======================================================
BACKPACK 250 Backup for Windows, Version 3.1
 for MicroSolutions Computer Products, Inc.

Copyright 1994, Arcada Software, Inc.
======================================================

This file contains important information that became
available after the written documentation was completed.

The following subjects are discussed:

    1.    Tape Format Incompatibilities
    2.    Installing BACKPACK 250 Backup After Other Backup Programs
    3.    Installing DOS 6.0 After BACKPACK 250 Backup For Windows
    4.    Install Disk Space Estimates
    5.    Compressed Drives
    6.    Troubleshooting High-Speed Controllers
    7.    Video/DMA Conflict Problems
    8.    Laptop/Notebook Video Conflicts
    9.    Laptop Power Management Conflicts
    10.   Tape Despooling
    11.   Installing With PCTools
    12.   Parallel Port Drive Configuration
    13.   Maximum Parallel Port Cable Length
    14.   Parallel Port Drive IRQ Conflict With Sound Cards
    15.   Potential Conflict with After Dark


1.  Tape Format Incompatibilities
=====================================================
Because of inconsistencies in the formatting process used by
different tape drives, it is highly recommended that you
format tapes in the drive where you will use them.


2.  Installing BACKPACK 250 Backup After Other Backup Programs
==============================================================
You may experience difficulty running BACKPACK 250 Backup 
if some device files from other backup programs are 
found in your SYSTEM.INI file. If you can't start 
BACKPACK 250 Backup, try commenting the following devices out 
of your SYSTEM.INI file:

    CMSWTAPE.386
    CMSDTAPE.386
    CPVBX.386
    FASTBACK.386
    IRW286.DRV
    VIRWT.386
    VITD.386

To do this:

  1. Open the SYSTEM.INI file using a text editor.
  2. Search for the device name(s), e.g., DEVICE=CPVBX.386
  3. Type a semicolon (;) at the beginning of the line.   


3.  Installing DOS 6.0 After BACKPACK 250 Backup
=====================================================
DOS 6.0 installs an older version of the VFINTD.386 into the
DOS directory and then modifies the SYSTEM.INI
(DEVICE=C:\DOS\VFINTD.386). If you install MS-DOS 6.0 after
BACKPACK 250 Backup 3.1, the next time you launch BACKPACK 250 you
will be sent a warning dialog. This dialog notifies you that
the VFINTD.386 is the incorrect version. If you click OK in
this dialog BACKPACK 250 Backup will save the existing SYSTEM.INI as
SYSTEM.QBW and make the necessary change to the "Device=" line
in the SYSTEM.INI. You can also make the changes manually by
performing the following steps:

  1. Open the SYSTEM.INI file using a text editor.
  2. Search for the VFINTD line (DEVICE=C:\DOS\VFINTD.386).
  3. Change the line to: DEVICE = [qbwin install path]\VFINTD.386.


4.  Install Disk Space Estimates
=====================================================
To insure that the user always has enough disk space to
install BACKPACK 250 Backup, the Install program displays the
maximum amount of space that may be required for installation.
This estimate is affected by the actual options selected
for install and also includes some space that is necessary
in order to run the install program.


5.  Compressed Drives
=====================================================
If you are using compression software such as Stacker or
DoubleSpace, do not back up the compressed file (for example,
stacvol.* or the dblspace files), back up the logical drive
instead. Because these compressed files are typically very
large, attempting to restore may cause problems if you do not
have enough disk space to restore the compressed file.


6.  Troubleshooting High-Speed Controllers
=====================================================
To properly set up your system, you should avoid using an
interrupt request (IRQ) that is used by another device 
(i.e., mouse, sound card, network card, scanner, etc.).
Some common IRQs that may already be used in your 
system include:

    IRQ 3     COM 2, 4 ports
    IRQ 4     COM 1, 3 ports

Symptoms of an IRQ conflict include BACKPACK 250 Backup not
finding the tape controller and network problems when
backing up to tape.

IRQ usage can be determined by using the Microsoft Diagnostics
Program. Exit Windows and type MSD at the DOS prompt.


7.  Video/DMA Conflict Problems
=====================================================
BACKPACK 250 Backup uses direct memory access (DMA) channels to
read and write data. Sometimes using a tape device that is
connected to the floppy controller causes conflicts with
the Windows 3.1 video drivers.

During the compatibility test, BACKPACK 250 Backup determines if
your system has a video/DMA conflict and if so, goes through
a series of tests in an effort to ensure your system runs
reliably with BACKPACK 250 Backup. After each test a message will
inform you that tests are still being performed. If BACKPACK 250
Backup has attempted every test and your system will still not
work reliably, a message will inform you of the problem.

NOTE: If you experience video/DMA conflicts, try disabling the
Video Caching option (sometimes referred to as Video Shadowing)
in your CMOS setup.


8.  Laptop/Notebook Video Conflicts
=====================================================
Some laptop and notebook computers may have video conflicts
that cause the tape drive to move the tape back and forth 
excessively  ("shoe-shining"). 

If you experience this, try minimizing the BACKPACK 250 Backup icon 
and making the Program Manager window active and moving it over 
the top of the icon while the program is writing to or reading 
from the tape. The BACKPACK 250 Backup window will activate itself 
when the backup or restore is finished, and this action should 
speed up your session.


9.  Laptop Power Management Conflicts
=====================================================
Some laptop power management systems take a "snapshot" of RAM and 
store it on the hard drive when they power down. This may create
a conflict if it occurs during a backup or restore or a tape 
formatting operation.

When using BACKPACK 250 Backup, it is recommended that you turn
OFF all power management features and plug your laptop into an 
outlet rather than using the battery.


10. Tape Despooling
=====================================================
If a tape "despools" (comes loose from the cartridge capstan,
a very rare occurrence), it may be necessary to turn the drive's
power off and on again or to turn your system off and on again 
to clear the drive.


11. Installing With PCTools
=====================================================
If you use Central Point's PCTools, BACKPACK 250 Backup may
not install correctly. Temporarily change your Windows shell
to the Program Manager before starting the install program. To
change to the Program Manager, open your SYSTEM.INI file,
type a semicolon (;) in front of your current SHELL command in the
[boot] section, then type SHELL=PROGMAN.EXE on the following line.
For this change to take effect, you must restart Windows. Remove 
these changes after installation to restore your previous configuration.


12.  Parallel Port Drive Configuration
=====================================================
If your parallel port tape drive does not automatically 
configure, first ensure that the power to the drive is on. If 
it is, turn it off, then on, and try configuring it again. See 
below for more suggestions.


13. Maximum Parallel Port Cable Length
=====================================================
Your parallel port tape drive should be connected directly to 
your system's parallel port. If you use the pass-through 
connector on the drive to connect a second device such as a 
printer, the maximum cable length for both devices is 
approximately 10 feet (3 meters). 

If you have difficulty using your tape drive when a second
device is connected to the pass-through connector, disconnect 
the second device and its cable while using the tape drive.

If you experience data loss when using a printer connected to 
the pass-through connector, shorten the printer's cable if 
possible or disconnect the tape drive while printing.


14. Parallel Port Drive IRQ Conflict With Sound Cards
=====================================================
You may experience a conflict in IRQ selection if you are 
configuring a parallel port tape drive on a system that 
includes a sound card. SoundBlaster cards and compatibles use a 
default IRQ of 7, which is also used by LPT1. If this conflict 
occurs, you can:

    *  Change your sound card's IRQ if possible. Some cards do 
       not allow this change and some games may not work 
       correctly.

    *  Reconfigure your parallel port to LPT2, which uses IRQ 
       5. See your system documentation for more information.


15. Potential Conflict with After Dark
=====================================================
If you attempt to use BACKPACK 250 Backup while the After Dark screen 
saver is active and you get DMA or other errors, manually 
disable After Dark before running BACKPACK 250 Backup.
