making backup copy of the savefile/folder

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making backup copy of the savefile/folder

Post by bigpup »

Pupsave Backup
Most Puppy versions have a program Pupsave Backup.
This will make a backup copy of the save file/folder.
It also puts a date, in the name of the backup, so you know when it was made.

When making the backup save. This process can take some time.
It will pop up a message, when it completes.

If something goes wrong with the save.
If the Puppy version will still boot.
If it is a backup of a save folder and it was compressed.
Place the backup file in the same location of the bad save folder.
Click on the backup file.
It will go through the extract process of turning it back into a save folder.
Make sure in the extract window, to have output directory set to the same directory the files are in. (will be by default)
It will replace the old save with this one.

If the Puppy version is just too messed up to boot up.
Try booting not using the save.
Then delete the bad save and replace it with the backup save.

If did not work.
Do the replacement, following the manual way to do the replacement.
Note:
If you made a compressed backup.
To manually use it.
Un-compress it first.

This program can make a backup save anytime you want to run it.
So you could have multiple backups.
.
.
Manual Backup
You can also make a backup copy of the save file/folder manually.
Using a file manager.
Make a copy of the save file/folder.
Rename the copy save, adding bak. to the beginning of it's name.
This tells you it is a backup save and it keeps the boot process from using it at boot up.

Doing a manual backup copy.
The save needs to not be in use.
So, boot not using the save, by using the boot command pfix=ram added to the kernel or linux line of the boot loader menu entry.
Or boot a different operating system and use it's file manager, to make the backup copy save.

To replace the old save (that may be messed up) with the backup save.
Run a file manager.
Locate the bad save.
Copy and paste the bak.save to the location of the old save.
Look at the name of the old save.
You want the bak.save to have the same name after removing bak. from the name.
So make any corrections to the name, but still have bak. in the name.
Now delete the old save.
Remove bak. from the name of the backup save.
It now has the name of the save you replaced.
Boot using this save.

Note:
If you make a backup copy of a save folder.
Want to store it to a specific location, maybe a different drive or partition.
That location has to use a Linux format (ext 2, 3, or 4)
A save file can go on any format.
Fat32 format has max file size limit 4GB. Save file backup can not be bigger than 4GB.
All other formats, can handle bigger than 4GB size.

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Re: making backup copy of the savefile/folder

Post by xenial »

Big thank you for this information bigpup. :thumbup:
Always curious how this was achieved .

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Re: geo's Failsafe Backup Procedure

Post by geo_c »

If one doesn't mind having an entry to choose a pupsave at bootup, the backup pupsave can be stored in the home directory along side the working pupsave directory, both uncompressed. The pupsave backup can be renamed after it's initially made, or as I do, it can be left with it's generated name:

pupsave-geo.BKP-YYYY.MM.DD-HH.MM (timestamped)

At bootup I always have a choice to make, in case I was experimental with my last session and mucked up my working save directory I bootup into the pupsave-geo.BKP-YYY.MM.DD-HH.MM and the first thing I do is backup the backup directory. (which is now the working directory since I booted into it.) The pupsave backup dialog will tell me that the filename is too long and recommend not using it, because the new backup will now be:

pupsave-geo.BKP-YYYY.MM.DD-HH.MM.BKP-YYYY.MM.DD-HH.MM (double-timestamped)

But that's okay, I choose yes and back it up anyway, uncompressed. As soon as the new backup of the original backup is done, I delete the original mucked up save directory (pupsave-geo) and I rename the new double time stamped backup directory to my working pupsave preference:

pupsave-geo

At this point the home directory has two pupsaves:

pupsave-geo
pupsave-geo.BKP-YYY.MM.DD-HH.MM (intial backup, which is currently the active directory-DO NOT RENAME)

If I have time I may copy the newly created pupsave-geo to another backup partition or drive naming it whatever suits my needs, usually just manually adding a timestamp formatted exactly like the backup routine would.

After making copies to other drives I leave both of these in the home directory and reboot, choosing pusave-geo

It takes a few minutes, 5-10, but what I just described is a full system recovery with a new backup system ready to go in case I screw things up again.

Try that with windows!

EDIT: This procedure is making a couple of assumptions:

  • The saves and install are on ext partitions

  • The home partition has enough available space to accommodate 3 save directories during the process

NOTE:
If it's perhaps late in the wee hours of the morning, and one gets a little buggy and isn't sure which save directory is currently active, the active pupsave can be found in PupSysInfo under the menu Sys-Files sub-menu PupState

Image

Last edited by geo_c on Sat Oct 23, 2021 7:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: making backup copy of the savefile/folder

Post by Clarity »

Seems like you can make a program (script) which executes at 'boot-time' desktop start to do this for you. Correct?

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Re: making backup copy of the savefile/folder

Post by geo_c »

Clarity wrote: Sat Oct 23, 2021 5:50 pm

Seems like you can make a program (script) which executes at 'boot-time' desktop start to do this for you. Correct?

If you're talking about my procedure, yes you are probably right. A script or two would be nice. It might be a little beyond my capabilities.

Just for clarification, I only need to do the renaming procedure if I want to fall back to an earlier backup copy. Otherwise I just run pupsave backup and copy the BKP file to any external partitions that may need the latest version. My backups are more like system transfers onto bootable USB drives and SD media.

The main point is that keeping two save directories in /home, one being the current working system and the other a timestamped backup, both uncompressed, allows a seemless fall back to a previous pupsave, which I have used many times and it's allowed my system to grow big, Big, BIGGER over the past year, and still run bug free. In other words I've tried installing some pets and software packages that break things or don't run, and rather than uninstall and have stray files left in the system, I just reboot into the timestamped Backup Save.

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Re: making backup copy of the savefile/folder

Post by wizard »

@bigpup

If something goes wrong with the save.
If the Puppy version will still boot.
Click on the backup file, this program made.
It will go through the process of replacing the save, with this backup.

This is the first time I've seen this described and tried it on fossa64 9.5. Get a "No run action specified for files of this type" error.

Thanks
wizard

Big pile of OLD computers

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Re: making backup copy of the savefile/folder

Post by glene77is »

If something goes wrong with the save.
If the Puppy version will still boot.
Click on the backup file, this program made.
It will go through the process of replacing the save, with this backup.

by Clarity

Seems like you can make a program (script) which executes at 'boot-time' desktop start to do this for you. Correct?

by Clarity

Tip of the Hat to you, Clarity !
Good Idea, can be very productive in a group/team project.


Same process We use ,
and the rationale behind the "Cold-Tar-Backup" (CTB)
at viewtopic.php?t=622&hilit=Cold+Tar+Backup

We have a boot-time main-screen pop-up "Manager" program
which shows our "CTB" backup on the menu.

Our "CTB" will automatically select the running "saveDATA" system file
and then backup to a saveDATA fileNAME plus Date-Time-Seconds stamp on each saveDATA.tar.gz, ;
ie, slacko64save-3264-sda-CTB-220205-0440-14.tar.gz ,
ie, slacko64save-3264-sda-CTB-220204-0540-24.tar.gz ,
ie, slacko64save-3264-sda-CTB-220203-0640-34.tar.gz ,
that way, via Cold-Tar-Backup.

IF the current saveDATA system faults,
(1) we break/halt the OS,
(2) then completely "reboot" into another OS on the hard drive.
We have working OS for "pup-BionicBeaver" and "pup-FocalFossa", and "slack-PartitionMagic"
from which to choose. [ our hard-drive has eight different OS running, from which to choose ]

First, we rename the current running saveDATA "slacko64save-3264-sda" by appending an alpha ID char.
So, "slacko64save-3264-sda" becomes "slacko64save-3264-sda-a" ,
and so on through the aphabet as required,
that way, via Cold-Tar-Backup.

Second,
we extract/restore from Cold-Tar-Backup,
which will generate "slacko64save-3264-sda" ,
just like the last running file.

Thirdly,
then we reboot so that the "save2flash" and "saveDATA" are properly linked.
voila ! We are running the last-good-copy of our saveDATA system file.

There are so many good tips on this Murga Forum.
Very helpful for a Team Project.
Thanks again to Clarity for sharing this good, basic, productive work method !.

*Just an old Apprentice caught Tinkering in the Master's WorkShop. *
Glen Ellis ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡° ) K4KKQ , Electronic Engineering :ugeek:
Website: http://www.GeoCities.WS/glene77is :thumbup2:
Electrical Science , Memphis, TN

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Re: making backup copy of the savefile/folder

Post by mikeslr »

Much of the following only applies to a SaveFolder; but some can be used with SaveFiles.

A SaveFolder is merely a folder with a name specifying the Puppy and including the term 'save'. For example, every SaveFolder for F-96 must include 'fossapup64save'. That name can be supplemented by additional information following a "-"; e.g. s15pup64save-feb04. Consequently, you can easily create a SaveFolder merely by Right-Clicking an empty space, from the pop-up menu, selecting New>Directory, and giving it the appropriate name; e.g. bionicpup64save-test.

The folder so created will lack the icon* associated with SaveFolders. But your Puppy will recognize it as a SaveFolder. On reboot, your Puppy will offer to mount and use it. But if your Puppy is on a Linux Formatted partion and if you already have another SaveFolder or SaveFile your Puppy will do something else: it will interrupt booting and offer you the opportunity to choose which AND NONE.

It's a simple way to be able to boot 'pfix=ram' without having to edit your menu.lst/grub.cfg.

Having booted 'pfix=ram', you can then Right-Click your 'real' SaveFolder, select Duplicate (or copy) from the pop-up menu and give the duplicate a different name, thus backing up your SaveFolder. While still using your Puppy under pfix=ram, you can move any SaveFile or Folder to a location where it won't be offered on boot-up.

If your Puppy is on a Linux formatted partition, you can do the above to create another SaveFile. However, you must create a 'false' SaveFolder; a file merely named --for example-- bionicpup64save.sfs-- will be ignored. Untested under Fat32 and ntfs formatted partitions. I'd be interested in finding out if it works with those. A SaveFolder, of course, can't be used on those; but its presence at boot-up might trigger the option to boot 'NONE/pfix=ram'.

-=-=-=-=--=-
* You can manually associate the usual Save-Icon with your manually created SaveFolder. Merely Right-Click your SaveFolder, select set-icon and drop that Save-Icon onto the GUI which opens. Select "Only for the file..."

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Re: making backup copy of the savefile/folder

Post by bigpup »

wizard wrote: Fri Dec 17, 2021 5:10 pm

@bigpup

If something goes wrong with the save.
If the Puppy version will still boot.
Click on the backup file, this program made.
It will go through the process of replacing the save, with this backup.

This is the first time I've seen this described and tried it on fossa64 9.5. Get a "No run action specified for files of this type" error.

Thanks
wizard

Good catch, I should have made this with more specific info. :oops:

This works for me if it is a save folder compressed backup.

If something goes wrong with the save.
If the Puppy version will still boot.
If it is a backup of a save folder and it was compressed.
Place the backup file in the same location of the bad save folder.
Click on the backup file.
It will go through the extract process of turning it back into a save folder.
Make sure in the extract window, to have output directory set to the same directory the files are in. (will be by default)
It will replace the old save with this one.

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