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1990-06-03
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MAXI Form
^^^^^^^^^
User Notes
(version 1.6)
90-May-29
Copyright (c) 1988, 89, 90
Herne Data Systems Ltd.
P.O. Box 250
Tiverton
Ontario CANADA N0G 2T0
voice or FAX (519)366-2732
If you are not yet a registered user of MAXI Form, please consider
becoming one. The cost is low (only $10.00 for individual users or
$100.00 for unlimited user corporate/institutional site licenses) and
the benefits are many.
1
MAXI Form User Notes
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Features of v1.6
====================
MAXI Form v1.6 has the following new features and improvements over
v1.54a:
- Supports formatting of 800k double density disks in 1.2 meg
drives.
- Improved version of SMAX to allow use of 800k DD disks in 1.2
meg drives, and activation/de-activation without having to re-
boot.
- Supports user adjustable number of cylinders to format.
- New address information for shareware registrations.
- Improved disk verify method that writes data to a track when
verifying it instead of just trying to read it.
- Updated documentation.
- Unlimited user corporate/institutional site licenses now
available.
2
MAXI Form User Notes
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Features of v1.54
=====================
MAXI Form v1.54 has the following new features and improvements over
v1.52:
- Supports formatting 420k disks in 1.2 meg drives.
- Improved error detection and handling routines.
- On screen display of type of disk being formatted. (This lets
you know how MAXI interpreted your command line switches).
- Automatically re-tries formatting a track up to 3 times before
reporting an error (with verify option on).
- Improved version of SMAX compatible with more hardware BIOS's.
- Automatically determines if you have correct DOS version (3.20
or later).
3
MAXI Form User Notes
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Fine Print
==============
This summary documentation package is provided solely for the benefit
of getting new users familiarized with the features of the MAXI Form
program. Complete printed documentation is provided to all registered
users along with notification of and discounts towards future updates.
MAXI Form is intended to format blank disks only. Because it will
destroy all existing data on a floppy disk, Herne Data Systems assumes
no liability for losses caused by misuse or abuse of this product.
This responsibility rests solely with the end user.
Please note that MAXI Form relies on quirks in the MS-DOS/PC-DOS
operating system and BIOS ROM's. Although it has been tested on a wide
variety of systems with DOS versions 3.2x and later, it cannot be
guaranteed to work with all systems, especially ones which have been
heavily customized and modified (including the installation of non-
standard disk drives and controller cards) by the user; nor can it be
guaranteed to work with future releases of MS/PC-DOS. (Some DOS
releases may require the use of the special device driver program
SMAX.COM (outlined later in the documentation) for reliable performance
with some hardware systems.)
This documentation assumes that the reader is reasonably familiar with
MS-DOS concepts and terminology and has a basic understanding of how to
use his/her computer.
NOTE:
====
MAXI Form is a copyrighted program written and produced by
Herne Data Systems Ltd. It is distributed through user groups
and bulletin board systems on the basis of 'user supported
software' or shareware. While the program and this summary
documentaion may be freely copied and distributed (provided
that the copyright notices are NOT REMOVED), each end user is
requested to register his or her copy with Herne Data Systems
Ltd. with a one time fee of $10.00 (in either US or CDN
funds, or the equivalent in any international currency).
Payment of the registration fee entitles the user to a copy
of the printed documentation package as well as technical
support. An unlimited user corporate/institutional site
license is available for $100.00.
Herne Data Systems Ltd., PO Box 250, Tiverton, ON, CANADA, N0G 2T0
4
MAXI Form User Notes
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Introduction
------------
Are you tired of running out of space on your floppy disks?
How would you like to fit 420k on a 360k disk, 800k on a 720k
disk, 1.4 meg on a 1.2 meg disk, or an incredible 1.6 meg on
a 1.44 meg disk?
Sound impossible? Well not any more!! If you are using DOS version
3.2x or later, then the innovative new shareware program from Herne
Data Systems called MAXI Form is just the thing for you. Using MAXI
Form for all your floppy disk data storage needs is like getting an
extra one and a half disks FREE with every box of floppies that you
buy!!
NOTE: In most cases, NO SPECIAL SOFTWARE DRIVER PROGRAMS ARE
REQUIRED TO ACCESS THESE DISKS FROM DOS. However, in cases
where reliable standalone operation cannot be achieved (it is a
complex function of ROM BIOS details, DOS version and disk
controller characteristics), the simple device driver SMAX.COM
can be used to patch the BIOS code and provide resident
support.
MAXI Form is self documenting to the extent that it can be used by
experienced MS-DOS users. This summary documentation provides a full
description of how to access and use all of the features of the
program.
In order to use MAXI Form you will need a 100% IBM compatible computer
(PC, XT, AT, PS/2, Convertible, etc) with at least one 360k 5.25 inch,
1.2 meg 5.25 inch, 720k 3.5 inch or 1.44 meg 3.5 inch floppy drive.
The 1.44 meg drive can be used to format 800k 3.5 inch disks; and the
1.2 meg drive can also be used to format 420k disks or 800k 5-1/4
disks. (Please note that 420k disks formatted in 1.2meg drives may not
work on all 360k drives. This is due to a physical limitation of the
1.2 meg drives, i.e. the read/write head is only half the size as that
on a standard 360k drive.) External 5.25 inch drives for the PS/2 and
most laptops are also supported under the given versions of DOS.
With many BIOSes, you will need to use the TSR driver program SMAX.COM
to read and write MAXI style disks (especially 800k, 5-1/4 inch disks).
MAXI Form works with all standard display adaptors and monitors
5
MAXI Form User Notes
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Starting Up MAXI Form
---------------------
MAXI Form relies on command line switches to specify its input
parameters. If you simply type in:
MAXI <-- (note: in this documentation the symbol <-- is
used to denote the "return" or "enter" key.)
you will be greeted by an extended sign on message which gives the
shareware registration details and a summary of the command line
options. The general syntax for the command line options is:
MAXI {drive:} [/3] [/H] [/L] [/8] [/T:xx] [/V] <--
Where:
{drive:} is either A: or B: corresponding to the physical disk
drive on which you wish to perform the formatting
operation. Use of other drive letters will result in an
error message. This parameter must be explicitly
included. MAXI Form will not assume a default value for
the drive.
/3 is used to denote a 3.5 inch (720 k or 1.44 meg) disk
drive. This will give an 800k disk or a 1.6 meg disk.
(An 800k disk will be assumed unless /H is also used in
a 1.44 meg drive).
/H is used to denote a high density (1.2 meg) AT type 5.25
inch or 1.44 meg PS/2 type disk drive. This will give a
1.4 meg disk or 1.6 meg, respectively. (For a 1.6 meg
disk, /H must be used in combination with the /3
switch.)
/L is used to denote a 420k disk in a 1.2 meg drive. This
should not be used in combination with the /3 or /H.
/8 is used to denote an 800k disk in a 1.2 meg drive. This
feature will format a normal double density 360k 5-1/4
inch disk to 800k when used in a 1.2 meg drive. In most
cases, it must be used with the 80 track option of SMAX.
/T:xx is used to specify the number of cylinders (xx) to
format. The defaults are 42 cylinders for 360k, 5-1/4
inch drives; 82 cylinders for 1.2 meg, 5-1/4 inch drives
and 80 cylinders for 3-1/2 inch drives. Changing this
parameter will maximize disk storage space for specific
hardware systems. (Some disk drives can handle more
cylinders than others.)
6
MAXI Form User Notes
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
/V is used to denote a "format with verify". With this
option, the sectors on each track are written with test
data just after the formatting to make sure that they
are OK. A message will be displayed during the
formatting cycle indicating if any tracks had detectable
errors. Note that cylinder 0 is always tested for
errors regardless of the setting of this switch. If
errors are found on track 0, the formatting operation is
aborted. /V will automatically re-try a format on a
track up to 3 times before reporting an error. A format
operation done without the verify option is considerably
faster than one done with the verify option.
The /3, /H, /L, /8, /T:xx and /V switches are optional. Spaces are not
required between multiple switches. If only the drive letter is
specified, then MAXI Form will default to a 420k disk with no verify.
If an invalid command line option is specified, an error message will
be displayed along with a summary of the valid options.
EXAMPLES:
MAXI B: /3/H/V will format a 1.6 meg disk in drive B:
(assuming the drive is a 1.44 meg, 3-1/2 inch
drive) with verify on.
MAXI A: /8/T:81 will format an 810k (81 cylinder), 5-1/4 inch
disk in drive A:, assuming drive A: is a 1.2
meg drive.
MAXI A: /L will format a 420k disk in drive A:, assuming
drive A: is a 1.2 meg drive.
MAXI B: will format a 420k disk in drive B:, assuming
drive B: is a 360k drive.
MAXI A: /H will format a 1.4 meg disk in drive A:,
assuming drive A: is a 1.2 meg drive.
Note: MAXI Form does not check to see what kind of drive is connected
as the specified device. This allows you the flexibility of,
for example, creating an 800k 5.25 inch disk in a 1.2 meg drive
or an 800k disk in a 1.44 meg drive. DO NOT SPECIFY AN 80
TRACK DISK TYPE FOR A 40 TRACK (360K 5.25 INCH) DRIVE. THIS
MAY CAUSE THE DRIVE TO PHYSICALLY JAM UP.
7
MAXI Form User Notes
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Formatting Cycle
--------------------
When it is ready to go, MAXI Form will prompt you to insert a disk into
the specified drive. It will display a message indicating the type of
disk to be formatted, and in which drive. At this point, you can
either insert the disk and press <-- to procede, or press the
<escape> key to abort and return to the DOS prompt.
As the disk is being formatted, the current cylinder and head being
processed is displayed, along with a indication of the approximate
percent completion. If the verify option was specified, indications of
the number of media errors detected and the current re-try attempt (if
re-tries are required on a given cylinder) are also given.
When the formatting cycle is complete (i.e the required number of
cylinders have been formatted, and the disk boot record data have been
written), you will be asked to enter a volume label of 1 to 11
characters. (This is similar to the DOS FORMAT program with the /V
option specified.) Type in the label, then press <--. If you do not
wish to label the disk, press <-- alone.
When the label has been written to the disk, MAXI Form will beep and
prompt you for formatting additional disks of the same type in the same
drive.
8
MAXI Form User Notes
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Using SMAX.COM
--------------
While DOS versions 3.2x and later can automatically handle the
housekeeping required to access MAXI style extended capacity disks, the
BIOS and hardware on many systems will not. SMAX.COM is a memory
resident driver which is used to improve the compatibility of MAXI
extended capacity disks with some combinations of hardware and DOS. It
is not a true device driver in the conventional sense of DOS
terminology. Rather, it is a simple TSR (terminate but stay resident)
program which patches into the BIOS disk interrupt vector (interrupt
hex 13) and changes the EOT (end of track, or last sector in a track)
parameter to match the increased value of the MAXI extended capacity
disks when it detects a disk read or write operation.
* * * *
SMAX may be freely copied and distributed to your friends for
their PRIVATE, NON-COMMERCIAL use (so that they can read
files which you may send them on MAXI formatted disks)
provided that the copyright notice is not removed. Third
party software developers wishing to include SMAX with their
own commercial products require the prior written permission
of Herne Data Systems along with a runtime distribution
license.
* * * *
When to Use SMAX
To determine whether or not you need to use SMAX with your system
configuration, perform the following simple test.
- Install SMAX on a cold system boot.
- Format an extended capacity (420k/800k/1.4meg/1.6 meg) disk with
MAXI Form.
- Turn off SMAX or reboot your system without SMAX installed, then
try to copy a number of relatively long files (eg. over about 20k
bytes long each) to the new disk using the DOS COPY or XCOPY
command or equivalent.
If you get an error message (eg. 'general failure reading drive ...'
or 'sector not found') then you need to install SMAX to use the MAXI
formatted extended capacity disks.
9
MAXI Form User Notes
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * *
If SMAX is required on your system, it should be installed
BEFORE using MAXI for formatting the extended capacity disks
and before reading or writing any previously formatted MAXI
disks. This is most easily done by inserting the required
line into your AUTOEXEC.BAT file.
* * * *
Installing SMAX
To install SMAX automatically on a cold boot, insert the following line
into your AUTOEXEC.BAT file:
SMAX <--
SMAX checks to see that you are using DOS 3.20 or later before
installing itself. Once installed, SMAX remains resident in your
computer's RAM and is active for all floppy drives on your system. The
resident portion of SMAX requires only 512 bytes of memory. SMAX also
accepts several command line options. These are:
SMAX 0 Turns off SMAX so that it remains hooked into the interrupt
13h chain, but does nothing. If SMAX is not resident, an
error message is displayed. Note that the '0' can be either
the letter o (uppercase or lowercase) or the numeral zero.
SMAX 1 Turns on SMAX that has been previously turned off with the 0
option. If SMAX is not resident, it is installed as for a
first time installation. Note that the '1' can be either the
letter i (uppercase or lowercase) or the numeral one.
SMAX 40 Turns off the 80 track double density mode for 1.2 meg drives
to allow them to access 360k/420k disks.
SMAX 80 Turns on the 80 track double density mode for 1.2 meg drives.
This allows 720k/800k 5-1/4 inch disks to be formatted and
used in 1.2 meg drives with normal 360k DD media. On most
systems, this feature is only supported for drives A: and B:
due to BIOS limitations. In addition, it will also remove
the ability for these drives to access 360k/420k disks.
SMAX R Re-installs a previously un-installed copy of SMAX. This
option re-hooks an existing copy of SMAX into the interrupt
13h chain without placing a new copy in memory. If SMAX is
not resident, it is installed as for a first time
installation.
10
MAXI Form User Notes
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
SMAX U Un-installs a previously installed copy of SMAX. This option
removes SMAX from the interrupt 13h chain, thus deactivating
it, but leaves the code resident in memory. If SMAX is not
resident or it is not the last link in the interrupt 13h
chain, an error message is displayed.
SMAX ? Checks the current status of SMAX in memory, if present.
If you attempt to install SMAX with no options specified (or with the ?
option) when it is already resident, a status message will be displayed
showing the currently active options. If you attempt to install SMAX
with a command line option not listed above, you will get an error
message.
SMAX options can be changed at any time after it is resident in memory
by running the appropriate command line. This will change the current
parameters for the copy of SMAX in memory and will not result in
another copy of SMAX being loaded into memory.
Disabling SMAX
SMAX will not normally interfere with the use of standard floppy DOS
disks and it is completely transparent to hard disks. Both regular
style DOS disks and MAXI extended capacity disks can be used
interchangeably and transparently on any floppy drive in your system by
most application software such as word processors, spreadsheets and
databases. However, it is recognized that some programs, such as those
which access the disk at the physical sector level or in an
unconventional manner (including some hard disk fast backup utilities
and some versions of the DOS FORMAT and DISKCOPY programs) do not work
correctly with SMAX installed. For such cases, SMAX can be
de-activated without re-booting the computer by using one of two
command line options as summarized above:
SMAX U <--
SMAX 0 <--
The U option will completely remove the SMAX code from the interrupt
13h chain and return everything to its previous state. The SMAX code
remains resident in memory and can be re-activated later using the R
command line option. The U option can only be used if SMAX is the last
link in the interrupt 13h chain. This condition is required in order
to be able to correctly re-establish the previous interrupt 13h chain.
If SMAX detects that it is not the last link, it will display an error
message telling you to use the 0 option instead.
11
MAXI Form User Notes
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The 0 option will set a disabling flag within SMAX itself, without
actually removing the code from the interrupt 13h chain. SMAX can then
be re-activated using the 1 option when required. The 0 method is
required when SMAX is not the last link in the interrupt 13h chain,
since it does not disturb the existing chain.
If you wish to install another interrupt 13h handler after installing
SMAX, but wish to keep SMAX last in the chain, then the following
procedure can be used:
- Un-install SMAX with the U option. This releases SMAX from the
chain, but keeps it in memory, and lets the other TSR hook in.
- Install the other TSR.
- Re-install SMAX with the R option. This re-links SMAX to the end
of the interrupt chain.
80 Cylinder Double Density Mode
The 1.2 meg disk drives used in AT class machines are capable of
reading and writing 80 cylinders. Normally this feature is used only
in high density mode (1.2 meg or 1.4 meg). However, in order to do
this reliably, special (i.e. more expensive) high density (HD)
diskettes are required. Some BIOSes will let you format and use 80
cylinder double density (DD) 5-1/4 inch disks in 1.2 meg drives.
However, most will not. With the 80 option of SMAX, you can take
advantage of this to get up to 800k on a normal 360k double density
disk with any BIOS! This is done by recording the data at the same bit
density as normal 360k disks, but with twice the number of cylinders.
In terms of reliability, the disks are just as reliable as 360k disks
that have been formatted and used in 1.2 meg drives.
Of course, the 80 cylinder DD disks will NOT be usable in 360k drives,
but will be usable in the 80 cylinder DD, 5-1/4 inch drives used on
some non-standard MS-DOS systems. The 80 option is not required if
your BIOS normally supports reading and writing this disk type.
To activate the 80 cylinder mode of SMAX, use the command line:
SMAX 80 <--
(Because of limitations of BIOS flag storage areas, this feature is
limited to drives A: and B: only. On most systems this is adequate
because the standard AT type machine has only two drives with the 1.2
12
MAXI Form User Notes
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
meg drive as A:.) The 80 cylinder mode will not affect normal 80
cylinder disks (i.e. 3-1/2 inch and 1.2/1.4 meg 5-1/4 inch). However,
with the 80 cylinder mode activated, you will not normally be able to
access 360k/420k disks in the 1.2 meg drive. To de-activate the 80
cylinder mode, use the command line:
SMAX 40 <--
This will return the machine to normal 40 cylinder DD mode for 1.2 meg
drives.
13
MAXI Form User Notes
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMERCIAL SOFTWARE PRODUCTS AVAILABLE FROM HERNE DATA SYSTEMS LTD:
MAXI Disk: MAXI Disk is a deluxe menu driven version of MAXI Form.
If you are confused by the vast array of difficult to
remember DOS FORMAT command line options, MAXI Disk
provides a convenient, easy to use menu interface for
formatting standard DOS disks (360k/720k/1.2 meg/1.44
meg) as well as the MAXI extended capacity disks,
including bootable disks. (Bootable versions of the
MAXI extended capacity disks may not work on all
hardware/DOS configurations). MAXI Disk supports up to
four floppy drives. The default menu options are fully
user configurable.
Single user copies of MAXI Disk can be obtained for only
$19.95 (US) or $22.95 (Canadian) (plus $2.00 shipping
and handling for North American addresses, $4.00 for
elsewhere. Ontario residents please add 8% provincial
sales tax for a total of $26.79 CDN). Site licenses
are available for $500.00 (US or CDN).
FreeForm FreeForm is the ultimate menu driven floppy disk
formatting utility which lets the user create a wide
variety of MS-DOS and custom floppy disks with a PC, XT,
AT or PS/2 compatible computer equipped with either
5-1/4 inch (360k or 1.2 M) or 3-1/2 inch (720k or 1.44
M) floppy disk drives. FreeForm gives the user complete
control over all primary disk parameters such as sector
size, sector numbering scheme, interleave factors and
track ranges. In addition, customized disk formats can
be created with up to three distinct user defined zones
with different characteristics. These features can be
used for DOS disk copy protection and data security as
well as for creating non-DOS disks. Up to 100 sets of
custom parameters can be stored in a default file for
later recall and use by FreeForm.
Single user copies of FreeForm are available for the
price of $24.95 (US) or $27.95 (CDN) plus $2.00 shipping
and handling.
Call, write or FAX for more information.
Herne Data Systems Ltd., PO Box 250, Tiverton, ON CANADA N0G 2T0
Voice or FAX (519)366-2732
Software worth hunting for!
14