Create a Backup Lab computer

[EBA Randy]

Have a Mac G3, Labview 5.1, OS 8.1. Using it for lab data acquisition. Just purchased another G3(used) and it has OS9.1. I would like to configure this new G3 such that if the old one blows up, I an just plug this one in and continue normal operations. Any hints on what I can do, I am not a regular Mac user.

[mbolding]

More information would be helpful. Do both macs have the same version of labview installed? Do they have the same DAQ hardware? I think the steps involved will be very similar to the ones you would use on any OS. If you are looking for backup software for the data, VIs, etc. then try Retrospect. It is easy to use.

[EBA Randy]

There is only an OS, 9.1 installed on the new Mac. I had planned on jus connecting the two together and dragging the entire contents, system and all to the new Mac from the existing one. Should the system board or hard drive fail I would simply remove the GPIB card from the old one and put it in to the new one. Of course I would have to do regular backups of the data in order to maintain the integrity of it.

[mbolding]

You might want to fresh install labview on the new system if you are booting into OS 9, then just copy over your VIs. Run the VIs to make sure that all of the subVIs are found and loaded properly. If you do just copy everything over (including the system folder) then you can set the mac to boot from the OS 8 folder instead of the OS 9 one. In any case be sure and test it... 🙂