Strange Backup Behavior

lincolnda · Post by **lincolnda** » Fri May 20, 2005 7:46 pm

I'm curious if anyone has had this happen to them when backing up:
I did a backup of accounting, then checked with verify. The file for the accounting backup did not show up on the list of files available to verify. Then I did a backup of contributions, and once again checked with verify. This time, both that accounting backup and the contributions backup were available to verify, and it was able to read the accounting file fine. Could this be media related, or something to do with the backup program?

NeilZ · Post by **NeilZ** » Sat May 21, 2005 12:28 am

Try the accounting backup with a blank media, and see what happens. It should show up as a ZIP file.

lincolnda · Post by **lincolnda** » Sat May 21, 2005 8:35 am

Yes, the first few times I use a new CD, the backup files show up fine, no matter which module I'm backing up. After a few sessions have been written, then I start getting this behavior, where the backup file from any module doen't show either in the listing Dynazip gives, or looking at the disk with Explorer. Then after another backup is done from some other module, the missing file shows up in both the Dynazip listing and Explorer. It seems to happen more with Staples brand disks, but has happened some with Memorex I'm using now. It never happens with my Lyros player, or floppies, just CD's. Maybe I need a new CD burner. I have run the cleaning CD, but that seems to have no effect.

NeilZ · Post by **NeilZ** » Sat May 21, 2005 9:55 am

lincolnda wrote:Yes, the first few times I use a new CD, the backup files show up fine, no matter which module I'm backing up. After a few sessions have been written, then I start getting this behavior, where the backup file from any module doen't show either in the listing Dynazip gives, or looking at the disk with Explorer. Then after another backup is done from some other module, the missing file shows up in both the Dynazip listing and Explorer. It seems to happen more with Staples brand disks, but has happened some with Memorex I'm using now. It never happens with my Lyros player, or floppies, just CD's. Maybe I need a new CD burner. I have run the cleaning CD, but that seems to have no effect.

Are you using CD-R or CD-RW disks ??

lincolnda · Post by **lincolnda** » Sat May 21, 2005 6:54 pm

NeilZ wrote:Are you using CD-R or CD-RW disks ??

I'm using CD-R disks. I'm going to see what happens backing up from my laptop, on the same media, if the same thing happens on that.

NeilZ · Post by **NeilZ** » Sun May 22, 2005 12:04 am

lincolnda wrote:
NeilZ wrote:Are you using CD-R or CD-RW disks ??
I'm using CD-R disks. I'm going to see what happens backing up from my laptop, on the same media, if the same thing happens on that.

I'd do two things, use a higher quality CD, and go to CD-RWs.

foxygramps · Post by **foxygramps** » Mon May 23, 2005 6:12 am

We use TDK CD-R disks with no problems.
What might be happening is, If your disk is slow to spin up, or for some reason the files are not seen, you probably get the message that no backup files are found on the drive. The responses are 'retry' or 'cancel'. You select 'retry', but the system has defaulted to the original selection 'A', and you get the 'no backup files are found' message again.
Its most likely that you don't notice that this has happened, its nailed me lots of times.
You have to go back, reselect the drive letter and try again.

I have requested that a future maint release allow you to preset the order of drive selections, on each computer using PC+, as the drive letter could be different on each computer, depending on the presence or absence of Zip or DVD drives. Secondly hardly anyone uses 'A' anymore, and most new computers do not have floppy drives anyway.

Regardless of using CD-R, or CD-RW, disks, do not format the disk beforehand. Use the blank raw disk right off of the disk pack.