one of my tasks is to make a full backup of network user directories.
(several directories/subdirectories with more than 50.000 files).
Due to several network errors, the backup often aborts and results in an incomplete backup.
To overcome this failure there is a common procedure:
- mark all files with an archive flag
- perform an incremental backup, resetting the archive flag
- if backup fails, restart the incremental backup unless all archive flags are reset
Setting the archive flag is more than even DOS can do. (no need to say that explorer fails with even fewer files)
No problem for Total Commander
Sitting on the User Directories I perform "Files / Change Attributes" checking the Archive flag and the "Recurse Subdirectories" option.
But TC does even more than he should do !
This procedure will set the Archive flag not only for all files, but also to all directories !
To overcome this odd behaviour I just found different methods to workaround:
1. ignore the Archive flag of directories at all
2. Use the Find Files dialog without entry, but cleared Directory attribute => results after a lot of time in a very huge list
-. Apply the Archive flag to listed files by Change Attributes
3. Apply the Archive flag to all files/directories by Change Attributes
-. Use the Find Files dialog without entry, but set Archive and Directory attribute => results after a lot of time in a tiny list
-. Clear the Archive flag to listed files by Change Attributes
Method 1 seems to be the quick and dirty solution
Method 2 and 3 do the work, but still require multiple steps and, due to the huge amount of files, multiple amount of time and network load.
Any additional idea is welcome !