

        

        NvBkup V1.1 
        2 July 1999

        This program allows the system managers of Alpha systems to
        save and restore their systems' ARC firmware environments on
        floppy disks.  The ARC environment includes the Boot
        Selections and other items stored as ARC firmware-level
        environment variables (not to be confused with the software
        environment variables that are used by Operating Systems). 
        In this context, the ARC environment includes AlphaBIOS, and
        stores items used by AlphaBIOS on systems that run AlphaBIOS.

             CAUTION:  Please be sure to restore the environment
             using the exact same version of NvBkup that was used to
             save it.  The on-floppy format may change between
             versions to reflect changes in the firmware versions.

        This program is an "ArcApp" -- which means that it runs under
        ARC or AlphaBIOS.  

        To use NvBkup, create an empty, formatted floppy disk, and
        copy the nvbkup.exe file to it.  Then boot the target Alpha
        system into AlphaBIOS or ARC, and select the option "Run a
        Program."  Invoke NvBkup using the options shown below.

           Usage:   nvbkup <-s> | <-r> | <-?>

           Examples:
               nvbkup -s            Stores boot env. variables
               nvbkup -r            Restores all env. variables stored
               nvbkup -?            Help


        Information for Advanced System Managers:

        The firmware environment is saved to filename envir.log on the
        floppy.  Advanced System Managers may edit this file, but note
        that one must be very careful to keep the items exactly
        correct.  Restoring an incorrect environment may render your
        system unbootable.  Edit the log file manually at your own
        risk!

        The format for the log file:
    
                <EnvironmentVariable1>=<EnvironmentVariableValue1>
                <EnvironmentVariable2>=<EnvironmentVariableValue2>
                <EnvironmentVariable3>=<EnvironmentVariableValue3>
                <EnvironmentVariable4>=<EnvironmentVariableValue4>
                #
    
        The # delimits the end of the file.
        Each environment variable must be on a separate line.
