Enabling relative paths

By default, all data files and registry entries are restored to the location from which they were collected. If you want to restore the data files and registry entries to a different location on the target computer, you need to specify the appropriate source and target directory paths.

When you set up relative paths, any partial paths and file definitions contained in the template rules will be appended to them. This determines the full paths for file collection and restoration. The target path is saved with each file or registry entry that is collected, and is used to determine the complete path to which the collected files are restored. Any complete paths contained in template rules are preserved, and will override the relative path settings.

You can use variables as building blocks to specify part or all of the directory path. This lets you specify a reference directory that is set up by the operating system. For example, to collect files from the C:\Documents and Settings\<user name>\My Documents folder for each user on Windows 2000 and XP computers, you can set the source path using the variable $MyDocuments$.

Note: You must set up the relative paths before you can add any rules that contain partial paths. If relative paths are not enabled, all rules must contain absolute paths.

If you want to use a number of different relative paths, you need to create a separate data template for each.

To enable relative paths

1.

In the Properties for <Template name> window, on the Advanced tab, check Allow relative paths.

2.

In the Source Path box, specify the base path to use for all of the relative path rules in the template.

You can type the entire path or use variables as building blocks where appropriate.

To add a variable, click V, then select it from the list of available variables.

You can only use the variables that are contained in the list. If you type any others, even though they are valid in the operating system, the source path will not be resolved.

See Move the User variables.

3.

In the Target Path box, specify the base path to use for all the relative path rules in the template.

You can type the entire path or use variables as building blocks where appropriate, in the same way that you set the source path.

Note: If the complete source path is not resolved, nothing is collected. If the target path does not exist, it is created as part of the restore process.