Backing up the hard disk

While the hard disk is very reliable, it is essential to back up your hard disk files to diskettes in case you lose some data accidentally. Make copies of all your system and application diskettes before copying the programs to the hard disk. After you create data files on the hard disk, be sure to copy them to diskettes whenever you revise them to keep your backup diskettes up-to-date.

You can use the MENU utility or the BACKUP command to back up your hard disk files. Use the MENU utility or the DISKCOPY command to make copies of your system and program diskettes. For instructions on using these programs, see Chapter 5 or see your MS-DOS manual.

Preparing the hard disk for moving

If you are using the 40MB or 90MB hard disk supplied with the Equity 386, it automatically moves the read/write heads to a safe region when you turn off the computer. This prevents the heads from altering any of the data on the disk if the computer is bumped accidentally-in its current place or while being moved to a new location.

If you are using another type of hard disk, however, and you need to move your computer across the room or across the country, you should run the HDSIT program just before turning off the computer. For each hard disk installed in the computer, the HDSIT program moves the read/write heads to a region of the disk surface that does not contain data, and locks them securely in position.

To run HDSIT, exit any program you are using so the MS-DOS command prompt is on the screen. If you copied the MS-DOS files to the hard disk according to the instructions in Chapter 3, HDSIT is in the \DOS directory on drive C. Log onto that directory (if necessary) by typing CD \DOS. Or you can just insert the Reference diskette in drive A and type A: to log onto that drive. Then type the following and press Enter:

HDSIT

4-20 Using the Equity 386