CompuServe Thread

Need Hard Disk Utils

19 messages in this thread
#78172From: Duncan KruseNov 18, 1992 2:01 AM
Chris-Thanks to you and the others in this thread for their advice. I have QBTools and though their docs don't specify it, I will do a backup first. I haven't seen the Ami-Back Tools around here (NYC) but I'll keep looking. Thanks again. -dk
#78377From: Jose FuentesNov 19, 1992 8:48 AM
Speaking of harddisk utilities (QB tools), I bought it at Amagamation here in NYC. I was having hardidk problems (Bad sector on Volume) so i decided to get it. I tell you one thing, it caused me more grief than anything else!! When I repaired the volume, it destroyed a couple of files. When I tried it on another system where I accidentally deleted a good number of files, I used qb tools to recover them. It did recover them, but then my harddisk status kept saying "validating". It would not let me write to it. I took the very drastic step of initializing the disk since it really got me p'off. (I had a back up). Anyway, I dont think i'm using qbtools for anything anymore. Jose Fuentes, NYC
#78473From: Mike SchillerNov 19, 1992 10:33 PM
Jose: What version of QBTools do you have? If it's anything lower than 1.5 that might be your problem. From what you describe it sounds like some of the problems they had with the earlier versions. // -Mike Schiller \X/ AMIGA! On AutoPilot in sunny Fort Lauderdale
#78529From: Jose FuentesNov 20, 1992 8:24 AM
I got QBTools 1.5. I dont know what the latest version of it is out there, but that was the only version the store had in stock at the time that I went to get it. If there is another version, what version is it? Anyway, in the meantime, I am NOT using the one that I have anymore. Jose
#78648From: Mike SchillerNov 21, 1992 8:24 AM
Jose: unfortunately the version you have is the latest version. There is supposedly going to be an update to it soon tho. // -Mike Schiller \X/ AMIGA! On AutoPilot in sunny Fort Lauderdale
#78552From: Duncan KruseNov 20, 1992 10:25 AM
Jose-I will join you in the long list of people who have been done in by QB Tools. When I started this thread, I got two recommendations, QB and Ami-Back Tools. In all fairness, those who mentioned that they'd used QB said to make sure to backup before using its defragging program. I'm glad I did. It completely trashed my disk necessitating a complete reformat and restore. I just called Amagination (now known as Digital Dimensions), and they have Ami-Back (the backup pgm.) for $70, but not the Ami-Back Tools program which was recommended in this forum, so I guess I'll try mail-order. To anyone following this thread, I think it should be pretty obvious by now, if you're going to use QB – BACKUP, BACKUP, BACKUP! -dk
#79235From: Ron LegroNov 27, 1992 6:11 PM
You can upgrade from any competing product to AmiBack and AmiBack Tools for around $38 each direct to the manufacturer.
#78632From: Dominick J. FontanaNov 21, 1992 2:59 AM
Jose, I'm sorry you had problems with QB Tools, but my experiences have been different. I consider QB Tools one of the best programs I own. It has been a real lifesaver for me. It has never malfunctioned for me and has helped me out tremendously on many occasions. I know that you're not a regular Amiga user, so is it possible that you didn't use the program correctly? The files may have been corrupted in the first place, and therefore not useable anyway. The point of QB Tools is to get rid of the corrupted files in order to let you continue to use your HD partition. Sometimes corrupted files won't even let you access the partition or even allow you to delete the corrupted files from them. So if QB Tools deleted the corrupted files and allowed you to use your HD partition again, then it did its job well. Also, after you restore deleted files, you should reboot the Amiga BEFORE you use the HD again. Just a thought. Dom Fontana <– Sent from New York via AutoPilot –>
#78647From: Christopher TolmieNov 21, 1992 8:01 AM
Dominick, RE: QBTools I've used it since its first release. Yes the early version had problems, but the new version does screw things up too on occassion for me. I won't ever use it, without first making a fresh backup tape. Now on the other hand, Norton Utilities which I use on the AMAX stuff works great! I've never bothered to make a fresh backup before using it, and if it finds bad files it doesn't just automatically delete them or ask you if it can delete them and no other option. It tells you what files it THINKS are bad and suggests you delete them, and then continues on its merry way, adding its suggestion to the MORE INFO list at the end of the job. It's defrag program has never screwed up the disk, nor has MAC TOOLS Optimizer program. I wouldn't DARE use QBTools to optimize a floppy without first being sure I have a backup of that particular disk. I haven't gotten my copy of Ami-Back Tools yet, but I sure hope it's as robust as Norton Utilities. Chris
#78735From: Dominick J. FontanaNov 22, 1992 3:48 AM
Chris, To tell you the truth, I'm thinking of getting Ami-Back Tools myself. I think George Chamberlain was the original Central Coast president and then he left and New Horizons picked up the company. That probably explains the delay in updating both QB and QB Tools. The fact remains that we've had to wait too long for updates. I waited for the QB update, but I don't think I'll wait for the QB Tools update, when I've heard that Ami-Back Tools is very good. I can still update QB Tools in the future. I'm also thinking of getting Ami-Back, because I heard its Scheduler is very good. Do you have Ami-Back? Thanks. Dom Fontana <– Sent from New York via AutoPilot –>
#78914From: Donovan WattsNov 23, 1992 10:29 PM
When you get Ami Back Tools will you let us know how you like it? I'm considering getting it as I too am tired of waiting for QBTools update.
#78935From: Christopher TolmieNov 23, 1992 11:54 PM
I will let you know about Ami-Back when I get it. I found it for $46, from Computer Shopping Network, Voice (615) 577-5100, BBS (615) 573-8888. Description Manufacturer Suggest CSN'S Ami-Back Tools ———– Moonlighter Software– $ 79.95 $ 46.39 Chris
#79047From: Dominick J. FontanaNov 25, 1992 4:26 AM
Chris, I believe Moonlighter has an upgrade price for Ami-Back Tools of $39.95. You get this price if you send them any other commercial Disk Utilities program. Dom Fontana <– Sent from New York via AutoPilot –>
#79063From: Christopher TolmieNov 25, 1992 11:44 AM
Dom, I don't think I'm willing to give up my option to update QBTools to save $7. Chris
#79108From: Dominick J. FontanaNov 25, 1992 11:41 PM
Chris, Yes, but if you have updated QBTools at least once in the past, you can send your original disk in for the discount, and still keep your second QBTools disk for the QBTools update. Also, QBTools 2.0 may not even require that you send your disk in. I believe if you registered with them, you're eligible for the upgrade. Happy Thanksgiving! Dom Fontana <– Sent from New York via AutoPilot –>
#79113From: Christopher TolmieNov 26, 1992 12:13 AM
Dom, If I remember correctly, I had to send my original disk back to Central Coast for the update, and they returned me the disk with the new files on it. Still, we're talking $7 here. Yeah, I'd like to save $7, but if I don't have a second disk (original) I don't think it is worth losing the ability to update QBTools. If I was them, I would want the original disk back like they've done in the past. Especially with these other companies asking for the disk to be sent for an upgrade to their new program. Happy Thanksgiving to you too, Chris
#78389From: Dominick J. FontanaNov 19, 1992 10:32 AM
Duncan, Try a mail order house, like Creative Computers, for Ami-back Tools. Dom Fontana <– Sent from New York via AutoPilot –>
#78553From: Duncan KruseNov 20, 1992 10:25 AM
Dom-Thanks for the suggestion. I know I have Creative Solutions catalog around here someplace, but can't seem to lay my hands on it. Could you let me know their phone #. Thanks -dk
#78631From: Dominick J. FontanaNov 21, 1992 2:59 AM
Duncan, Actually, I had suggested Creative Computers, and not Creative Solutions. The phone number for Creative Computers is: (800) 872-8882. Good luck. Dom Fontana <– Sent from New York via AutoPilot –>