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-
-
- INCRBACK --- Documentation
-
- This package documents an alternative to full DOS Backups. It
- provides a quick way to keep up-to-date with your back-ups without
- spending a lot of time at it. It is based on the assumption that you
- start with a full DOS backup. If you use this system you should find
- yourself taking FULL backup's less while maintaining better data
- security.
-
- There are two parts to this package - One a modification to DOS's
- backup program to make it a bit more useful; and Two a program to help
- keep track of what files need to be backed up. Each part can be used
- stand-alone but the intent is for them to be used together.
-
- This is NOT shareware! Please use it as you see fit. If you like
- it pass it on. If you have any problems or suggestions you can drop me
- a line at any one of the following boards.
-
-
- Annapolis Local RBBS 301 268 5821 2400 8-N-1
- Capitol PC Msg Ctr RBBS 301 956 3396 2400 8-N-1
- Cheasapeake RBBS 301 267 4930 2400 8-N-1
- Laurel RBBS 301 498 7283 2400 8-N-1
- Lutherville Xtrbo 2 CLUS 301 252 0717 2400 8-N-1
- The Saloon PCBD 301 757 9075 2400 8-N-1
-
-
- Step 1 - Modify DOS' BACKUP
-
- DOS' BACKUP command has a lot of useful options. One allows you to
- backup based on date and another based on whether a file has been
- modified. The trouble with the date option is that if you get a
- program, off a BBS or from a friend, whose date is earlier than the
- one you generally specify, it ends up not being backed up. You can use
- a public domain utility to change the date but you no longer have any
- idea when the program was created.
-
- A better option is to use the /M option to backup any file that has
- been modified regardless of date. The problem with using the modify
- option is that from week to week you end up backing up the same file
- to multiple diskettes. I have found that I usually have one or two
- main files and a bunch of little files spread over a bunch of
- diskettes. Additionally, in either case you don't have an easy way to
- see what you have backed up.
-
- One solution to this is to modify a COPY of DOS' BACKUP program to
- NOT reset the ARCHIVE bit once the file has been backed up. This
- allows you to build on a collection of files from day to day or week
- to week. Each set of BACKUP's will be complete with all the files
- modified since the last full backup.
-
- The following is a captured DOS debug session to modify the BACKUP
- command. It was done using PC-DOS 3.1 but the procedure to search the
- code and find the AND DF instruction should be the same for prior
- versions of PC/MS DOS.
-
- C:\TEST>copy \dos\backup.com \test
-
- C:\TEST>ren backup.com backarc.com
-
- C:\TEST>debug backarc.com
-
- -scs:100 fff 80 e1 df <---- Search for AND CL,DF instruction
- 46B3:0B76 <------|
- 46B3:0C34 <--------------- A couple of possibilities
-
- -uC30 <------ Back up a couple of instruction from the last
- one and Un-Assemble.
-
- 46B3:0C30 8A0E7207 MOV CL,[0772]
- 46B3:0C34 80E1DF AND CL,DF <---- Resets the Archive Bit
- 46B3:0C37 B80143 MOV AX,4301 <---- Function CHMOD Get/Set
- 46B3:0C3A CD21 INT 21 <--| File Attribute
- 46B3:0C3C 8B1EE505 MOV BX,[05E5] |
- 46B3:0C40 8B0E7307 MOV CX,[0773] |-- DOS Function Call
- 46B3:0C44 8B167507 MOV DX,[0775]
- 46B3:0C48 B80157 MOV AX,5701
- 46B3:0C4B CD21 INT 21
- 46B3:0C4D B43E MOV AH,3E
- 46B3:0C4F CD21 INT 21
-
- -ecs:C36 <------ Edit the address containing th "DF"
-
- 46B3:0C36 DF.__ <------ Enter FF and return
-
- -w <------ Write out the modified code.
-
- Writing 15C9 bytes
-
- -q <------ Quit Debug routine
-
- C:\TEST> <------ Back at the DOS Prompt
-
-
- Step 2 - The List Archive Program. (LARC)
-
- This is a simple program based off of a routine I downloaded from
- Compuserve and subsequently modified. It will check the entire disk
- and list each file it finds with the modify bit on. Additionally, the
- program will list the time and date each file was modified and
- estimate how many floppies will be required to do the backup. The
- source code is included so if the program does not work the way you
- think it should you can modify it for your own purposes. However, if
- you modify it please do not distribute it under my name. I have enough
- bugs to be responsible for with my own code.
-
- LARC has two parameters /P to pause at the end of each screen and d:
- to specify alternative drives. The output can also be redirected to
- the printer for hard copy.
-
- Step 3 - Putting it all together.
-
- Again, the basis of this method is starting out with a FULL DOS
- BACKUP (You do have one don't you!). After that the following BATCH
- file should keep you adequately protected for weeks. When do you do
- another FULL BACKUP? That's up to you. This system will slowly
- increase the number of floppies required. When the number gets out of
- hand do another FULL BACKUP.
-
- INCRBACK.BAT
-
- CD \
- Echo ON
- Pause Turn on Printer and .....
- Echo Off
- LARC > Prn
- BACKArc C: A: /s/m
-
- Note: The BATCH file above assumes BACKARC and LARC are in a directory
- pointed to by your PATH statement.
-
-
-
- Jim Wetzel
-
-