Pswd tool: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 02:49, 9 March 2026

Tools - Password File Tool

The "pswd tools" utility allows you to copy data from the relative password file into an easier-to-manage sequential file for backup purposes. It can also restore the password file, either in full or one record at a time, from that backup file when needed.

With this utility, you can safely store the password file on any device you choose, such as an SFD-1001 or a hard drive, provided that device supports relative files.

To use "pswd tools", boot the ML shell using the "+shell" program, then load and run "pswd tools". You may also load and run it after using another ML-based program, such as SETUP. The utility reads in the system PARMS file.

Backing Up the Password File

To back up the password file, choose the "Backup Password File" option from the "pswd tools" menu.

The program will ask for confirmation and then begin creating the backup file in the same file section as the password file. As the process runs, you should see a counter increment, showing the number of records backed up.

When the backup is complete, a new sequential file named "√password backup" will exist on the disk. This file contains all information currently stored in the password file, but in a sequential format that is easier to handle.

Once the backup is finished, you should copy the "√password backup" file to another disk or storage device for safekeeping using your preferred file copier.

Restoring the Password File

To restore the password file, first make sure that a relative password file already exists in the target file section.

The restore routine does not create a new password file. It only writes backed-up data into an existing one. If a password file does not already exist in the desired location, run the SETUP program first so that it can create one for you.

The password file does not need to be blank. The restore process will write over any data already present.

You must also make sure the "√password backup" sequential file is present in the same file section. If necessary, use a file copier to place the backup file on the correct disk before beginning the restore.

To start the restore, choose the "Restore Password File" option from the "pswd tools" menu.

The program will ask for the record number to restore, or 0 to restore all records.

Once started, a counter should begin incrementing as the backup file is written into the password file. This process is much slower than the backup process, which is normal when writing into a relative file.

When the restore is finished, the password file should be ready for use.

Fix Password

The "pswd tools" menu also includes an option called "Fix Password".

This utility can be useful if a caller's record becomes unreadable due to corrupted data. It does not repair disk read errors. Instead, it attempts to straighten out records that contain damaged or inconsistent data.

Under normal circumstances, restoring the damaged record from "√password backup" is the preferred solution. However, if no backup file is available, "Fix Password" may be the only remaining option for salvaging what is left of the password file.

Next Section: PlusTerm Terminal Program

Tools

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 [[tools|Tools]] - <strong>Password File Tool</strong>
-The "pswd tools" utility will allow you to copy the data out of the REL password file into an easier to handle SEQ file for backup purposes and restore the password file (all or just one record) from that backup file when needed.  With this utility, you can safely store the password file anywhere you choose (like on an SFD 1001 or hard disk drive), if that drive is capable of handling relative files.  To use the "pswd tools" program, you can boot up the ML shell (the "+shell" program) and then load and run the "pswd tools" program.  You can also load and run this program after using any other program that also uses the ML (such as SETUP).  The tools program reads in your PARMS file.
+The <strong>"pswd tools"</strong> utility allows you to copy data from the relative password file into an easier-to-manage sequential file for backup purposes. It can also restore the password file, either in full or one record at a time, from that backup file when needed.
-To BACKUP the password file, choose the "Backup Password File" option from the menu in "pswd tools".  The program will ask if you are sure and then will start creating the backup file in the same files section as the password file.  You should start seeing a counter increment, indicating the current number of records backed up.  When the program is finished, you will find a new sequential file on your disk called "√password backup".  This file contains all the information currently stored in your password file, but in an easier to handle SEQ format. Then you NEED to copy this file onto another disk for safe keeping using any file copier.
+With this utility, you can safely store the password file on any device you choose, such as an SFD-1001 or a hard drive, provided that device supports relative files.
-To RESTORE the password file, you first need to make sure a relative password file already exists.  The restore program will not create a password file, it only fills the password file with data from the password file backup.  So, if there is not already a password file in the desired file section, run the SETUP program and it will make a new one for you.  The password file does not have to be blank, RESTORE will write over any data currently in the file.  Also, you need to make sure the "√password backup" sequential file is also in that file section.  Use a file copier if necessary to copy the password backup file onto the correct disk.  To begin the RESTORE, choose the "Restore Password File" option from the menu in "pswd tools".  It will ask for the record number to restore or 0 to restore all records.  That is all you need to do.  You should now see a counter increment as the backup file is restored into the password file.  This restore is much slower than the backup, that is normal when writing into a relative file.  Hopefully, we will not be doing too many restores anyway. When the restore is finished, the password file will be ready to use.
+To use <strong>"pswd tools"</strong>, boot the ML shell using the <strong>"+shell"</strong> program, then load and run <strong>"pswd tools"</strong>. You may also load and run it after using another ML-based program, such as <strong>SETUP</strong>. The utility reads in the system <strong>PARMS</strong> file.
-There is also an option in "pswd tools" called "Fix Password".  This utility can be useful if for some reason you find a caller's record is unreadable. This program will NOT fix disk read errors, it just straightens out records that have corrupted data.  Normally you would use "Restore Password File" to restore a bad record, but if you do not have a "√backup password" file, this may be the only other way to salvage what is left of your password file.
+=== Backing Up the Password File ===
+To back up the password file, choose the <strong>"Backup Password File"</strong> option from the <strong>"pswd tools"</strong> menu.
+The program will ask for confirmation and then begin creating the backup file in the same file section as the password file. As the process runs, you should see a counter increment, showing the number of records backed up.
+When the backup is complete, a new sequential file named <strong>"√password backup"</strong> will exist on the disk. This file contains all information currently stored in the password file, but in a sequential format that is easier to handle.
+Once the backup is finished, you should copy the <strong>"√password backup"</strong> file to another disk or storage device for safekeeping using your preferred file copier.
+=== Restoring the Password File ===
+To restore the password file, first make sure that a relative password file already exists in the target file section.
+The restore routine does <em>not</em> create a new password file. It only writes backed-up data into an existing one. If a password file does not already exist in the desired location, run the <strong>SETUP</strong> program first so that it can create one for you.
+The password file does not need to be blank. The restore process will write over any data already present.
+You must also make sure the <strong>"√password backup"</strong> sequential file is present in the same file section. If necessary, use a file copier to place the backup file on the correct disk before beginning the restore.
+To start the restore, choose the <strong>"Restore Password File"</strong> option from the <strong>"pswd tools"</strong> menu.
+The program will ask for the record number to restore, or <strong>0</strong> to restore all records.
+Once started, a counter should begin incrementing as the backup file is written into the password file. This process is much slower than the backup process, which is normal when writing into a relative file.
+When the restore is finished, the password file should be ready for use.
+=== Fix Password ===
+The <strong>"pswd tools"</strong> menu also includes an option called <strong>"Fix Password"</strong>.
+This utility can be useful if a caller's record becomes unreadable due to corrupted data. It does <em>not</em> repair disk read errors. Instead, it attempts to straighten out records that contain damaged or inconsistent data.
+Under normal circumstances, restoring the damaged record from <strong>"√password backup"</strong> is the preferred solution. However, if no backup file is available, <strong>"Fix Password"</strong> may be the only remaining option for salvaging what is left of the password file.
 Next Section: [[plusterm|PlusTerm Terminal Program]]
 [[tools|Tools]]