This is not exactly what you were asking for, but you might try something like:
tar -cvMf /dev/sdz directories_to_archive where /dev/sdz is replaced by the device for your Zip drive. The 'M' option should (according to the man page) cause tar to prompt you for the next disk when it runs out of space on the first one. You can then extract the 'multi-volume' archive with a command like: tar -xvMf /dev/sdz I highly recommend using cpio in preference to tar if the archives are for your own use and not public distribution to unknown platforms. The command to use cpio would be: find directories_to_archive | cpio -ovH crc > /dev/sdz Cpio will automatically span volumes and prompt for the next disk or tape when it runs out of space. The 'H crc' option a causes GNU cpio to create an archive in portable ASCII format with a 32-bit CRC for each file. This allows you to easily verify the archive's integrity and detect errors on restore. Unlike tar, cpio will not puke if it encounters a single error on restore but will continue to restore all undamaged data after the error. To verify with cpio: cpio --only-verify-crc -iv < /dev/sdz This will not print any messages except the final block count if all the CRC checks are good. This does not compare files on tape to those on disk but instead reads the file from tape, calculates a CRC, and then compares it with the one stored on the tape at the time of creation to see if they match. To restore with cpio: cpio -imudv < /dev/sdz Warning: the 'u' option causes cpio to automatically overwrite existing files on disk with those from the archive. --- John Davis <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > run tar so that it will take a 500 Meg archive and split it into 5 100 > Meg tar files? If so, how do I do this? > __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger. http://messenger.yahoo.com