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eBackUp Online Help

Version: 0.95
(c) 2011 by Hanno Sedlmayr

Introduction

eBackUp is a backup and restore utility, using "Rar32 for DOS/OS2" to compress and archive and to extract files and directories.

eBackUp was built using WDSibyl (www.wdsibyl.org).

Requirements:

  • OS/2 or eComStation (eCS)
  • eBackUp
  • rar for DOS, avaliable at http://www.rarlab.com
    (Shareware - please pay for the fullversion. The free version has some limitations, but is working o.k.)
    latest version: http://www.rarlab.com/rar/rarx393.exe
  • Since version 0.91, eBackUp needs registration, but license is free.
    Send an email to: xeSoftx@xaonx.xatx (without x) with subject "eBackUp"
    Enter the registration code within section "About".

Installation

  1. Run the eBackUp-WPI-script and install eBackUp to a directory of your choice.
    A folder with a program object will be created on your desktop (you can move this folder to any location).
    When starting eBackUp, a INI file and two folders (to hold some user-specific files and the logs) will be created within the installation directory.
  2. rar32 has to be properly installed
    (It has just to be extracted in a directory of your choice - see the read me of rar32)
  3. simply start eBackUp in a directory of your choice and run it
    (a INI file will be created within the program directory during operation, also two folders will be created to hold some user-specific files and the logs)

eBackUp does not make any changes or entries in config.sys or the os/2-ini files.

Usage

The program should be self-explanatory :-)

See also the hints for some buttons and labels ("on mouse over" for 2 seconds) and read through this file.

Backup

To perform a backup, you have first to create a "Set", which is a collection of information including sources, target and other parameters.

Sets simplify the process of backing up your data. Of course you can modify a Set anytime.

The data to backup will be stored in so called "Archives", the main thing which rar32 is working on.

After a successful backup, a catalog entry is created. Also a log file is written and an info-line within the Actions.log is made.

Restore

Each successful backup has created a entry in the backup catalog and you can choose the desired archive to work on.

After a successful restore, log file is written and an info-line within the Actions.log is made.

Misc

On this tab page you can view archives and search for files and/or text within files. It is also possible to repair broken archives

(if a data recovery record was added; see "Modify Set", "Target"-options), lock or test archives and do some other actions.

Logs

Each backup, restore and archive view creates a log file named corresponding to it's action.

These log files are overwritten when the next similar action is taken!

So if you like to save a log for later usage, go to the "Logs"-tab and copy/save the log file.

The "Action.log" is a secific log file holding one short line with some infos for each backup or restore action.

Commandline parameters:

To start eBackUp from commandline, use the following syntax:
x:\path\eBackup -Options SetName ["Optional Remarks"]

Options:
-f        Start eBackUp in foreground
-b        Start eBackUp in background
-fc       Start eBackUp in foreground and close it after completion
-bc       Start eBackUp in background and close it after completion

Using -fc or -bc will also close eBackUp when errors/warnings occurred!

Please note, that the remarks must be enclosed in double quotes if more than one word is used.

Terms

  • Set
    predefined parameters for a backup
    (for example: source files, target, compression level, ...)
  • Catalog
    List of successfully done backups.
    It simplyfies the restoring or viewing of archives by storing some information like date/time, source of archive and so on.
  • Archive
    Holds the backup data.
    This file is created by rar32 and always contains a timestamp within its name.
  • Volume
    If the size of an archive exceeds the predefined volume size (see Backup-Set/Target), multiple files are generated for an archive (numbered file name extentions)
  • SFX
    Self extracting Archive
    you can extact the files of an SFX-Archive in a simple DOS-session (no need for rar32 or eBackUp)

Remarks and hints

  • The evaluation (not registered) version of RAR has the following limitations:
    • no "rar error logging"
      (this is mainly covered by eBackUp, so no real need for this feature)
    • no "Authenticy Verification" (information concerning the creator, last update time and archive name; not really needed)
  • Default compression level is "less" and not "normal" because of archive_size : archive_time seems to be better - change it to any desired level to fit your needs
  • Storing data on multiple CDs/DVDs: As "opening media" and "closing session" is needed (and not yet implemented within eBackUp), it is suggested, to set the Volume Size (Set/Target/Volume Size) to the desired size. Use a disk device as target and then, after backup, burn the parts of the Archive (the Volumes) manually on CD/DVD.
    Note: If CD/DVD-size fits the size of an entire Archive, simply open the mediy before backup and then close the session after the backup has ended.
    (Do not use the option "Eject removable devices after backup".)
  • If the link to "WDSibyl.org" or the "Look for Updates"-function do not work, maybe no DEFAULT browser is defined. Maybe you have to open or to close the browser before the desired action, depending on your installation - then try again.
  • Open shared files: This allows to archive files which are opened by other applications for writing. This option could be dangerous, so use it carefully and read also the readme of RAR32!
  • "Warnings" and "Non fatal errors": For example locked files create errors and warnings and are not backed up. But there is no reason to abbort a backup since other files are backed up correctly.
    So in fact, "Warnings" and "Non fatal errors" are "fatal" for one or more single files! (but not for the hole backup).

TODO

  • multi language support
  • use ZIP as an alternative packer
  • right-mouse-button actions
  • improve behaviour of email-link

Contact to the Author

xeSoftx@xaonx.xatx (without x)

RAR32 Support

PLEASE DO NOT ASK FOR SUPPORT ON RAR32!

Credits

Thanks to Wolfgang Draxler and Andreas Röderer, Oliver Cremer and Volker Ehlert (ehtron) for supporting me! (See www.wdsibyl.org)

Disclaimer

You are using this program at your own risk. The author gives no warranty for the function or any others things affected by this program.
Under no circumstances the author is liable for any loss or damage supposed to derive from the use of the program.

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