Simtel MSDOS 1992 June/SIMTEL_0692.cdr/msdos/arc_lbr/mva101.arc/MVA.DOC

Text File | 1988-03-06 | 6KB | 123 lines

          Please Read this entire document before using MVA

Program:
               MVA.COM  MULTI-VOLUME ARC Utility

Version:
               1.01 March 6, 1988 - Beta testing

Contact:
               Keith P. Graham
               238 Germonds Road
               West Nyack, NY 10994

               MODEM: PC-Rockland BBS [phone]

Description:
               MVA.COM is a utility that allows some ARC utilities
               to create and read .arc files which span over many
               floppy diskettes. Very large arc files can be placed
               on separate diskettes to be re-assembled later.
               Obvious applications are the distribution of very
               large arc files without having to chop the system into
               smaller files as well as a slow but compact backups.
               MVA.COM will also allow un-arcing using Phil Katz's
               PKXARC or Vern Buerg's ARCE programs.

Usage:
               MVA.COM is a "Passthru" program which allows it to
               load as a memory resident program only while another
               program is executing.

               The syntax for using MVA is:

                  MVA PKARC arc parameters       <- creates an archive
                          or
                  MVA PKXARC arcname.1rc [files] <- extracts file(s)
                          or
                  MVA ARCE  arcname.1rc [files]  <- extracts file(s)
                          or
                  MVA ARCV  arcname.1rc [files]  <- lists file(s)

               MVA is the name of the Multi Volume Arc program and
               PKARC, PKXARC, ARCV and ARCE are names of some of the
               archive utilities which work with MVA. I have not
               tested the original SEA ARC utility and I have
               discovered that Vern Buerg's ARCA utility uses seek
               commands in a way which makes MVA crazy so it creates
               defective arc's (Vern, stop seeking past the end
               of the created file!)

               MVA will only read or write to the A: and B: drives.
               This keeps things simple for me, but you may look at
               the DOS assign command if this is a problem or I
               could be persuaded to change this if there is a
               good reason.

               When creating a file, MVA will detect an "out of
               disk error message and report it to you. You will
               be given the 3 choices:
                   Esc = quit. This will end MVA.COM and the
                               arc utility that you are running
                               and will leave you with a partial
                               arc file which may be unusable.
                   A or B = the next diskette drive to use. This
                               allows you to flip-flop between
                               drives for creating new files.
               The first diskette will rename your arc file with
               an extension of 1RC and the next disk will have a
               an extenstion of 2RC. You are allowed up to nine
               diskettes in this version. After 9 diskettes you
               will get errors. A future version (if there is any
               interest) will continue.

               When un-arcing or listing he contents of an arc file
               MVA will watch for moves beyond the end of the disk.
               Again you will be asked to ESC or put the drive letter
               of the next drive. You can also enter "E" to convince
               MVA that this is indeed the end of a file.

               ******* IMPORTANT *********
               AFTER MVA READS THE LAST DISK YOU MUST ENTER "E"
               BECAUSE ALL ARC UTILITES RUN UNTIL THEY RUN OUT OF
               FILE.



Strangeness:
               The copy command can be used to break up existing ARC's
               into multiple volumes by entering:
                 MVA COPY file.arc A:
               or a broken up file can be reassemble by entering:
                 MVA copy a:file.arc c:

               If the default drive is a: or b: the program will get
               upset if you try to use MVA. Don't try it.

               MVA is scrambled for security. It unscrambles itself
               as it loads, but it doesn't arc well as a result.
               This is the first time I have tried this. The security
               isn't great, but it keeps 8 year olds out of the
               text portions of the program.

               MVA works with PKARC to create files and manipulate
               files. It works with ARCE and ARCV, but I ahve done
               only limited testing. This is a beta test and I am
               looking for problems that I did not anticipate.

               I also hope that Phil Katz, Vern Buerg and SEA make
               multi-volume arcs a standard feature and then this
               klutzy work-around program will not be needed.

License:
               MVA has a copyright, but it can be passed around
               as long as no money is charged (except a copying fee)
               for its distribution. I expect nothing (unless this
               becomes a big hit) in the way of fees, but have you
               mailed PKWARE, SEA or Vern Buerg that check yet?
               If you need MVA to distribute software you may register
               with me at the address above for $5.00 as a distributer
               and sales after the first 100 pieces require a license
               fee of $0.25 per piece sold.