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1993-10-19
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BOOTSAVE V2.0 is Copy(c)right 1989,1993 by Gary M. Raymond, New Orleans, La.
BACK up your BOOT Sector and RESTORE if necessary!
Another powerful utility from the DiskSave Series by
Gary M. Raymond
P.O.Box 8184
New Orleans, La. 70182
(504) 288-6550
Compuserve 70613,3165
====================================================================
Files Provided:
BOOTSAVE.COM Boot Sector Save utility
BOOTSAVE.DOC This document.
System requirements: PC/XT/AT, DOS 3.0 up, 128k ram up, floppy or
hard drive, mono or color, any type graphic adapter.
For technical information about this utility see end of doc.
====================================================================
Q What is BOOTSAVE?
A BOOTSAVE is a very powerful utility, written in assembler, whose
purpose is to preserve a copy of your hard drive's critical boot
sector. Do not be misled by the small size of the utility. It was
written in assembler for speed and accuracy. BOOTSAVE will copy the
boot sector from any disk media to a file called BOOTFILE.OF? on any
destination disk you specify. From there it can be restored back to
the original drive later, if the need arrises. The "?" in the
extension of BOOTFILE is dynamically created to reflect the letter of
the drive that the boot sector copy was made FROM. This will assist
later in identification.
Q Does BOOTSAVE work on all type drives?
A Yes, BOOTSAVE will work on most all size or types of dos drives from
floppies to hard media. These is no formatted capacity restrictions.
In other words, BOOTSAVE will read the boot sector on a 10 meg hard
drive or a 1200 meg drive, a 5.25 360k or a 1.44 meg disk. The reason
BOOTSAVE can do this is based on the (512 byte) absolute size of most
all modern dos drive boot sectors (sometimes called the master record
sector). The master record or boot sector is also always located at
logical offset zero. (the first area on the media that normal data
can occupy).
Q Suppose the data saved was not accurately written to my backup disk?
A You run this risk anytime you use any dos copy functions. However,
dos does provide for some minimal crc read/write error checking by
setting the dos copy verify flag on. This still does not guarantee
an intrinsic copy but does offer a little more protection. You can
turn Verify ON by including the "V" switch on the command line.
Example BOOTSAVE a: b: V or BOOTBACK b: a: V
Using the dos verify option slows things down a bit, but because
you are dealing in fractions of a minute, it should not matter.
Q Why use BOOTSAVE?
A The majority of times, when a drive fails to boot the host computer,
and the problem is not the hardware itself, it is usually due to a
corrupted boot sector. Remember, if the magnetic media has completely
failed, (a hardware problem) BOOTSAVE wont help. But, if the boot
code is corrupted or over written by a virus, BOOTSAVE will save you
from a mental breakdown or worse.
Q Is BOOTSAVE safe to use?
A Absolutely! BOOTSAVE does a passive read of logical sector zero on
the drive you are backing up. In this mode, it is impossible for
BOOTSAVE to change anything in your original boot sector area.
Q What does BOOTSAVE do next?
A BOOTSAVE copies 512 bytes (the entire boot sector - including dos
tables etc.) to a safe buffer area of memory. Then is does a file
write to the destination disk where the boot sector code is saved.
Q How is the data saved or stored on the backup disk?
A BOOTSAVE write the boot sector data to a standard dos file called
BOOTFILE.OF?. From there it can be restored to the original drive if
the need arrises with the BOOTBACK utility.
Q Can I use a regular floppy to save my hard drive boot sector data?
A Yes, in fact, this is suggested. First, take a blank floppy and
format it in the conventional manner with the operating system
installed. Next, copy BOOTSAVE.COM to the floppy disk. Then, assuming
the formatted floppy is in the a: drive, type the following:
BOOTSAVE C: A:
That's all there is too it! REMEMBER: Save this floppy disk in a safe
place and do NOT attempt to use it in the conventional manner. you
should never chance the data it contains being accidentally erased.
Q How can a floppy be used to store the boot record from my big hard
drive?
A This is because ALL disk media use 512 byte boot sectors, no matter
what other characteristics they may have that are different. This
creates a very tiny file compared to the capacity of any kind of
disk.
Q Ok, now I have a copy saved of my boot record. How do I use BOOTBACK
to restore It?
A Don't attempt to restore your boot sector unless you have no other
options. The reverse process WILL write to your logical boot sector
and it is only necessary to do so if one or more of the following
conditions exist:
1) Your computer no longer boots up from the hard drive and it
is determined that the problem is NOT a hardware problem.
2) You suspect that you may have a virus that has taken over the boot
sector.
3) You absolutely know you corrupted your boot sector by experimenting
with your system. (not too uncommon either)
BOOTBACK is NOT a toy. Although BOOTBACK is engineered to be as safe
as possible, BOOTBACK is a lifeboat, and nothing more. You only use
it when you have no options. Would you take a life boat fishing?
Q Alright, you sold me. But, if I need to recover my boot sector,
how is that done?
A It is as easy to recover with BOOTBACK as it was to copy or back up
your hard drive boot sector in the first place. Assuming you have re
booted your system with the uninfected original backup floppy
containing the BOOTFILE.OF? copy on it along with BOOTSAVE.COM and
BOOTBACK.COM, and that your hard drive is still operating, type the
following at the A: prompt:
BOOTSAVE a: c:
That's all there is too it. If the FAT's were not damaged and your
system files were unaffected, your PC should begin booting from
your hard drive again.
Q Gary, isn't it possible to use Norton Disk Doctor to do exactly the
same thing?
A Yes, but NDD cost over a hundred bucks; BOOTSAVE and BOOTBACK are
yours for only five dollars apiece!
Q What if I have FAT (file allocation table) problems too?
A If you already have problems with the FAT there is not much that can
be done other than a complete data backup if you are fortunate enough
to have one. Otherwise, for prevention purposes, start using FATSAVE
supplied in this same archive along with FATBACK if required.
NOTICE: Do not treat BOOTBACK like a game, that is, DO NOT PLAY with
it! This is a serious dos tool that will write to critical areas of
your bootable hard drive. Doing a BOOTSAVE backup only causes a
relatively harmless read operation to be performed on your hard drive
and a write operation only to an inexpensive floppy disk. However,
doing the REVERSE procedure (i.e. restoring the boot sector with
BOOTBACK) is critical. I will not be responsible for any damage done
to your drives if this utility is used improperly. The assumption is
that if you are attempting a restoration, you have already lost the
ability to boot from your default drive and can only gain from an
attempt at restoration. If the restoration fails, it is entirely
possible that additional procedures must be followed to completely
return your system to normal such as replacing corrupted dos system
files. Consult your pc manual or store bought data recovery manuals
for additional details.
====================================================================
V2.0 10/15/93 First public release
====================================================================
┌─────────┐
│ MEMBER │ Society of
│ ┌──────┴──┐ Independent
│ │ │ Shareware
└──┤ ■ │ Authors
│ ║ │
└────╨────┘
This program is produced by a member of the Society of Independent
Shareware Authors (SISA). The Society wants to ensure that all valid
shareware principle actually work for you and SISA members. The
principle behind shareware distribution is simple; try before you
buy. Society members agree to license all shareware for a minimum of
10 days, free of charge, to first time users as an evaluation
period. After 10 days, buyers are then obligated to license their
copy with the Society member. Society members are obligated to
provide high quality, useful shareware, but, are free to choose
whatever marketing methods suit their specific needs. SISA
sanctioned marketing methods include: demonstration versions;
providing printed documentation after purchase; registration keys
that unlock additional features not necessary to determine basic
usefulness; and, providing bug fixes free of charge. Any Shareware
author may become a member of SISA without cost by simply agreeing
to the above conditions and displaying, at their option, this logo
in their documentation.
====================================================================
WARRANTY:
Software:
Gary Raymond warrants that the software contained herein will
perform in substantial compliance with the documentation
accompanying the software. If you report, in writing, a significant
defect to us, and we are unable to correct it within 90 days of the
date you report the defect, you may return the software and
accompanying materials, and we will refund the purchase price.
Diskette's and Documentation:
Gary Raymond, warrants all diskette's and documentation to be free
of defects in materials for a period of 30 days from the date of
purchase. In the event of notification within the warranty period of
defects in any materials, Gary Raymond will replace the defective
diskette or documentation.
Remedies:
The remedy for breach of the warranty shall be limited to
replacement and shall not encompass any other damages, including but
not limited to loss of profit, special, incidental, consequential,
or similar damages, losses, or claims.
DISCLAIMER:
Gary Raymond specifically disclaims all other warranties, expressed
or implied, including but not limited to, implied warranties of
merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose with respect to
defects in the diskette and documentation, and the program license
granted herein, in particular, and without limiting operation of the
program license with respect to any particular application, use, or
purpose. In no event shall Gary Raymond be liable for any loss of
profit or any other commercial damage, including but not limited to
special, incidental, consequential or other damages.
GOVERNING LAW:
This statement shall be construed, interpreted, and governed by the
laws of the State of Louisiana.
====================================================================
Registering your copy will help continue the competitive advantages
of providing economical shareware. Upon receipt of your payment I
will provide you with a copy of the latest version and notify you of
all future upgrades. Your patronage is appreciated.
My no nonsense license:
------------------------
Your one time registration fee will license you to use BOOTSAVE on any
number of personal computers owned directly and personally by you.
Re distribution via electronic transmission, or down loading, is
allowed without further permission. Re distribution of the Shareware
version of BOOTSAVE, for a fee, is also allowed without further
permission as long as that cost is limited to no more than two
dollars per copy, if supplied on any physical disk media.
The assembler source code for BOOTSAVE.COM, BOOTBACK.COM, FATSAVE.COM
and FATBACK.COM is available for sale at $50 per copy. The source is
based on Eric Isaacson's A86 assembler compiler.
Yes Gary, I can really make use of your program and would like to
register and obtain the latest version as well as get on your mailing
list for future upgrades and new releases!
Product: BOOTSAVE V2.0 $10.00 (usa only)
Product: BOOTBACK V2.0 N/C with registration
SPECIAL OFFER: Register both BOOTSAVE and FATSAVE and get a Twenty
Five Percent discount [$20 -$5] = only $15.00 for
BOTH and still get BOOTBACK and FATBACK FREE!
Name_____________________________________________________________
Mailing Address__________________________________________________
City & State ___________________________________________________
ZIP _____________________________ Phone _________________________
Send registration check or money order to:
Gary M. Raymond
P.O.Box 8184
New Orleans, La. 70182
504-288-6550
Compuserve 70613,3165
====================================================================
TECH DATA:
These utilities use DOS Function 25 and 26 of Interrupt 21 in the
"extended" mode in conjunction with Function 1F of 21 to get exact
details of the drive via the dos DPB or Drive Parameter Block. This
data is in turn passed to the extended parameter status block created
for Function 26 and 26. To further insure data transfer integrity,
data is only moved one full sector at a time (512 bytes worth). In
addition, Function 2E of Int 21 is used to toggle the dos Verify
flag at the option, via command switch, of the user. These utilities
were beta tested on over fifty different make and model dos drives
with complete reliability. No testing was performed on networks or
operating systems other than dos 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.0, 5.0 and
6.0. PC DOS, MS DOS and DR DOS were all tested satisfactorily.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
-----------------
To my best friend and machine code instructor, the Padre, alias,
Machine Man, whose many patient hours of coaching and prodding over
the years helped me learn assembler so that I could create this and
many other useful dos utility.
EOF