UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

I have several files that I need to get off of a backup tape. I'm using AIX 4.3 (I know this is old) and our backups are done using the bru command. I need to copy these files to a specific location, and not restore them to the original location. Can anyone tell me what command I should use to do this? I'm assuming it's bru -option -files but we all know what happens when we assume. Thanks in advance

There are many products which run on AIX called "bru". Let's assume that is the old unix "bru" command.
Can you post the exact script containing the "bru" command which was used to produce the backup?
It is very important to know whether the backup contains absolute pathnames or relative pathnames.

Our current backup script is as follows:

umask 0
cd /
bru -cvvvZ -X -S -d * | tee /usr8/BACKUPLIST

I need to get about 12 files, and put them where I want them, not where they were originally backed up from. I will be happy to restore them 1 at a time until I get the 12 files I need. I just don't know exactly what command to use. I tried using bru -xvvv -T /dev/rmt0 getfiles but it did not work. I am having to relearn unix, it has been over a decade since I last used it. getfiles is the list of files that I need, there are 2 columns...
/usr3/IN01 /inv10/IN01ye09
Column 1 (/usr3/IN01) is the original location (where it should be on the tape) and /inv10/IN01ye09 is where I want to put the file with the new name. I will even be happy to restore the file with the same name to the new location and then rename it, just as long as I don't overwrite the current file in the correct location. Obviously I'm not doing it right, so any help will be very much appreciated! Thanks

Broad advice is to use the "bru -t" option to verify whether the files were backed up with relative (not absolute) filenames and to verify that your file is on the tape. Then restore a test file which is expendable to a test area. Only then attempt to restore the important file to a test area.

The following link is to a large document about "bru". It describes restoring a file from a "bru" backup to a new location in some detail. Always test with an irrelevant and expendable file. The document also advises write protecting the tape (a very good idea).

There have been umpteen versions of programs called "bru" in unix so please please do verify that any suggested commands match your version.

Link to large pdf manual for "bru". Read the whole document before typing any commands.
http://www.avanu.com/new/documents/BRUWDPE_Manual.pdf

Take you time and good luck.

Thanks for the posts' I was able to determine that my backup was relative, and I was able to restore the file, it just put it in a different location than what I had originally thought, so I just had to move it where I wanted it, but either way, it didn't overwrite the file that was in its original location. Thank you for all the posts, this helped me a lot!