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====================================================================== = = = DOCUMENTATION-FILE = = = = DATE: March 8th, 1993 = = = ====================================================================== ====================================================================== = = = Name of the program : DCOPY version 1.0a / 1.0x = = (c) copyright 1993 by Reiner Kessler = = = = Date of the program : March 8th, 1993 = = = = Function of the program : 1:1 disk copy program = = = = Author of the program : Reiner Kessler = = Muehlentor 25 = = D-2810 Verden = = (from July 1th, 1993 : 27283 Verden) = = Germany = = = ====================================================================== ====================================================================== = = = = = The program dcopy v1.0a / 1.0x is shareware. = = = = = ====================================================================== Contents: 1 Shareware conditions........................................... 2 2 Shareware disk................................................. 2 3 Qualifications................................................. 3 3.1 Copying of specially formatted disks........................... 3 3.2 Copying of non-DOS formatted disks............................. 3 3.3 Formatting with interleave..................................... 3 3.4 Formatting with track sliding (track skewing).................. 4 3.5 Buffer memory.................................................. 4 3.6 Multiple copying............................................... 4 3.7 Speed of copying............................................... 5 3.8 Differences between the versions............................... 5 3.9 Operating instruction.......................................... 5 3.10 Required system................................................ 5 4 Installation of the program.................................... 6 5 Starting the program........................................... 6 5.1 Syntax......................................................... 6 5.2 Options........................................................ 6 5.3 Buffer memory choice........................................... 7 5.4 Screen colour choice........................................... 7 5.5 Batch files.................................................... 7 5.6 Windows and OS/2 integration................................... 8 6 User surface................................................... 8 6.1 Option line.................................................... 8 6.2 Choice panels.................................................. 9 6.3 Disk data report display.......................................10 6.4 Status panel...................................................10 6.5 Report panel...................................................10 6.6 Read/Format/Write/Verify action panel..........................11 7 Operating instructions.........................................11 8 Error handling.................................................12 8.1 Read/write error...............................................12 8.2 Target disk error..............................................12 8.3 Target disk check..............................................13 9 Author's request...............................................13 1 Shareware conditions The program dcopy v1.0a / 1.0x may be copied and passed on without any payment, but only in combination with the documentation files dcopy.txt or dcopy.doc! The program dcopy v1.0a / 1.0x may only be tested over a period of four weeks. If you want to go on you have to pay a fee of $ 20 (US Dollars). You have three possibilities to pay: 1. You send the sum in form of a voucher check (US) / crossed cheque (UK) and the filled-in register form to the address stated above. 2. You remit the money to this bank account: Account no.: 17941, bank code no.: 291 526 70, name of bank: Kreissparkasse Verden, Germany. 3. You send a bank note and the filled-in register form to my address. This is not the safest way but the most profitable to me because no bank fees will occur. After reception of the fee the sender is a registered user. The registration refers to the use on a single PC only. Commercial users, institutions, schools etc. or users with multi user systems have to ask for special conditions by mail. The registered user will not receive a manual or operating instruction, because the program is designed in such an uncomplicated way that the information you got by the documentation should be sufficient. Also a full version will not be sent because the shareware version is the full version. Whenever an update of the program is available the registered user will receive just a short note from me. The updated version has to be ordered from a shareware dealer. There is no update fee. An error-free operation of the program cannot be guaranteed. The use is at your own risk. Because the program uses a lot of functions that are hardware-related malfunctions can occur under certain conditions. Therefore the author is not responsible for possible program malfunctions or thus resulting damages. 2 Shareware disk Following files should be found on the disk: \readme.txt German introduction text for dcopy v1.0 \readme.doc English introduction text for dcopy v1.0 \dcopy10.exe self-extracting archive (dcopy v1.0) \fdform18.exe self-extracting archive (fdformat v1.8) In the archive dcopy10.exe following files should be found: \dcopy.txt German documentation \dcopy.doc English documentation (this one) \dcopy.ico ICO file for MS-Windows \dcopy.pif PIF file for MS-Windows \history.txt German history file \history.doc English history file \register.doc English register form \dcopy_at\dcopy.exe program file for 286s or better \dcopy_at\engl\dcopy.exe program file (English) for 286s or better \dcopy_xt\dcopy.exe program file for XTs \dcopy_xt\engl\dcopy.exe program file (English) for XTs 2 3 Qualifications The program dcopy v1.0 is a 1:1 disk copy program, i. e. the format of the source disk will also be generated on the target disk. 3.1 Copying of specially formatted disks The program allows copying of special formats generated by the formatting program 'fdformat'. For example a 3 1/2" HD disk (1.72 MByte) can be copied to another 3 1/2" HD disk. So it is possible to copy a 3 1/2" HD disk (1.44 MByte) to a 5 1/4' HD disk (1.2 MByte). The 5 1/4" disk just gets the 3 1/2" (1.44 MByte) format. 3.2 Copying of non-DOS formatted disks Another qualification is the ability to copy non-DOS formats. UNIX disks, Atari disks etc. can be copied without any problem. There is only one restriction: the floppy disks must have the same format on all the tracks. 3.3 Formatting with interleave Interleave = positioning of the sectors on a track For example: Interleave 1, 3 1/2', 1.44 MByte disk (18 sectors): 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 For completely reading of the track there is one rotation necessary! Interleave 2, 3 1/2', 1.44 MByte disk (18 sectors): 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 For complete reading of the track two rotations are required because every second sector is omitted! Normally an interleave of 1 is used for all standard DOS-formatted- disks. To force an interleave for formatting is a function of the program but you have to activate it by a start option. This function is only designed for copying non-DOS formatted disks which need an interleave higher than 1. The interleave of 2 is automatically chosen for DOS formatted disks with higher storing capacity. Note: The reading and writing speed of a disk with an interleave higher than 1 is reduced. Therefore you should consider whether disks with higher storing capacity are truly needed for the intended purpose. 3 3.4 Formatting with track sliding (track skewing) Track sliding = positioning of the sectors after a track change For example: Track sliding 0, 3 1/2', 720 KByte disk (9 sectors): 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 + 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 + 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 + etc. + + + track change track change track change Each track change takes a small amount of time during which the disk keeps rotating. When the reading/writing head reaches the correct track position the first sector is no longer underneath the head. Therefore one more rotation is necessary to start again at the first sector! Track sliding 3, 3 1/2', 720 KByte disk (9 sectors): 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 + 7 8 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 + 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 2 3 + etc. + + + track change track change track change No more rotation is necessary for starting again at the first sector if the right track sliding value is used! Normally a track sliding is not used. To force a track sliding for formatting is a function of the program but you have to activate it by a start option. It is specially created for professional users. It depends on different hardware whether the value of track sliding must be adapted to the respective PC and the different disk formats. This is an important source of error. If the value is incorrect disks could be written which won't work correctly on other PCs. Note: The speed of copying isn't a sign for the right value of track sliding. The optimum value for maximum speed can be determined only during the reading of the floppy disk. 3.5 Buffer memory The program allows to read and write all the data in a single process. Therefore a sufficient buffer memory is required. The program may use ram disk drive, EMS (version 3.0 or later), XMS (version 2.0 or later) or hard disk drive. 3.6 Multiple copying By using the buffer memory a disk can be copied several times. This is quite helpful if the target disk shows 'bad sectors'. The source disk doesn't have to be read once again. 4 3.7 Speed of copying The program dcopy v1.0 copies as fast as the hardware allows, i. e. there shouldn't occur any loss of time caused by the program itself (see 3.8). There is no copy speed-up by 'read-only data'. This would be a contradiction to a 1:1 disk copy program, and also copying of non-DOS formats without FAT (File Allocation Table) would require further special treatment. 3.8 Differences between the versions There are four different versions of dcopy v1.0 on the disk in the self-extracting archive dcopy10.exe. They differ from the used language (English/German) and from the program compiling (code generation for XT/AT). Each user may choose the version he wants to use on his PC. Of course the AT version (v1.0a) should be used for an AT PC, because this one is possibly faster than the XT version (v1.0x). The XT version has to be used for a XT PC, because the AT version will not run on a XT PC. 3.9 Operating instruction The program is controlled by pressing single hot keys. The program screen operates in ordinary text mode. A graphic user surface, SAA-surface and the use of a mouse are not available because this would just slow down the operation speed. The time that might have been necessary to create these functions was invested by the author to develop a program that does what it should really do: to copy disks fast and correctly. 3.10 Required system The program requires an IBM PC compatible computer with DOS 3.2 or later and at least 200 KByte main memory. The program works with all PC video standards (Hercules, CGA, EGA and VGA). In case EMS shall be used the expanded memory manager must be version 3.0 or later. In case XMS shall be used the extended memory manager must be version 2.0 or later. 5 4 Installation of the program For the installation the self-extracting archive dcopy10.exe has to be copied to a directory on the hard disk drive, a HD floppy disk or a 3 1/2" DD disk (720 KByte), for example: copy a:\dcopy10.exe c:\tools\dcopy10.exe or copy b:\dcopy10.exe a:\dcopy10.exe etc.. Starting the program at the DOS-prompt with 'dcopy10' the archive file will unpack itself. Several sub directories will be created, in which the different versions of the program will be found (see point 2 and 3.8). The chosen version should be copied to a directory with a path. Another way is to write a batch file for starting the program (see point 5.5). All the other versions can be deleted. The same procedure can be executed with the self-extracting archive fdform18.exe, as explained for dcopy10.exe. The program 'fdformat' is a formatting program that allows to generate disks with higher storing capacity. The operating instructions and the source code etc. are also in the archive file. 5 Starting the program 5.1 Syntax The program dcopy v1.0 can be started from the DOS prompt with the following optional parameters: dcopy [A:|B:] [A:|B:] [/1] [/F] [/H] [/?] [/Inn] [/ND] [/R] [/Ynn] The program has to be located in the current directory or in one that is in the path. Default: dcopy A: A: /I1 /Y0 5.2 Options [A:|B:] : Source drive [A:|B:] : Target drive /1 : Only the first side will be copied. /F : The target disk will always be formatted. /H , /? : This help screen will be displayed. /Inn : The interleave factor nn is preset. /ND : The motor stop time of the floppy disk drive will be two seconds instead of one. /R : After writing a track it will not be verified (Verify off). /Ynn : The track sliding nn is preset. The option /1 is available to be compatible to the program 'diskcopy' of DOS. 6 The option /ND (Normal delay) is available to give the user the possibility to reset the motor stop time of the floppy disk drive to the usual two seconds. This makes sense if the floppy disk drive motor often stops for a short period of time during the read/write action to the hard disk drive, a. because a slow hard disk drive is used as a buffer; b. because a cache program is used with an activated writing cache. The options /Inn and /Ynn are displayed after 'Format:' if the preset is changed and 'format' is activated. 5.3 Buffer memory choice If you want to use a different buffer memory than the one chosen by the program you can make your choice by setting an environment variable. Therefore you type 'set' at the DOS prompt and add the environment variable. Possible environment variables are: for ram disk drive --> set dcopytmp=RAMDISK for EMS --> set dcopytmp=EMS for XMS --> set dcopytmp=XMS for hard disk drive --> set dcopytmp=[disk drive:\][path name] In case the program finds one of these environment variables the chosen buffer memory will be used if it is possible. 5.4 Screen colour choice Another environment variable can be typed at the DOS prompt if difficulties occur in connection with the screen display/colour choice. Possible environment variables are: for VGA-Monochrome --> set DCOPYCOLOR=VgaMono for Hercules --> set DCOPYCOLOR=Herc 5.5 Batch files Of course a batch file can be written to start the program, in which the preferred start options and the environment variables can be preset. Example for a batch file: c: (* Change to hard disk c: *) cd \tools (* Directory change to c:\tools *) set dcopytmp=xms (* Environment variable preset for buffer memory *) dcopy b: b: /nd (* Program start with options *) set dcopytmp= (* Reset environment variable *) cd \ (* Directory change to c:\ *) Of course the environment variables can be preset in the autoexec.bat too. 7 5.6 Windows and OS/2 integration The program dcopy v1.0 is no WINDOWS program or OS/2 program. Nevertheless there is a PIF file and an icon included in the archive file dcopy10.exe for the integration in MS-WINDOWS. The PIF file and the icon will be installed as a new program in the Program Manager (see MS-WINDOWS manual). The program dcopy v1.0 should always be run 'Exclusive'. Owners of very fast PCs may try to run the program in the 'Background' mode. This however might slow down certain program steps, for example reading/writing attempts are not successful (display of failing attempts) or the signal sound is extended. This setting used with a very slow PC will cause the program to stop and an error report will be displayed. In any case the reading/writing from the hard disk should be avoided. This problem can be solved by starting the program which shall be used during the copying process before starting dcopy v1.0. While copying you can switch to the other program with the key combination <ALT>+<TAB>. Should the program still be stopped by an error report the reading/writing process simply can be repeated. Therefore the possibility to set the number of attempts by pushing the 'A' key is used (see point 8.1). Often however the copy speed of the program is reduced if it is started from MS-WINDOWS, either used in the 'Exclusive' or 'Background' mode. To integrate dcopy v1.0 in OS/2 you should look up the on-line help function in OS/2 how to install 'ordinary' DOS programs. Unfortunately the author can't offer further help or experience on OS/2. 6. User surface 6.1 Option line The bottom line is the option line. Optional keys to be pushed are displayed here. Examples of options: 'S' = if two disk drives are available the source disk drive will be changed from A: to B: or vice versa 'B' = the temporary buffer memory will be changed 'T' = if two disk drives are available the target disk drive will be change from A: to B: or vice versa 'F' = activates and deactivates the formatting of the target disk 'V' = activates and deactivates the verifying of the target disk 'A' = preset of the number of attempts before an error report will be displayed 8 Further optional keys: '0'..'9' = a figure between 0 and 9 to preset the number of attempts '<ESC>' = abortion of the current action 'Y' = answer 'yes' 'N' = answer 'no', another key = start of the action 6.2 Choice panels You can see the choice panels, which correspond with the optional pressed keys, on the left half of the screen. When you start the program without options the preset is: 'S'= source disk (Source) A 'B'= buffer memory (Buffer) - (*) 'T'= target disk (Target) A 'F'= formatting (Format) OFF 'V'= verifying (Verify) ON 'A'= attempts (Attempts) 3 (*) Note: It is not necessary for the user to determinate the buffer memory before reading the source disk. The program is able to chose the optimal buffer memory itself. The order therefore is: 1. RAM (main memory) 2. RAMDISK (emulation of hard disk drive) 3. EMS (expanded memory) 4. XMS (extended memory) 5. HARDDISK (hard disk drive) If a memory type is not available or the capacity of the memory is not sufficient the following existing type is chosen that offers the required capacity. By pushing the 'B' key you can determinate the memory type yourself. This enables you to test the copy speed of the different memory types with the installed hardware. It is possible that the memory chosen by the program is not the fastest choice or even malfunctions may occur. When choosing the memory type just make sure that the capacity is sufficient! If it isn't the program will notice this and will make a different choice. In case the required capacity of memory is so small that the RAM (main memory) can be used the program will do this, it doesn't matter which type the user has chosen. This concerns usually only 5 1/4" DD floppy disks (360 KByte). If you want to use another memory type you can preset your choice by an environment variable before you start the program (see point 5.3 and 5.5). 9 6.3 Disk data report display Between the choice panels for the source disk and for the buffer memory there is the disk data report display. Here you can read the data of the floppy disk's physical qualification. The single information of the storage capacity isn't sufficient because it is possible to generate different physical formats on the disks. Following disk data are displayed: Side(s)/disk: = Number of sides of the disk Bytes/sector: = Number of bytes per sector Sectors/track: = Number of sectors per track Tracks/side: = Number of tracks per side The storage capacity of the disk results from this formula: Storage capacity = Side(s)/disk * Bytes/sector * Sectors/track * Tracks/side [Bytes] 6.4 Status panel Below the display of the presets in the left half of the screen there is a panel named 'Status'. Here the status of the program is reported. Possible status reports are: 1. Waiting = waiting for a key to be struck 2. Reading = reading of the source disk 3. Writing = writing of the target disk 4. Error! = an error occurred Note: The program makes no difference between 'Writing' and 'Formatting'. If a disk is formatted during the writing process the status report will be 'Writing'. 6.5 Report panel Below the status panel there is the report panel. Here further information and instructions are displayed that will help the user to continue in the current situation. Examples: - Please insert the source disk in drive A:. - Please insert the target disk in drive B:. - Error-free target disk generated. Another copy of the source disk? - Another copy of the source disk? - The disk is write-protected! Please remove the write protection. etc. 10 6.6 Read/format/write/verify action panel This panel covers the middle and the right area of the screen. During the reading/formatting/writing/verifying the currently treated track (0 - 99) is displayed (R = Reading, F = Formatting, W = Writing, V = Verifying). While formatting/writing the currently treated side of the disk or head 0 / 1 is displayed in addition. If a track was not formatted/written the number of failed attempts is displayed. If a track was not read/verified the side (0 or 1) is displayed on which the attempts failed. If attempts have failed on both sides of the disk the figure '2' will be displayed. If the track was read/written the first time a square root sign '√' is displayed. This always means that the action was successful. 7 Operation instructions a) After starting the program the user can execute the settings in the above explained way. The source disk should be inserted in the source disk drive. b) As soon as another key is hit, for example <Enter>, the program starts to read the source disk. The reading can be aborted anytime by hitting the <ESC> key. When the source disk is completely read the program signals this by a beep. c) The program asks to insert the target disk in the target disk drive. The settings for target drive (T), formatting (F), verifying (V) and attempts (A) can still be changed. d) As soon as another key is hit, e. g. the <space bar>, the program starts to write the target disk. The writing can be aborted anytime by hitting the <ESC> key. e) When the target disk is completely written the program signals this by a beep. The program asks whether another copy of the source disk should be produced. f) If the answer is (y)es the program starts at point c) again. g) If the answer is (n)o or the <ESC> key is hit you are asked whether another disk should be copied. h) If you answer (y)es to that question the program returns to point a). i) If you answer (n)o or hit the <ESC> key the program is aborted. 11 8 Error handling If an error occurs the program aborts the current action. In the status panel 'Error!' and in the report panel a comment appears about the error. The option line refers to possible reactions or keys to be hit. 8.1 Read/write error If a read/write error stops the program and you push the key 'A', you can choose the number of attempts until you get an error. Therefore you push a key with a number between 1 and 9. So a new reading/writing of the track which causes the error is started. If the newly started attempt malfunction, the fault can normally not be eliminated. You may press another key, e. g. <Enter> if you get a new error and then the program will continue and read/write the next track. When the faults occur increasingly and you won't get any more 'Error!' you have to hit the key 'A' and then the '0'. The account of attempts is yet the same like the old one. Note: In case of an error there is no 'reading of the source disk sector by sector'. The benefit for the user is low. Normally this function is only used when there are reading errors and these errors are positioned in data areas. Sector by sector reading could limit the damage but not prevent it. In fact of this it is better to acquire a disk with the same valid data. 8.2 Target disk error In the following cases you get a target disk error after starting the writing, if a) the target disk isn't formatted, b) the target disk has another format than the source disk or c) the target disk is not inserted in the target drive, and if formatting isn't switched on. The user should react appropriately. In case of c) you should insert a disk in the target drive. In the other cases you should switch the formatting on because this is not an automatical function of dcopy v1.0. This functioning is wanted and used for all formats. It is caused by the different operating of the disk drive controllers and the program's facility to read, format, write and verify non-DOS formatted disks (depending on the hardware). Without formatting the program nevertheless starts writing but after the unsuccessful attempts (account of attempts minus 1) it switches formatting by itself on. If this happens you should stop the action of writing by hitting <ESC>. 12 The following question for a new copy of the source disk should be answered with (y)es and formatting should be switched on!! You don't miss the data of the source disk stored in the buffer by stopping the action of writing. The automatical toggle between writing and formatting is made only for the normal writing without formatting. Perhaps it is possible to write the disk after unsuccessful writing attempts with a new formatting. 8.3 Target disk check You should check the first copies of the different disk formats with the DOS command 'diskcomp', to make sure that the disks are correctly copied with dcopy v1.0. If the checked disks are valid a check of further disk copies will not be necessary with 'diskcomp'. This is a very important point because different errors may occur depending on special hardware constellations. 9 Author's request In case of a fatal error (crash, hanging conditions etc.) with dcopy v1.0 it would be nice and helpful for the author to get a comment about the faults and system reactions. Also the special hardware and the data in the config.sys and in the autoexec.bat are of interest. dcopy.doc end 13