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Text File | 2004-11-05 | 18.2 KB | 328 lines

+----------------------------------------+ | | | Partition saving | | | | http://www.partition-saving.com | | Copyright (c) 1999-2004 D. Guibouret | +----------------------------------------+ FAQ Last update: June 1st 2004 Index: ------ Q 1- Can I split a backup file into several smaller files that will each fit onto a CD (700 Mbytes), even if use compression? Q 2- Can Partition Saving copy only the occupied sectors of a partition? Q 3- Do you plan to provide such an option in the future? Q 4- If I want to restore a partition, do I need to use an identical disc having the same format as the original? Q 5- Sometimes it takes a long time to switch from the maximum file size window to the save window. Why? Q 6- Using compression takes a long time. Would not it be quicker to save an uncompressed image file and use an archive utility to compress it later? Q 7- Can I save NTFS partitions? Q 8- Will Partition Saving preserve the long filenames on Windows partitions? Q 9- Is Partition Saving compatible with Windows NT, 2000 or XP? Q 10- How do I create a boot floppy? Q 11- Why does it take such a long time to create a backup file? Q 12- I cannot manage to create backup file on CD. Q 13- Are files created using a prior version compatible with the current one? Q 14- What could be done in case of error? Q 15- Drive letter seems to not be correct. How could I know which is the partition I want to save? Q 16- When I run program, nothing appears. Q 17- What could be done when I get the error message "A sector containing parameters for file system could not be read" ? Q 18- Could I save my partition on an USB storage device ? ------ Q 1- Can I split a backup file into several smaller files that will each fit onto a CD (700 Mbytes), even if use compression? A- Yes. The total size of the file is as it is written (even after compression is used). Be aware that for this program 1Mb is equal to 1024*1024 bytes (everybody does not agree on Mb size, it is sometimes 1000*1000 or 1000*1024 bytes). Q 2- Can Partition Saving copy only the occupied sectors of a partition? Q 3- Do you plan to provide such an option in the future? A- Since V2.20 you can save occupied sectors only for FAT12, FAT16, FAT32 and ext2 partitions (also for NTFS partition since V2.30). I depend on OS information to determine which sections of a partition are occupied. Since I do not have this information for other partition types, occupied sectors only cannot be done for those. If you want to save place when saving partitions different from FAT, ext2 and NTFS one, you could use a program that set all bytes of unoccupied sectors of a partition to the same value such as with compression this will reduce amount of space needed. If you do not have such a program, you could use the advice from Mr Lumir Mik: write a program that creates a file and fills it with the same value. Then erase this file. Q 4- If I want to restore a partition, do I need to use an identical disc having the same format as the original? A- Yes if you have saved all sectors of the partition (that was the only option for versions prior to V2.20). Furthermore you can only restore a partition on an identical one and to the same disk location. It is a significant limitation but data can be dependent on the location of the partition on the hard disk. The limitation relating to the type of the partition could be resolved by writing the partition table when restoring, but it is a feature that I have not incorporated yet. Since version 2.20, if you saved only occupied sectors of a FAT or ext2 partition (or NTFS for V2.30), you could restore it on a partition with a different format if certain size constraints are regarded. Nevertheless, the disk must have the same sector size as the saved partition, and the partition type must be the same (or must be compatible since V2.30). Q 5- Sometimes it takes a long time to switch from the maximum file size window to the save window. Why? A- This happens when you save your partition over an existing file. If this file is large (e.g. result of a previous backup), it takes DOS some time to delete it. Note that from version 2.10, the file is deleted between the file name window and the maximum file size one (or before the save window in the case of batch mode). Q 6- Using compression takes a long time. Would not it be quicker to save an uncompressed image file and use an archive utility to compress it later? A- It depends on the level of compression that you use with your archiver. If you use the maximum level you will waste time since you have to access the drive two more times. If you reduce the level of compression, you will save time but use more space. Note that starting from version 2.10, you can choose a level of compression that will allow you to make a compromise between time required to save and disk space needed (for V2.00, the only level of compression was maximum). Q 7- Can I save NTFS partitions? A- Yes, you can. From version 2.30, you can even save occupied sectors only. However since Microsoft have never published specifications on NTFS structure, this was done with using some incomplete information and some rare features that appear in only a few instances are not supported. To save NTFS partitions you must have a FAT partition that can be accessed by DOS in order to create the backup file (either another partition on hard drive, or using network mount, ZIP disk, ...). This constraint exists because DOS is not able to access to NTFS partitions (there are some programs that allow you to do this, see http://www.cgsecurity.org or http://www.sysinternals.com, but be aware with the last one as the free version that allows reading NTFS partition is not compatible with Partition Saving and it could also be the case with full version). One solution if you have sufficient disk space, is not to save the partition to a file, but reproduce it by copying the entire partition over another one on disk (this does not protect you against a crash unless you have two hard disks). Q 8- Will Partition Saving preserve the long filenames on Windows partitions? A- Yes, it is one of the main goal of the program. Indeed, it is not possible to save/restore all files under Windows as some are protected because they are in use. Consequently they must be saved under DOS (or another OS that allows access to Windows partitions). But since DOS cannot recognize long filenames, either saving or restoring must be done at level where file notion does not exist, by physically saving the partition. Moreover this preserves the relative order of sectors, which may have an influence on the operation of some programs. Q 9- Is Partition Saving compatible with Windows NT, 2000 or XP? A- Yes, but you need to boot from a DOS floppy and have access to a FAT partition (please read also question 7). Q 10- How do I create a boot floppy? A- For Windows 9x, click: Start->Settings->Control Panel->Add/Remove Programs, choose the "Startup disk" tab. Insert an empty floppy disk into drive, and click on the "Create Disk" button. If this method is not available for Windows XP, you could choose the "Format" option by right-clicking on floppy drive in Windows Explorer and choose the "Copy system files" option. However in the case the floppy disk is not configured, you have to configure the floppy disk manually. For this purpose you have to create two text files CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT on the floppy disk. In CONFIG.sys you have to install: - The CDROM driver file if you wish to use the CDROM drive. Its name is usually ATAPICD.SYS, CDROM.SYS or <your CDROM mark>.SYS (there are also some generic drivers that come with Windows). For the driver to be loader, you have to write "DEVICE=<file name> /D:<name>" where <file name> is the CDROM driver filename and <name> is any name of you choice that is less than 8 characters (ex: CD0001). - The driver file for the monitor. The one delivered by Windows is called DISPLAY.SYS. For it to be loaded you must write "DEVICE=DISPLAY.SYS CON=(EGA,,1)" (I doubt whether anybody does not have an EGA compatible monitor). - Finally you must configure the country (this is not needed for English people). To do that to must use COUNTRY.SYS file and write to CONFIG.SYS "COUNTRY=<number1>,<number2>,COUNTRY.SYS". The first number is the country code (033 for France) and the second one is the codepage that will be used (850 for France). In the second file (AUTOEXEC.BAT) you have to put: - The program providing access to the CDROM. This is provided by Windows and is called MSCDEX.EXE. To use it, you have to write "MSCDEX.EXE /D:<name>" where <name> is the same <name> written for the CDROM driver line in CONFIG.SYS. - The program that configures the codepage you use (it will allow you to configure your keyboard) (this is not needed for English people). For this purpose you need two lines, one to prepare the codepage and the second to select it: "MODE CON CODEPAGE PREPARE=((<number>) EGA.CPI)" is the first line and "MODE CON CODEPAGE SELECT=<number>" is the second one. Each <number> must be the same and must be equal to second number in the "COUNTRY" line of the CONFIG.SYS file (therefore 850 for France). - Finally the instruction to configure your keyboard correctly (e.g. for French people it will access AZERTY mode in place of QWERTY). To do this you have to write "KEYB FR,,KEYBOARD.SYS" FR that is the country code (for France, so you have to insert a different code for other languages, or omitting this line could work). To make sure all this works, you have to check that all files are on the floppy disk (CDROM driver, DISPLAY.SYS, COUNTRY.SYS, MSCDEX.EXE, EGA.CPI, KEYB.COM, MODE.COM, KEYBOARD.SYS). This is a minimal generic configuration (e.g. you could add mouse by adding a MOUSE.COM or MOUSE.EXE line (depends of file name) into AUTOEXEC.BAT file (and checking for the existence of this file on the floppy). For some countries instead of using KEYBOARD.SYS you may have to use KEYBRD2.SYS for certain keyboards). For others versions of Windows, or if what is described above does not work, search the Windows help files (search for something like "boot disk"). You could also use ready-made floppy disk (e.g.: "Bart's bootdisk" at http://www.nu2.nu/bootdisk). Note: if you have a Windows 9X boot disk, you could use to save a Windows XP partition (you have to use at least a Windows 95 OSR2 boot disk if you want to access a FAT32 partition). Once the boot disk is created, copy the savepart.exe on it (use another floppy disk if there is insufficient free space, or a DOS accessible partition on hard drive). Then restart your computer with keeping floppy disk into drive. This floppy will boot. Once you have "A:\>" prompt, type <program directory>\savepart.exe (where <program directory> is where you put the savepart.exe (ex: C:\savepart\savepart.exe)) or change disk if you have written it to a separate floppy and run it. In case your computer does not boot from the floppy drive but still boots from the hard disk, you have to change boot sequence in the BIOS (consult BIOS documentation to learn how to do this). Q 11-Why does it take such a long time to create a backup file? A- Time required to write an image depends on 4 factors: - partition contents. - choosing to save only occupied sectors or all sectors. - compression level used. - whether you write the backup file to a hard-drive other than the one that contains the source partition. You also can speed up saving/restoring time by using -nvd and -nvf options. But in case your disk begins to be damaged, some errors could be not found and that will result in a bad save or restoration. Note: I get a 30% speed improvment using these options, but it seems it is very dependant on motherboard and disk, as some users report me getting a great speed improvment (up to 80%) when using these options. Regarding the compression level, here are some figures I obtained doing some trials (these depend on the computer and partition contents, but they are provided to give some idea), a standard figure of 100 has been adopted for uncompressed files: +-------------+---------------------------+---------+ | Compression | Time required | File | | | VS. CPU speed (MHz) | | | level | 33 | 700 | 1700 | Ave. | size | +-------------+------+------+------+------+---------+ | 0 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100.00 | | 1 | 371 | 127 | 82 | 194 | 54.15 | | 2 | 384 | 130 | 83 | 199 | 53.53 | | 3 | 419 | 137 | 84 | 213 | 53.06 | | 4 | 449 | 142 | 85 | 225 | 52.33 | | 5 | 525 | 156 | 88 | 256 | 51.86 | | 6 | 644 | 179 | 94 | 306 | 51.64 | | 7 | 729 | 194 | 99 | 341 | 51.57 | | 8 | 1065 | 255 | 118 | 479 | 51.53 | | 9 | 1595 | 348 | 150 | 697 | 51.51 | +-------------+------+------+------+------+---------+ As you can see the higher the deflating level, the greatest the time required. Also very little space is gained beyond the first setting (in some rare case (not shown here), you can even loose space). So choosing the maximum compression level is not the best option (even more for a slow processor). Worthy of note is in case where you have a powerful processor, it takes less time to compress the data (low level) than to write it uncompressed. Remark: restoration time is not really dependent upon compression level (disregarding the case of zero compression). Q 12-I cannot manage to create the backup file on CD. A- CD burner manufacturers rarely provide DOS driver for their hardware. So you must first save backup files to your hard drive. Then when you boot into an OS from where you could burn CDs, you can burn these files to CD. Q 13-Are files created using a prior version compatible with the current one? A- This information is in the changes.txt file. As a general rule, files created with an older version can be used by a more recent version. The converse is often true, but not in the case of a new type of filesystem. Q 14-What could be done in case of error? A- As a general rule you can contact me by mail (damien.guibouret@partition-saving.com) and I will try to answer you as soon as possible. I will need all details on what happens (what you want to do, what options you choose, ...). Moreover if error message has a "Call tree:" or "Call frame traceback:" appears, you have to send me following values (at least the 10 first). It will allow me to find easily where error occurs. In answer, I could ask you more details (as downloading diskinfo/partinfo/fileinfo program) or to do some tries to better understand what happens. Q 15-Drive letter seems not to be correct. How could I know which is the partition I want to save? A- This problem can occur by example when you have NTFS partitions. As DOS is not able to recognize them, a drive letter will not be assigned to it and those assigned to FAT partitions are shifted. The simplest way to know which drive a partition is, is to give to each partition a different name. As this name is displayed, you just have to choose the one that has the name of those to save. But for FAT partition, partition name could be stored into two places, and depending on those that is taken, it could seem to be wrong. In the same way if a FAT partition has "NO NAME" as name, it is because it has no name (and not because it has the name "NO NAME"). In this case, another way to know which partition to choose, is to look at the size of the partition. Q 16-When I run program, nothing appears. A- This could be a problem with screen display. Try using program with -bui option (savepart -bui). If nothing appears again, try -cui option (savepart -cui). If there is still nothing on screen, problem is certainly not with screen display and so it is better to contact me. Q 17-What could be done when I get the error message "A sector containing parameters for file system could not be read" ? A- This message is displayed when program has found incoherency into filesystem or when a filesystem sector is damaged. One thing that could be done is to try to repair it with corresponding program ("scandisk <drive letter>:" for Windows 9x/ME, "chkdsk /f <drive letter>:" for Windows NT/(2000 ?), "chkdsk /p <drive letter>:" for Windows XP/(2000 ?), "fsck <device name>" for Linux). If error is due to a bad sector you have to do surface test to try to correct it. One it is done, you could try saving partition again. If it still does not work and that is not due to a bad sector you could contact me. Q 18-Could I save my partition on an USB storage device ? A- Yes, you can as there was now some USB drivers for DOS. So you can download one, add it into CONFIG.SYS file and use the newly created drive to write saving file on. To find an USB driver for DOS and get more help on it, you can search on Internet or take a look at http://www.stefan2000.com/darkehorse/PC/DOS/Drivers/USB/ (the one I try without any problem is the Motto Hairu one, but I did not try the CD-writer feature as I do not have an USB one). Please notice that some people get an error message telling that file could not be created or written. In this case, if it is not because file already exists and has read-only flag, you have to use the "-nvf" option for program to work. ------ All trademarks and registered trademarks are ownership of their respective holders.