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1991-09-29
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364 lines
EQUAL PARTNERS
The
Virtual Disk System
by
Downlink Systems
COPYRIGHT (c) 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
D. Conner 5226 Via Hacienda #115 Orlando Fl, 32809 U.S.A.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REVISION HISTORY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Version 5.20 - Automatic DOS version checking
Aug 18, 1991
- Equal and Partners now require that BOTH the
Remote and Server be running the SAME DOS release
levels, else a 'media' error will be generated.
If DOS versions on the server/remote are not the same,
you can 'force' the remote to read/write from the
server. This requires that the '/V' parameter be
specified on the Equal and Partners command lines
(run Equal or Partners with '/?' parameter for notes).
This is to be used only when you understand the
consequences (see the documentation).
- Communications link reset
Equal.com now has an additional command line parameter.
The '/R' parameter will reset the SERIAL ports
communications link to the state it was when Equal.com
initially loaded. Seems there are some programs being
run on the same com port Equal.com is using and after
running the other comm programs, Equal.com could no
longer use the com port and would require a re-boot.
The '/R' option should correct the need to re-boot.
- Auto shutdown.
The server returns a successful/unsuccessful status
to the remote, if the remote requests the server to
shutdown. Previously only returned successful status and
let remote 'timeout' if request could not be serviced.
- Auto clone.
Equal Partners will clone (copy) itself to a remote
computer. This requires the DOS 'mode' command on the
remote. This feature available only via the serial port.
(this add-on feature will ship at later date.)
Version 5.00 - Support for Bi-directional parallel port transfer
APR 15,1990
- Equal Partners v5.0 now supports both the use of the serial
or the parallel ports to allow you to 'bridge' your PCs. Both
options are available in ONE (1) package at the STILL low
price of $40.00 U.S. (as opposed to $139.00 EACH from some
similiar commercial packages).
The parallel option is only available to registered users.
A 'special' parallel adapter is shipped with the registered
version. The transfer rate between two 16 mhz PCs is approx.
1 megabyte per minute. Both LPT1 and LPT2 are supported.
- The DOS versions MUST the same on both the Partners and
the Equal machines. This applies ONLY if writing to PC
running PARTNERS. However you can disable DOS version
checking (at your own risk!) with command line option.
- No longer downward compatible with previous releases.
- Support for Compaq DOS 3.31+, for drives greater 32 meg.
- New/revised command line options.
- Mandatory command line options.
- Single unit (qty 1) pricing only.
- Shareware version 5.o0 is initially being distributed on
---------
1). THE PUBLIC (software) LIBRARY
P. O. Box 35705
Houston TX 77235-5705
Ph :713-721-5205 - 713-721-6104
Ask for 'Utilities, Other -disk 2-UT-858'
Version 4.10 - Support for PC/MS DOS updated.
JUNE 1, 1989
- All 'server' drives are treated as 'removable' drives.
This forces DOS to reread media info each time. This is
done to allow Equal Partners to be swapped out on the
'server' or to be de-activated and re-activated without
confusing the DOS running on the 'remote'. Version 4.0
(only) did not treat all 'server' drives as removable.
Version 4.00 - Support for PC/MS DOS 4.0x added.
FEB 1 1989
- Supports DOS 4.0x with drives formatted greater than
32 meg.
- Force DOS , on server, to flush buffers after updating
(writing) to a disk drive.
- Corrected bug with 'normal' mode write to server.
- Added option to display drive usage read/write (sector)
statistics, on the server (Partners) machine.
- support IBM PS/2 at 115kb, with IBM Multiprotocol Adapter
(as Com2). IBM PS/2, with built-in Com1 only supports
maximum of 38kb-56kb (baud rate) data transfer speed.
- supports DOS PRINT.COM. Allows remote printer LPT1 to be
redirected to server printer and still allow disk read/
writes to server while also printing to server. This works
in all Equal Partners operating modes now.
Version 3.10 - Squashed a Major bug and updated documentation.
July 15, 1988
- Corrected bug with disabling com ports from DOS and BASIC.
Bug may cause unpredictable system problems depending on
where Equal Partners loaded into memory.
- Update documentation with INDEX and options explanations.
- Sorry for an update so soon, but the MS MASM 5.1 assembler
let us use an invalid addressing construct without flagging
it as such. We will call Microsoft and see what they say,
as the 8088 Intel manual was right and we were wrong , but
we would have liked the MASM to flag our misuse.
The instruction we attempted was : STOS WORD PTR ES:[SI]
The STOS segment cannot be overridden and USES the DI
register BUT MASM should have flagged our override attempt,
we would have thought.
Version 3.00 - Major internal program modifications for future growth,
July 1, 1988 as well as program enhancements.
- Version 3.0 is NO longer downward compatible with 1.x and 2.x
versions of Equal Partners.
- Modified to support not so compatible PC clones. Corrects
potential stalemate/lockup of/between the server and remote
under some bootup conditions.
- Supports "shutdown" of server (PARTNERS) from a remote. Same
as pressing ESC on server PC, while PARTNERS running.
- Allows a virtual 'write-protect tab' to be placed on all
disk drives on the server (PARTNERS) machine.
- Added a "turbo +" mode.
- Auto-detect of 8250 UART or compatible chip.
- Equal Partners less sensitive to ANY particular processor
speed (CPU/Mhz and wait states).
- Able to handle disks that have not been formatted to IBM
DOS specifications (boot sector does not contain correct
BPB information). This applies to virtual disks on the
server only.
- Virtual printer support. LPT1 on the remote may be re-
directed to print on server's LPT1.
- Most server options may be activated/de-activated
without leaving PARTNERS program.
- a HELP command line option.
Version 2.10 - Revised to allow 'less restricted' Shareware usage
January 15, 1988 (as requested by some non-registered users)
- Modified to support not so compatible PC clones. Some clones
(BIOSs) initialize async ports, at boot up, differently
(such as sending sustained break signal, or initialize
interrupt state different than expected).
- Both Com1 and Com2 supported in Shareware version 2.10
- Transfer rate is 19.2kb in Shareware version 2.10
- Other non-registered 'restricted usage' options still apply
Version 2.00 - Complete revision
December 1, 1987
- Comparable to Lap Link Plus ($139) and Brooklyn Bridge ($129)
- EQUAL PARTNERS costs $40 to register
- Supports IBM PS/2 workstations
- Enhanced data transfer rate
- 4+ to 8+ thousand characters per second
- Enhanced co-existence with other Ram-resident software
- Enhanced memory management
- NO LONGER compatible with Version 1.x releases
- Enhanced data validity checking
- Continued support for "well-behaved" mode with DOS
- Added support for "less well-behaved" mode (TURBO)
- Allows user to toggle between data transfer modes
- Allows user to display the remotes startup environment
Version 1.20 - corrected major bug, within Equal Partners
June 30,1987
- only 4 server drives could be successfully
accessed. Accessing the 5th thru 8th drive
would ,in most cases, lock up the remote.
- typo corrections and additions to manual
Version 1.11 - typo corrections and additions to manual
April 4,1987
Version 1.10 - corrected bug with DOS 3.2
FEB 28,1987
- some DOS commands thought drives were Network drives
and would not function (ex: CHKDSK)
- DOS 2.0 and 2.1 incompatibility
- added support for DOS 2.0 and 2.1
- modified code to function with DOS 2.0
and 2.1 as IOCTL DOS function call 44
causes DOS to function slightly different
than DOS 3.x.
Version 1.00 - initial release of EQUAL PARTNERS
FEB 7, 1987
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'PARTNERS' CORNER
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. WHAT'S UP 'PARTNER'.
We are a small startup group, with no capital backing. The shareware
media allows us to present to you a product that we feel has a market,
and present this product in such a form as to let you try before you
buy. Also this distribution media allows us to pass this product on
to you at a substantial cost saving over similar products.
However, at this time, we can't provide 800 phone service, fancy logos,
pre-printed glossies, binders, bulletin board, plus all the other
costly items.
We are looking to provide a bulletin board in the near future, an
an 800 number with Visa/MasterCard orders only is available now.
We are brainstorming for a logo for the product, so any ideas would
be appreciated. Your order form goes on file and is saved permanently
and as with most of us now days you will be in a computer database
(ours). We do not give your name and address to anyone for any purpose,
without your written permission.
Let us also stress that EQUAL PARTNERS is NOT a LAN, a zero-slot LAN
or any other kind of LAN. If your requirements are for record/file
lockout capabilities, peer-to-peer computer interaction in a star/
ring/tree topology THEN we recommend spending 500+ minimum to acquire
such hardware and software. We can't and don't expect to sell
EQUAL PARTNERS as such a solution, especially for $40.00.
II. WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON.
We are considering what other utilities could be added to
provide you with a better working environment with EQUAL PARTNERS.
We may include other public domain utilities, of interest , in
assisting you in working under the EQUAL PARTNERS environment.
Since Version 1.11, we have considered adding support for the
DOS maximum of 26 drives. In other words, allow the remote to
read/write up to 26 drives on the server. We have considered allowing
you to specify the first drive on the "server" that the "remote(s)"
are allowed to access. For example, you may just want the servers
"C:" drive and above to be the drives accessible by all remotes.
What do you think of any of the above ideas? Please lets us know.
III. LET US KNOW.
If you have any concerns, questions, suggestions, gripes, ideas,
or just want to write a few lines, please feel free to use the
"USER COMMENT FORM" for this purpose.
Also drop us a line if you feel you have found what you consider a
unique application for this product.
IV. WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE "SHAREWARE" EQUAL PARTNERS
The Shareware version of EQUAL PARTNERS is NOT a DEMO version.
PROGRAM EXECUTION RESTRICTIONS
If you are using a Shareware version of EQUAL PARTNERS, and have not
registered, then the following program execution restrictions
apply:
1). 38.4kb baud transfer rate is available.
2). The Shareware version 5.2 will be FULLY functional UNTIL
April 1992, in other words version 5.2 will perform ALL
functions correctly, then at start of 1992 will cease
functioning.
========================= END OF README.DOC ==================================