Copying Data

It is very important to keep backup diskettes containing copies of the files you create. You can copy data and program files several ways:

•You can use the DISKCOPY command to make an exact duplicate of a diskette

•You can use the COPY command to copy individual files

•You can use the BACKUP command to back up the files on a hard disk or diskette in a special format.

The COPY command is easier to use when you have only a few files to back up. The BACKUP command has some advantages when you want to back up many files at once.

Note

An easy way to perform the functions listed above is through the MENU and XTREE programs. See the sections on MENU and XTREE later in this chapter. You can also use the MS-DOS XCOPY command to copy whole subdirectories of fifes; see your MS-DOS manual for details.

Using the DISKCOPY Command

The DISKCOPY command lets you copy an exact image of one diskette onto another diskette. The two diskettes must be of the same size and type; that is, you cannot use DISKCOPY to copy data from a 3 1/2-inch diskette onto a 5 1/2-inch diskette or to copy data from a 1.44MB diskette to a 720KB diskette. You also cannot use DISKCOPY to copy data between a hard disk and a diskette.

To use DISKCOPY, follow these steps:

1.Make sure your original diskette (the one you are copying from) is write-protected. (See Chapter 4 for instructions.)

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