TAR Files

Creating TAR Files

These instructions explain how to create and extract a TAR file in cases where a complete disk image is not warranted.

Using the Windows machine in the lab:

1. Connect the collection hard drive to the DA lab machine using a write blocker.
2. Launch Cygwin Terminal.
3. Navigate to the collection hard drive using: $ cd [drive letter]:
   • For example: $ cd J:
4. Use the following command to create your TAR file: $ tar -cvpf [path/to/tar-file-name-with-extension] [directory-of-collection-files
   • For example: $ tar -cvpf '/cygdrive/c/Users/Digital Archives/Desktop/868_01.tar'donor-files

NOTE: If you wish to wrap multiple directories/files into a single TAR file, they can be listed at the end of the command.

• For example: $ tar -cvpf '/cygdrive/c/Users/Digital Archives/Desktop/868_01.tar'donor-files1 donor-files2 donor-files3

1. Extract the TAR file using the following command (you will need to either navigate to the location of the TAR file or include the path): $ tar -xvpf [TAR-file-name-with-extension]
   • For example: $ tar -xvpf 868_01.tar

Using Mac OS or Linux:

1. Connect the collection hard drive to the DA lab machine using a write blocker.
2. Navigate to the collection hard drive using: $ cd [drive letter]:
   • For example: $ cd J:
3. Use the following command to create your TAR file: $ tar -cvpf [path/to/tar-file-name-with-extension] [directory-of-collection-files]
   • For example: $ tar -cvpf /c/Users/Digital Archives/Desktop/868_01.tar donor-files

NOTE: If you wish to wrap multiple directories/files into a single TAR file, they can be listed at the end of the command.

• For example: $ tar -cvpf /c/Users/Digital Archives/Desktop/868_01.tar donor-files1 donor-files2 donor-files3
  1. Extract the TAR file using the following command (you will need to either navigate to the location of the TAR file or include the path): $ tar -xvpf [TAR-file-name-with-extension]
• For example: $ tar -xvpf 868_01.tar