OS/2 Professional/OS2PRO194.ISO/os2/wps/disk/psns2/pss2disk.exe/OS2/MAGHELP.HLP

OS/2 Help File | 1993-03-30 | 52.6 KB | 1,557 lines

ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Introduction ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

PSnS/2 is a program which allows you to safeguard your system against possible
loss of information. PSnS/2 has the facilities to take backups of files
automatically or manually, and can restore these files selectively.

PSnS/2 achieves automatic backup by means of a system of rulebooks. A rulebook
is a file containing information about which files you want to back up, and to
which device. When PSnS/2 notices that you have updated a file or files, it
decides if they should be backed up by this system of rulebooks.

There are two types of rulebook; Local rulebooks and Global rulebooks.

Local rulebooks are for the individual user, so that he or she can ensure that
the files which they consider the most important are backed up to the device of
their choice. For example, a programmer and a secretary would need to keep
backups of different types of file.

Global rulebooks, on the other hand, are provided for the use of many users on
a local area network. They are intended to be used to ensure that files which
are generally considered to be of importance to the company or department are
backed up - providing greater security by not depending on the individual
priorities of the user. Hence the file specifications in global rulebooks are
likely to be more general, and the frequency of suggested backup lower.

Rulebooks also contain information about the device to which files should be
backed up.  PSnS/2 can use OS/2 supported drives which the machine can access
directly, and many external storage devices.  For example, a disk on a remote
host machine that can be accessed by file transfer commands, or an optical disk
drive may be used. It can cope with removable volumes and their (relatively)
limited size, and has the ability to split large files across volumes, keeping
track of where particular files have been sent for back up.

PSnS/2 will carry out automatic backups on two occasions:

o when it notices that a file has been updated more times than are specified in
  its rulebook entry

o at a certain time of day.
 This means that a user who wants to take backups but does not like PSnS/2
carrying them out automatically during the day can back up all the files
necessary at night. As long as the process of backup does not require diskettes
or other removable volumes to be inserted, then backup will take place
automatically.

PSnS/2 can also be set into a manual backup mode. In this mode PSnS/2 acts in
the same way as conventional backup programs and will only perform backups when
specifically requested by the user.

PSnS/2 offers several other functions -- the ability to compress files as they
are backed up, and to substitute your own compression function to achieve
maximum space-saving, and to keep different numbers of old copies
('generations') of files.  Older copies are automatically deleted when fresh
backups are made. It also backs up its own control files whenever it takes a
backup, and so can be used to restore an entire system, including itself, after
a full crash.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2. Welcome to PSnS/2 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Welcome to PSnS/2, the first fully automatic backup system for a Personal
Computer.

As this is the first time you are running PSnS/2, you should be following the
instructions in the manual for how to back up the files you want.

In addition to the manual, PSnS/2 comes with its own online help facility which
you can access at all times by either pressing the help button on the panel you
are using, or F1 on your keyboard.

For more information about how PSnS/2 works and what it does, refer to the
introduction to this help facility.

If you have any comments about PSnS/2, please send them to:

   PSnS/2 Support
   Warwick Development Group
   IBM (United Kingdom) Ltd
   Birmingham Road
   Warwick
   CV34 5JL
   United Kingdom

Or phone the UK helpline: 0926-464000 (ask for Personally Safe'n'Sound
Support).


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3. Backing up with PSnS/2 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Backup pull-down menu allows you to take backups of files. There are three
ways of choosing files to backup:

o Do afull backup now

o Files spotted by the program

o Files selected by pattern.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.1. Backup modes and their time setting ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Setup Timed Start pop-up window allows you to select which backup mode you
want PSnS/2 to use, and to change the times used for each mode.

The first mode is the incremental backup mode. The time given is the interval
between finishing one disk check and starting the next.

The second possible mode is the timed backup mode. This shows the time of day
at which PSnS/2 will check the disks and do any required backups.

Finally there is the manual backup mode. There is no time setting - when in
this mode PSnS/2 will only back up when you ask it to.

You can change either the interval time or the time of day, but the mode will
only change when you click on the radio buttons and then OK


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.1.1. Incremental backup mode ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

If PSnS/2 is in Incremental backup mode, it will check the disk for files to
back up every few minutes.

PSnS/2 looks for files which

o Have the archive bit set on, and

o Are selected for backup by the active rulebooks
If it finds any such files, it adds them to the files spotted list. When a
backup is triggered, all the files on this list are backed up.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.1.2. Timed backup mode ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

If PSnS/2 is in Timed backup mode, it will only check the disks for changed
files at the time specified by the user. (The user may change this time using
the Setup Timed Start menu selection.) When the disks have been checked, any
files which:

o Are in the files spotted list, or which

   - Have the archive bit set on, and
   - Are selected for backup by the active rulebooks
are backed up.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.1.3. Manual backup mode ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

If PSnS/2 is in Manual backup mode it will only take a backup if the user
selects one of the three options on the Backup pull-down menu. (See Backing up
with PSnS/2 .)

In this mode PSnS/2 acts like any other backup application in that it will ONLY
make a backup when you tell it to do so.

The mode is entered through the Setup Timed start menu selection.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.2. Full backup now ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

If you select this option, PSnS/2 will make a backup of all files as specified
in your active rulebook(s) whether or not there have been changes since the
last backup was made.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.3. Backup files by pattern ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

You can get to this pop-up window by selecting the By pattern... item from the
Backup option on the main menu.

This pop-up window is used to back files up manually.

There are two fields in which you enter the specification for files to be
backed up. In the first entry field, put the directory. In the second entry
field, put the file name pattern.

Note:  The directory cannot contain wildcards such as * or ?. It must have a
full drive and directory name. The name field, however, can contain a pattern
including such wildcards.

For example, you might put C:\BURNSIDE in the first field, and LEMMA.* in the
second field.

In addition, you may use the first checkbox to cause PSnS/2 to check
subdirectories of the directory you have selected (and any subdirectories of
those subdirectories, and so on!) for files needing back up. So, if you enter
C:\ in the directory pattern field, and check this button, PSnS/2 will search
all directories and subdirectories on your C-drive for files to back up.

PSnS/2 will back up all the files that satisfy the pattern condition and also
satisfy one or more of the pattern conditions specified in your active local or
global rulebook. Each file will be backed up according to the rules in the
rulebooks. To check your rulebooks select the Rulebooks... option from the
Setup item on the main menu.

The final entry field contains a date. Only files that have been changed since
this date will be backed up. So if you did a lot of work on the 25th of March
1991, you may want to enter 25-03-91 in this field.

The final checkbox at the bottom of the screen allows you to specify whether
you want to back up all the files that satisfy the above conditions, or just
files that have the archive bit set on.

To proceed with the backup when you have entered the information, select OK.

To return to the main menu without performing any backups, select Cancel.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.4. Backup files spotted ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

To get to this pop-up window, select the Files spotted option from the Backup
item on the main action bar.

This window will list the files which have been spotted as changed from the
list of files which the user has specified for back up (in the active
rulebook(s)).

To proceed with the backup of these files immediately, rather than waiting for
PSnS/2 to back them up, select the Backup all files radio button, and press OK.

Files can also be backed up selectively, by

o Choosing which files are to be backed up

o Choosing which files are to be removed from the list.  If this radio button
  is selected, the files will be removed from the files pending backup list and
  will only be put back if they are changed again.

To leave this window without backing up, select Cancel.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.5. Show backup box ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This tick item can be found in the Backup item on the main menu.

If this item is ticked, then a small pop-up window will appear when files are
being backed up in the background (that is, when PSnS/2 is iconised). This
window will appear at the bottom of the screen. It shows the name of the file
currently being backed up (with an (EA) if the extended attribute is also being
backed up), and a Stop button.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.6. Update titlebar text ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This tick item can be found in the Backup item on the main menu.

If this item is ticked, then the text in the titlebar of the PSnS/2 main window
(or, if the window is minimised, the text underneath the PSnS/2 icon) will
change to show the name of the file currently being backed up (with an (EA) if
the extended attribute is also being backed up).


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.7. Stopping backup ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

If the Stop button is pressed, the backup process will stop after the current
file has been backed up. If PSnS/2 was backing up the files spotted, then the
rest of the list of files is saved for future backup. If the backup was started
by the user from the Backup by pattern... window, the backup is simply
terminated, without an option to restart at that point.

After backup has been stopped, files can be removed from the list by selecting
the files in the list box and pressing the Remove button.  The user can then
continue backup by selecting the radio button to do so, and pressing OK

Halting backup altogether can be achieved by selecting the default radio
button, Halt backup, and then pressing OK.  If files have been removed, then
PSnS/2 remembers them and removes them from the files spotted for backup list
until they are changed again.

The Cancel push button cancels the Selected for Backup window only and returns
to the Copying files window.  This means that backup will continue, and any
changes made to the files spotted list will be discarded.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.8. Halting backup ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

When backup is halted, by pressing the Interrupt push button on the Copying
Files screen, the Backup Interrupted panel is displayed.  From here, the user
may choose whether to:

o Continue backup

o Halt backup

Files can be removed from the list of files spotted for backup by selecting the
appropriate files in the list box and then pressing the Remove button.  These
files are then removed from the files spotted for backup list until they are
changed again.

Select Continue to allow PSnS/2 to carry on with the backup.

Select Exit to halt backup altogether.  The user will then be returned to the
main menu.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4. Restoring files with PSnS/2 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Restore pull-down menu allows you to restore (or delete) files which you
have backed up.

You may list all the files that you have backed up, and select any group of
them, using the Restore selected files action. You can then restore these files
or delete them.

You can also restore files directly by typing in a wildcard and a date as of
which to restore files, using the Restore by pattern action.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.1. Restore files by pattern ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

You can get to this window by selecting Restore from the main menu, then
selecting By pattern....

You can use this window to restore backed up files, if you know their name and
directory. In the first field enter the specification of the files that you
want to restore. This may be a particular file name, for example
C:\CARD\ALEPH.NUL Alternatively, it could be a pattern specification, for
example C:\XYZ\*.*

If you use a pattern, you can restore more than one file at the same time. So
C:\CARD\ALEPH.* would restore all files which were backed up from the C:\CARD
directory, and which have a file name of ALEPH (for example, files such as
ALEPH.NUL, ALEPH.ONE, and ALEPH.TWO).

The second and third fields allow you to enter a date and a time; they are used
to select the generation of backup to restore. The backup generation chosen to
be restored will be the last backup taken before the time and date you specify.
So, if you want to restore a file to the state it was in at 9 o'clock in the
morning on the 17th July 1990, you might put 17-07-90 in the date field, and
09:00 in the time field. If the last backup taken before then was for 18:00 on
the 16th, that is the generation which would be restored.

Note:  The exact format for the date depends on the date format you have
selected from the Country... option on the OS/2 Control Panel The date format
you should enter is taken from this setting.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.2. Restore selected files ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

You can get to this pop-up window by selecting the Specific files option from
the Restore item on the main menu.

This window allows you to list the files that have been archived, and select
the files that you want to restore or delete.

If PSnS/2 has made some backups (manually or automatically) then this window
will display the files that have been backed up and the directory structures
that they were backed up from. When this window first appears, PSnS/2 does not
know which directory you require, so it gives you a choice by listing the
drives that PSnS/2 has backed up from in the Directories (on the right).

Double-clicking on one of the entries in the Directories list box produces a
list of files that have been backed up from that directory. The list appears in
the Files list box, on the left. Any further subdirectories, and a .. entry to
allow you to go back up one directory level, will be listed in the Directories
list box, along with a list of all the drives that files have been backed up
from. So if you had backed up the file C:\XYZ\FRED.DAT, you would have to click
on the [C:] entry and then on the XYZ entry in the Directories list box and
FRED.DAT would appear in the Files list box.

To only display files in the current directory that match a certain wildcard,
type a pattern other than *.* in the File name entry field at the top of the
window. For example, a pattern of *.WK1 would mean that only files with an
extension of WK1. would be shown in the Files list box.

To select a particular file from the Files list box, click on it once. To
select several files, click on each of them; if the list of files is longer
than one list box, use the scroll bars to scroll through them.

Once you have made your selection of one or more files:

o Select Restore to restore these files

o Select Drop to remove these files from the archives


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.2.1. Select generation of backup to restore ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

You get this pop-up window by selecting a file to restore from the Restore
specific files window, which can be accessed from the Specific files item from
the Restore pull-down on the main menu.

Use this window to restore a file that you selected from the list of files
backed up on the previous window.  The entry field will contain by default the
directory from which the file was backed up; however you may change this by
overtyping it. For example, if you had backed up the file C:\XYZ\FRED.DAT then
PSnS/2 would put C:\XYZ in this field.

The list box contains a list of the generations of archives of this file. The
date and time at which each backup was taken is thus displayed. Select a
certain generation to restore by clicking on the relevant line.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5. Files spotted list ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This is a list which PSnS/2 keeps of all files which have been spotted for back
up. When a backup is triggered, either by the user with the Backup Files
Spotted option, or by PSnS/2 during disk checking, the list of files will be
completely backed up. The number of files in the list is displayed on the main
panel.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6. Setting up or customising PSnS/2 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Use the functions on the Setup pull-down on the main menu bar to customise
PSnS/2 for your own use  You can adjust the drive definitions that PSnS/2 uses,
the removable volumes (for example, floppy diskettes) that PSnS/2 can use for
backing up, and the time of day that you want the automatic backup feature to
run (if you want it to run at all).

You can also customise the rulebooks, to choose which files are backed up and
which device should be used.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7. Rulebooks ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Rulebooks are the way in which you can tell PSnS/2 which files you want it to
back up, where you want to store the backups, and other details (if required)
about the actual backup.

Rulebooks are either local or global, depending on who set up the rules they
contain.

An example of a rulebook is shown in the Rulebook example

Local rulebooks are for individual users.  This allows you to ensure your most
important files are backed up to the place of your choice. When adding new
rulebooks, the default is set to global.

Global rulebooks, on the other hand, are provided for the use of one or many
users. They should be used to ensure that files which are considered to be of
general importance are backed up - providing greater security by not depending
on the priorities individual users might have. Hence the file specifications in
global rulebooks are likely to be more general, and the frequency of suggested
backup may be somewhat lower.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7.1. Patterns for backup selection ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Patterns are used in the rules in a rulebook and to select files to restore.
They are just "templates". (An example of a rulebook, and the patterns in it,
is shown in Rulebook example.) PSnS/2 uses it to see if the action applies to a
particular file. It can contain the OS/2 wildcard characters, * and ? anywhere
within it, as well as normal characters.

For example, MYFILE.DOC is allowed, and would match any file in any drive and
path with a name of MYFILE and an extension of DOC.

Similarly, C:MYFILE.DOC is allowed, and would match such a file in any path on
the C drive.

However, C:\MYFILE.DOC or C:\MYDIR\MYFILE.DOC would only match the particular
file in the given path on the given drive.

Note:  Upper or lower case is not significant in patterns.

Wildcards

Wildcards are the characters * and ?.

?   This indicates that any single character may appear in this position

*   This allows any number of characters, including none at all, to occupy this
    position

A colon is a special case because it will only be recognised when it is the
second character of a specification. For example, c?xyz will include c3xyz but
not c:xyz. The last backslash is also a special case. Any characters after the
last backslash are assumed to refer only to the file name and extension. If
there are no backslashes, all the characters refer to the file name and
extension, and all the drives and paths are checked.

Some examples of patterns are:

aa?bb includes the files aa3bb and aacbb but not aaccbb .

aa*bb includes all of these files, as well as aa32bb .

*.* includes any file, as would * but *. would match only files that had no
extension.

C:\ALPHA.* includes all files called ALPHA , with any extension, in the root
directory of the C drive.

C:ALPHA includes all files called ALPHA , with no extension, in any directory
of the C drive.

C:\harry*\* includes all files, with any extension, in any subdirectory within
a directory whose name starts with harry . It includes, for example, the file
C:\HARRY\AND\UNCLE.BOB because the * after harry can match any number of \
characters.

However, *JIM*\* also includes C:\COUSIN\JIM\AND\UNCLE.BOB because the * before
JIM can match anything as well.

Patterns should be used with care because if they are too vague many files
which are not required for backup may be included. In particular, *s on their
own should be used with caution. It is best to specify exactly what you need,
and no more.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7.2. Example rulebook ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This section contains a typical list of rules from a rulebook, and explains
them.

A rulebook is used to determine which files to back up. Each rule consists of a
pattern, and a drive to which matching files are to be backed up.  The word
[None] is used if no backup is to be taken.

    OS2.INI ΓöÇ D
    \OS2\*  ΓöÇ [None]
    *.EXE   ΓöÇ [None]
    *.COM   ΓöÇ [None]
    *.WK?   ΓöÇ E
    *.*     ΓöÇ D

Here you can see to where a typical list of files will be backed up:

C:\OS2\OS2.INI
    will go to drive D
C:\OS2\DOSCALLS.LIB
    will not be backed up
C:\OS2\VDISK.SYS
    will not be backed up
C:\OS2\E.EXE
    will not be backed up
D:\123\123.EXE
    will not be backed up
D:\123\AUG90.WKS
    will go to drive E
C:\OLD123\JAN88.WK1
    will go to drive E
D:\MKTG\PLAN.SCR
    will go to drive D

For more details, see the patterns and rulebooks sections.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7.3. Listing the Rulebooks ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

You can get to this pop-up window by selecting the Setup option from the main
action bar, then selecting the Rulebooks... option from within the pull-down
menu. The pop-up window displays a list of the rulebooks that are currently
available on the system. It allows you to alter the rulebooks, change which one
the system is to use, or to simply view them.

Local rulebooks are listed under the heading '* Local', and Global rulebooks
are listed below, under the heading '* Global'.

If a rulebook is active, that is, if PSnS/2 uses it for checking against when
it performs a backup, the rulebook name will have an <in use> sign by it.

To select a rulebook from the list, scroll to its name, or select it with the
mouse. When you press one of the push buttons at the bottom of the screen, the
selected rulebook will be affected.

You can also change any of the information which is displayed about the current
rulebook, in the Edit Rules  window.

o Description

o Backup device used in new rules

o Backup device for PSnS/2 control files

o Backup trigger level for new rules

o Backup generations for new rules

Note:  In the case of the "initial" settings, changing the value for this
setting WILL NOT alter the setting for existing rules. It is only the setting
used for creating new rules.

BEWARE:

You must always have a global rulebook in use. The system will not allow you to
leave this window without one.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7.3.1. Description ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The description is intended to help you decide whether to use a particular rule
or rulebook. Hence this might be a general description of the files the
rulebook refers to, a contact point for the service of the rulebook (in the
case of a rulebook on a Local Area Network), or details about why a rule is
present.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8. Testing Rulebooks ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This panel can be accessed from the Test Active Rulebooks...  option in the
Rulebook pull-down menu from the Rulebooks action bar.  It tests the rulebooks
which are marked as <in use> in the Available Rulebooks list box.

The rulebooks being tested are displayed at the top of the panel, along with
the checking order.  This can also be changed from the Rulebooks action bar, by
selecting Options. The default is to check the Global rulebook before the
Local.

The files which would be backed up using the particular rulebooks which have
been tested are shown in the list box at the bottom of the window.

Note:  These files have not actually been backed up, as this facility is
designed for use by those who have created rulebooks and wish to ensure that
they will back up the expected files.

Selecting OK returns the user to the Rulebooks window.

Selecting Stop halts the test.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9. Changing defaults for new rules ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This window is brought up when the Change defaults item on the Options
pull-down from the Rulebooks menu bar is selected.  It can be used to alter the
device which new rules will back up to, the number of generations which can be
kept, and the number of times a file has to be changed before it is spotted for
backup.

The backup device for new rules, and for control files, can be changed in the
same way.  The drives available are displayed in the drop-down list, and new
drives can be added in the  Drive letter details window.  This can be accessed
from the Setup option on the main PSnS/2 menu bar.  Select another drive to
change the default.

The trigger level is the number of times a file has to be changed before it is
added to the files spotted for backup list.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9.1. Backup device used in new rules ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This is the letter of the device which is most commonly used for backup by this
rulebook. For example, "A" would mean a floppy disk drive, and "C" would mean
the hard disk.

The possible values are displayed in a drop-down list. (Selecting the  button
will display the full list). The drives available are taken from those shown in
the Setup drives pop-up window.

The device which PSnS/2 uses for back up, according to the rulebooks which are
active, is displayed in the List of Rulebooks window.  To change this, go to
the Change defaults for new rules window from the Options pull-down in the List
of Rulebooks panel.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9.2. Backup device for PSnS/2 control files ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This is an alternative to the initial backup device for the rulebook, in case
you want the PSnS/2 system files and the backups of your personal files to be
stored on different devices.

The possible values are displayed in a drop-down list. (Selecting the  button
will display the full list. Alternatively, use of the up and down arrow keys
will move through the items in the list, when this box has the focus.) The
drives available are taken from those shown in the Setup drives pop-up window.

The device which PSnS/2 control files are backed up to is displayed in the List
of Rulebooks window.  This can be changed by selecting the Change defaults item
from the Options pull-down menu.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9.3. Backup trigger level for new rules ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This is the initial setting for the backup trigger value for rules in this
rulebook. This is the minimum number of times that a file needs to be noticed
as updated by PSnS/2, when running in incremental backup mode, before the file
can trigger a backup. So if this has the value 3, backup will only be triggered
when a file is spotted as changed three times.

Note:  When backup is triggered by any file, all spotted files are backed up.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9.4. Backup generations for new rules ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This is the initial value for the number of backup generations kept for rules
in this rulebook. A generation of backup is a copy of a file, as it was on a
particular date and time.

A small number (for example, two or three) generations means the you save space
on the backup device. A larger number (ten, for example) will, of course, take
up more space on the backup device, but will provide an audit trail of changes
to the file.

The number of generations can range from one to ninety nine.

Note:  Large numbers in this field are only recommeded where storage costs are
low, for example, when backing up to CD-ROM.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9.5. Change search order ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This tells PSnS/2 to check for matches in the active global rulebook first.
However, it can be changed so that PSnS/2 searches the active local rulebook
first, by selecting the Change search order item from the Options pull-down
menu in the List of Rulebooks panel.

If no match is found, the active local rulebook is then searched, or vice
versa.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Rulebook pull-down menu ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

To change, add or test the rules for the rulebook which is currently selected,
choose this option from the List of Rulebooks action bar.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Add item ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

To add a new rulebook, select this item. You will then see the Add New Rulebook
pop-up window.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Delete item ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

To delete a local or global rulebook, select this item. You will be asked for
confirmation of your action.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Cancel button ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Selecting this button will allow you to leave the rulebook list screen without
saving changes you might have made. Note that changes to rules in rulebooks,
and any other changes for which you have already selected OK (such as creating
or copying a rulebook) CANNOT be cancelled using this button. They can only be
cancelled at the point of the change by selecting the cancel button available
then.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Copy item ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

To create a copy of a local or global rulebook, or to copy a rulebook of one
type to another, select this item. You will be prompted to type in the name of
the new rulebook, and to select the type (local or global) of the new rulebook,
using the Copying a rulebook pop-up window.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9.6. Adding a new rulebook ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

You can get to this pop-up window by pressing the Add option in the Rulebooks
pull-down on the List of Rulebooks  menu bar.

This window asks you to enter the name for the new rulebook you are creating.
The new rulebook can either be local or global, although the default is set to
local.  It can be changed using the radio buttons.

Type the name for the rulebook (up to eight characters of letters or numbers,
without any spaces) in the entry field in the centre of the window.

To accept the new rulebook name, and create the rulebook, select OK.

To return to the main menu without creating a new rulebook, select Cancel.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9.7. Copying a rulebook ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

You can get to this pop-up window by pressing the Copy  option in the Edit item
on the List of Rulebooks action bar.

This window asks you to enter the name for the copy of the rulebook you are
creating. It also allows you to select whether the new rulebook will be a local
rulebook or a global rulebook.

Enter the name (up to 8 letters or numbers, no spaces) of the new rulebook.

Select one of the two radio buttons, to make the new rulebook a local or a
global rulebook.

To complete a copy, using the name and type you have chosen, select the OK
button.

To return to the list of rulebooks without creating a copy, select the Cancel
button.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9.8. List the rules in a rulebook ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

You can get to this pop-up window by selecting the Open  item from the List of
Rulebooks action bar. You are then in the Edit rules window which displays the
rules contained in the selected rulebook.

 You can use this window to update the rules within a rulebook. The rules
determine which files are to be backed up, where they should be backed up to,
and the number of generations of backup to be kept.

The following entry fields are visible:

o Pattern

o to drive:

o Description

o Trigger backup when files changed this many times:

o Keep this many generations of backup:

o Compress command:

o Uncompress command:

The Add... push button allows you to add a new rule to the rulebook.

The Delete push button deletes the rule that is selected.

The OK push button returns the user to the List of Rulebooks screen, and saves
the changes made.

The Cancel button cancels the Edit Rules window and returns the user to the
List of Rulebooks panel..


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9.9. Adding a new rule to a rulebook ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This pop-up window can be found by selecting the Add option from the Edit item
on the action bar in the List of Rulebooks window.

You can use this window to add a new rule to a rulebook. As the order of rule
entries is important, the new rule will be added just before the selected rule
in the list of rules window.

The following entry fields are shown on this screen:

o Pattern for files to match

o Drive to be used to backup files matching the pattern

o Description of this rule.

When you have filled in the fields, press OK to add the rule to the rulebook,
or Cancel to leave the window without adding the rule.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9.9.1. Description of this rule ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Use this field to type in a description which will help you understand the
purpose of the rule when you or others are looking at the rulebook. This will
appear on the main rulebook editing panel when this rule is selected in the
list box.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9.9.2. Pattern for files to match ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The pattern is a "wildcard" specification for the files you want to select.
Files selected by this rule are either backed up or ignored; if the value of
the to drive:  field is [None], the files selected are not backed up. If the
value is the name of a drive in the Setup drives table, the matching files will
be backed up to the specified drive.

Rulebooks are scanned from top to bottom whenever a file is found which has
changed. When a file is found to match the pattern in a rule, the associated
trigger level field is used to decide whether to back the file up or not. (When
a file has matched one pattern, the scanning of the rulebook stops in any case;
this is why ordering of rules is important.)


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Backup drive for a rule. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This field, in the List of rulebooks window, contains the drive letter of the
backup destination for files matching the pattern. If the field contains the
value [None], files matching the associated pattern are not backed up. If the
field contains a valid drive letter (from the list in the Setup drives table),
files matching the pattern are backed up to the specified drive.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Trigger level ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This field is in the List the rules in a rulebook window.

A record is kept of how often a file has been noted as changed. After a file
has been noticed this many times, a backup is triggered. All files awaiting
backup (not just the one which triggered the backup) are then backed up.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Backup generations ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This field is in the List the rules in a rulebook window

PSnS/2 can keep many generations of backup for a particular set of files. Two
generations is usually enough for most circumstances, but if an audit trail is
required, for example, more generations can be specified.

PSnS/2 allows any number of generations up to 99, although more generations
require more space on the backup device.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Compress command ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This field is to be found on the Edit Rules screen.

This is the command that is used to compress the backup files during backup.
Leaving this field blank indicates that no compression is required. Putting an
asterisk (*) in this field indicates that PSnS/2 is to use its own tersing
function. To use your own command, type in the command and its arguments just
as you would on a command line, except instead of typing in the file names, you
must substitute the following tokens:

&s  the file name of the original (non backed-up) file.

&t  the file name of the target file - the back up.

So if you have a command called TERSE, you could type  TERSE &s &t  in this
entry field.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Uncompress command ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This field is in the Edit Rules window.

Like the compress command, this command is used to decompress the backup files
during backup. The use is the same as for the compress command above.

Therefore, if you have a command called UNTERSE, you could type  UNTERSE &t &s
in this field.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9.10. Rulebook password ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This window is for entering a new or current password.

This window is asking you either to enter the password for the currently active
global rulebook (if you are changing it) or the password for a new global
rulebook (if you are creating one).

If you are currently using a global rulebook with a password, then you cannot
alter that or any other global rulebook without using the password.

The password may be blank (in which case any password will later match it), or
it may be a word or a phrase of up to forty characters.

Enter the password in the entry field in the middle of the window.

When you have entered the password, select OK, or press enter.

To return to the previous window without entering a password, select Cancel.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 10. Setup drive table ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

You can get to this pop-up window by selecting the Drives option from the Setup
option on the main action bar.

Use this window to inform the system of the drives that backup can be made to
and how to make backups to them. Most users will not need to use this screen;
when PSnS/2 is first run on a machine, it will check out all the drives and
make entries for the OS/2-supported drives in the drive table. Only if the user
wishes to use non-OS/2 supported drives do they need to use this screen.

On the left of the window is a list box containing a list of the drives that
the system has been configured to recognise. To select a particular drive,
scroll to its entry in this list.

Information about the drive will be displayed on the right.  The appropriate
radio button will be checked in the Drive Type group, these show the type of
device selected for backing up. This information shows :

o whether the drive is OS/2-supported

o whether the drive has volumes (such as diskettes) which can be changed by the
  user

o whether files should be batched when they are backed up to the drive

o the commands required to transfer files to and from the drive

Note:  There are special considerations if you are using OS/2 Extended Edition
and wish to back up files to a host using Communications Manager. See below for
details.

The following fields occur in this window:

o To tell the system whether the drive is for removable volumes, tab to the
  checkbox marked The volume in the drive can be changed by the user and press
  Enter. A checked checkbox indicates that the drive is for removable volumes.

o To tell PSnS/2 whether the drive is supported by OS/2 commands, mark the
  checkbox labelled Drive is directly supported by OS/2 commands.

o The field Files should be batched when they are backed up to this drive
  should only be checked for tape drives. When asked to back up to this drive,
  PSnS/2 will then make a list of changed files and pass the whole list to the
  software (separate from PSnS/2) that makes the actual backups.

   Command to back up to this drive If the drive is not OS/2-supported, (for
             example, a disk on a host machine), specify the file transfer
             command in this box. See notes below on the form to be used for
             the command.

             Note:  There are special considerations if you are using OS/2
             Extended Edition and wish to back up files to a host using
             Communications Manager. (See below for details.)

   Command to restore to this drive Again, if the drive is not OS/2-supported,
             PSnS/2 needs to know what commands to use to retrieve files from
             the drive back to the PC or PS/2. Enter the appropriate command
             here.

Notes on entering commands

You must know the commands you would use at the command line to transfer files
to and from this device. Then type the commands exactly as you would if you
were performing the file transfer manually; however you must use the following
substitutions for the file names on the source and target drives:

&s  The token represents the full specification (drive, path, name and
    extension) of the source file (the file that has been or is to be backed
    up).

&t  This token represents the full specification of the target file (the backup
    file).

&d  This token represents the drive letter of the target file (without a
    colon).

&n  This token represents the file name of the target file (without a dot or
    extension).

&x  This token represents the extension of the target file (without a dot).

Notes for OS/2 EE host backup

If you want to back up files to the host (a mainframe running the VM or MVS
operating systems), you must use a special command. There are restrictions in
OS/2 Extended Edition which mean you cannot use SEND and RECEIVE. Instead, you
must use PSSSEND and PSSRECV. So you should put

          PSSSEND &s a:&n &x
   in the Command to Back Up field, and
          PSSRECV &s a:&n &x
   in the Command to Restore field.

To add another drive specification to the list, select Add.

To delete a drive specification from the list, select the drive (by scrolling
to it in the list) and then press Delete.

To save the new drive information and return to the main menu, select OK.

To return to the main menu without saving the new drive information, select
Cancel.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 10.1. Add a new drive to the drive table ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

You can get to this pop-up window by selecting the Add button on the Setup
Drives pop-up window.

Use this window to add a new drive definition to the system.

Enter the letter for the new drive in the entry field labelled Letter for new
drive.  The radio buttons below are to allow the user to specify which type of
drive they wish PSnS/2 to use for backing up.

Use the two checkboxes (marked Volumes in the drive can be changed by the user
and Drive is directly supported by OS/2 commands) to specify whether the new
drive uses removable media (such as diskettes) and whether the drive is
OS/2-supported or not. If the new drive is a tape drive then check the third
box to tell PSnS/2 that files being backed up should be batched (see Setup
drive table).

To add this information to PSnS/2's list of drives, select OK.

To return to the previous screen without adding this new drive, select Cancel.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 10.1.1. OS/2-supported drives ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

An OS/2-supported drive is one which can be accessed by OS/2 commands such as
DIR and COPY. This includes all the hard disks and diskette drives built into
your machine, but excludes, for example, optical drives and host systems.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 11. List of Removable Volumes ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Use this window to inform PSnS/2 of the removable volumes (eg diskettes) that
it has at its disposal. In the list box on the left hand side of the window is
a list of the removable volumes that PSnS/2 knows about; these are referenced
by a unique number. To select a volume from this list, click on its name.
Information about the volume (the drive it is used in and the amount of space
free on it) is displayed beside the volume list.

To add a new removable volume to the system, select Add

To delete a volume from the system, click on its number in the list, and then
select Delete

Warning: If you delete a removable volume then all the backups on that volume
will be lost irretrievably.

To refresh the contents of the removable volumes, select Refresh


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 11.1. Add a removable volume to PSnS/2 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Use this option to inform PSnS/2 of another removable volume (such as a
diskette) that it can use for backing up.

In the List of Removable Volumes window select the number you want for the new
volume. In most cases you would accept the number shown, but if you no longer
need the data on one of your existing volumes you could delete it from the list
and then re-use that volume number. This function enables you to keep volume
numbers down to a reasonable size.

Then select the Add button to bring up the Add Removable Volumes window.

Type the letter of the drive where the removable volume is  used in the Home
Drive entry field.

Select the Format new volume check box if you want the new volume to be
automatically formatted. PSnS/2 will then format it to the highest density. If
you want the volume to be formatted to a different density, you must format it
yourself and set the capacity to the lower density.

If you do not want to format the new volume, and if the removable volume is
OS/2-supported, you can ask the program to find out how much space is available
on it automatically. If the volume is not OS/2-supported then you must enter
the amount of space available on it (in kilobytes) in the Kilobytes free on new
volume entry field.

To add the new volume to the system (and format it, if required) select OK.

To return to the previous window without adding a volume to the system, select
Cancel.

If there is no free space available on the removable volumes PSnS/2 already
knows about then the program will bring up the Add Removable Volumes window
automatically.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 11.2. Refreshing the Contents of Removable Volumes ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

PSnS/2 performs automatic management of removable volumes, and keeps track of
how much space is available on them. However, because the program is designed
to perform backups while causing the least possible disruption to the user, it
will not always delete obsolete backups of files.  This is because unnecessary
swapping of removable volumes may be required.  While these old backups will
not affect the backing up and restoring of files, they do take up space.

You get to this function by selecting the Refresh button on the List of
Removable Volumes  window.

You can then choose to refresh either the main backup volumes, or those
containing control file backups, or both.

The refresh function will ask for each removable volume in turn, and refresh
its contents.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 12. The PSnS/2 Log File ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

PSnS/2 will keep a log file of files which have been backed up. You can choose
whether to record the good backups and the bad backups using the items on this
pull-down.

The log contains:

o the date and time of each backup

o an error number (if an error occurred)

o the drive to which the file was backed up

o the full file specification (drive, path, and name) for the backed up file.

For example, a few lines might look like:

 - 03-05-90 08:30      >C  <C:\STARTUP.CMD
 - 03-05-90 18:16      >C  <C:\AUTOEXEC.BAT
 X 03-05-90 18:55  10  >H  <C:\FAIL.ME
 - 03-05-90 18:58      >C  <C:\PATCH.CMD

This means that three files were successfully backed up, and one failed, with
an error code of 10.

The Log File is kept in a file called BACKUP.LOG, in the PSnS/2 System Data
directory, called \PSS\SYSDATA\.  This will be on the drive on which you
installed PSnS/2.

You can change the program used to look at this file by using the Logview
program selection from the Logview item on the main menu.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 12.1. Viewing the PSnS/2 Log File ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

If you select the Logfile item from the main action bar, a program will be used
to show you the backup log. (By default, the system editor is used; you can
change the program used by using the Logview program option on the Logfile
pull-down on the main menu.)

You can use any of the functions of the system editor (or your chosen program)
on the Log File, including Search to find entries, and Delete to erase old
entries.

The Log File is kept in a file called BACKUP.LOG, in the PSnS/2 System Data
directory, called \PSS\SYSDATA\  This is on the drive on which you installed
PSnS/2.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 12.2. Log successful backups ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Select this if you want a record of successful backups in the PSnS/2 Logfile.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 12.3. Log errors on backup ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Select this if you want a record of errors which caused backups to fail in the
PSnS/2 Logfile.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 12.4. Changing the program used to view the log ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

You can get to this pop-up window by selecting Logview program from the Logfile
item on the main menu.

This pop-up allows you to change the program which is called when the View log
option is chosen from the Logfile main menu item.

By default, the OS/2 System Editor is used. You can enter the path and name of
your own editor to use instead, in the entry field on this pop-up window. When
you have entered the path and name, select OK.

Warning: No support is guaranteed for programs other than the OS/2 System
Editor. In particular, non-Presentation Manager programs (ones which use AVIO
functions, for example) will not work.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 13. Startup option ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

There are several flags you may use on the intial PSS command, or (under OS/2
version 2.0) put in the Parameters field of the program settings:

/?        Produces help on command line switches. You may need to redirect this
          output to a file to view it, thus:

                    PSS /? > myfile
           Then view the file.

/I        Start up iconised. This causes PSnS/2 to start in the iconised state.

/B        PSnS/2 will perform a backup as soon as it is started, using the
          active rulebooks.

/BL=<name> PSnS/2 will perform a backup as soon as it is started, using the
          specified local rulebook.

/BG=<name> PSnS/2 will perform a backup as soon as it is started, using the
          specified global rulebook.

/C        When used with the /B, /BL or /BG switches this causes PSnS/2 to
          backup only changed files when it is started.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 13.1. Backing up on Startup ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

A backup can be performed as soon as PSnS/2 is started by using the /B switch
on the command line.

In its simplest form, /B will backup all files that are covered by the active
rulebooks. This might be useful in a critical environment as it ensures that
you have a complete set of backed up files every time the program is run.

Using /BL=<name> or /BG=<name>  performs a similar task, except that instead of
using the active rulebooks, the program will use the rulebooks specified by
name. Note that the switches only over-ride the type of rulebook to which they
refer, so /BL=DAILY will over-ride any local rulebook, but will not affect the
active global rulebook. Similarly /BG=ONCE will over-ride the active global
rulebook, but will not affect any local rulebook.

Using the /C switch causes PSnS/2 to back up only those files which have been
changed since the last backup. So, for example, /B /C will cause a backup of
all files covered by the active rulebooks which have been changed since the
last backup.

One possible use of /BL=<name> and /BG=<name> would be to allow a daily backup
to diskette, by using appropriate rulebooks in the switches, combined with
regular background backing up to hard-drive during normal operations. This not
only provides greater security, but also avoids repeated interruptions when the
program backs up to diskette during normal working hours.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 13.2. Setting Priorities for PSnS/2 Threads ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Using this panel allows you to change the priorities of the threads that PSnS/2
uses to scan your disks and perform backups. You might want to do this to avoid
interference from other programs (such as OS/2 system monitors and some DOS
applications) which affect the way OS/2 works in background mode.

The 2 modes available are High priority and Normal Priority.

High priority means that OS/2 will try to give that thread a set proportion of
the system's time, so the backup or disk scan will run and a regular rate,
regardless of other programs you may be running. This can be disruptive if you
are using another application while PSnS/2 is working.

To get around this problem, PSnS/2 usually works at normal priority, which
means that it will operate only when nothing else is happening on your machine.
This is usually the best mode to operate in, as OS/2 will let PSnS/2 work in
between your key or mouse presses, or after an application has finished a
particular calculation. However, if you are using an application that works
continuously (like a system monitor, or a DOS communications program), then
PSnS/2 might never be given the opportunity to perform a disk scan, or back up.
In this case you should select high priority for the threads affected.

Once you have chosen the priorities you require, select OK. You will be asked
to allow PSnS/2 to shut down, and then restart it for the changes to take
effect.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 13.3. Credits ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Project Leader Bruce Nash

Original Idea  John Armstrong

Original Coder Clive Freeman

Team Members

                              Charles Cooper
                              Gary Wooding
                              Mike Rigby
                              Ian Thomas
                              John May
                              Sally Dent
                              Lucy Campbell

               With special thanks to:  Richard Huijing, Paul Nol, Geoff Bott,
               Vinciane Ollington and Ian Nussey.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 14. Leaving PSnS/2 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Press F3 or select Exit from the first pull-down to exit the program. You will
be asked if you are sure you want to exit, to prevent you from accidentally
shutting down PSnS/2.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 15. PSnS/2 Help choices ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Use these choices to find out:

o how to use help

o how to get extended help

o how to go to a list of keys

o how to go to the help index.

Help for help
     Provides detailed information on the kinds of Help available and how to
     use Help.

Extended help
     Displays general help.

Keys help
     Displays a list of keys.

Help index
     Displays the help index.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 16. Help for PSnS/2 Help ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Use this choice to obtain information on how to use the Help facility.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 16.1. Extended Help ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This in intended as an introduction to PSnS/2.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 16.2. Help for Keys ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Use this choice to see a list of keys and a description of the function of the
keys.

The list of keys is arranged in groups.

ACCELERATOR KEYS

F1
     Obtain help

F3
     Exit program

HELP KEYS

F1
     Get help

F2
     Get extended help (from within any help window)

Alt+F4
     End help

F9
     Go to a list of keys (from within any help window)

F11
     Go to the help index (from within any help window)

Esc
     Previous Help Panel, or End help if only one panel

Alt+F6
     Go to/from help and programs

Shift+F10
     Get help for help

SYSTEM KEYS

Alt+F6
     Switch to the next windowed program

Alt+Esc
     Switch to the next program, including full-screen programs

Ctrl+Esc
     Switch to the Task List

WINDOW KEYS

F3
     Close a window

F10
     Go to/from the action bar

Arrow keys
     Move among choices

End
     Go to the last choice in a pull-down

Esc
     Cancel a pull-down or the system menu

Home
     Go to the first choice in a pull-down

PgUp
     Scroll the contents of the window up one page

PgDn
     Scroll the contents of the window down one page

Underlined letter
     Move among the choices on the action bar and pull-downs

Alt+F10
     Go to/from the action bar

Alt+F4 or F3
     Close the window

Alt+F5
     Restore the window

Alt+F7
     Move the window

Alt+F8
     Size the window

Alt+F9
     Minimize the window

Alt+F10
     Maximize the window

Ctrl+PgDn or Shift+F8
     Scroll the contents of the window right one page

Ctrl+PgUp or Shift+F7
     Scroll the contents of the window left one page

Shift+Esc or Alt+Spacebar
     Go to/from the system menu

Shift+Esc or Alt
     Go to/from the system menu of a text window


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 16.3. Help for Help Index ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Use this choice to display the help index.

The help index lists the titles of the help information that is available.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden>  ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Removable volumes are backup volumes,such as diskettes, which can be changed by
the user. The criterion for removable volumes is: might PSnS/2 try to back up
to this device with the drive empty, or with the wrong thing in it? If so, it
is a removable volume drive; the volumes in the drive can be changed by the
user.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden>  ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

You can change the interval which PSnS/2 will use from the Setup Timed Start
screen.


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The archive bit is one of the OS/2 file system attributes. Whenever a file is
changed, OS/2 sets it to on.


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Drives are displayed thus: [C:] for the C-drive, [D:] for the D-drive, and so
on.


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Backups are kept in generations. A generation of backup corresponds to one
complete backup of a file. So if you have three generations of backup for a
file, there are up to three backup copies of the file in the system. When a
fourth backup is taken, the oldest of the three copies will be overwritten.

Note:  Old generations of backup will only be overwritten on a directly
OS/2-supported device such as a hard disk, a LAN disk, or diskettes. On devices
such as an optical drive, which require a special command to write to them, old
generations are not overwritten. The user may delete them manually if
necessary, but this practice is strongly discouraged.


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If files are compressed in size during backup, they will take up less space on
the backup device, although backup will take slightly longer.

Since backup in OS/2 takes place in the background, without interrupting user
tasks, the extra time taken by compression will probably not affect the user.
Since there are considerable benefits to using less space on the backup device,
use of PSnS/2's compression options is recommended.


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A good backup is one which was successful. The file has been backed up, and all
appropriate entries made in PSnS/2 control files.


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A bad backup is one which failed for some reason. The reason can be determined
by examining the error number in the Log File.