Backing up files DOS based CNC machine

[Pace]

At work we have CNC milling machines from the late 80’s.  The machines OS runs on a version of DOS.
Recently we have had a few hard drive failures resulting in the loss of stored files that are used to run production. It is the machine operator’s responsibility to back up their files. Let’s just say that some people ignore responsibility.

The CNC machine OS has a utility to back up all data form a directory on C: named PGMFILES (C:\PGMFILES) to the floppy disk drive A:\

Here is my problem; I can only fit 224 files on the floppy disk. The diskette is not full but I believe there is some sort of limit in the file allocation table allowing only 224 files. This might have something to do with the file names I’m not sure.  So when I try to back-up 1900 files it just stops at 224.  It does not ask me to insert a second floppy disk. It just quits.

 I tried to boot the machine into dos and copy the files from the C:\PGMFILES directory to A:\  It copied the first 224 files and then told me the disk was full. It did not ask me to insert another disk.

I tried to fill a floppy in windows XP with many small files and it only allowed me the same amount (224). Though, XP will prompt for a second disk.

What I need is some sort of utility for dos that I can boot form the floppy drive (or copy to the c drive) that will allow me to backup the data and prompt for a second, and third disk.

I know I could remove the HDD from the CNC and install it into a pc and copy all the data but this equipment is old and, it likes to break when you touch things inside the control cabinet.

Is there anything like this available?

If not, is it possible to right a batch file to prompt for a second disk?

Thanks, Great Site!!

[Sidewinder]

What I need is some sort of utility for dos that I can boot form the floppy drive (or copy to the c drive) that will allow me to backup the data and prompt for a second, and third disk.

Versions of DOS came with backup and restore utilities. Have you checked them out? If your DOS version is Microsoft, the backup utility would be named MSBACKUP.

 

[gpl]

The root directory has a limit to the number of files it can store -- are you able to backup to a folder on the floppy (A:\Backup for example) ? There is not the same limit there

Or grab a dos based zip program (pkzip / pkunzip)

Graham

[WillyW]

...
Or grab a dos based zip program (pkzip / pkunzip)

Side note for the op:
It's not as easy to find as it used to be.     Original self-expanding archive name is    pkz204g.exe   .   Easier to find if searching for that.

Here are some places to find it:
http://www.computercraft.com/docs/pkz204g.shtml
http://www.filewatcher.com/m/pkz204g.exe.202574.0.0.html

[Spoiler]

Maybe take a look at something like this?

http://usbflashstore.com/smarsecdigfl.html

[Pace]

Versions of DOS came with backup and restore utilities. Have you checked them out? If your DOS version is Microsoft, the backup utility would be named MSBACKUP.

 

Thanks for the response,after looking in the DOS directory on the C: drive there is msbackup.exe

I will try this later when the machine is not in use.

To everyone else that answered, thank you all very much. I will look into all of the options and see what works best.  I'm trying to make it easy for myself and the the other guys to back up regularly.

[kv79]

Hi all ,
I would you recommend you to use Norton Ghost and clone that old hard disk to new fresh one . I hope that this will help you .

[Pace]

Thats a good suggestion but a company called EMI INC supplies a Disk on Module (DOM). It's a solid state disk drive that has the machine OS pre-installed.  All I have to do is make sue that the programs we use for production are backed up.  The machines are picky about things like the HDD size and cylinder heads so the DOM is awesome for when one of our HDD goes out.  It's hard to be leave that some of theses hard drives on our machines are 15+ yrs old.

I tried the msbackup seems like that will work.  I also looked into pkzip, it looks like this will work as well. I also tried making a directory on the floppy and copying the files to that directory and that worked too. 

Thanks agian everyone for the help.