Introduction

The latest version of Trademaster installs a useful utility that will copy a set of Trademaster data files for one year to a floppy disk, either for support purposes or as a backup of the current data. This is an updated version of the old batch files BACKUP.BAT in that (1) the data is compressed so that very large file sets can be stored on a floppy, (2) only one file is created, which is easier to attach to an email and (3) the Trademaster configuration filea are included in the zip file in case these are needed for support purposes as is often the case.

Operation

The utility must be run from the DOS prompt. Close Trademaster if it is running. Click on Start, then Run and in the Run dialog type in: COMMAND (in upper or lower case) then click on OK. You will get a DOS window. If you don't get a DOS window you might be running an old Windows version, try CMD instead of COMMAND.

In the DOS window, switch to your TM2 directory. For the local drive the command is usually: CD\TM2 and press enter. The prompt should show as C:\TM2>, check that this is the case.

If Trademaster is on a network drive type in the network drive letter and a colon as in: G: and press enter. This might put you in the TM2 directory, or you might need to change folder as in: CD APPS\TM2 [enter], depending on where TM2 actually is). You may also need to refer to our fact sheet "Locating the TM2 Folder".

Once in the right folder, put a floppy disk in your drive. To copy a year's files that you have named say "2008", the command is this:
DATACOPY 2008 [press enter]. Use upper or lower case.

Any files already on the floppy disk will be erased, then data will copy to the floppy disk. Watch for messages as the backup proceeds to confirm that the expected files are copied. There should be 15 to 20 files for any one data set, plus 2 configuration files. The file created on the floppy is TM2DATA.ZIP. The disk can be mailed to Wildsand for problem solving or the file itself can be attached to an email.

Restoring from Backup Copy

If you have WinZip or a recent version of Windows you can restore the files by double clicking on the file in Windows Explorer.

You can otherwise restore the data from a DOS prompt in the TM2 directory like this: PKUNZIP A:TM2DATA (and press enter). If the same files still exist you will be asked if you want to overwrite them.

Backing up to CD or DVD

As many users are using CDs or DVD media for backups, a separate utility is provided in later versions to provide for this. The utility is also available for download.

To copy a year's files that you have named say "2008", the command is this:
DATACOPYD 2008 [press enter]. Use upper or lower case. NOTE: The media in drive D: must be writable (e.g. CD-RW) and formatted. Any previous data is NOT erased, but if TM2DATA.ZIP already exists on the disk it will be updated with the latest state of the files. This means that the backup file may contain several sets of data, not merely the one you have just copied.

Restoring from CD or DVD

NOTE: recent versions of the old BACKUP batch file backup routine now also copy Trademaster configuration files to a floppy disk.

For further advice or assistance, please ring 07802 420466 or email us.