Tiny Core

Install Tiny Core While Connected to the Internet

Install Tiny Core Without Being Connected to the Internet

Window Managers

Install on a USB Drive

Encrypted Home

Additional Users

Install Programs

Root Terminal

Root File Manager

Root Text Editor

Mount a Drive or Partition

Backup

Iptables Firewall

Copy and Paste with the Mouse

Change the Screen Resolution

Background Image

Workspaces

Printer

Make a live CD with Programs

Dial Up Modems

Tiny Core Links

Other Links

Contact Details

Tiny Core 1.X

Backup

Backup may be used in Tiny Core to save personal files and settings.

Method One: Grub Command

An ideal way to use backup, is to include "restore=(partition)" in Grub (insert the appropriate partition, such as sda1).

Method Two: Control Panel

Another option is to select the backup location from the Control Panel. While running Tiny Core, open the Control Panel, and click "Backup/Restore." Type in the partition where you want backup, and click "Backup."

When to Use Each Method

Which ever method you use, you only need to select the backup location once. If the backup location is not specified, each time Tiny Core starts, it searches the partitions for the backup file. However, if it is specified in Grub, Tiny Core does not need to search for it, so it starts slightly quicker.

If Tiny Core is installed on a drive which remains in the computer, such as a hard drive, it is ideal to specify the backup location in Grub.

Drives may be designated differently in different computers. So if Tiny Core is installed on a removable drive, such as a USB drive, select the backup location using the Control Panel.

If you Make a live CD with Programs, and run Tiny Core from the CD, select the backup location using the Control Panel. You can backup on the computer's hard drive, or a USB drive.

Backup can be in the same partition as Tiny Core, or in a different partition.

Backup when you Shutdown

To save files and settings, you must backup when shutting down Tiny Core.

Always Backup After Changing Settings

Always backup after changing settings, unless you don't want to save them.

Personal Files

If you specify "home=(partition)" in Grub, personal directories and files are saved in the "/home/tc" directory. This directory is included in backup. When you use both home and backup, there is two copies of your personal files, one in the "/home/tc" directory and one in backup.

Renaming, Moving or Deleting Files

When Tiny Core starts, it loads the home directory then overwrites this with the backup.

If you rename or move directories or files, and don't backup when shutting down, the next time you start Tiny Core there will be two copies, the directories or files you renamed or moved in the home directory, and the original from the previous backup.

If you delete directories or files, and don't backup when shutting down, the next time you start Tiny Core they will still be there, from the previous backup.

To avoid this, after renaming, moving or deleting directories or files, backup when shutting down.

Select What is Saved During Backup

If you don't modify Tiny Core, files and settings are automatically saved each time you backup. You don't need to change anything.

However, you may select different directories and files to be saved in backup.

The file /opt/.filetool.lst contains a list of directories and files saved during backup. The file /opt/.xfiletool.lst contains a list of directories and files within those in /opt/.filetool.lst excluded from being saved during backup.

To save additional directories or files, add their names to /opt/.filetool.lst.

If you don't want directories or files to be saved, which are included in /opt/.filetool.lst, remove them from the list, or add them to /opt/.xfiletool.lst.

Edit .filetool.lst or .xfiletool.lst

To edit .filetool.lst or .xfiletool.lst use a Root Text Editor.

Directory and file names beginning with a . are hidden, so to see them you need to display hidden files.

Quicker Backup

If you have large files or large amounts of files, backup may take longer.

If you use both home and backup, and want backup to be quicker, you may put less important files in "/home," rather than "/home/tc." Files in "/home" won't be backed up.

If you use encrypted home and backup, and want backup to be quicker, you may put less important files in "/mnt/(partition)," (such as /mnt/sda1) rather than "/home/tc." Files in "/mnt/(partition)," won't be backed up.

To save files without needing root permission, change the owner to "tc," and the group to "staff."

To find out the owner, type:

To change the owner to "tc," and the group to "staff," in the Root Terminal type:

For example, if you want to save files in sda1/downloads, type:

For more information see File Ownership.

Mozilla Firefox

If you use Mozilla Firefox Web Browser, it saves a lot of information. As a result, backup may take longer. To avoid this, add the following line to /opt/.xfiletool.lst.

Information from Mozilla Firefox is still saved in the /home/tc directory, so it will still work the same (unless you don't use home or encrypted home).

Additional Backup

While backup reduces the likelihood of data loss, it could still happen. It is a good idea to have additional backup.

© Copyright Guy Shipard 2009