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FUNCTION KEY ASSIGNMENTS: <F1>: HELP <F2>: NONE <F3>: DIRECTORY <F4>: NONE <F5>: NONE <F6>: DOS <F7>: RECORD KEYSTROKES <F8>: PLAYBACK KEYSTROKES <F9>: LOAD SETUP <F10>: SAVE SETUP **** USING DOS BATCH FILES *** Any command files or command line options may be invoked from within a DOS batch (.BAT) file, simply by placing the entire command line on one line of the batch file. For example, if an automated backup were part of a batch file named "SHUTDOWN.BAT", then part of that file might be CD C:\FASTBACK FB @MYBACK.FB When "SHUTDOWN.BAT" executes, it will change directories to "C:\FASTBACK" and run FB using the MYBACK.FB command file. *H_di **** DIRECTORY FUNCTION *** PURPOSE: By Pressing <F3> FASTBACK PLUS will construct and display a graphic representation of all the directories on the hard disk. Once constructed, this display can be used to select a number of different functions in FASTBACK PLUS. USAGE: To move around within the directory display use the keypad arrow keys, <PgUp>, <PgDn>, <Home>, and <End> to move the highlight bar among directories and files. The <Tab> key is used to switch the highlight bar between the directory tree and the file display. In many cases, the <Ins> key may be used to place the highlighted file or directory selection into the file specification area on the bottom of the screen. *H_se_hd *** HARD DISK *** The Hard Disk command allows you to choose the letter of the hard drive which will be used for backup or restore. PURPOSE: To select the hard disk drive to act as restore destination or containing files to be backed up. USAGE: Press <Enter> at the Hard Disk Menu choice, then enter the name of the disk drive containing information to back up (for example, D:). DEFAULT: The default setting is C:, which usually is the first hard disk. REFERENCE: For further information, refer to Chapter 6. *H_se_in *** INCLUDE FILES *** PURPOSE: To choose the directories and files which should be included in your backup or restore. USAGE: You may enter up to twenty directory paths to include in your backup or restore. Each entry may specify a single file or a group of files using standard DOS wildcard conventions. "\MEMOS\*.PRT", for example, would back up all files with the ".PRT" extension in the "\MEMOS" directory. You may also specify whether you want to include subdirectories of the listed directory. You may also select directories and files for inclusion with the point and push method by pressing the <F3> key to call up a graphic directory tree diagram. Directories will appear on the left side of the screen, and may be individually highlighted by pressing the <uparrow> and <downarrow> keys. Files in the highlighted directory will appear on the right side of the screen; to move the cursor (highlighting) from the directory listing to the file listing, press the <Tab> key. When the desired file or directory is highlighted, press the <Ins> key to copy it to a file selection entry. When all desired files and directories have been entered, press <Esc> to return to the file selection lines, where you may edit the inserted entries for wildcard strings or subdirectory inclusion. DEFAULT: The default selection is "C:\____*.*____Y", which includes all directories, subdirectories and files on the C: drive. REFERENCE: See Chapter 7. This feature is identical to Choose Files (Chapter 6) on the Beginner Level menu. *H_se_ex *** EXCLUDE FILES *** PURPOSE: To choose files which satisfy the Include Files selection, but should be excluded. USAGE: You may enter up to twenty directory paths to exclude from your backup or restore. Each entry may specify a single file or a group of files using standard DOS conventions. Only files satisfying the Include files selection are candidates for exclusion. You may also select directories and files for exclusion with the point and push method by pressing the <F3> key to call up a graphic directory tree diagram. See Include Files above. DEFAULT: The default selection is to exclude old Fastback History Report files. It is not necessary to back up old History Report files because they are automatically included with each matching backup set. REFERENCE: See Chapter 7. *H_ba_bd *** BACKUP DESTINATION *** PURPOSE: To specify which floppy disk drive(s) or other DOS device will store backup information. USAGE: FASTBACK PLUS presents you with a menu listing all the different types of media your computer can support, using information you provided during installation. Use the arrow (cursor) keys to highlight the selection you want, then press <Enter>. DEFAULT: FASTBACK PLUS defaults to your A: drive (or to both A: and B: if they are of the same type). REFERENCE: See Chapter 7. *H_ba_bt *** BACKUP TYPE *** PURPOSE: To choose the type of partial or full backup you wish to make. USAGE: Use the cursor (arrow) keys to select the proper option: The next several screens contain a brief discussion of each type of backup and the possible reasons for using each type of backup. FULL BACKUP The most commonly used backup type is the full backup. A full backup includes all files in all directories of the selected hard disk. Normally, you perform full backups at weekly intervals. This insures that you will be able to restore all or any part of your data that may become lost or damaged. This is the default setting for FASTBACK PLUS. After you have made a full backup, you probably will not want to include all your files in daily, or partial backups. You may decide, for example, that backing up certain program and data files that never change is a waste of time. DIFFERENTIAL BACKUP During a differential backup, Fastback Plus checks to see if a file has changed since the last full backup. If the file has not been changed, it is skipped. If the file has changed, it is included in the backup set. A differential backup does not mark files as backed up after completing the backup. Each differential backup contains all files that have been created or changed since the last full backup was made, even if the file was included in a previous differential backup. It is called differential because it records the difference between the last full backup and the current state of the hard disk. To restore your hard disk to its most recent state, you would first restore the last full backup, followed by the most recent differential backup. INCREMENTAL BACKUP During an incremental backup, Fastback Plus checks each file to see if it has previously been backed up. If so, the file is not backed up again. If the file has not been backed up (meaning it has changed or been created since the last backup), the incremental backup procedure backs it up and marks the file as being backed up. Each incremental backup contains only the files that have changed or been newly created since the previous backup. It is called incremental because it increments (adds to) the original backup a little bit at a time, as changes are made. To restore your hard disk to its most recent state, you would first restore the last full backup, followed by all intervening incremental backups. SETTING A BACKUP ROUTINE If you are not yet thoroughly exhausted from considering the possibilities, it is time to decide on a regular backup routine that best meets your particular needs. GENERAL STRATEGIES The most common strategy for backup routines is to: (1) Start out with a full backup of your hard disk, (2) make partial (incremental or differential) backups at small intervals (preferably daily), (3) Start the process all over again with a full backup at longer intervals (weekly or monthly). When To Use Differential Backups If you usually work with the same group of files each day, you will probably find the differential method quicker and easier. You can use the same backup disks over again each day (which will also make the backup process go faster, since the disks will already be formatted). When To Use Incremental Backups If you customarily use many different files from one day to the next, the incremental method is probably more practical for you -- in this case, a differential backup would quickly grow very large and take more time. The incremental method offers another advantage in that it preserves a daily record of changes to your files. If, for example, you discovered that the changes you made to your inventory database yesterday were all wrong, you could restore the database to the state it was in the day before yesterday. With differential backups, the earlier version would already have been overwritten with yesterday's data. DEFAULT: The default backup type is Full. REFERENCE: See Chapter 5. *H_ba_pv *** PREVIEW BACKUP *** PURPOSE: To view the files and directories you have selected for backing up before the backup is actually performed. USAGE: Once your backup selections have been made using the options discussed earlier, selecting Preview Backup will produce a directory tree diagram similar to the display in the Choose Files options, except it occupies the full screen. You may toggle between the directory and files windows with the <Tab> key. Every file selected for backup will be marked with a small triangle in front of the file name. Directories will be marked in this way if some or all of the files contained in the directory are selected for backup. A directory will not be marked, however, if its subdirectories contain files to be backed up but the main directory itself contains none. In this case, the subdirectories will be visible (and marked). DEFAULT: The default markings are those for the default full backup; that is, all the files and subdirectories of C:\. REFERENCE: See Chapter 6. *H_ba_pr *** START BACKUP *** After selecting the various options for backup, use this selection to proceed to the Backup Progress menu and start the backup. There are three options on the Backup Progress Menu: ESTIMATE DISKS -- Scans the hard disk for all selected files and constructs an estimate of the time and number of disks the backup will take. This estimate is approximate. The actual time and number of disks may vary slightly. START BACKUP -- Begins the backup process, tracks the files written and other backup statistics, and prompts you to change diskettes when necessary. QUIT -- Exits from the Backup Progress Screen and returns to the Start Backup selection on the main Backup menu. DEFAULT: This selection defaults to the values you have previously chosen for your backup. It will automatically name a backup set with the current date followed by an underscore character and a letter (A-Z) to indicate the first (A), second (B) etc. backup made on this date. Swapping disks As soon as you close the drive door, the screen gets very busy, constantly updating and informing you of backup progress. On the right side of the screen, you will see the name of each file quickly displayed as it is backed up. On the left side, you will see the numbers in the Actual column (next to the Estimates) updated continuously. The Track: numbers to the upper left will count upward as each new track is written to the backup diskette. The little diamond-shaped Buffers: indicators will flash on and off in a seemingly random pattern (you do not need to interpret this pattern -- the main thing to know is that the program is functioning correctly as long as they continue to flash). When the first backup disk is full, FASTBACK PLUS will beep and prompt you to insert Volume 2. When this happens, open the specified drive door, remove the first diskette (if necessary) and insert the second diskette, and close the door. The floppy disk drive light will remain ON throughout the backup -- don't wait for it to go off before inserting or removing diskettes. It is safe to change diskettes whenever FASTBACK PLUS prompts you to do so. *H_re_rs *** RESTORE SOURCE *** PURPOSE: To specify which floppy disk drive(s) or other DOS device contains backup information that needs to be restored to the hard disk. USAGE: FASTBACK PLUS presents you with a menu listing all the different types of media your system can support, using the drive information you provided during installation. Use the arrow (cursor) keys to highlight the selection you want, then press <Enter>. DEFAULT: FASTBACK PLUS defaults to your A: drive (or to both A: and B: if they are of the same type. REFERENCE: See Chapter 3. *H_re_wo *** WRITE OVER *** PURPOSE: To specify whether or not FASTBACK PLUS should overwrite existing files on the hard disk when it is restoring files that have the same name. USAGE: You are presented with three menu choices; Never, Older Files Only, and Always. Move the cursor to your choice, and press <Enter>. NEVER -- Means that FASTBACK PLUS will never overwrite an existing file on the hard disk. This option is used when you want to be sure that files already on the hard disk are unaffected by the restore. OLDER -- If this option is chosen, FASTBACK PLUS will only restore a file if the creation date of the file on the backup set is newer than the creation date of the file on the hard disk. This setting allows you to restore incremental backups out of chronological order without worry of obtaining the latest version of a file. ALWAYS -- Means that creation date will not be considered, and files in the backup set will unconditionally overwrite files on the hard disk having the same name. DEFAULT: FASTBACK PLUS defaults to Older Files Only. *H_re_dp *** RESTORE DIRECTORY *** PURPOSE: To choose whether FASTBACK PLUS will restore files to their original directories and subdirectories (re-creating them, if necessary), or to the current directory. USAGE: Choose Create Only If Needed to restore files to their original directory and subdirectory paths. If these paths no longer exist on the hard disk (perhaps because it has been re-formatted), FASTBACK PLUS will automatically create them as needed. EXAMPLE: Normal usage. If you backed up files in the "\MYFILES" directory and wished to restore to the same directory. Choose Default Directory to place all restored files into the current directory. If the default directory when you started the program was "\FASTBACK", all files will be restored to the "\FASTBACK" directory. EXAMPLE: Suppose you have been working on a very long document and you have been backing up files each day. Then you discover an earlier draft was better than the current draft. In such a case you may wish to restore the file to the default directory and then compare the two drafts. DEFAULT: The default selection is Create Only If Needed. REFERENCE: See Chapter 7. *H_re_pr *** START RESTORE *** Use this menu selection after choosing all the proper restore options to proceed to the Restore Progress menu and perform the restore. It should be noted that if the files you are restoring do not begin on the first backup diskette, you can begin by inserting the diskette containing the needed files. You need not always start with diskette (Volume) number one. USAGE: The Restore Progress Menu is nearly identical to the Backup Progress Menu. There are only two options: START RESTORE -- Begins the restore process, tracks the files written and other backup statistics, and prompts you to change diskettes when necessary. QUIT -- Exits from the Restore Progress Menu and returns to the Start Restore selection on the main Restore menu. Swapping Disks Remember, the diskette drive will not go out while FASTBACK PLUS is operating. It is perfectly safe to swap diskettes when you are prompted. REFERENCE: See Chapter 7. *H_op_ul *** USER LEVEL *** FASTBACK PLUS accommodates different levels of user experience through the User Level. Higher User Levels offer access to advanced options, but are not as easily mastered. YOU ARE CURRENTLY ON THE EXPERIENCED LEVEL. USAGE: Use the arrow (cursor) keys to select a User Level, then press <Enter> to enter your choice and update the menu screens to the new level. If you are just getting used to FASTBACK PLUS (and especially if you are new to computers), it is a good idea to leave the User Level set to Beginner, until you become comfortable with all of the options. The Experienced and Advanced levels allow you to access additional features and options. They are more confusing, however, and present more opportunity for error. DEFAULT: The User Level defaults to Beginner. *H_op_in *** INSTALLATION *** Before performing backups and restores with FASTBACK PLUS, you must install the software. The purpose of installation is to identify which floppy drives are installed, and test your hardware to determine which speed (Low, Medium, or High) can be used. USAGE: Unlike the other FASTBACK PLUS sub-menus, the Installation menu occupies an entire screen of its own (See Chapter 2). There are three items on the Installation screen: Floppy Drives, Test Hardware, and Set DMA Speed. *H_op_in_dd *** DEFINE FLOPPY DRIVES **** Use the arrow keys to position the light bar over the line that describes your A: and B: drives. If you have a combination not listed, choose Other. If You Choose Other you must consider the following: Logical drives and physical drives DOS allows the naming of assigning of different drive name letters to your drives. While normally your floppy drives are called A: and B:, you could call the first drive E: instead of A: -- or you could even call it A: and E:. These assignments create what are known as logical drives. Confusion is avoided by assigning each drive a physical index number. The initial floppy drive is assigned a physical index of 0. Suppose your computer is composed of two floppy drives internal to your machine and a third floppy drive which is external. Let us further suppose that the third drive is assigned the letter D:. The following assignments would be in force: DRIVE LETTER A: B: D: PHYSICAL INDEX 0 1 2 The Installation menu asks you to describe your physical drives; that is, the actual physical equipment itself, regardless of what logical name you may assign to it. If you have drive assignments other than type A: and B:, use the Other selection to enter them. *H_op_in_th *** TEST HARDWARE *** Test Hardware runs a diagnostic test on your computer at three different speed levels and reports the highest setting that passes. If all three tests pass, press <Esc> to return to the Installation menu. If any of the tests fail, you will be forced to reboot your computer. Each test should take about 30 seconds. *H_op_in_sd *** SET DMA SPEED *** Set DMA Speed is automatically set at the highest speed passed during the Hardware Test. If you wish to manually change it, you may change to a lower (slower) setting. Do not set the DMA Speed faster than the one selected by the Hardware Test -- it could cause serious problems or loss of data. REFERENCE: See Chapter 2. *H_vi *H_op_ca *** HISTORY REPORT *** PURPOSE: To view or print a copy of the History Report which was automatically created by FASTBACK PLUS for each backup. History Reports contain information on which files were backed up, and their location in the backup set. May also be used to view or print any ASCII text file. USAGE: Use the arrow (cursor) keys to select View or Print, followed by <Enter>. You will then be asked for the file name. Press <F3> for a directory if you are unsure of the file name. After entering the file name, press <Enter> again to begin viewing or printing the file. You may use the arrow (cursor) keys, <PgUp>, <PgDn>, <Home>, and <End> keys to scroll the file. DEFAULT: The default setting is View. REFERENCE: See Chapter 7. *H_op_ro *** OLD RESTORE PROGRAM *** PURPOSE: To allow backup sets made with the original FASTBACK to be restored to your hard disk. USAGE: Selecting this option invokes the FRESTORE program from the original FASTBACK. Consult your FASTBACK manual for FRESTORE instructions. *H_op_wv *** WRITE VERIFY *** PURPOSE: To specify that you want FASTBACK PLUS to compare information written to the backup destination with the hard disk information. USAGE: Use the arrow (cursor) keys to select On or Off. The use of this option provides absolute certainty as to the integrity of you backup. However, it doubles the backup time. DEFAULT: The default setting for Write Verify is Off. REFERENCE: Refer to Chapter 7. *H_op_bp *** AUDIBLE PROMPTS *** PURPOSE: To turn on or off the beep to remind you it is time to change disks. USAGE: Use the arrow (cursor) keys to select Yes or No and press <Enter>. DEFAULT: The default setting is Yes (beeps). *H_op_dc *** DISPLAY COLORS *** PURPOSE: To allow you to change screen colors to suit your personal preference. USAGE: Highlight the screen element whose color you want to view or change; Main Menus, Directories, Help, or Errors. Press <Enter>. You will be presented with a chart showing the default colors for each level within the category. Change the selections by highlighting the color you want to change, then pressing <Shift-Uparrow> or <Shift- Downarrow>. Press <Enter> to exit the screen and record your changes. DEFAULT: The default colors are those that were in effect when FASTBACK PLUS was first used (different default settings are used for monochrome or color monitors). *H_op_ds *** MS-DOS *** PURPOSE: To temporarily suspend FASTBACK PLUS and enter DOS so you can copy, rename or delete files or execute other DOS commands or application programs. USAGE: When you press <Enter> at this selection, the FASTBACK PLUS display is cleared from the screen and DOS is called. You will see your regular DOS prompt, and can enter any DOS command (available memory will be much smaller, because FASTBACK PLUS is still taking up memory). When you are ready to return to FASTBACK PLUS, type "Exit Enter>". This command can also be invoked form anywhere within FASTBACK PLUS by pressing <F6>. *H_op_rk *** KEYSTROKES TO FILE *** PURPOSE: To record any operations you perform in FASTBACK PLUS, so that they may later be played back. USAGE: You will be prompted for the name of the file in which to place recorded keystrokes. Enter a full DOS pathname, and press <Enter> when done. You will be returned to FASTBACK PLUS' home position (first selection on the Main Menu). You may now perform any operation you wish, except loading and saving setup files, recording keystroke files, and exiting to DOS. These functions will terminate the record keystrokes session. This option may also be called from anywhere in FASTBACK PLUS by pressing <F7>. REFERENCE: See Chapter 7. *H_op_pk *** PLAYBACK KEYSTROKES *** PURPOSE: To replay keystrokes previously recorded with the Record Keystrokes function. USAGE: When you select this feature from the Options menu (or by pressing <F8> from anywhere within FASTBACK PLUS), you will be prompted to enter the name of the keystroke file you wish to playback. If you can't remember the file name, press <F3> to call up the directory tree, where you may locate the file name and copy it using the <Ins> key. Use the full DOS pathname, then press <Enter>. FASTBACK PLUS will immediately begin playing back keystrokes. The screen will respond as if you were typing commands from the keyboard. REFERENCE: See Chapter 7. *H_op_ls *** LOAD SETUP FROM DISK *** PURPOSE: To restore all FASTBACK PLUS menu settings to the values previously recorded in a Setup File. USAGE: You may select this feature either from the Options menu or by pressing <F9> from anywhere within FASTBACK PLUS. You will be prompted to enter the name of the Setup File you wish to load. If you can't remember the file name, press <F3> to call up the directory tree, where you may locate the file name and copy it using the <Ins> key. After pressing <Enter>, the FASTBACK PLUS menu settings are immediately reset to the recorded values. If the User Level remains unchanged, you are returned to the last Main Menu item. If the User Level has changed, you are returned to the menu home position. REFERENCE: See Chapter 7. *H_op_ss *** SAVE SETUP TO DISK *** PURPOSE: To save all of FASTBACK PLUS' current menu settings to a file. USAGE: You will be prompted for the name of the file where you want your setup recorded. Enter a full DOS pathname (FASTBACK PLUS will add the extension ".fb" if you do not specify an extension). If you want to save only your backup and restore file specifications (Include/Exclude Files and Files by Date), press <Tab> to move to the Save Filespecs Only? field and change the N to a Y. Press <Enter> to save the settings to the file you have named. DEFAULT: Save Filespecs Only is set to N by default. The Save Setup filespec is set to be "STARTUP.FB" in the FASTBACK Support Directory by default. REFERENCE: See Chapter 7. *** EXIT *** PURPOSE: To exit from FASTBACK PLUS and return to DOS. USAGE: As the menu prompt suggests, simply press <Enter> to exit. If you change your mind and decide not to exit FASTBACK PLUS, you may choose another option with the arrow (cursor) keys or the first letter of the option.