#PAR Backup and Jumbo 250
14 messages in this thread
Gus,
Since the files were mysteriously erased yesterday I don't have their names and
exact sizes at hand. I had 8 files. As I recall, they were something like
this:
SEG_1 65,627,192
SEG_3 40,672,111
SEG_3A 3,984,999
SEG_4 112,000,000
SEG_5 3,000,000
SEG_6 192,000,123
PHOTO_1 3,398,999
PHOTO_1A 3,999,837
I could copy SEG_1 .ANI over to DOS using the PAR controls and it seemed to
work O.K. However, when I copied SEG_4.ANI using the same controls the DOS
file size was 65,627,192, same as SEG_!.ANI. The same thing happened with all
the other files. They all showed up in my DOS directory as 65,627,192 (useless
of course). On top of that, if I did a backup and restore(to a different
directory) on file SEG_4.ANI I would get the file information for SEG_1.ANI.
Go figure!
I suspect something may be going on with my hard drive. When run PARTEST and
look at the directory sectors I seem some file name entries for files that were
erased ages ago. Should a format wipe the entire disk clean, or will it leave
these meaningless artifacts lying around?
Thanks again.
Ed Banta
Classic RTFM case…
Nope. Nothing is wrong with any of your hardware/software. You are using
somewhat confusing names, that's all. Dang, I don't have the PAR manuals but
I'm almost sure it has a paragraph or two concerning naming conventions when
using the PAR. Due to the way sequences are stored and retrieved, you cannot
use names such as SEG_1 and SEG_3 and expect it to work.
SEG_1, SEG_3, SEG_4, etc. all point to the same file. The first one in this
case. When you save numbered files over to the PAR, you expect them to become
an animation right? So, when in 3D Studio, or from the DOS prompt, or from any
program that generates numbered sequences of image files, you tell it to store
those files over the PAR, you expect them to become a single animation file. In
order for that to work, the PAR driver must disregard the number portion of the
file name and use just the alphabetic portion. In other words, SEG_1 and SEG_?
is an illegal naming combination as the first file to match "SEG_" will be
returned when searched.
I wonder how you were able to create those file. The PAR driver would not allow
you to do that as it would be impossible to access the second file (or third,
fourth, etc.)
You will have to rename them all. Once you do that you'll be all set.
You're right, GUS
RTFM:
On page 52 third paragraph the PAR manual states: "….For animations, only
the first four characters of the name will be used; PAR will add a four digit
frame number. For example…." This statement is in reference to COPY PAR TO
DOS.
Don,
thanks for the input. I'll be more careful in the future.
Ed Banta
Gus,
Thanks for the info. I also remember reading something about naming
conventions but didn't think much about it at the time since the PAR interface
allowed me to change the names. Originally, I created 6 animation segments
with very cryptic names which only i could understand. Over a period of days I
started to get confused about the contents of each animation so I simply
renamed the files using the PAR interface. No problem there. Now that I have
read your explanation, I'll be more careful in the future!
Thanks,
Ed
Gus,
By the way, after I renamed the animations to SEG_1, SEG_2, etc. I was able to
read them of the PAR drive and save them onto tape. I just read your last
message again and it seems as though your saying that the PAR software
shouldn't allow me to rename files in this way. It happened. Is there
something else going on here? (I used the latest version of the PAR uploaded
from this board.)
Ed
I don't know anything about the PAR application. If it allows you to rename a
file in such a way it does so wrongly. It shouldn't.
Gus,
Thanks for all the info. I've picked up a few tips from Greg Pyros and
yourself that will prove very useful in the future. I'm glad you were around
to help out.
Ed
Well it does, Gus, but the problem starts when you try to do what Dennis tried.
FYI, Dennis: (hope your reading this) I use unique three LETTER names
followed by a letter A then B then C and so forth for my versions of the same
project. Everybody has their own methods and this is mine.
Gus: I put in a word for you with Greg P.about getting you a manual. <BG>
Don:
>> Gus: I put in a word for you with Greg P.about getting you a manual. <BG>
Ah, it does no good anyway, he never reads them! If he can't get something to
work, he just writes a program to do it anyway!
Greg Pyros
Yea I know but he always wants to quote the page numbers for his RTFM replys.
<g>
Don:
/_____________From your message_____________\\
I use unique three LETTER names followed by a letter A then B then C and so
forth for my versions of the same project. Everybody has their own methods and
this is mine. _______________________________________________
FWIW, I came up with this same convention after running into difficulties with
numbers. I think its the way to go.
Bob
Bob: The only problems I had with numbers as the 4th digit was when I used the
Diaquest controller. This was confusing it but the PAR seems to work with
this; I just got into the habit with the Diaquest.
>> Gus: I put in a word for you with Greg P.about getting you a manual.
>> <BG>
I saw that… no, no, no… than I won't have any excuse for not knowing
something! <g>