Using Disk Change Detection with Backup for MS-DOS or Windows (96836)



The information in this article applies to:
    Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.0
    Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.2
    Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.22

This article was previously published under Q96836

SUMMARY

Microsoft Backup for MS-DOS and Microsoft Backup for Windows both use "disk change detection" to speed up the backup process. This article discusses this feature.

MORE INFORMATION

Disk change detection is enabled during the configuration process for Backup. During the configuration process, Backup prompts you to remove all floppy disks from your disk drives so that it can test whether the drives can automatically detect when a disk is inserted. If the floppy disk drives pass this test, disk change detection is enabled.

During subsequent floppy-disk backups, you are prompted to insert the next disk while the drive light is still on. This may be confusing to users who think that removing floppy disks while the light is on may damage the disk drive or the disk itself. This is part of the disk change detection process and removing the disk when prompted does not damage either the disk or the disk drive. You also have the option to wait until the disk drive light goes off; at that point, you are again prompted to insert the next disk and instructed to press the ENTER key to continue. If you wait until the drive light goes out and prompts you to insert the next disk, Microsoft Backup appears to finish normally; however, the second (or subsequent) disk may be blank. During a large backup, however, the ability to swap disks "on the fly" can greatly reduce the total time you spend backing up.

Modification Type: Major Last Reviewed: 12/3/1999
Keywords: KB96836