MSBackup hack

[El Maquinas]

¡Hello!

I recently posted that the camera died on my main TH55. I only use MSBackup so I had a problem.

One of MSBackup's known limitations is that it prevents you from restoring a backup from a device over a different one.
Well, I worked around it and it is possible to make a tool that helps you to restore a backup from one clie to another, this should be done only if you have the same model of cliè and always you should know what are you doing.

Currently I'm working on a Perl script (I'm a Linux user) that lets you read the backup information and modify the entries that MSBackup reads letting you restore any backup on your device. The script at its current stage reads the content of the each backup entry and shows you the related information, that is:
- Backup slot
- Backup size
- Backup date and time
- number of databases stored
- Device id


My knowledge about PalmOS programming is very poor, so if some one is interested in porting the Perl code to C, or simply wants to check the code you will be welcome.
I've used OnBoardC for some time but I've more to learn than free time I've, so any help about accessing memorysticks will be also welcome.

Regards.

[phreakonaleash]

"so any help about accessing memorysticks will be also welcome"
http://www.access-company.com/developers/documents/docs/palmos/PalmOSReference/VFSMgr.html#995797
http://www.access-company.com/developers/documents/docs/palmos/PalmOSCompanion/ExpAndVFSConcepts.html#1031615

These are all you ever need to succesfully learn the VFS manager. :)
Cheers from a fellow OnBoardC fan(atic),

[DanT]

Here is how I do it from an MSBackup from one TH55/E1 (A) to another TH55/E1 (B) or from TH55/U (C) to another TH55/U (D):
1. Do MSBackup to A, store RAM to 1st MSBackup folders.
2. Take the memorystick (MS) out of A and stick it in B.
3. Do MSBackup to B, store RAM to 2nd MSBackup folder.
4. Launch CLIE Files.
5. Go to /Palm/PROGRAMS/MSBackup/0 (MSBackup folder for A)
6. tap Select
7. tap Select All
8. tap Copy
9. Go to /Palm/PROGRAMS/MSBackup/1 (MSBackup folder for B)
10.tap OK
11.tap Yes to All in Confirmation popup window.
12.Now you have a RAM mirror image of A in B in one MS.

You can do the same with C to D.

If you want to copy just for specific apps (.prc files)and their data (.pdb files), instead of select all (in step 7), just select the apps and their data (tap the box on the left end column of the list and put a check mark on each of the selected boxes)

[El Maquinas]

Here is how I do it from an MSBackup from one TH55/E1 (A) to another TH55/E1 (B) or from TH55/U (C) to another TH55/U (D):
1. Do MSBackup to A, store RAM to 1st MSBackup folders.
2. Take the memorystick (MS) out of A and stick it in B.
3. Do MSBackup to B, store RAM to 2nd MSBackup folder.
4. Launch CLIE Files.
5. Go to /Palm/PROGRAMS/MSBackup/0 (MSBackup folder for A)
6. tap Select
7. tap Select All
8. tap Copy
9. Go to /Palm/PROGRAMS/MSBackup/1 (MSBackup folder for B)
10.tap OK
11.tap Yes to All in Confirmation popup window.
12.Now you have a RAM mirror image of A in B in one MS.

You can do the same with C to D.

If you want to copy just for specific apps (.prc files)and their data (.pdb files), instead of select all (in step 7), just select the apps and their data (tap the box on the left end column of the list and put a check mark on each of the selected boxes)


Hello DanT:

Thanks for the information, this way I restored the backup in the past on different Clies.
Currently what I'm doing is directly changing the PDA id asigned to a backup this way you will only need one backup from you preferred device and change the PDA id assigned to the backup before restoring.

[DanT]

OK. I understand it now. That is neat.