Configuration: Operations
These functions are available only in the PROFESSIONAL version.
By using Hard Disk Sentinel PRO version, it is possible to define various tasks (projects) and schedule them to be executed regularly. The defined projects can be executed in case of some events, for example in case of a low disk health value. It is possible to execute two or more different projects at the same time or sequentially (run a project after the the other project is completed). The projects are usually data archiving operations but it is possible to define different kind of projects also.
First, a short, brief name is required for the backup project (this cannot be changed later). By clicking the New button, the user may enter this name and the project details are displayed – the fields are now empty.
By using the Remove button, the currently displayed project can be deleted from the list of projects if it is not needed any more. Note: if the project was associated with one or more dates or events, the user must confirm the remove operation. Please be careful when removing a project which had other project(s) linked in a sequence.
The user can enter some descriptive text about the real function of the project into the Comment field. If the project needs a confirmation question before execution, the name and this comment will be displayed the user – who can decide if the project can be executed or the project should be cancelled.
The type of the project can be:
-
Run external application or batch file: the project will start the specified external application, internal command (for example COPY) or batch (BAT) file. Can be used for example to compress some folders with any compression software and/or to burn files to optical disk by using a command line CD/DVD burning application. It can also be used to start any other application for example to update the database of an anti-virus application. The application with all command line parameters should be specified. It is possible to select the application by using the Browse button. The name and path of the application must be specified between quote marks (“) if the application name or its path contains one or more spaces. Additional parameters can be specified after the last quote mark after the name of the application. For example: “C:\Program Files\MyProg Folder\MyProg.exe” parameter1 parameter2
If the user selects Start invisible, without displaying window, the application will run in silent mode (without displaying its window).
If the Alert on error option is enabled, an alert will be generated (according to the Message settings) if the external application or BAT file returns with exit code other than 0. Note: when using BAT file, the EXIT xx can be used to specify the exit code. If the BAT file contains if .. then statements, this can be used to specify the correct exit codes at different points of the BAT file. Exit code 0 means correct (problem-free) termination, any other code makes an alert with the returned exit code (if this option is enabled). In this case, no other projects depending on this problematic project will be started.
-
Transfer files and folders: this case the internal archiver module is used to backup files. By using this module, it is possible to configure different archiving options and create different, specific backup tasks. By clicking the Configure button, the user can specify the options of the backup project. Note: this function is available only in the registered version.
-
Burn CD/DVD by using NERO: Hard Disk Sentinel will use NERO (TM) application from Ahead Software AG to archive the contents of any specified folder to an optical disk.
It is required to specify the location of NEROCMD.EXE file (the command-line version of NERO) by using the Select application button. If this is not specified, but a project is configured, Hard Disk Sentinel will ask to configure the location of the missing application.
The command line to be executed can be inspected with all parameters. By pressing CTRL+C, it is possible to copy the contents of this window to the clipboard.
It is required to specify a source folder. It may contain variables (for example, %USER%, %LAST%, etc), the details of the variables are described in the folder settings. If %LAST% is used, the most recent folder (created by using date and time) from the specified folder (which is L:\BACKUP in our case) will be used as source folder. This should be used when an other project previously saved data to L:\BACKUP and the Use the current date as folder name and keep the last XX complete archives option was enabled for that project.
It is also required to select the drive of the burner (in case if there are two or more optical devices installed in the computer) and the write speed. The write speed will be automatically adjusted according the properties of the burner and the inserted media. The type of the media (CD or DVD) should be also selected. The buffer underrun (BURN) protection and the verify after write options can be enabled or disabled.
It is possible to specify any other command line parameters. They’ll be sent to NEROCMD.EXE. Such parameter can be –disable_eject which will disable ejection of the disk. The full list of parameters can be displayed by using NEROCMD /? command.
It is possible to start the burn process silently (without displaying any window) and to enable error handling like the option for projects with type Run external application or batch file. Please check the NEROCMD user manual for the full list of possible exit codes of NEROCMD.
Note: this function is available only in the registered version.
-
Compress files by using RAR/7-Zip: Hard Disk Sentinel can use WINRAR (TM) application from RarSoft or the free 7-Zip application as compressor. The list of available options are the same for both compressors. Note: older versions of 7-Zip does not support creating multi-volume archives.
It is required to specify the location of RAR.EXE or 7Z.EXE file (the command-line compressor application) by using the Select application button. If this is not specified, but a project is configured, Hard Disk Sentinel will ask to configure the location of the missing application.
The command line to be executed can be inspected with all parameters. By pressing CTRL+C, it is possible to copy the contents of this window to the clipboard.
To compress the archive, it is required to specify the source folder. It may contain variables (for example, %USER%, %LAST%, the details of the variables are described in the folder settings).
It is also required to specify a target file to store the compressed archive. There is an option to create multi volume archives and configure the volume size in kbytes (1024 bytes) unit.
Any other command line parameters can be specified to use when RAR or 7Z application is started. Such parameters can be: -mXXX to specify compression method, -pXXX to specify a password or -sfx to create self-extracting archive. The full list of parameters can be displayed by using WINRAR /? or 7Z (without any parameters) command.
It is possible to start the compression process silently (without displaying any window) and to enable error handling like the option for projects with type Run external application or batch file. Please check the WINRAR or 7-Zip user manual for the full list of possible exit codes of the application.
Note: this function is available only in the registered version.
-
Export registry items: the specified registry keys will be exported into a file (the file name may contain variables also).
Note: this function is available only in the registered version.
-
Power ON Computer: Power on (start) a remote computer on local area network by sending wake-up packet to the target computer. It is required to specify the target computer MAC address (it is possible to find it for example from a Hard Disk Sentinel report on the target computer). Optionally the software can wait until the computer is ready (answers to PING) but do not wait more than a specified maximum time. It is recommended to verify the firewall, computer (wake-on-lan should be enabled) and network configuration.
Note: this function is available only in the registered version.
-
Power OFF Computer: Local or remote computer can be stopped (shut down) or restarted (reboot). The local computer can be sent to standby or hibernate states also.
Note: this function is available only in the registered version.
-
Send files in e-mail: By this function, files (or complete folders with all files and sub-folders) can be transferred in e-mails. After selecting the proper type (files or folders) the files / folders should be specified and separated by semicolon (;). The sender, mail server and authentication options on the e-mail configuration page are used to send mails.
It is possible to send all files in separate e-mails (sending one file per mail). This option is ideal to send single files (archives) which are not too big to transfer in e-mails. For lots of smaller files, it is possible to collect files until a minimal limit is reached and send the files together in a mail. This way all mails will contain for example 2000 kbytes of data except the last one which contains the remaining files. Before using this option, it is recommended to verify the amount of data and the available mail space on mail server (or provided by the network service provider).
Note: this function is available only in the registered version.
-
FTP Transfer Files: By this option it is possible to upload files or complete folders to FTP server. After selecting the proper type (files or folders) the files / folders should be specified and separated by semicolon (;).
To transfer the files, the (remote) FTP server name or IP address, the user name and password to login are required. Optionally the transfer port (default = 21, standard FTP port), passive mode option and remote folder can be specified also. The Configure button opens a window with more options to control the transfer, including the supported archiving options and the FTP time-out and maximum number of retries.
Note: The “keep last XX complete archives” option can be used with FTP transfer. Continue (REST) is not supported.
Note: this function is available only in the registered version.
-
Test hard disk(s): It is possible to examine and test the hard disks by using hardware self test functions (supported by IDE and S-ATA hard disks). The disks to be tested are listed and can be selected, or it is possible to test all installed hard disks simultaneously.
If the mouse is moved over a hard disk, the supported tests are displayed in a hint. Please select test type from the supported tests.
It is possible to send report after the test is completed (always or just when an error happened). The report contains the details of the test, including any new problems found (new bad sectors, for example).
Note: this function is available only in the registered version.
Note: the following versions may have more, different project types.
The Start now button can be used to launch the project immediately. Always use the Save button before clicking on this button to store any modified options for the project.
By using the 
button, Hard Disk Sentinel will create a shortcut onto the desktop for the current selected project. The shortcut can be used to launch the associated project (even if Hard Disk Sentinel is not active). Note: if the project contains variables, the variables are evaluated at the time of creating the shortcut. So it is recommended to not use variables in projects designed to run manually or use only constant variables (for example %COMPUTER%). Note: this function is available only in the registered version.
The Save button should be used to store the modified configuration. This will save the current list of projects, the list of defined schedules and the list of defined events. It is recommended to use this button frequently because some options are available only if the backup configuration was saved. By using the Restore default projects button, it is possible to reload the previously saved backup configuration. It may be helpful to recover from an accidental erase or modification.
After the backup projects are defined, they should be connected to different time on different days on the schedule page or to different events. Such event can be the panic backup. It will be executed in case on any problem found with any hard disk and the panic backup start option is enabled for that problem on the alerts page.