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Sydex
COPYQM
Quick Multiple Format/Copy/Verify for Diskettes
Sydex
P.O. Box 5700
Eugene, OR 97405
Voice: (503) 683-6033
FAX: (503) 683-1622
Data: (503) 683-1385
Table of Contents
CopyQM, Briefly..............................................1
Compatibility................................................1
Installing CopyQM............................................2
Starting CopyQM..............................................2
Examples of CopyQM Command Lines............................10
The COPYQM Environment Variable.............................11
Operating CopyQM............................................11
Version 2.2 Changes.........................................12
The Sydex Product Line......................................13
CopyQM
A High-Speed Diskette Duplicator
Copyright 1988-90, Sydex
All Rights Reserved
Version 2.2, July, 1990
Sydex
P.O. Box 5700
Eugene, OR 97405
Voice: (503) 683-6033
FAX: (503) 683-1622
Data: (503) 683-1385
NOTICE
THIS IS NOT FREE SOFTWARE! If you paid a "public domain" vendor
for this program, you paid for the service of copying the
program, and not for the program itself. Rest assured that noth-
ing ever gets to the originators of this product from such a
sale. You may evaluate this product, but if you make use of it,
you must register your copy.
We offer several inducements to you for registering. First of
all, you receive the most up-to-date copy of the program that we
have -- and we do update the product on a regular basis. You
also receive support for CopyQM -- which can be quite valuable at
times. And finally, we have a few utilities not included in the
evaluation package. Make no mistake, however - this is a fully
functional version of CopyQM and not "crippled" in any way.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
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:
Sydex
P.O. Box 5700
Eugene, OR 97405
Please indicate what product you are ordering and if you have a
requirement for 3.5" media. We normally ship 5.25" 360K dis-
kettes, but will furnish 3.5" 720K media upon request. Customers
outside of the United States and Canada should add $5.00 for air-
mail shipping. We can accept MasterCard and VISA charges.
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.
DISTRIBUTION NOTICE
This is "user-supported" software. You are hereby granted a
license by Sydex to distribute this evaluation copy of CopyQM and
its documentation, subject to the following conditions:
1. CopyQM may be distributed freely without charge in
evaluation form only.
2. CopyQM may not be sold, licensed, or a fee charged for
its use. If a fee is charged in connection with
CopyQM, it must cover the cost of copying or dissemina-
tion only. Such charges must be clearly identified as
such by the originating party. Under no circumstances
may the purchaser be given the impression that he is
buying CopyQM itself.
3. CopyQM must be presented as a complete unit, including
this documentation. Neither CopyQM nor its documenta-
tion may be amended or altered in any way.
4. By granting you the right to distribute the evaluation
form of CopyQM, you do not become the owner of CopyQM
in any form.
Any other use, distribution or representation of CopyQM
is expressly forbidden without the written consent of
Sydex.
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.
Page 1
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.
Page 2
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
MO
MON
MONO
Page 3
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 and NOFORMAT
Keywords:
QUICK
NOFORMAT
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.
If NOFORMAT (minimum abbreviation: NOF) is specified, the
target diskettes will be assumed to be formatted; CopyQM
will not attempt to format them. This may result in a
slight increase in copying speed.
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
Page 4
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.
Controlling Error Recovery--RETRIES
When an error is encountered while writing a diskette,
CopyQM normally re-attempts the failed operation three times
before declaring the destination diskette to be unusable.
The number of times an operation is retried may be varied
with the RETRIES=number (minimum abbreviation: RET)
parameter. The minimum value for "number" is 0, specifying
that no operation is to be reattempted. The maximum value
is 255.
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. CopyQM will
successfully share extended memory with DOS VDISK and
Microsoft Windows.
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
Page 5
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.
Unless otherwise, specified, CopyQM defaults to the first
hard disk present for overflow storage.
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.
Page 6
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
written, CopyQM exits to DOS; no other actions are per-
formed.
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.
Page 7
Specifying the Copy Count--COUNT and REPEAT
Keyword:
COUNT=number
REPEAT
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 ab-
breviation: C="number"), the copy count prompt is not
issued; CopyQM will produce exactly "number" copies and then
exit to DOS unless the REPEAT keyword (minimum abbreviation:
REP) has been specified. "Number" is a decimal value in the
range of 1-9,999. The combination of COUNT and REPEAT can
be used to produce a certain number of copies of each dis-
kette within a set.
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.
Page 8
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
characters; 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
session. 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.
Page 9
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 A: COUNT=3 REPEAT
Make two copies of each master inserted. Repeat until the
ESCape key is pressed.
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:.
Page 10
The COPYQM Environment Variable
___________________________________________________
Default parameters may be specified by setting the DOS environ-
ment variable COPYQM to any legal CopyQM option. The COPYQM en-
vironment variable is interpreted "after" the COPYQM command
line. For example, the DOS statement:
SET COPYQM=SILENT NORULER SHUTUP
will cause the options SILENT, NORULER and SHUTUP to be assumed
on all CopyQM statements.
If it is necessary to override one of the values set by the
COPYQM environment variable, it is only necessary to specify the
value again on the CopyQM command line. That is, CopyQM "switch"
keywords are "toggles"--mentioned once, they set the option, men-
tioned twice, the option is cleared. Thus, executing CopyQM with
the following statement:
COPYQM A: NORULER
would cause the NORULER option to be canceled if it were set by
the COPYQM DOS environment variable.
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.
Page 11
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.
Version 2.22 implemented the RETRIES and REPEAT keywords, as well
as the COPYQM environment variable.
Page 12
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 ($150.00 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.
Information on any of these products can be obtained from Sydex
by calling or writing:
Sydex
P.O. Box 5700
Eugene, OR 97405
Voice: (503) 683-6033
FAX: (503) 683-1622
Data: (503) 683-1385
Page 13