optimize your Settings<.

If you choose one of the items relating to a Source Path, the next step will be selecting the Source Path. The settings of this Source Path are to be changed. If you then click the button >Edit<, the configuration dialog for these settings is displayed.

After this, you can reach the other setting pages for this Source Path by clicking the blue buttons on the left side. Or else, you click >OK< to finish the changes for this Source Path. Then you can select another Source Path.

Input Fields:

•	The time, when the automatic backup procedure will run

•	Which files shall be excluded from the backup

•	General settings for the backup procedure

•	Time of the Full Backup runs

•	Settings for the automatic deletion of old backups


Dialog page >Scheduling/Start<, Button >Start<
Dialog page: Overview

Button >Create Backup Copies Now<

Click this button, and VersionBackup saves the actual state of your files immediately.


General Remarks Regarding Backups

What is the most valuable thing within your computer?

Is it the main board, the monitor, the graphics board? Is it the expensive special software?

No. All these things are replaceable or recoverable without any problems.

The most valuable thing is your personal data stock. It is your work, you have done.

And if you do not take measures to protect these data files, they really are in danger. Any time they may be lost.

Which are the possible reasons for a data loss? How can you protect yourself against this concretely?

1.	Deletion of Complete Files

The first thing you may think in the context of data loss is the possibility, that you enter the command to delete one ore more files. Later you find out, that these files are still needed.

Against this, you can protect yourself rather easily. If you use the ‘wastepaper basket’, you can recall those ‘deleted’ files without any problem. So, there is little danger of a data loss.

Moreover, there are tools, to recover also ‘really deleted’ files - if you have some luck.

An automatic backup system provides you additional safety.

2.	Deletion or Distortion of Parts of a File as a Consequence of User Action

The most frequent reason (and therefore most dangerous reason) why file contents may be lost is that parts of the file may be overwritten, modified or deleted.

If you work with a program with editor functions, it rather easily happens that you remove a part of the file or replace it with a different content. Then you save and the file on the disk is not complete any more. Maybe you recognize this not before days or weeks. Then you find out, that the content somehow is incomplete. But it will be very laborious only to determine, what in detail is missing.

Or else, you work on a picture (graphic or photo), do some changes and save. Later you possibly find out, that these changes removed some details, which you do not want to give up after all. How will you restore the original content?

To cancel an unintended overwriting or deleting of parts of a file after the next save operation, you need to have a separately stored version of the previous state. In special cases, you should create those versions manually. Additionally it is a significant gain of safety, if an automatic operating backup program stores the existing file versions.

But it is not enough to keep only one backup version. Until you find out, that something has gone wrong, the backup function may be run already the next time. Then, also the backup is overwritten with the incomplete version. A good solution does not overwrite the existing backup files. So, you can retrieve the complete version even after weeks or months.

To prevent a data loss of this kind, it is enough to store the backup files on the same disk like the original file version.

3.	Data Loss as a Consequence of a System Disturbance

Sometimes it happens that a file is destroyed in the running operation.

A reason for this may be:

•	crash of a program

•	power failure

•	system down not correctly performed

•	conflicts accessing the disk

After such an event, files may have vanished, maybe they are not (completely) readable any more or parts of them are missing.

Also to prevent these accidents, it is very important to have a program on your computer, which automatically creates backups from all the important files. Again the situation is not safe, if only one backup copy exists, which would be overwritten by the next backup run.

Also to prevent a data loss of this kind, it usually is enough to store the backup files on the same disk like the original version.

4.	Hardware Defect (Disk or Computer)

The most dramatic scenario of a data loss is the permanent defect of your hard disk or the complete computer.

Fortunately this is rather seldom. Sometimes some effects will announce the ‘dying’ of a hard disk (for instance if there are disk access errors with increasing frequency). You should take those symptoms seriously and replace the disk or the affected electronic components preventively.

But even if a different central part of your computer terminates operating, you possibly have a data problem. How long will it last until you get access to your data again? Perhaps the computer is old, so it is not reasonable to repair it. If you took precautions and saved your data, you can scrap the old computer easily. Then you save the extensive work to rescue the data from the old computer’s disk.

As a measure against the permanent defect of hardware you need a backup on a separate storage media. This may be a separate PC, a central data server or a changeable media (Floppy, CD, DVD, MOD, ZIP Disk or Tape Streamer). Such external backups can be created using VersionBackup Master with the function >Archive<.

As the hardware defect is a rather seldom event, the backup to an external storage media usually is done not as frequent as the primary backups.

5.	Virus Attack

Even if you always keep your anti-virus software actual, you cannot exclude, that a virus or some different malicious code will delete or ‘infect’ your files.

If it is not yet possible to repair the ‘infected’ files, sometimes the only way is to delete them. Extremely you have to re-install the computer completely. Also in such a situation, it is very important to have actual backups of your work.

Frequently it will be enough, if the backups are internally stored. Of course it is better, if your backup copies are located on an independent media. Only if that media has last been written before the virus attack, you really can be sure, that the backups are not infected by the malicious code.

Versions as a guarantee that a backup still exists, when you need it

Imagine, if you have a backup system, which only keeps one version of your backup files.

When the next backup run is done, such a system overwrites the backup copies, which have been stored during the last run.

At first sight, this procedure looks quite good. After all, you always have a file version in your backup area, which is as up-to-date as possible. Many backup systems work like this.

But such a backup concept will give you a secure protection only against the deletion of the complete file (see Topic 1 above). If one of the other reasons has caused the data loss, then you must be very lucky, to do the recovery before your backup system has run a second time.

If the backup run starts a second time (this happens automatically in many systems) before you repaired the trouble, usually also your backup version will be overwritten with the version, which is defect, incomplete or virus infected. Then the correct version definitely is lost.

To close this security gap, VersionBackup has been designed to store and manage many backup versions of each file, as much as you want. Each version takes the date of the last file change. It will not be overwritten.

In the Backup-Browser window, you can select the backups using the three criteria Path, File Name and Date. This is comfortable and gives you optimum operational security.

Additional information in the chapters:

•	General Remarks Regarding Full Backups

•	General Remarks Regarding the Archiving

•	Management of the VersionBackup Data

•	Is There Enough Disk Space For All Those Backups?


General Remarks Regarding Full Backups

Usually, VersionBackup creates a backup copy of a file only then, if it has been changed, it is new or if the file name or path has been changed.

This procedure makes it possible to keep backups from each day without having boundless storage space requirements. This is, because only those files and directories will be copied, where real work is done. Projects without any activity may be kept within the configuration, without creating useless backup copies. Whenever a change on one of the files of this project will be done, VersionBackup will become active again.

This procedure to create backups copies only from those files, which have been changes, is called Incremental Backup.

But if only Incremental Backups will be created for a longer time, the files will be spread over a big number of different backups. If you need to restore a set of files completely from Incremental Backups, they have to be collected from many backups. Furthermore you may not delete old backups, because some of the files have not been saved again in the meantime.

These disadvantages will be avoided, if not only Incremental Backups will be created, but some Full Backups from time to time. A Full Backup includes a complete set of files.

To restore a set of files completely, the Incremental Backups are necessary until the next Full Backup in the past.

Automatic Full Backup Generation:

VersionBackup is able to create an optimum mixture of Incremental Backups and Full Backups. You can configure the details in the dialog page >Full Backups<.

You can choose, whether the automatic creation of a Full Backup will be done

1) 	after a fixed number of backup runs with this Source Path
(Parameter: Full Backup >Any x backup runs<)

or else

2)	after a fixed number of calendar days.
(Parameter: Full Backup >Any x Days<)

Alternative 1) has the advantage, that projects without any changes will create no backups at all. From Source Paths without any activity even no Full Backups will be created. If he changes are rare, there will be a long time between the Full Backups.

Alternative 2) has the advantage to make it possible to set up a specified Full Backup Schedule. So, you will get the better overview about your Full Backups. If, for instance, you set a time interval of 7 days, you will get the Full Backups each week on the same weekday.

Furthermore you can configure a Full Backup run to take place only if at least one of the files has been changed. Else it will be done without any change in the file system

(Parameter: >do it now, even if there is no changed file at all<).

Manual Full Backup Request:

You also can request a Full Backup manually.

This is done by one of the following ways:

1)	For one or several Source Paths, you can set, that the next backup run is to be done as a Full Backup. The location to do this is the Dialog >Full Backups< at the checkbox >Next backup run as a Full Backup<.

When VersionBackup creates backups for the next time (started automatically or manual), even the unchanged files will be saved from those Source Paths.

2)	If you click >Create Backup Copies Now< on the dialog page >Scheduling / Start<, a dialog is displayed with a check box >All Source Paths as Full Backups<. If you select it, a Full Backup is done for all Source Paths.

This will be done, even if no file has been changed. The setting of the parameter >When it’s a turn of a Full Backup, do it now, even if there is no changed file at all< in the dialog >Full Backups< does not matter in his case.


General Remarks Regarding the Archiving

This function is not available in the freeware version

Please use the program VersionBackup Master

External Archiving

Any storage media has a certain probability to break down without a chance to repair it. Of course, this is true even for your hard disk.

Such a situation, which may occur without any prior indication, could mean a significant loss for you, unless you have saved your files regularly to a different storage media.

Often, a changeable media (a CD e.g.) is used for the additional backup. This is called Archiving.

If you have archived the backup versions externally, you sooner or later can delete them on your primary disk. This gives you the opportunity to keep your file versions forever, without high requirements for the primary disk.

(But note: if you have one external backup and delete the primary one, you do not have double data storing any more. If the CD fails, the data will be gone. If you have high security requirements, copy the data to two CDs.)

For the archiving, VersionBackup Master provides an easy and standardized procedure.

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If you set the Destination Path to a path on your hard disk, the automatically running primary backup consists of internal copies. So, the files are stored twice on the hard disk.

To archive the data, additional backups are created. They are located on an external media (a CD e.g.).

It is easy to restore a backup, because VersionBackup Master assists you to do this, no matter if the version of the file is stored on the hard disk or on an external media (see dialog page: >Recovery<).

The archive media is not permanently accessible for the computer. Before it can be used, it has to be inserted into the drive. This provides a set of advantages:

•	While the media is lying in the cupboard, it is safe to say, that no malicious code will be able to affect it.

•	You can store the archive media in a place separate from the computer or in a place with special security features. So you increase the safety regarding fire, manipulation, theft etc.

•	Data storing on changeable media has no storage limit. It is always possible to by more recordable CDs. e.g.. No reconstruction or configuration changes of your computer will be necessary.

Particularly these types of storage media come into question:

•	CDs

•	ZIP-Disks

•	MODs

•	DVDs

•	USB-Hard Drives

•	Tape-Streamer

•	Drives on a Sever

We recommend using once recordable CDs.

Use a separate CD for each archiving process.

•	So, your backup archive remains clearly arranged.

•	There is no danger to destroy a backup while writing additional data onto the disk.

After the archive operation, you should close the disk logically. So you get the advantage, that the content cannot be modified any more.

As CDs are cheap, it is no problem, if only a fraction of the capacity of the disk is used.

Usually VersionBackup Master will be configured to see, that each file version will be archived only once (see dialog page >Archive Copy<, field >Mark Backups as archived<).

Moreover you can set, that the backups never will be automatically deleted, if they not have been archived (see dialog page: >Delete<, field: >Backups, which not have been archived<).

More information in the chapter: How to Create an Archive Media.


Is There Enough Disk Space For All Those Backups?

In contrast to the nearly all other backup programs, VersionBackup does not store only one backup version from each file, but any number of versions.

Of course this results in an increased need of storage space. The question is: is it possible in usual conditions to perform this extensive data storing without storage space problems?

We have tested VersionBackup on different computers, even on a system with very low disk capacity. Our result: if you set a reasonable configuration, the storing of many versions of each data file is possible, even if the disk space is extremely rare.

Because the files you really are working on, are rather small compared to the enormous disk volume of a modern PC.

Furthermore, the backups usually will be compressed. This results in a significant reduction of the disc space requirement. You can switch the compression on or off with the parameter  >Compress the backup filesPar_Komprimieren<.

Nevertheless: to keep the disk space requirements of your VersionBackup data archive in a reasonable order of magnitude, you should follow some rules:

•	Only those directories should be configured as a Source Path, where the files are located, which you are working on.
System files, software installation, drivers etc. can be recovered from the install media. There is no need to include them into your backup concept.

•	Use the Exclude-function.
With this feature, you should prevent files from being copied, if there is no need to do this. (For instance: files, which can be reproduced by the system automatically. In a development environment those files are created in a compilation process.)

•	Compress the backups (Setting: >Compress the backup files<).

This function only is available in VersionBackup Master

•	Create Full Backups only rarely.
Full Backups need significantly more disk space than Incremental Backups. One of the advantages of VersionBackup is that you get a complete storing of your data without the need to create Full Backups frequently.

•	Caution if there are very big files.
Videos and music files should be included into the systematic, repeated backup only if this is necessary.

Archive the backups to an external media from time to time.
This function only is available in VersionBackup Master

•	Then it is possible to allow automatic deletion on your hard disk unhesitatingly.
Additionally you get security in case of hardware defects.

•	Use the automatic delete function.
If your disk space is scarce or the files are very big, you get a minimal, but good safety, if you keep only 3 to 5 versions of each file. (Dialog page: Delete, field >If there are more than xx backup stored<).
If you do not have any disk space problems, you can afford to set this parameter to 30 e.g.

•	In extreme cases, you can set the delete parameter >If there are more than xx backup stored< to one.
If on the page Delete there are no >Reasons to prohibit the deletion< set, this Source Path is handled the same way, like a backup system does, which only can store one version.


Registration

Dialog page: Overview

Registration

This Function is relevant only for VersionBackup Master.

There is no need to register the Freeware Version.

You may test this software for 30 days without any cost. After this, you will be able to decide, whether you want to use VersionBackup Master without a time limitation.

To do this, you have to register VersionBackup Master for each PC, from which the data shall be saved. This involves the one-time payment of a license fee.

Die Registration will be done this way:

•	On the dialog page: Overview, please click in the button >Registration<.
(This button only is visible until you entered your Register Key.)

•	The registration dialog will open. Here you click >Order Register Key< to reach the VersionBackup register page in the Internet.

•	On this internet page you enter the information, which is needed for the payment of the license fee.

•	After the payment, you get an e-mail from SB-AW with your Register Name and your personal Register Key.

•	Again open the registration dialog (page: Overview, button >Registration<).

•	Click the button >Enter Register Key< and type your Register Name and Register Key into the input fields.
The Register Key will unlock the program. So it will create backups without a time limitation.

The license fee allows you to use VersionBackup Master for the data of one PC. If you want to use it to save the data of several PCs, you have to buy an appropriate number of licenses. There it makes no difference, if you install VersionBackup Master on several PCs or if one PC saves the data of several PCs by the network.

Instead of receiving only a Register Key, you can choose to buy a CD with the VersionBackup Master-software. In this case, you will receive the Register Key together with the CD by mail.

If you have questions about the registration (e.g.: company licenses, special requirements or a registration without internet access), please send them to one of the addresses below. We will be happy to respond.

E-Mail:	mail@versionbackup.de

FAX:	+49 8141 53 93 46

Post:	SB-AW
Rotkehlchenweg 11
82223 Eichenau
Germany


Hints for Experts

In the most cases, the functions presented on the dialog pages of VersionBackup will meet the requirements completely.

But for special situations, there are additional possibilities.

Here you find a short description of them, so you can use them if necessary:

•	The Data Structures Created by VersionBackup

•	Information in the Control File

•	Access to the Backups Without Using the Backup-Browser

•	Manual Deletion of Backups

•	Automatic Backup Deletion Without Creation of New Backups

With some tricks you can step into the data management of VersionBackup. You should do this only if you are an experienced computer administrator.

•	Delete Parts of a Backup

•	Request a Repeated Archiving

•	Prevent VersionBackup From Deleting Specified Backups

•	Save Selected Files, Which not Have been Changed


The Data Structures Created by VersionBackup
Hints for Experts:

The Data Structures Created by VersionBackup

When you configure VersionBackup, you define, which parts of your hard disk shall be saved. This is done by defining one or several Source Paths (see dialog page >Source Path / Dest Path<). The backups will include the files in the Source Path and its subdirectories.

For each Source Path, a Destination Path has to be defined. The Destination Path is the location, where the backups from this Source Path are copied.

During the backup run, VersionBackup checks the files in each Source Path and its subdirectories. If at least one file has been changed, VersionBackup creates a new data storing area in the Destination Path directory.

This storing area is a subdirectory, called date directory. Its name is the date of the last file change (format: yyyy-mm-dd). Then the changed files will be copied into the date directory or corresponding subdirectories.

If you switched the parameter >Compress the backup files< on, in the date directory a file with name VersionBackupData_000.Zip is created and maybe more ZIP-files with higher numbers. These files contain the compressed backup files.

The separation into several ZIP-files is necessary, when the size or number of the backup files is big. Operations with ZIP-files with a high volume are slow. So VersionBackup Master keeps its high speed, by using several ZIP-files, which are smaller each.

If you want to access a backup file directly and several ZIP-files have been created, for the first step it is not clear, which ZIP-file contains the backup file. You can get the number of the ZIP-file from the Control File (See: Access to the Backups Without Using the Backup-Browser).

In each Incremental Backup run, only those files are copied, which have been changed since the last backup operation. To decide the question, whether a file has been changed, the change timestamp of the file, created by the operating system, is used. VersionBackup creates a list of all files in the Source Paths (The control file, see below). This list includes the latest change time of any file. If a file with a newer change time is found, a new backup version of this file will be created. Furthermore, each file will be saved, if there is no entry with its path and name in the control file, so it probably is new.

You can look into the date directories with the Explorer and you can directly access the files, which are stored there (see: Access to the Backups Without Using the Backup-Browser). The ZIP-Files can be opened with the software PKZIP for instance.

But in the most cases, it is easier to use the Backup-Browser. It picks out all the file versions from the different date directories and displays them in the rightmost list. You can select the desired version day with one mouse click. And with the >Recover<-button, you can recover the file versions to the original or any other location on the disk.

If you start the function for the external Archiving, the date directories will be copied to the location, which has been entered by you as >Destination Path for the Archive Copy<.

This means, that the backups will be duplicated once more. VersionBackup Master assumes, that the files, which have been copied with the archiving function, will be located on an external media, and that these external copies will be stored permanently.

The external backups can be displayed and recovered with the backup-browser - just the same way like the primary backups.

The automatic backup deletion by VersionBackup is done by deleting complete date directories. It is configured on the dialog page >Delete<. The time, when the deletion happens, is after a new backup run.

You also can delete the date directories manually (see >Manual Deletion of Backups<). But this will be necessary only in special cases.

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Control Files

VersionBackup keeps the Information about the files, existing in the Source Paths, and about the saved backup versions in the control files. The name of the control files always is >VersionBackup.txt<. They are located within the date directories. Additionally, the actual version is located directly in the Destination Path. This is on the same level like the date directories.

You can look into the control files with any text editor (Notepad e.g.). This gives you the opportunity to analyze the situation, if there is any question about the history of your files.

Further information:

•	Information in the Control File

•	Delete Parts of a Backup

•	Prevent VersionBackup From Deleting Specified Backups

•	Save Selected Files, Which not Have been Changed

The control files are used for the automatic decision: Which files have to be copied? Which files have to be deleted? And which files can be used for the recovery?

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You get further information about the existing backups from the Recovery Log File. It is written, when a recovery is done. The settings are done in the dialog >Recovery<, part >Logging<.

If you need information about the actual contents of a part your backup archive, it can be useful to perform a recovery into a dummy directory. Then you can analyze the entries in the recovery log file.


Access to the Backups without Using the Backup-Browser
Hints for Experts:

Access to the Backups without Using the Backup-Browser

There may be two reasons to access the stored backups without using the Backup-Browser:

1.	You want to get a quick look into an old file version (from an application like Word e.g.).

2.	The files are archived on an external media and you want to access them on a computer, which does not have VersionBackup Master installed.
This can be very important, if your computer does not work any more.

You find the backups in the Destination Directory. It is configured on the dialog page >Source Path / Dest Path< as >Destination Path of the files to be saved<.

In this directory, the date directories are located. You have to open the directory with the date, when the version you are looking for has been last changed

There, all files of the Source Path are stored, which have been changed until the date, specified by the name of the date directory.

A) Compressed Backups

This function only is available in VersionBackup Master

If you choose the option >Compress the backup files<, there is a file >VersionBackupData_000.Zip< in the date directory. If the volume of the backup files is bigger, then there are additional ZIP-files with higher numbers.

These ZIP-files contain the backup copies. In addition, the path, where the original files have been located below the Source Path, is stored in the ZIP-files. You can access the stored backups with the software PKZIP.

If you want to access a backup file directly and several ZIP-files have been created, for the first step it is not clear, which ZIP-file contains the backup file. You can get the number of the ZIP-file from the Control File.

To do this, open the file >VersionBackup.txt<, which is stored in the file >VersionBackupData_000.Zip<, with a text editor program. Please search the line with the path and file name of the desired file. If the file has been stored in that backup using the compression, behind the clock time there is an entry >Zxxx<. There, xxx is the number of the ZIP-file, which contains the backup file.

B) Non-Compressed Backups

If the backups are not compressed, it is possible to access them directly. This can be done with the Windows Explorer or with any other program.

The files are located in subdirectories below the date directory, corresponding to the location of the original files.

If you open a non-compressed backup file with an edit application, in principle the danger exists, that you change the backup version unintentionally. To prevent this, on the dialog page >General Settings< the parameter >Write protect the backup files< has been added. If it has been active during the backup generation, the write protection flag of the backup file is set. Then an unintentional change of the file is prohibited.

See also: The Data Structures Created by VersionBackup


Information in the Control File
Hints for Experts:

Information in the Control File

The backup generation is logged in the Control Files.

Their name is >VersionBackup.txt< and they are archived together with the backup data in the date directories or in the file >VersionBackupData_000.Zip<. The actual version additionally is located in the Destination Path. This is on the same level like the date directories.

VersionBackup evaluates the Control Files to decide, which files have to be copied, which backups shall be deleted and which files are available for the recovery.

You can open these files with a text editor (Notepad e.g.). This is useful to check the results of the copy process.

However, please take care not to delete the Control Files and not to change their content unintentionally. In special cases, it can be useful to carry out special changes in the control Files to change the future actions of VersionBackup.

Content of the Control File VersionBackup.txt:

First Section:

Information about the time of the backup run

Information about the next scheduled Full Backup

Source Path

possibly: Line(s) with the latest ZIP-file number (see below)

Second Section (after the first line, which starts with #):

List of the currently saved backups

Date (= Name of the date directory)

Assignment character (I = Incremental Backup, F = Full Backup)

Disk space occupied by this backup

Third Section (after the second line, which starts with #):

List of the files (Source Path without Exception Paths)

Assignment character (X = copied here, E = Copy error, Space = not copied, because not changed)

Time of the last change of the original file

possibly: Number of the ZIP-file, where the backup copy is stored

Path of the original file

Line(s) with the latest ZIP-file number

If the compression feature has been switched on, there are one or more lines at the end of the first section, starting with >Z< and a number.

This is a list of the backup runs, performed for this day. The number behind the >Z< is the number of the last ZIP-file used within the backup run. After that, the date and time of the backup run is noted.

This shows that a repeated backup run during the same day uses different ZIP-files. Therefore, usually not only the latest version of the file is present on the disk but also the earlier versions. The Backup-Browser uses only the latest version. However, if you open the ZIP-files, you can access even the earlier versions.

Possible manipulations in the Control File

a)	Changes in the file >VersionBackup.txt<, which is located in the Destination Path (that is on the same level like the date directories).

•	If you change the number at the beginning of the second line (xx runs until full backup), you change the schedule for the next full backup run.

•	If you remove an entry for a backup in the second section, this backup will not be deleted automatically.

•	If you remove the memory entry (xxxx kBytes) in a line in the second section, the memory space requirements of this backup will not be considered, when the backups will be deleted due to their memory occupation.

•	If you remove a line in the third section, the corresponding file will be saved in the next backup run in any case.

b)	Changes in the file >VersionBackup.txt<, which is located in the date directory or the file >VersionBackupData_000.Zip<.

•	If you remove a line in the third section or replace the >X< in the first column by a space character, this file version will not be displayed in the Backup-Browser. Furthermore, it will not be used for the recovery.


Manual Deletion of Backups
Hints for Experts:

Manual Deletion of Backups

Generally, you should configure VersionBackup to delete the old backups automatically.

(See: dialog page >Delete<.)

However, you also can delete the backups manually with the Explorer.

To do this, please delete the respective date directory completely.

(The path of the date directories is set on the dialog page >Source Path / Dest Path< as >Destination Path of the files to be saved<.)

When VersionBackup does its next backup copy run, it recognizes, that the date directory is no more present. The control information will be updated to keep the database consistent.

Attention:

If you manually delete the last backup, which has been created, then another manual action is necessary:

The file >VersionBackup.txt< in the Destination Path directory (where the date directories are located) must describe the actual state. After the deletion of the latest backup, this content is no more up-to-date.

Therefore you have to copy the file >VersionBackup.txt< from the date directory, which after the deletion is the newest, to the Destination Path level (this is the directory, where the date directories are located). Doing this, you overwrite the version of the control file, which already is stored there.


Delete Parts of a Backup
Hints for Experts:

Delete Parts of a Backup

In special cases, it could be possible, that you want to remove some parts of an existing backup.

A reason for this could be if you later recognize that a backup includes very huge parts, which do not need to be saved. If you want to keep that backup for a long time on your disk, but the disk space is a little bit rare, it would be a good thing to remove the unnecessary parts from the backup.

To do this, you simply may delete the files in the date directory or in the ZIP-file, which is located in the date directory. VersionBackup will continue operating without problems.

However, if this is the only action you do, then VersionBackup will continue displaying the deleted files or versions in the Backup-Browser. If you request a recovery of those files, you will get an error message, because the files are missing.

You can avoid this by doing the following steps:

•	The Backup-Browser gets its information from the Control File >VersionBackup.txt<, which is located in the date directory or in the File VersionBackupData_000.Zip, which is located within the date directory.

•	Open this Control File >VersionBackup.txt<, located in the date directory or ZIP-file, with a text editor.

•	The third section of the Control File (after the second line starting with #) takes the list of the files. Each file, which has been saved in this backup, is marked with an X at the beginning of the line.

•	Remove the line with the files, you have deleted or replace the X in the first column by a space character.

Remark:

This possibility for a modification shows, that backups, which are stored on the hard disk, cannot be save against manipulation. If you have to be sure (on a PC with several users e.g.) that nothing vanishes from the backup stock, you should archive the backups and keep the external media in a secured place.

See also:

•	The Data Structures Created by VersionBackup

•	Information in the Control File


Request a Repeated Archiving
Hints for Experts:

Request a Repeated Archiving

This function is not available in the freeware version

Please use the program VersionBackup Master

Using the archiving function, you can save your backups to an external media.

If you, while archiving, set the parameter >Mark Backups as archived< and later choose the option >All days, which not have been marked as archved<, a backup, which once has been archived, will not be archived again.

However, if you want to archive a backup for a second time, you can arrange this easily:

•	Open in the Explorer the Destination Directory of the Source Path, where the date directories are located. (The path of this directory is set on the dialog page >Source Path / Dest Path< as >Destination Path for the files to be saved<.)

•	All those directories, which still have to be archived, have the Archive Flag set. When the archive function is running, the Archive Flag will be reset.

•	For the directory, which shall be archived once more, set the Archive Flag again.
(To do this, click on the directory with the right mouse key and choose >Properties<.)


Prevent VersionBackup from Deleting Specified Backups
Hints for Experts:

Prevent VersionBackup from Deleting Specified Backups

According to the settings on the dialog page >Delete<, old backups will be deleted from the hard disk automatically.

If you want to use this function, but if you want to prevent some particular backups from being deleted, carry out the following steps:

•	Investigating, which backups are to be deleted, VersionBackup gets its information from the actual Control File >VersionBackup.txt<. This is the one, which is stored in the Destination Path, where the date directories are located. (Dialog page >Source Path / Dest Path<, field >Destination Path for the files to be saved<)

•	Open this file with a text editor.

•	The second section of this file (after the first line starting with #) is the list of the currently stored backups. Each line starts with the date of the backup.

•	Remove the line for the backup, which never shall be deleted automatically.
Then, this backup will be invisible for the VersionBackup delete mechanism. From now on, it will not be considered for any delete decision.

•	For the Backup-Browser and the recovery function, this backup remains visible. The content of the backup will be displayed and used for the recovery even after this manipulation.

•	If some time you will no longer need this backup, the delete the date directory manually, using the Windows Explorer (see Manual Deletion of Backups).

See also:

The Data Structures Created by VersionBackup

Information in the Control File


Save Selected Files, Which not Have been Changed
Hints for Experts:

Save Selected Files, Which not Have been Changed

An Incremental Backup takes only those files, which have been changed since the last backup run, which are new or if their name or path has been changed.

Saving the files, which not have been changed, usually is done in a Full Backup, which can be configured to run from time to time (Dialog page >Full Backups<).

If you intend, that some files will be saved in the next Incremental Backup run, in spite of not having been changed, please carry out the following steps:

•	Investigating, which files have to be copied in an Incremental Backup, VersionBackup gets its information from the actual Control File >VersionBackup.txt<. This is the one, which is stored in the Destination Path, where the date directories are located. (Dialog page >Source Path / Dest Path<, field >Destination Path for the files to be saved<)

•	Open this file with a text editor.

•	The third section of this file (after the second line starting with #) takes the list of the files.

•	Remove the line for the files, which shall be saved in the next backup run in spite of not having been changed.

This way, you can create a >Partial Full Backup<:

If you want to perform a complete backup from only a part of the files within a Source Path, you remove the lines of all files, which have to be saved, from the Control File.

See also:

Full Backups

The Data Structures Created by VersionBackup

Information in the Control File


Automatic Backup Deletion without Creation of New Backups
Hints for Experts:

Automatic Backup Deletion without Creation of New Backups

If you want to terminate creating backups to a Source Path, you usually will delete the Source Path or de-activate it.

But note: in such a case, the existing backups will no more be automatically deleted. You should delete the old backups manually.

Perhaps you want to keep these old backups at first. You would like to have them deleted after some time. This should happen automatically.

Deleting backups after some time can be configured on the dialog page >Delete<, for instance, by setting the parameter >Backups, older than xx days<.

However, to have the automatic deletion active for a Source Path, you must not delete or de-activate the Source Path.

Instead of this, you prevent VersionBackup from creating new backups by setting a ‘complete Exception’. You enter * as a, entry in the Exclusion List. The Force List has to be empty. Then everything is excluded, so nothing will be copied any more.

If you configure Exclusion List, Force List and the deletion parameters this way, then - after some time - all the backups to this Source Path will be deleted.


         Imprint

VersionBackup has been developed by

Eckart Schroeder-Bergen

SB-AW (Schroeder-Bergen Applications)

Rotkehlchenweg 11

82223 Eichenau

Germany

FAX:	+49 8141 53 93 46
E-Mail: 	mail@versionbackup.de
Internet:	www.versionbackup.de
Company Info:	www.sb-aw.de

Suggestions or any critical comments are very welcome.

If you have important questions operating VersionBackup or if you have problems with your backups, I gladly will assist you by e-mail.

Because of the importance of data security, VersionBackup has been developed and tested with special care.

Nevertheless, it is not possible to take any liability for the correct function of this software. The user has agreed to this by accepting the license agreement.

Regardless whether you use this program or any other means for creating your backups, you should check the results of the copy process from time to time. Only this way you can be sure, that the desired backups really have been created.


For this page, no help information is available.

Please select the desired information from the Subject Index or the Main Index.


When this Display is visible, VersionBackup is looking for changed files and is copying them to the backup area.

You can get further information from the Subject Index or the Main Index.


Copy Errors

If there have been copy errors while generating the backups, the names of the files are listed in this window.

The backup copies of these files could not be created.

This could be happened due to two main reasons:

1. Locked Files

A file may be locked, when VersionBackup tries to copy it. This might occur, if the file currently is processed by another program.

Sometimes a file, which usually can be copied, is locked by accident, just in that moment when the backup runs. Usually this is no major problem, because VersionBackup will copy this file on the next backup run.

Nevertheless, there are files, which are locked permanently (e.g. the swap file). These file can neither be saved on the usual way. Nor they can be recovered by copying a backup version over the actual file.

2. Temporary Files

If the backup procedure runs while the computer is in its start up phase, many other administration processes are active at the same time. These processes may create some temporary files. VersionBackup finds out, that those files are new, so they should be copied. But when the copy phase starts, they might be already deleted or renamed by their owner process. Therefore, VersionBackup has no chance to copy them. This will be reported as a copy error “File Not Found”.

If the error message appears again and again for some files, it could be the best solution to add their names to the Exclusion List. Then, VersionBackup will no more try to copy them.

Each copy error will be logged in the Copy Error Log File.

The settings for this file can be changed on the dialog page >General Settings<.


All backups but one are about to be deleted due to disk space limitation settings

Information, that all backups but one are about to be deleted due to your disk space limitation settings.

If this message appears, you limited the disk space for the backups of the Source Path.

(This setting is done on the dialog page >Delete< in the field >if the backups cover more than xx MB disk space<.)

Then after any copy run, the old backups will be deleted until the disk space, used by all backups of this Source Path, is less than the configured value.

In this special case, when this message appears, the disk limit is set to a value, which is so low, that all backup versions except the newest one should be deleted.

Maybe you did not intend this. Maybe you would prefer to supply more disk space to make it possible to store several versions. This warning message appears to make this possible before the deletion is done.

If you do not want to delete all the older backup versions, click >No<. In the next appearing dialog box you should confirm this with >OK<.

Then the delete reason >if the backups cover more than xx MB disk space< immediately will de disabled for this Source Path. You later can re-activate it on the dialog page >Delete< with a bigger limitation value.

But if you want to keep the strict disk space limitation, click >Yes<. Then for this Source Path all the backups, except the latest one, will be deleted.

If you do not want to get this message again for this Source Path, activate the box >Please do not display this question again< before clicking >Yes< or >No<.


Short Hints
VersionBackup Short Hints

You should know this about VersionBackup:

•	The VersionBackup Dialog Pages

•	How to Configure a Source Path

•	How to Schedule the Backup Run

•	Full Backups

•	Backup Versions

•	View and Recover Backups

•	Archiving

•	Deleting Backups

Forward


Short Hints: The VersionBackup Dialog Pages

Short Hints

The VersionBackup Dialog Pages

For the configuration of VersionBackup, you can use several dialog pages.

•	The main pages (Overview - Paths - Scheduling/Start - Archive Copy - Backup-Browser) can be selected by clicking on the corresponding text on the left side of the window.

•	To Configure a Source Path, you switch to the page >Paths<. There you select the Source Path which you want to configure and click the >Edit<-Button.

So you get access to the dialog pages for the configuration of a Source Path (Source Path/DestPath - Exclude - General Settings - Full Backups - Delete). You can switch also between these pages by clicking the text on the left side.

By clicking >OK< or >Cancel<, you will leave the Source Path Configuration and return to the main pages.

•	If you open the main page Backup-Browser and click the >Start< button, the Backup-Browser opens. It displays the already stored backup copy versions in a clearly arranged format.

There you can start the recovery from your backup copies.

Back

Forward


Short Hints: How to Configure a Source Path

Short Hints

How to Configure a Source Path

•	A Source Path is a directory path, where the files are located, which shall be saved by VersionBackup.

•	Usually the important files are located in different positions on the hard disk. Therefore, it is possible to enter several Source Paths.

•	Each Source Path will be saved into a different Destination Path.

•	Each Source Path can get its own settings (e.g. for the Full Backups and the automatic deletion).

To make VersionBackup able to work for you, you have to enter your Source Paths.

This is done either

•	with the Source Path Wizard, which can be started on the dialog page >Overview< with the button >Define a New Backup Path<.

The wizard will ask you step by step for all important configuration values.

or

•	on the Page >Paths< with the button >New<.

Then you will reach the dialog pages to configure a Source Path. On these pages, you can modify your settings even later.

Back

Forward


Short Hints: How to Schedule the Backup Run

Short Hints

How to Schedule the Backup Run

You can decide at which moment VersionBackup will create the backup copies. It is either

•	during the start up phase of Windows (Boot phase or log in)

or

•	at a configured clock time

or

•	when you start the copying manually.

The settings for the automatic start are done on the page >Scheduling / Start<.

You can start the backup generation manually

on the page >OverviewSeiteUeberblick< with the button >Create Backup-Copies Now<

or

on the page >Scheduling / Start< with the button >Start<.

Back

Forward


Short Hints: Full Backups

Short Hints

Full Backups

In the normal case, VersionBackup will copy a file only if it has been changed.

This way to proceed is called Incremental Backup.

But it is also possible to create Full Backups, which include also the unchanged files.

According to your settings, a VersionBackup will create a Full Backup instead of an Incremental Backup after a specified period.

(See also: General Remarks Regarding Full Backups)

The settings for the Full Backup scheduling are done on the page >Full Backups<.

Additionally it is possible to request a Full Backup manually. This is done

•	on the page >Full Backups< with the button >Next backup run as a Full Backup<

or

•	if you start the immediate copy run on the page >OverviewSeiteUeberblick< with the button >Start<. Then a dialog box is displayed where you can activate the filed >All Source Paths as Full Backups<.

Back

Forward


Short Hints: Backup Versions

Short Hints

Backup Versions

Every day, VersionBackup creates new backup copies.

A main advantage of VersionBackup is that the earlier created backups will not be overwritten, when the next daily backup is created.

The backups continue existing on your disk, sorted by their creation date.

You can access the date directories directly in the Destination Path, using the Windows Explorer or any other application.

But often it is easier to use the Backup-Browser.

It offers you to select the desired files by their

•	Path

•	File Name     and

•	Date of the Version.

Back

Forward


Short Hints: View and Recover Backups
Short Hints

View and Recover Backups

The most easy and clear access to the stored backups is provided by the Backup-Browser.

You can open this window

•	on the page >Overview< with the button >Check and Recover from Existing Backups<

or

•	on the page >Backup-Browser< with the >Start<-button.

The Backup-Browser shows you the stored backup files. You can select the files by their path, file name and version date.

The selected files can be recovered. This means, they can be copied to the original or any other position on the disk system.

If you archived the files to an external archive media, you can scan the media to get the information about their content. Then the Backup-Browser will show even those versions together with the primary backups.

Back

Forward


Short Hints: Archiving

Short Hints

Archiving

This function is not available in the freeware version

Please use the program VersionBackup Master

VersionBackup copies your new or changed files daily. This happens fully automatically, that means without any manual assistance. Therefore, this primary backup has to be copied to a disk, which always is ready. Usually this disk is the hard disk of your computer.

To relieve this disk and to get additional data security, the backups should be saved to a different media (a CD e.g.) from time to time. This second copy process is called Archiving.

VersionBackup Master supports you performing the archiving. Furthermore, external archive media can be scanned, so the Backup-Browser will display and access also the externally stored file versions.

The archiving is started on the dialog page >Archive Copy<.

If it is possible to write to the external media directly (e.g. to a MOD or ZIP-Disk), VersionBackup Master will copy the backups to the desired position in one step.

If you want to use CDs as an archive media, it is not possible to write to it directly. Therefore, VersionBackup Master copies the files to a temporary directory on the hard disk. From there it is easy to transfer them to the CD using the CD writing software, which is present on your computer. After this, you can delete the temporary buffer directory.

See also:

General Remarks Regarding the Archiving

How to Create an Archive Media

Back

Forward


Short Hints: Deleting Backups

Short Hints

Deleting Backups

Some time afterwards, VersionBackup will have created a huge number of daily backups. After some months at the latest, the oldest backups should be deleted. VersionBackup does this automatically.

You decide, which backups will be deleted automatically and which backups shall be kept.

This can be configured either

•	during the first configuration of the Source Path parameters using the Source Path Wizard (page >Overview<, button >Define a New Backup Path<)

or

•	on the dialog page >Delete<.

(To display this page, select the Source Path on the page >Paths< and click the >Edit<-button. Then click on the text >Delete< on the left side.)

If you plan to archive your backups, they of course may be deleted only when the archive copy is done. Even this can be configured on the page >Delete< (Field >Backups, which not have been archived<).

Furthermore, you can delete the backups manually by deleting the date directories with the Windows-Explorer (see: Manual Deletion of Backups).

Back


Source Paths of the Files to be Saved
Dialog Page: Paths

Source Paths of the Files to be Saved

Only those files will be saved, which are stored in a directory, which has been configured as a Source Path.

The data paths containing the files, which shall be saved, have to be announced to VersionBackup. Starting from this moment, each change of the files will be saved.

VersionBackup saves the files from different Source Paths separately.

For each Source Path, VersionBackup creates a separate Destination Path. So, the backup area is still clearly arranged, even when there are a big number of backup files stored.

On this dialog page, you get an overall view of the Source Paths, which already have been configured.

You can add a Source Path, select it for editing or delete it.

Input Fields:

•	>List: Source Paths of the Files to be Saved<

•	>New<

•	>Edit<
>Delete<

•	>Help<

•	>Close<


Dialog Page >Paths<

Dialog Page: Paths

Source Paths of the Files to be Saved

This list shows the Source Paths, which currently are configured in your VersionBackup-System.

A Source Path is the path of a directory on the storage disk.

Example:

C:\ Data\Letters

All files in this directory and in its subdirectories will be saved.

This is the standard setting.

If you do not want to have the subdirectories saved, select the field >Save the Source Path without subdirectories< on the dialog page >General settings<.

If you want to exclude some files from being saved, please enter their path or file name in the Exclusion List.

On the dialog page >General Settings< there is a field >Active<. If you de-activate it, the Source Path is switched off. This means, it will not be processed, just as it would have been deleted. Bu you simply can activate it again by clicking the >Active<-button once more.

In the list, a Source Path, which is not active, is marked with >(not active)<.


Dialog Page >Paths<, Button >New<
Dialog Page: Paths

Button >New<

Click this button to add a new Source Path.

The dialog page >Source Path / Dest Path< will be opened, where you can enter the Source Path. From this page, you can reach the other pages to configure the Source Path parameter by clicking on the blue command bar on the left side.

The position of the new Source Path in the list is before the line, which currently is selected. If no line is selected, the new path will be added to the end of the list.


Dialog Page >Paths<, Button >Edit<

Dialog Page: Paths

Button >Edit<

Click this button, if you want to check the settings for a Source Path or if you want to change them.

Before this, please select the Source Path, which you want to edit.

The last shown configuration page will be displayed for this Source Path. From this, you can reach all configuration pages by clicking on the blue command bar on the left side.


Dialog Page >Paths<, Button >Delete<

Dialog Page: Paths

Button >Delete<

Click this button, if you want to delete the selected Source Path from the VersionBackup configuration.

After a confirmation request, the Source Path will be removed from the Source Path list.

If there are already backup files stored from this Source Path, they will be kept. They will not be automatically deleted, neither now nor in the future.

If you want to delete the backups, you have to do it manually (See: Manual Deletion of Backups,

Alternative way to proceed: Automatic Backup Deletion without Creation of New Backups).

The automatic archiving and the recovery with the Backup-Browser are still possible, even if you have deleted the Source Path.

If you want to prevent the system from creating backups from this Source Path only temporarily, you should not delete it, but de-activate it.

A Source path will be inactive, if you de-activate the field >Active (Files in this Source Path will be Saved)< on the dialog page >General Settings<.

Deactivated paths will be marked in the Source Path List by the appendix >(not active)<.


Button >Close<

This button

•	closes the Window and

•	terminates the VersionBackup configuration.

The copy process will be started according to your configuration, even if you have closed the window.


Dialog Page >Scheduling/Start<

Dialog Page: Scheduling / Start

Determine the time, when the backups shall be created

VersionBackup will start automatically to create the backup copies from the configured Source Paths.

On this dialog page, you configure, when this copy run has to be done

Additionally, you can start the backup copy creation immediately.

Input Fields:

•	>Once per day when starting Windows<

•	>At any start of Windows<

•	>Once per day at xx:xx:xx<

•	>On the first automatic daily run, the changes shall be assigned to the preceding day<

•	>Create Backup Copies Now<

•	>Help<

•	>Close<


Dialog Page >Scheduling/Start<, Selection Field >Once per day when starting Windows<

Dialog Page: Scheduling / Start

Selection Field >Once per day when starting Windows<

If you choose this setting, VersionBackup creates the backup copies when you log in, but only once per day. (If your system does not require a log in, VersionBackup does the copy run on the first boot each day.)

Then the files from the end of the last computer run will be saved. Usually this is the status of the preceding day. Stand

If the computer is started again this day, VersionBackup will not do the copy run again. This avoids a useless extension of the start time. The status of the current day will be saved at the beginning of the following day.

This setting is recommended, if the computer is switched off at night.

If the computer continues running over night, with this setting it does not create backups, because there is no start up procedure in the morning. Such an operation mode needs the setting >once per day at xx:xx:xx<.


Dialog Page >Scheduling/Start<, Selection Field >At any start of Windows<

Dialog Page: Scheduling / Start

Selection Field >At any start of Windows<

If you choose this setting, VersionBackup creates the backup copies at any time when you log in. (If your system does not require a log in, VersionBackup does the copy run at every boot phase.)

Then the files from the end of the last computer run will be saved. Usually this is the status of the preceding day. Stand

If this is the first start this day, the files from the end of the last running day are saved.

If the computer is started again this day, another copy run is done. Then the file status of the moment is saved. If the files will be changed again this day, the backups will later be overwritten with the newer version. The final version will be saved at the beginning of the following day.

Using this setting is possible, if the computer is switched off at night.

If the computer continues running over night, with this setting it does not create backups, because there is no start up procedure each day. Such an operation mode needs the setting >once per day at xx:xx:xx<.


Dialog Page >Scheduling/Start<, Selection Field >Once per day at xx:xx:xx<

Dialog Page: Scheduling / Start

Selection field >Once per day at xx:xx:xx<

If you choose this setting, VersionBackup creates the backups at a fixed clock time each day.

Therefore, it is not necessary to start up the computer each day.

This is the obligatory setting, if the computer continues running overnight.

If the computer is switched off at the configured backup time, the VersionBackup will be done as soon as possible. That is immediately after the next start up.

If you set 00:00:00 as the backup time, the files will be copied at midnight.

But please consider, that work could be continued some time over midnight. Then the midnight state of the files will not be in a consistent state. The accidental moment ‘midnight’ is not a very   good time for a backup.

Additionally, if someone extends his work over midnight, this work belongs to the previous day for him. It would be better, if the first hours after midnight would be assigned to the previous day for the backup. This is done, if you set the backup time to 04:00:00 for instance.

Furthermore the field >On the first automatic daily run, the changes shall be assigned to the preceding date<.

If you switch off the computer each night, we recommend to choose the setting >Once per day when starting Windows<.

Then less resource on your computer will be occupied, because VersionBackup will terminate immediately after he start up phase.


Dialog Page >Scheduling/Start<, Selection Field >On the first automatic daily run, the changes shall be assigned to the preceding date<

Dialog Page: Scheduling / Start

Selection field >On the first automatic daily run, the changes shall be assigned to the preceding date<

If this option is set, VersionBackup does not assign the first backup this day to the current day, even if the last file change has been done today. The backup will be assigned to the preceding day.

This Dating Back Function is useful for this:

Imagine, you have configured, that the backups shall be created at 4:00 h in the morning. You did not set the value to 0:00 h but to a later time, because it is possible, that somebody will work longer than midnight. The changes after midnight shall be assigned to the preceding day.

If the Dating Back Function is not active (this parameter switched off), the backups will not be assigned correctly:

Example:

- Without Dating Back Function - (selection field switched off):

•	On March 14 in the evening, nobody works longer than midnight. The VersionBackup-Run in the early morning creates the backups with date 03-14.This is correct.

•	On March 15 in the late evening, somebody works until 00:50 h. The VersionBackup-Run in the morning March 16 recognizes that the last file changes have the date 03-16. Therefore, they will be stored with date 03-16. For March 15, no backup has been created.

•	On March 16, again nobody works longer than midnight. The last file changes have the date 03-16, again. Also this state will be saved within the already existing backup for 03-16. Then the backup versions, which have been saved early in the morning, will be overwritten. So, no backup with the state ‘End of work in the night from 03-15 to 03-16’ exists any more.

Therefore, the Dating Back Function has been implemented.

We recommend switching it on.

Then in our example, we get the following result:

- With Dating Back Function - (selection field switched on):

•	On March 15 in the late evening, somebody works until 00:50 h. In spit of finding the latest changes from March 16, VersionBackup assigns the backup back to 03-15. This makes sense, because the time after midnight has been the end of the working day March 15.

•	The further work on March 16 will be saved in the morning of March 17 with the date 03-16. So, the state of each end of a working day has been saved completely.

Further notes:

•	If the copy run is started manually (>Start<-button), no dating back will be done.

•	If the computer will not be run on the following day, the copy run on this day will not take place. Then no dating back will be done.

•	If in this Source Path the latest file change has been done earlier than on the preceding day, not the date of yesterday is used but the earlier date.

See also:	Start backup >Once per day at xx:xx:xx<

and	The Data Structures Created by VersionBackup


Dialog Page >Scheduling/Start<, Button >Start<

Dialog Page: Scheduling / Start

Button >Start< - Create Backup Copies Now

If you click this button, VersionBackup saves the files right now, in their current state.

The backup copies are assigned to the current date. If you continue working on this day, these backups later will be overwritten by the latest version this day.

Caution: There is only one backup sate per day on the disk. If you run this function again this day, the earlier saved state will be overwritten.

So, click the button again, only if you are sure, that your files are in a faultless state. If they were not correct, the earlier saved faultless version would be lost.


Overwrite the existing files for today?

For each Source Path and each day, VersionBackup creates a date directory to store the backups separately.

The date based organizing of the backups storing succeeds in keeping the state if each day, even if later there are further versions of the same files. For on later days, different date directories will be used for the storage.

But if you start the copy run several times on the same day, the backups will be copied to the same date directories. The files, which already have been saved for the day, will be overwritten, if they have been changed again.

VersionBackup here asks, if you agree to this.

If you confirm with >OK<, the earlier file versions from today will be overwritten by the current versions.

If you choose >Cancel<, the operation will be aborted. There will be no repeated copy run, because it is not possible to store several versions from the same day.

But in any case, the manually saved versions will be overwritten tomorrow in the morning.

See also:  The Data Structures Created by VersionBackup


Start the backup run immediately?

VersionBackup creates the backup copies at special moments.

Usually the copy run starts automatically at the start of Windows or at the configured daytime

This function allows you to start the backup generation additionally at the current moment.

If the box >All Source Paths as Full Backups< is active, all the Source Paths will be copied completely, also those files, which did not have been changed.

Caution: A Full Backup for all Source Paths can create a huge amount of backup files. You should choose this option only if you really need such a complete Full Backup.


How to Create an Archive Media

This function is not available in the freeware version

Please use the program VersionBackup Master

VersionBackup is not committed to a special hardware.

Due to the variety of systems, the data will possibly not be written to an external archive media directly from the VersionBackup Master user interface. But in any case, this can be done using a temporary buffer directory. This is a directory on the internal hard disk, where the files, which shall be archived, can be temporarily stored.

There are two different ways to create an archive media, according to the possibility of writing to the media directly.

A)	If you can write to the archive media directly

(Usually for ZIP-Disks, USB Drives or MODs)

B)	If you can not write to the archive media directly

(Usually for CD-Rs or DVDs)

See also: General Remarks Regarding the Archiving


How to Create an Archive Media (direct copy)
How to Create an Archive Media

This function is not available in the freeware version

Please use the program VersionBackup Master

If you can write to the archive media directly
 (ZIP-Disks, USB Drives or MODs e.g.):

•	Open the dialog page >Archive Copy<.

•	Enter the Path of the archive drive in the line >Destination Path for the Archive Copy<. It is also possible to enter a subdirectory on the archive media.

•	If you want to archive all Source Paths, which you have configured, keep the setting >All Source Paths<.
If you want to archive only some of these paths, please change it to >Selected Source Paths Only<. Click the button >Select< to define, which Source Paths shall be archived.

•	If VersionBackup Master shall take care, that each backup will be archived only once, keep the setting >All days, which have not been marked as archived< and >Mark backups as archived<.
In special cases (tests e.g.), you can choose different settings.

•	Click the button >Start<
and confirm the following messages.

VersionBackup Master then writes a copy of the files to the archive media.

Please check the copy result and take care for a secure storage of the media.

If the function >Mark backups as archived< has been switched on, VersionBackup Master has put down, that these backups need dot be archived any more.

More details: >All days, which have not been marked as archived<


How to Create an Archive Media (indirect copy)
How to Create an Archive Media

This function is not available in the freeware version

Please use the program VersionBackup Master

If you cannot write to the archive media directly
 (CD-Rs or DVDs e.g.):

1.	Copy the files to a buffer directory

•	Open the dialog page >Archive Copy<.

•	If necessary: change the path of the buffer directory in the line >Destination Path for the Archive Copy<.

•	If you want to archive all Source Paths, which you have configured, keep the setting >All Source Paths<.
If you want to archive only some of these paths, please change it to >Selected Source Paths Only<. Click the button >Select< to define, which Source Paths shall be archived.

•	If VersionBackup Master shall take care, that each backup will be archived only once, keep the setting >All days, which have not been marked as archived< and >Mark backups as archived<.
In special cases (tests e.g.), you can choose different settings.

•	Click the button >Start<
and confirm the following messages.

VersionBackup Master then writes a copy of the files, which have to be archived, to the buffer directory.

If the function >Mark backups as archived< has been switched on, VersionBackup Master has put down, that these backups need dot be archived any more.

More details: >All days, which have not been marked as archived<

2.	Copy the content of the buffer directory to the external media

The content of the buffer directory must be copied to the external archive media.

To do this, please use the special software for the storage device.

Before that, if some of the data in the buffer directory shall not be copied to the archive, you can delete the date directories.

If your security requirements are extremely high or you have bad experiences with the quality of your storage media, you can transfer the complete buffer directory to two storage media. This way, you get a redundant data storage, even if the data on your hard disk will be deleted.

Please check the copy result and take care for a secure storage of the media.

3.	Delete the buffer directory

When the content of the buffer directory has been copied to the external media, the buffer directory can be deleted again.

The primary backups will not be affected by this deletion, because the buffer directory took only a copy of them.


Dialog for the Creation of External Archive Copies

Dialog Page: Archive Copy

Dialog for the Creation of External Archive Copies

This function is not available in the freeware version

Please use the program VersionBackup Master

This dialog page is used to create external archives.

You find general information about the archiving process in:

•	General Remarks Regarding the Archiving

•	How to Create an ArchiveMedia

Input Fields:

•	>All Source Paths<

•	>Selected Source Paths only<

•	>Select<

•	>All days, which have not been marked as archived<

•	>All days<

•	>Mark backups as archived<

•	>Destination Path for the Archive Copy<

•	>Browse<

•	>Start<


Dialog Page >Archive Copy<, Input Line >Destination Path for the Archive Copy<

Dialog Page: Archive Copy

Input Line >Destination Path for the Archive Copy<

This function is not available in the freeware version

Please use the program VersionBackup Master

During the archiving process, VersionBackup copies the data to the data path defined in this input line.

If it is possible to write directly to the archive media (on ZIP-Disks, USB drives or MODs e.g.), please enter the drive character (> F:\ < e.g.), maybe together with a subdirectory path on the archive media.

If it is not possible to write directly to the archive media (on CD-Rs or DVDs e.g.), please enter a directory path on the hard disk of your computer, which can be used as a temporary buffer directory. Later you can create the external media from the content of this buffer directory. After that, the buffer directory can be deleted again.

See also: How to Create an Archive Media


Dialog Page >Archive Copy<, Button >Browse<

Dialog Page: Archive Copy

Button >Browse<

This function is not available in the freeware version

Please use the program VersionBackup Master

Press this button, if you do not want to enter the path for the archiving destination manually, but choose it from the existing directory structure.

The Path Browser will open, which shows the currently existing directories.


Dialog Page >Archive Copy<, Selection Field >All Source Paths<

Dialog Page: Archive Copy

Selection Field >All Source Paths<

This function is not available in the freeware version

Please use the program VersionBackup Master

The archiving procedure will include either all Source Paths or only some Paths, which can be selected.

If you select this option, all Source Paths will be archived, no matter whether they are defined at present or have been defined in the past.

If you want to archive only some Source Paths, please select the option >Selected Source Paths only<.

See also: How to Create an Archive Media


Dialog Page >Archive Copy<, Selection Field >Selected Source Paths only<

Dialog Page: Archive Copy

Selection Field >Selected Source Paths only<

This function is not available in the freeware version

Please use the program VersionBackup Master

The archiving procedure will include either all Source Paths or only some Paths, which can be selected.

If you select this option, only those Source Paths will be archived, which are selected by you. Please press the button >Select< to perform the selection.

If you want to archive all Source Paths, please select the option >All Source Paths<.

See also: How to Create an Archive Media


Dialog Page >Archive Copy<, Selection Field >Select<

Dialog Page: Archive Copy

Button: >Select<

This function is not available in the freeware version

Please use the program VersionBackup Master

If you choose the option >Selected Source Paths only<, VersionBackup Master does not archive all Source Paths, but only those, which have been selected by you.

To perform the selection, please click this button >Select<.

The dialog >Source Path Selection< will open, where the Source Paths are displayed and where they can be selected..


Dialog Page >Archive Copy<, Selection Field >All days, which have not been marked as archived<

Dialog Page: Archive Copy

Selection Field >All days, which have not been marked as archived<

This function is not available in the freeware version

Please use the program VersionBackup Master

If you choose this option, only those backups will be archived, which not have been archived in the past.

This way, you can restrict the archiving to the new backups, which not have been archived yet.

The information, whether the archiving already has been done, is stored in the archive flag of the date directory. When a backup is created, this flag is set.

When VersionBackup Master does the archiving, the archive flag for the backup is reset. But this is done only if the option >Mark backups as archived< is set.

If you want to check or manipulate this mechanism, you can access the archive flag of the date directory directly with the Windows Explorer.

If you want to archive all primary versions, please select the option >All days<.

See also: How to Create an Archive Media


Dialog Page >Archive Copy<, Selection Field >All days<

Dialog Page: Archive Copy

Selection Field >All days<

This function is not available in the freeware version

Please use the program VersionBackup Master

If you choose this option, all primary day versions will be archived, even if they have been archived already in the past.

So you can perform an archiving procedure including the complete set of backups, not only including the new, not yet archives versions.

If you alternatively want to archive only those versions, which not have been archived in the past, please choose the option >All days, which not have been marked as archived<.

See also: How to Create an Archive Media


Dialog Page >Archive Copy<, Selection Field >Mark backups as archived<

Dialog Page: Archive Copy

Selection Field >Mark backups as archived<

This function is not available in the freeware version

Please use the program VersionBackup Master

If this option is active, the backup versions will be marked as archived, when the archiving procedure has run.

If you later start the archiving with the option >All days, which not have been marked as archived<, these backups will not be archived once more.

If you only want to test the archiving function, it is better to de-activate this setting.

The information, whether the archiving already has been done, is stored in the archive flag of the date directory. When a backup is created, this flag is set.

When VersionBackup does the archiving and if this option is set, the archive flag for the backup is reset.

If you want to check or manipulate this mechanism, you can access the archive flag of the date directory directly with the Windows Explorer.

See also: How to Create an Archive Media


Dialog Page >Archive Copy<, Selection Field >Start<

Dialog Page: Archive Copy

Button >Start<

This function is not available in the freeware version

Please use the program VersionBackup Master

If you click this button, the archiving procedure is started, according to the settings on this dialog page.

See also: How to Create an Archive Media


Dialog Page >Source Path Selection<

Dialog Page: Archive Copy

Dialog: Source Path Selection for the archiving function.

This function is not available in the freeware version

Please use the program VersionBackup Master

In this dialog, you can select the Source Paths, which shall be archived.

The list shows both the currently configured Source Paths and the Paths, which have been configured in the past, if there are still backups for them stored.

You can select one or several Paths. The selection and de-selection is done my mouse click.

Buttons:

•	>Select all <	All Source Paths will be selected.

•	>Clear all < 	All selections will be reset.

•	>Help<                  	This help text is displayed.

•	>Cancel<    	Close the dialog. The user input in the dialog will be ignored.

•	>OK<                    	Close the dialog. The changes will be stored.


Dialog Page >Backup-Browser< - Start the Backup-Browser
Dialog Page: Backup-Browser

Dialog page to start the Backup-Browser

From this dialog page, you will reach the function to find the backup versions of your files in your backup stock. From this, you can restore the backups to their original position or any other file path.

Input Fields:

•	Selection Field >When starting the Backup-Browser, scan the hard disk for existing backups <

Usually this option is selected. Then, the Backup-Browser displays all the backups, which are stored on the primary disk.

You can extend the display to the backups, stored on additional archive media, if you click the button >Scan< in the Backup-Browser.

This function only is available in VersionBackup Master

•	Selection Field >Do not scan the hard disk for existing backups<

You can choose this start variant, if you do not want see the primary backups in the Backup-Browser. Then only those backups will be displayed, which have been explicitly scanned with the button >Scan<.

So, only the externally stored backups will be displayed and used for the recovery.

•	Button >Start<

Click the button >Start< to open the Backup-Browser window. It will display the stored backup versions.

In this window, you can select data paths, file names and version. Then you can recover the files to the desired location.

Continue with the description of the Backup-Browser


Backup-Browser

The Backup-Browser displays all the file versions in your backup stock.

The backups are sorted to their Source Path, Subdirectory of the Source Path, file names and versions (change date).

In contrast to the Windows Explorer, you will not only see the structure:

Path - File,

but the structure:

Path - File - Version.

This means, that you cannot only chose the files (at a given date) but also the date of the files.

If you click the button >Recover<, VersionBackup will recover the selected file with the selected day version to any desired location on the disk system.

After the first start of the window, the paths, file names and versions of the primary backups will be displayed. If you then scan an external archive media (button >Scan<), also the paths, file names and versions are displayed, which are stored on that media.

Elements of the window:

•	>Original Path<  	Display of the selected path

•	>Directory<	Source Paths and subdirectories

•	>Name<	File names

•	>Date<        	            	Last Change date of the stored file versions

•	>Help<	Display of this information text

•	>Scan<       	Read the version information from external archive media

•	>Recover<	Recover the selected files with the selected version

•	>Close<	Close this window


Backup-Browser, Line >Path<

Backup-Browser

Output Line: Original Path

This output field shows the path, which is currently selected in the list >Directory<.

The path consists of the Source Path and possibly a subdirectory path.

This is the path, where the original files have been located, before having been copied by VersionBackup.

In the list >Name< the files are displayed, which are present in this path.


Backup-Browser, List >Directory<

Backup-Browser

List: Directory

This list is used for the display and selection of the directories, from where backups are stored.

This is the path, where the original files have been located, before having been copied by VersionBackup.

It is the original path, where the files have been located, before having been copied by VersionBackup.

After the first start of the window, only those paths will be displayed, which are stored on the primary storage disk. If you then scan an external archive media (button >Scan<), also the paths are displayed, which are stored on that media.

The paths, which are marked with the symbol [image] are the Source Paths, which are or had been configured in the >List of the Source Paths<.

The paths, which are marked with the symbol [image] are subdirectories to the Source Paths.

You can open and select the paths with the mouse or with the cursor keys.

The selected path name is displayed in the line >Original Path<.

In the list >Name<, all files are displayed, which have been present in the selected path, when a backup copy run has been done.


Backup-Browser, List >Name<

Backup-Browser

List: Name

This list is used for the display and selection of the files in the directory, which is selected in the list >Directory<.

After the first start of the window, only the names of those files will be displayed, which are stored on the primary storage disk. If you then scan an external archive media (button >Scan<), also the names of the files are displayed, which are stored on that media.

The objects, which are marked with the symbol [image] are subdirectories in the selected path. They can be opened with a double click or with the return key.

The objects, which are marked with the symbol [image] are files.

Files and subdirectories can be selected. This is done either with a mouse click or with the cursor keys when the shift key is pressed. By dragging with the mouse or by clicking with pressed shift or control key, you can select several objects.

If no object is selected, then the whole list content is taken as selected. This can be achieved by a click with the right mouse button.

In the list >Date<, all the versions are displayed, which are present to the selected objects.

If one of these versions is selected, you can recover the files by clicking the button >Recover<.


Backup-Browser, List >Date<

Backup-Browser

List: Date

This list is used for the display and selection of the versions of the files, which are selected in the list >Name<.

After the first start of the window, only those versions will be displayed, which are stored on the primary storage disk. If you then scan an external archive media (button >Scan<), also the versions are displayed, which are stored on that media.

One of these versions can be selected with a mouse click. Alternatively, you can move the selection with the cursor keys.

You can recover the selected file version by clicking the button >Recover<.


Backup-Browser, Button >Scan<

Backup-Browser

Button: Scan

This function is not available in the freeware version

Please use the program VersionBackup Master

When VersionBackup starts, all backups will be scanned, which are stored on the primary storage disk. When the Backup-Browser is displayed for the first time, these primary backups are displayed in the lists.

If you have backups archived on external media, you can additionally scan these media by clicking this button.

Then the external media will be examined, which backups, created by VersionBackup Master, are stored there. The results will be added to the Backup-Browser lists.

After clicking the Scan button, the dialog >Scan External Media< opens,  where you perform the required settings for the scanning.


Backup-Browser, Button >Recover<

Backup-Browser

Button: Recover

By clicking this button, you start the recovery function.

It copies the saved files back to their original location or any other location on the disk system.

For the recovery, it is necessary to select a version date in the list >Date<. Then from the selected files or paths, the version of the selected day will be recovered.

After clicking the Recover button, the dialog >Recovery< opens, where you can perform the further actions for the file recovery.


Backup-Browser

Button: Close

This button closes the Backup-Browser.

After this, you can continue your work on the dialog pages of the VersionBackup software.


Dialog >Scan External Media<

Dialog: >Scan External Media<

This function is not available in the freeware version

Please use the program VersionBackup Master

This dialog is used to enter the settings to scan an external media.

An external media (a CD, which has been used for arching backup files e.g.) can be scanned to make the information available, which file versions are stored there. Then these versions will be shown in the Backup-Browser together with the other ones. They can be used for the file recovery.

Input Fields:

•	>Path<

•	>Browse<

•	>Name<

•	>Help<

•	>OK<

•	>Cancel<

If you want to scan several media, please click the button >recover< (in the Backup-Browser) again.

It is recommended to scan the newest media first and then each next older media.

If a file version is stored on several media, VersionBackup Master will load it for the recovery from the media, which has been scanned last.


Dialog >Scan External Media<, Input Line >Path<

Dialog: >Scan External Media<

Input Line >Path<

This function only is available in VersionBackup Master

Please enter the file path here, where the backups can be found on the external media.

The button >Browse< opens the Path Browser, which lets you select the path from the existing directory structure. The Path Browser will show only those directories containing backup files created by VersionBackup Master.

In the Path Browser, please select the directory with the archived backups you want to scan.


Dialog >Scan External Media<, Button >Browse<

Dialog: >Scan External Media<

Button >Browse<

This function only is available in VersionBackup Master

Click this button, if you do not want to enter the path of the archived backups manually.

The Path Browser  will open, which lets you select the path from the existing directory structure.


Dialog >Scan External Media<, Input Line >Name<

Dialog: >Scan External Media<

Input Line >Name<

This function only is available in VersionBackup Master

If you scan several media, VersionBackup Master might ask you to insert one of them for copying files, which are stored on the media. Therefore it is necessary do have a name for each media to distinguish them.

Please enter a name for the media, which you are about to scan. It can be any unique term (number, date, e.g.), so you can identify this media later.

If you will scan only one media, it is not necessary to enter a name.


Dialog >Scan External Media<, Button >OK<

Dialog: >Scan External Media<

Button >OK<

This function only is available in VersionBackup Master

This button starts the scan.

The external media will be investigated, which backup versions, created by VersionBackup Master, it contains.

The result will be added to the Backup-Browser lists.


Dialog: >Scan External Media<

Button >Cancel<

This function only is available in VersionBackup Master

This button aborts the current action.

The dialog will be closed without any changes.


Dialog >Recovery<

Dialog: Recovery

The path and the version date of the files, which have to be recovered, have been selected. Now, the other parameters for the file recovery can be set.

The most important input is the >Destination directory for the recovery<. You can select the Original Path. This is the directory, from where the files have been copied in the backup copy run. But you also can enter any other path.

Caution:
If you copy the backup files back to the Original Path, the newer files, which are stored there now, will be overwritten by the older backup versions if you confirm this. If you are not sure, whether these new files may be overwritten, please enter a path as destination directory, which is empty or does not yet exist.

When you click the >OK<-button, the recovery copy will be done.

Elements of the dialog:

Destination directory for the recovery:

•	Original Path

•	Different Path

•	Input Line Different Path

•	Browse

•	Overwrite existing files without any confirmation request

•	Overwrite also write protected files

•	Clear write protection for the recovered files

Logging:

•	Log recovery errors

•	Settings

Lists, displayed only if required:

•	List of files, which have been created later than the selected date

•	List of files, which did no longer exist at the selected date

•	Help

•	OK

•	Cancel

Back to the Backup-Browser


Dialog >Recovery<, Selection Field >Original Path<

Dialog: Recovery

Selection Field >Original Path<

If you choose this option, the recovery procedure will copy the files back to the location, from where they originally have been copied in the backup copy run.

Caution:
If you recover the files to the Original Path, the newer files, which are stored there now, will be overwritten by the older backup versions if you confirm this. If you are not sure, whether these new files may be overwritten, please enter a path as destination directory, which is empty or does not yet exist.


Dialog >Recovery<, Selection Field >Different Path<

Dialog: Recovery

Selection Field >Different Path<

If you choose this option, the recovery procedure will copy the files to the location, which is specified in the Input Line.

Caution:
If the directory you have specified is not empty, the newer files, which are stored there, will be overwritten by the older backup versions if you confirm this. If you are not sure, whether these new files may be overwritten, please enter a path as destination directory, which is empty or does not yet exist.


Dialog >Recovery<, Input Line >Different Path<

Dialog: Recovery

Input Line >Different Path <

The recovery procedure will copy the files to this path.

Files, which originally were located in the path, which has been selected in the left list in the Backup-Browser, will be copied into the directory, specified in this line. Files, which have been located in a subdirectory, will be copied to a corresponding subdirectory of this path.

If you want to change this destination directory, you either can enter it directly into this line. Alternatively, you can select it from the directory structure by clicking the button >Browse< on the right side.

Caution:
If the directory you have specified is not empty, the newer files, which are stored there, will be overwritten by the older backup versions if you confirm this. If you are not sure, whether these new files may be overwritten, please enter a path as destination directory, which is empty or does not yet exist.


Dialog > Recovery <, Button >Browse<

Dialog: Recovery

Button >Browse<

Click this button, if you do not want to enter the destination path manually, but select it from the existing directory structure.

The Path Browser will open, which lets you select the path from the existing directory structure.


Dialog > Recovery <, Selection Field >Overwrite existing files without any confirmation request<

Dialog: Recovery

Selection Field >Overwrite existing files without any confirmation request<

If this selection field is active, the existing files in the recovery destination path will be overwritten by files with same name and type without a question.

Caution:
The existing files usually are newer than the backup files. Therefore, the overwriting could result in a loss of data. You should allow the overwriting only if you are sure, that you do not need the existing file versions any more.

If this selection field is not activated, VersionBackup will ask you, if there is a file with same path, name and type, whether it may be overwritten.


Dialog > Recovery <, Selection Field >Overwrite also write protected files<

Dialog: Recovery

Selection Field >Overwrite also write protected files<

With this setting you can generally allow, that even write protected files can be overwritten during the recovery.

If this selection field is not activated, VersionBackup will ask you, if there is a write protected file with same path, name and type, whether it may be overwritten.


Dialog > Recovery <, Selection Field >Clear write protection for the recovered files<

Dialog: Recovery

Selection Field >Clear write protection for the recovered files<

If you choose the option >Write protect the backup files< on the dialog page >General Settings<, VersionBackup has set the write protection flag for all backup files.

If you recover the files, it can be advantageous, if the general write protection will be removed again.

To do this, please select this field. Then none of the recovered files will be write protected. The write protection of the files in the backup stock will remain.

If the compression function is switched off, the write protection will not be set for the backup files. Therefore, it is not necessary to activate this field to remove the write protection.

Please do not activate this feature, if you did not write protect all backup files and if it is important for you, that some of the files are write protected and some others are not. Only then, the information, which files may be written will be kept.


Dialog > Recovery <, Selection Field >Log recovery errors<
Dialog: Recovery

Selection Field >Log recovery errors<

If this option is active, the recovery activities will be logged in a logfile.

You can configure the logging settings by clicking the >Settings< button.


Button >Settings< for the logging of the recovery

Dialog: Recovery

Button >Settings<

This button opens a dialog to configure the logging of the recovery activities.

See: Dialog >Log Settings<


Dialog >Recovery<, List of files, which have been created later than the selected date

Dialog: Recovery

List of files, which have been created later than the selected date

This list will be displayed only if there are files, which match this condition described below.

If you selected many files or a complete directory, it is possible, that some of the files did not yet exist at the version date, which you have chosen.

These files only exist with newer versions. But as you require a recovery of a state, when these files were not present, they will not be copied.

The concerning files are registered in the list.

If previously a corresponding dialog box has been displayed, the reason for this can also be that there is no Full Backup available, which is at least as old as the chosen recovery date.


Dialog > Recovery <, List of files, which did no longer exist at the selected date
Dialog: Recovery

List of files, which did no longer exist at the selected date

This list will be displayed only if there are files, which match this condition described below.

If you selected many files or a complete directory, it is possible, that some of the files did no longer exist at the version date, which you have chosen.

These files only exist with older versions. But as you require a recovery of a state, when these files were not present, they will not be copied.

The concerning files are registered in the list.


Dialog: Recovery

Button >OK<

This button starts the recovery of the files.

The specified file versions will be copied into the recovery destination path and corresponding subdirectories.


Dialog: Recovery

Button >Cancel<

This button aborts the recovery function.

The Dialog will be closed without any change. You can continue your work with the Backup-Browser.


Dialog >Log Settings< for the recovery

Dialog: Log Settings

Here you configure the contents of the recovery log file.

Input fields:

•	>File<

•	>Extended Logging<

•	>Limit log file size to..<

Return to the dialog: Recovery


Dialog >Log Settings< (recovery), Input Line >File<

Dialog: Log Settings

Input Line >File<

This line contains the directory path and name of the file, where the recovery activities will be logged.


Dialog >Log Settings< (recovery), Selection field >Extended Logging<

Dialog: Log Settings

Selection Filed >Extended Logging<

If this filed is not selected, mainly the successful recovery operations will be noted in the log file. You get the following information:

•	which files have been copied

•	which date directory has been the source of the copy

•	from which media came the copy

•	which files could not be copied

If the filed >Extended Logging< is selected, additionally the following information is logged:

•	all available versions of the files, which shall be recovered

•	recoverable errors, if a version was not present or readable and if an alternative copy could be taken

•	which files were not copied, because it was not allowed to overwrite the existing file

Please note, that the extended logging produces a log file, which is significantly bigger than without extended logging. Please set the value >Limit log file size to..<) to a value, which is high enough..


Dialog >Log Settings< (recovery), Input field >Limit log file size to..<
Dialog: Log Settings

Input Field >Limit log file size to..<

To prevent the log file from getting unreasonably big, its size will be limited.

After each recovery process, the top of the file will be removed, until the file size is no more bigger than the configured size.


Message: >.. Full Backup is missing..<
Message:

>The Full Backup for the selected date is missing in the already performed scans. Therefore, some of the files possibly can not be restored.

Do you want to change the recovery parameters or scan additional external media before running the recovery procedure to find a Full Backup?<

If the available backups do not include a Full Backup, which is older or from the same date, you have chosen for the version to be recovered, the recovery process has a problem:

You chose to recover several files or a complete directory. But some of these files are not included in the stored Incremental Backups, because they were not changed, when the backups have been created. A Full Backup would have been necessary to copy them.

(For details see >General Remarks Regarding Full Backups<.)

However, the required Full Backup currently is not available for the recovery. This can have one of these reasons:

•	The Source Path was newly configured. At the first copy run, no Full Backup has been done.

•	You currently are working only with backups, which are stored on your primary disk. But the required Full Backup already has been archived and deleted on the primary media.

•	You scanned only the archive media with the Incremental Backups. You did not yet scan the media with the Full Backup.

Without access to the Full Backup, there are no file versions present, which fit to the required date. Therefore, these files cannot be recovered.

If you choose >No<, the next displayed dialog will show a list of those files.

Now you could do one of this:

•	You interrupt the recovery (Click >Yes<), scan additional external media and click the >Recover< button again.

This function only is available in VersionBackup Master

•	You interrupt the recovery (Click >Yes<), change the desired file or date settings in the Backup-Browser and click the >Recover< button again.

•	You do without the missing files and continue the recovery (Click >No<).
Next the >Recovery< dialog will be shown. It displays a list of files, which could not be restored.
But from the present data, VersionBackup it is not able to determine, whether the files really did exist at the desired date. It also is possible, that they have been created on a later date.


Error List >Recovery<

During the Recovery Copy, file related error occurred.

One or several files could not be recovered, because

a)	they have not been found among the backup copies or they have not been readable
or

b)	the destination files could not been written.

These files are listed in the display.

You can get further information about the failed copy processes from the log file. Therefore it is recommended to switch the >Extended Logging< on.

Case a): Backup not present or not readable

VersionBackup has searched for readable files with the requested version date in all available date directories, but without success.

Errors like this should not occur in a correctly working, undisturbed file system.

There may be the following reasons for this error:

•	The files in the date directories have been deleted, moved or renamed manually or by a different program.

•	The directory structure, created by VersionBackup (Destination Paths, date directories with their subdirectories or ZIP files) has been changed manually or by a different program.

•	One of the Control Files >VersionBackup.txt< has been modified, so VersionBackup is looking for file version, which did never exist.

•	The storage drive is temporarily inaccessible. Therefore, existing files are reported as not existing.

•	The storage media is (partly) not yet readable.

See also: >The Data Structures Created by VersionBackup<.

You can do the following:

•	If you have an archive media, where the missing files could be stored, scan it and repeat the recovery.

•	If the access to the storage media might be unstable, please repeat the recovery operation for the first step with the same parameters. Maybe it will improve the situation, if you boot your system before this.

•	Try to find the missing files in the date directories or ZIP files manually. This should be possible, if the reason for the problem is a changed directory structure.

•	If the data carrier is defect, you should try to recover the content of the date directories with special data saving methods.

Case b): Destination file could not be written

The backup version of the file, which should be restored, was present and readable. But it was not possible to write a copy of it to the intended location.

There may be the following reasons for this error:

•	The directory, where the file should be written, could not be created.

•	In the directory, where the file should be written, a file with that name and type already exists. But it was not possible to overwrite it, either because the user did not have the privileges to do this or because the file currently is in use by another process.

•	The destination data carrier is full.

•	The access to the destination data carrier is unstable. So some files cannot be written.

You can do the following:

•	Repeat the recovery later with the same conditions.

•	Re-boot the system before a new recovery attempt.

•	Delete the destination directory before a new recovery attempt.

•	Configure a different destination path for the recovery (maybe on a different storage drive).


Dialog Page >Source Path/Dest Path<

Dialog Page: Source Path / Dest Path

Input Dialog for the Source Path and Destination Path

This dialog page is used to

•	enter a Source Path for the files, which have to be saved,

•	enter the corresponding Destination Path, to which location the backups from this Source Path shall be copied.

You can switch to the other configuration dialogs for this Source Path by clicking on the blue bar on the left side.

When you finished your input for this Source Path, please click the button >OK<. This will store your changes.

If you click >Cancel<, your input will be discarded.

Input fields:

•	>Source Path for the files to be saved<

•	>Browse<    for the Source Path

•	>Destination Path for the files to be saved<

•	>Browse< 	for the Destination Path

•	>Help<

•	>Cancel<

•	>OK<


Dialog Page >Source Path/Dest Path<, Source Path for the files to be saved

Dialog Page: Source Path / Dest Path

Source Path for the files to be saved

This input line takes the directory path, where the files to be saved are located.

It is not reasonable, to configure the whole disk as one unit to be saved by VersionBackup. It is much better to enter the directories as different Source Paths, where the files you have worked on are stored. This operation mode makes it easier for you to find a single file in the huge backup stock.

The Source Path has to be entered completely. This means, it has to start with a drive character with : and \ (>C:\< i.e.). Then usually the path to the desired subdirectory is appended.

You either can enter the Source Path directly into the input field, or you can select it from the directory structure by clicking the >Browse< button.

Usually also the subdirectories of the Source Path will be saved.

If you intend to exclude some subdirectories or special files from the backup, please enter them on the dialog page >Exclude<.


Dialog Page >Source Path/Dest Path<, Button > Browse< for the Source Path

Dialog Page: Source Path / Dest Path

Button >Browse< for the Source Path

Click this button, if you do not want to enter the Source Path manually, but select it from the directory structure.

The Path Browser will open, which lets you select the path from the existing directory structure.


Dialog >Select Directory <

Path Browser

With the Path Browser, you can select a path from the existing directory structure.

At first, you should choose the drive character from the field >Drives< at the bottom.

Then the directory tree is displayed in the list field in the middle part of the dialog.

You can open and close the directories with a mouse click.

Directories containing a subdirectory are marked with a plus character in the directory symbol.

The mouse click furthermore transfers the path into the field >Directory name< above.

The string in the field >Directory name< is the result of your selection.

If you want to, you can key in the desired name directly into this field. This is necessary, if you want no enter a non-existing path.

The button >OK< takes over the content of the field >Directory name<.


Dialog Page >Source Path/Dest Path<, Destination Path for the files to be saved

Dialog Page: Source Path / Dest Path

Destination Path for the files to be saved

This input line takes the directory path, where the backup files shall be stored.

Here automatically a path will be inserted, which is constructed from the Source Path. If it is necessary, you can modify this path according to your requirements.

The Destination Path has to be entered completely. This means, it has to start with a drive character with : and \ (>C:\< i.e.). Then usually the path to the desired subdirectory is appended.

You either can enter the Destination Path directly into the input field, or you can select it from the directory structure by clicking the >Browse< button.

If you have permanent access to a central data server, it is recommended to enter this server as Destination Path. Then you have the ideal situation, that each backup automatically will be stored on a separate system.


Dialog Page >Source Path/Dest Path<, Button >Browse< for the Destination Path

Dialog Page: Source Path / Dest Path

Button >Browse< for the Destination Path

Click this button, if you do not want to enter the Destination Path manually, but select it from the directory structure.

The Path Browser will open, which lets you select the path from the existing directory structure.


Button >Help<

The >Help< button starts this help system.

Each dialog page has its own help information page. There the elements of the dialog are explained in detail.

Furthermore, in the topics Short Tips and Overview you find general descriptions, how you can work with VersionBackup efficiently.

You can start the help system either clicking the >Help< button or the key >F1<.

See a list of the topics in the Main Index.


Button >Cancel<

This button aborts the current operation.

The dialog will be closed, without taking over the input, which has been done in the dialog.


Button >OK<

This button terminates the current action.

The dialog will be closed. The changes, which you have done there, will be taken over.


Dialog Page >Exclude<
Dialog Page: Exclude

Detailed Configuration, which Directories and Files Are to Save

On the dialog page >Source Path/Dest Path<, you entered the name and path of the files, which shall be saved. If the option >Also save the subdirectories of the Source Path< in the dialog >General Settings< is set, VersionBackup will save also the subdirectories of this Source Path.

To prevent the volume of backup file from becoming too large, it can be reasonable however, to exclude special subdirectories or files from the backup.

To do this, please enter the identifier of these directories or files into the >Exclusion List<.

Sometimes it is useful to exclude a subdirectory. But one file from this directory shall be saved. Or all files with a certain type (*.bak i.e.) shall be excluded, but one or a little number of special files with this type shall be saved.

The second list on the dialog page (>Force List<) makes this possible. Directories or files, which are entered here, will be saved even if they match a condition in the Exclusion List.

Input fields:

Exclusion List:

•	>List Field<

•	>New<

•	>Edit<

•	>Delete<

Force List

•	>List Field<

•	>New<

•	>Edit<

•	>Delete<

•	>Help<

•	>Cancel<

•	>OK<


Dialog Page >Exclude<, Exclusion List
Dialog Page: Exclude

List Field >Exclusion List<

Subdirectories or files, which not shall be saved

The Exclusion List contains all exclusion paths and exclusion file identifiers (file names, maybe with wildcard character *), which are defined for this Source Path.

See also:	Syntax for the Exclusion List and the Force List

         and  	Examples for Exclusion and Force Entries

Files corresponding to one of these entries will not be copied into the backup area.

Exception: if the file or directory is listed in the >Force List<. Such files will be saved in spite of matching the exclusion conditions.

If you selected a line in the list, the buttons >Edit< and >Delete< below the list are active. You can change or remove the list entry with these buttons.

If you want to create a new entry in the list, please click the button >New<.

Position of the new entry in the list:
If a line is selected, the position of the new entry will be before the selected line. If no line is selected, the position is at the end of the list.


Syntax for the Exclusion List and the Force List

The entries in the Exclusion List or Force List must be valid file paths according to the DOS Syntax.

The character * is allowed. It is a wildcard for any number of any characters.

Examples:

C:\Data\2003-10-12\* 	All files in the directory C:\Data\2003-10-12

*\Data\*                       	All files, whose path contains a directory >Data<

*\Data*                     	All files, whose path contains a directory with a name beginning with >Data<. And all files with a name beginning with >Data<

*\Picture27.jpg                 	The file >Picture27.jpg< in any directory

*\Picture*.jpg                   	All files, which have a name beginning with >Picture< and the type >jpg< in any directory

*\Balance.*        	All Files with name >Balance< with any type in any directory

*.bak                              	All files with type >bak< in any directory

*\S*\Data\*	All files in directories with >Data< in their path, which are the subdirectory of a directory beginning with >S<.

You can construct the desired path term with any number of asterisks.

But please note, that the term

Picture27.jpg

(without an asterisk at the beginning) will lead to nothing, because any existing path begins with a drive term (>C:\< i.e.). If you do not want to name the path, you have to type *\Picture27.jpg.

You also can use the >Path Term Wizard<, if you want to be assisted. But note that this wizard is not able to construct any possible path definition.

See also:	Examples for Exclusion and Force Entries


Examples for Exclusion and Force Entries

Here some examples are listed, how special descriptions for the selection of files can be defined.

Example 1:

Do not save the files with type .BAK , but save the files MAIN.BAK and CONFIG.BAK.

This is achieved by the input:

Exclusion term: 	*.BAK

Force term: 	MAIN.BAK

                            	CONFIG.BAK

Example 2:

In the subdirectory C:\Data\Pictures, save only the files with type .AFB

This is achieved by the input:

Exclusion term: 	C:\Data\Pictures

Force term: 	*.AFB

Example 3:

Do not save the files with type .KBT.  But save the files in the subdirectory TRANS, even if their type is .KBT.

This is achieved by the input:

Exclusion term: 	*.KBT

Force term: 	*\TRANS\*

Example 4:

You are using a program, which shifts the existing files down to the next lower BAK directory at any file storage process (Editor FLUX i.e.).

You want to have the first BAK level saved, but not the lower levels.

This is achieved by the input:

Exclusion term: 	*\BAK\BAK\*


Dialog Page: Exclude

Button >New< (Exclusion List)

Opens the dialog >Path Input<, where you can enter an additional Exclusion Path.


Dialog >Path Input<
Dialog Page: Exclude

Dialog: >Path Input<

Please enter a path term for the files, which shall be excluded from the backup resp., which shall be saved in spite of matching an exclusion condition

There are several formats possible, either complete file paths (with drive character) or parts of it with an asterisk as wildcard character.

By clicking the button >Wizard<, you can start the >Path Term Wizard<, which helps you entering the path term.


Dialog Page >Exclude<, Button >Edit<

Dialog Page: Exclude

Button >Edit< (Exclusion List)

Opens the dialog >Path Input<, where you can change the path, which is selected in the Exclusion List.


Dialog Page: Exclude

Button >Delete< (Exclusion List)

Removes (after a confirmation request) the Exclusion Path, which is selected in the Exclusion List.


Dialog Page >Exclude<, Force List
Dialog Page: Exclude

List Field >Force List<

Files, which shall be saved regardless of the entries in the Exclusion List

This list is used, if you want to save only some special files from a subdirectory. On the other hand, if you want to save only some special files from the group of files with a certain substring in their name or type.

In such a case, please enter the exclusion term into the Exclusion List. Moreover, enter the term of the files, which shall be saved in spite of this, into the Force List.

See also:	Syntax for the Exclusion List and the Force List

         and  	Examples for Exclusion and Force Entries

If you selected a line in the list, the buttons >Edit< and >Delete< below the list are active. You can change or remove the list entry with these buttons.

If you want to create a new entry in the list, please click the button >New<.

Position of the new entry in the list:
If a line is selected, the position of the new entry will be before the selected line. If no line is selected, the position is at the end of the list.


Dialog Page >Exclude<, Button >New<
Dialog Page: Exclude

Button >New< (Force List)

Opens the dialog >Path Input<, where you can enter an additional Force Path.


Dialog Page >Exclude<, Button >Edit<
Dialog Page: Exclude

Button >Edit< (Force List)

Opens the dialog >Path Input<, where you can change the path, which is selected in the Force List.


Dialog Page >Exclude<, Button >Delete<
Dialog Page: Exclude

Button >Delete< (Force List)

Removes (after a confirmation request) the Force Path, which is selected in the Force List.


Dialog Page >General Settings<
Dialog Page: General Settings

Configuration of General Source Path Parameters

Here you can define the general parameters for the backup saving of this Source Path.

Please note, that different Source Paths have different sets of parameters. The settings you enter here are valid only for one Source Path. This Source Path is displayed on the top of the dialog.

You can transfer these settings to all other Source Paths. This is done by clicking the button >Transfer these settings to all Source Paths<.

Input fields:

•	>Active (Files in this Source Path will be saved)<

•	>Save the Source Path without subdirectories<

•	>Also save the subdirectories of the Source Path<

•	>Compress the backup files<

•	>Write protect the backup files<

•	>When the backup is done, reset the Archive Flag of the original files<

•	>Save existing files, when this Source Path is processed for the first time<

•	>Log copy errors<

•	>Settings<

•	>Transfer these settings to all Source Paths <

•	>Help<

•	>Cancel<

•	>OK<


Dialog Page >General Settings<, Selection Field >Active<
Dialog Page: General Settings

Selection Field >Active<

This selection field must be active, if the files from this Source Path shall be saved.

If you want to switch off the backup generation for this Source Path temporarily, you can de-activate the field. When it is de-activated, no change of the backup stock of this Source Path will be done.

In the List of the Source Paths, de-activated Source Paths are marked with the appendix >(not active)<.

When the Source Path is de-activated, there will be no automatic deletion of old backup data. If you want to delete these old files, you have to do this manually (see Manual Deletion of Backups. The alternative is described in: Automatic Backup Deletion Without Creation of New Backups).

Even when the Source Path is de-activated, the archiving and recovery of the Source Path data with the Backup-Browser will still work.


Dialog Page >General Settings<, Selection Field >Save the Source Path without subdirectories<
Dialog Page: General Settings

Selection Field >Save the Source Path without subdirectories<

If you choose this option, only those files will be saved, which are stored directly in the Source Path. The subdirectories will not be saved.

If you want to save also the subdirectories, please choose the alternative >Also save the subdirectories of the Source Path<.

If you want to save the subdirectories only in part, you should also select the field >Also save the subdirectories of the Source Path< and enter the directories or files, which shall not be saved, into the Exclusion List.


Dialog Page >General Settings<, Selection Field >Also save the subdirectories of the Source Path<
Dialog Page: General Settings

Selection Field >Also save the subdirectories of the Source Path<

If you choose this option, also the subdirectories of the Source Path will be saved.

If you do not want to save also the subdirectories, please choose the alternative >Save the Source Path without subdirectories<.

If you want to save the subdirectories only in part, you should also select this field and enter the directories or files, which shall not be saved, into the Exclusion List.


Dialog Page >General Settings<, Selection Field >Compress the backup files<
Dialog Page: General Settings

Selection Field >Compress the backup files<

This function is not available in the freeware version

Please use the program VersionBackup Master

If you choose this option, the backups will be compressed with the PKZIP-Method.

Each set of files, belonging to one Source Path and one date, will be collected within one or several ZIP-files

The Backup-Browser und the recovery procedure will extract the data out of the ZIP files. If the software WINZIP is available on your computer, you can work with the ZIP files also directly.

See also: >The Data Structures Created by VersionBackup<

Compressed backups will need significantly less storage space. However, the processing time for backup generation and recovery will increase.


Dialog Page >General Settings<, Selection Field >Write protect the backup files<
Dialog Page: General Settings

Selection Field >Write protect the backup files<

If you choose this option, the backup copies of the files in the Source Path will be write protected (the >Write Protect Flag< of the files will be switched on).

Then it usually will not be possible to change these files.

But note that the Write Protect Flag easily can be reset again. Therefore, this feature cannot provide a safe file protection.

The properties of the original files will not be affected.

If the backup copies are write protected, you get the following advantage:

As it is possible to access the backup copies, created by VersionBackup directly from different applications, the danger exists, that you unintentionally change a backup (instead of changing the work version). This is prevented (with some security), if the Write Protect Flag is set.

If you recover the files, VersionBackup offers the function to reset all Write Protect Flags again (see dialog: >Recovery<, field: >Clear write protection for the recovered files<).

Please do not activate this feature, if it is important for you, that some of the files are write protected and some others are not. Only then, the information, which files may be written will be kept.

If you selected the setting >Compress the backup files<, the backups in will be copied to one or several ZIP files. Therefore, there is no danger to overwrite them from any application. In a ZIP file, a special write protection is not provided. So this option cannot be used together with the file compression.


Dialog Page >General Settings<, Selection Field  When the backup is done, reset the Archive Flag of the original files<
Dialog Page: General Settings

Selection Field >When the backup is done, reset the Archive Flag of the original files<

For each file, the operating system stores different control information. One of these is the flag, whether a file still should be saved in a backup process (>Archive Flag<). Generally it is not defined, how this backup should be done (with which software on which media).

VersionBackup does not use this Archive Flag. It decides, which file should be copied, by interpreting the date/time information of the last writing moment.

Nevertheless, VersionBackup could reset the Archive Flag, when it has saved a file. This could be useful, if you additionally use other systems, which are interpreting the Archive Flag.

If you activate this option, VersionBackup resets the Archive Flag of each file, when it has saved the file. We recommend this setting. Different system then will be able to recognize, that a further backup is no more necessary.

If this option is de-activated, VersionBackup will not change the Archive Flag of the original files.


Dialog Page >General Settings<, Selection Field >Save existing files..<
Dialog Page: General Settings

Selection Field >Save existing files, when this Source Path is processed for the first time<

If a Source Path is newly configured and VersionBackup starts its first copy run with this Source Path, there are two alternatives to proceed:

Alternative 1:

All files in the Source Path (which do not match an Exclusion Condition) will be copied to the backup stock in the first copy run.

This is the ‘normal’ behavior of VersionBackup, because it recognizes, that currently there exists up-to-date no backup copy.

If you want this proceeding, please activate this field.

Alternative 2:

The files, which are found in the first copy run, will not be copied. VersionBackup will only save every change and addition after the first run.

This is reasonable, if the data volume is voluminous and if either the past has been saved with a different backup method or there are many old files in the Source Path, which not yet have to be saved.

But note: if you later perform a Full Backup, in any case all files in the Source Path will be copied.

If you want this proceeding, please de-activate this field.


Dialog Page: General Settings

Selection Field >Password Protection<

Not yet implemented.


Dialog Page: General Settings

Button >Password<

Not yet implemented.


Selection Field >Log copy errors<
Dialog Page: General Settings

Selection Field >Log copy errors<

If errors should occur while creating the backup copies, they will be logged to a file, if this option is switched on.

The settings about the logging can be done, if you click the >Settings< button.

Note: The error logging settings are the same for all Source Paths.


Button >Settings< for the recovery logging
Dialog Page: General Settings

Button >Settings<

This button opens the dialog to enter the settings for the logging of the backup creation errors.

See: Dialog Log Settings


Button >Transfer these settings to all Source Paths<

Each Source Path has its own set of parameters.

The settings you enter in the Source Path configuration pages are valid only for one Source Path. This Source Path is displayed on the top of the dialog.

You can transfer these settings to all other Source Paths by clicking this button.

Caution:	When the button is clicked, the settings will be transferred immediately (after a confirmation request). It will not be more possible to cancel this operation later by clicking the >Cancel< button.


Dialog >Log Settings< for the Error Logging

Dialog: Log Settings

Here you configure the contents of the file, where backup creation errors will be logged.

Input fields:

•	>File<

•	>Limit log file size to..<

Note: The error logging settings are the same for all Source Paths.

Return to the dialog: General Settings


Dialog > Log Settings < (Error Logging), Input Line >File<

Dialog: Log Settings

Input Line >File<

This line contains the directory path and name of the file, where the backup creation errors will be logged.


Dialog > Log Settings < (Error Logging), Input Filed  >Limit log file size to..<
Dialog: Log Settings

Input Field >Limit log file size to..<

To prevent the log file from getting unreasonably big, its size will be limited.

After each recovery process, the top of the file will be removed, until the file size is no more bigger than the configured size.


Dialog Page >Full Backups<

Dialog Page: Full Backups

Configuration, when a Full Backup shall be created

VersionBackup is able to create a Full Backup instead of an Incremental Backup after a pre-defined time (see also: General Remarks Regarding Full Backups).

On this dialog page the settings for the Full Backups will be done.

The Full Backup configuration is individual for each Source Path.

Input Fields:

•	>Perform regular Full Backups<

•	>Any x backup runs<

•	>Any xx days, beginning on xxxx-xx-xx<

•	>Next backup run as a Full Backup<

When it’s a turn of a Full Backup,

•	>do it now, only if at least one file has been changed. Else do it later<

•	>do it now, even if there is no changed file at all<

•	>Transfer these settings to all Source Paths <

•	>Help<

•	>Cancel<

•	>OK<


Dialog Page >Full Backups<, Selection Field >Perform regular Full Backups<
Dialog Page: Full Backups

Selection Field >Perform regular Full Backups<

If this filed is active, the mechanism to create Full Backups is switched on.

Then, after a configured number of backup runs or days, a Full Backup will be created instead of the Incremental Backup.

If this field is de-activated, Full Backups will not be generated automatically.

However, it is possible, to request a Full Backup manually. This is done with the field >Next backup run as a Full Backup <.

See also >General Remarks Regarding Full Backups<


Dialog Page >Full Backups<, Selection Field Selection Field >Any x backup runs<
Dialog Page: Full Backups

Selection Field >Any x backup runs<

If you choose this option, VersionBackup creates the next Full Backup after a certain number of backup runs.

This setting results in a different behavior, than the Full Backup after a number of calendar days, because there are days, when there is no backup run.

A backup run for a Source Path is only started, if at least one file in this Source Path has been changed. If the changes in a Source Path become more seldom, the duration between two Full Backups will increase.

However, if it is desired to have a fixed number of days between two Full Backups, please choose the alternative setting >Any xx days, beginning on xxxx-xx-xx<.

Independently from the automatic Full Backup Generation, it is possible to request a Full Backup with the field >Next backup run as a Full Backup<. If it is active, the next backup copy run will create a Full Backup for this Source Path.

See also >General Remarks Regarding Full Backups<


Dialog Page >Full Backups<, Selection Field >Any xx days, beginning on xxxx-xx-xx<
Dialog Page: Full Backups

Selection Field >Any xx days, beginning on xxxx-xx-xx<

If you choose this option, VersionBackup creates the next Full Backup after a certain number of calendar days.

But if it is desired to have a duration between two Full Backups, which depends on the frequency of changes in the Source Path, please choose the alternative setting >Any x backup runs<.

In the date field, the date of the next Full Backup can be set.

Please note: The Full Backup of one day will contain the state of the files at the end of the configured day. Therefore, the moment to create Full Backup will be in the morning of the following day.

Please note also the setting of the parameter >When it’s a turn of a Full Backup,

do it now, only if at least one file has been changed. Else do it later.

Only if this field is active, the Full Backup will be created in any case for that day. Else, the backup will not be created at that day, if none of the files file has been changed. It will be taken later, the next time when a file has been changed.

See also >General Remarks Regarding Full Backups<


Dialog Page >Full Backups<, Selection Field >Next Backup run as a Full Backup<
Dialog Page: Full Backups

Selection Field >Next Backup run as a Full Backup<

If you choose this option, the next Backup of this Source Path will be a Full Backup.

With this field, you can

•	request a Full Backup manually, eve if you do not choose the option >Perform regular Full Backups<,

•	influence the automatic Full Backup generation function.

In this context, please not also the option >When it’s a turn of a Full Backup, do it now, even if there is no changed file at all<.

Alternatively you can create a Full Backup for all Source Paths, if you

•	start the immediate backup creation (dialog page >Scheduling / Start<, button >Start<).

•	in the next appearing dialog, activate the box >All Source Paths as Full Backups<.

This way, you create a complete Full Backup from all paths, which are configured in VersionBackup.

See also >General Remarks Regarding Full Backups<


Dialog Page >Full Backups<, Selection Field >When it's a turn of a full backup, do it now, only if at least one file has been changed<
Dialog Page: Full Backups

Selection Field >When it’s a turn of a full backup, do it now, only if at least one file has been changed. Else do it later.<

To perform an incremental Backup, VersionBackup starts the backup copy run only if at least one file in the Source Path has been changed or has been added.

If this field is selected, this rule is valid also for Full Backups. Therefore, if the next copy run is scheduled as a Full Backup and there is no changed file, the copy run will not be done. It will be postponed until the next file change.

If you want to carry out the Full Backup run regardless of whether there are changed files, please select the option >When it’s a turn of a full backup, do it now, even if there is no changed file at all<.

See also >General Remarks Regarding Full Backups<


Dialog Page >Full Backups<, Selection Field >When it's a turn of a full backup, do it now, even if there is no changed file at all<
Dialog Page: Full Backups

Selection Field >When it’s a turn of a full backup, do it now, even if there is no changed file at all.<

To perform an incremental Backup, VersionBackup starts the backup copy run only if at least one file in the Source Path has been changed or has been added.

If this field is selected, this rule is not valid for Full Backups. If the next copy run is scheduled as a Full Backup, the copy run will be done, even if no file has been changed or added since the last copy run.

This gives the advantage, that the Full Backups will be created exactly on the scheduled day.

It is a disadvantage, that you might waste storage space, if there are no or almost no changes in the Source Path. Then several Full Backups will be created, which are identical or almost identical.

If you want to carry out the Full Backup run only if there are changes in the files, please select the option >When it’s a turn of a full backup, do it now, only if at least one file has been changed. Else do it later.<.

See also >General Remarks Regarding Full Backups<


Dialog Page >Delete<
Dialog Page: Delete

Configuration, when old backups shall be deleted on the primary storage disk

VersionBackup creates new backups every day. Apart from the Full Backups, only the changed files are copied. Therefore, the disk space requirements for this complete backup of your file development are relatively low.

But on the long term, it is recommended to delete the very old backups from the hard disk.

This can be done

•	manually, by deleting the old date directories in the Windows-Explorer,

•	automatically, if you use the automatic delete function of VersionBackup. This function can be configured on this dialog page.

In addition to the storing on the primary hard disk, we recommend to archive the backups externally. Then, of course, the backups may not be deleted before the archiving. This can be configured with the parameter >do not delete .. backups, which not have been archived<.

This function only is available in VersionBackup Master

See also: >Reasons to delete Backups<

Input Fields:

•	>Delete Old Backups automatically<

Reasons to delete Backups

•	>if there are more than xx Backups stored<

•	>Backups, older than xx days<

•	>if the Backups cover more than xx MB disk space<

Reasons to prohibit the deletion

•	>if there are not more than xx Backups stored<

•	>Backups, newer than xx days<

•	>if there are less than x Full Backups stored<

•	>Backups, which not have been archived<

•	>Transfer these setting to all Source Paths<

•	>Help<

•	>Cancel<

•	>OK<


Dialog Page >Delete<, Reasons to delete Backups
Dialog Page: Delete

Reasons to delete Backups

Several reasons to delete old backups can be active at the same time. They can be configured in the upper part of the dialog.

Furthermore, there may be reasons active, which forbid the deleting. They can be configured in the lower part of the dialog.

The deletion will be done day by day. All files of one Source Path and one day will be deleted together. This is done by removing the date directory.

If at least one Delete Reason matches for the day and if there is no reason to prohibit the deletion, these backups will be deleted.

If there are matching Delete Reasons and at if least one prohibit reason matches, the backups will not be deleted.

At least one backup will be kept in any case. If you want to delete all backups from a Source Path, you have to do this manually (see >Manual Deletion of Backups<).

The deleting time is immediately after the next VersionBackup copy run.

Reasons to delete Backups

•	>if there are more than xx Backups stored<

•	>Backups, older than xx days<

•	>if the Backups cover more than xx MB disk space<

Reasons to prohibit the deletion

•	>if there are not more than xx Backups stored<

•	>Backups, newer than xx days<

•	>if there are less than x Full Backups stored<

•	>Backups, which not have been archived<


Dialog Page >Delete<, Selection Field >Delete Old Backups automatically<
Dialog Page: Delete

Selection Field >Delete Old Backups automatically<

This Selection Field activates the automatic deletion function.

If the field is not active, VersionBackup will perform no backup deletion.

But you can delete the backups manually by deleting the date directories with the Windows-Explorer.


Dialog Page >Delete<, Selection Field >if there are more than xx Backups stored<
Dialog Page: Delete

Selection Field >if there are more than xx Backups stored<

If you activate this option, the number of the stored backups from this Source Path will be limited to the configured value.

If there are more backups from this Source Path, the oldest ones will be deleted.

But if there is a reason forbidding the deletion, they will be kept.


Dialog Page >Delete<, Selection Field >Backups, older than xx days<
Dialog Page: Delete

Selection Field >Backups, older than xx days<

If you activate this option, backups, which are older than the configured number of days, will be deleted.

But if there is a reason forbidding the deletion, they will be kept.


Dialog Page >Delete<, Selection Field >if the Backups cover more than xx MB disk space<

Dialog Page: Delete

Selection Field >if the Backups cover more than xx MB disk space<

If you activate this option, the storage space for the backups of this Source Path will be limited.

If the backups of this Source Path need more megabytes than the configured value, the oldest ones will be deleted.

But if there is a reason forbidding the deletion, they will be kept.


Dialog Page >Delete<, Selection Field >if there are not more than xx Backups stored<
Dialog Page: Delete

Selection Field >if there are not more than xx Backups stored<

If you activate this option, at least the configured number of backups from this Source Path will be kept.


Dialog Page >Delete<, Selection Field >Backups, newer than xx days<
Dialog Page: Delete

Selection Field >Backups, newer than xx days<

If you activate this option, the backups, which are newer than the configured number of days, will be kept.

This is valid even if there are matching delete reasons for the backups.


Dialog Page >Delete<, Selection Field >if there are less than x Full Backups stored<
Dialog Page: Delete

Selection Field >if there are less than x Full Backups stored<

If you activate this option, at least the configured number of Full Backups will be kept for this Source Path. All Incremental Backups, which are newer than the oldest of these Full Backups, will be kept too.

This is valid even if there are matching delete reasons for the backups.


Dialog Page >Delete<, Selection Field >Backups, which not have been archived<
Dialog Page: Delete

Selection Field >Backups, which not have been archived<

This function is not available in the freeware version

Please use the program VersionBackup Master

If you activate this option, the backups will be kept, until they have been copied by the VersionBackup Master archiving function:

This is valid even if there are matching delete reasons for the backups.

But note: only the information can be considered, that the VersionBackup archive function has run. The system does not know, whether the data really have been copied to an external archive media and whether these media are stored properly. This is in the responsibility of human beings.

The information, whether the archive function has run, is stored in the archive flag of the date directory.

When the date directory is created, the archive flag is set.

When VersionBackup Master performs the archiving, this flag is reset (but only if the field >Mark Backups as archived< is active).

If you want to check or influence this, you can access the archive flag of a date directory directly with the Windows Explorer.


Exclusion Path Wizard

Wizard for the path input
into the Exclusion List or the Force List

Select one of the possibilities to enter the path

In this first part of the Exclusion Path Wizard, you can select, which kind of Exclusion Entry shall be created.

The Wizard offers the three following modes:

•	>the name of a file (possibly with * as wild-card character)<

•	>the name of a subdirectory<

•	>the absolute path of a directory<

Please note, that there are various input formats allowed (e.g. Path specifications with wild card characters at different positions). The Exclusion Path Wizard creates only the basic types of this formats.


Exclusion Path Wizard, Selection >the name of a file<
Exclusion Path Wizard

Selection in the Exclusion Path Wizard:

>the name of a file (possibly with * as wild-card character)<

Choose this option, if you want to enter one of the following:

•	a complete file name with file type (e.g. >Calculation02.XLS<)

•	file name and type with * as wild card character (e.g. >Calculation*.XLS<)

•	a file name with any file type (e.g. > Calculation02.*<)

•	any file name with a given type (e.g. >*.XLS<)

If you choose this option and click >Next<, the wizard page >File name input< will open.


Exclusion Path Wizard, Selection >the name of a subdirectory<
Exclusion Path Wizard

Selection in the Exclusion Path Wizard:

>the name of a subdirectory<

Choose this option, if you want to enter one of the following:

•	the name of a subdirectory, without specification of the complete path (e.g. >Backups<)

•	the name of a subdirectory, without specification of the complete path with * as wild card character  (e.g. >Temp*<)

•	a part of the path with several directories among one another (e.g. > Windows\Temp<)

If you choose this option and click >Next<, the wizard page >Input of the name of a Subdirectory< will open.


Exclusion Path Wizard, Selection >the absolute path of a directory<
Exclusion Path Wizard

Selection in the Exclusion Path Wizard:

>the absolute path of a directory<

•	Choose this option, if you want to enter the complete specification of a path, beginning with the drive character (e.g. >C:\System\Configuration\Temp<)

If you choose this option and click >Next<, the Path Browser will open. There you can enter the path or select an existing path from the directory structure.

Hint: 	If you want to specify a subdirectory, in general it is better not to give the complete path with drive, but only the name of the subdirectory. So the specification remains valid, if you later change the first part of the path. To do this, please chose the option >the name of a subdirectory<.


Exclusion Path Wizard, File name input
Exclusion Path Wizard

File name input

Here you can enter the file name specification.

It consists of the file name and file type. The asterisk is allowed as wild chard character for any number of any characters.

The Button >Browse< opens the standard file selection box, where you can select a file from the disks.

When you click >Finish<, the file name specification will be inserted into the dialog >Path Input dialog<.


Exclusion Path Wizard, Input of the Name of a Subdirectory
Exclusion Path Wizard

Input of the Name of a Subdirectory

Here you can enter the specification for a subdirectory.

Usually, it is not necessary to enter a complete path, but only the name of the lowest level directory.

The asterisk is allowed as wild chard character for any number of any characters.

It is not necessary to add a Backslash before or behind the directory name. It will be added by the wizard.

The directory specification can be one of the following:

•	the name of a subdirectory, without specification of the complete path (e.g. >Backups<)

•	the name of a subdirectory, without specification of the complete path with * as wild card character  (e.g. >Temp*<)

•	a part of the path with several directories among one another (e.g. > Windows\Temp<)

The Button >Browse< opens the Path Browser. There you can enter the path or select an existing path from the directory structure.

When you click >Finish<, the directory specification will be inserted into the dialog >Path Input dialog<.


Source Path Wizard: Source Path
Page: Overview

Wizard for the Source Path parameter input

Source Path Wizard

Page >Source Path<

Here you start the wizard, which will assist you creating a new Source Path with its parameter set.

The Wizard is started from the main page > Overview< with the button >Define a New Backup Path<.

Of course, you can change all settings even later. To do this, please select the path on the dialog page >Paths< and click the >Edit< button.

We recommend creating more than one Source Path for the backups. This is because your backup stock will be most clearly arranged, if you define different Source Paths for different projects or topics.

The backups of the different Source Paths will be saved to different Destination Paths. If necessary, you can set different configurations, e.g. for the archiving and the storage duration.

On this first page of the wizard, please define one of the paths, where the files are located, which have to be saved.

You can type the path into the edit line or use the >Browse< button. This opens the Path Browser, which lets you select the path from the existing directory structure.

Then, please click the >Next< button to continue the parameter input.

If you already entered another Source Path, the >Finish< button will become active, when the Source Path name has been defined. If you click this button, the new Source Path will get no Exclusion Specifications and the same parameters like the path, which has been entered last.

Next Page


Source Path Wizard: Subdirectories?

Source Path Wizard

Page >Subdirectories? <

Here you define whether even the subdirectories below the specified Source Path shall be saved.

Even If you want to save only some of the subdirectories, please select >Yes<. You later can specify the subdirectories, which shall be excluded from the backup in the Exclusion List.

All parameter settings you enter will be saved as default values for future Source Path input. But if you want to reset the settings to the initial standard settings, please select the field >Reset all settings to standard<.

To continue the parameter input, please click the >Next< button.

If you already entered another Source Path, the >Finish< button is active. If you click this button, the new Source Path will get no Exclusion Specifications and the same parameters like the path, which has been entered last.

Next Page

Previous Page


Source Path Wizard: Destination Path

Source Path Wizard

Page >Destination Path<

The Destination Path is a directory, where the backup copies will be stored.

To allow automatic copy runs, this path should be located on storage drive, which is permanently available. This could be an internal hard disk or a permanently accessible network drive.

Different Source Paths must get different Destination Path directories.

We recommend to place the different Destination Path directories in a common VersionBackup data directory  (e.g. >C:\VersionBackup<).

The edit line for the Destination Path will be filled with such a configuration. Only in special cases, it will be necessary, that you change this path.

To continue the parameter input, please click the >Next< button.

If you already entered another Source Path, the >Finish< button is active. If you click this button, the new Source Path will get no Exclusion Specifications and the same parameters like the path, which has been entered last.

Next Page

Previous Page


Source Path Wizard: Exclude?

Source Path Wizard

Page >Exclude?<

If you select >No<, you will exclude nothing. Then, all files in the Source Path will be saved. The files in the subdirectories of the Source Path will be saved, if you chose >save the subdirectories of the Source Path<.

If you do not want to save everything under the Source Path, please click >Yes<. Then, you can define exclusion conditions on the next wizard pages.

To continue the parameter input, please click the >Next< button.

If you already entered another Source Path, the >Finish< button is active. If you click this button, the new Source Path will get no Exclusion Specifications and the same parameters like the path, which has been entered last.

Next Page

Previous Page


Source Path Wizard: Exclude Path

Source Path Wizard

Page >Exclude Path<

Here you can enter a specification for the files, which shall not be saved.

It can be a file name or a directory specification. The asterisk is allowed for any number of any characters.

But note: If you omit parts of the path or keep them generally, you must mark them with an asterisk.

See also: 	>Syntax for the Exclusion List and the Force List<

>Examples for Exclusion and Force Entries<

The >Wizard< button starts the >Exclusion Path Wizard<. It will assist you creating the path term.

Please enter only one Exclusion Condition into the input line. If you want to enter several conditions, the >Yes< field must be marked, when you click the next button. Then, the dialog will appear again for another input.

If you do not want to enter more Exclusion Conditions, mark the >No< field before clicking the next button.

It is also possible to save only some files in a subdirectory. To configure this, please enter the subdirectory as an Exclusion Path. And enter the files, which have to be saved in that path, as a >Force Condition< on the following pages.

To continue the parameter input, please click the >Next< button.

If you already entered another Source Path, the >Finish< button is active. If you click this button, the new Source Path will get no Force Specifications and the same parameters like the path, which has been entered last.

Next Page

Previous Page


Source Path Wizard: Force?

Source Path Wizard

Page >Force?<

If some of the files, which match the Exclusion Conditions, shall be saved in spite of this, you should enter them into the >Exclusion Conditions<.

To do this, please select the filed >Yes< must be selected.

To continue the parameter input, please click the >Next< button.

Next Page

Previous Page


Source Path Wizard: Force Path

Source Path Wizard

Page >Force Path<

Here you can enter a specification for the files, which shall be saved in spite of matching the Exclusion Conditions.

It can be a file name or a directory specification. The asterisk is allowed for any number of any characters.

But note: If you omit parts of the path or keep them generally, you must mark them with an asterisk.

See also: 	>Syntax for the Exclusion List and the Force List<

>Examples for Exclusion and Force Entries<

The >Wizard< button starts the >Exclusion Path Wizard<. It will assist you creating the path term.

Please enter only one Force Condition into the input line. If you want to enter several conditions, the >Yes< field must be marked, when you click the next button. Then, the dialog will appear again for another input.

If you do not want to enter more Force Conditions, mark the >No< field before clicking the next button.

To continue the parameter input, please click the >Next< button.

If you already entered another Source Path, the >Finish< button is active. If you click this button, the new Source Path will get no more Force Specifications and the same parameters like the path, which has been entered last.

Next Page

Previous Page


Source Path Wizard: Initial Copy

Source Path Wizard

Page >Initial Copy<

There are two ways to start the saving of the files in a Source Path:

1. 	In the first backup run, VersionBackup saves all the existing files.

Later, only those files will be copied, which are new or which have been changed.

To choose this possibility, please select the filed >Save existing files<.

2.	In the first backup run after the Source Path has been defined, VersionBackup does not copy any file. VersionBackup only registers, which files are present and what date and time they have.

Later, those files will be copied, which are new or which have been changed.

To choose this possibility, please select the filed >Save only changes from now on<.

To continue the parameter input, please click the >Next< button.

If you already entered another Source Path, the >Finish< button is active. If you click this button, the new Source Path will get the same parameters like the path, which has been entered last.

Next Page

Previous Page


Source Path Wizard: Compress?
Source Path Wizard

Page >Compress?<

This function is not available in the freeware version

Please use the program VersionBackup Master

Compress the backups with the PKZIP method?

If you switch the compression on (>Yes<), the backup files from this Source Path will be collected in one or more ZIP-files. This reduces the disk space requirements significantly.

You later can access the compressed files with the Backup-Browser or with the software WINZIP.

If you switch the compression off (>No<), the backup files will be copied one by one into the Destination Path directory or corresponding subdirectories. This operation mode is a little bit faster than the compression.

To continue the parameter input, please click the >Next< button.

If you already entered another Source Path, the >Finish< button is active. If you click this button, the new Source Path will get the same parameters like the path, which has been entered last.

Next Page

Previous Page


Source Path Wizard

Page >Password Protection?<

not yet implemented

Next Page

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Source Path Wizard: Full Backups?
Source Path Wizard

Page >Full Backups?<

Usually, VersionBackup creates Incremental Backups (copy only the changed files). Additionally, it is able to create Full Backups in regular, configured intervals.

This increases the disk space requirements. But the security and clearness is increased.

More to this topic:  General Remarks Regarding Full Backups

To create Full Backups automatically, please select >Yes<.

Alternatively, you can request each Full Backup manually. This can be done with the parameter >Next backup run as a Full Backup< in the dialog >Full Backups<.

To continue the parameter input, please click the >Next< button.

If you already entered another Source Path, the >Finish< button is active. If you click this button, the new Source Path will get the same parameters like the path, which has been entered last.

Next Page

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Source Path Wizard: Full Backup Criteria

Source Path Wizard

Page >Full Backup Criteria<

You can decide, whether the Full Backups shall be scheduled according to the number of days with file changes or to a fixed day interval.

1)	Number of days with file changes

If you choose this option, VersionBackup will count those days, when a backup for this Source Path has been done. After a configured number of backup days, a Full Backup will be done instead of an Incremental Backup.

If the files in the Source Path are changed only seldom, the time intervals between the Full Backups will be long.

So, this setting has the advantage, that the frequency of the Full Backup will be adjusted to the intensity of work in this Source Path.

2)	Fixed day interval

If you choose this option, VersionBackup will schedule the Full Backups according to the calendar days. Thereby it does not matter, how often the files will be changed.

This provides more clearness, because the Full Backups have a fixed time interval.

But if the files in the Source Path change very seldom, subsequent Full Backups will be created with no or almost no difference. This means useless storage space consumption.

See also:	   General Remarks Regarding Full Backups

To continue the parameter input, please click the >Next< button.

If you already entered another Source Path, the >Finish< button is active. If you click this button, the new Source Path will get the same parameters like the path, which has been entered last.

Next Page

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Source Path Wizard: Full Backup Separation (File Changes)
Source Path Wizard

Page >Full Backup Separation (File Changes)<

Here you determine the separation of two Full Backups.

Example
Parameter set to 10:

If the files are changed daily in this Source Path, then every 10 days a Full Backup is done.

If there are changes only each fifth day (average value), the interval between two Full Backups is 50 days.

To continue the parameter input, please click the >Next< button.

If you already entered another Source Path, the >Finish< button is active. If you click this button, the new Source Path will get the same parameters like the path, which has been entered last.

Next Page

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Source Path Wizard: Full Backup Separation (Calendar Days)

Source Path Wizard

Page > Full Backup Separation (Calendar Days)<

Here you determine the separation of two Full Backups.

Example,
every 14 days, starting on next Monday:

Every second Monday, a Full Backup will be performed.

If the computer will not be switched on some days, this will not be changed.
If the computer does not run on the scheduled day, the Full Backup will be done as soon as possible. Even then, the future Full Backup schedule will remain on Monday.

To continue the parameter input, please click the >Next< button.

If you already entered another Source Path, the >Finish< button is active. If you click this button, the new Source Path will get the same parameters like the path, which has been entered last.

Next Page

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Source Path Wizard: Postpone Full Backups?

Source Path Wizard

Page >Postpone Full Backups?<

To do an Incremental Backup, VersionBackup starts only, if at least one file is new or has been changed.

Here you can select, whether this rule shall be valid even for Full Backups.

-	If you select the upper field (>postpone the Backup ..<), Full Backups will be treated the same like Incremental Backups.

If the next run is planned as a Full Backup, but there is no file change, the Full Backup will not be done on the scheduled date. It will be done later, when the next file change has occurred.

-	If you select the lower field (>do the Backup ..<), Full Backups will have a special status:

If the next run is planned as a Full Backup, it will be done, even if there is no file change at all.

This gives the advantage that the Full Backups will be done exactly according to plan (if the computer is running on the day after the Full Backup date).

But when the files are not changed for a longer period, identical Full Backups will be created. This wastes storage space.

To continue the parameter input, please click the >Next< button.

If you already entered another Source Path, the >Finish< button is active. If you click this button, the new Source Path will get the same parameters like the path, which has been entered last.

Next Page

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Source Path Wizard: Automatic Deletion?

Source Path Wizard

Page >Automatic Deletion?<

If VersionBackup creates Backups for many months, a big number of backups will be created. Sooner or later, old backups should be deleted.

This can be done automatically or manually (for manual deletion see: Manual Deletion of Backups).

If you want to switch the automatic deletion function on, please select >Automatic deletion<.

The criteria, which backups shall be deleted, can be configured on the following pages.

To continue the parameter input, please click the >Next< button.

If you already entered another Source Path, the >Finish< button is active. If you click this button, the new Source Path will get the same parameters like the path, which has been entered last.

Next Page

Previous Page


Source Path Wizard: Delete Criteria

Source Path Wizard

Page >Delete Criteria<

Here you select the criteria for backups, which shall be deleted.

Additionally, you can set criteria on the next page, which prohibit the deletion even if a delete criteria matches.

After each copy run, those backups automatically will be deleted, which match at least one of the delete reasons and which do not match a reason prohibiting the deletion.

-	>if there are more than xx backups stored from this Source Path<

If this option is active, the number of backups from this Source Path will be limited to the value, which is set in the input field in that line.

If there are more backups from this Source Path, the oldest ones will be deleted.

-	>if the backups are older than xxx days<

If this option is active, the backups, which are older than the specified number of calendar days, will be deleted.

-	>if the backups of this Source Path cover more than xx MB disk space<

If this option is active, the disk space for the backups from this Source Path will be limited.

If the backups from this Source Path use more megabytes space on the disk, than it is configured, the oldest ones will be deleted.

To continue the parameter input, please click the >Next< button.

If you already entered another Source Path, the >Finish< button is active. If you click this button, the new Source Path will get the same parameters like the path, which has been entered last.

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Source Path Wizard: Keep Criteria
Source Path Wizard

Page >Keep Criteria<

If one of these criteria matches for a backup, it may not be automatically deleted. Those backups will not be affected by the Delete Criteria on the last page.

-	>if there are not more than xx backups stored<

If this option is active, at least the configured number of backups will be kept on the disk.

-	>Backups, newer than xx days<

If this option is active, backups, which are newer than the configured number of calendar days, will not be deleted.

-	>if there are less than xx Full Backups stored<

If this option is active, at least the configured number of Full Backups will be kept on the disk.

Incremental Backups, which are newer than the oldest of these Full Backups, will be kept too.

-	>Backups, which not have been archived<

If this option is active, the backups will be kept on the primary disk until they have been processed by the Archive Function.

This function only is available in VersionBackup Master

To continue, please click the >Next< or the >Finish< button.

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Source Path Wizard: Additional Input?

Source Path Wizard

Page >Additional Input?<

The parameter input fort he Source Path now is complete.

If you want to enter another Source Path now, activate the field >Yes<.

Then the wizard will start again.

If you do not want to enter more Source Paths, please activate the field >No<.

The Source Path Wizard then will terminate.

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Source Path Wizard: Immediate Start?

Source Path Wizard

Page >Immediate Start?<

Activate the field >Yes<, if you want to create backup copies right now.

If the field >No< is activated, the backup copies will not be created now, but on the next scheduled backup time (see Scheduling/Start).

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VersionBackup Master is the better alternative to VersionBackup

If you need best performance of a backup system, then you should change to VersionBackup Master.

VersionBackup Master provides you the following additional features:

•	Data Compression

The Backups can be compressed. This reduces the storage space requirements up to 80%.

The file recovery procedure, which is started from the Backup-Browser, will de-compress the backups, if they are needed.

The compression is done in the ZIP-Format. Therefore, if necessary you can access even the compressed the backups without VersionBackup. This can be done with the WINZIP software.

•	External Archiving

You create a second backup copy from your data on an external storage media (a CD e.g.)

Then your data are safe even if your primary disk or the computer fails.

You can delete your primary backups after some time. Because VersionBackup Master is able to restore the backups even from the external media. This relieves your primary disk. And you can keep your backup CDs forever.

See also:	General Remarks Regarding the ArchivingHow to Create an Archive Media

•	Network Backups

If you have network access, you can copy your backups directly from PC to PC.

Possibility 1: VersionBackup Master copies the backups to a central server or to any other PC in the network.
Then the backups are generally stored on an independent system. This increases your security.

Possibility 2: VersionBackup Master runs on a central backup server (this can be any PC in the network). From this server it gets the files from all PCs in the network to backup them.
So, you run your backup system from a central point. And have the increased security due to the separate data storing.

Possibility 3: Each PC creates its primary backups independently. But for the archiving, VersionBackup copies the backups together to a central computer. This central computer writes the archive data to the external media.

•	Free E-Mail-Support

If you have problems with VersionBackup Master or you have questions to the functionality, you can ask SB-AW by e-mail.

We will answer every question, which is related to the functions of VersionBackup Master.

Please note also this:

This free version of VersionBackup is not designated for commercial use. If you use your computer for business purposes, you have to change to VersionBackup Master.

The use of VersionBackup Master is not free. You must buy a license for each PC, from which the data shall be saved. Then you will get a Register Key, which is used to de-block the software.

To become acquainted with VersionBackup Master, you may use it for 30 days without a registration. We recommend buying the license only when you have checked, that you really want to use the VersionBackup Master software.

You can get the VersionBackup Master-Software in the Internet at

http://www.versionbackup.de

There, you also can buy your software license.


You are using your PC like a professional

You know, that a commercial use of this freeware version of VersionBackup is not allowed.

From the way, you are using this computer, it seems that it is not used privately, but for business purposes.

If this is true, we ask you to put the program version VersionBackup Master into service. This, additionally, will give you some important advantages.

VersionBackup Master may be used 30 days free, to check it.

You can get the VersionBackup Master-Software in the Internet at

http://www.versionbackup.de

There, you also can buy your software license.


Backup operations using the network are not possible with the freeware version

You intend to use the network for your backup copy process. Of course, this is a good idea. But the freeware version of VersionBackup does not provide a network backup.

We recommend putting the program version VersionBackup Master into service to fulfill your requirements.

It will give you many advantages, even the network backup feature.

VersionBackup Master may be used 30 days free, to check it.

You can get the VersionBackup Master-Software in the Internet at

http://www.versionbackup.de

There, you also can buy your software license.


You need a license for each computer, from which the data shall be saved

You intend to copy backup data from a different PC to this computer. Of course, this is a good idea.

But please keep in mind:

For each computer, from which the data are saved, a separate VersionBackup Master license is necessary. It is not allowed to save the data of several PCs with only one software license.

Example:

If a central server saves the data of itself and two connected PCs, you are obliged to buy three licenses. This is because you are saving the data of three computers.

It does not matter, that VersionBackup Master has to be installed on only one computer to perform these backups.

If you have the required number of licenses, please activate the box >Please do not display this message again< before closing this dialog.

You can get the VersionBackup Master licenses in the Internet at

http://www.versionbackup.de/registration.html