Backing Up SC Files

[Cecil]

I’m running SC (4.7.3) on OS Sierra (10.12.6) using Parallels (18.3.2) on OS Big Sur (11.7.10) on one of the last Intel MacBook Pros (13-inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports).

Am concerned about frequently backing up a number of important .sc45 files in a way that I (not tech-savvy) would be able to find and use.  The SC files are used and modified frequently and reside in OS Sierra’s Documents Folder.  The following methods come to mind:

1. Time Machine backups of OS Big Sur.  My understanding is that the VM gets backed up, but I do not understand where the SC files are located in those Backups and what would be needed to recover and use them.
2. Time Machine backups of OS Sierra.  This would certainly be preferred, but I’m not sure if this is possible because OS Sierra does not recognize external USB drives.
3. Reside the SC files on OS Big Sur; run SC on OS Sierra; access the files via Shared Folders.  This would “seem” to be the very best solution, and it “seems” to work, BUT — the files do not actually get modified and I get this message:  “The SuperCard project “XXX.sc45” is out of disk space!  Changes might not be saved.”  

Any help, advice, suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

Cecil

[Collection PhotoGraphex]

Hello Cecil,

Sorry for the long delay for responding,

Having a setup similar to yours, if it may still be useful;

1) Why don't you store your SuperCard projects on the internal drive of your PowerBook, or another external or networked volume? In my case all SuperCard projects are stored on a network volume. 

As for your local volumes, they can be easily backed-up with TimeMachine. 

2) You can certainly setup TimeMachine for MacOS High Sierra on the Parallel virtual machine. But what would be the point? Also, there is no issue mounting an external USB drive on the Parallel virtual machine, maybe check your preferences and settings. 

3) What is the source of the “The SuperCard project “XXX.sc45” error? Is it from SuperCard or Parallel? I don't recall having seen this particular error! I would need to check the manual or someone might have a clue!

4) It would be certainly easy to write a script to make backup copies of the desired documents with SuperCard! Maybe there are some sample hanging around? Or you may use an Utility like 'Carbon Copy Cloner' from 'Bombich Software' and create manual or automatic backups!

Hope this help!

André 

[Uli Kusterer]

> 1. Time Machine backups of OS Big Sur.  My understanding is that the VM gets backed up, but I do not understand where the SC files are located in those Backups and what would be needed to recover and use them.

When you start up Parallels and bring forward Parallels' "Control Center" window, you see a list of all your VMs. You can right-click (two-finger-tap on a trackpad) the entry for your VM and choose "Show in Finder". That is the file that contains all settings for your VM, as well as a file containing all the data from its hard disk (possibly minus empty space, so if it is a bit smaller than the HD size you selected, that's fine).

That is the file you have to make sure you back up with Time Machine on your host computer.

> 2. Time Machine backups of OS Sierra.  This would certainly be preferred, but I’m not sure if this is possible because OS Sierra does not recognize external USB drives.

It should recognize external USB drive. Parallels can be set up to ask you what to do with external drives: Give them to the host OS or give them to the guest OS. Maybe you clicked "don't show this again" on that dialog? 

> 3. Reside the SC files on OS Big Sur; run SC on OS Sierra; access the files via Shared Folders.  This would “seem” to be the very best solution, and it “seems” to work, BUT — the files do not actually get modified and I get this message:  “The SuperCard project “XXX.sc45” is out of disk space!  Changes might not be saved.”  

I haven't had much luck with Parallels' shared folders. I got lots of crashes and instability. The error you mention sounds like it is either reporting too little free disk space to SuperCard, or too much (i.e. making it a larger number than the "disk space free" system command SC uses can report, which might result in it reporting a negative number for technical reasons).

Hope that helps,

-- Uli

[Roe4it]

The reason that OS Sierra (running on the Parallels VM) did not recognize external hard drives was because of a setting in Parallels.  The solution lied at:  Parallels > Devices > USB & Bluetooth > Configure… > Hardware > USB & Bluetooth > USB Connection Preferences…  There there are choices including listing devices permanent assignments to connect to either the Mac or the active VM.  I have now opted for the “Ask me what to do” option and am able to connect external drives to the VM.  

That accomplished I am able to backup OS Sierra to the external drive using Time Machine.  And, yes, the individual files and folders can be easily viewed/restored via the Time Machine. 

Thanks everyone for your help with this!

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