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COPYQM Quick Multiple Format/Copy/Verify for Diskettes Version 2.2, April, 1990 The non-commercial single-user registration fee for CopyQM is $15.00 US. The commercial and multisystem site fee for CopyQM (including CopyQM) is $50.00. Send a check or company P.O. for the appropriate amount to: If you are a registered user of this product and desire an up- date, please send $5.00 for handling and we will ship you an up- to-date copy. Please add $3.00 for printed documentation to cover duplication costs. Table of Contents CopyQM, Briefly..............................................1 Compatibility................................................1 Installing CopyQM............................................2 Starting CopyQM..............................................2 Examples of CopyQM Command Lines............................10 Operating CopyQM............................................11 Version 2.2 Changes.........................................12 The Sydex Product Line......................................13 CopyQM, Briefly CopyQM is a utility which reads a master diskette and produces verified copies of the master. CopyQM formats, copies and verifies all DOS formats and feature multiple drive "round robin" operation with automatic drive-ready sensing. CopyQM offers a plethora of features and options: * Diskettes containing more data than can be contained in main memory can have their contents "spooled" to ex- tended or expanded memory or to hard disk. * Images of diskettes can be stored as hard disk files. A certain amount of data compression is performed by CopyQM, so diskette image files can be quite compact. * Serial-numbering of copies can be specified, with serial numbers in ASCII or binary formats. * Verification may be performed on all or none of a dis- kette, or just the part of a diskette containing active data. * "Blind" copying can be performed for a certain number of non-DOS formats. * Copying on up to four drives "round robin" style is sup- ported. A total of up to eight drives on four adapters can be configured. * CopyQM functions at a hardware-interface level, so in- fection by virus during the copying process is ex- tremely remote. CopyQM may be run on an infected com- puter system and still produce faithful, uninfected copies of a master diskette. Compatibility CopyQM will run on most PC-XT, AT, 386 or IBM PS/2 compatibles. CopyQM will not operate on the IBM PC Jr., or the low-end models of the Tandy 1000 series, such as the 1000 HX. Actual CPU speed has little effect on the overall speed of operation of CopyQM. CopyQM will work with any version of DOS later than 2.0. In addi- tion, CopyQM will operate in the DOS "compatibility box" of OS/2. CopyQM should also work on the DOS "enhanced" products, such as DR-DOS. Installing CopyQM The operating part of CopyQM is contained entirely in the file COPYQM.COM. In most cases, copying this file to an appropriate subdirectory or disk drive is all that needs to be done. CopyQM can be run "as-is" without first being configured on most systems, but needs to be explicitly configured by the CQCONFIG program in the following cases: 1. More than one diskette adapter is present on the host computer. 2. More than two diskette drives are present on an AT- or 386-class computer. 3. A MicroSolutions ComaptiCard(tm) is being used as a dis- kette adapter. 4. High-density diskette drives are present on an XT-class computer. The CopyQM configuration program is started by entering the fol- lowing at a DOS prompt: CQCONFIG The CQCONFIG configuration program prompts for information con- cerning the diskette configuration on the host computer and modifies internal tables in the COPYQM.COM file. The configura- tion process reads COPYQM.COM into system memory, inserts the dis- kette configuration data, then writes the modified file to a user-selected destination drive and directory. The original COPYQM.COM file is unaffected by the process. Starting CopyQM CopyQM may be run with DOS command-line controls, or it can be set to prompt for some of the more common execution parameters. Entering the following DOS command: COPYQM HELP will result in a detailed list of command-line controls and ex- planations. Entering COPYQM PROMPT will cause CopyQM to prompt for some of the more common controls. The simplest form of a CopyQM command is: COPYQM A: which will perform a series of copy operations using diskette drive A: only. Entering COPYQM A: B: will cause both drives A: and B: to be used, "ping-ponging" be- tween them for alternate copies. Note that drives A: and B: must be capable of supporting a common diskette format, e.g., (5.25" 360K can be supported on both double- and high-density drives). In general, the form of a CopyQM command is: COPYQM drives: keywords or keyword=value "Drives" are, of course, the names of the diskette drives to be used in the copy process; up to four can be specified. The master diskette for the copy is always read from the drive with the lowest letter, or, the drive that occurs first in the con- figuration table if CQCONFIG has been used. Keywords are command words or letters that modify the operation of CopyQM. A keyword may stand alone; for example: COPYQM A: MONO specifies that a set of display colors suitable for monochrome displays is to be used. Some keywords require a value; for example, COPYQM B: VERIFY=ALL specifies that the entire diskette surface of a copy is to be verified. It's not necessary to enter a keyword in full; a certain amount of abbreviation is permitted. Generally, the minimum abbrevia- tion for a keyword is the smallest portion of the keyword that uniquely identifies it. That is, the abbreviation must not cause conflicts between two or more similarly-spelled keywords. Thus, M MONO are all recognized forms of the keyword MONO. However, some keywords require a longer abbreviation: SNS for SNSECTOR SNO for SNOFFSET SNL for SNLENGTH SI for SILENT SH for SHUTUP Following is a complete list of COPYQM keywords and their permis- sible values: Specifying Faster Copying--QUICK Keyword: QUICK If QUICK (minimum abbreviation: Q) is specified, tracks not containing data are not formatted. However, since there will be no format pattern present on the resulting diskette, a surface copy will fail if it is copied with DOS DISKCOPY. Similarly, any attempt to add data to the copy will fail with a diskette write error. However, a normal DOS file COPY from the duplicate will encounter no problems. "Quick" mode can save a lot of time copying diskettes which contain relatively little data, but does place some restrictions on the application of the resulting copy. If a pre-formatted diskette is used to contain the copy, the result will be a diskette with formatting on all tracks. Verifying the Copy--VERIFY Keyword: VERIFY=NONE VERIFY=DATA VERIFY=ALL VERIFY (minimum abbreviation: V) specifies what part of the copy is to be verified. If VERIFY=NONE (minimum abbrevia- tion: V=N) is specified, no part of the diskette will be verified. This is not recommended unless the accuracy of the copy is of secondary importance to the speed of the copy. If VERIFY=DATA (minimum abbreviation: V=D) is specified, only that part of the diskette containing file data is copied. This is the default condition when VERIFY has not been specified. If VERIFY=ALL (minimum abbrevia- tion: V=A) is specified, the entire diskette is verified after formatting and copying. CopyQM's verification is a simple read-after-write; if the data just written reads successfully, it is considered to be error-free. Data written is not compared byte-for-byte with the original. Specifying Overflow Storage--OVERFLOW Keyword: OVERFLOW=E OVERFLOW=X OVERFLOW=Hd: When a diskette containing more than approximately 450K of data is copied, there is usually not enough base memory (RAM) to contain all of its data. By default, CopyQM selects the first hard disk drive and creates an overflow file to hold excess data. This default may be overridden by using the OVERFLOW (minimum abbreviation: O) keyword to specify where the ex- cess data is to be held. OVERFLOW=E specifies that Expanded memory should be used to hold data that will not fit into the computer's main memory. Expanded memory is also referred to as EMS, EEMS, or LIM (Lotus/Intel/Microsoft) and should not be confused with the additional memory present on an 80286 (AT class) machine. It is helpful to remember that the "E" stands for EMS. OVERFLOW=X specifies that Extended memory should be used to hold data that will not fit into main memory. Extended memory is that 384K out of the 1 Megabyte space on a PC-AT that can't be used as normal DOS program memory. Caution: As there is no formal mechanism to manage this memory, note that if Extended memory has already been allocated for use as a RAM Disk or has been used for other purposes, CopyQM will overwrite whatever had been previously placed there. OVERFLOW=Hd: specifies that the hard disk should be used to hold data that will not fit into main memory. The disk to be used is specified by placing its drive letter immediately after the "H" in this term. For example, HC: specifies that data will be diverted to disk C: when memory is filled. The file used to hold CopyQM's data is created in the current directory and is deleted when CopyQM terminates execution. It is possible to specify more than one type of "overflow" memory. CopyQM makes use of any specified additional memory in the following order: 1. Extended (X) Memory. 2. Expanded (E) Memory. 3. Hard disk (H) Storage. Changing the Display--SILENT, NORULER and MONO Keywords: SILENT NORULER MONO SILENT (minimum abbreviation: S) omits the opening product "logo" display. SILENT is recognized only on registered copies of CopyQM. NORULER (minimum abbreviation: N) causes the "ruler" line indicating copy progress displayed at the bottom of the copy status display to be omitted. This option can be used where relatively slow display hardware (such as CGA) is used to improve the speed of the copy operation. MONO (minimum abbreviation: M) selects a set of colors suitable for monochrome displays connected to color display adapters, such as CGA, EGA or VGA. Disabling the 20-second Alert--SHUTUP Keyword: SHUTUP CopyQM uses several different audio tones to indicate the outcome of an operation. In addition, if CopyQM is at an "idle" state; that is, not reading or writing diskettes, an additional tone is sounded every 20 seconds to draw the operator's attention to the inactivity. SHUTUP (minimum ab- breviation: SH) disables the 20-second warning tone. Non-DOS Copying--BLIND Keyword: BLIND Normally, CopyQM examines the boot sector, file allocation table and root directory of a diskette to determine the ex- tent of the data present. However, this assumes the presence of a DOS-format diskette. An entire diskette can be copied without examination if the BLIND (minimum abbrevia- tion: BL) keyword is specified and the diskette format meets the following specifications: 1. Single- or Double-sided 2. 512 byte sectors 3. 40 or 80 cylinders 4. One of the following: 9 sectors/track (3.5" and 5.25" double-density) 15 sectors/track (5.25" high-density) 18 sectors/track (3.5" high-density) Diskette Images on Hard Disk--RECORD and PLAYBACK Keywords: RECORD=filename PLAYBACK=file-specifier It may be desirable to maintain diskette images as hard disk files. RECORD (minimum abbreviation: R) specifies that a master diskette is to be read and its contents stored in the disk file denoted by filename. After the file has been writ- ten, CopyQM exits to DOS; no other actions are performed. PLAYBACK (minimum abbreviation: P) specifies that the dis- kette image file or files, file-specifier is to be used as a master for subsequent duplication. Instead of reading a master diskette, CopyQM reads the indicated file or files; the copy operation then proceeds as if a diskette master had just been read. More than one file can be specified by use of the "wildcard" characters "*" and "?" in the file specifier. If more than one file matches the specification, each file is used in turn to make the specified number of copies. Image files from versions of CopyQM before version 2.2 are not compatible with later versions and will not be accepted by CopyQM. Specifying the Copy Count--COUNT Keyword: COUNT=number When CopyQM is started from a batch file, it is possible to bypass its internal prompt for a copy count. When the num- ber of copies is specified by COUNT=number (minimum abbrevia- tion: C=number), the copy count prompt is not issued; CopyQM will produce exactly number copies and then exit to DOS. Number is a decimal value in the range of 1-9,999. Placing Serial Numbers on Copies Keywords: SNSECTOR=sector SNOFFSET=offset SNLENGTH=length S/N=string BINARY CopyQM can be directed to insert a serial number into a sec- tor on a duplicate if the sector is part of the system area (Boot sector, FAT, or root directory), or if the sector is allocated to a file. In addition, any sector may be modified with a serial number in a BLIND copying operation. In no case is the master diskette or image file affected. To set CopyQM to insert serial numbers, it is first neces- sary to determine the relative sector number (from the begin- ning of the disk) to be modified with the serial number. It is perhaps easiest to locate the sector by using a disk utility, such as Norton's NU. Once the sector and the off- set within the sector has been determined, the location can be specified as follows: SNSECTOR=sector (minimum abbreviation: SNS) specifies the relative sector on the diskette containing the serial num- ber. This number can range from 0 to the number of sectors on the diskette, minus 1. This number is exactly the same as the relative sector specified in a DOS DEBUG absolute sec- tor read or write operation. Note that this number is decimal (DOS DEBUG uses hexadecimal numbers). SNOFFSET=offset (minimum abbreviation: SNO) specifies the offset within the sector containing the serial number. This number ranges from 0 to 511 and is also decimal. SNLENGTH=length (minimum abbreviation: SNL) specifies the length of the serial number field. This is a decimal number and it, plus the offset, may not exceed 512 (the length of a DOS sector). S/N =string indicates the actual text of the serial number to be inserted. If longer than the specified length, it is truncated on the right. If shorter, it is padded with spaces on the right. String may contain any printing charac- ters; if necessary the entire term may be enclosed in double quotation marks ("). If the serial number is specified as PROMPT, a prompt for a serial number entry from the keyboard is issued by CopyQM. In some production situations, it is desirable to keep a record of all the serial numbers that have been issued. If S/N=FILE is specified, CopyQM will look for a file named SERIAL.NOS in the current (default) directory. If a file with is name is found, the last line in the file is used as the beginning serial number less one for the current ses- sion. At the conclusion of the CopyQM session, the file will have the serial numbers of all copies produced appended to its end. After each copy is made by CopyQM, the serial number is incremented. Normally, this operation affects only the numeric characters in the number, and proceeds from right to left. Consider the following examples of incrementing: "1234" becomes "1235" "1239" becomes "1240" "123ABC9" becomes "124ABC0" "UGLY" remains "UGLY" If BINARY (minimum abbreviation: BI) is specified, the en- tire starting serial number is specified as a hexadecimal quantity and the serial number field is treated as a multi- byte binary number. Consider the following examples of bi- nary incrementing: Hex 0000000 becomes 0000001 Hex FFFF becomes 0000 Hex 1234FF becomes 123500 Note that the incrementing of a binary number takes place in the highest-addressed positions first, propagating carries to lower-addressed positions. In the normal case, the ASCII serial number is right- justified and filled on the left with spaces. Binary serial numbers are also right-justified, but the leftmost positions are filled with binary 0. Examples of CopyQM Command Lines Here are some examples of CopyQM control statements: COPYQM A: B: Format and copy using drives A: and B:; verify only the tracks containing data. No overflow storage is used. COPYQM A: V=A COPYQM A: VERIFY=ALL Format and copy using drive A:; verify all tracks of the copy. No overflow storage is specified. COPYQM B: H: Q S/N=12345 SNS=30 SNO=140 SNL=5 COPYQM B: H: S/N=12345 SNSECTOR=30 SNOFFSET=140 SNLENGTH=5 Format and copy using drives B: and H:; do not format non- data tracks, start with a serial number of "12345". Sector 30 contains the serial number at an offset of 140 bytes from the start of the sector. The serial number is 5 bytes long and will be incremented as an ASCII quantity. COPYQM A: RECORD=C:MYFILE COPYQM A: R=C:MYFILE Make a hard disk file of ("record") the image of a master diskette in drive A:. The name of the file is "C:MYFILE". COPYQM A: PLAYBACK=C:MYFILE OVERFLOW=HJ: COPYQM A: P=C:MYFILE O=HJ: Copy using the master diskette image file ("playback") "C:MYFILE". Use drive A: to make the copies, use drive J: to hold overflow information. COPYQM HELP Display a summary of the CopyQM command syntax. COPYQM PROMPT CopyQM prompts for parameters for a simple copy. COPYQM B: COUNT=15 Make 15 copies using drive B:. Operating CopyQM CopyQM uses a "no keyboard" style of copying. That is, CopyQM determines when a drive has had a diskette inserted or removed and proceeds with the copy operation when a diskette change is detected. The only time that keyboard entry is required is to answer the prompt for the copy count. CopyQM is sensitive to "changes" in diskette drive status. When CopyQM is started, the master diskette is inserted into the drive indicated by the operating display. To avoid confusion with dis- kettes from a previous copy set, the next master diskette must be inserted after the number of copies has been specified. Simply "popping" the diskette out and then in again will usually be suf- ficient. CopyQM must be presented with a "perfect" master diskette. That is, the master must contain no flawed or unreadable sectors. Similarly, CopyQM produces "perfect" copies; that is, the copy will contain no bad sectors within the copied data. In the inter- est of speed, unused areas of the diskette are "not" verified, except when requested. Operation of CopyQM is simple and can usually be managed by non- technical personnel. CopyQM first prompts for the number of copies to be made. If the ESCape key is pressed, CopyQM will exit to DOS. Otherwise the number of copies to be made (from 1 to 9,999) is entered, fol- lowed by the ENTER key, and the CopyQM status display appears. In this display, CopyQM indicates graphically which drive is ac- tive and the outcome of each copy operation. Error messages are displayed in blinking text (bright red, if you have color) and a count is kept of the number of successful copies made. If a image file is the source of the master data, the name of the image file is displayed. If a diskette is used as the master, the DOS volume name of the diskette, if it occurs in the first 16 file names of the root directory, is also displayed. When either the requested number of copies has been made, or the ESCape key is pressed, CopyQM exits to the display requesting the number of copies to be made. Another number may be entered and another diskette may be copied. This process repeats until the ESCape key is depressed in answer to the copy quantity query. Version 2.2 Changes CopyQM version 2.2 implements the 20-second warning tone, monochrome color set, volume name display, true binary serial num- bers and a new (checksummed with expanded header) diskette image file format with simple data compression. The Sydex Product Line AnaDisk -- The compleat diskette utility. Nothing like it anywhere else; scan, edit, repair and copy just about any kind of diskette. $25.00 ($150.00 site) registration fee. Con>Format -- Concurrent "background" diskette formatter. Features "pop-up" operation and "hot key" activation. You've got to see it to believe. Supports all current DOS formats. $15.00 ($50.00 site) registration fee. 22DISK -- Transfer files, format, examine and erase files on "foreign" CP/M diskettes on your PC. Includes tips on sup- porting 8" and 5.25" single-density diskettes. Contains definitions for over 200 different formats. $25.00 ($100.00 site) registration fee. 22NICE -- A CP/M 2.2 emulation package. Supports the NEC V-series chips or performs emulation by software for both the 8080 and Z80 processors. Includes terminal emulation and diskette handling for common CP/M systems. Includes 22DISK. $40.00 ($150.00 site) registration fee. TeleDisk -- Turn any diskette into a compressed data file and vice-versa. Allows you to send and receive entire dis- kettes via modem. Even works with some "copy-protected" dis- kettes. $20.00 ($65.00 site) registration fee. COPYQM -- Mass diskette duplicator. Format, copy and verify multiple diskettes from a single master. Implements "no keyboard" interaction mode and drive "round robin" servic- ing. Supports all standard DOS formats. $15.00 ($50.00 site) registration fee. FORMATQM -- Mass diskette formatter - format a box of dis- kettes at a single sitting. Implements "no keyboard" inter- action mode and drive "round robin" servicing. Supports all standard DOS formats. $10.00 ($40.00 site) registration fee. ...And, soon to be released: InterDisk - The universal Diskette Interchange utility. Fea- tures user-programmable media conversion for those formats not covered by 22DISK. Available 4Q90. Information on any of these products can be obtained from Sydex by calling (408) 739-4866 (voice) or by leaving a request on our Bulletin Board System (408) 738-2860 (1200-9600 bps, N81).