Tiny Core

Install Tiny Core While Connected to the Internet

Install Tiny Core Without Being Connected to the Internet

Window Managers

Install Microcore

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

Flash Player

Printer

Make a live CD with Programs

Dial Up Modems

Tiny Core Links

Other Links

Contact Details

Tiny Core 2.1-3

Backup

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

Create Backup File

While running Tiny Core, to make a backup file in the tce directory, open the Control Panel, and click "Backup/Restore." Type:

Type the partition where the tce directory is located where it says (partition). It will be something like:

Click "Backup."

You can have backup in other places. However, the first place Tiny Core will look is in the tce directory.

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.

Having large amounts of files in backup may also use more RAM while the computer is running, and affect its performance, particularly if the computer does not have a lot of RAM.

If you use both home and backup, and want backup to be quicker, you may put 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 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" (or your username), 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.

Another option is to create the directory in /home/tc as a normal user, and cut and paste it to the other directory using a Root File Manager.

Xfe

If you use Xfe file manager, it saves directories and files you delete in trash, and this is included in backup. The more you delete, the longer backup takes. To avoid this, add the following line to /opt/.xfiletool.lst.

You may also edit the preferences in Xfe, to permanently delete files instead of adding them to the trash can. To do this, go to Edit -> Preferences. Click the square preceeding "Include a command to bypass the trash can (permanent delete)," to tick it. Then click "Accept."

Mozilla Firefox or Minefield

If you use Mozilla Firefox or Minefield internet 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