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██████╗ █████╗ ██████╗
██╔══██╗ ██╔══██╗ ██╔══██╗ RAR version 1.55 - User's Manual
██████╔╝ ███████║ ██████╔╝ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
██╔══██╗ ██╔══██║ ██╔══██╗ Multifunctional Integrated Archive Manager
██║ ██║ ██║ ██║ ██║ ██║ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
╚═╝ ╚═╝ ╚═╝ ╚═╝ ╚═╝ ╚═╝
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Welcome to the RAR Archiver!
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ Introduction ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒║
╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
RAR is an extremely powerful tool which allows you to manage and
control archive files.
RAR features include:-
* Full-screen interactive interface (Optional)
* Mouse support and menus
* Non-RAR archive support
* Common 'standard' command-line interface
* Highly sophisticated, original compression algorithm
* Better compression than other PC tools using 'solid' archiving
* Authenticity verification (registered version only)
* Self-extracting archives and volumes (SFX)
* Programmatic installation SFX archives
* locking, password, disk volume labels & more ...
╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ Chapter 1. Installation and Configuration ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒║
╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
This chapter describes how to install and configure RAR,
as well as giving information on technical requirements.
1.1. Installation procedure
RAR is distributed as a self-extracting (SFX) archive named
RAR?_???.EXE where '?_???' is the version number.
Local language versions may also be available in the format RARnnnxx.exe
where "nnn" is the version number and "xx" is the country code.
Installation consists of three basic steps:-
.. Start the RAR Self-Extracting archive
.. Choose a directory for the RAR files
.. Initiate the RAR installation
For example, on floppy disk A: you have the file
RAR155.EXE, this will be RAR version 1.55. You may install
it to your C: disk by typing, at the DOS prompt, the following
command (executing the RAR self-extracting archive):
C:\> A:RAR155
You will be prompted with the RAR archive comment. Press
any key to continue, or press ESC to cancel the extraction.
Then you will enter the RAR installation menu.
Choose "Read license" to view the RAR license for usage and
distribution. Pressing <Esc> to return to the installation menu.
Choose "Destination directory" to enter the path for
installation.
Choose "Install" to extract the RAR files to the destination
directory.
When the extraction is successfully completed, a number of files will
be placed in the destination directory and RAR will be ready for use.
The archiver program itself is named RAR.EXE. This module contains
all of the archiver's functionality, packing, unpacking, repairing,
SFX creation etc.
It is recommended that the name of the directory,
containing the RAR files, be added to the PATH environment
variable. This will enable RAR to be used from any
directory. Alternatively the critical modules of RAR may
be copied to your "Utilities" directory. These modules are
RAR.EXE and RAR.CFG, although it is not essential, you may
copy UNRAR.EXE as well.
1.2. Option menu
A number of RAR options may be configured and saved to
be used as default options. To access this menu, start RAR
without any parameters and then press Function key 9 (F9) to
bring up the Options menu:
C:\RAR> RAR
When RAR has been started, press F9 - the following menu
will appear:
┌─────────────────────────────────┐
│ Configuration... │
│ Set password ALT-P │
│ Work directory ALT-W │
│ Default comment file │
│ External viewer │
│ Change disk ALT-D │
│ Registration │
│ Save options ALT-S │
└─────────────────────────────────┘
Press <Enter> for the sub-menu "Configuration". The
configuration menu offers a number of basic options which
may be changed.
In the configuration menu, use the arrow keys to move
from item to item. An item value may be changed by hitting
the <space> key. When all items are set as desired, move to
the "Ok" field and hit <Enter> to save the chosen values.
To discard any changes, move to the "Cancel" field and hit
<Enter>.
If you have a mouse attached, this process is even
easier. Simply move the mouse cursor to the desired item
and click the left mouse key.
When you have completed the configuration, move the mouse
cursor to the field " Ok " and click on the left mouse key.
To discard changes click the left mouse key on the " Cancel "
field.
"Configuration/Interface options"
Color Selects/Deselects color in
full-screen mode
Sound Enables RAR's sound effects
Stdout mode Forces RAR to run in console
(stdout) mode while processing
commands from the command line
Mouse Enables the use of mouse-support
in full-screen mode
"Configuration/Sort names"
Choose the method required for sorting the archive contents
list from one of the following:
Unsorted ......... Do not sort files
By name .......... Sort files by name
By extension ..... Sort files by extension
By size .......... Sort files by size
Default is 'Sort files by extension' and is chosen in order to
group like files closer together.
"Configuration/Include file mask"
Choose the categories of files to be included when adding
to an archive from the following:
Read only files ..... Add files with 'Read-only' attribute
System files ........ Add files with 'System' attribute
Archive files ....... Add files with 'Archive' attribute
Hidden files ........ Add files with 'Hidden' attribute
Default is 'Read-Only, System, Archive or Hidden' and is used such
that ALL files in a directory will be archived if the general
wildcard (*.*) is used.
For more information on file attributes, please refer to your
DOS manual.
"Configuration/Compression"
Choose the default compression level from one of the
following:
Store ...... Do not compress file when adding to archive
Fastest .... Use fastest method (least compressive)
Fast ....... Use fast compression method
Normal ..... Use normal (default) compression method
Good ....... Use good compression method (more compressive)
Best ....... Use best compression method (most compressive)
Default is 'Normal' and is chosen as the best compromise between
time taken and compression ratio achieved. Marginally higher
(0.1% - 1.5%) compression may be achieved with 'Good' or 'Best',
at the expense of 10% - 100% longer processing time.
"Configuration/Other options"
Use expanded memory Allows 64 Kb of expanded memory (EMS 4.0)
usage
Add empty directories Enables "add empty directories" to archive.
Default is ON such that empty directories
are always added to created archives.
Always make solid Forces RAR to create solid archives which
are often very much smaller than "normal"
archives. See RAR_FAQ.TXT for more details.
Default is ON and all created archives will
be made in 'solid' mode. If you are making
archives which will be frequently updated,
the speed of update will be increased by
changing this option, at the expense of
compression ratio.
{+} Put Authenticity Forces RAR to place -AV (Authenticity
verification Verification) into archives when they are
created. (This feature is only available in
the registered version)
{+} Log errors to file Enables the logging of critical errors to a
file RAR.LOG. (This feature is only available
in the registered version)
"Set password"
Assign a password which will used when you add/extract files
to/from an archive. You can define the password using <Alt-P>.
Note, the password will not be saved to the configuration file.
"Work directory"
The path where RAR will place temporary files. This may
be changed at any time by pressing <Alt-W>.
"Default comment file"
If you would like a common comment added to every archive you are
creating, enter the full path and name here.
"External viewer"
You may assign an external viewer program to run for viewing
file in archives (by pressing <F3>).
While viewing a file of the archive in full-screen mode
RAR uses internal viewer if external viewer not set.
Internal viewer provides the partial (dynamic) extraction
of the file. It means the viewer extracts only those part
which should read in view at the moment, then next one
if needed, etc.
While using external viewer the whole file is extracted
before actual view.
"Change disk"
You may change the current disk displayed in the work window.
"Registration"
To register RAR you must have a registration code. This code may
be obtained by sending the completed registration form to your
local registration site or the world-wide distribution center.
You will receive the latest version of RAR in registered form
along with your registration key and will then be able to create
archives containing Authenticity verification.
"Save setup"
Pressing <Enter> or clicking the left mouse key on this item
will pop up a small confirmation window in which the user is
invited to " Save " or " Cancel " the saving of the new
configuration for future default usage in RAR.
RAR stores the default configuration in the file RAR.CFG, which
is held in the same directory as RAR.EXE.
The configuration may also be saved by pressing ALT-S keys,
(pressing the "S" key while simultaneously holding down the "ALT"
key).
These options may also be set by using the left mouse key in the
window "Settings":
┌────────────── Settings ─────────────┐
│ Password Absent │
│ Compression level Normal │
│ Archive backup Disabled │
│ Add AV to archives Disabled │
│ Make solid archives Optional │
│ Log errors to file Enabled │
│ Default comment file Present │
└─────────────────────────────────────┘
For example, click the left mouse key on the word 'Absent' in
the setting 'Password', you will be prompted to enter a new
password. Clicking the left mouse key on the word 'Optional'
in the setting 'Make solid archives' would cause toggle to
'Always' - that will force RAR to create solid archives.
1.3. RAR environment variable
Default parameters may be added to the RAR command line by
establishing an environment variable, using the DOS "SET" command.
Examples:
C:\> SET RAR=-std -s
RAR will use this string as default parameters in the command
line.
RAR handles options with priority as following:
command line switches highest priority
switches in the RAR variable lower priority
options saved in RAR.CFG lowest priority
Switches -sfx, -v, -s, -std from RAR variable have no effect in
full-screen mode.
1.4. Technical requirements
Minimum DOS version to run RAR: 3.0
Minimum memory requirements to perform commands and corresponding
operations (in Kbytes) are:-
Commands: ╔══════════════════╤══════════════════╗
A,F,M,U ║Command line mode │ Full-screen mode ║
╟─────────┬────────┼─────────┬────────╢
║Not solid│ Update │Not solid│ Update ║
║or adding│ solid │or adding│ solid ║
║to solid │ archive│to solid │ archive║
╔════════════╫─────────┼────────┼─────────┼────────╢
║EMS enabled ║ 287 │ 385 │ 347 │ 445 ║
║EMS disabled║ 351 │ 449 │ 411 │ 509 ║
╚════════════╩═════════╧════════╧═════════╧════════╝
Commands: CW,E,P,T,X Command: C
╔════════════╦═════════╗ ╔════════════╦═════════╗
║EMS enabled ║ 195 ║ ║EMS enabled ║ 347 ║
║EMS disabled║ 257 ║ ║EMS disabled║ 411 ║
╚════════════╩═════════╝ ╚════════════╩═════════╝
Command: D ╔══════════╦══════════════════════════╗
║ Not solid║ Solid archive ║
║ archive ╟────────────┬─────────────╢
║ ║Command line│ Full-screen ║
╔════════════╫──────────╫────────────┼─────────────╢
║EMS enabled ║ 195 ║ 385 │ 445 ║
║EMS disabled║ 195 ║ 449 │ 509 ║
╚════════════╩══════════╩════════════╧═════════════╝
Update AV to non-solid archive will require some extra memory.
Commands:
CF,EN,K,L, ╔═════════╤════════╗
R,S,V ║ No AV │ Add AV ║
╔════════════╫─────────┼────────╢
║EMS enabled ║ 195 │ 347 ║
║EMS disabled║ 195 │ 411 ║
╚════════════╩═════════╧════════╝
Generally the use of wildcards ('*' and '?') in an archive name or
argument list from an external file (also with '-x' feature) will
require extra memory.
For extracting from and updating non-RAR archives add the memory
requirements of the external archiver.
1.5. Errorlevels
When RAR.EXE quits to DOS it sets the environment variable
ERRORLEVEL to a value representing the termination status
(last operation status and reason for exit).
255 USER BREAK Ctrl/Break pressed by user
8 MEMORY ERROR Not enough memory for operation
7 USER ERROR Command line option error
6 OPEN ERROR Open file error
5 WRITE ERROR Write to disk error
4 LOCKED ARCHIVE Attempt to modify an archive previously
locked by the 'k' command
3 CRC ERROR A CRC error occurred when unpacking
2 FATAL ERROR A fatal error occurred
1 WARNING Non fatal error(s) occurred
0 SUCCESS Successful operation (User exit)
The self-extracting (SFX) module quits with following codes:
1 PROBLEMS Error(s) occurred during extraction
0 SUCCESS Successful operation
╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ Chapter 2. Using RAR Interactively ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒║
╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
When you execute the command "RAR" at the Dos prompt, you
are presented with the full-screen interface - this is known
as RAR's interactive full-screen mode.
For example, you enter:
C:\> RAR
On the right hand side of the opening screen, you will be
presented with a dialogue box containing the memory
status and settings window. This information includes:
current compression method, password status (present or
absent), archive back up mode, authenticity verification
status (enabled/disabled), default comment file .. present
or not.
On the left-hand side of the screen you are presented with a
list of files in the current directory. You can move the cursor
through the files on the screen by using cursor keys or
clicking the left mouse button.
Pressing <Enter> when the cursor is positioned on a
directory, up-directory ("..") or archive file name, will
cause entry to be made to that item.
The following archive types are recognized by RAR:
.RAR, .ARJ, .ZIP and .LZH.
Entering an archive, causes the files within the archive
to be displayed in a similar manner to a directory listing.
It is therefore possible to "walk through" directories and
archive files, managing files both in archives and normal
directories.
In "directory" mode, the bottom like of the screen contains
a menu of functions provided by the function keys.
1-Help 2-Add 3-View 4-Fresh 5-Volume 6-Move 7-Update 8-Delete 9-Option 0-Quit
The line indicates that you may obtain help by pressing
<F1>, add files to an archive by pressing <F2>, view files by
pressing <F3> etc. Press <F10> to quit. These functions are
the main command set when you are in a directory (not in
archive).
Alternatively, pressing and holding down the <ALT> key
will cause the display of additional functions:
1- 2-Solid 3-View.. 4-SFX 5-SFXVol 6-SolVol 7-SolSVl 8-Repair 9-SolSFX 0-
This indicates that Pressing <ALT-F2> can be used to
create a SOLID archive, <ALT-F3> to view an archive using the
internal viewer, etc.
Also shown, by holding down the <ALT> key, will be the
options list:
Alt-C ... Toggle between color and monochrome mode
Alt-D ... Select drive
Alt-J ... DOS shell
Alt-M ... Select compression method
Alt-P ... Set password
Alt-S ... Save setup
Alt-W ... Set work directory to store temporary files
Pressing keys, other than those which indicate options and
functions, will put RAR into speed search mode for file names.
This feature can save a lot of keystrokes when looking for
specific file names.
Changing from a directory to an archive will automatically
change the set of available functions to those which are
more suitable to those circumstances.
In "archive" mode the available functions line looks like:
1-Help 2-Test 3-View 4-Extr 5-Comment 6-ExCurD 7-SFX 8-Delete 9-Option 0-Quit
This line indicates you may obtain help by pressing <F1>, test
files in archive by pressing <F2>, view file by <F3> etc. Press
<F10> to quit. These functions are the main set when you are
inside (Entered-to) an archive.
Alternatively, when holding down the <Alt> key, the
following would be displayed:
1- 2- 3-View.. 4-ExtrTo 5-FilCmt 6-SolVol 7-Lock 8 9 0
Files may be marked/unmarked by using the [Space], [Ins],
or right mouse key. You may also mark/unmark file groups by
wildcards (file mask) using the [Gray +] and [Gray -] keys on
the numeric keypad. Marking a directory, automatically marks
all the sub-directories and files within it.
The marked/unmarked status of a group of files can be
reversed by using the [Gray *] key. Marking or unmarking a
file, or group of files, updates a highlighted status display
line at the bottom of the screen. This status line indicates
the number of files marked and the total size in bytes
(the file size of marked directories is not included in the
summary file size).
In full-screen mode, the use of the mouse is fully
supported. Use the left mouse key to move through a
directory. Click the left key twice to <Enter>. Use the
right key to mark files. When entering text (archive
name, password etc.) the left mouse key cancels the data entry
operation and right mouse key confirms entered text. Use
the left mouse key to choose function commands (F1-F10) of
menu items and options.
2.1. In a directory
F1 Help information
F2 Add file(s) to an archive, if the archive does
not exist, it will be created
F3 View a file (if no external viewer is set, the
internal viewer will be used)
F4 Freshen files in archive - only recently changed files
will be added instead of their old copies in archive
F5 Create archive volumes (Span diskettes)
F6 Add files not already in the archive and update those
files changed since they were packed to the archive
F7 Move file(s) to archive
F8 Repair a damaged archive
F9 Set up / Save options
F10 Quit RAR. Pressing the ESC key has the same
effect.
Alt-F2 Create a solid archive.
Alt-F3 View file (with internal viewer).
Alt-F4 Create a SFX archive.
Alt-F5 Create Self-Extracting (SFX) volumes.
Alt-F6 Create solid archive volumes.
Alt-F7 Create solid SFX-volumes.
Alt-F8 Try to repair broken archive.
Alt-F9 Create a solid SFX archive
2.2. In an archive
Press [Enter] with the cursor on the archive name to expand
the archive contents. The same effect may be achieved with
the command-line option "en". (See Chapter 3, 'en' command)
Once inside an archive, the list of files is displayed on
the left side of the screen. These files may be marked, just
as files in a directory.
An asterisk (*) to the left of a file name, indicates that
the file is password encrypted.
The right-hand portion of the screen is given over to a
dialogue box, which includes information on: archive name
and status, comments present/absent, encrypted files, total
number of files in the archive, file sizes, compression ratio,
the minimum RAR version required to extract files and the
host Operating System used to create the archive.
For example:
Dialogue Box: Meaning:
Archive EXAMPLE.RAR archive name
Archive type Normal not 'solid' archive
Main comment Present archive comment present
File comments Absent no individual file comments
Passwords Absent no password encrypted files
Lock Absent archive not locked
Auth. verif. Present authenticity verification present
Files 1 number of files (1)
Total length 14917 total length in bytes
Packed length 3938 length in archive
Ratio 26% compression ratio. Now 26% of
original size.
Version to extr. 1.50 minimum RAR version required to extract
Host OS DOS OS used to create this archive
Function keys actions:
F1 Help information
F2 Test archive (validate integrity)
F3 View a file (if an external viewer is not set,
the internal viewer will be used)
F4 Extract files from archive with directory
structure
F5 Add a comment to the archive
F6 Extract file(s) to current directory
F7 Make Self-Extracting (SFX) archive
F8 Delete file(s) from archive
F9 Set up / Save options
F10 Quit RAR
ESC Return from the archive
Alt-F3 View a file (using the internal viewer)
Alt-F4 Extract file(s) to an alternate path
Alt-F5 Add individual file comment(s)
Alt-F7 Lock the archive preventing modifications
When working with archive volumes in full-screen mode you
must begin the process with the first volume, you will be prompted
with a menu:
"Proceed with all volumes from current"
"Proceed with selected files only"
Choose the method you wish to use to work with the volumes.
When files are displayed which were split between archive
volumes, the compressed size displayed refers to the
compressed size on the current volume. The symbol '<-'
indicates that part of the file exists on a previous volume.
The symbol '->' indicates that part of the file exist on the
next volume. You can change to the previous or next volume
by pressing corresponding arrow keys (left or right).
2.3. In a non-RAR archive
In full-screen mode RAR offers the management of non-RAR archives.
Supported non-RAR archive types are ZIP, ARJ and LZH.
RAR provides the following operations for non-RAR archives:
- extract files, creating the directory structure;
- extract to the current directory;
- extract to a specified directory;
- test files in the archive;
- delete files from the archive;
- view contents of the archive in full-screen mode;
- make SFX-archives;
- add archive comment (ZIP and ARJ only);
- add file comment (ZIP and ARJ only).
Also the user may set a password for the archive (pressing Alt-P)
and the path for temporary files (Alt-W).
For viewing the archive contents the user will need only RAR.
However for operations with non-RAR archives the user should
have the corresponding programs (PKUNZIP, PKZIP, ZIP2EXE, ARJ
or LHA), also the path to these programs must be included in
the PATH environment variable.
You can use RAR as the archive manager for archives of all
the above-mentioned types in shell programs such as Norton
Commander.
Note, RAR does not provide facilities for the management of
non-RAR SFX archives.
Only the standard LZH archive header is supported. Archives
created by LHA using the switch '/h2' are not supported.
╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ Chapter 3. The RAR Command Line Options ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒║
╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
Command line mode is the opposite of full-screen interactive mode.
This mode is best used in batch files and requires no interaction.
Usage:
RAR <command> -<switch1> -<switchN> <archive> <files...>
<@listfiles...> <=comment_file> <path_to_extract\>
All parameters must exist on the same, single command line.
command .. The function to be performed by RAR, add,
extract, move etc.
switch .. Switches used to define a specific type of
operation, compression strength, type of
archive etc.
archive .. The name of the archive to be operated upon.
files .. The files to be processed.
listfiles .. The name of a file containing the names of
the files to be operated upon.
comment_file .. The name of a file containing text to be
used as a comment when creating the
archive.
path_to_extract Used only with commands 'e' and 'x',
indicating the directory in which to
place extracted files. If this directory
does not exist, it will be created. Please
note the OBLIGATORY use of the terminating
backslash character on this parameter.
3.1. Commands (Alphabetic sequence)
.. a: add files to archive
.. c: add archive comment
Pressing [F10] will save the entered comment and exit.
Pressing [Esc] will cancel the comment. Pressing [F10]
without entering a comment will remove any existing
comment.
Comments are displayed while the archive is being
processed. The maximum comment length is 16384 bytes.
Support for ANSI esc-sequences is provided in RAR which
allows the use of color and cursor movements. No ANSI
driver is required to display such comments.
Redefinition of the keyboard using ANSI esc-sequences is
NOT supported and thus the so-called ANSI-bombs cannot be
delivered using RAR.
Example:
RAR c distrib.rar
Comments may be entered from a file by using the '=' or '-z<file>'
switch before the name of the file containing the comment.
RAR c dummy =info.txt
or
RAR c -zinfo.txt dummy
.. cf: add file comments (not to entire archive)
Pressing [F10] will save the entered comment and exit.
Pressing [Esc] will cancel the comment. Pressing [F10]
without entering a comment will remove any existing
comment.
Comments are displayed when the 'v' command is given.
Comment length is limited to 16384 bytes.
Example:
RAR cf bigarch *.txt
.. cw: write the archive comment to a file
Example:
RAR cw oldarch comment.txt
The comment from the archive oldarch.rar will be
written to the file comment.txt
.. d: delete files from archive
Note: If the processing of this command resulted in
removing all the files from the archive, the empty
archive would removed.
.. e: extract files from archive to current directory
.. en: start RAR in full-screen mode and enter an archive
Usually this command is included in the extension file
of a shell processor such as Norton Commander:
RAR: RAR en !.!
Examples:
RAR en disk1.rar
RAR en puppy.zip
The 'en' may also be omitted, simply start RAR with
the archive name.
Example:
RAR baby.arj
.. f: freshen files in archive
Updates those files changed since they were packed to
the archive. This command will not add new files to the
archive.
.. k: lock archive
Any commands that could change the archive will be
ignored.
Example:
RAR k final.rar
.. l: list archive contents (brief listing)
Files are listed as with the 'v' command with the
exception of the file path. i.e. only the file name
is displayed.
.. m: move files and directories to archive
Moving files and directories results in the files and
directories being erased upon successful completion of
the packing operation. Directories will not be removed
if '-ed' switch is used.
.. mf: move files to archive
Moving files results in the files being erased upon
successful completion of the packing operation.
.. p: print file(s) to screen (STDOUT)
.. r: repair damaged archive
RAR cannot restore lost information, so it is not
possible to recover files which fail the CRC validation,
but it is possible to recover files which may still exist
in the archive undamaged.
When this command has completed, a new archive will be
created, called $RECOVER.RAR
While the recovery process is in operation, RAR will
prompt the user for assistance when suspicious files are
located.
Suspicious entry
Name: <possibly filename>
Size: <size> Packed: <compressed size>
Add it: Yes/No/All
Answer 'Y' to add this entry to the file $RECOVER.RAR.
Example:
RAR r buggy.rar
.. s: convert archive to a Self-Extracting (SFX) type.
In the Dos environment, this will create a *.EXE file
which, when executed, will extract the files contained
within it.
It is also possible to make an SFX archive as the first
of a multi-volume sequence, but it should be noted that
the size will be larger by the amount of the SFX-module.
Please ensure that the first volume in the sequence is
created with the correct size.
Should SFX volumes be created using the command 'a' with
the switches: '-v[<size>] -sfx', then you do not need to
ensure the volume size - first volume will be automatically
created with the proper size.
Example:
RAR s diamant
.. s<file.sfx>: convert archive to a Self-Extracting (SFX) type
using alternate SFX module
You may indicate an alternate SFX module (pathname) to build
the SFX archive.
For instance the Installation SFX:
RAR sidos.sfx myinst
RAR c -zscript.s myinst
See the Installation SFX documentation, SFX.DOC, for details
of the command language of the installation SFX.
.. t: test archive files
This command performs a dummy file extraction, writing
nothing to the output stream, in order to validate the
specified file(s).
.. u: update files in archive
Adds files not already in the archive and updates those
files changed since they were packed to the archive.
.. v: verbosely list archive content (full listing)
Files are listed using the format: full pathname, file
comment, original and compressed size, compression ratio,
last update date and time, attributes, CRC, compression
method and minimum RAR version required to extract.
To list the contents of all archive volumes, use and
asterisk (*) in place of the archive file extension.
Example:
RAR v multivol.*
.. x: extract files from archive to original (relative)
directory if pathnames exist in the archive
Command limitations:
The commands 'd','u','f' will not operate with archive
volumes.
The command 'a' cannot be used to update an archive
volume, only to create one.
The commands 'c' and 'cf' will not operate with
archive volumes, but will work with solid archives.
3.2. Switches (Alphabetic sequence)
.. -? display help on commands and switches
.. -$[drive] provide volume label support
When adding to an archive the switch causes the adding of the
volume label of the current or specified disk drive to the
archive. When extracting from the archive the switch instructs
RAR to set the volume label from the archive to the specified
disk drive or, if not specified, to the drive on which
extraction has been processed.
Volume labels are ignored in SFX and the UNRAR utility.
.. -av apply authenticity verification (registered versions only)
RAR will put, in every new and updated archive,
information concerning the creator, last update time and
archive name.
If an archive, containing authenticity verification, is
being modified and this switch is not specified, the
authenticity verification information will be removed.
When extracting, testing, listing or updating and
archive with the '-av' switch, RAR will perform integrity
validation and display the message:
Verifying authenticity information ...
In the case of successful authenticity verification, the
message 'Ok', creator name and last update information
will be displayed. In the case of authenticity verification
failure, the message 'FAILED' will be displayed.
When creating archive volumes with the '-av' switch,
Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) information will be added to
each volume.
The Authenticity Verification feature, '-av,' is
recommended for use with archives in a software
distribution environment.
In order to enable the Authenticity verification feature,
the program MUST be registered. Please contact your local
distribution site or the world-wide distribution center.
.. -av- disable checking or adding authenticity verification
.. -b enable backup archives
This switch will create a backup before an archive is
modified. The backup file will have the same name as the
original archive but with the .BAK extension. Should this
file already exist, the backup file will be named with a
.$BK extension.
.. -bw black & white (monochrome) mode
.. -c- disable comment display
.. -cfg- disable read configuration and environment
.. -col color mode
.. -dh disable sharing files
This helps when accessing files open by other applications
on networks or multi-tasking environment.
.. -ds do not sort files while adding to a solid archive
.. -e<s,h,a,r> set file exclusion attributes
The switches 's', 'h', 'a' or 'r' signify that files
having the System, Hidden, Archive or Read only attributes
should be excluded. The order in which the attributes are
given is not significant.
Example:
RAR a -ehs purity *.exe
Do NOT add files with Hidden or System attributes.
.. -ed do not add empty directories
This switch indicates that empty directories are not
to be stored in the created archive.
.. -ems- disable EMS usage
.. -ep exclude paths from names
This switch enables files to be added to an archive
without including the path information. This could, of
course, result in multiple files existing in the archive
with the same name.
.. -ep1 exclude base dir from names
Do not store the path from the command line.
Example:
RAR a -ep1 -r pasta tmp\*.*
All files and directories from the directory TMP will
be added to the archive 'pasta', but the path will not
include 'TMP\'. This is equivalent to the commands:
cd tmp
RAR a -ep1 -r pasta
cd ..
.. -f freshen files
May be used with archive extraction or creation.
The command string "a -f" is equivalent to the command
'f', you could also use the switch '-f' with the commands
'm' or 'mf'. If the switch '-f' is used with the commands
'x' or 'e', then only old files would be replaced with new
versions extracted from the archive.
.. -ialt Disables the changing, by pressing the left Alt key,
the context function key information in the bottom line of
the screen (in full-screen mode). This helps some users who
wished to use certain TSRs while in RAR. The action of the
left and right function keys are in other respects,
unchanged. This may be permanently configured by adding the
switch to the RAR environment variable (SET in autoexec.bat)
with SET RAR=-ialt
.. -m<0..5> set compression method
-m0 store do not compress file when adding to
archive
-m1 fastest use fastest method (less compressive)
-m2 fast use fast compression method
-m3 normal use normal (default) compression method
-m4 good use good compression method (more
compressive, but slower)
-m5 best use best compression method (sightly more
compressive, but slowest)
By default RAR uses -m3 method (Normal compression).
.. -o+ overwrite existing files
.. -o- do not overwrite existing files (default)
.. -p<password> set password
.. -p set password
The password is case-sensitive. If you omit the
password on the command line, you will be prompted with:
Enter password:
Example:
RAR a -pmyhoney secret *.txt
Newly added files will be encrypted with the password
'myhoney'.
.. -r recurse subdirectories
May be used with commands: a,u,f,m,x,e,t,p,v,l,c,cf,s.
When used with the commands 'a', 'u', 'f', 'm' will
process files in all sub-directories as well as the
current working directory.
When used with the commands x,e,t,p,v,l,c,cf,s will
process all archives in sub-directories as well as the
current working directory.
.. -s create solid archive
Solid is a special archive type. Please refer to the
appendix "Glossary" for further information.
Example:
RAR a -s -v1440 -sfx maddy *.*
Will create solid Self-Extracting (SFX) volumes of
size 1440000 bytes.
.. -sfx create Self-Extracting (SFX) archive
If this switch is used when creating a new archive, a
Self-Extracting archive would be created.
Example:
RAR a -sfx sources *.asm
This command would create a Self-Extracting archive
named SOURCES.EXE. To extract files from such an archive,
you would simply execute it. Self-Extracting archives may
be processed normally using RAR.
.. -sfx<file.sfx> create Self-Extracting (SFX) archive using
alternate SFX module.
Example:
RAR a -sfxidos.sfx -zscript.s myinst
See the Installation SFX documentation, SFX.DOC for details.
.. -std stdout mode
All output text is sent to the stdout stream. This
allows redirection of RAR output to a file, for example:
RAR v -std bambam >bambam.lst
or in 'silent' mode without any output:
RAR x -std dime 10cents.txt >nul
Note: In stdout mode, if an archive comment exists, no delay
will be implemented when the comment is displayed.
.. -tk do not modify archive date
Prevents RAR from modifying the archive date when
changing an archive.
.. -tl set archive date as the date of newest file
Forces RAR to set the date of a changed archive to the
date of the newest file in the archive.
.. -u update files
May be used with archive extraction or creation.
The command string "a -u" is equivalent to the command
'u', you could also use the switch '-u' with the commands
'm' or 'mf'. If the switch '-u' is used with the commands
'x' or 'e', then files not present on the disk and files
newer than their copies on the disk would extracted from
the archive.
.. -v create volumes with autodetected size
.. -v<size> create archive volumes
By default this switch uses <size> as thousands (1000) of
bytes (not 1024 x bytes). You may also enter the size in
kilobytes using the symbol 'k' or in bytes using the symbol
'b' following the numerical value. If the size is omitted,
autodetection will be used.
If volumes are created on the same drive as the
temporary files (current drive by default, but may be
changed with the switch '-w'), the autodetected size
becomes meaningless. In this case the volume size must be
explicitly defined.
If volumes are created on a drive OTHER than the drive
containing the temporary files, then after the first
volume has been created, the user will be prompted with:
Create next volume: Yes/No/All/Quit
At this moment in time, you should change the disks.
Answering 'A' will cause all volumes to be created without
a pause.
The first volume file in a multi-volume set has the
extension .RAR, following volumes are numbered from .R00 to
.R99.
When extracting or testing a multi-volume archive you
must use only the first volume name (*.RAR). If there is
no next volume on the drive (and volumes are not placed in
the same directory as the temporary files), the user will
be prompted with:
Insert disk with <next volume name>
Insert the disk with the correct volume and press any key.
If while extracting, the next volume is not found and
volumes are placed in the same directory as the temporary
files, RAR will abort with the error message:
Cannot find <volume name>
Cannot change disk with temporary files
Archive volumes may not be modified. The commands 'd',
'f', 'u', 's' can not be used with Multi-volume sets.
The command 'a' may be used only for the creation of a
new multi-volume sequence.
It is possible, although unlikely, that the file size,
of a file in a multi-volume set, could be greater than
it's uncompressed size. This is due to the fact that
'storing' (no compression if size increases) cannot be
enabled for multi-volume sets.
Archive volumes may be Self-Extracting (SFX). Such an
archive should be created using both the '-v' and '-sfx'
switches.
Example:
1. Archive drive C: on floppy drive A:
RAR a -r -v a:allhard c:\*.*
(current disk MUST NOT be a:)
2. Create archive volumes with 1440000 byte size in current
directory.
RAR a -v1440 4flopp
or
RAR a -v1440 4flopp *.*
.. -vd erase disk contents before creating volume
All files and directories on the target disk will be erased
when '-vd' is used. The switch applies only to removable
media, the hard disk cannot be erased using this switch.
.. -w<path> assign work directory
This switch may be used to assign the directory for
temporary files to another drive. For example a RAM drive
or high performance disc.
Example:
RAR a -we:\tmp bmps *.bmp
Temporary files would be created in directory E:\TMP
.. -x<mask> exclude files specified by mask
Example:
RAR a -x*.bak purearch.rar
You may specify the switch '-x' several times:
RAR a -r -x*.arj -x*.rar rawfiles
.. -x@<list> exclude files using specified list file
Example:
RAR a -x@exlist.txt arch *.exe
.. -y assume Yes on all queries
.. -z<file> add comment to archive
3.3. SFX switches
An SFX archive module can be handled by the switches:
.. -e Extract from the SFX archive
The switch is used by default similar to 'x' command in RAR.
.. -t Test the SFX archive
This is similar to 't' command in RAR.
.. -v View the archive content
This is similar to 'v' command in RAR.
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Archive Special file containing one or more files
optionally encoded and/or compressed.
Compression A method of encoding data to reduce it's
size.
CRC Cyclic Redundancy Check. Mathematical method
calculating special checking information
for data validity.
SFX Archive module used to extract files from
when executed. (SelF-eXtracting module),
usually in the form of a .EXE file.
Solid An archive packed using a special compression
method which sees all files as one continuous
data stream. Particularly advantageous when
packing a large number of small files.
Volume Part of a split archive. Splitting an archive
to volumes allows storing them on diskettes.
Volumes must be extracted starting from first
in sequence.