Serious backup problem

[tangirl]

This is sort of a long story. So, please bear with me.

I purchased my salon in July. The previous owner bought a computer and software direct from Helios. There is a zip drive attached to the computer. The hard drive itself is a small unit with only a cd drive.

When I try to do a backup I run into a snag. It allows me to run a backup disk on the zip drive. But, then it asks to run a recovery disk. The only drive that is given as an option for this process is the c drive on the computer itself. That is not a writable drive.

So, I guess my question is, how can I run the recovery disk on the zip drive?

[gary_mcadams]

Tan Girl,

My first question is; are you using the backup utility in Helios, one that is associated with the Zip drive itself (probably Iomega) or something besides these two options?

Also, do you know how large your Helios data files are?

Have you talked to Helios tech support about any of this?

Once we know the answer to these questions, it will be easier to proceed with a possible solution for you

Gary McAdams
FCA Consulting
gary@mcadams.com
847.757.3727

[tangirl]

Quote:
On 2001-12-27 11:36, gary_mcadams wrote:
Tan Girl,

My first question is; are you using the backup utility in Helios, one that is associated with the Zip drive itself (probably Iomega) or something besides these two options?

Also, do you know how large your Helios data files are?

Have you talked to Helios tech support about any of this?

Once we know the answer to these questions, it will be easier to proceed with a possible solution for you

Gary McAdams
FCA Consulting
gary@mcadams.com
847.757.3727


Gary - Thanks for responding.

I am using the Iomega backup. No, I have no idea how large the file is. I tend to be on the technologically challenged side sometimes. How can I check to see how large it is? And no, I have not talked to tech support about this. I was trying to solve this on my own first.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

[Chippp]

Tan girl you don't make any sense!
What are you taling about???
"asks to run a recovery disk"
what is that about?

you do a back up nightly, and
do a restore only if
data on your computer is damaged .

The location you back up to or restore from is your choice!
you tell the computer were you want to store the backup file or were you want to get the restore file from. Its the botton maked "..."
the you pick the save to or restore from in the "drop downbox"

you only restore when all you data is
corruped.
restore will totally over write everything on your computer in helios.!!

normal zip disks hold 100mb.
that is a non issue when backing up helios data files. your back up will never be 100mb.

You need to take some training in the use of windows you sound totally lost and don't have the most basic information on file storage or file structure.
Get help befor you run into big trouble.
good luck

[gary_mcadams]

First of all; Chip, you need to tone down the accusatory rhetoric as it pertains to Tan Girl's abilities or inexperience. Also, for your information, there are MANY instances where the Helios data can and does exceed 100mb and several cases where it exceeds 500mb in size, so that's not a solution at all.

Anyway........Tan Girl,
First, I personally don't care for the built-in backup utility that Iomega offers with the Zip drive. On the other hand, it may be more suited for your level of expertise. I personally like to just use Windows Explorer to Copy/Paste or Click/Drag the data from the hard drive to the backup destination; in your case the Zip disk. Actually what I do in 99% of all cases is configure an automated backup to happen in the middle of the night, but that's certainly a moot point right now.

Assuming that you know a little about Windows 9.x, the Helios data is usually located in a folder called "Data" which is underneath a folder called "Helios9" which is underneath a folder called "Program Files" which is normally on the "C" drive. Hope that's not too confusing. That "Data" folder can be seen either using Windows Explorer or by browsing the "C" drive through your My Computer icon on the desktop.

Once you locate the "Data" folder, right click with your mouse on that folder, then left click on Properties and look at the total size of the folder. That is the size of your Helios data. If that size exceeds 100mb or 250mb, depending on what size of Zip Drive you have, then that's potentially your problem.

If your data does NOT exceed those sizes, which it probably doesn't, then I would first re-format your Zip disk, then do a backup using Windows Explorer and NOT the Iomega utility. Depending on your level of computer knowledge, you may need to get expert help by phone or in person from your computer vendor, Microsoft, etc.

If that does not solve the problem, then you MAY have a hardware problem. I really doubt if your problem is hardware related, but you never know.

Hope this helps.

Gary McAdams
FCA Consulting
gary@mcadams.com
847.757.3727

[tangirl]

Quote:
On 2001-12-27 14:58, Chippp wrote:
Tan girl you don't make any sense!
What are you taling about???
"asks to run a recovery disk"
what is that about?

you do a back up nightly, and
do a restore only if
data on your computer is damaged .

The location you back up to or restore from is your choice!
you tell the computer were you want to store the backup file or were you want to get the restore file from. Its the botton maked "..."
the you pick the save to or restore from in the "drop downbox"

you only restore when all you data is
corruped.
restore will totally over write everything on your computer in helios.!!

normal zip disks hold 100mb.
that is a non issue when backing up helios data files. your back up will never be 100mb.

You need to take some training in the use of windows you sound totally lost and don't have the most basic information on file storage or file structure.
Get help befor you run into big trouble.
good luck


Chippp, honey, get off of your high horse please. Since when did you become a Helios expert. Aren't you the one having date problems????

Here is exactly what happens, when I go into the Iomega screen, it says to insert the backup disk. After the backup is complete, it says to insert the recovery disk for updating. That is where I am running into the problem. The only drive that shows as being available to insert the recovery disk is my Cd drive and that is not a writable drive.

I will take Gary's advice and try to do some troubleshooting this weekend.

Chippp, if I need your accusations about my computer know how, I will rattle your chain.

[Chippp]

You two sure are cranky!
Too bad.

[Chippp]

Gary your advice to her sucked.

[Chippp]

helios has its own backup and restore program>
I would say use it.

[gary_mcadams]

Actually Chipp, the Backup and Restore program in Helios has traditionally been somewhat unreliable, although it has been looked at in the last few months by the Helios staff.

Nevertheless, I stand by my advice to Tan Girl and if you think it "sucked" so much, the next time you're at a trade event that I'm at, assuming that you attend such things at all, I'll be MORE than glad to talk to you in person about my abilities in a variety of areas and/or inabilities for that matter.

Gary