Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.3 alpha 4/15/85; site ucbvax.ARPA Path: utzoo!utcs!lsuc!pesnta!hplabs!ucbvax!info-vax From: info-vax@ucbvax.ARPA Newsgroups: fa.info-vax Subject: Questions Message-ID: <8769@ucbvax.ARPA> Date: Thu, 4-Jul-85 15:50:58 EDT Article-I.D.: ucbvax.8769 Posted: Thu Jul 4 15:50:58 1985 Date-Received: Sat, 6-Jul-85 05:30:40 EDT Sender: daemon@ucbvax.ARPA Organization: University of California at Berkeley Lines: 32 From: Tony LiFrom: Peter Stokes 1) Does anybody really know the difference between using BACKUP and BACKUP/IMAGE when performing a stand alone backup of a system. During a DEC course I recently attended we were informed that /IMAGE must be used otherwise a restore on a brand new disk would not work. The DEC manual (Utilites Reference Manual) does not indicate whether using /IMAGE is essential for a reliable stand alone backup. To add to the confusion... DEC software support in Colorado Springs were positive that the /IMAGE qualifier is implied in stand alone backup and therefore redundant to include in the command line. BACKUP/IMAGE need only be used when initializing a new disk under normal backup. TSC is correct in saying that /IMAGE is implied under stand alone backup. I think the confusion lies in your DEC course. The instructor must have been talking about normal BACKUP and not made himself clear. 2) Does anybody know of a quick way of actually erasing a mag tape? The INITITALIZE command is reversable and sometimes we need to send out a blank tape without the possiblity of its previous contents being read. There are bulk-demagnetizers which are available from your local electronics store for reasonable amounts of money. The only other way is to completely write over the tape, or to use a new tape. Cheers, Tony ;-)