A utility program to examine the sectors of your disk
drives for the IBM PC and 100 % compatible computers.
Version 1.0
William K. Davies
8990 19th #294
Alta Loma, Ca. 91701
Compuserve: 74235,435
View Disk Documentation Version 1.0 -- DSOFT 1984 -Page 1-
GENERAL INFORMATION:
"View Disk" is a utility program that allows you to select individual
disk sectors and display them on your screen. I you are curious about what is in the hidden files of your disk or how to hide files of your own, you will probably find this program useful. "View Disk" is written in a combination of "C" and Assembly languages for speed and machine control.
In order to run "View Disk" it is necessary to have an IBM PC or 100
percent compatible computer. This program requires only 64k ram and one disk drive running DOS 2.0. A printer is optional for the screen dumps. This program makes extensive use of the BIOS routines do to the lack of control supplied by DOS. Unfortunately, this extensive use of the BIOS may limit the programs portability.
RUNNING THE PROGRAM:
Format: VIEWDISK [D:]
If an alternate drive is not specified the default drive is assumed.
After the program starts the disk format will be displayed, e.g. "Disk Format is Double Sided with 9 sectors/track". If you are using a double sided disk, you will then be asked for the drive head. The program will tell you what the valid choices are. If you are using a double sided disk the choices will be 0 for top and 1 for the bottom. You will not be asked if you are using a single sided disk. Then the program will prompt you for the disk track. Again the valid choices will be displayed. With the exception of the 10mb fixed disk the valid tracks are 0 to 39. The same is then done for the sector within the track that you have chosen. You will be notified in the advent of a invalid choice and given another chance. The disk drive motor will come on for a brief period and shortly the contents of the first half of the selected disk sector will be displayed. A prompt will ask you to hit any key to continue. If you hit the 'S' key, the screen will be dumped to the line printer. This is true for the "Next Sector" and "Next Track" prompts also.
After the second half of the disk sector is displayed, you will be
asked if you want to view the next sector. The only exception to this is if you have just viewed the last sector on that track. In this case you will be asked if you want to select another track.
PERMISSION TO COPY:
Anyone is free to copy and pass along this program along with its
documentation, as long as:
A. No price is charged for the software or documentation, unless it
is to recover the price of the diskette that the program is
supplied on. This charge should be less than $10.
B. The program and documentation are not modified and are supplied
together.
View Disk Documentation Version 1.0 -- DSOFT 1984 -Page 2-
DISCLAIMER:
In no event will the Author be liable to you for any damages, including any lost profits, lost savings or other incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use of this program, even if the Author has been advised of the possibility of such damages, or for any claim by any other party.
USER-SUPPORTED:
This program is supplied to you in hopes that you will find it useful.
If you do find the program of value a to the further development of this and other such program will be appreciated ($15 is suggested). If you have any suggestions for the improvement of the program or suggestions for new program of this type they would also be appreciated. Anyone, may request a copy of the program by sending a blank formatted disk, with a addressed postage-paid return mailer. A copy of the latest version of the program, along with the documentation will be sent by return mail. The source code is also available. It is written in "C" and Assembly language, so a "C" compiler with the ability to imbed Assembly code will be necessary to
compile it. To get the source code, follow the directions for obtaining the program plus include a letter stating that you want the source code along with your contribution of $25. It will be sent by return mail. Contributions for the program itself are completely voluntary, but you are encouraged to copy and distribute the program to your friends. I hope that you will find the program useful.