How do I Backup up my stuff?

Document #3123
Revision 001

This document applies to the following:

Operating System: Windows 95, NT, 3.1x, MS-DOS
Device Type: Ditto Max, Ditto Parallel Port, Ditto Insider
Software Version: Ditto Tools, Iomega Backup

Iomega recommends to upgrading to the latest version of Ditto Tools 5.2.7. Iomega Tools version 5.2.7 allows you to create an emergency recovery disk for Windows 95, where as previous versions of Ditto Tools does not allow you to create an emergency disk. For information on upgrading to the latest version of Ditto Tools, refer to document #3011 "How do I upgrade my Ditto backup software?" It is recommenced to keep a current set of emergency recovery disks available. Each time you backup your computer, you should also update your Emergency Recovery Disks.

Should I use 1-step Backup or the Works?
1-Step Backup is simply a Windows one-step backup solution whereas The Works is fully customizable backup solution. The 1-Step backup solution will backup your entire system with one click of the mouse. The next nine times you use 1-Step backup, it will backup only those files that have changed. On the tenth backup, you will be prompted to continue backing-up changed files or to perform a full backup. On the other had, with The Works, you may choose which files, directories or drives you want to backup. The Works program provides total control of the backup process.

The first time you backup your system, it is best to use 1-Step. By using 1-Step, you are assured you entire system has been safely backed-up. If you do use 1-Step backup, you must use 1-Step restore to restore your system.

The Works backup solution is perfect for backup-up or archiving critical files. Using the Works programs, you may also choose to perform a selective restore. You may choose to restore only certain files and you can choose where to restore those files.

If you choose 1-Step…
If you decide to use the 1-Step backup solution, simply click on the 1-Step icon located on your desktop in Windows 3.1x on within the Systray in Windows 95. Periodically use the 1-Step to keep your backups up to date.

If you are using Ditto Tools for Windows…
If you use The Works…

To start a backup, from within the Ditto Tools group, double-click on The Works icon.
Within The Works, click on the Backup button.
Next, choose the What to back up button. In the Backup From list box, use the information cursor to review information about your drives. Double-click the drive icons to select the drives to back up, or choose the Select Files button to select individual files. Choose either All Selected Files or New and Changed Files.
To select a Backup Type, from the drop-down list choose Full to back up all the files you have selected, or full copy (does not change the archive bit). Select Incremental to select only those files that have changed since the last backup. Select differential to backup all files since the last full backup or differential copy (does not change the archive bit).
Click the Where to back it up button. Select a tape drive from the Backup To list box.
Click the How to back it up button. Choose one of the three backup option buttons for Speed, Safety, or Default. To change individual option settings, click Customize. For addition information about customizing your backup, see document #3121 "Customizing your backup".
Click the When to back it up button. Choose either to Backup Now or Backup Later. If you select Backup Now, click the Start backing it up button to begin the backup immediately, or, if you select Backup Later, you will see a set of scheduling options. For additional information on automating or scheduling your backup see document #3044 "How do I automate or schedule a backup?"

The Backup Progress window appears and displays status information as the backup proceeds. An alert box or prompt is displayed whenever you need to act, such as inserting another tape or cartridge. A dialog appears when the backup is complete.

If you are using Iomega Backup…

To start a backup, click on Start, point to Programs, Iomega Backup, and then select The Works.
Choose the Backup tab.
Choose the type of backup to perform. The choices are described below:

Full- a complete backup made of all the files selected.
Full Copy-a complete copy made of all the files selected.
Archive-deletes files from your hard drive and backs them up to tape. Archive will automatically perform compare after the backup. Only after a successful compare will the files be deleted from your hard drive.
Incremental-backs-up only the files that have been created or changed since the last full or incremental backup.
Differential-backs up only the files that have been created or changed since the last full backup.

Next, choose the drive, files, or directories that you want to backup. The backup software has a familiar Windows Explorer interface. Expand each of the folders by clicking on the plus (+) symbol next to the drive or directory. To choose a drive, directory, or file, click box next the item to be backed-up.

If you are using Ditto Tools for DOS…
The DOS version of Ditto Tools only features The Works backup solution. After you have install the Ditto Tools for DOS, use the following steps to perform your first backup.

From the C:\ prompt type CD Qbackup.
From the C:\ prompt type Qbackup
When you first run Ditto Tools for DOS, you are required to configure the backup software. Once you have configured the software, choose the option What to backup. From this screen you can choose which drives, directories, or files to backup by choosing the option Select Files option.
Next, choose the option How to back it up. This option allows customizing your backup. For additional information on this option, refer to document #3121 "Customizing your Backup".
Finally, choose Start backing it up to begin the backup process.

The Backup Progress window appears and displays status information as the backup proceeds. An alert box or prompt is displayed whenever you need to take some action, such as inserting another tape or cartridge.

How can I tell what was backed up?
Using the Identify option…
To identify the contents of a cartridge, use the following steps:

Insert the tape you wish to identify into the drive.
Open The Works program or type QBACKUP at the C:\ prompt if you are using the DOS version of the software.
Next, select Identify from the Tools menu. The contents of the cartridge are read and a directory displayed. Insert a cartridge into the drive.

Which files aren't backed-up?
Some of the files may not be backed up to avoid potential system conflicts if they are restored.

Compressed volume files…
Compressed volume files are files that are created by compression software like Stacker or Drive Space. These files include DBLSPACE.0**; DRVSPACE.0**; and STACVOL.*.

System files…
These files include 386SPART.PAR, WIN386.SWP, PAGEFILE.SYS, DEFAULT, DEFAULT.LOG, SYSTEM, SYSTEM.ALT, SOFTWARE, SOFTWARE.LOG, SAM, SAM.LOG, NTUSER.DAT, and NTUSER.LOG.

NetWare files… NetWare files with an execute only (X) attribute will not be backed up, compared or overwritten during a restore.
During a restore, files which have the NetWare Delete Inhibit (D) or Rename Inhibit (R) attribute set can not be overwritten. To restore these files manually remove the Delete Inhibit or Rename Inhibit attributes. Ditto Tools versions 5.2.x are the only versions that will backup the network bindery.

Ditto Tools Library Files...
These files include FILEINFO.CDX, FILEINFO.DBF, FILES.CDX, FILES.DBF, FILES.FPT, FILES.STK, TAPES.CDX, TAPES.DBF, TAPES.FPT, TAPES.STK, VOLUMES.CDX, and VOLUMES.DBF.

Files in use…
Files that are currently in use by the system or files that are open during a backup, will not be backed-up. To backup files that are in use, after the backup is complete close all applications that are open and perform a differential or incremental backup.