SCO

It seems that your software is not protected via FlexLM then.

Per my previous post, it is somehow protected via the compiler. Surely the program is not compiled each time it is run like ancient BASIC.

It may be coming into view now, then again, I know just enough to be dangerous. Am I close below:

Their source code runs on multiple Platforms, each platform has to have the object code compiled for its own O/S and specific Hardware.

The compiler is tied to the HD. If I ever have to change HD's the compiler will not compile, so I can never update the program (unless I do it with Assembly language).

If I moved the already compiled code to a new HD and nothing else changed, then it may still run.

If I am way off base above, let me know and I will head another direction, just recalling and trying to relate it to what I remember from old DOS days and compiling Code for mainframe programs.

One of my (now ex) customers had a similar situation with his accounting software. When I finally got to a support person who knew the software it turned out that the program was tied to the system name and everything transferred across and ran with different hardware.

JGT's suggestion about EDGE has worked well for me for many years. The backup is to a hard drive first with EDGE then burn the backup file and keys to CD with another program.

You can find out how much of the file systems are used with du. Your installation is pretty much standard with a /u filesystem and an extra /u1. Didn't check on their sizes.

I really appreciate all of the feedback I am getting in terms of being able to get this thing backed up. Just a quick update on some new info I found in a box packed away by my father.

I as able to locate the original SCO 5.0.6 install CD's AND License Certificate / Code
Also found 3 floppies labeled root, boot, and file system.

I also found the BASIS License Agreement and Product Key, it is the Pro 5, not FlexLM license. I even found a copy of the BASIS compiler software. Unfortunately it was on a 6"cassette type storage tape.

My application is not copy protected, but the BASIS compiler that is required to run it is copy protected and we think it is tied to the HD. However, since I now have the license, I may be able to get BASIS to let me activate it if there is a problem when I copy it to another HD.

This all may be much ado about nothing as I may be able to simply clone the HD with Clonezilla and set it aside, keep my data backup current, and if the drive ever fails, put in the new drive and copy the data to it. At least I have options now.

Again, I really appreciate all the feedback, I am learning slowly, and any additional insight, info, or guidance is appreciated.

Is the Basis tape cartridge fit the tape drive that you have?
Assuming (always dangerous) that the tape is the same format as Basis shipped on diskette, the tap is a tar tape.
If you can find a suitable tape drive, you can extract the data from the tape and copy it to any suitable medium. There is only 5 x 1.44 diskettes in the distribution, so the tape probably has less than 10mb on it.
You can experiment with transferring the system to a new hard drive by acquiring a Pentium4 system, either socket 478 or 775 with ide disk or sata in legacy mode, PS2 keyboard and mouse, and cd/dvd. You should be able to find a suitable system for about 100 dollars.
You can install 506 using the cd only.
Then install Basis, I have the instructions if you don't, and restore the data files from your current system.

I wouldn't reply on magnetic media (root & boot floppies) that have been in a box for years. Magnetic decay means they probably won't work now. Better write your own onto new media.

You can test booting from emergency media without damaging anything on the hard disk of the system.

No, it is an older 6 or 7 inch tape, but I am sure I could find a drive that fits it and and borrow an old system.

Actually thought about what you are suggesting. question, is my SCO unix going to be copy protected with a product key like modern windows that will prevent install?

Regardless, if I can, I probably going to install UNIX just to play with/learn it.

Also, the APP SW peeps keep telling be BASIS license is tied to HD and it will not work on another HD? I am going to try to contact BASIS Monday.

Another thing I thought about, not sure if it will work, Back up my data daily via FTP and clonezilla the HD. If HD it crashes restore the HD from clonezilla and copy my updated data to the new HD. Of course, this only works if BASIS will re-license me for the new HD AND Clonezilla will clone a UNIX HD that will actually boot...