Contents Section 1 - Using Colorado Backup for DOS Section 2 - Making Your First Backup Section 3 - Making a Total Backup Section 4 - Ensuring a Reliable Backup Section 5 - Making Compare Automatic Section 6 - Backing Up Specific Files Section 7 - Restoring Files to Your Hard Drive Section 8 - Viewing the Contents of a Tape Section 9 - Preparing a Tape for Use Section 10 - Erasing a Tape Section 11 - Making Backups Automatic Section 12 - Scheduling a Total Backup, Modified Backup, or Format Section 13 - Scheduling a Batch File Section 14 - Customizing Colorado Backup Section 15 - Using Command Line Operation Section 16 - Commands and Command Line Options Section 17 - Network Compatibility Section 18 - Preparing for a Hard Drive Crash Section 19 - Recovering from a Hard Drive Crash Section 20 - Starting Your System after a Hard Drive Crash Section 21 - Questions and Answers Section 1 - Using Colorado Backup for DOS This chapter lists step-by-step procedures for the most commonly performed backup tasks. Read this chapter if you installed Colorado Backup for DOS. The following procedures were written under the assumption that your tape drive and backup software has already been installed. If you have not installed these devices, first follow the instructions on the installation guide included in the tape-drive box. Section 2 - Making Your First Backup Let's get started by making your first backup. You will be making what is referred to as a Total Backup, that is, everything on your C: hard drive will be copied to tape. A Total Backup is the most commonly performed backup command. It ensures that your entire hard drive can be restored in case you lose data due to sudden power failure, a software problem, mechanical failure, or user mistake. Section 3 - Making a Total Backup You will need one formatted tape to make a Total Backup. If your tape does not say "formatted" or "preformatted", you must format it first. See the section titled: "Preparing a Tape for Use". 1. Insert the tape into the tape drive. After the tape is inserted, you will hear the sound of the tape being wound. These sounds indicate that the tape drive is finding the beginning of the tape, determining the tape's length and format, and positioning the read/write head. 2. At the DOS prompt, type CD\CBD. (If you changed the default directory name, use the new name in place of CBD) 3. Type TAPE, then press ENTER. The Colorado Backup software will start. The Main Menu opens. 4. Select Backup from the Main Menu. The Backup Menu opens. 5. Select Total from the Backup Menu. The first Total Backup screen opens. 6. Type your hard drive letter to back up the entire drive. 7. Select OK. A screen showing the number of files and kilobytes (Kbytes) to be backed up will open. The Total Backup screen opens next. 8. Each backup is saved on tape as a volume. Type a name in the "Volume title:" field that will help you to remember what the backup tape contains. A good volume title would include the type of backup (Total in this case) the letter of the hard drive you are backing up, the computer being backed up, and any other information you may want to include. For example, you might type Total C: Accounting. 9. Select Backup Now to start the backup. The Operation screen opens. When the backup is finished, the Percent Completed gauge will show 100 percent. 10. Select OK. 11. Select Cancel from the Backup Menu. The Main Menu returns. 12. Remove the tape from the tape drive, label it, and store it in a safe place. Section 4 - Ensuring a Reliable Backup The Compare command reads the files that were backed up, compares them to the files on your hard drive, and verifies that they are identical. This procedure ensures that you will be able to restore files if you ever need to. By comparing files, you can also verify that your hardware and software are correctly installed. In the following section, we perform a Total Compare, that is, comparing everything in a certain tape volume (or backup) to your hard drive. Doing a Total Compare 1. Insert the tape into the tape drive. 2. Start the Colorado Backup software. The Main Menu opens. 3. Select Compare from the Main Menu. The Compare Menu opens. 4. Select Total from the Compare Menu. The first Compare Tape screen opens. 5. Highlight the volume, or backup, that contains the files that you want to compare by clicking on its name with your mouse, or by pressing the arrow keys. 6. Select OK. The Compare Tape screen opens. 7. Type the letter of the drive that contains the files to be compared. 8. Select OK. The Operation screen opens. When the Compare is finished, the Percent Completed gauge will show 100 percent. 9. Select OK. 10. Select Cancel from the Compare Tape screen. 11. Select Cancel from the Compare Menu. The Main menu returns. 12. Remove the tape from the tape drive and store it in a safe place. Section 5 - Making Compare Automatic In this section, you will learn how to automatically perform a compare each time you make a backup. To automatically compare after back up: 1. Select Options from the menu bar by clicking on it with the mouse or by pressing ALT+O. 2. Select Software Setups by clicking on it or by pressing ALT+S. The Software Setups screen appears. 3. Mark the Auto compare check box by clicking on it with your mouse, or by using the ARROW keys, then the SPACEBAR. 4. Select OK. This option will remain set until you change it. Section 6 - Backing Up Specific Files Sometimes you may want to back up only certain files rather than your entire hard drive. Backing up a few selected files is convenient if you want to transfer files from one computer to another. For example, you may want to take work home from the office or send a large desktop-publishing file to a service bureau for high-quality output. Another reason to back up only a few selected files is to free up space on your hard drive. This process is called archiving. Archiving is copying files that you no longer use from your hard drive to tape. The copied files can then be deleted from your hard drive to provide disk space. If you find that you ever need the archived file in the future, it can be easily restored from the tape. When archiving, designate a special tape, one that you do not use for regular backups, and label or write protect it (see the literature that came with the tape cartridge for instructions on how to write protect). To back up specific files: 1. Insert a tape into the tape drive. 2. Start the Colorado Backup software. The Main Menu opens. 3. Select Backup from the Main Menu. The Backup Menu opens. 4. Choose Selective from the Backup Menu. 5. Type the letter of the drive you want to back up. 6. Select OK. A screen with the file and kilobyte count appears. 7. Select, or tag, the directories and files you wish to back up. An arrow will appear next to each tagged file or directory. Read the section below for tagging hints or continue with Step 8. Tagging Hints To tag a file with the mouse: Click on the filename with the right mouse button. To tag a file with the keyboard: Use arrow keys to move around on the screen, then press SPACEBAR. To tag a directory including all files and subdirectories: With a mouse: Click on the directory name with the right mouse button. With the keyboard: Use arrow keys to move around on the screen, then press SPACEBAR. To tag all files and directories at the current level and below: With the mouse: Click on the Tag/Untag All button. With the keyboard: Press T. To tag files by date or by using wildcard characters (* and ?): With the mouse: Click on the Wildcard Tag button. With the keyboard: Press W. To display the contents of a directory: With the mouse: Click on the directory name to highlight it, then click on the Down Dir button. With the keyboard: Use arrow keys to highlight the directory, then press D or -. To move up a level in the directory tree: With the mouse: Click on the Up Dir button. With the keyboard: Press U or +. 8. Select OK when you are done tagging files. The Selective Backup screen opens. 9. Each backup is saved on tape as a volume. Type a name in the "Volume title:" field that will help you remember what the selective backup tape contains. A good volume title would include the type of backup (Selective in this case), the letter of the hard drive you are backing up, the computer being backed up, and any other information you may want to include. For example, you might type "Selective C: Accounting". 10. Select Backup Now. The Operation screen opens. When the backup is finished, the Percent Completed gauge will show 100 percent. 11. Select OK. 12. Select Cancel from the Backup Menu. The Main Menu returns. Section 7 - Restoring Files to Your Hard Drive You will Restore files whenever you accidentally delete a file, transfer work to another computer, or need to retrieve an earlier version of a file that you have archived. Restoring is the process of copying files from a tape to your hard drive. All files on the tape will be restored to the same location on your hard drive and will contain all the information from the last time you backed up your system. Sometimes you will restore only one file; at other times you may need to restore all files, as in the case of a hard drive crash. In the following section, we will restore selected files or directories. This is the most common type of restore performed. To restore selected files or directories: 1. Insert the tape that contains the files you want to restore into the tape drive. 2. Start Colorado Backup. The Main Menu opens. 3. Select Restore from the Main Menu. 4. Choose Selective from the Restore Menu. The volume selection screen opens. 5. Highlight the volume containing the files to be restored. 6. Select OK. The Restore to Disk screen opens. 7. Select, or tag, the files or directories that you want to copy to your hard drive. An arrow will appear next to each tagged file or directory. Read the next section for tagging hints, or continue with Step 8. Tagging Hints To tag a file with the mouse: Click on the filename with the right mouse button. To tag a file with the keyboard: Use arrow keys to move around on the screen, then press SPACEBAR. To tag a directory including all files and subdirectories: With a mouse: Click on the directory name with the right mouse button. With the keyboard: Use arrow keys to move around on the screen, then press SPACEBAR. To tag all files and directories at the current level and below: With the mouse: Click on the Tag/Untag All button. With the keyboard: Press T. To tag files by date or by using wildcard characters (* and ?): With the mouse: Click on the Wildcard Tag button. With the keyboard: Press W. To display the contents of a directory: With the mouse: Click on the directory name to highlight it, then click on the Down Dir button. With the keyboard: Use arrow keys to highlight the directory, then press D or -. To move up a level in the directory tree: With the mouse: Click on the Up Dir button. With the keyboard: Press U or +. 8. Select OK when you are done tagging files. The Restore to Disk screen opens. 9. Type the letter of the hard drive where you want to restore the files. 10. Select OK. The Operation Status screen opens. When the Restore is complete, the Percent Completed gauge shows 100 percent. 11. Select OK. (If there were errors, select the Error Log button.) 12. Select Cancel from the Restore to Disk screen. 13. Select Cancel from the Restore Menu. The Main Menu returns. Section 8 - Viewing the Contents of a Tape Just as you can view the contents of a disk using the DOS DIR command, you can also view the contents of a tape using Colorado Backup. You might want to view a tape's contents before restoring files in order to locate the files that you need, and before erasing a tape. To view the contents of a tape: 1. Insert the tape to be viewed into the tape drive. 2. From the menu bar, select View. 3. Select the Tape Directory command. The View Tape Directory screen appears. 4. Highlight the tape volume you want to view by clicking on it with the mouse or by using the UP-ARROW and DOWN-ARROW keys. 5. Select the View Dir button. The View Volume Directory screen appears. 6. When you are done viewing, select Cancel. 7. Select Cancel on the View Tape Directory screen. The Main Menu returns. Section 9 - Preparing a Tape for Use All tapes must be formatted before you use them for the first time. Formatting a tape can take from several minutes to ten hours depending upon the tape drive model, your floppy controller's speed, and the length of the tape. Preformatted tapes are ready for making backups immediately. They will save you the time it takes to do a format. To prepare a tape for use: 1. Insert the tape that you want to use into the tape drive. 2. Select Utilities from the menu bar. 3. Select Format. A warning appears. 4. Select OK to continue. 5. Type a name for the tape. If you do not type a name, the software names the tape using the current time and date. 6. Select OK. The Operation screen appears. When done formatting, the Percent Completed gauge will show 100 percent. 7. Select OK. The Main Menu opens. (If errors occurred, select the Error Log button.) Section 10 - Erasing a Tape If you have a tape that contains data you no longer need, you can erase it and reuse it. This procedure usually takes less than a minute. To erase a tape: 1. Insert the tape that you want to erase into the tape drive. 2. From the Utilities menu, select Quick Erase. 3. Select Total from the Quick Erase Menu. A warning appears. 4. Select OK to continue with the Erase. 5. Type a name for the tape. If you do not type a name, the software names the tape using the current time and date. 6. Select OK. The Operation screen opens. When the Erase is done, the Percent Completed gauge will show 100 percent. 7. Select OK. The Main Menu returns. Section 11 - Making Backups Automatic Colorado Backup can automatically perform tape operations for you with the Scheduler feature. For example, you can schedule a backup to occur every night at 10:00 p.m. This not only ensures that you have a regular backup, but also gives you the flexibility to perform backups when they will not interrupt your work schedule. In addition to backups, you can also schedule tape formatting, and the execution of a custom batch file that you provide. Scheduler is able to run at pre-determined times (even when you are away from your desk) because it is a TSR (terminate and stay resident) program. This means that Scheduler loads into your computer's memory and is available to perform an operation at any time you specify. When you choose to install Scheduler, the appropriate lines for loading it into memory are automatically inserted into your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. Checking if Scheduler is Installed Scheduler is not installed by default. You must choose to install it. To verify whether Scheduler is installed on your system: 1. Select Utilities from the menu bar. 2. If the word "Scheduler" appears grayed-out, it is not installed. Removing or Installing Scheduler Scheduler is removed or installed by running the CONFIG program. De-installing Scheduler removes lines added to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file during installation. To remove or install Scheduler: 1. Using the CD command, change to the directory where Colorado Backup for DOS is installed. For example: If your software is in the \CBD directory, type CD\CBD. 2. Type CONFIG, then press ENTER. 3. Select Hardware Configuration. Answer the dialog boxes as is appropriate for your system. 4. When the Scheduler screen appears, leave the box blank to remove Scheduler, or put an X in the box to install Scheduler. 5. Click on OK. You will need to reboot the system for the changes to take effect. Section 12 - Scheduling a Total Backup, Modified Backup or Format The procedures for Scheduling each of these operations are very similar. Follow the same steps, but select the desired operation when appropriate. To Schedule a Total Backup, Modified Backup or Format: 1. From the Utilities menu, select Scheduler. The Schedule List screen opens. 2. Click on New. The Schedule Item screen opens. 3. Choose Total, Modified or Format in the operation field. 4. Enter the drive you want to back up in the drive field. (This step does not apply if you are scheduling a format). 5. Decide whether you want to schedule this operation one time or on a regular basis. To perform the operation once, click on Once in the Frequency field then enter the date the operation is to run. To specify a time, click on the Time field and type in the new time. To set up an ongoing schedule, click on Weekly, and then click on the days of the week you want the operation to occur. 6. Click on OK when you have finished making selections. This returns you to the Scheduler List screen. 7. Press OK to accept the schedule entries. Before Scheduler Starts an Operation: Be sure a tape is inserted into the drive. Scheduler will interrupt programs with a dialog box giving you an opportunity to start the operation at the designated time or postpone it for up to 24 hours. However, if you do not respond within 30 seconds, the software will start the operation. If you are running Windows when an operation is scheduled to begin, the computer will wait until you leave Windows, then start the operation. Section 13 - Scheduling a Batch File You can schedule custom batch files. Name the batch file BATCH_X.BAT (where the X represents the line number of the batch file in the Schedule list screen). For example, if you were going to schedule a batch file on the second line in the Schedule list screen, the batch file would be called BATCH_2.BAT. The batch file must be stored in the same directory as the tape software. Section 14 - Customizing Colorado Backup You can customize your tape operations by selecting the performance options available in Software Setups. To customize Colorado Backup: 1. Select Software Setups from the Options Menu. The Software Setups screen opens. This screen offers eight ways to customize your software operations: 1) Auto format - Automatically formats a tape prior to a backup operation. If a tape is unformatted, the format will be completed without warning. However, if the software detects there may be data on a tape, or the tape is in an incompatible format, you will be prompted to continue before the format begins. 2) Auto compare - Performs a second pass over each file written to tape to perform a byte by byte comparison to the original files. This option will not work on a linked tape operation. 3) Overwrite existing files during restore - The files on tape will overwrite files with the same name and path on the hard drive during a Restore operation. 4) Reset file archive attribute - The file archive attribute is a DOS attribute to mark files that have changed since they were last backed up. Colorado Backup uses this attribute to identify files to be included for Modified Files Only Backups. When selected, the file archive attribute is reset (all archive bits are erased) during the backup, so only files changed since that backup will be included in the next Modified Files Only Backup. 5) Concurrent mode - When on, the tape and disk run simultaneously using separate DMA channels. If you get "excessive retry" errors during tape operations, your computer may not support concurrent DMA operation. Turn this option off to eliminate the errors. Turning off this option slows tape drive performance. 6) Append volume to tape - With this option on, volumes already on a tape are left intact and new volumes are added after the last volume. Volumes will be added until the capacity of the tape is reached. Turn the option off to erase all data on the tape before making a backup. 7) Software data compression type - This option allows you to select what type of compression you want to use, if any: None - Data will be written to tape uncompressed. Optimize Space - This will compress your data by approximately 50 percent. Optimize Time - This compresses your data on average by 40 percent, and it will take less time to complete the backup. To change your data compression options, click on the current setting shown at the right of the "Software data compression type:" box. TIP: If you share your data with a non-Colorado Memory Systems tape drive user, do not use data compression. Our data compression may not be compatible with their tape drive. 8) File sort type - File sort options determine the order in which the files are selected and listed in a tape operation. To change your file sort options, click on the current setting shown to the right of the "File sort type:" box. The sort options appear at the bottom of the screen. Place the cursor on the sort type of your choice. No Sort - Files are displayed in the same order as they appear on the source disk. Name - Files are displayed in alphabetical order by filename. Extension - Files are displayed in alphabetical order by extension. Date - Files are selected and displayed in chronological order of the file's origination or change date. Section 15 - Using Command Line Operation Depending upon your system and its configuration, running Colorado Backup from the command line instead of from the menu may speed up the backup process. Writing Command Line Operations: Executing operations from the command line is a simple process. Each operation consists of the word TAPE, followed by the name of the operation, such as BACKUP. After the operation name you may add switches that further customize the operation, such as /J, which turns on data compression. Below are a few rules for writing command line operations: The first word for any tape operation is always TAPE. The second word is the name of the specific command, for instance TAPE BACKUP. A list of commands is available following this section. The third item in the command line is the name of the drive and/or file(s) to backup. It can include a drive letter, path or Wildcards. For example, TAPE BACKUP C:\*.* . This is followed by the options. For instance, TAPE BACKUP C:\*.* /M would back up only the modified files. A list of options follows. Section 16 - Commands and Command Line Options Tape Commands TAPE BACKUP - Back up hard drive to tape. TAPE COMPARE - Compare tape to hard drive. TAPE ERASE - Erase tape - available as Quick, Partial, or Secure erase. TAPE FORMAT - Format tape for use. TAPE HELP - Display available commands/options. TAPE RENAME - Rename tape. Not available with PowerDAT or PowerTape drive. TAPE RESTORE - Restore tape to hard drive. TAPE RETENSION - Rewind tape from end to end. TAPE SEARCH - Provide directory of tape volume. TAPE SETUPS - Change default settings. TAPE UNERASE - Restore data to a tape erased with Quick Erase. Tape cannot have been overwritten since erasure. TAPE VERIFY - Verify that tape is readable. Command Line Options /A, /-A - Append to (/A) or overwrite (/-A) tape. /B="filename" - Create an error log. /C, /-C - Turn on (/C) or off (/-C) automatic compare. /D:mm-dd-[yy]yy - Perform action on files written on or after date. /F="filename" - Specify files to back up. /H - Help /I - Turn off tape linking question. Option does not apply to PowerTape or PowerDAT. /J, /-J - Turn on (/J) or off (/-J) data compression. /K, /-K - Optimize time (/K) or space (/-K) data compression. /L="password" - Turn on password protection. /M, /-M - Back up only modified files (/M) or all files (/-M). /N="tape name" - Assign name to tape. /O, /-O - Turn on (/O) or off (/-O) file overwrite during restore. /P, /-P - Turn on (/P) or off (/-P) printing filenames to the screen. /Q, /-Q - Select Quick (/Q) Security (/-Q) erase. /R, /-R - Turn off (/R) or on (/-R) the reset archive attributes. /S, /-S - Include subdirectories (/S) or only specified path (/-S). /T="comment" - Add a comment or volume title to backup (44 letters). /V=n - Specify volume number. /W - Change default settings. /Y /-Y - Disable System cache (/Y) or return System cache (/-Y) to the original setting on 486 computers. Does not apply to PowerTape or PowerDAT. /Z, /-Z - Automatically format (/Z) an unformatted tape prior to a backup. Example Commands Total Backup of C: Drive The following command will write over existing volumes on the tape, perform a Total Backup of drive C:, then compare the data on tape to the data on your drive. TAPE BACKUP C:\*.* /-A /C The /-A tells the tape drive to overwrite existing data on the tape. The /C tells the tape drive to compare the data after making the backup. Network Total Backup of F: and G: Drives CD\CBD ECHO * THIS WILL ERASE THE TAPE BEFORE THE BACKUP * TAPE BACKUP F:\*.* /-A/S/I/J/C/T="TOTAL BACKUP OF F DRIVE"/B = "ERROR_F.LOG" TAPE BACKUP G:\*.* /A/S/I/J/C/T="TOTAL BACKUP OF G DRIVE"/B = "ERROR_G.LOG" Section 17 - Network Compatibility Colorado Backup for DOS is fully network compatible. To receive information about compatibility call our QICFAX service and ask for the Network Compatibility Information Document. Phone numbers for technical assistance can be found on the last page of this document. Section 18 - Preparing for a Hard Drive Crash The best way to minimize the impact of a disk crash is to always be prepared for the worst. The following directions show you how to create a bootable diskette that will start your computer from your floppy drive and quickly give you an operational version of Colorado Backup for DOS. If you have performed regular backups, restoring your hard drive to its most recent state may be as easy as a few Copy operations. To Make a Bootable Diskette: A hard drive crash is likely to make your hard drive inoperable. It is very important to make a bootable diskette that will start your computer from the A: drive. IMPORTANT: We strongly recommend that you make your bootable diskette NOW so that it will be ready when you need it. 1. Insert a blank high-capacity diskette into your A: drive. 2. Format the diskette. Use the /S option to create a system diskette that can start your computer. TYPE FORMAT: A: /S 3. Copy the DOS FORMAT, FDISK and SYS command files to the diskette by typing: COPY C:\DOS\FORMAT.COM A:(Press ENTER) COPY C:\DOS\FDISK.EXE A: (Press ENTER) COPY C:\DOS\SYS.COM A: (Press ENTER) 4. Store the bootable diskette and your Colorado Backup for DOS diskette together in a safe place. If an emergency arises whereas you need the bootable diskette, follow the instructions in the next section. Section 19 - Recovering from a Hard Drive Crash The hard drive crash recovery procedure requires three steps: 1. Starting your computer (Either with a bootable diskette or by reformatting your hard drive). 2. Installing Colorado Backup for DOS. 3. Restoring your files from a backup tape to your hard drive. NOTE: Tape volumes made in Colorado Backup for Windows can be read and restored by Colorado Backup for DOS. IMPORTANT: Each hard drive situation is different. You may need to restore only a few files to make your system operable again. Check for simple solutions before making drastic changes to your hard drive. Section 20 - Starting Your System after a Hard Drive Crash With a Bootable Diskette: 1. Insert the diskette into your floppy drive and turn on your system. This boots your computer. 2. After booting, format your hard drive (only if necessary). Read your DOS documentation for formatting instructions. CAUTION: Formatting a hard drive destroys all files and directories. DO NOT format your hard drive unless you are sure it is necessary. 3. Install Colorado Backup for DOS. Without a Bootable Diskette: If you did not make a bootable diskette in preparation of hard-drive problems, you must either repair the damage to your hard drive or consult a qualified technician. You must be able to boot your computer and have an operable hard drive before you can proceed with the following instructions on installing Colorado Backup for DOS. To Install Colorado Backup for DOS: 1. Insert the Colorado Backup for DOS diskette into your floppy drive. 2. At the DOS prompt, type A: and press ENTER. (Type B: if the diskette is in drive B:). 3. Type INSTALL and press ENTER. Follow the instructions on the screen. When installation is complete, you are returned to the DOS prompt. To Restore Your Files: 1. Type CD\CBD to switch to the Colorado Backup directory. 2. Type TAPE to start the Colorado Backup software. 3. Insert the tape that contains the backup you want to restore to your hard drive. 4. From the Main Menu, open the Options Menu and select Software Setups. Mark the check box next to the Overwrite existing files during restore. NOTE: You may need to use the keyboard to select commands until the mouse drivers are restored. Use the ARROW keys and TAB. 5. Select Restore from the Main Menu. 6. Select Total from the Restore Menu. This copies the entire contents of the tape to the hard drive. 7. Exit Colorado Backup for DOS. Section 21 - Questions and Answers Q: What if I have a C: and a D: hard drive to back up? A: You can back up both drives in a single operation. From the Backup menu, select Multiple Disk. Q: What if all the data on my hard drive does not fit on one tape? A: Colorado Backup will prompt you to insert a new tape when the first tape is full. Be sure and label the tapes accurately. Q: What if I forget to format a tape before starting a backup? A: Colorado Backup will automatically format the tape. Keep in mind that the automatic format feature can add anywhere from 30 minutes to five hours to the operation. Time variations depend on your tape drive model, the floppy controller's speed, and the length of the tape. To enable the Automatic Format feature: Select Software Setups from the Options Menu, then put an X in front of "Auto format". Q: How do I protect a backup from being read by someone else? A: You can password protect a backup. Anyone trying to view or restore the data must first enter that password. To enable the password protect feature, put an X in front of "Password protect", which you can find on the same screen where you enter the volume title. Q: Can I use tape backup to free up space on my hard drive? A: Yes. Do a Selective Backup to copy those files that you no longer need to tape. You should then compare the backed up files to those on the hard drive to make sure they are identical, then delete the files from your hard drive. See "Backing Up Specific Files" for more information. Q: How do I restore files from Total and Modified Backups? A: Locate the latest tape that contains the file you want to restore. The easiest way to find a specific file is by selecting Tape Directory from the View Menu after you have inserted the tape in the drive. Restore the file from the tape with the most recent date. If you have a hard drive crash and need to do a Total Restore, first restore the Total Backup, then restore each successive Modified Backup with overwrite on. To enable the Overwrite feature, select Software Setups from the Options Menu, then put an X in front of "Overwrite existing files during restore". Q: Is there a way to fit more data on a tape? A: Use the compression option to reduce the size of each backup by an average of 2:1 (depending on the type of data in the backup). The data that is compressed and then restored is exactly the same as the original data. On the same Backup screen where you enter the volume title, select the "Software data compression type" field and choose either Optimize Space or Optimize Time. Q: Can I verify each backup without going through a separate Compare operation? A: Colorado Backup can automatically compare a backup after making it. From the Options menu, select Software Setups, then put an X in front of "Auto compare". See "Making Compare Automatic" for more information. Q: How do I make a backup at the same time every day? A: Use the Colorado Backup Scheduler. To install Scheduler: at the DOS prompt, change to the tape software directory, then type CONFIG. To schedule a backup at the same time every day, select Scheduler from the Utilities Menu. See "Making Backups Automatic" for more information. Q: What if I erase a tape by accident? A: Data erased using Quick Erase can be restored providing it has not been overwritten with another backup. From the Utilities menu, select Quick Unerase.