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DOS System Backup

Daily backups are the most important procedure you can do for your system. Without a proper DAILY backup, you are gambling with your company's time and money. Anyone who has had to restore a backup can attest to its importance. If you have not been doing a daily backup, start right away!

Mortgage Computer recommends a cartridge tape sub-system for backups. We do not recommend diskette backups. If you do not have a tape sub-system, it would be a wise investment. Most cartridge tape sub-systems take about 18 to 25 minutes or less to backup 40 megabytes. However, a daily backup is recommended--tape or otherwise.

Mortgage Computer requires a daily backup of the data files for all customers!!!

What to Back Up and When

    DAILY
    mcadata, mcaobj, and icobol directories (recommended). At least the mcadata directory.

    WEEKLY
    mcadata, mcaobj, and icobol directories.

    MONTHLY
    Full system backup, including all files and directories.

    BEFORE LOADING A RELEASE
    mcadata, mcaobj, and icobol directories.


Backups are to be done with everyone out of MC Software.


How to Do a Backup in DOS

    For a tape backup, please refer to the maker of the tape sub-system for backup instructions. Most are easy to use and menu driven. MC uses Backup Exec and many customers use ArcServ.

    For a DOS diskette backup, the following commands will back up your system: at the C:\> prompt:

      Type: BACKUP C:\MCADATA\*.* A: /S
      press <ENTER> (use the correct path to your MCADATA directory).

    Your screen will display the file names as they copy to the diskette. MS-DOS will prompt you to insert the next diskette if needed. Remember to label your diskettes with the diskette number and date.

    To backup the programs, change the MCADATA in the above command line to MCAOBJ.

      Type: BACKUP C:\MCAOBJ\*.* A: /S
      press <ENTER> (use the correct path to your MCAOBJ directory).

MC does not recommend incremental backups. Make sure you periodically test your backup to verify it is working correctly.

Updated February 18, 2005 at 8:20 a.m.