The AxMan FAQ
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This is a compilation of the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) since AxMan's inception.  It is meant as a quick reference for you, the reader.  If you have a question about AxMan, then this should be the first place that you check.  Chances are that many other people have had the same question and, therefore, the answer is located in this FAQ.  This FAQ is the quickest way for you to get answers to some of the most commonly asked questions.

If you do not find your question here, then please read about how to contact us.

NOTE: The AxMan FAQ is an evolving document with more questions being added as they are sent to us. The latest version of this FAQ can be obtained from http://www.mosaicware.com/axmanfaq.htm

In an attempt to aid you in locating your question faster, the AxMan FAQ has been divided into categories.  They are as follows:

Splitting a file

Can AxMan split files of type ".exe", ".zip", etc.?

Yes. AxMan can split files of any type.

Can AxMan compress the file before splitting it?

Yes.  This is a new feature available in AxMan 3.00.

Can AxMan split a folder / split multiple files?

Yes.  This is also a new feature in AxMan 3.00.  However, you cannot currently select a folder to split.  Instead, you must select all of the files in the folder.  Also, AxMan will not currently recurse folders.  Look for this feature in a new version coming soon.

Can I split a file so that it can be restored on an PC without AxMan installed?

Yes.  Distributed with each version of AxMan is a restore-only, freely distributable version of AxMan called AxManRestore.  This progam is free and can be automatically included with any split set using the advanced split option, "Include AxManRestore".  This program will run on any PC with Win95/98/NT.   Therefore, if you are splitting a file that you are giving to a friend who does not have AxMan, then you need only give the friend the split pieces and a copy of AxManRestore.

Can AxMan split a file to a CD-ROM / Zip disk / Jaz disk, etc.?

Yes/No. AxMan can split a a file to most  mapped drives (i.e. those that have a drive letter associated with them).  However, AxMan currently does not support direct splits to a CD-RW.  Instead, you will first need to split your file to your hard drive and then copy them to your CD-RW.   Look for this feature to be added in a new version of AxMan coming soon.

What are AxMan's size limitations?

With the release of AxMan 3.00 Beta 4, AxMan has added support for spliting files with size greater than 4.2 Gigabytes (Yes, we do have users who need this feature). AxMan's new split size limit is now 4.2 billion * 4.2 billion - whatever that number is - we sincerely doubt that you will reach this limitation.  However, please note the following caveats: AxMan cannot Zip/Unzip a file greater than 4.2 Gb (only splitting is supported), the split size must still be 4.2 Gb or less, AxMan cannot re-create a single split piece that starts more than 4.2 Gb into the file, and AxMan cannot split the file into more than 4.2 billion pieces. Support for all but the last one will be added in future releases.

What does it mean to "Split to non-axman format" and why would I want to split to that format?

AxMan is able to split to 2 different formats: the standard AxMan format, and non-axman format or raw mode.  Splitting to AxMan format is the default option as is the best choice for most situations.  When splitting to AxMan format, AxMan writes additional information (checksum, filenames, etc.) to each split piece.  This information is then used during the restore process to guarantee file integrity.  If you split to non-axman format, then AxMan will not be able to determine if a problem occurs with the restore.

So why would you want to split to non-axman format?  Splitting to non-axman format causes AxMan to split the pieces in "raw mode" which means that each of the split pieces will contain no additional information and thus the original file can be recovered by simply concatenating the pieces together.  This means that original file can be recovered on a computer running DOS, Windows 3.1, or OS/2 by using the "copy" command to concatenate the pieces (i.e. AxMan is not needed). UNIX users can recover the file with the "cat" command.

Therefore, when determining which format to split your file to, use this checklist:

Use AxMan format when ...
  • You will only need to restore the file on computers running Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows NT 4.0
  • You want AxMan to be able to verify the integrity of the split set
Use Non-AxMan format when ...
  • You need to restore the file on a computer running any O/S other than Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows NT 4.0
  • You are not concerned about AxMan verifying the integrity of the split set
And keep in mind that ...
  • When a file is split to AxMan format, only AxMan or AxManRestore will be able to restore it
  • When a file is split to non-axman format, you will not be able to use the "Analyze" or "Verify" options.

Restoring a file

Can I restore a file I split onto a computer that is running DOS / Windows 3.1 / UNIX / OS/2, etc.?

Yes. However, you must have split the file with advanced split option, "Split to non-axman format" selected. (NOTE: For more information, please see the question, "What does it mean to "Split to non-axman format" and why would I want to split to that format?" located in the Splitting a file section).  If you are trying to restore the file on DOS or Windows 3.1, then you should also select the "Create batch file for restoring" and "Generate 8.3 compliant file names" advanced split options. The former will create a batch file that can be used to restore the original file, and the latter will ensure that the file will be split into pieces that are name 8.3 compliant.  When trying to restore on OS/2 then you need only select the "Create batch file for restoring" advanced split option.  When trying to restore on UNIX, you will simply need to use that "cat" command and concatenate all the pieces together in piece number order.

When restoring a file, AxMan reports a checksum error.  What can I do? What causes this?

By default, AxMan will include a checksum into each split piece that it creates in order to guarantee file integrity.  AxMan uses the checksum as a verification that the file it restores is 100% the same as the original that was split.  The integrity of each split piece can be verified at any time by using the verify functionality offered on the "Verify" tab. When restoring a file, AxMan will verify each split as it is restored (assuming that the "Verify checksum value if it exists" advanced restore option is selected).  If an error is detected, you will be notified.   These errors tend to be caused by bad floppy disks.  If a floppy disk becomes corrupted, there is nothing that AxMan can do to fix the problem.  You can try looking into a disk repair utility to see if it can fix the problem.

While restoring a file, AxMan will restore the file so far, then seems to get stuck and doesn't progress any more.  The floppy disk drive light is on and the disk is spinning, but the progress bar no longer increases.  What is happening?

This is actually the result of 2 separate problems.  First, and foremost, there is a problem with the floppy disk that AxMan is trying to read.  Ocassionally, if there is a bad sector on a floppy disk, AxMan will get stuck trying to read it, which is the second problem.  This problem has been fixed in  v2.21 - Official Release.  However, even with this fix, AxMan will not be able to restore the file, since the real problem stems from the floppy disk being corrupted.   This can be verified by performing a checksum verification (using the AxMan "Verify" tab) on the disk in question - assuming that the file was split with the checksum option turned on.

Why does AxMan require me to select the last disk when restoring?

This is no longer the case as of AxMan 3.00.  However, if you do not select the last file first, then AxMan will not be able to indicate the total progress.  (The total progress bar will not move). This is because the size of the original file, before it was split, is stored in the last split piece.  Therefore, if you select the first file as the file to restore, then AxMan has no way to calculate progress.

Analyzing a file

What does it mean to "Analyze a file"?

The analyze feature was added as an option for the user to find out basic information about a split piece and to see if AxMan recognizes the file.  This feature is only available for files split to AxMan format.  AxMan simply reads the header or trailer that it writes to each piece to display the information.  This option can be used to determine if AxMan thinks that the file is still valid.

I am able to successfully "Analyze" a file, but I get an invalid checksum error when restoring.  How is this possible?

When analyzing a file, AxMan does not verify that the file is not corrupted.  It simply reads header and trailer information from the split piece.  A successfull "Analyze" only indicates that the header and / or trailer on the file is not corrupted.

Verifying a file

What does it mean to verify a file?

By default, when splitting a file, AxMan will include a CRC-32 checksum with each split piece.  This checksum is mathematical computation based on every byte that is written to the split file.  AxMan can then use this checksum to verify that the split piece has not been corrupted.  AxMan simply reads in the bytes of the split piece and reporms the checksum calculation.  If the calculated value matches the value stored in the split piece, then the file is OK, otherwise, it has become corrupted.  AxMan's verify tab allows you to verify the integrity of any split piece at any time (not just during the restore process when it may be too late).

I get an error when attempting to verify a file that the checksum is not included.   Why am I getting this?

There are a few possibilites:

  • You did not split the file to AxMan format
  • You deselected the advanced split option to include checksum when splitting
  • The file was split with an old version of AxMan that did not feature checksum calculations

Registering AxMan

How do I register?

The latest information about registering can always be found at http://www.mosaicware.com/register.htm.   In addition, the AxMan help files contain a section about registering and the readme.txt file included with AxMan contains information about registering.  Lastly, you can always send requests for information to sales@mosaicware.com.

I'm having problems entering my registration information.  What am I doing wrong?

When entering you registration information please keep these things in mind:

  • Do not enter the quotation marks
  • The dashes in the registration code must be entered

I registered AxMan on-line X days ago and still have not received my registration information yet.  What is going on and what should I do?

There are several possible problems:

  1. When you entered your registration information at the on-line site, you mistyped your email address.  This email address is used to send you your registration information, and therefore, you registration information bounced.
  2. You did not confirm acceptance of the terms of purchasing the software after entering your registration information.  After entering your registration information, you will be prompted with a web page that asks if you accept the terms of purchasing.   You must agree to these terms.  Failure to do so, will cause the transaction to fail and you will not receive your registration information.  You will also not be billed.  Ultimately, you will need to resubmit your information and agree to these terms.  This problem tends to happen from users who simply leave the site to quickly and never realize that they will be prompted with this page.  Please do not leave the registration sites until you have received an order id.  Your order id is your ultimate verification that your order has been completed successfully and is your proof of purchase.
  3. We are having problems sending email to your email address.  For some reason, there have been a couple of customers that we have not been able to deliver email to.   Sometimes it is a problem with their ISP, a couple of times, we never determined the souce of the problem.  If this is the case, then please be assured that we will send your registration information via snail mail to the mailing address that you indicated when you registered.

If 24 hours have gone by since you registered on-line and you have not received your registration information yet, then you should send an email to support@mosaicware.com.  If you are experiencing a problem due to #1 above, then we are simply waiting for your email address and will send your registration information to you shortly.  If you are experiencing a problem to #2, then we will be able to determine the problem and will respond to your inquiry with information as to why your registration failed.  If you are experiencing a problem due to #3, then we will be unable to respond to your email.  We will however, send your registration information to you via snail mail as quickly as we can.

Miscellaneous

Where can I find the latest information or download the newest version?

You can always find out the latest information about AxMan, or download the newest version, by visiting the Mosaic Software Solutions website at http://www.mosaicware.com/.

Is there a 16-bit / Windows 3.1 / DOS version of AxMan?

No.  AxMan is only available for the Windows95, Windows98, and WindowsNT 4.0 platforms.  However, AxMan can split files so that they can be restored on any operating system.  For more information, please see the question, "Can I restore a file I split onto a computer that is running DOS / Windows 3.1 / UNIX / OS/2, etc.?", in the Restoring a file section.

AxMan says it is expired.  What can I do?

AxMan is distributed as shareware with no feature limitations, but does institute a 30 day trial period to encourage users to register.  Registering AxMan will remove the 30 day limitation.  AxMan starts the 30 day countdown on the date of first usage (not the date that it is installed) and, contrary to a few claims, it is not possible to install AxMan and have it come up as expired already.  However, we are not in the business to annoy people. If you do not feel that you have had ample opportunity to evaluate AxMan, then you can obtain another 30 days by simply deinstalling AxMan and then reinstalling it (NOTE: This only works if you deinstall AxMan using the Add/Remove programs option in the Control Panel).

The icons on my desktop changed after installing AxMan.  What is going on?

This is a problem with Windows 95 and Windows NT (We are not sure if this has been fixed in Windows98). It is NOT a problem with AxMan. Our recommendation is to download the freely available TweakUI tool from Microsoft which can be found at www.microsoft.com or any of the popular shareware sites.  This tool has a repair desktop icons feature.  Run it!

Can we add AxMan to our CD-ROM?

AxMan is shareware and, thus, is freely distributable.  AxMan may be added to any CD-ROM, assuming the following conditions are met:

  • AxMan is not changed in any way from its original downloadable form on our web site at http://www.mosiacware.com/download.htm
  • The customer of the CD-ROM is not charged in any way for AxMan.  You may, however, charge for any distribution costs.
  • It is not implied in any way that the customer of the CD-ROM is receiving a registered version of AxMan.

We also strongly encourage you to encourage your customers to register the software if they decide to use it.

How do I get added to / removed from the mailing lists?

Registered users can be kept up to date about the latest versions of AxMan by subscribing to the AxMan Beta Release Notification List. All registered users are automatically signed up for the AxMan New Release Notification List. We are sorry, but at this time, these lists are only for registered users of AxMan. If you have not previously enrolled yourself for the AxMan Beta Release Notification List then you can do so by sending a quick email to mailinglist@mosaicware.com.

NOTE: If you are currently a member of either mailing list and would like to be removed, then simply send an email to mailinglist@mosaicware.com stating which mailing list you would like to be removed from along with the email address that you are subscribed under.

Can I be notified of new releases and receive new releases if I do not have an internet access?

No. Currently Mosaic Software Solutions is an internet-only operated company.

How do I report problems?

If you experience an uncaught exception, General Protection Fault (GPF), or something you believe is a bug, please send e-mail to support@mosaicware.com.   Please do not assume someone else will report it. We will try to resolve reported bugs as quickly as possible. However, we can't resolve bugs that are not reported.

Please describe the problem in as much detail as possible. In your e-mail message, please include the following information:
- the version of AxMan (as shown in the About dialog box)
- the error message you received (if any)
* - the error number reported in the title of the message box (should read as "AxMan - Error ###")
- a short description of what happened.
- the operating system and version of your system

* - Most important

Note that if a disk that contains a ".axman" file becomes corrupt, there is nothing we can do to help you recover/restore the file. Instead you
may want to check into some of the many popular disk utilities.