Toolbox Help Index
Toolbox Help Contents

The Stacker Toolbox is your gateway to monitoring and maintaining your Stacker drives.

Toolbox Components	For a visual overview of the Toolbox

Toolbox Gauges	For details about all the gauges

Toolbox Tools	For details about using Stacker's tools

Menu Commands	For information about using the Toolbox commands

Full Help Contents	For other information about Stacker

For Help on Using Help, press F1.


Toolbox Components

Double-click the help title bar so you can see the entire Stacker Toolbox. For more information about any part of the Toolbox, just click it.


Toolbox Gauges

The four Toolbox Gauges provide information at a glance.

Compression Ratio Gauge

Disk Space Gauge

Fragmentation Gauge

Backup Status Gauge


Compression Ratio Gauge Details

Click on parts of the gauge for more Information. When you double-click on the caption in the actual gauge, the gauge changes to show the extra bytes that Stacker has given you on this drive.

The compression ratio gauge shows how well your data compresses. Stacker analyzes the selected drive and calculates the actual compression ratio. The current expected compression ratio appears on the left of the gauge.

For more information, click Setting Preferences


Compression Preferences

The Compression Preferences dialog lets you specify:

•	How often (in seconds) Stacker should gather information and update the gauge

•	What difference between the actual and expected compression ratios should trigger a warning

•	Whether or not to show a visual alert

•	Whether or not to use a sound alert, and which sound to use.

Update gauge every	specifies the frequency of gauge update.

Enable warning flash	lets the visual warning appear. A warning message will flash in the caption area of the gauge.

Warning at	lets you specify the warning level. If you specify a Warning at
10 percent, Stacker alerts you when the actual compression ratio exceeds the expected compression ratio by 10 percent or more.

Show warning every	specifies the flash duration in seconds; the message flashes on and off at this interval.

You can also use the Light Bulb icon on the toolbar to activate or inactivate flashing warning messages.

Click this to suppress all flashing messages.

Click this to turn flashing messages on.

For information on using audible warnings, click Sound.


Disk Space Gauge Details

Click on parts of the gauge for more information.

To see more information about how your data compresses on the disk, click Disk Details.

The disk space gauge shows the amount of disk space used and free. Marks on the gauge show you where Stacker Territory begins and where Stacker will alert you when the disk starts getting full. Even when you minimize the Stacker Toolbox to an icon, it still displays dynamic disk space information.

As you use your computer, data fills the drive. When the data fills to the buffer zone you set, Stacker alerts you.

For more information, click Setting Preferences


Disk Space Preferences

The Disk Space Preferences dialog lets you specify:

•	How often (in seconds) Stacker should gather information and update the gauge

•	How much free space should be set aside as a buffer. If the amount of free space becomes less than this, it should trigger a warning

•	Whether or not to flash a warning message when the disk fills to the buffer you set

•	Whether or not to use a sound alert, and which sound to use.

Update gauge every	specifies the frequency of gauge update.

Enable warning flash	lets the visual warning appear. The warning message will flash in the caption area of the gauge.

Warning at	lets you specify the warning level. If you specify a Warning at 10 percent free space, Stacker alerts you when 10 percent or less of the disk remains available for new data, or when more than 90 percent of the disk is full.

Show warning every	specifies the flash duration in seconds; the message flashes on and off at this interval.

You can control the flash from the toolbar as well.

Click this to suppress all flashes.

Click this to turn flashes on.

For information on using audible warnings, click Sound.


Fragmentation Gauge Details

Click on parts of the gauge for more information.

The fragmentation gauge shows how fragmented the current drive is. When there aren't any large blocks of space left on your disk, DOS splits files and fits pieces into smaller spaces throughout the disk. When your drive becomes quite fragmented, file access slows as DOS locates and collects all the pieces of the file.

Generally, the more blocks on the Fragmentation gauge that are filled with color, the more fragmented your disk is. To remove fragmentation, use the [image] Optimize tool.

For more information, click Setting Preferences


Fragmentation Preferences

The Fragmentation Preferences dialog lets you specify:

•	How often (in seconds) Stacker should gather information and update the gauge

•	How much fragmentation on the disk should trigger a warning

•	Whether or not to show a visual alert

•	Whether or not to use a sound alert, and which sound to use.

Update gauge every	specifies the frequency of gauge update.

Enable warning flash	lets the visual warning appear. The warning message will flash in the caption area of the gauge.

Warning at	lets you specify the warning level. If you specify a Warning at 10 percent, Stacker alerts you when the amount of fragmentation on the disk exceeds 10 percent.

Show warning every	specifies the flash duration in seconds; the message flashes on and off at this interval.

You can control the flash from the toolbar as well.

Click this to suppress all flashes.

Click this to turn flashes on.

For information on using audible warnings, click Sound.


Backup Status Gauge Details

Click on parts of the gauge for more information.

The backup status gauge shows how much of your disk has been backed up. Most backup procedures modify the archive attribute of the files. If your backup method doesn't modify the archive attribute, your backup status gauge won't show the disk's true status.

For more information, click Setting Preferences


Backup Status Preferences

The Backup Status Preferences dialog lets you specify:

•	How often (in minutes) Stacker should gather information and update the gauge

•	What percentage of files not backed up should trigger a warning (based on the archive attribute setting)

•	Whether or not to show a visual alert

•	Whether or not to use a sound alert, and which sound to use.

Update gauge every	specifies the frequency of gauge update.

Enable warning flash	lets the visual warning appear. The warning message will flash in the caption area of the gauge.

Warning at	lets you specify the warning level. If you specify a Warning at 30 percent, Stacker alerts you when 30 percent or more of your files have the archive attribute turned on.

Show warning every	specifies the flash duration in seconds; the message flashes on and off at this interval.

You can control the flash from the toolbar as well.

Click this to suppress all flashes.

Click this to turn flashes on.

For information on using audible warnings, click Sound.


Using Sound for Warnings

You can choose to have Stacker alert you by playing a sound when the Toolbox is open and a gauge reaches the level you set. For example, if you want to be notified when your Stacker drive is 90% full, Stacker can play a sound at the interval you choose. You can specify both the sound and the interval.

Note:	You can enable sound only if your system has a sound card installed that supports Windows .WAV files or a driver that allows your computer's speaker to play .WAV files.

To have Stacker play a sound

•	Your computer configuration must be capable of playing a sound.

•	Check the Enable Sound field in the Preferences dialog box.

•	Do not turn off the sound button in the Toolbar.

To specify which sound

•	Use the Browse button to choose a WAV file. Your Windows directory contains a few .WAV files you can use.

•	Use the Test button to see which one you like.

You can control the sound from the toolbar as well.

Click this to suppress all sound.

Click this to turn sound on.


Toolbox Tools

Click the tool or its icon:

Compress a disk

Check a Stacker drive

Show compression information

Optimize a Stacker drive

Tune the compression level

Change password protection

Save control information

Change Stacker drive size or Windows swap file settings

View disk compression details

Suppress warning sound

Suppress warning flash


Menu Commands

Settings

Select Drive

Update

Preferences

Exit

Options

Drive Bar

Tool Bar

Status Bar

Compression Ratio

Disk Space

Fragmentation

Backup Status

Tools

Compress Disk

Uncompress Disk

Recompress Disk

Check Integrity

Stacker Report

Optimize ...

Tune Stacker ...

Password Protection ...

Autosave ...

Configure ...

Disk Details


Select Drive

Use this command to choose a different drive for Toolbox display. You can choose a drive by clicking in the drive bar as well.


Update

Use this command to update information in the disk space, fragmentation, and backup status gauges. Stacker will take a few moments to gather the information. Then Stacker resumes gathering information according to the value set on the Preferences screen for each gauge.


Preferences

Choose Preferences to specify the warning level for any gauge as well as how often Stacker should check the Stacker drive for new information.

•	Specify how often to gather information in the Update gauge field.

•	Specify the warning level in the Warning box.

•	To cause a flashing warning message, check Enable Warning Flash.

•	Specify the sound to use in the Sound box.

•	To cause a repeating sound, check Enable Sound.

For more information on preferences for a particular gauge:

Compression Ratio

Disk Space

Fragmentation

Backup Status

For information on using audible warnings for any gauge, click Sound.


Exit Help
Exit

Use this command to exit the Toolbox. You won't see or hear any warnings while the Toolbox is closed.


Drive Bar

Use this option to control the display of the drive bar in the Toolbox. If the option is checked, the drive bar displays. If no check appears, you won't see the drive bar.

To choose a different drive when the drive bar doesn't display, pull down the Settings menu and choose Select Drive.


Toolbar

Use this option to control the display of the Toolbar in the Toolbox. If the option is checked, the Toolbar displays. If no check appears, you won't see the Toolbar.

To choose a tool when the Toolbar doesn't display, use the Tools menu.


Status Bar

Use this option to control the display of the Status bar in the Toolbox. If the option is checked, the Status bar displays. If the command is not checked, the Status bar is not displayed.


 Compress a Disk

Use this tool to compress an empty disk. Compress is available only when the selected disk is not compressed. If you select an empty removable disk, choosing Compress automatically creates an empty Stacker drive on that disk.

CAUTION: Use this tool only on empty disks. If you use this tool to compress a disk with data on it, you will actually create a disk with a split personality: the data will remain uncompressed and the free space will be compressed. You can access only one portion at a timecompressed or uncompressed.

To compress a disk with data, exit Windows and type STAC at the DOS prompt to open the Stacker DOS Toolbox. From that Toolbox, you can choose to compress an empty disk or one that has data.

Show me the complete procedure.


Recompress a Disk

Use this tool to recompress all the data on a Stacker drive. It is equivalent to optimization using the Full-MaxSpace method. This process gives you maximum compression. Stacker even resets internal compression ratios to give you the most accurate space reporting possible.

Show me the complete procedure.


Uncompress a Stacker Drive

This tool is available only from the Tools menu. Use it if you want to remove Stacker compression from a disk without losing any of your data.

Your disk must have enough space available to hold the data in its uncompressed form. If it doesn't, you'll be told how much more space you need.

Show me the complete procedure.


Uncompress Exit

Stacker cannot uncompress a Stacker drive while it is in Windows. Stacker has to leave Windows completely before starting to uncompress the disk. If you have any open applications or unsaved files, choose Cancel now and close your files. Then choose the Uncompress tool again.

When Stacker has completed the procedure, it returns you to your normal Windows setup.


 Check a Stacker Drive

Use this tool to make sure your Stacker drive is in good condition. You should check your disks regularly to identify and repair small problems before they become big ones that can put your data at risk.

The Check tool examines the entire Stacker drive looking for data and structure integrity problems. In the process, it detects and reports on the space used and free on the disk. Check cannot make repairs while running under Windows, however.

If it detects any problems, Check tells you what to do next. You'll probably have to exit Windows and check the drive integrity from the Stacker DOS Toolbox.

Show me the complete procedure.


 Stacker Compression Report

Use this tool to see how the different types of files compress on your disk. It gives you the same information as choosing All Files from the Stacker menu in the File Manager.

The report groups all files on the disk according to extension. Each line shows a single extension (Type), how many files have that extension (Count), how much space those files occupy (Bytes) and how well they compress (Comp. Ratio). Just click the button at the head of a column to sort by that value.

When you choose [image], Stacker gathers fresh information from the current disk. It is always up to date, showing the current status of the disk.

See also:

Sorting the Full Stacker Report

Monitoring File Compression - The complete procedure.


 Optimize a Stacker Drive

Use this tool to improve the speed or compression performance of a Stacker drive. You can defragment the drive or recompress the data as well.

The optimization methods you can choose from are:

Quick	Defragments all files, but leaves free space scattered throughout the disk.

Full	Defragments all files and puts all the free space at one end of the disk.

Full-MaxSpace	Recompresses all files as it fully defragments the disk. Then Stacker adjusts your expected compression ratio to closely match the amount of compression on the disk.

Show me the complete procedure.


 Tune Compression/Speed Balance

Use this tool to adjust the balance of compression and speed for your computer. Stacker always uses maximum compression (MaxSpace) during Setup or when recompressing a disk. By default, Stacker leaves the setting for maximum compression during use.

If you have an older, slower, computer system, you may want to increase the speed (MaxSpeed) and give up a bit of the compression advantage.

Show me the complete procedure.


Password Protection

Use this tool to provide password security for your Stacker drives. Once a password is assigned, any user must enter the password before Stacker will mount the drive. Stacker passwords are especially useful for compressed floppies or other removables; you can take "Stacker Anywhere" and be sure your data is secure.

You can protect any Stacker drive with a password. There are two types of passwords:

•	A read/write password gives a user full access to the drive. He can read, edit, or delete files.

•	A read-only password gives a user reading privileges, but he can't edit or delete files.

A Stacker drive must already have a read/write password assigned before it can have a read-only password. You'll see the Read Only field if the disk already has a read/write password. Just check this field to work with a read-only password.

IMPORTANT! Stacker's password protection is absolute.

You MUST know the password to access the Stacker drive!

Stacker passwords are not case sensitive. They can be from one to eight characters long and use any characters except these:

; \" / < > | {Space} and {Tab}.

Setting a Password

Changing a Password

Removing a Password

Passwords for non-U.S. keyboards


Passwords for non-U.S. Keyboards

Many international keyboards have accented characters or characters located in positions different from a U.S. keyboard. Do not use these characters to password-protect a Stacker drive mounted at boot time. Stacker will not recognize the password, and you will not be able to access your data.

An appendix in your DOS manual has keyboard illustrations that show how characters change location from one language to another. Use these illustrations to compare your keyboard to the U.S. keyboard. Create your password with only the characters on your keyboard that directly correspond to the U.S. characters' locations. In general, do not create a password using a character generated by the Shift, Alt or Alt Gr keys.


Removing a Password

If you choose Remove Password, Stacker gives you the Remove Password dialog. If you want to remove a read-only password, be sure to check the Read Only field. You type the password just once. If you type the correct password, Stacker removes it. (If not, you see an error message.) You can then apply another or return to the Toolbox.

Show me the complete procedure.


Changing a Password

If you choose Set Password when a Stacker drive already has one, you'll be able to change the current password. If you want to change a read-only password, be sure to check the Read Only field.

Show me the complete procedure.


Setting a Password

When you choose Set Password, Stacker lets you set a password if the drive doesn't have one, or change it if it does. If the Stacker drive has a read/write password, the Read Only field is available; check it if you want to set, change, or remove a read-only password.

Stacker lets you type and verify the new password before putting it into effect.

Show me the complete procedure.


 AutoSave

Every time you start up your computer, Stacker saves the header for each Stacker drive. If you want, you can set up AutoSave to check your Stacker drives regularly when the Toolbox is open and save updated header information. Use this tool to turn AutoSave on or off or to change Stacker's AutoSave settings so it works on a different time schedule.

After you turn on AutoSave, it works in the background, while your computer is idle. AutoSave works only after there has been no keyboard or mouse activity for five minutes. When the time comes for saving a header, AutoSave makes sure the computer isn't in use, and then checks out the drive and saves a header. If you use the computer during this time, AutoSave stops immediately, giving you full access to your computer. When the computer is idle again, AutoSave resumes. Once AutoSave has saved a header, you can be sure that it has checked out your Stacker drive to make sure the drive is in good condition.

Show me the complete procedure.


 Configure Tool

The Configure tool lets you make either of two major changes to the way your system is configured.

•	Change Stacker drive size lets you make more space on the Stacker drive or its uncompressed drive.

•	Change swap file settings lets you modify how and where the Windows swap file is located.


Change Stacker Drive Size

Use this tool to make a Stacker drive larger or smaller. The compressed Stacker drive is a STACVOL file residing on an uncompressed disk. If you make the Stacker drive larger, it takes up more space on the uncompressed disk. If you make more uncompressed space available, the Stacker drive gets smaller.

Show me the complete procedure.


Change Swap File Settings

Use this tool to examine or change the location or type of Windows swap file you have. Stacker lets you store a permanent swap file on a Stacker drive, then keeps it uncompressed for you so Windows can use it effectively.

You can also control the swap file settings through the Virtual Memory icon in the Control Panel. Just double-click on the icon. The process is the same as through the Toolbox.

Show me how.


 Disk Details

The Disk Details display shows you how different types of data on your disk compress. The [image] area on the right represents free space on the disk.

•	Precompressed files are already tightly compressed; Stacker can't do much with them.

•	Programs are fairly tightly compressed; Stacker can compress them some, but not a lot.

•	Data consists of text files, spreadsheets, databases, and the like. Stacker compresses data files exceptionally well.

Click on screen areas below for more details.


Light Bulb Icon

This icon lets you turn on or off flashing warnings for the Stacker Toolbox gauges. For each gauge, you can set a threshold level on its Preferences screen (double-click the gauge to access its Preferences screen). For example, for the Disk Space gauge, you might specify that you want to be alerted when your disk reaches 90 percent full.

When the light bulb is on, warning messages will flash to alert you whenever a gauge's threshold is met. If you click the "not" icon, no warning messages will flash.


Sound Icon

This icon lets you turn on or off audible warnings for the Stacker Toolbox gauges. For each gauge, you can set a threshold level on its Preferences screen (double-click the gauge to access its Preferences screen). For example, for the Disk Space gauge, you might specify that you want to be alerted when your disk reaches 90 percent full.

When the sound icon is on, a sound will play to alert you whenever a gauge's threshold is met. If you click the "not" icon, no audible warnings will sound.


Details Icon

Clicking this tool brings you an overview of compression on the selected disk. You can see how your data files compress compared to your precompressed and program files. You can also easily estimate how much more will fit on your Stacker drive.

The information also shows how much data of the specified type you can add to your disk. The disk will hold more than that if you add just data files. It will hold less, of course, if you add only precompressed data or programs.


Compression Ratio Gauge

This gauge shows the compression status of the disk. The left upper value on the scale is the current expected compression ratio. The value in the slider on the right is the actual compression ratio of your data. Stacker automatically adjusts the expected compression ratio when it compresses or recompresses data on a disk.

To see this information in terms of extra bytes provided by Stacker, double-click on the "Compression Ratio" caption in the actual Toolbox.


Disk Space Gauge

This gauge shows how full your disk is. The red triangle shows the beginning of Stacker Territory™; any space to the right of this is a gift from Stacker. The red line near the right end of the gauge shows the point at which you'll be warned that the disk is almost full.


Fragmentation Gauge

This gauge shows how much fragmentation is currently found on your disk. You can use the Optimize tool to defragment your data and improve the performance of your Stacker drive.


Backup Status Gauge

This gauge shows how much of your data has been backed up since it was created or modified. It is based on the DOS archive attribute for the file.


Compress Icon

This tool lets you create any type of Stacker drive. You can quickly create an empty Stacker drive using an empty removable drive or run Setup to have all Stacker's options available. Compress is available only when an uncompressed disk is selected.


Check Icon

This tool examines the status of the currently selected Stacker drive. If it detects any problems, the messages tell you what to do.


Report Icon

This tool brings you information about file compression on the current Stacker drive. This is the same information you see after choosing All Files on the Stacker menu in File Manager.


Optimize Icon

This tool can fully optimize your disk or do a quick version, defragmenting files but leaving free space scattered on the disk. Once you choose Optimize, you can choose Full-MaxSpace to recompress data in the process of doing a full optimization or to complete the process of converting other compressed disks to Stacker quality.


Tune Icon

This tool lets you modify the balance between the amount of compression and the time it takes to achieve compression. If you set it for MaxSpace, you get full benefit of Stacker's newest compression technology. Stacker always uses MaxSpace when it compresses or recompresses a disk.


Password Icon

This tool lets you set, change, or delete a password to protect a Stacker drive from unauthorized access or changes.


AutoSave Icon

This tool lets you control how often Stacker saves control header information. You may need the saved information if the data on your Stacker drive becomes unavailable.


Configure Icon

This tool lets you tailor your Stacker configuration for your situation. You can change the Stacker drive size to get more compressed or uncompressed space. Or, you can change how your Windows swap file is handled and stored.


Tool Bar Help
Toolbar

The Toolbar displays the tools you can use to monitor and manage your Stacker drives. When the mouse pointer is over a tool icon, the status bar shows what it does. The Options menu lets you display or remove the Toolbar.


Drive Bar Help
Drive Bar

The Drive bar shows all the disk drives attached to your system. When the mouse pointer is over a drive icon, the status bar shows the drive letter and type. The Options menu lets you display or remove the Drive bar.


Status Bar Help
Status Bar

This area shows the current location of the mouse pointer in the Toolbox. The Status bar contains the name and type of disk if the pointer is in the Drive bar, the function of the icon if the pointer is in the Toolbar, or the effect of the gauge if the pointer is over one of them.


Menu Bar Help
Menu Bar

This area shows the menu names. The menus work just like all the other menus in Windows.


Unable To Exit Windows

Stacker must leave Windows completely to use the tool you requested. You will have to close your open programs before it can continue.

When Stacker has finished, it returns you to your normal Windows setup


Exit Windows

To use the tool you chose, Stacker has to leave Windows and optimize your Stacker drive under DOS. When it has finished, Stacker will return you to your normal Windows setup.

If you have any open applications or unsaved documents, you might want to choose Cancel and save your data before continuing with this procedure.


Tuning Stacker

You can tune Stacker so it always gets the very best compression (MaxSpace) or so that it works as fast as possible (MaxSpeed) or anywhere in between.

MaxSpace gives you maximum compression

MaxSpeed gives you the most speed

To tune Stacker

1.	From the Stacker Windows Toolbox, select any drive.

2.	Choose the Tune tool.

3.	Set the slider at the desired location. You can click on MaxSpace or MaxSpeed, drag the slider to the level you want, or just click on the level you want.

4.	Choose OK.


Optimizing a Disk

When Stacker optimizes a disk, it reduces fragmentation on it. The three optimization methods are Quick, Full, and Full-MaxSpace.

To optimize a Stacker drive

1.	From the Stacker Windows Toolbox, select the drive.

2.	Choose the Optimize tool.

3.	Choose Quick, Full, or Full-MaxSpace, then click OK.

4.	Choose OK to leave Windows so the Stacker Optimizer can complete its work.

The Optimizer displays a drive map that keeps you posted on the optimization phases. When it is finished, Stacker prompts you to press a key to return to Windows.


Monitoring File Compression

You can monitor file compression through the File Manager's Stacker menu and through the Stacker Toolbox gauges.

To use the File Manager's Stacker menu

1.	Open the File Manager.

2.	Choose a Stacker drive.

To see individual file or directory compression ratios

1.	Select the files and/or directories in the right side of the File Manager window.

2.	From the Stacker menu, choose Selected Files.

3.	After examining the display, choose OK.

To see Stacker Report of all the files on the disk

1.	From the Stacker menu, choose All Files.

2.	After examining the display, choose OK.

To see a summary of compression on the disk

1.	From the Stacker menu, choose Disk Summary.

2.	After examining the display, choose OK.

To use the Stacker Windows Toolbox

•	In the Stacker program group, double-click the Toolbox icon.

or

•	In the File Manager, select your Stacker directory, then double-click STACWIN.EXE.

For assistance in interpreting the gauges, press F1 when the Stacker Toolbox is active.


Compressing a Floppy Disk

You can compress an empty floppy disk or compress data currently on a floppy disk.

To compress an empty floppy or other removable disk

1.	Insert the empty disk into the disk drive.

2.	From the Stacker Windows Toolbox, select that removable drive.

3.	Choose the Compress tool.

4.	Click OK to let Stacker create and verify the drive.

5.	Click OK after the disk is created.

To compress data on a floppy disk

1.	Insert the floppy disk containing data to be compressed into a floppy drive.

2.	In the Stacker Toolbox, choose any uncompressed drive except for an empty removable drive.

3.	Choose the Compress tool.

4.	When Setup starts, choose the disk to be compressed and proceed as in Custom setup.


Checking Integrity of Stacker Drive

Stacker can check the integrity of Stacker drives within Windows and report on the status. Any problems must be repaired using the Stacker DOS Toolbox.

To check the integrity of a Stacker drive

1.	From the Stacker Toolbox, select the drive.

2.	Choose the Check tool.

Stacker leaves Windows briefly to check the Stacker structures on the disk. If it detects any problems, it tells you what to do next. If it doesn't find anything wrong, you return immediately to Windows.


Checking and Repairing a Stacker Drive

Stacker cannot repair a Stacker drive under Windows. You'll have to exit Windows completely and use the Stacker DOS Toolbox.

To repair a Stacker drive using the Stacker DOS Toolbox

1.	Exit Windows completely.

2.	Type STAC to open the Stacker DOS Toolbox.

3.	Use the up or down arrow to highlight Check Drive Integrity, and then press ENTER.

4.	If asked, choose the Stacker drive to check.

5.	Follow the instructions on the screen. If Check asks if it should make repairs or do a surface test, let it.


Changing Warning Level for Toolbox Gauges

While the details differ for the different toolbox gauges, the procedure for changing the warning level and use of flashing or sound as warnings is the same for all.

To change the warning level

1.	From the Stacker Toolbox, double-click the gauge (or choose Preferences from the Settings menu and click the gauge button to be affected).

2.	In the Warning at field, type the desired level. The units are appropriate for the gauge.

3.	Choose OK.


Deleting Passwords

Stacker drives can use password protection.

To delete an existing Stacker drive password

1.	From the Stacker toolbox, select the drive.

2.	Choose the Password tool.

3.	To remove a read-only password, check the Read Only field.

4.	Click Remove Password.

5.	Type the existing password in the field.

If you type it correctly, the password is removed. If not, you'll have to start over.


Defining Passwords

Stacker drives can use password protection.

To define a password for a Stacker drive

1.	From the Stacker toolbox, select the drive.

2.	Choose the Password tool.

3.	To define a read-only password, check the Read Only field.

Note: This field is available only if the disk already has a read/write password.

4.	Click Set Password.

5.	Type the desired password in the Type new password field

6.	Type the password again in the Verify new password.

7.	Click OK.

8.	Click OK again if you are finished using the Password feature.


Changing Passwords

Stacker drives can use password protection.

To change a password for a Stacker drive

1.	From the Stacker toolbox, select the drive.

2.	Choose the Password tool.

3.	To change a read-only password, check the Read Only field.

Note: This field is available only if the disk already has a read/write password.

4.	Click Set Password.

5.	Type the existing password in the Type old password field.

6.	Type the desired password in the Type new password field

7.	Type the password again in the Verify new password.

8.	Click OK.

9.	Click OK again if you are finished using the Password feature.


Changing AutoSave Settings

Stacker AutoSave saves the header information from all your Stacker drives while your computer is idle. For each Stacker drive, you can change the frequency or time of the AutoSave and control what you see as you use Windows. By default, Stacker AutoSave runs invisibly. If you like, you can have it display its icon on the desktop. Just click Run AutoSave Invisibly to remove the check.

Once AutoSave is enabled for a drive, Stacker AutoSave can use its default settings (displayed in the AutoSave Configuration dialog box). If you prefer, you can configure the settings for each Stacker drive individually.

To change AutoSave headings

1.	From the Stacker Windows Toolbox, select the Stacker drive.

2.	Choose the AutoSave tool.

3.	To enable AutoSave for that drive, check Enable AutoSave.

4.	To change the interval, click Interval, then type or select how often Stacker should save headers.

5.	To schedule AutoSave for a particular time, click Scheduled, then type or select the time of the scheduled AutoSave.

6.	To make the current setting the default, click Set As Defaults.

7.	To change the settings to the current default, click Use Defaults.

8.	To let Stacker AutoSave interrupt processing to display any problems, check Enable Warning Messages.

9.	To display the Stacker AutoSave icon continuously, uncheck Run AutoSave Invisibly.


Recompressing a Disk

When Stacker recompresses a disk, it does a full optimization, rewriting all data in the process so that it gets the best compression possible. Stacker then adjusts the expected compression ratio to be in keeping with the type of compression your data can actually achieve. The Full-MaxSpace method of optimization achieves recompression.

Note: This operation could take quite some time -- up to several hours on a large, full disk with a high level of fragmentation.

To recompress a Stacker drive

1.	From the Stacker Windows Toolbox, select the drive.

2.	Choose the Optimize tool.

3.	Choose Full-MaxSpace, then click OK.

4.	Choose OK to leave Windows so the Stacker Optimizer can complete its work.

The Optimizer displays a drive map that keeps you posted on the optimization phases. When it is finished, Stacker prompts you to press a key to return to Windows. Notice that the expected compression ratio (at the top of the scale on the left in the Compression Ratio gauge) has a new value.


Uncompressing a Disk

Stacker can uncompress all the data on a disk if the Stacker drive (or its uncompressed drive) has enough free space. There is no icon on the Toolbar, but you can use the Tools menu.

To uncompress a Stacker drive

1.	From the Stacker Windows Toolbox, select the drive.

2.	From the Tools menu, choose Uncompress disk.

3.	Choose OK to leave Windows.

Stacker will probably have to fully optimize the drive before it can be sure there is enough room to uncompress the data. If it needs more space, Stacker tells you how much more you need.


Warning Level

This mark indicates where the visible or audible alert will occur. When the disk contains this much data, you will see or hear any warnings that are enabled when the Toolbox is open.


Beginning of Stacker Territory

This triangle indicates where the extra bytes provided by Stacker begin.


To Set Preferences

Double-click anywhere on the gauge to get to the Preferences dialog for that gauge. You can set the warning levels and the sounds on that dialog box.

Note:	You can only enable sound if your system has a sound card that supports Windows .WAV files or a driver that allows your computer's speaker to play .WAV files.


Percent of Files to Back Up

This value shows the percentage of data on your Stacker drive that is not backed up. The Toolbox uses the archive attribute to determine if a file is backed up, so if you use a backup method that doesn't alter the archive attribute, this value might not match your system.


Fragmentation Indicator

Each block of color indicates more fragmentation. The actual colors don't make any difference.


Level of Fragmentation

Level and percentage of fragmentation on the Stacker drive. If it shows Medium or High, you might want to use the Optimize tool to defragment the drive.


Bytes Free on Disk
Free on Disk

The amount of space still unused on the Stacker drive. You can store additional compressed data here.


Bytes Used on Disk
Used on Disk

The amount of space on the Stacker drive currently used for storing files.


Disk Space Used Percent
Disk Space Used

The percent of the Stacker drive currently filled with files.


No Compression

Compression of 1.0:1 is no compression. Without Stacker, you get zero (0) extra bytes.


Actual Compression Gauge
Actual Compression

How all your data compresses, on the average. The Extra Bytes part of the gauge shows you how many extra megabytes Stacker gave you so far.


Expected Compression Slider
Expected Compression

The current expected compression ratio. Stacker automatically adjusts this value when it compresses or recompresses a disk. The Extra Bytes part of the gauge shows you how many extra megabytes Stacker will provide if your data compresses as expected.


Caption

Double-click here to see the same compression information in terms of extra bytes that Stacker provides. Double-clicking on Extra Bytes returns you to the standard compression ratio gauge.


Mouse Pointer

Image of pointer.


Data File Information

This line summarizes the [image] data files on your Stacker drive. It shows how much of the disk is Used, the Compression achieved by those files, and how many Bytes Available you have for storing additional data files.


Program File Information

This line summarizes the [image] programs on your Stacker drive. It shows how much of the disk is Used, the Compression achieved by those files, and how many Bytes Available you have for storing additional programs.


Precompressed File Information

This line summarizes the [image] precompressed files on your Stacker drive. It shows how much of the disk is Used, the Compression achieved by those files, and how many Bytes Available you have for storing additional precompressed files.


Precompressed

This part of the chart [image] represents precompressed files. These files are already as compressed as they can get.


Programs

This part of the chart [image] represents program files.


Data

This part of the chart [image] represents data files, such as documents, spreadsheets, databases, and graphics.


Free Space

This part of the chart [image] represents free space on your disk.


Not Backed Up Data

This part of the diagram represents files that have not been backed up.


Backed Up Data

This part of the diagram represents files that are backed up.


Not Enough Memory

You do not have enough memory to run the current application. Close some of your other applications or restart Windows and try the operation again.


Error Calculating Fragmentation

This message can occur at startup, when you change drives, or when you choose Update from the Settings menu.

Either an internal error occurred or the File Allocation Table (FAT), which contains pointers to the location of your files, was corrupted.

Restart Windows. If the same message occurs, use a surface scan utility to repair your disk.


Disk Space Error

The Toolbox was unable to obtain information about the selected drive. You could be attempting to read a floppy drive (with no disk in the drive), an invalid drive letter, or a network drive.

If it is a floppy drive, place the disk in the drive and retry. Otherwise, change the Toolbox to read a drive that is available.


Old Driver Error

You are attempting to run the Toolbox with a previous version of Stacker installed. The Toolbox requires a current Stacker for Windows & DOS driver in order to obtain the necessary information needed for the Compression Ratio and Fragmentation gauges. The Toolbox runs without a current driver, but only the Disk Space gauge updates.

Upgrade to the current version of Stacker for Windows & DOS.


Stacker Not Running

You can't use Stacker Tuner because Stacker isn't running on your system. If you want to use Stacker Tuner, you'll have to set up Stacker on your computer.

To install Stacker for Windows & DOS on your system

1.	Insert the Stacker installation disk and change to that drive or directory.

2.	From the Program Manager's File menu, choose Run.

3.	In the Command Line field, type SETUP.

4.	Choose OK

Follow the on-screen instructions to set up Stacker.


Stacker Tuner Requires 3.1

You started Stacker Tuner, but an earlier version of Stacker is currently on your system. You have parts of two different versions of Stacker active in your system. This version of Stacker Tuner requires Stacker 3.0 or later.

To install Stacker for Windows & DOS on your system

1	Insert the Stacker installation disk and change to that drive or directory.

2	From the Program Manager's File menu, choose Run.

3	In the Command Line field, type SETUP or SETUP.

4	Choose OK

Follow the on-screen instructions to set up Stacker.


Could Not Modify STACKER.INI

Stacker Tuner has to change the STACKER.INI file to put the tuning change into effect. It wasn't able to modify the file.

The disk may be full.


Could Not Determine Boot Drive

You started Stacker Tuner, but it cannot determine which drive is the boot drive.

Run a surface scan disk utility such as PC Tools to find out if there is a problem with your boot drive.


Could Not Open STACKER.INI

Stacker Tuner was not able to open your STACKER.INI file. This problem may be caused by a media defect on the disk itself.

Leave Windows, then run the Stacker DOS Toolbox to check the disk integrity and do a surface scan. Let Check fix any errors it finds.

To do a surface scan

1	Type STAC and press ENTER.

2	Choose Check Drive Integrity.

3	Follow the instructions on the screen. When asked if CHECK should do a surface scan, type Y and press ENTER.

4	After restarting Windows and opening the Stacker Windows Toolbox, click the Tune tool again.

If the problem recurs, try running a disk repair utility on the uncompressed drive or contact Stac's Product Support Services for assistance.


Stacker Tuner Cannot Run With DoubleSpace or Drive Space

You started Stacker Tuner, but DoubleSpace or Drive Space is on your system. You must install Stacker, removing DoubleSpace or Drive Space in the process, before you can tune Stacker.


Could Not Modify CONFIG.SYS

Stacker Tuner has to change the CONFIG.SYS file to put the tuning change into effect. It wasn't able to modify the file.

The disk may be full.


Could Not Open CONFIG.SYS

Stacker Tuner was not able to open your CONFIG.SYS file. This problem may be caused by a media defect on the disk itself.

Leave Windows, then run the Stacker DOS Toolbox to check the disk integrity and do a surface scan. Let Check fix any errors it finds.

To do a surface scan

1	Type STAC and press ENTER.

2	Choose Check Drive Integrity.

3	Follow the instructions on the screen. When asked if CHECK should do a surface scan, type Y and press ENTER.

4	After restarting Windows and opening the Stacker Windows Toolbox, click the Tune tool again.

If the problem recurs, try running a disk repair utility on the uncompressed drive or contact Stac's Product Support Services for assistance.


Could Not Create Temporary File

Stacker Tuner has to create a temporary file as it works, but it wasn't able to. Most likely, your disk is too full. You may have old files that you don't need any longer. Or you may be able to move some files to another disk.

To check how full your boot drive is

1	Open the File Manager.

2	Open a window for drive C (or your boot drive).

3	Notice how much space is available (on the bottom line of the File Manager window). Any value less than 20 KB may cause a problem.

4	If necessary, delete or move files (highlight the filename, then use Move or Delete from the File menu.

5	Choose OK.

6	Then click the Tune tool in the Stacker Toolbox again.


Could Not Write to Temporary File

Stacker Tuner has to write to a temporary file as it works, but it wasn't able to. Your disk is probably too full. You may have old files that you don't need any longer. Or, you may be able to move some files to another disk.

To check how full your boot drive is

1	Open the File Manager.

2	Open a window for drive C (or your boot drive).

3	Notice how much space is available (on the bottom line of the File Manager window). Any value less than 20 KB may cause a problem.

4	If necessary, delete or move files (highlight the filename, then use Move or Delete from the File menu.

5	Choose OK.

6	Then click the Tune tool in the Stacker Toolbox again.

Stacker write-protects a disk when it senses a possibility of losing data.

To remove write-protection (and fix the problem)

1	Leave Windows completely.

2	Type STAC and press ENTER.

3	Choose Check Drive Integrity.

4	Follow the instructions given by CHECK to correct the problem.

5	After restarting Windows and opening the Stacker Windows Toolbox, click the Tune tool again.


Could Not Back Up the CONFIG.SYS File

Stacker Tuner backs up the CONFIG.SYS file as CONFIG._BK before it modifies it. It couldn't back the file up for some reason. Most likely the disk is full or CONFIG._BK is a read-only file. Use File Manager to check how full the boot drive is. If it is close to full, make some space available by deleting or moving files.

To find out if the CONFIG._BK file is read-only

1	In File Manager, display the root directory of the boot drive.

2	Highlight the CONFIG._BK filename.

3	On the File menu, choose Properties.

4	Notice the status of the Read-Only attribute. If it's checked, the file is read-only. Click the field to remove the check.

5	Choose OK.

If the disk is too full, you may have old files that you don't need any longer. Or you may be able to move some files to another disk.

To check how full your boot drive is

1	Open the File Manager.

2	Open a window for drive C (or your boot drive).

3	Notice how much space is available (on the bottom line of the File Manager window). Any value less than 20 KB may cause a problem.

4	If necessary, delete or move files. (Highlight the filename, then use Move or Delete from the File menu.)

5	Choose OK.

6	Then click the Tune tool in the Stacker Toolbox again.


File Manager Extensions Help Index

You can get detailed information about these topics:

Disk Summary

All Files

Selected Files

Full Stacker Help

For Help on Help, Press F1


Disk Summary

From the Stacker menu in the File Manager, Disk Summary gives compression information about the entire Stacker drive. The graphic represents your disk divided into free space and used space.

Disk Information also provides

•	Number of kilobytes free.

•	Expected compression ratio is used to project the amount of free space.

•	Number of kilobytes used.

•	Actual compression ratio is used to determine the amount of used space.


All Files

From the Stacker menu in the File Manager, All Files displays the full Stacker Report, gathering information on all the files that share each extension represented on the disk. Each line represents one extension; it shows how many files are represented, how much space they occupy on the disk, and their average compression ratio. You can sort by any column; just click the button at the top of the list.

The display also shows how many directories and files are stored on the disk and how many extra bytes Stacker provides in storing them.

See Sorting the Full Stacker Report and Sort Order for more information.


Selected Files

From the Stacker menu in the File Manager, Selected Files gives compression information about the currently selected files and directories on a Stacker drive. You can sort the listing by name, type, size, or compression ratio. To sort, click the button that serves as the heading you want to sort by. For example, to sort the list by extension, click the Type button.

Selected Files also displays the compression ratio for the files in the list, their total size in bytes, and extra bytes Stacker provides by compressing those files.

See Sorting Selected Files and Sort Order for more information.


Sorting Selected Files

Sort the list by clicking one of the heading buttons at the top of the list. You can select and deselect sort categories by clicking different headings. Reverse the sort order by using the sort order options. There are four sort headings:

sorts alphabetically by file name.

sorts alphabetically by file name extension.

sorts numerically by size.

sorts numerically by compression ratio.


Sorting the Full Stacker Report

Sort the full list by clicking one of the heading buttons at the top of the list. You can select and deselect a sort category by clicking different headings. Reverse the sort order by using the sort order options. There are four sort headings:

sorts alphabetically by file name extension.

sorts numerically by how many files have that extension.

sorts numerically by how many bytes on disk those files occupy.

sorts numerically by compression ratio.


Sort Order

Choose to sort in Ascending or Descending order. For alphabetical sorts, Ascending sorts from 'A to Z.' Descending sorts from 'Z to A.' For numerical sorts, Ascending sorts '1,2,3. . .' Descending sorts '3,2,1. . .'


Working Drive

The uncompressed drive from which Stacker Setup creates a new Stacker drive.


CONFIG.SYS File

File used to configure many aspects of DOS. If your system preloads data compression, that information is read and processed before the CONFIG.SYS file is processed.


DOS Protected Mode Services

DPMS is a way of accessing extended memory. It uses protected mode so that DOS can use it safely. Stacker includes a DPMS driver furnished by Novell.


MaxSpace

The method of compressing data on Stacker drives that results in the best compression for your system.


MaxSpeed

The tuning choice that gives your system the best speed; however, your data will not compress to the maximum. (For best compression, choose MaxSpace.)


Precompressed data
Precompressed Files

Files on your disk that have already been compressed by a method other than Stacker. Stacker can't compress these files any more, although you may see some benefits from Stacker SmartPack's™ more efficient storage of the files.


Stacker SmartPack

A compression technique that tightly packs files into spaces on your disk that even DOS can't access without Stacker's help.


Stacker DOS Toolbox

A toolbox that runs under DOS (when you type STAC at a DOS prompt outside of Windows). It includes those tools that are appropriate in a nonWindows environment.


Stacker Windows Toolbox

Your gateway to Stacker drive performance. It includes all the tools most users ever need, in addition to gauges and alert mechanisms you can use to monitor your Stacker drives.


Fragmentation

The scattering of "bits and pieces" of the same disk file over different areas of your disk. When you originally save your files, DOS organizes them and writes them to disk. While DOS attempts to write them in sequential order, sometimes it can't. As disks and files get used more often, contiguous space on the hard disk becomes scarce. Fragmentation can slow disk access and overall system performance.


Optimizing

The process of producing more efficient storage of files on your disk. Optimizing defragments and reorganizes files so they are located in a contiguous area. That way, when you read a file from disk, DOS only has to go to one place to find the file, instead of gathering all the file's "bits and pieces" from many places.


Compression Ratio

Compression ratio is a measure of how much Stacker compresses a file or set of files. If Stacker compresses a file to half its original size, that file's compression ratio is 2:1 ("two to one"). Many files have a compression ratio of 4:1 (one fourth the original size) or even better. When a drive's compression ratio is 2.5:1, it means that the data on the drive uses only 40 percent of the space it used before Stacker. Another way to look at it is that without Stacker on the drive, the data would occupy 2.5 times as much space.


Actual Compression Ratio

The comparison between a file's uncompressed size (without Stacker) and its compressed size (with Stacker). On the average, Stacker compresses files at a ratio of 2.5:1. Actual compression ratio is the rate at which your data is actually compressing. The actual compression ratio is indicated in the black-and-yellow box of the Compression Ratio gauge in the Toolbox. Expected compression ratio is the rate at which Stacker assumed your data would compress during Stacker Setup.


Expected Compression Ratio

The rate at which Stacker expects data on your disk to compress. After compressing or recompressing a disk, Stacker adjusts the expected compression ratio. When it creates an empty Stacker drive, Stacker assumes future data will compress at about 2.5:1 so it makes your Stacker drive more than twice as big as before. On the Compression Ratio gauge, the expected compression ratio is the number in the upper left. If your actual compression ratio (in black and yellow) is significantly different from the expected compression ratio, you may want to recompress the drive so Stacker can adjust the value.

Normally, you don't have to worry about any discrepancy between these two ratios unless the disk is nearly full. Even then, recompressing the disk automatically adjusts the expected compression ratio for you.


Stacker TerritoryTM
Stacker Territory

The start of Stacker Territory™ is indicated by a red triangle on the Disk Space gauge. The area to the right is "Stacker Territory." This is the extra disk space Stacker provides to your system. Without Stacker, you would have only the space on the left side of the red triangle. The position of the red triangle is determined by the expected compression ratio. Normally, with a 2.5:1 expected compression ratio, the red triangle is to the left of the middle of the dial. The larger the expected compression ratio, the more to the left of center is the red triangle. If the expected compression ratio is exactly 2:1, Stacker Territory begins at the middle of the gauge.


StackometerTM
Stackometer

An old name for the Stacker Windows Toolbox.


dumm KB
KB

Stands for kilobytes, a unit of computer storage. 1024 bytes = 1 KB; 1,024 KB = 1 MB (megabyte).


Recompress

Recompresses your data, maximizing the space available on your Stacker drive. Recompress uses the FullMaxSpace option to get the best compression possible and resets your expected compression ratio. Use Recompress when upgrading from previous versions of Stacker to obtain the improved compression available with Stacker for Windows & DOS.


Compress

The process of reducing the space required to store data. As the data is stored, Stacker substitutes "tokens" for recurring byte sequences. The tokens take less space to store. Data is compressed when it is written to a Stacker drive. The Stacker Tuner controls the speed and tightness of compression. The settings range from MaxSpace to MaxSpeed. You can use the Tune tool from the Stacker Windows Toolbox to change these settings.


Decompress

The process of restoring data from its compressed form to its original uncompressed form. Stacker decompresses data when it is read from a Stacker drive.


Entire Disk
Entire Drive

When Setup compresses the data on an entire drive, it compresses all the data currently on the disk into the Stacker drive. A few files may also remain on the uncompressed disk. After the data on an entire disk is compressed, it uses the same drive letter as the original disk.


Free Space

When Setup compresses only the free space, it creates an empty Stacker drive using space from the original disk. Any files originally on the disk remain in the uncompressed portion. The new empty Stacker drive has a new drive letter.


Hot Key

A hot key is a letter in the text label of each button and field that is underlined, highlighted, or in a different color. In most cases, typing the letter indicated by the hot key activates the button or field. If a text entry field is active, you have to hold down the ALT key while pressing the hot key.


STACVOL File

The hidden file on an uncompressed drive that actually contains all the compressed data. The STACVOL file is the Stacker drive.


Stacker Drive

The drive containing all the data compressed by Stacker for Windows & DOS.


Removable Disk

A disk that can be removed from its drive and taken to another computer. Some removable disks are floppy disks, Bernoulli™ disks, and Syquest™ cartridges. When you compress a removable disk, you can store much more data on it. Stacker Anywhere lets other computers read from and write to the removable Stacker disk.


Cache

An area in memory where data can be stored for quick access. The Stacker driver has a built-in cache big enough for at least one cluster and 9 KB for work areas. The cache portion of the driver can be stored in expanded or upper memory.


Cluster

A storage unit on a disk that is a fixed size for the disk. A typical Stacker cluster is 8 KB. Stacker can also use 4 KB, 16 KB, and 32 KB clusters.


Disk Space

The amount of space on the disk currently filled with data.


Pathname

The location of a file; may also be referred to as Path. A full pathname includes the drive letter, a colon, and the directory. For example, the Stacker files are stored in the Path C:\STACKER. If you have Windows on drive D, some files are stored in D:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM.


PATH

The list of directories that DOS searches automatically to find an application. A PATH statement in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file generally establishes the Path.


Stacker Tuner

Gives you the controls to fine-tune your Stacker drives. You set Stacker for maximum speed, maximum compression, or something in between.


TSR

Terminate and Stay Resident. A memory-resident program accessed while other programs are running.


AUTOEXEC.BAT

A special file automatically read at startup. Commands found within this file affect your system's configuration.


Boot Disk

The disk or drive your system starts up from.


DBLSPACE.BIN

The file that provides access to any preloaded data compression.


STACKER.INI

The file that contains configuration information for the Stacker device driver.


Uncompressed Drive

The portion of your drive containing the large STACVOL file which is your Stacker drive. It may contain other files as well.


Preloading

A process used by recent DOS versions (such as MS-DOS 6, PC-DOS 6.1, and Novell DOS 7) that lets DOS recognize Stacker drives before reading CONFIG.SYS or AUTOEXEC.BAT.


Hidden File

A file that isn't normally listed when you type DIR. All files used for initially starting up the system are "hidden" so they can't accidentally be erased or edited. You can use DIR /AH to list these files if you want.


Stacker Device Driver

The software enabling Stacker's data compression. It remains in memory while your system is working.


Windows Permanent Swap File

A permanent area on your hard disk that Windows® can use as a "scratch pad," temporarily housing data during a Windows session. This file must remain uncompressed, but Stacker lets you store it on the Stacker drive if you prefer.


AutoMount

The process that lets Stacker automatically recognize external or removable Stacker drives.


Header

Each Stacker drive is made up of a header and a data area. The header includes all the information Stacker needs to access data from the Stacker drive. AutoSave saves copies of headers.


Removable Drives

Disk drives where the media can easily be physically replaced. Examples include floppy disks, Bernoullis™, and Syquest™ cartridges.


Stacker Optimizer

The Stacker program that produces more efficient storage of files on your disk. The Optimizer™ defragments and reorganizes files so they are stored in a contiguous area. That way, when you read a file from disk, DOS locates the file in one piece, instead of having to gather all the file's "bits and pieces" from many places


File Allocation Table (FAT)

The portion of your disk that contains all the information about the location of your files.


StartUp Group

A specific program group created by Windows. Whenever you start Windows, any applications found in the StartUp Group load immediately.


Nonpreloading

Nonpreloading systems get their configuration information, including that for loading data compression, when the operating system reads the CONFIG.SYS file. Versions of DOS prior to MS-DOS 6.x are nonpreloading systems. This means that Stacker's setup is a bit more complex than it is for preloading systems that load data compression at the very beginning of startup.


Contents

The following Help Topics are available:

Stacker Windows Toolbox

Toolbox Components

Toolbox Gauges

Toolbox Tools

Menu Commands

File Manager Stacker Information

Disk Summary

All Files

Selected Files

Procedures

How Stacker Works

During Setup

After Setup

What Is Data Compression?

Stacker and Memory

Loading Stacker High

DPMS Memory

Using EMS with Stacker

Stacker Configuration

Using the Stacker Editor

The STACKER.INI File

The CONFIG.SYS File

Using Swap Files on Stacker Drives

Converting Compressed Disks Outside Setup

Updating Stacker Drives Outside Setup

Using Stacker 4.0 with Other Products

Glossary

For Help on Help, Press F1


How Stacker Works

In the process of creating a Stacker drive, Stacker Setup modifies your computer system configuration so Stacker can work with your operating system to handle the compressed data. Setup does all these things:

•	Creates a directory if necessary, copies all the Stacker files to it, and adds the Stacker directory to your path (in AUTOEXEC.BAT).

•	Defines the Stacker driver that compresses and decompresses data.

•	Arranges to swap drive letters, if necessary.

•	Inserts commands to load the device driver (into a special file, such as DBLSPACE.BIN for systems using MS-DOS 6 or above or into the CONFIG.SYS file if it doesn't)

•	Defines a configuration file (STACKER.INI) that holds information for the device drivers.

•	Inserts commands to handle Stacker device driver memory management (into CONFIG.SYS).

•	Inserts command to enable AutoProtect (into AUTOEXEC.BAT).

For more information, see:

How Stacker Works During Setup

How Stacker Works After Setup

What Is Data Compression?

Stacker and Memory

Stacker Configuration


How Stacker Works During Setup

Stacker Setup works a bit differently depending on the status of your computer system.

•	If you haven't used compression before, you can choose Express to let Stacker Setup compress all your hard disks or Custom to let you choose one at a time.

•	If you previously used DoubleSpace, Drive Space, or a similar compression product, Stacker Setup converts any mounted compressed drives to Stacker's superior format.

•	If you compressed disks with an earlier version of Stacker for Windows & DOS, Stacker Setup updates those disks to the new storage format. You can choose a Quick or Full Update. If you choose Full Update, Setup updates the Stacker drives and recompresses the data immediately. If you choose Quick, you can recompress the drives later to get the full advantage of Stacker.

On each drive to be compressed, Setup reserves some free working space (about 1 MB on a boot drive or 100 KB on others) for files that must remain uncompressed. If the disk contains a Windows permanent swap file, Setup reserves space for it on the uncompressed drive as well. This reserved space is sometimes called Stacker's working drive.

Then Setup creates a special file called STACVOL.DSK in the root directory. Every STACVOL file has two major components. The header area contains control information that Stacker uses to store and retrieve your data. The data area contains all the compressed data and unused space. The STACVOL file is actually your Stacker drive.

Stacker Setup compresses all files one by one and stores them in STACVOL.DSK. As it transfers files, Setup continually enlarges the STACVOL.DSK file.

When all the files are compressed, Setup enlarges the STACVOL to fill the space. It optimizes the uncompressed disk to make sure the STACVOL file itself isn't fragmented. And, it adjusts the compression ratios as needed so it can project free space.

Setup also has to arrange for access to the compressed data. It adds driver information to define the STACVOL file as a Stacker drive. Exactly how it does this depends on how your system configures data compression. Regardless, however, Setup creates a STACKER.INI file that contains configuration information for the Stacker driver. The result is the correct drive letter assignment for your configuration.

Setup also arranges that as much of Stacker as possible be stored in areas other than your basic 640 KB of conventional memory.


How Stacker Works After Setup

Once a disk is compressed by Stacker, the Stacker driver resides in memory and works with your operating system (DOS) to handle each read or write request. When an application reads data from a Stacker drive, the Stacker driver decompresses the needed data as it is read from the disk. The data remains in compressed form on the disk. In memory, data is always uncompressed, so the applications use it just as they did before.

When an application writes data to a Stacker drive, the Stacker driver compresses the data as it is written to the disk. The moment the data hits the disk it is compressed, so it doesn't take up any extra space.


What Is Data Compression?

Basically, data compression is a method of making data use less space on your disk. The result is that you can store more data in the same space.

Stacker uses a patented data compression technique based on Stacker LZS™ technology. The form of LZS used in Stacker 4.0 for Windows & DOS is significantly more effective than earlier versions. LZS and its derivatives make the data use less space without losing any information. It uses several techniques to accomplish this, including:

•	Replacing repeated strings with a single byte token or repeated bytes with a single byte and a repeat number. If the word Stacker appears 50 times in a document, using a single byte instead saves 350 characters.

•	Using smaller clusters for storing files and Stacker SmartPack™ to reduce wasted space to almost nothing.

Files such as word processing files, spreadsheet, database, and many graphic formats compress very well. Programs (EXE, COM, etc.) don't compress as well. Precompressed formats, such as ARC, ZIP, and many animated games, don't compress at all.


Stacker and Memory

The Stacker driver takes up some space in memory. You can put the Stacker driver and its buffers into conventional memory (the first 640 KB), but this may cause other DOS programs to run out of memory. You can free up conventional memory by loading the entire Stacker driver into upper memory or extended memory, if your system has the capability.

If your computer is at least a '386 with more than 1 MB of RAM and uses DOS 6 (except DR DOS 6) or later, Stacker defines a DPMS space (DOS Protected Mode Services) in your extended memory and stores most of the Stacker driver there, leaving about 17 KB of the first megabyte of RAM (more if the cluster size is greater than 8 KB). If you have upper memory blocks (UMBs) available, Stacker automatically uses them.

If you have an older operating system, you may be able to store the Stacker cache in expanded memory (EMS) or upper memory blocks. See the STACKER.INI Commands and Advanced STACKER.INI Commands for the switch to use.

Exactly how Stacker loads high depends on the operating system and memory manager you use. If you use a memory manager provided by DOS, check your DOS documentation for further information about memory management. If you use a different memory manager, check its documentation.

For more information, check:

Using the Stacker Editor

Loading Stacker High

DPMS Memory

Using EMS with Stacker

Stacker Configuration


Loading Stacker High

In the CONFIG.SYS file, memory management commands make upper memory (between 640 KB and 1 MB) available if your system has the capability. Operating systems that take advantage of upper memory blocks (UMBs) require that this area be enabled and referenced correctly. To do so, you need to use a memory manager, such as EMM386.

Note: Drivers that use UMBs access them via DOS' DEVICEHIGH=keyword. Other memory managers may use different keywords and may have additional lines.

The order of the memory management lines in CONFIG.SYS is quite logical: the first few lines of memory management turn on the memory manager. Then tell the manager which upper memory areas to use. For example, if your system can use DPMS (DOS Protected Mode Services), a special area in extended memory, the DPMS line will follow the memory manager lines so the manager can access that area in extended memory. And finally, Stacker's lines follow the memory lines so Stacker can load as efficiently as possible.

Nonpreloading Systems

For nonpreloading systems, DEVICEHIGH is used with the STACKER.COM and REDIRECT.SYS lines. The SSWAP.COM line still uses DEVICE. The following example shows DEVICEHIGH line for a nonpreloading system that uses the EMM386 memory manager:

DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS
DOS=HIGH,UMB
DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE NOEMS
.
.
.
DEVICEHIGH=C:\STACKER\STACKER.COM
DEVICE=C:\STACKER\SSWAP.COM
DEVICEHIGH=C:\STACKER\REDIRECT.SYS (if DOS 6 or above and not Novell DOS 7)

Preloading Systems

Preloading systems, such as MS-DOS 6.x, use only one DEVICEHIGHfor the STACHIGH.SYS line. The other lines are the same as they are for nonpreloading systems:

DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS
DOS=HIGH,UMB
DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE NOEMS
.
.
.
DEVICEHIGH=C:\STACKER\STACHIGH.SYS

Note: For either system configuration (preloading or nonpreloading), you can use HIMEM.SYS and EMM386.EXE from Windows instead of the DOS directory if they are more recent.

After setting up Stacker in upper memory, run your memory optimizer to let it reconfigure your upper memory and account for Stacker.

For more information, see:

Using the Stacker Editor

Stacker and Memory

DPMS Memory

Using EMS with Stacker


Using EMS with Stacker

Using expanded memory (EMS) requires a special memory manager, such as EMM386. When you run Express Setup, Stacker automatically adds an /EMS switch to the CONFIG.SYS file if DPMS can't be used and you compress any large drives. During Custom Setup, Stacker asks if you want EMS. If you answer yes, Setup adds the /EMS switch.

Note: Some applications may be sensitive to an environment in which Stacker is loaded into EMS or DPMS memory. If you use a memory manager and would like specific suggestions for configuring your memory manager for use with Stacker, please check the README file. Also check in your How To Reach Stac brochure included in your package for ways to reach us for solutions to specific problems.

Nonpreloading Systems

Stacker cache buffers can reside in EMS. In nonpreloading systems, the remainder of the driver can reside in upper memory blocks if you use  DEVICEHIGH=  in the STACKER.COM and REDIRECT.SYS lines. The lines in your CONFIG.SYS file should look something like this:

DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS
DOS=HIGH,UMB
DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE RAM
.
.
.
DEVICEHIGH=C:\STACKER\STACER.COM
DEVICE=C:\STACKER\SSWAP.COM
DEVICEHIGH=C:\STACKER\REDIRECT.SYS

Preloading Systems

For preloading systems, use DEVICEHIGH= on the STACHIGH.SYS lines.

DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS
DOS=HIGH,UMB
DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE RAM
.
.
.
DEVICEHIGH=C:\STACKER\STACHIGH.SYS

Note: For either system configuration (preloading or nonpreloading), you can use HIMEM.SYS and EMM386.EXE from Windows instead of the DOS directory if they are more recent.

After setting up Stacker in upper memory, run your memory optimizer to let it reconfigure your upper memory and account for Stacker.

For more information, see:

Stacker and Memory

Loading Stacker High

DPMS Memory

Stacker Configuration

Using the Stacker Editor


DPMS Memory

Many newer computers can load Stacker beyond upper memory--into extended memory. This is the best way to minimize use of conventional or upper memory. If you have at least a '386 computer with more than 1 MB of RAM and DOS 6.0 or higher, Stacker uses Novell's DPMS (DOS Protected Mode Services)-- a new memory-management standard. DPMS takes a part of extended memory, which is not available to many programs, and lets the system use it safely. If Stacker uses DPMS, it won't need much conventional memory at all -- just enough for the DPMS driver (about 2 KB). This frees up conventional and upper memory for those programs that can't use DPMS.

Just as you needed a memory manager to control use of the upper memory allocations, for DPMS you need a special memory manager, such as HIMEM.SYS, to control DPMS access. The memory manager must provide VCPI (Virtual Control Program Interface) services and a DPMS server (such as Stacker's DPMS.EXE). Most memory managers provide VCPI services.

With DPMS, about 17 KB of the Stacker device driver resides in conventional memory if DEVICE= is used for the STACHIGH.SYS line (for more recent systems) or STACKER.COM (for older, nonpreloading systems). If you use  DEVICEHIGH=  instead, the 17 KB can move into upper memory blocks.

DOES YOUR COMPUTER USE DPMS?

If your computer seems to qualify for DPMS, you might want to check to see if it really uses DPMS.

•	First examine your CONFIG.SYS file (use Stacker's editor, ED, or any other text viewer or editor). DPMS won't work unless the DPMS.EXE file is stored on your hard disk and referenced by a DEVICE= line in your CONFIG.SYS file. If your system can use DPMS, Stacker Setup adds another line, the DPMS.EXE line, to your CONFIG.SYS file:

DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS
DOS=HIGH,UMB
DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE NOEMS
.
.
.
DEVICE=C:\STACKER\DPMS.EXE
DEVICEHIGH=C:\STACKER\STACHIGH.SYS

For preloading systems, the DPMS.EXE line precedes the STACHIGH.SYS line. For nonprelaoding systems, the line is inserted above the STACKER.COM line. The logic is to enable the DPMS area first; then tell Stacker to go high.

Note: Stacker Setup automatically uses DPMS when possible. However, if STACKER.INI contains an /EMS, /UM, or /-DPMS switch, Stacker won't use DPMS. Stacker Setup adds the EMS switch only if DPMS can't be used and if you compressed a large drive (more than 400 MB). If your system can't take advantage of DPMS, you may be able to use EMS. To use EMS, delete any switches that enable DPMS. See Commands for the STACKER.INI File for more details.

•	Next, watch the messages when you start up your computer. Just after the Stacker message, you should see a message beginning with "DPMS" and followed by Novell copyright information.

•	Finally, you can see how much space Stacker uses in memory. Here's how:

1	Get to a DOS prompt.

2	Type MEM /C /P and press ENTER.

(Note: /P works only with DOS 6 and above.)

3	Examine the result. You'll see that DPMS is in conventional memory and takes less than 2 KB. STACHIGH (or STACKER.COM if a nonpreload system) is in upper memory and takes about 17 KB (more if the cluster size is greater than 8 KB). No other Stacker components occupy conventional or upper memory.

CONTROLLING DPMS

You can turn DPMS on or off at the DOS prompt or by editing the CONFIG.SYS file or the STACKER.INI file. If you turn off DPMS, the Stacker driver will take up more space in lower memory.

To turn DPMS on or off from the DOS prompt

1.	Get to a DOS prompt.

2.	Type CONFIG /D- to turn it off or CONFIG /D to turn it on.

3.	Restart your computer.

To turn off DPMS through the CONFIG.SYS file

1.	Edit the CONFIG.SYS file (use ED) and type REM and a space at the beginning of the DPMS.EXE line.

2.	Save your changes and restart your computer to put the changes into effect.

To turn DPMS back on through the CONFIG.SYS file

1.	Edit the CONFIG.SYS file (use ED) and delete REM and any spaces at the beginning of the DPMS.EXE line.

2.	Save your changes and restart your computer to put the changes into effect.

To turn off DPMS through the STACKER.INI file

1.	Edit the STACKER.INI file (use ED) and add the command /-DPMS.

2.	Save the change and restart your computer to put the change into effect.

For more information, see:

Stacker and Memory

Loading Stacker High

Using EMS with Stacker

Stacker Configuration

Using the Stacker Editor


Stacker Configuration

To handle compressed data, Stacker must define the Stacker drives during startup so they are accessible. When Stacker Setup compresses data on a hard disk, the compressed Stacker drive keeps the original drive letter. The associated, uncompressed drive is assigned a new letter. Stacker takes care of organizing the drive letters so you don't have to. All your data will still be on the drives where you expect it to be.

If you are a more advanced user, you may want to tailor your system's configuration. To do so, you need to know the Stacker drive letter assignments and whether or not your system preloads data compression.

To determine Stacker drive letters

1.	Get to a DOS prompt.

2.	Type STACKER.

Stacker displays a drive map such as the following one:

Drive A: was drive A: at boot time
Drive B: was drive B: at boot time  [Auto-mounting Stacker drive]
Drive C: was drive C: at boot time  [E:\STACVOL.DSK=174.6MB]
Drive D: was drive D: at boot time  [F:\STACVOL.DSK=26.7MB]
Drive E: was drive E: at boot time
Drive F: was drive F: at boot time

Some drives have information in brackets at the end of the line. For those lines, the first drive letter is the Stacker drive. In brackets at the end of the line, the drive letter in front of the STACVOL file is the uncompressed drive associated with the Stacker drive.

Some maps may show different drive letters at boot time. For example, you may see lines similar to this one:

Drive C: was drive E: at boot time [E:\STACVOL.DSK=174.6MB]

Compare this to the Drive C line in the previous example. Notice that in both cases, the Stacker drive letter at the beginning of the line and the information within the brackets stays the same.

In addition to knowing the drive letters, you need to know whether or not your system preloads data compression. If your system preloads data compression, that information is read and processed before the CONFIG.SYS file is processed.

To determine whether or not your system preloads data compression

Check your Stacker drive map. If the Stacker drive letters and the drive letters at boot time are the same, your system preloads. If the letters are different, your system does not preload compression.

Note: If you use the /SW= command in the STACKER.INI file, or if you don't use ",SW" on any drive specification line, the above procedure will not work. In that case, check your CONFIG.SYS file. If your system preloads, you will see a line for STACHIGH.SYS. If it doesn't preload, you should see a STACKER.COM line. Although this method is a bit more involved, it is also the more reliable way to determine how your system loads data compression.

Once you know the drive letters and whether or not your system preloads data compression, you are ready to customize your Stacker configuration. Stacker gets detailed information from the STACKER.INI file and depends on the CONFIG.SYS file for basic system configuration information. To tailor your configuration, you may need to edit both files.

For more information, see:

Stacker and Memory

Using the Stacker Editor

The CONFIG.SYS File

The STACKER.INI File


The CONFIG.SYS File

The CONFIG.SYS file sets up basic configuration information for your system.

Nonpreloading Systems

If your system doesn't preload data compression, DOS knows nothing about your Stacker drives until it reads the CONFIG.SYS file. Stacker's device drivers are defined in the CONFIG.SYS file. For nonpreloading systems, Stacker Setup inserts a trio of lines into your CONFIG.SYS file:

DEVICEHIGH=C:\STACKER\STACKER.COM
DEVICE=C:\STACKER\SSWAP.COM
DEVICEHIGH=C:\STACKER\REDIRECT.SYS (if DOS 6 and above and not Novell DOS 7)

The first line loads the Stacker device driver, STACKER.COM, which establishes each STACVOL.xxx file as a separate drive. STACKER.COM stays in memory to handle compressing and decompressing data from all Stacker drives automatically as you work.

Note: Don't remove the STACKER device driver statement. It must be present when the computer starts so DOS can find your data. If it's gone, DOS will find just the uncompressed drive that contains the STACVOL.xxx file. Your data will be safe, but you will have to re-enter the device driver statement and restart your system to access it.

On the second line, SSWAP.COM exchanges drive letters for each of the drives. This driver does not stay resident in memory; it just exchanges the drive letters at boot time. When your system starts, if any files on the two associated drives differ, SSWAP offers to replace the older file with the new file (making a backup with the extension ._SB on the drive of the replaced file). If CONFIG.SYS is copied from the compressed drive to the uncompressed drive, SSWAP restarts the system so the changes can take effect. If you add new device drivers after compressing your disk, they will be copied to the uncompressed drive automatically next time you restart your system.

Information needed by either of these device drivers (STACKER.COM or SSWAP.COM) is stored in the STACKER.INI file. Earlier Stacker versions added various switches on device driver lines to control how the drivers worked. All such information is now supplied through the STACKER.INI file.

On the third line, REDIRECT.SYS flushes the SmartDrive write cache before returning to the DOS prompt. If you use MS-DOS 6 or higher or PC-DOS 6 or higher, REDIRECT.SYS also intercepts the DOS 6 CHKDSK, DBLSPACE, DRVSPACE, DIR, and DEFRAG commands to make them Stacker-aware. If you are using Novell NetX, you may want to disable the intercept feature. Just add the /I- switch to the STACKER.INI file.

For example, suppose you have only one hard disk (C) that you compressed during Stacker Setup. When the first DEVICE statement is processed, DOS loads the Stacker device driver. The driver checks STACKER.INI for more information. STACKER.INI contains a line that tells Stacker that the compressed disk is contained in a file named C:\STACVOL.DSK. DOS assigns the next available drive letter (D) to the compressed disk. SSWAP exchanges the letters so all your data remains on the drive where you expect it to be.

Preloading Systems

If your system preloads data compression, Stacker Setup substitutes the following line for the trio of lines in your CONFIG.SYS file (that is the configuration for older systems):

DEVICEHIGH=C:\STACKER\STACHIGH.SYS

If your Stacker files are stored in a directory other than C:\STACKER, that path appears instead. The DEVICEHIGH command lets DOS load the driver into upper memory blocks if there is any space available. You'll have to make sure your system is capable of loading programs "high." Just check your operating system's or memory manager's documentation.

For preloading systems, STACHIGH gracefully coordinates and activates all the functions that have to be controlled by STACKER.COM, SSWAP.COM, and REDIRECT.SYS in nonpreloading systems. Preloading integrates data compression tightly with the operating system. It lets any new drive letters be assigned and active before CONFIG.SYS and other programs are loaded.

Most block device drivers should be loaded before the STACHIGH.SYS line. Block device drivers loaded after this line will be assigned letters above all the host drive letters.

You may also be able to use DPMS (DOS Protected Mode Services) to store the Stacker cache in extended memory. If your system can't take advantage of DPMS, you still might be able to store the cache in expanded memory (EMS) or upper memory blocks. See the STACKER.INI Commands for the switch to use.

For more information, see:

Stacker and Memory

Stacker Configuration

Using the Stacker Editor

The STACKER.INI File


The STACKER.INI File

Stacker Setup creates a hidden file, STACKER.INI, in the uncompressed portion of your root directory. The STACKER.INI file contains configuration information for the Stacker device drivers. Stacker Setup creates STACKER.INI as a hidden file in the root directory of your boot drive if it doesn't already exist. Other Stacker commands modify it as needed.

The STACKER.INI file provides configuration information for the Stacker device drivers so they can establish access to the Stacker drives. The same information is used whether or not your system is preloaded. At startup, your operating system accesses the STACKER.INI file for information about how to configure Stacker and load the Stacker driver into memory. It also uses commands in the CONFIG.SYS file to further define your Stacker configuration.

A STACKER.INI file contains two types of lines: commands and drive specifications.

Commands

Most commands start with a slash mark / and can be placed anywhere in the STACKER.INI file.

STACKER.INI contains only the commands needed to configure your Stacker system, each on its own line. The order of the commands makes no difference, and you can add commands to customize your Stacker configuration. Default settings do not appear.

If you add commands to STACKER.INI, enter each on a separate line, usually near the top of the file. For example, adding /Q results in a list of the Stacker drives during system startup. You could add it if you want to see detailed information whenever you restart.

Drive Specifications

Each drive specification begins with a drive letter and a colon and occupies a separate line. Each defines a different Stacker drive and specifies its mounting status (SW-swapped, NS-not swapped, or RP-replaced). The following is a typical drive specification in a STACKER.INI file.

D:\STACVOL.DSK,SW

It shows the STACVOL file name on the uncompressed drive (D). The SW indicates that the letter of the uncompressed drive was swapped with that of the Stacker drive. The compressed Stacker drive that holds all your data has the original drive letter.

Any Stacker drives that are created from existing data are mounted swapped; that is, the drive letter assigned to the new Stacker drive is exchanged with the original drive letter. The result is that your data uses the same drive letter as before.

Suppose your computer has a single hard drive. The STACKER.INI file created by Express Setup might contain these lines:

/DIR=C:\STACKER\

C:\STACVOL.DSK,SW

The first line gives the path where the Stacker files are located. The last line in the example specifies the full name of the STACVOL file; the SW indicates that its drive letter is swapped with the original drive.

Stacker drives created from free space are mounted not swapped (NS). Removable drives are mounted replaced (RP). When Stacker mounts a drive replaced, it uses a single drive letter for both the uncompressed drive and the compressed Stacker drive. Because of this split personality, you can access only one portion at a timecompressed or uncompressed.

For more information, see:

Using the Stacker Editor

Commands for the STACKER.INI File

Advanced STACKER.INI Commands

Commands for the STACKER.INI File

Drive Specifications for the STACKER.INI File

Multidrive STACKER.INI File - Example


Commands for the STACKER.INI File

STACKER.INI normally contains only the commands needed to configure your system. Default settings don't appear. You can use the following commands if necessary.

Note: Only the *, #, and drive:\STACVOL, xx lines are position-dependent. All other commands can appear anywhere in the STACKER.INI file.

    Command	       Effect

/?	From the DOS command line, typing this switch after a Stacker command to get a help message about that command.

*	Reserves a drive letter for future use. If you convert drives that were compressed by a software other than Stacker or if you Uncompress a Stacker drive, Setup uses the * to maintain the previous drive letters. You can use * to force Stacker to skip specific drive letters.

#	Reserves a drive letter on which another device may be mounted, such as a CD or network. For example, if you have a single hard disk on which you have created a Stacker drive, Stacker normally assigns drive letter D to the uncompressed disk, leaving C for the compressed Stacker drive. If you edit STACKER.INI and place # on the line following C:\STACVOL.DSK,SW, Stacker reserves drive D for your use and uses E for the uncompressed drive that works with drive C. You can then use drive D for a CD-ROM drive or other device.

@	Obsolete syntax; use /RP=n instead.

/AUTO	Turns on AutoMounting of removable drives. AutoMounting is off by default in Stacker 4.0; under previous versions, it was on by default. You can also enable AutoMounting by adding /RP=n in the STACKER.INI file. Turning on AutoMounting adds to the driver size. You can use the command /-AUTO to turn off AutoMounting.

/BD=x	Specifies the base drive letter (x) from which to start Stacker drives. This may appear if Stacker converted from DoubleSpace or Drive Space drives to maintain the Double/DriveSpace drive letter assignments. For example, if the first Double/DriveSpace drive was assigned to drive letter F, /BD=F appears in STACKER.INI and F is assigned to the first Stacker drive. Valid in DOS 6 and later systems.

/DIR=<path>	Specifies the path where the Stacker software is located; it is used by the Stacker Interceptor. This command generally occurs at the top of the STACKER.INI file.

/P=n	Sets the compression tuning. Use any value between 0 and 10. The value 0 gets the least compression; a setting of 10 gets the most compression. A setting of 10 produces the very best compression. Stacker always uses the best possible compression while creating or recompressing a Stacker drive.

/RP=n	Sets the number of replaceable drives to reserve, in addition to any specific drive specifications.

For more information about STACKER.INI commands, see:

Advanced STACKER.INI Commands

Drive Specifications for the STACKER.INI File

Multidrive STACKER.INI File - Example


Advanced STACKER.INI Commands

In special cases, you might want to add additional commands to your STACKER.INI file. These commands are available:

    Command	       Effect

/C or /C=n	Specifies the cluster size as the default (/C) or 4, 8, 16, or 32 KB. It must be at least as large as the smallest cluster size in use. Don't change this value; it is established when the Stacker drive is created.

/-DPMS	Turns off DOS Protected Mode Services (DPMS), an area in extended memory where the Stacker driver can exist. Stacker Setup prefers to use DPMS if your system can do so, freeing up other memory areas for other programs to use. Using another memory switch, such as /UMB or /EMS, also inactivates DPMS.

/EMS	Indicates that Stacker's disk cache (up to 64 KB) should be stored in expanded memory, if any is available. If you use /EMS, you won't be able to use /UMB or take advantage of DPMS.

/I-	Turns off Stacker's DOS command interceptor, saving 2 KB in memory. Normally used with Novell networks since Stacker's interceptor is not effective when the Novell NetX driver is running. To make the interceptor effective, you need to turn it off so NetX loads without interference, then re-enable it afterward. To disable the interceptor during the first part of startup, add the /I- switch to the STACKER.INI file. Also add the following line to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file AFTER the Novell Network drivers so that the interceptor will be re-enabled once NetX is loaded:

    C:\STACKER\REDIRECT.COM

/LHF-	Turns off Stacker's normal clearing of the cache used by SmartDrive under MS-DOS 6 when any application ends.

/-LZS	Turns off Stacker's search for an external compression server like those used by Stacker hardware. Needed only with some older configurations when the system refuses to boot.

/M=n	Sets the cache memory size to n KB. Use any value between 1 and 64. The amount of driver memory required increases by whatever you specify up to a maximum of 64 KB for the cache (The /M switch has no effect if you use it with /EMS.) If you use DPMS, /M=n has no effect.

/Q-	Turns off normal quiet startup. This switch causes your Stacker drives and their uncompressed drives to be listed at Startup, along with other program and copyright information.

/SW=swap-pairs	Sets up multiple swapping that takes place after individual drives are mounted and swapped. If necessary, use /SW to specify swapping to occur after all Stacker drives are mounted. See Drive Specifications for more details.

/UMB	Indicates that Stacker's disk cache should be stored in upper memory blocks, if space is available. If you use /UMB, you won't be able to use /EMS or take advantage of using DPMS if your system can do so. It is a good idea to load Stacker as high as possible to free up memory for other programs.

/W-	Disables Windows permanent swap file pointer updating. By default, if Stacker detects a Windows permanent swap file on a disk that was swapped, Stacker searches through its preset pattern for the Windows directory and places the full path of the Windows permanent swap file in SPART.PAR in the Windows directory. Once this is done (the first time you restart your system after compressing the disks that contain the permanent swap file), it really doesn't have to be done again unless you make drastic changes to your system. If you add /W- to the STACKER.INI file, the search won't take place, and you'll save a bit of time at startup.

NOTE: Stacker checks for a Windows permanent swap file every time you restart your system. Adding /W- shortens startup time, especially if you don't have Windows.

/W=<directory>	Names the directory that contains your permanent swap file pointer (SPART.PAR). Use this switch if your directory has an unusual name or isn't on the default path that Stacker searches. If Windows can't find its permanent swap file after you compress a disk, add this switch and restart your system. This switch tells Stacker exactly where to find the SPART.PAR file, saving a bit of time at startup. Replace it with /W- after Windows finds its swap file.

/W+<directory>	Names the directory that contains your permanent swap file. Use it if your directory has an unusual name or isn't on the default path that Stacker searches. It causes Stacker to search its regular default path and find this one, too, just in case you have multiple swap files. This command actually lengthens the search but ensures that it finds all the files.

For more information, see:

Commands for the STACKER.INI File

Drive Specifications for the STACKER.INI File

Multidrive STACKER.INI File - Example


Drive Specifications in the STACKER.INI File

Each Stacker drive on the system is represented by a drive specification line in the STACKER.INI file. Each drive specification gives the full name and path to the STACVOL file (such as C:\STACVOL.DSK,SW) and includes a mounting parameter that specifies how the Stacker drive is mounted. If you remove a drive specification, that drive will not be mounted automatically.

The following parameters specify the mounting method for the Stacker drive. A comma precedes the parameter.

NS	Mount without swapping, using the next available drive letter. Used for Stacker drives created from free space or additional Stacker drives on the same original uncompressed drive. You can access data on the original uncompressed drive by using its original drive letter.

RP	Mount replaced. Usually applies to removable and RAM disks. You won't be able to access data on the original uncompressed drive while the Stacker drive is mounted.

SW	Mount swapped, using the next available drive letter. Used for Stacker drives created from existing data. You can access data on the original uncompressed drive by using the new drive letter.

When you create a Stacker drive using the Stacker Toolbox or Setup, Stacker inserts the appropriate mounting parameter in the drive specification.

If the drive specification includes SW, mounting the Stacker drive causes the drive letter swapping to take place. To delay swapping until all Stacker drives are mounted, use the separate /SW command. To set up multiple swapping, use a line like this:

           /SW = jk mn xy

After it mounts all drives, Stacker will swap drives in pairs: J with K, M with N, X with Y, and so on, up to 26 swaps. Most users don't need multiple swapping because the mounting parameter "SW" on the STACVOL line handles swapping on an individual drive basis.

For more information, see:

The STACKER.INI File

Commands for the STACKER.INI File

Multidrive STACKER.INI File - Example

The CONFIG.SYS File


Multidrive STACKER.INI File - Example

Suppose a computer has two fixed disks. You create these Stacker drives:

•	One Stacker drive compresses all the data on drive C

•	One Stacker drive compresses data on drive D, leaving about 40 MB free space

•	One Stacker drive uses the free space left on D

•	One Stacker drive in floppy drive B

•	A Stacker RAM drive

The STACKER.INI file might contain these lines:

       Line	      What it means

/DIR=C:\STACKER\ 	Where Stacker files are stored

/P=10	Optimal compression

/RP=1 	To let you use compressed floppies in drive A

/BD=H	(Begin drive); starts assigning new letters at H

B:	Specifies automount for drive B (mounted replaced)

C:\STACVOL.DSK,SW	Stacker drive on C (swapped with H)

D:\STACVOL.DSK,SW	Stacker drive on D (swapped with I)

D:\STACVOL.000,NS	Second Stacker drive on D (not swapped; the new Stacker drive made from free space becomes drive J)

E:\STACVOL.DSK,RP	Stacker RAM drive, replaced

After STACKER.INI is processed, these are the drive letters:

B	AutoMounting removable drive

C	Stacker drive (created from entire drive C -- data and free space)

D	Stacker drive (created from existing data on drive D)

E	Stacker RAM drive

F	DOES NOT EXIST

G	DOES NOT EXIST

H	Uncompressed drive containing the STACVOL file for Stacker drive C

I	Uncompressed drive containing STACVOL files for Stacker drive D

J	Stacker drive created from free space on D

Typing STACKER at the DOS prompt gets this result:

 Drive A: was Drive A: at boot time

 Drive B: was Drive B: at boot time [Auto-mounting Stacker drive]

 Drive C: was Drive C: at boot time [H:\STACVOL.DSK = size]

 Drive D: was Drive D: at boot time [I:\STACVOL.DSK = size]

 Drive E: was Drive E: at boot time [E:\STACVOL.DSK = size]

 Drive F: was Drive F: at boot time

 Drive G: was Drive G: at boot time

 Drive H: was Drive H: at boot time

 Drive I: was Drive I: at boot time

 Drive J: was Drive J: at boot time [I:\STACVOL.000 = size]


Using the Stacker Editor

Stacker provides the ED editor that you can use to edit system files or any ASCII file.

Start up ED by typing ED at the DOS prompt.

To make system editing easy, you can choose STACKER.INI, CONFIG.SYS, AUTOEXEC.BAT, or the STACKER.LOG directly from the File menu. STACKER.INI is a hidden file located in the root directory of your uncompressed boot drive, so it's more difficult to edit with standard editors.

ED works much like other standard text editors. It provides a full range of features via its menu bar and help system. You can also examine or modify a file using:

•	Arrow keys to position the cursor

•	Delete key to remove characters

•	Insert key if you have to insert or overtype characters

•	Enter to add a new line

When you are finished, press ALT, F, X to exit ED. When prompted, type Y for Yes if you want to save the changes. Restart your system to put the changes into effect.


Procedures

For more information on performing any of the following, just click the procedure.

AutoMounting Removable Drives

Adding a Windows Permanent Swap File

Changing AutoSave Settings

Changing File Attributes

Changing Passwords

Changing the Expected Compression Ratio

Changing the Stacker Drive Size

Changing Warning Level for Toolbox Gauges

Checking the Integrity of a Stacker Drive

Compressing a Floppy Disk

Compressing a RAM Disk

Compressing the Data on Another Disk

Converting an Unmounted Compressed Drive

Creating an Empty Stacker Drive

Defining a Password

Defragmenting a Disk

Deleting a Password

Displaying File Attributes

Editing Any Text File

Identifying Drive Letters

Installing the Stacker Program Group

Installing the Stacker Screen Saver

Locating a Windows Permanent Swap File

Making More Uncompressed Space

Monitoring File Compression

Mounting Removable Stacker Drives

Optimizing a Disk

Rebuilding the Stacker Configuration Files

Recompressing a Disk

Removing a Stacker Drive

Repairing a Stacker Drive

Tuning Stacker

Uncompressing a Disk

Using Stacker Anywhere from DOS

Using Stacker Anywhere from Windows


Updating Stacker Drives Outside Setup

Stacker Setup automatically updates any mounted Stacker drives from earlier versions to the new, superior Stacker storage formats. It does not update any removable disks or any Stacker drives on a fixed disk that are not mounted.

You can use the HCONVERT command outside of Setup to update removable or unmounted Stacker drives to the new format. The process is the same for both. You must run HCONVERT under DOS, rather than under Windows.

IMPORTANT: If you use HCONVERT, let it run to completion. Do not interrupt the process.

HCONVERT Syntax

Updating an Unmounted Stacker Drive

Updating a Removable Stacker Drive


HCONVERT Syntax

The HCONVERT program updates Stacker drives to use Stacker's newest technology and superior data compression. If your computer has earlier Stacker drives that weren't mounted when you ran Setup or if you have removable Stacker drives to update, you can run HCONVERT at the DOS prompt outside of Windows.

                HCONVERT /C stacvol-filename [/M]

            or

                HCONVERT /G old-stacvol-filename new-stacvol-filename [/M]

       Option	        Effect

/C stacvol-filename	Updates the named STACVOL file to the new Stacker format. If you don't include a drive letter in the path, a file of that name on the current drive is updated.

/G old-stacvol-filename new-stacvol-filename

Generates a STACVOL file in the new storage format by copying the named old STACVOL file as a new Stacker volume. It doesn't change the existing STACVOL file. If you omit the drive letter in either volume-name, the current disk is used.

/M	Use with either /C or /G on a monochrome monitor.


Updating an Unmounted Stacker Drive

Suppose Stacker drive D was unmounted when you ran Stacker Setup. Setup won't update it automatically. Drive D contains the hidden file STACVOL.000. To update the drive, type:

                HCONVERT /C D:\STACVOL.000

HCONVERT updates the file. It does not mount the drive, however.

To Mount a Stacker Drive Temporarily

Type the complete path for the STACVOL file in the following format:

               STACKER drive:=host drive:\STACVOL.xxx

where the first drive letter is the one you want to mount and the host drive is the drive that contains the STACVOL file.

Shortcut: Most of the time, you can just type STACKER drive: where drive: is the letter for the drive: you want to mount.

Since this is a temporary mount, the drive won't be mounted when you restart your computer.

Note: If you see a message that there is no available replaceable drive, edit the STACKER.INI file to add /RP=1. If you already have a /RP command, increase its value by at least one.

To Mount a Stacker Drive Permanently

HCONVERT does not modify the STACKER.INI file. To make Stacker mount drives you updated outside of Setup, use ED to edit the STACKER.INI file and add a drive specification line. For the example above, you would type on a new line:

                D:\STACVOL.000,SW

When you restart your computer, the drive is mounted along with any other drives specified in STACKER.INI.


Updating a Removable Stacker Drive

Insert the removable disk into a drive. The STACVOL file is named STACVOL.DSK. Then type:

HCONVERT /C drive:\STACVOL.DSK

The Stacker drive is updated.

To have Stacker mount Stacker drives in a removable drive automatically, use the Stacker editor, ED, to edit the STACKER.INI file and add a line containing the drive letter and colon, as in B: Then Stacker can automatically mount Stacker drives in that drive.

Using the Stacker Editor


Converting Compressed Disks Outside Setup

Stacker Setup automatically converts any mounted disks previously compressed by programs compatible with DoubleSpace, Drive Space, and SuperStor/DS to Stacker drives. It does not convert any removable disks or any compressed drives on the fixed disk that are not mounted.

You can use the DCONVERT command outside of Setup to convert compressed removable disks or unmounted disks compressed by these programs to Stacker drives. The process is the same for both. You must run DCONVERT at the DOS prompt, outside of Windows.

IMPORTANT: If you use DCONVERT, let it run to completion. Do not interrupt the process.

For more information, see:

DCONVERT Syntax

Converting an Unmounted Compressed Drive

Converting a Compressed Removable Disk


DCONVERT Syntax

The DCONVERT program converts disks compressed by a program such as DoubleSpace, Drive Space, or SuperStor/DS to Stacker drives that use Stacker's newest technology and superior data compression. If your computer has compressed removable disks or compressed drives that weren't mounted when you ran Setup, you can run DCONVERT at the DOS prompt outside of Windows.

                DCONVERT /C compressed-volume-name [/M]

            or

                DCONVERT /G compressed-volume-name stacvol-filename [/M]

         Option	          Effect

/C compressed-volume-name	Converts the named compressed volume to the new Stacker format. If you don't include a drive letter in the path, a file of that name on the current drive is updated.

/G compressed-volume-name stacvol-filename

Generates a STACVOL file in the new format by copying the named compressed volume as a new Stacker volume. If you omit the drive letter in either volume-name, the current disk is used.

/M	Use with either /C or /G on a monochrome monitor.

DCONVERT needs some working space on a disk to convert it, as much as 1 MB depending on the situation. If it runs out of space, you'll see a WRITE ERROR. There is no problem. Just use /G instead to make a converted copy of the compressed volume file on a different disk. Then use COPY to transfer the resulting STACVOL file to the disk you want it on.

You will have to change the attributes of the original file in order to delete it.


Converting an Unmounted Compressed Drive

Suppose DoubleSpace (or Drive Space) drive D was unmounted when you ran Stacker Setup. Setup doesn't convert unmounted disks. Drive D contains the hidden file DBL/DRVSPACE.000. To convert the drive, type:

DCONVERT /C D:\DBLSPACE.000 (or DCONVERT /C D:\DRVSPACE.000)

The file is converted and renamed to STACVOL.DSK. DCONVERT does not mount the drive, however.

To Mount a Stacker Drive Temporarily

To mount a Stacker drive, type STACKER drive:, where drive is the disk that contains the STACVOL file. When you restart your computer, this drive will be unmounted again.

Note: If you see a message that there is no available replaceable drive, edit the STACKER.INI file to add /RP=2. If you already have a /RP command, increase its value by at least one.

To Mount a Stacker Drive Permanently

DCONVERT does not modify the STACKER.INI file. To cause a converted drive to be mounted when you restart your system, use ED to edit the STACKER.INI file and add a drive specification line. For the example above, you would type on a new line:

D:\STACVOL.DSK,SW

When you restart your computer, the drive is mounted along with any other drives specified in STACKER.INI.


Converting a Compressed Removable Disk

Insert the disk into a drive and type DIR drive: /AH to identify the name of the hidden DoubleSpace or Drive Space volume. Then type:

DCONVERT /C drive:\dblspace-volume-name (or drive:\drvspace-volume-name)

The volume is converted and named STACVOL.DSK.


Compressing Data on Another Disk

Once you have installed Stacker 4.0 on your computer, you can compress any disk that is not yet compressed.

To compress data on a disk

1.	In the Stacker Toolbox, choose any uncompressed drive.

2.	Choose the Compress tool.

3.	If you chose an empty removable drive, Stacker creates an empty Stacker drive using all the available space.

4.	If you chose any other drive, Stacker starts the Setup program.

5.	When Setup starts, choose the disk to be compressed and proceed as in Custom setup.


Creating an Empty Stacker Drive

If you do not wish to compress any data already on the disk and there is enough uncompressed space on it, you can ask Stacker to create a new empty Stacker drive for you. Stacker can create an empty Stacker drive on a removable or fixed disk.

To compress an empty floppy or other removable disk

1.	Insert the empty disk into the disk drive.

2.	From the Stacker Toolbox, select that removable drive.

3.	Choose the Compress tool.
Stacker creates and verifies the drive.

4.	Choose OK after the disk is created.

To create an empty Stacker drive on a disk that contains data

1.	From the Stacker Toolbox, choose any uncompressed drive.

2.	Choose the Compress tool.

3.	When Stacker Setup begins, choose OK to exit Windows and continue under DOS.

4.	When prompted, choose the drive on which you want to create an empty Stacker drive.

5.	To create an empty Stacker drive, choose Free Space.

6.	Type the amount of space to use for the disk. The resulting Stacker drive will be more than twice this size.

7.	Follow the instructions to let Setup finish creating the drive and return to Windows.

If you want a drive to mount Stacker disks automatically, all you have to do is make a minor edit to your STACKER.INI file -- simply add the drive letter (and a colon) on a line by itself. For example, if you want drive B to mount Stacker disks automatically, do the following.

To make a drive, such as drive B, automatically mount Stacker disks

1.	Exit Windows so you are working in DOS.

2.	Go to your Stacker directory, usually C:\STACKER.

3.	At the prompt (for example, C:\STACKER>), type ED and press ENTER to open the text editor supplied with Stacker.

4.	From ED's File menu, choose STACKER.INI.

5.	Add a new line and type:

B:

6.	Save the change and exit.

7.	Restart your computer.

Note: If you want more than one drive to mount Stacker disks automatically, you must add a separate line for each drive in STACKER.INI.

For more information, see:

Using the Stacker Editor

Commands for the STACKER.INI File

Advanced STACKER.INI Commands

Commands for the STACKER.INI File

Drive Specifications for the STACKER.INI File

Multidrive STACKER.INI File - Example


Compressing a RAM Disk

RAM drives can be created in the CONFIG.SYS or AUTOEXEC.BAT file. To automatically double the capacity of a RAM drive created in CONFIG.SYS, you can include an SCREATE.SYS device statement following the line that creates the RAM drive. This example creates a 4 MB RAM drive and then creates a 10 MB Stacker drive from it:

DEVICE=C:\DOS\RAMDRIVE.SYS 4096 /A

DEVICE=C:\STACKER\SCREATE.SYS E:

The SCREATE.SYS driver command must include the drive letter of the RAM drive. SCREATE doesn't remain in memory.

If the RAM drive is created in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file, use a line like this one following the one that creates the RAM drive:

CREATE E:

To let Stacker mount the compressed RAM drive automatically under MS-DOS 6 if both the RAMDRIVE and SCREATE lines appear before STACHIGH.SYS. Just use ED to edit STACKER.INI and add E:\STACVOL.DSK,RP (in this example) to a new line at the end.

If the RAM drive isn't automounted, use STACKER drive: at the DOS prompt to mount it.


Locating Windows Permanent Swap File

If Stacker finds a Windows permanent swap file, but doesn't find the SPART.PAR file that points to it, you'll see the following message:

"SSWAP Warning: Located a Windows permanent swap file on a disk to be swapped, but could not find the Windows file, SPART.PAR, pointing to it.
Press any key to continue..."

The easiest way to correct the problem is to tell Stacker exactly where the Windows file is currently located.

You'll have to edit the STACKER.INI file and add a command.

To tell Stacker where Windows is located

1.	Get to a DOS prompt.

2.	Type ED and choose STACKER.INI from the File menu.

3.	Move the cursor to the beginning of one of the command lines and press ENTER to insert a new line.

4.	Type /W=drive:\path where drive:\path is the drive and path where your Windows files are stored.

5.	Exit ED and save the file (press ALT-X, then press ENTER).

6.	Restart your computer.


AutoMounting Removable Stacker Drives

If you wish to bypass Stacker Anywhere and have Stacker automatically mount Stacker drives in any of your removable drives, all you have to do is make a minor change to your Stacker configuration. You simply add the drive letter (and a colon) to your STACKER.INI file. For example, if you want drive B to mount Stacker disks automatically, do the following.

To make a drive, such as drive B, automatically mount Stacker disks

1.	Exit Windows so you are working in DOS.

2.	Go to your Stacker directory, usually C:\STACKER.

3.	At the prompt (for example, C:\STACKER>), type ED and press ENTER to open the text editor supplied with Stacker.

4.	From ED's File menu, choose STACKER.INI.

5.	Add a new line and type:

B:

6.	Save the change and exit.

7.	Restart your computer.

Note: If you want more than one drive to mount Stacker disks automatically, you must add a separate line for each drive in STACKER.INI.

For more information, see Using the Stacker Editor


Using Stacker Anywhere from Windows

Stacker Anywhere is stored on the removable disk, so you can give a Stacker-compressed floppy to a colleague who doesn't yet have Stacker, and he can access all the data and free space on the disk.

Stacker Anywhere lets you mount a Stacker-compressed removable disk. Your Windows applications can then read and write data on the disk. Once you start Stacker Anywhere, it remains in memory until you exit Windows so you can mount and unmount disks at any time. Stacker Anywhere for Windows handles one removable disk at a time. If you mount a second, Stacker Anywhere unmounts the first.

To mount a removable Stacker drive under Windows

1.	Start Windows File Manager.

2.	Insert the removable disk into the disk drive.

3.	Click the drive icon for that drive.

4.	Double-click STACKER.EXE (a file listed on the drive)

5.	Click OK when prompted to mount the disk.

6.	Click OK again when prompted.

7.	Click the drive icon again to refresh File Manager and display any files on the Stacker drive.

If you want to access your Stacker drive under both Windows and DOS, use Stacker Anywhere from DOS instead.

To unmount a removable Stacker drive under Windows

1.	Start Windows File Manager.

2.	Insert the removable disk into the disk drive, if necessary.

3.	Click the drive icon to choose that drive.

4.	Press ALT-TAB until you see the Stacker Anywhere icon.

5.	Choose Unmount from the Stacker Anywhere menu.

6.	Click OK


Using Stacker Anywhere from DOS

If your computer doesn't automatically mount removable Stacker drives, you can mount them from your Stacker directory (if you have Stacker installed) or use Stacker Anywhere from the removable itself. Once the disk is mounted under DOS, you can access it fully under both DOS and Windows.

To mount a removable Stacker drive under DOS

1.	Exit Windows to get to the DOS prompt.

2.	Insert the removable disk into the disk drive.

3.	Type drive: to change to that drive.

4.	Type DIR and press enter to see what files are listed. STACKER.EXE indicates that Stacker Anywhere is present on the disk.

5.	Type STACKER at the DOS prompt and press ENTER.

You'll see a message telling you the disk is mounted. When you remove it or restart your computer, Stacker unmounts the drive.

To unmount a Stacker drive under DOS

1.	Exit Windows if necessary and get to the DOS prompt.

2.	Change to the removable drive.

3.	Type EXIT.

To unmount other Stacker drives mounted under DOS

1.	Exit Windows if necessary and get to the DOS prompt.

2.	Type STACKER drive:


Mounting Removable Stacker Drives

If you'll be using compressed floppies or other removables regularly, you might want to have Stacker automatically mount them for you. Stacker can automatically give you access to data on the disk without your having to mount it. See AutoMounting Removable Stacker Drives for full details.

If you want to use the STACKER drive: command at the DOS prompt to mount removable Stacker drives, you'll have to modify your STACKER.INI file.

To change STACKER.INI so Stacker can mount removable drives

1.	At a DOS prompt, type ED.

2.	From the File menu, choose STACKER.INI.

3.	Press ENTER to start a new line.

4.	Type /RP=1 or /RP=2 on the line, depending on whether you want to use one or two removable Stacker drives at a time.

5.	From the File menu, choose Exit, then press ENTER to save the changes.

6.	Restart your computer.


Identifying Drive Letters

You may occasionally want to know the full name of the STACVOL file that is a Stacker drive or the drive letter assigned to the Stacker drive or the uncompressed drive on which it resides.

To identify Stacker drive and uncompressed drive letters

•	At a DOS prompt, type STACKER and press ENTER.

The drive map may include lines like these:

Drive C: was drive C: at boot time.  [D:\STACVOL.DSK=42MB]

Drive D: was drive D: at boot time.

Stacker drive C is contained in the file STACVOL.DSK on the uncompressed D drive.

In nonpreloading systems, Stacker's lines look like these:

Drive C: was drive D: at boot time.  [D:\STACVOL.DSK=42MB]

Drive D: was drive C: at boot time.


Adding a Windows Permanent Swap File

If a Windows permanent swap file is present when you set up Stacker, Stacker Setup reserves space for it on the uncompressed drive, since swap files must remain uncompressed. If you add Windows to your system after setting up Stacker, your uncompressed drive won't have room for the permanent swap file. Stacker lets you store it on the Stacker drive and keeps the file uncompressed to ensure full-speed access.

To build a permanent swap file on a Stacker drive

1.	Select any Stacker drive in the Stacker Toolbox.

2.	Choose the Configure tool.

3.	Click Change swap file settings.

4.	Click Change>>.

5.	Choose the Stacker drive to hold the swap file.

6.	Choose Permanent as the Type.

7.	Accept the recommended New Size or type the size you want.

8.	Choose OK.

For more information, see Using Virtual Memory


Changing the Expected Compression Ratio

When Stacker compresses data to create a Stacker drive or recompresses data on an existing Stacker drive, it automatically adjusts your expected compression ratio to be approximately equal to the actual compression ratio for the data on that disk. However, if you have added much data to your disk and your ratios do not match, you can change the expected compression ratio. No matter how you do it, the process takes some time, depending on the size of your Stacker drive.

To let Stacker adjust your expected compression ratio

1.	Select the Stacker drive in the Stacker Toolbox.

2.	Choose the Optimize tool.

3.	Choose Full-MaxSpace to let Stacker fully optimize and recompress the drive.

4.	Choose OK to let the Optimizer exit Windows.

5.	Follow the instructions on the screen.

If you prefer to specify the expected compression ratio yourself, use the next procedure. You must exit to DOS to perform this operation.

To change your expected compression ratio using the Stacker DOS Toolbox

1.	At the DOS prompt, type STAC and press ENTER.

2.	Use  to highlight Expected Compression on the left side of the screen, then press ENTER.

3.	If you have more than one Stacker drive, choose the one to be changed.

4.	When prompted, press any key so Stacker can optimize the drive, if necessary.

5.	Type the desired expected compression ratio. You'll see the acceptable range and a recommended setting. Then press ENTER.

6.	To make the change, choose Perform changes on Stacker drive.

7.	When prompted, press any key to restart your computer and put the changes into effect.


Changing the Stacker Drive Size

The Stacker drive occupies space on an uncompressed drive. In rare situations, you may need more space on your Stacker drive or more uncompressed space.

To change the Stacker drive size

1.	From the Stacker Toolbox, select the Stacker drive.

2.	Choose the Configure tool.

3.	Choose Change Stacker drive size and click OK.

4.	Click OK to leave Windows and complete the operation.

5.	To make the Stacker drive larger, choose Increase Stacker drive size. To make the Stacker drive smaller, choose More uncompressed space available.

6.	When Stacker displays the acceptable size range, type the size you want the final Stacker drive to be.

7.	To make the change, choose Perform changes on Stacker drive.

8.	When prompted, press ENTER to restart your system.


Removing a Stacker Drive

You can remove a Stacker drive in either of two ways. The usual way is to uncompress the data, removing the Stacker drive without losing any of your data. The other way is to delete the Stacker drive, compressed data and all.

To uncompress the data, use the Uncompress tool (see Uncompressing a Disk.)

To delete the entire Stacker drive and its data

1.	Exit Windows completely and get to the DOS prompt.

2.	Type REMOVDRV drive: where drive: is the letter of the Stacker drive.

3.	Confirm the operation when Stacker asks.

The Stacker drive is gone along with the compressed data.


Repairing a Stacker Drive

If the Check tool reports any problems under Windows, you'll have to make repairs under DOS.

To repair Stacker drives under DOS

1.	Exit Windows completely and get to a DOS prompt.

2.	Type STAC to open the Stacker DOS Toolbox.

3.	Choose Check Drive Integrity and press ENTER.

4.	When CHECK asks if it should make repairs, let it.

5.	When CHECK asks if it should do a surface test, let it.

6.	When you return to the Stacker Toolbox, press F10, then ENTER to exit.

After running CHECK to repair a disk, it's a good idea to run CHKDSK to make sure there are no corresponding DOS problems.


Rebuilding the Stacker Configuration Files

If you can't access your Stacker drives when you restart your computer, you may have to rebuild your Stacker configuration files. You might want to print this procedure now and keep it with your Stacker startup disk so you have it handy.

To rebuild the Stacker configuration files

1.	At the DOS prompt, change to drive C and type:

     \STACKER\CONFIG

and press ENTER.

2.	Press Y to let CONFIG make its changes.

3.	Restart your computer.

If you still can't get at your data and you are using MS-DOS 6 or above, the DBLSPACE.BIN file may be damaged. Stacker provides a special command you can use to restore it.

To restore DBLSPACE.BIN

1.	Using the same disks from which you installed Stacker, change to that drive or directory.

2.	At the DOS prompt, type \TOOLS\REDBL\drive: where drive is the uncompressed letter of the boot drive. If no Stacker drive is mounted, use C.

3.	When the DOS prompt returns, remove any floppy disk and restart your computer


Displaying File Attributes

To display hidden and system files in File Manager

1.	Open the File Manager.

2.	On the View menu, choose By File Type.

3.	Check Show Hidden/System Files

To display file attributes in Windows

1.	Open the File Manager.

2.	Select the file or files.

3.	Choose Properties from the File menu.

4.	Notice the Read Only, Hidden, System, and Archive check boxes. If the box is grayed, some of the selected files are on () and some are off (clear).

5.	Choose OK.

To display file attributes at the DOS prompt

1.	Get to a DOS prompt.

2.	Type ATTRIB full-file-name and press ENTER.


Changing File Attributes

Stacker protects many of its files by applying read-only, system, and hidden attributes to them. You may have to remove these attributes to perform some operations. Whenever you restart the system, Stacker reapplies these attributes to any STACVOL files.

To display hidden and system files in File Manager

1.	Open the File Manager.

2.	On the View menu, choose By File Type.

3.	Check Show Hidden/System Files

To change file attributes in Windows

1.	Open the File Manager.

2.	Select the file to be changed.

3.	Choose Properties from the File menu.

4.	Click the Read Only, Hidden, and System check boxes. When they are clear (empty), the attributes are turned off.

5.	Choose OK.

To change file attributes at the DOS prompt

1.	Identify the full name of the file to be changed. (Type STACKER to see the STACVOL file names.)

2.	Type ATTRIB -R -S -H fullfilename and press ENTER.


Using Stacker 4.0 With Other Products

Stac maintains comprehensive product support services (PSS) to help you get the most out of Stacker. The brochure included in your Stacker package explains how to use them.

Stacker 4.0 works seamlessly with other software and with your hardware. In a few situations, however, you may have to take some extra steps.

Anti-Virus Programs

Lantastic File Servers

Netroom 1.12

Norton Utilities 7.0

You can obtain additional information about how Stacker works in unusual situations or with particular hardware or software from our StacFax system. Stac makes information on many topics available. Customers in the United States and Canada can call the StacFax number listed in the product support brochure provided in your Stacker package. Customers in other countries can obtain this information from other sources listed in the same brochure.

You might find these topics particularly interesting or useful:

StacFax #	   StacFax Title

   1000	StacFax Index

   4001	Stacker Setup on IBM PS/2 with an External Sysgen Drive

   4002	Compressing a Floppyless Notebook

   4003	Compressing a Palmtop

   4301	DR DOS & Norton Disk Doctor with Multiple Stacker Drives

   4401	PC-KWIK Disk Cache Reports Boot Sector Mismatch

   4402	Using Disk Technician on a Stacker Drive

   4501	Adaptec SCSI Disk Controller with Stacker

   4502	Early ALR VEISA Computers & Stacker

   4503	Mounting Plus Passport Removable Hard Drives

   4504	Loading Stacker high with WD 7000-FASST SCSI Controllers

Many other topics are available as well. They are all listed in the StacFax Index.


Norton Utilities 7.0

This section details special considerations working with Stacker and Norton Utilities 7.0.

Norton Rescue Disk rather than Stacker Startup Disk

To make a Stacker Startup disk to use with Norton Utilities

1.	Start with a Norton Rescue disk rather than an MS-DOS 6 startup disk.

2.	If necessary, set up Stacker 4.0.

3.	Insert your Norton Rescue disk into drive A.

4.	At the DOS prompt, type SYS A: and press ENTER to make the disk Stacker-aware.

5.	Relabel the disk "Stacker Startup Disk - Norton Rescue" and put it away.

Norton Disk Doctor 7.0

Some features of Norton Disk Doctor 7.0 are not yet compatible with Stacker 4.0 drives. If you are using Norton Disk Doctor 7.0, please check the option to "Skip Compression Tests."

Norton Safe Format

Norton Safe Format, when used from a Stacker boot drive, does not create a correct boot sector on the floppy disk being formatted, so the disk can't be used for booting. To create a bootable floppy disk, use the DOS FORMAT command instead.

Make Disk Bootable utility

The Make Disk Bootable utility does not copy DBLSPACE.BIN to the floppy disk being formatted. To create a bootable floppy disk, use the DOS FORMAT or SYS command.


Netroom 1.12

Netroom 1.12 does not properly retain the device attributes of the drivers it loads into high memory. Do not load Stacker into high memory if you use Netroom 1.12.


Lantastic File Servers

You can use Stacker compression on DOS-based networks such as Lantastic. Stacker can compress the data on Lantastic file server drivers. The necessary Lantastic files will be placed on the new Stacker drive. Network workstations without Stacker loaded can access Stacker drives on a Lantastic network file server.

However, you cannot run Stacker utilities on Stacker drives when Lantastic is loaded. The messages indicate the drive isn't a Stacker drive. In order to use the Stacker tools, you'll have to restart the computer without Lantastic.

NOTE: Reports of available disk space won't accurately reflect the projected amount of space available on the server's Stacker drives, but will instead match the amount reported as available by the DOS CHKDSK command.


Anti-Virus Programs

At times, Stacker must work at a very low level on your disk. Some anti-virus programs find such activity suspicious. You may have to disable your anti-virus program before doing certain Stacker functions.

During Setup

When Stacker Setup restarts your computer before compressing any disks, it disables all TSRs, including anti-virus programs. This happens automatically if you choose Express Setup, although you can bypass the restart during Custom Setup. When Setup is finished, it restarts your computer in its usual way. If you don't let Setup restart before compressing disks, you should disable or unload your anti-virus program before running Setup.

During Recompressing or Uncompressing a Stacker Drive

If your anti-virus program interfered with Setup, you'll have to unload or disable the anti-virus program when you use the Stacker Optimizer to recompress a disk or when you remove Stacker by uncompressing a disk.

Central Point Anti-Virus

If you compressed the data on your boot drive and you use the BOOTSAFE anti-virus program, you must tell BOOTSAFE to check your uncompressed drive rather than the Stacker drive.

1.	Type STACKER to find the uncompressed drive letter that contains STACVOL.DSK for the boot drive.

2.	Use ED (choose AUTOEXEC.BAT from the File menu) to add a line like this to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file:

BOOTSAFE drive:      where drive: is the uncompressed drive letter.

Norton AntiVirus

Norton AntiVirus from Norton Desktop for Windows 2.2 fails to load if all the following conditions occur together:

•	386MAX version 6.02 is in use (but not 6.01 or 6.03)

•	STACHIGH.SYS is loaded high using the 386MAX 386LOAD.SYS program (not using DOS' DEVICEHIGH)

•	NAV&.SYS is loaded after STACHIGH.SYS

The easiest way to make NAV&.SYS load is to use DEVICEHIGH instead of 386LOAD.SYS.


Installing the Stacker Screen Saver

Stacker provides a special screen saver that you can use with Windows 3.1.

To install the screen saver under Windows 3.1

1.	In Windows Program Manager, double-click the Control Panel icon.

2.	From the Control Panel, double-click the Desktop icon.

3.	Under Screen Saver, click the arrow and select the Stacker screen saver.

4.	Choose OK.


Installing the Stacker Program Group

If you set up Stacker under DOS, you can add the Stacker program group to Windows. The Stacker group includes the Stacker Toolbox, Stacker Help, and the README document.

To create the Stacker program group

1.	Open the Program Manager's File menu.

2.	Choose Run.

3.	In the Command Line field, type C:\STACKER\SGROUP (or use the Browse function to select it).

If your Stacker files are stored in a different directory, use the correct path.

4.	When asked, confirm that you want to create a Stacker group.


Virtual Memory

Copyright  Novell, Inc. 1993. All rights reserved. Version 1.0

Use the Virtual Memory icon to view or change swap file settings. This dialog box allows you to install permanent swap files on Stacker drives. The swap file settings control how your system uses virtual memory.

Use this dialog box in the same way as the standard Control Panel -386 Enhanced- Virtual Memory dialog box. Using the standard Virtual Memory dialog box, you cannot create permanent swap files on Stacker drives.

Current Setting Area shows the drive, size, and type of the swap file currently being used.

When you choose the Change button, the Virtual Memory dialog box expands, displaying these additional settings.

Drive	This option lists the disk drives on your computer and any network drives to which you are connected.

Type	This option lists the types of swap files you can create, depending on the drive you have selected.

Space Available	This value shows the total amount of space available (in KB) on the selected drive.

Maximum Size	This value shows the maximum size for the permanent swap file.

Recommended Size	This value shows the recommended value you should specify for a permanent swap file.

New Size	Use this option to specify the size of your swap file.

Use 32-Bit Access	Use this check box to turn 32-bit access on or off.


Virtual Memory Dialog Box

If you choose the Virtual Memory button from the Control Panel's '386 Enhanced icon, you can change your swap file settings in much the same way. However, you will not be able to create a permanent swap file on a Stacker drive.


Use 32-bit Access
Use 32-bit Disk Access

Use this check box to turn 32-bit disk access on or off.

When you install Microsoft Windows®, the Setup program checks to determine whether your hard disk controller is compatible with the 32-bit disk access feature. If it is compatible, the 32-bit Disk Access check box appears. Select this check box if you only have a small amount of free memory and you want increased performance when you are working from the DOS prompt.

When this box is selected, you can run more instances of the DOS Prompt and switch between them faster. If you have more than one instance of the DOS Prompt running and the applications running in them are all accessing disk drives, the access time is faster when using 32-bit disk access.


New Size

Use this option to specify the size of your swap file in KB.

Type a value.

If you are creating a permanent swap file, this is the amount of space on the selected disk that will be allocated to the file. If you are creating a temporary swap file, the swap file cannot grow to exceed this value.


Recommended Size

This value shows the recommended value you should specify for a permanent swap file to achieve the best performance.

If you select Temporary as the swap file type, this information displays the recommended maximum size to which the temporary swap file should grow. This value reflects the most efficient use of your disk, based on the available disk space.

If you select None as the swap file type, this information does not appear in the dialog box.


Space Available

This value shows the total amount of space available (in KB) on the selected drive. If the selected drive is a Stacker drive, the value shown represents the estimated available space, which is always larger than the physical available space.


Maximum Size

This value shows the maximum size for the permanent swap file. This size is determined by the amount of contiguous disk space found on the selected drive. If the selected drive is a Stacker drive, then the value shows the size of the largest contiguous physical disk space.

If you select Temporary or None as the swap file type, this information does not appear in the box.


Type

This option lists the types of swap files you can create, depending on the drive you selected.

Open the list, and then select the type of swap file (Temporary, Permanent, or None) that you want to create.

Using a permanent swap file improves the speed of Windows because the swap file is contiguous and accessing it generally takes less time than accessing a non-contiguous temporary swap file. Because a permanent swap file must be contiguous, you cannot create a permanent swap file larger than the largest contiguous free block of space on your hard disk.

Depending on the type of swap file you select, the Maximum Size and Recommended Size values may or may not appear in the dialog box. For example, if you choose to create a temporary swap file on a network drive, Maximum Size does not appear.

Note that you cannot create a temporary swap file on a Stacker drive.


Drive

This option lists the standard hard disk drives and Stacker drives on your computer, as well as any network drives to which you are connected. The standard hard disks are labeled hard disk, Stacker drives are labeled Stacker, and network drives are labeled network.

Open the list, and then select the drive where you want the swap file to be located.

The available settings in the Type list and Size Box change, depending on whether you select a local disk or a network drive. For example, if you select a network drive, the Permanent setting used to create a permanent swap file is not available.


Swap file

A hidden file on a hard disk or network drive that Windows uses for swapping information from memory to the disk or drive. Stacker lets you store a permanent swap file on a Stacker drive.


Virtual Memory Def
Virtual Memory

The space on your hard disk or network drive that Microsoft Windows uses as if it were actually memory. Windows does this using swap files.


Glossary

Actual Compression Ratio

AUTOEXEC.BAT

AutoMount

Boot Disk

Cache

Cluster

Compress

Compression Ratio

CONFIG.SYS File

DBLSPACE.BIN

Decompress

Disk Space

DOS Protected Mode Services

Entire Drive

Expected Compression Ratio

File Allocation Table

Fragmentation

Free Space

Hidden File

Hot Key

KB

MaxSpace

MaxSpeed

Nonpreloading

Optimizer

Optimizing

PATH

Pathname

Preloading

Recompress

Removable Disk

Replaceable Drives

Stacker Device Driver

Stacker Drive

Stacker Optimizer

Stacker SmartPack

Stacker Territory

Stacker Tuner

Stacker DOS Toolbox

Stacker Windows Toolbox

STACKER.INI

Stackometer

STACVOL File

StartUp Group

Swap File

TSR

Tuner

Uncompressed Drive

Virtual Memory

Windows Permanent Swap File

Working Drive