- Mike
Backing up an old MS-DOS system to tape
Started by
smacksoup
, May 22 2009 11:17 AM
#1
Posted 22 May 2009 - 11:17 AM
- Mike
#2
Posted 22 May 2009 - 11:28 AM
I am not sure since I don't think that DOS had any native support for the tape drives, so it might be that you would need to look for the program to run it.
If the disks are IDE, then you might consider putting the disk on another computer, either by putting it in an enclosure or internally to the machine. Then you could back up the data to a CD or DVD, which would make it easier to access the data.
If the disks are IDE, then you might consider putting the disk on another computer, either by putting it in an enclosure or internally to the machine. Then you could back up the data to a CD or DVD, which would make it easier to access the data.
#3
Posted 22 May 2009 - 11:37 AM
Is there a way to tell, in DOS, if the disks are IDE? I know how to identify them by looking at the cables inside the machine, but I'd rather not pry it open.
#4
Posted 22 May 2009 - 11:42 AM
I am not sure if there is a way to tell in DOS. I don't recall when the disk interface changed. I have a 286 machine which is not IDE, at least I don't think so.
It should not be too difficult to open the case.
It should not be too difficult to open the case.
#5
Posted 22 May 2009 - 11:54 AM
So the hard drive is IDE. If I wanted to save all the data on the computer now, theoretically I should just able able to take out the HD, chuck the computer, and put the HD into another machine with a free place for an IDE drive, right? Would any information be lost in that case?
#6
Posted 22 May 2009 - 12:29 PM
Yes, but don't get rid of the machine until you get a good backup, just in case you need to boot the machine from the disk. If you get rid of it too soon and need it for some reason, you would have a problem.
It is often easier to put the disk in an external enclosure, so that you don't have to mount it or risk it being bumped and/or falling.
Backing up the disk when it is in another machine should get all of the data, whereas if you do the backup when the machine is booted from that disk, there can be files which are locked by the OS, which can prevent the files from being copied.
The only information "lost" would be the boot information since that is not in the filesystem. You could copy the whole disk, which would retain everything, but it would be more difficult to review the data.
As a side note, if you use a non-Windoze OS, such as Linux, it will ensure that no files are accessed on the disk. Sometimes Windoze looks at the disk and will use swap files and such. It should not really be an issue though.
It is often easier to put the disk in an external enclosure, so that you don't have to mount it or risk it being bumped and/or falling.
Backing up the disk when it is in another machine should get all of the data, whereas if you do the backup when the machine is booted from that disk, there can be files which are locked by the OS, which can prevent the files from being copied.
The only information "lost" would be the boot information since that is not in the filesystem. You could copy the whole disk, which would retain everything, but it would be more difficult to review the data.
As a side note, if you use a non-Windoze OS, such as Linux, it will ensure that no files are accessed on the disk. Sometimes Windoze looks at the disk and will use swap files and such. It should not really be an issue though.
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