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Table of Contents
Backup
Backup may be used to save files and settings in Tiny Core.
Time taken to Start Up and Shut Down
The more you have in backup, the longer it will take to start up and shut down Tiny Core.
For quicker start up and shut down, minimize the size of backup, or if installed on a hard drive, don't use backup at all.
Select What is Saved During Backup
The file /opt/.filetool.lst contains a list of files and directories saved during backup. The file /opt/.xfiletool.lst contains a list of files and directories within those in /opt/.filetool.lst excluded from being saved during backup.
You can add the names of files and directories to, or remove the names of files and directories from, /opt/.filetool.lst and /opt/.xfiletool.lst to determine what is saved during backup.
To edit /opt/.filetool.lst or /opt/.xfiletool.lst use a Root Text Editor. Open the terminal and type
sudo editor
Include the directories relative to the root directory, and leave out the leading /.
Safe Backup
When shutting down Tiny Core, you may select Safe Backup. This saves the previous backup as mydatabk.tgz, and creates a new backup.
To save additional backup files, see
Change the Name of the Backup File
By default, files are backed up in a file called mydata.tgz.
If you are using version 3.6 or higher, you can change the name of the backup file.
To change the name of the backup file, include “mydata=other-name” boot code in the bootloader.
If you don't want to use Backup
If you don't want to use backup, include the “norestore” boot option in the bootloader.
When using Persistent /home and /opt
When using persistent home and opt you may choose not to use backup at all, by including the “norestore” boot option in the bootloader.
If you do use backup, all references to the home and opt directories can be removed from /opt/.filetool.lst. In the version I am using, that is everything. Then add the names of other files and directories you want in backup to /opt/.filetool.lst.
Other Ways to save Files and Settings
Files and settings may also be saved by:
1. Making extensions for settings. For more information, see Make Extensions for Settings.
2. Saving in /opt. For an example of this, see Tiny Core Passwords.
Exclude Anything Unnecessary from Backup
Exclude anything unnecessary from backup. Following are examples.
Large Files
It is a good idea to make extensions for any large files which don't change.
To list large files in /home/tc, open the terminal and use
/home/tc/ -type f -size +1M | xargs ls -lhS
For more information, see Make Extensions for Settings.
Internet Browser Cache
Most Internet browsers save cache in /home/tc. If this is included in backup, it may take a long time. You may want to exclude Internet browser cache from backup.
Xfe and Backup
If you use Xfe file manager, it saves files and directories you delete in trash. If you backup /home/tc, this is included in backup. The more you delete, the longer backup takes. To avoid this, add the following line to /opt/.xfiletool.lst.
home/tc/.xfe
You may also edit the preferences in Xfe, to permanently delete files instead of adding them to trash. To do this, go to Edit, then Preferences. Click the square preceeding “Include a command to bypass the trash can (permanent delete),” to tick it. Then click “Accept.”
Extract a Backup File
You normally access a backup by starting the computer, and restoring it.
Backup files can also be extracted manually.
Backup files are normally saved in the tce directory (somewhere like /mnt/sda1/tce).
To access the contents of a backup, create a new directory and copy the backup file to it. Open the terminal and type
cd directory tar -xvf backup-name
Using Commands
To run backup, open the terminal and use
filetool.sh -b
To restore files in backup, use
filetool.sh -r
To list files that will be in backup and their size, use
filetool.sh -d
To find out where backup is saved, use
cat /opt/.backup_device
Also see
