Welcome to the Disk Factory by Responsive Software. This program is shareware. The files DISKFACT.EXE and DISKFACT.HLP may be copied and distributed freely in their unregistered form for evaluation. N
Press [Esc] to close this window, or [Enter] to learn more about using Help. (
Or select a topic from the list below:
Using
Help Registration
Instructions Specifications
Using
Menus The
Status
Dialogue
Boxes Using
Windows
Library
Windows The
Window
Mouse
Controls Disclaimer
Registration
If you would like to continue using the Disk Factory after a trial period of 60 days you must send a registration fee of $29.95 (US$19.95) to: l
Responsive Software
69 Grampian Street
Christchurch 5
New Zealand.
If you have already registered your copy of the Disk Factory then we would like to express our appreciation for your support. As a registered user, if you have any problems using this software or would like to make any suggestions on how it could be improved to better serve your needs then please write to us. We would love to hear from you.
You can write to us at the above address or send e-mail directly to our software developer (Matthew_Jenkinson@equinox.gen.nz).
If you haven't yet registered then you must register in order to continue using the Disk Factory. You will then be able to use the data compression feature of the Disk Factory which will save heaps of space on your hard disk when storing disk images. Your name will also be added to our mailing list for information on future upgrades, product releases etc. Your registration fee will enable us to continue producing quality user-friendly shareware, the only software you can "try before you buy!" K
If you paid to obtain a copy of the Disk Factory from a shareware distributor on floppy disk or CD-ROM please remember that we do not receive any part of this fee whatsoever. The only money we receive is from those users who register their software by sending us their registration fee. Without your support we could not survive. !
Main
Screen
Instructions
Menu
This menu provides access to the following commands: 9
About
Registration
Print form
Clear desktop
See also: Using
Menus
Instructions
Library Menu
This menu provides access to the following commands:
Open window
Store image
Make copies
Find image
Repeat find
Edit details
Delete image
Direct copies
DOS shell
Exit
See also: Using
Menus
Instructions
Options Menu
This menu provides access to the following commands:
Drives
Copying
See also: Using
Menus
Instructions
Windows Menu
This menu provides access to the following commands: H
Next
Previous
Zoom
Resize/move
Tile
Cascade
Close
See also: Using
Menus
Instructions
Help Menu
This menu provides access to the following commands:
Main help
Context help
See also: Using
Menus
Instructions
About
This command will display the copyright notice. 0
See also: Using
Menus
Instructions
Registration
This command will display information on how to register your shareware. 0
See also: Using
Menus
Instructions
Print form
This command will print a registration form for you to fill in and send to us with your registration fee. 0
See also: Using
Menus
Instructions
Clear desktop
This command will close all open windows on the desktop. 0
See also: Using
Menus
Instructions
Library
Open window
This command will allow you to open a window in which to store your disk images. It can also be invoked by using the short cut key [F3] or by clicking on this item on the Status
Line with the mouse. 0
See also: Using
Menus
Instructions
Library
Store image
This command will allow you to store a disk image in the current window. It can also be invoked by using the short cut key [F2] or by clicking on this item on the Status
Line with the mouse. 0
See also: Using
Menus
Instructions
Library
Make copies
This command will make copies of the currently selected disk image in the current window. It can also be invoked by using the short cut key [F4] or by clicking on this item on the Status
Line with the mouse. 0
See also: Using
Menus
Instructions
Library
Find image
This command will allow you to search for a disk image within the current window. It can also be invoked by using the short cut key [F7] or by clicking on this item on the Status
Line with the mouse. 0
See also: Using
Menus
Instructions
Library
Repeat find
This command repeats the last find command. It can also be invoked by using the short cut key combination [Ctrl-F7]. 0
See also: Using
Menus
Instructions
Library
Edit details
This command will allow you to edit the reference number or description of the currently selected disk image. It can also be invoked by using the short cut key [F8]. 0
See also: Using
Menus
Instructions
Library
Delete image
This command deletes the currently selected disk image. It can also be invoked by using the short cut key combination [Ctrl-F8]. 0
See also: Using
Menus
Instructions
Library
Direct copies
This command allows you to copy a disk without storing it as a disk image. It can also be invoked by using the short cut key [F9]. 0
See also: Using
Menus
Instructions
Library
DOS shell
This command allows you to go to DOS temporarily without leaving the Disk Factory (providing there is enough memory available.) 0
See also: Using
Menus
Instructions
Library
This command allows you to exit from the Disk Factory and return to DOS. It can also be invoked with the short cut key combination [Alt-X]. 0
See also: Using
Menus
Instructions
Options
Drives
This command allows you to tell the Disk Factory the type of floppy drives you have attached to your computer. 0
See also: Using
Menus
Instructions
Options
Copying
This command allows you to set a number of options for storing and copying disks. 0
See also: Using
Menus
Instructions
Windows
If there is more than one window open, this command will make the next window downwards in the stack become the current window. ?
This command can also be invoked with the short cut key [F6]. 0
See also: Using
Menus
Instructions
Windows
Previous
If there is more than one window open, this command will make the next window upwards in the stack become the current window. U
This command can also be invoked by using the short cut key combination [Shift-F6]. 0
See also: Using
Menus
Instructions
Windows
This command will zoom the current window to fill the screen. If the window is already zoomed it will reduce it back to its original size. C
You can also invoke this command by using the short cut key [F5]. 0
See also: Using
Menus
Instructions
Windows
Resize
This command will switch the current window into resize mode.
Use the arrow keys ([
]) and the [Home], [End], [PgUp] and [PgDn] keys to move the window. Hold down the [Shift] key and use the arrow keys to resize the window. L
Once the window is suitably positioned press [Enter] to leave resize mode. P
This command can also be invoked with the short cut key combination [Ctrl-F5]. 0
See also: Using
Menus
Instructions
Windows
This command will rearrange the open windows into a tile pattern. 0
See also: Using
Menus
Instructions
Windows
Cascade
This command will rearrange the open windows into a cascade pattern. 0
See also: Using
Menus
Instructions
Windows
Close
This command will close the current window.
It can also be invoked by means of the shortcut key combination [Alt-F3], or by clicking on the close icon (
) with the mouse. 0
See also: Using
Menus
Instructions
Help
Main help
This command will open a help
window on the main help screen. 0
See also: Using
Menus
Instructions
Help
Context help
This command will open a context-sensitive help
window. z
It can also be invoked by pressing the shortcut key [F1], or by clicking on this item on the Status
Line with the mouse. 0
See also: Using
Menus
Instructions
This dialogue
box displays the copyright notice for your information. _
This dialogue
box opens a library window. The library window displays all the disk images you have in the specified subdirectory. _
In this box you can specify a subdirectory from your directory tree. Just select the appropriate drive or subdirectory and double click with the mouse, press [Enter] or click on the ChDir button. _
Click on this button to select the specified subdirectory. _
Use this dialogue
box to tell the Disk Factory the type of drives you have on your computer. Enter the drive letter and then specify the type. _
Select this type if your drive is a 5
" Double Density 360K drive. _
Select this type if your drive is a 5
" High Density 1.2M drive. _
Select this type if your drive is a 3
" Double Density 720K drive. _
Select this type if your drive is a 3
" High Density 1.44M drive. _
Select this option to compress data when storing disk images. Note that this option is only available to registered users of the Disk Factory. _
Select this option to force the Disk Factory to format each disk when copying. _
Select this option to force the Disk Factory to verify every track when making a copy including those tracks which do not contain any data. _
Select this option to prevent the Disk Factory from verifying tracks when copying. This will speed up the copying operation significantly but may result in possible defective copies. _
Select this option to cause the Disk Factory to prompt for confirmation before copying on to a disk which may already contain data. _
Turn sound effects on or off. _
Select this option to allow keyboard free operation when copying. When making multiple copies the Disk Factory will sense when a disk is inserted and begin copying immediately. Care must be taken as any existing data will be overwritten without warning. This option takes precedence over the Overwrite
warning option. _
Select this option to print a label before each copy. A label must be set up in a file having the same name as the disk image reference number and an extension of LBL. _
Specify the printer you wish to use for label printing (and for printing a registration form.) _
When using the Store Image command enter a reference number for the disk image you wish to create. This can be up to eight characters and will be used as the DOS file name for the disk image. The DOS file name will be given the extension DFY.
When using the Find Image command enter the reference number of the disk image you wish to find. The search applies to the current window only. _
When using the Store Image command enter a description of the disk for your own information. This will appear in the library window.
When using the Find Image command enter the string or part of the string you wish to search for in the disk image descriptions. _
When using the Store Image command select the drive which contains the disk you wish to store. ]
When using the Direct Copies command select the drive containing the disk you wish to copy. [
In Copying Options select the drive to be used for making copies of the specified size. _
Use the Ok button to accept the information in this dialogue
box. _
Use the Cancel button to close the dialogue
box with no effect. _
Not enough memory for DOS shell
There is not enough room at the top end of memory to run a DOS shell. Try closing some windows. _
COMMAND.COM file not found
If you are working from a floppy drive insert the DOS system disk you booted from and try again. _
Using Help
You can open a context-sensitive help
window at any time by pressing [F1]. To close press [Esc]. To zoom press [F5].
Some help topics display additional highlighted topics which you can go to by using [Tab] to select and then pressing [Enter]. Or if you are using a mouse simply double-click on the topic of your choice.
See also: Mouse
Controls
Main
Screen
Instructions
Library Windows
Library windows are opened using the Open
window command. They contain a list of all the disk images in the specified DOS subdirectory and include the following information on each:
An eight character reference name/number
The type of disk stored (e.g. 3
" HD)
A 25 character description of the disk
The volume name if available
The date the disk image was created
A data compression indicator
For more information on opening a library window see creating
library.
Move up and down through the list by using [PgUp], [PgDn], the up and down arrows ([
]), or by clicking on the scroll
bars with the mouse. Use [Ctrl-PgUp] and [Ctrl-PgDn] to move to the beginning or end of the text respectively.
Opened windows are held in a stack. The currently selected window is always moved to the top of the stack and is indicated by a highlighted double border and icons for mouse
controls.
The first nine windows are numbered and these can be selected by the short cut key combination [Alt-#] where # is the appropriate number from 1 to 9. =
All window commands apply to the currently selected window. !
Main
Screen
Instructions
The Status Line
The Status Line is the line across the bottom of the screen. This area provides an alternative way for selecting some commands by pressing the highlighted key (or key combination), or by clicking on that item with the mouse. 5
This line is also used to display various messages. !
Main
Screen
Instructions
Dialogue Boxes
Dialogue boxes are a special type of window used to display errors and other messages, or to allow user input. The default item within the dialogue, which can be a button or an input area, is highlighted.
If there is more than one item you can use the [Tab] key to cycle and then press [Enter] to select the highlighted item. Often a highlighted letter indicates that this is a short cut key for selecting that item. ?
You can also select an item by clicking on it with the mouse. c
To cancel a dialogue box press [Esc] or, if you are using a mouse, click on the close icon
Main
Screen
Instructions
Using Menus
Most of the commands in the Disk Factory are accessed through pull-down menus from the menu bar at the top of the screen.
To select a menu press [F10] and position the cursor using the left and right arrow keys ([
]), then press [Enter]. Alternatively, you can hold down the [Alt] key and press the highlighted letter (or space bar to select the
menu.)
To select an item from a menu, position the cursor using the up and down arrow keys ([
]) and then press [Enter], or else simply press the highlighted letter. q
If you are using a mouse just click on the menu bar and drag the cursor down to the command you wish to select. !
Main
Screen
Instructions
The Help Window
The help window is a special type of window used to display context-sensitive help. v
To close the help window press [Esc]. Alternatively, if you are using a mouse, simply click on the close icon
See also: Using
Main
Screen
Instructions
Mouse Controls
If any part of a window is visible you can select that window simply by clicking on it with the mouse. 2
To close a window click on the close icon
To zoom a window click on the zoom icon
, or double-click anywhere along the top of the frame
(excluding the icons.) \
To move a window click anywhere along the top of the frame (excluding the icons) and drag. D
To resize a window click on the bottom right hand corner and drag. A
To scroll through the text within a window use the scroll
bars. !
Main
Screen
Instructions
Scroll Bars
To move a line at a time click on the arrows at each end of the scroll bar (
). Keep the mouse button pressed to scroll continuously. x
To move a page at a time click anywhere on the shaded area (
) of the scroll bar on either side of the scroll box (
To move quickly to a particular spot click on the scroll box and drag it along the scroll bar.
Mouse
Controls
Using Windows
The main commands for working with windows are on the windows menu. \
There are three types of windows viz. Library
Windows, Dialogue
Boxes and the Help
Window. G
If you have a mouse you can arrange the windows using mouse
controls. !
Main
Screen
Instructions
Specifications
The Disk Factory is a disk copying utility which uses the latest technology in user interface design including pull-down menus, multiple resizable overlapping windows and mouse support. It has been designed to make your job of copying disks and managing a floppy disk library as easy as possible. 3
The Disk Factory includes the following features: >
Runs in DOS 2.0+ and OS/2 on the IBM PC and compatibles.
Support for both 3
" and 5
" double density and high density disks.
Full use of available expanded memory for one pass direct copying even
on 1.44Mb disks.
Storage of floppy disks as permanent disk images on disk for generating
copies at the press of a button.
Data compression of disk images for registered users.
Label printing.
Fast mass production mode for making multiple copies with keyboard
free operation and audible copy complete indicator.
Full online context-sensitive help.
Main
Screen
Instructions
Instructions
Specific information about each command in the Disk Factory is obtained by using context
sensitive
help. H
For more general instructions select a topic from the list below for : q
Printing
Registration
Creating
Library
Storing
Copying
Managing
Library
Main
Screen
This is the easiest but most important instruction!
All you have to do is select Print form on the
menu. This will print a registration form which you can then mail to us with your $29.95 (US$19.95) registration fee.
This form will be printed on the printer you have specified under Options
Copying for printing disk labels. By default this is LPT1. V
See Registration for more information on the benefits of registering your shareware.
Instructions
When you start the Disk Factory for the first time you will be presented with an open library
window on the current subdirectory. This assumes that you will use the current subdirectory to begin storing your disk images. )
If you have a lot of disks to store and would like to organise them in separate windows you will have to create a new subdirectory for each window. To do this select the DOS
shell command on the Library menu and refer to your DOS reference manual for more information on creating subdirectories. U
To open a window on a subdirectory use the Open
window command on the Library menu.
Instructions
To store a disk image use the Store
image command on the Library menu.
Before storing a disk image you must have a library
window open on the subdirectory in which you wish the image to be stored. If you have more than one window open you must also make this window the current window.
You must also use the Drives and Copying commands on the options menu to configure the Disk Factory before you begin storing disks.
Instructions
Once an image is stored you can make copies from it at any time.
First select the window containing the image and make this the current window. Then use the arrow keys or scroll bars to move the highlight onto the image you wish to copy from. C
To begin copying use the Make
copies command on the Library menu.
You can also make copies of a disk without storing an image by using the Direct
copies command on the Library menu. However, because this reads the source disk in one pass you must have enough conventional and/or expanded memory available to receive the complete disk.
Instructions
The following commands are provided on the Library menu to assist you in managing your disk images:
Find
image to find a specified image within a window
Repeat
find to repeat the last Find image command
Edit
details to edit the reference number or description
Delete
image to delete a disk image
Instructions
The Disk Factory software is supplied as is. All warranties expressed or implied are disclaimed by Responsive Software. Responsive Software assumes no liability for damages, direct or consequential, resulting from the use of this software.
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