NovaStor NovaBackup for OS/2 (SCSI) v6.01

This archive contains the following files:
README.TXT    - This file
NS2END.EXE    - NovaBackup v6.01 evaluation version (self-extracting archive)
NBOOTSCS.ZIP  - Latest software patches for NovaBackup v6.01 (NovaBoot patch)
NBACKUP.PDF   - User's manual (PDF) for NovaBackup v6.01 (NT and OS/2 versions)


To install NovaBackup:

1. Run the NS2END executable in a temporary directory.  This is a
   self-extracting ZIP archive.
2. Run INSTALL.EXE from the extracted files.
3. Follow the prompts.
4. Optionally unzip the NBOOTSCS.ZIP archive into the NovaBackup directory to
   apply the latest software patch.


Notes

This is an evaluation version, which will stop functioning after 30 days.  You
need a registration key to use it for longer.  When you enter a registration
key, the demo becomes the fully-functional version; no other files are needed.

Unfortunately, NovaStor has end-of-life'd this product, and it may no longer
be possible to buy it.  (Mensys still lists it, though, so maybe you can.)  
If you don't have a registration key (or can't beg/buy one), then this demo
will be of limited use to you.  Sorry.


NovaBackup is a very fast and easy-to-use backup program for OS/2.  Some
limitations you do need to be aware of:


 - It is unable to backup files which are locked in "write-only" mode.
   Normally, this only includes some rather unimportant log files, and also
   the NET.ACC user accounts database.

   You need to use BACKACC.EXE (included in the OS/2 LAN files) to back up
   NET.ACC before running a tape backup with NovaBack.  BACKACC creates a
   backup file, NETACC.BKP, which can get backed up to tape.  Therefore, after
   doing a full system restore you need to copy NETACC.BKP to NET.ACC (usually
   they're in the IBMLAN\ACCOUNTS directory).

   More information on this subject is included in the NovaBackup
   documentation.

   To minimize the occurance of locked files, you should shut down all
   applications and LAN services before performing a tape backup.
   

 - The recovery diskettes that NovaBackup creates don't always work (in my 
   experience).  I get weird aborts and crashes when I try to restore with
   them.  However, I've found a workaround: instead of using modified OS/2 
   install disks to boot, make BOOTOS2 disks.

   To create BOOTOS2 recovery diskettes:

    - Either create a tape backup, or make sure you know exactly which drive
      letters are going to be backed up on tape.  The NovaBoot program which
      creates the rescue disk needs to know what drive letters to set up for
      restoration.

    - Get three blank diskettes and use the CDINST command on the OS/2 install
      CD to create three OS/2 installation diskettes.  (You won't actually be
      using these, but NovaBoot requires you to provide them.)
    
    - Run the NovaBoot program to create the NovaBoot Utility diskette.  (You 
      need another blank floppy for this.)  The NovaBoot program will want you 
      to provide the three diskettes created before.  After you have a NovaBoot
      diskette created, you can discard the first three.  :)

    - Use the BOOTOS2 utility (available on Hobbes and most other OS/2 FTP
      sites) to create BOOTOS2 bootable diskettes for your system.  This
      normally requires two blank floppies.  (Use the command "BOOTOS2 2DISK".)

    - You should now have 3 diskettes: BOOTOS2 disk 1, BOOTOS2 disk 2,
      and the NovaBoot Utility Disk.  Edit the A:\CONFIG.SYS on the BOOTOS2
      Disk 1, and add the following line at the end of the file:

        DEVICE=NOVASPI.SYS

      Then insert the BOOTOS2 disk 2, and copy the file NOVASPI.SYS from the
      NBKSCSI directory where you installed NovaBack onto the diskette in the
      root directory.

      Finally, insert the NovaBoot Utility Disk, and copy \OS2\DLL\MSG.DLL to 
      it:

        copy C:\OS2\DLL\MSG.DLL A:\

      (Assuming OS/2 is installed on drive C.)

      Your disaster recovery diskettes should now be ready for use.  Of course,
      you should test them before you need them!

      (To do an emergency recovery, boot off the BOOTOS2 diskettes to get to an
      OS/2 prompt.  Then insert the NovaBoot utility disk, and run "NB_ADMIN".
      Then follow the instructions.)

