Readme File – Partition Manager 5.5 

1. Overview version 5.5
1.1 Program overview
1.2 Document Overview – manuals and/or online help
1.3 The new programs in Partition Manager
1.4 New or Expanded functions in Partition Manager
1.4.1 Overview
1.4.2 In Partition Manager
1.5 Partition Explorer
1.5.1 Partition Explorer Windows
1.5.2 Partition Explorer - DOS Version

1. Overview version 5.5

1.1 Program overview

The Partition Manager version 5.5 now consists out of the following programs 
- Partition Manager (PM)		New and/or expanded functions
- BootManager (BM)
- Ext2FS Anywhere Promotional (EA)
- Partition Explorer (PE) 		New
- Partition Manager for Linux 	New 
-and the following help program
- Disk Build Wizard

1.2 Document Overview – manuals and/or online help 
For the Programs 
- Partition Manager (PM)
- BootManager (BM)
- Ext2FS Anywhere
- Disk Build Wizard
already exist either printed manuals and/or online help (windows or PDF style) 

The new functions and extended functions in the programs
- Partition Manager (PM)
are described in chapter 1.4 

For the new programs 
- Partition Explorer	
only online help is available (no printed manuals)

There exists no documentation for the beta version of „Partition Manager for Linux“. 

1.3 The new programs in Partition Manager 

1.	Partition Explorer, Windows and DOS Version. This program allows access to partitions that are invisible to the booted operating system. For details see online help Partition Explorer. 
 
2.	Partition Manager for Linux. The Hard Disk Manager is distributed with a beta version of Partition Manager for Linux. There is no documentation for this Linux version available.

1.4 New or Expanded functions in Partition Manager

1.4.1 Overview

a) General Functions 
-	View/Edit sectors 
o	whole hard disk
o	inside a partition 
-	Manual change of partition ID 
-	Integration of BootManager
o	Automatic changes in the Boot menu after changes by PM or DB 
o	Manual call of BootManager menu setup from inside PM/DB
-	Option for automatic resizing during restore operation.

b) Functions valid only for WIN NT 4.x/2000/XP – NTFS Partitions
-	Change of NTFS Cluster size 
-	NTFS MFT defragmentation 
- Converting of NTFS file systems to older NTFS versions.

c) Functions only for WIN 2000/XP – Dynamic Drives 
-	Reading of windows 2000/XP specific partitions 
-	Reconverting to basic drives

d) Functions for Linux partition – Support for new file systems
-	Ext3FS 
-	Reiser FS 

1.4.2 In Partition Manager
The pull down menu <hard disk> contains following menu items, which are either completely new or were expanded in their functionality.

1.4.2.1 New function – Converting to basic drives (only under WIN 2000/XP)
This menu option is only active when a dynamic drive was found and selected (set active). Dynamic Drives are only available under Windows 2000 and Windows XP. Under this Windows versions normal partitions are called “basic drives” and dynamic drives may consist of several such “basic drives” located either on one or on several hard disks. These dynamic drives have no standard partitioning, instead they use a Windows 2000/XP specific technology. Windows 2000/XP is able to convert normal partitions (basic drives) to dynamic drives but has no option to convert a dynamic drive back to its individual basic drives.

Partition Manager reads these dynamic drives and their whole intern structure including their (Windows 2000/XP) specific partitioning and the program has the option to convert a dynamic drive back to its basic drives. However, there are some limitations for converting dynamic drives back to their single basic drives. All basic drives must be located on one physical hard disk and they must be simple volumes (logical drives). A conversion of non simple volumes like volume sets, strip sets or mirrors is not possible. Furthermore a re-conversion is only possible if no partition parameters changes occurred after their integration into a dynamic drive. 

1.4.2.2 New Functions – Start BootManager Setup from inside PM (DB)
This is the option to start the setup and configuration program of an installed BootManager. It allows manual changes of the boot menu from inside PM (DB). This option is a comfortable (and important) feature to correct boot menu entries if boot partition were changed by Partition Manger (or DB). 

1.4.2.3 In Menu option Settings - Restart option – New option 
When this box is checked the program is able to restart after a power failure (or a Reset). This setting requires some additional writing which results in a decreased system performance. Without this box checked, the performance will be better but without the option to restart your work in the case of a failure.

1.4.2.4 New menu option <View/Edit sectors (entire hard disk)>
This menu item is completely new and works in all Windows versions. It allows the bypassing of the operating systems addressing mode through file and directory names. You are enabled to address any data in any sector and this includes data in otherwise unreachable system sectors like MBR and the boot sectors pf operating systems.
Note: The writing mode should only be used by experts. 

The options:
Reading= Reading a sector. The sector will be read again (a refresh of the displayed data).

Writing = Writing a sector. Any change that took place will written to the corresponding sector.
Note: You first have to set „allow writing“ in options
 
<<Previous = To jump to a previous sector. The number of sectors for this backward jump is set in options->number of sectors.

>>Next = To jump to a sector lying ahead. The number of sectors for this forward jump is set in options->number of sectors.

Saving = Saving sectors in a file.
This option writes sectors to a file. The program first asks for the number of sectors to be saved (starting with the current sector) and then for a file name. 

Restoring = To restore sectors from a file. 
This is the opposite action of saving. The program asks for the name of the file in which sectors are stored. It then writes all sectors back starting with the current sector.

Options
View in Hex Format; 
Changing the display of data to Hex format

Allow writing; 
If this parameter is set, sectors can be written, otherwise only reading is possible.
Note: The “allow writing” is only valid for the duration of the ongoing session.

Terminating <View Sector> only after Confirmation 
If checked, the “View Sector” program asks for a confirmation before terminating.

Number of sectors <<Previous >> Next
 The number of sectors to jump forward or backward. 

Font-Selection 
 Option to selects any font for data display. 

Sector addressing; Settings, Entering and log (history)

Go = Jump to a specific sector
You are offered a selection that consists of all logical drives and the MBR. On the partition level you can choose between following significant (or important) sectors
 
In FAT 16/32 systems this will be 
1sth. sector of the first FAT table
 1sth sector of the copy of the FAT table (2nd FAT table
 1sth sector for the root directory 
 1sth sector for the 2nd cluster
 1sth sector of any other cluster

In an NTFS system this will be
1sth sector of the MFT
 1sth sector of the MFT mirror
 1sth. sector of any cluster 

Using CHS addressing 
CHS (Cylinder - Head – Sector) 

Using absolute sector addressing 
a) Requires the entry of a sector number or a formula (for example. 0x1+n*0xBC) to let the program calculate the sector. 
b) Sector selection through the log file. This log file (history file) contains all sectors of a session stored by the push button <Adding sector”.

Adding sector (in a log file) 
This option allows you to write the address of the current sector to a log file. 

1.4.2.5 Changes in the menu option <Modify partition parameter> 

The changes evolve mainly around partitions with NTFS file systems respectively the new Linux Ext3FS and ReiserFS file systems. All in one the following functions were either changed or are completely new.

Converting file system – Expanded to NTFS systems
The converting can now also take place between FAT and NTFS systems. The existing conversion between FAT 16 and FAT 32 has been expanded to conversion between any FAT and NTFS systems.

Changing the cluster size- Expanded to NTFS systems
The changing of the cluster size is now also available for NTFS partitions. The cluster size for a NTFS system can be between 4 and 128 KB. 

New Option >Changing the root size> 
Allows the resizing of the root area in the correspondent operating system.

Resizing the boot area - Expanded to all operating systems 
Allows the resizing of the boot area.

New Option <Changing the Partition ID>
This option allows the manual change of the partition ID. The entry field contains the current ID in Hex format. Above this field the program displays a list containing all known ID’s of different file systems for the different PC operating systems.
Note: Use this function only with caution. If you select a wrong ID the partition may become inaccessible. If this partition is the boot partition the PC will be unable to boot.

New Option < Changing the NTFS version> - only for NTFS partitions
This allows the changing of a newer NTFS version onto an older version (some kind of downgrade):
Version NTFS 3.01 (Windows XP) to NTFS 3.00 or NTFS 1.02
Version NTFS 3.00 (Windows 2000) to NTFS 1.02
The reverse process, the converting to a newer version (upgrading) is not possible (this is done by the newer Widows version). 
If this option is selected the current NTFS version will be shown together with the list of all other NTFS versions for selection. In case you select a newer version to convert to, the process will not start. You can only convert from a newer version onto an older version, not the other way around.

New Option <Full $MFT Defragmenting> -only for NTFS partitions
If this function is selected you are asked in a 2nd step for confirmation to start the process. In case the MFT file already consists of one single block the process is not started.

1.4.2.6 New menu option <View/Edit sectors (only within a partition)>
This menu point is completely new and works in all Windows versions. It allows the bypassing of the operating system addressing mode through file and directory names. You are enabled to address any data in any sector which includes data in otherwise unreachable system sectors like MBR and boot sectors.
For more details see 1.4.2.4

1.5 Partition Explorer

1.5.1 Partition Explorer Windows
All partitions which were not recognized during the boot up of the operating system, and which are therefore invisible, will be made accessible by this program. The program consists of a DOS and a Windows version. 

Important note: The program has only limited access to visible partitions (all FAT-32 and FAT-16 partition) which are mounted as logical drives. They are only addressable as a target for exporting directories or files from non visible partition and as a source for importing directories and files into a non visible partition. All other functions like delete, create and rename do not work in these FAT partitions.

The Windows version 
This version allows a very comfortable access in Windows mode to all not recognized (no drive letter) and therefore invisible partitions.

Overview and explanations 
The main screen shows two windows the pull down menus and a command and status bar. 

Important notes: 
1.	Partition Explorer does not work with drive letters
2.	Partition Explorer shows all visible logical drives without drive letters 
3.	Partition Explorer does not mount any of the non visible partition as logical drives, thus non of this invisible partition will neither get a drive letter nor will such a partition be visible outside of Partition Explorer. If Partition Explorer is terminated all the invisible partitions become again inaccessible.

The left window shows all physical drives and their partitions. The display is in a hierarchic order per physical hard disc At first all primary partitions are shown, followed by the extended partition with their logical drives.
Furthermore following information is shown per partition:
- the type of the partition (primary, extended, logical drive) 
- the file system of the partition (if formatted) and the correspondent operating system. 
Important Note: No drive letters are shown for any partition. 

The right window shows all subunits of the selected unit in the left window. In case of a selected physical drive the right window shows the partition of that drive. If a partition is selected the right window shows all directories and files of that partition. 

The tool bar contains from left to right following command icons:
-	Open
-	One level higher
-	Cut
-	Copy
-	Paste
-	Delete
-	Large icons
-	Small icons
-	List
-	List with details
A detailed description of the individual commands follows in the pull down menus

Pull down menu Files 

The menu options of this pull down menu may also be accessed by pressing the right mouse button; this opens a context sensitive pop up menu. 

Menu option Open – does not work on the content of FAT Partitions
The selected unit (hard disk, partition, directory or file) will be opened which results in the display of further details of the selected item. 

Menu option New - only in Non FAT partition available
Only available if the selected unit is a NON FAT partition or a directory in a Non FAT Partition. In this case you may create a new directory or a new file. In all other cases the command is inactive.

Menu Option Import - only into Non FAT partition available
This option is only active if the selected unit is a directory inside a non FAT partition.
Into this selected directory (the target directory) you may import any directory or file from any other partition (the source partition). Therefore the program offers you in the next step a search window to find and select a directory or a file in any other partition. The default filters are either “directories only” or “all files”. After selecting the directory or file to be imported and a confirmation the importing process from the selected source starts. 

Menu option Export – only from Non FAT partition available
This option is only active if the selected unit is either a directory or a file inside a non FAT partition. The selected directory or file (the source) may be exported to any other partition. Therefore the program offers you in the next step a search window to find and select a directory in any other partition to which the selected item may be exported (the target). The default filter is set to “directories only”. After selecting the target directory and pressing the push button <save> the exporting process to the selected target begins. 

Menu option DELETE – works only in Non FAT-Partition 
This option is only active if you have selected a directory or a file (no partition). After confirming in a 2nd window the deleting of the selected item the deleting of this item occurs

Menu option Rename - works only in Non FAT-Partition
This option is only active if you have selected a directory or a file. Just enter any name that does not contain any prohibited characters like dots or colons, etc.

Menu option Properties – works only on whole hard disks and on Non FAT Partition
This option is only active on whole hard disks and on all Non FAT partition and their contents (directories and files). The command is not active for FAT partition and their contents. If selected it shows details of the selected item. In the case of directories and files, additionally the setting and changing of file attributes is offered.

Pull down menu Edit - only for Non FAT Partition
All options in this pull down menu are only available for directories and files. Due to the fact that PE is not showing the contents of any FAT-16/32 partition this options are only available for Non FAT partition with an Ext2FS or a NTFS file system.

Menu option Undo 
Undoes the last executed operation.

Menu option Cut
The selected directory or file is copied into the clipboard. The original directory or file will be deleted 

Menu option Copy
The selected directory or file is copied into the clipboard. The original directory or file stays unchanged 

Menu option Paste
This option is only active if there is some data in the clipboard, thus either a Copy or a Cut must have occurred in forehand. Paste inserts the contents of the clipboard into the current activated directory (root or any sub level directory). 

Pull down menu View 
This menu offers window standard features for displaying directories and files and requires therefore no further explanations.
Toolbar = showing/hiding the tool bar
Status bar = showing/hiding the status bar
Arrange = arrange icons
Large icons = use large icons
Small icons = use small icons
List = display directories and files in list format
Detailed list = List format with more details like date, size, etc. 
Refresh = refresh the screen,
Options; show or hide files of certain type like hidden or system files.

Pulldown Menu Help 
Online Help and information about program version

1.5.2 Partition Explorer - DOS Version

With a bootable DOS Version of Partition Explorer (on a disk with a elementary DOS) you may again gain access to all partition of a non booting PC. In Windows 9x Versions (95 and 98) you may also start this program in DOS mode from the windows menu.

Overview 
The left window shows partition and directories and the right window the files of a selected directory. 

Pull down menu Drives and the selection of drives, partitions, directories and files 
You may select among 4 possible physical drives (0, 1, 2 and 3). 
Select a drive:
 To select a drive just click that drive with the mouse. If there is a real physical drive behind
 your selection the partitions of that drive will be shown immediately in the left windows, if
 there is no physical drive nothing happens. 

Select a partition
 To select a partition you point to that partition with your mouse and activate it by pressing 
 the push button <OK>. This will show in the left window all directories of that partition 
 and in the right window the file of a certain directory. 

Select a directory
 To select a directory point with your mouse to the desired directory and click it. This will
 show immediately all files of that partition in the right window.

Select a file
To select a file place your mouse on the desired file in the right window. 

Pull down menu <Operation> 
Create directory
Cut
Copy
Insert
Rename
Delete
Object Info
Partition Info
Drive Info
Settings 

Pull down menu <Sorted by> 
This enables you to display the files and directories in different order. Available are following sequences:
- Not sorted 
- by name
- by extension
- by size, increasing
- by size, decreasing 
- by date, backward 
- by date, forward