zBack Z88 Backup Utility                                        SP Services

Instructions relative to v1.05

zBack is an MS-DOS utility which, used in conjunction with the Z88 PC Link
II ROM, allows easy backup of your entire Z88 file system onto your PC disk. 
In addition to this program you will need:

*     The PC Link II ROM, installed in your Z88;
*     A cable suitable for connecting you PC and Z88 together;
*     A disk with sufficient room to store the contents of your Z88.


Operation

First, move to the PC directory which contains zBack (or add this directory
to the PATH command in your AUTOEXEC.BAT).  Try typing:

      ZBACK /H

and pressing Enter.  You will now have the current help screen displayed,
which contains a synopsis of these notes.

To back up your Z88:

a)    Connect the Z88 to the PC;
b)    On the Z88, give the []L command to start PC Link;
c)    Insert a blank, formatted floppy disk in drive A: on the PC
d)    Type  ZBACK /DA /R  on the PC and press Enter.

The zBack program should start and report that it is obtaining the Z88 file
system; you can see the dialogue involved taking place on the screen of the
Z88.  When all of the details of the Z88 file system are obtained, zBack will
copy the Z88 files one at a time onto the floppy disk, using the same file and
directory names as on the Z88 (except the RAM cards are name RAM#0, RAM#1
etc. so that PC Pipedream can access them; a bug in PC Pipedream means that
it does not recognise directory names which have an extension like .1).  zBack
will create all the directories which are needed.  When all the files have been
copied, zBack will instruct PC Link to finish.

If you just type ZBACK with no switches, the files will be directed to
C:\ZBACK.


Options

The following switches are available:

/Dx         Directs all files to drive x instead of C:
/Rnnn       Directs files to directories above \nnn instead of \ZBACK
/N          Indicates that only new files should copied (no overwriting)
/H          Displays the help information

For future expansion, zBack maintains a list of the full 12+3 character file
names as received from the Z88 in a hidden file called $$NAMES.Z88 in each
directory occupied by Z88 files.  This file may be examined using the TYPE
command, and may be deleted by:

a)    Giving the command ATTR $$FNAMES.Z88 -H-
b)    Giving the command DEL $$FNAMES.Z88


However, there is no need to delete as it does no harm and does not become
large.


Stopping zBack

zBack may be halted, in order of desirability:

a)    By pressing ESC.  zBack will halt on completion of the current step
      (e.g. copying a file from the Z88).  This is the preferred method.
b)    By removing the cable between the Z88 and the PC.  zBack will retry
      the connection several times and then abort.  It will display messages
      to indicate the current status during this process.
c)    By pressing pressing Ctrl+Break.  This should halt instantly, but it
      does not guarantee that the current file will be intact, and some users
      have reported that their machines hang, requiring a hard reset/power-
      down.


zBack Release History

*** v1.05

Added Escape key, /N switch, File names files, documentation; improved
response if I/O error occurs; improved Ctrl-Break handler.


*** v1.04

Not issued


*** v1.03

Added Ctrl-Break handler; added timeouts in more places; added extra help &
friendly messages.

*** v1.02

Added timeouts; used interrupt handler instead of INT 14h because latter does
not work on many PC clones at 9600 bps

*** v1.01

First version to escape to outside world.


*** v1.00

Well, it worked on MY machine!



Shareware Support & Payment
Support is available via the CIX conferencing service on 01-399 5252
(sphipps@cix.uucp), or by writing to the address below.  This software is
supplied 'as is' and no implication of fitness for any particular purpose is
intended in these instructions or the software.  The software remains the
property of SP Services at the address below and may not be supplied in any
transaction involving the exchange of any financial or other consideration
without the written permission of SP Services.  Apart from this, it may be
freely distributed.

If you find zBack useful, please send a sum such as œ10 or $15 to the address
below, as often as you see fit!  If the software fails for any reason, please
help by reporting the difficulty thoroughly and carefully.

(c) 1990  SP Services
53 Chamberlain Road, Highfield, Southampton, SO2 1PQ, UK