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1991-07-28
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The Disk Tracker
================
Introduction
Whether you are a beginner or not with IBM PCs and compatibles
and with the MSDOS operating system, how many diskettes do you
think have you accumulated by now?
Have you ever tried to search for a document or file from a
handful of diskettes, only to find out that the file is not in
any of these diskettes?
The Disk Tracker is a program that will help you get rid of these
problems. It will read your diskettes (whether 3.5" or 5.25",
double or high density, drive A: or B:) and keep all info about
all the files in these diskettes (and all sub-directories) in a
database. It even lets you stamp classifications and descriptions
onto groups of files.
Then all you have to do is number the disk and physically file it
in a safe place. The database will keep up to 999 3.5" disks and
up to 999 5.25" disks.
Whenever you need to look for a specific file or group of files,
you just invoke The Disk Tracker and do the search. It is that
easy now.
This is a shareware program. Please feel free to
distribute to friends and relatives and to anyone you
think will benefit from it.
However, if you find it useful, please drop me a note
and enclose a suggested contribution of $10.00 just as
a token of appreciation for my efforts. Anything more
or less than this will still be appreciated by me.
Actually even a note with suggestions will STILL be
appreciated!
Please address all correspondence to:
Noel Relucio
Zeckendorf Towers
111 E 14th St. Suite 313
New York, NY 10003
Table of contents
Introduction................................................... 1
Table of contents.............................................. 2
Specifications and limitations................................. 3
How to use the help system..................................... 4
The main menu help screen...................................... 5
The search menu help screen.................................... 6
The search:mark menu help screen............................... 8
The read menu help screen......................................10
The read:mark menu help screen.................................11
The ShareWare concept..........................................12
SAMPLE SESSION:Getting to the main menu........................13
SAMPLE SESSION:Reading and filing diskettes....................14
SAMPLE SESSION:Searching for files.............................15
Troubleshooting guide..........................................16
Other questions answered by the author.........................17
Advanced tips..................................................18
Specifications and limitations
==============================
Hardware requirements
IBM PC or compatible
Hard disk (space to keep the database)
Floppy drives (1 or 2, 3.5" or 5.25", double or high density)
About 400K free (available) RAM
Software
PC-DOS or MS-DOS 3.1 or later
Types of drives supported:
3.5" double density (720KB)
3.5" high density (1.4MB)
5.25" double density (360KB)
5.25" high density (1.2MB)
Drive letters supported:
A:
B:
Types of files supported (stored in the database):
Regular files
Hidden files
System files
Maximum number of disks in database:
999 3.5" disks, and
999 5.25" disks
Note: The two types of disks are numbered separately.
HELP:General
============
A HELP window is available from most of the screens in this
system. The initial HELP window shown is context sensitive. It
gives you a different screen depending on what level you are in
in the sub-menus.
The entire help file DT.DOC is accessible through the HELP window
by using the navigation keys:
[Up-arrow] moves display up one row
[Down-arrow] moves display down one row
[PageUp] moves display up one screenful
[PageDown] moves display down one screenful
To return to your work, press <Esc>.
Note: Most screens show the (F1) option for help and the
(F10) option to exit. These options should be
self-explanatory and are not included in these
detailed instructions.
Note: Pressing the <Esc> key is the same as the (F10)
key most of the time.
HELP:Main
=========
This is the main menu.
The main menu sets you up for either one of two modes:
The SEARCH mode (F2) lets you scan for files in your
internal database according to your specifications. A
sub-menu asks you how you want to search for your files,
which is one of the following:
- by Filename
- by Disk No.
- by Classification
- by Description
Note: If you change your mind, you can press the
<Esc> key to go back to the main menu.
The READ mode (F7) lets you scan all files in the specified
drive (and disk type). After the scan, you will be given the
option to SAVE (meaning add) all of these files into your
internal database.
The SET (F6) option in the main menu lets you change the settings
of the default configuration on how you want to READ your disks.
This includes:
- The drive letter you are using
- The kind of floppy disk you are using
- Whether you want to see hidden and/or system files.
Note: The default configuration is saved every
time you exit The Disk Tracker so the
next time you run the program this same
configuration will be displayed
automatically.
Note: ALWAYS exit The Disk Tracker normally by
using the (F10) or <Esc> keys. This will
ensure that all files are closed and
saved properly. NEVER turn off your
machine when inside The Disk Tracker!
HELP:Search
===========
How you got here: Main menu -> (F2) Search -> Selection
This is the SEARCH menu.
The SEARCH mode lets you do one of the following:
SEARCH (F2) lets you do another search, asking you again how
you want to do the next search.
MARK (F3) gives you another sub-menu while inside this
option (see help from within sub-menu). MARK (F3) lets you
browse through the files found through the search you just
made, in case the files would not fit within the window
space.
Note: Just as important, MARK also lets you flag
one or more files from this list for a
subsequent deletion (F4) or stamping (F8) of
the whole group of flagged files.
DELETE (F4) lets you delete all the files you just
marked (F3) from your database.
Note: The files are just deleted from the list in
your internal database, NOT from the original
disks where they actually reside.
REMOVE (F5) lets you delete all the files in the specified
disk number from your database.
Note: Again, the original files remain in the
specified disk. This is used mainly if you do
not want to keep the disk in your physical
file anymore. The disk number will be
available for use the next time you scan
another disk.
STAMP (F8) lets you change certain general information about
the group of files you just marked (F3).
Note: If no files have been flagged, any STAMP (F8)
done will apply to ALL files.
Note: The information allowed to be changed depends
on how you did the search. For example, if
you searched by the classification, obviously
you will not be allowed to change the disk
number! Just to be clear, the files you are
looking at may not reside in the same
physical disk.
SAVE (F9) lets you save any stamping (F8) changes you just
made on any group of files into your internal database.
HELP:Search:Mark
================
How you got here: Main menu -> (F2) Search -> (F3) Mark
You are now looking at a list of files from your internal
database (selected through the search you just made). You can now
browse through the list by using the navigation keys, which does
the following for you:
[Up-arrow] moves highlight up one row
[Down-arrow] moves highlight down one row
[PageUp] shows previous screen of file names
[PageDown] shows next screen of file names
[Home] goes to top of list
[End] goes to bottom of list
This option primarily lets you look at all the files selected by
the previous search. The locations of these files (the disk
numbers) are indicated on the left side of each line.
More importantly, this option also lets you flag one or more
files in this list for a subsequent deletion (F4) or
stamping (F8).
Note: If no files have been flagged, no deletion will
occur with DELETE (F4).
Note: If no files have been flagged, any STAMP (F8) done
will apply to ALL files.
Note: Pressing the <Enter> key has the same effect as
pressing the (F3) key.
How to read the browse window:
------------------------------
DiskNo - This is the disk number where you can find the
file. The format is x-yyy where
x is the disk type (3.5" or 5.25")
yyy is the disk number (1 to 999)
File pathname - This is the directory path where the
file can be found and the file name
itself. For clarity, the file extensions
have been aligned together.
Size - This is the size of the file in number of bytes.
Date - This is the date stamped on the file.
Time - This is the time stamped on the file.
Attr - These are the attributes of the file. Only two
attributes are supported by this version:
H - for hidden
S - for system
HELP:Read
=========
How you got here: Main menu -> (F7) Read
This is the READ menu.
The READ mode lets you do one of the following:
MARK (F3) gives you another sub-menu while inside this
option (see help within the sub-menu). MARK (F3) lets you
browse through the files found through the disk READ you
just made, in case the files would not fit within the window
space.
Note: Just as important, MARK also lets you flag
one or more files from this list for a
subsequent deletion (F4) or stamping (F8) of
the whole group of flagged files.
DELETE (F4) lets you delete all the files you just
MARKED (F3) from your list, before you SAVE (F9) it to your
internal database.
Note: The files are just deleted from the list in
your internal database, NOT from the original
disks where they actually reside.
READ (F7) lets you do another disk read, in case you want to
look at another disk. The previous list of files will not be
saved in your internal database.
STAMP (F8) lets you change certain general information about
the group of files you just marked (F3).
Note: If no files have been flagged, any STAMP (F8)
done will apply to ALL files.
Note: Changes to either the disk number and/or the
date of entry will affect all files in the
list, whether files were flagged or not.
Note: Changes to either classification and/or
description will affect only the flagged
files.
SAVE (F9) lets you save the list of files you just READ (F7)
from a floppy diskette into your internal database.
HELP:Read:Mark
==============
You are now looking at the contents of the diskette you just
READ. You can now browse through the list by using the navigation
keys, which does the following for you:
[Up-arrow] moves highlight up one row
[Down-arrow] moves highlight down one row
[PageUp] shows previous screen of file names
[PageDown] shows next screen of file names
[Home] goes to top of list
[End] goes to bottom of list
This option primarily lets you look at all the files scanned by
the previous READ of the disk most probably still inside the
floppy drive. But more importantly, this option lets you flag one
or more files in this list for a subsequent deletion (F4) or
stamping (F8).
Note: If no files have been flagged, no deletion will
occur with DELETE (F4).
Note: If no files have been flagged, any STAMP (F8) done
will apply to ALL files.
How to read the browse window:
------------------------------
DiskNo - This should be empty in this mode.
File pathname - This is the directory path where the
file can be found and the file name
itself. For clarity, the file extensions
have been aligned together.
Size - This is the size of the file in number of bytes.
Date - This is the date stamped on the file.
Time - This is the time stamped on the file.
Attr - These are the attributes of the file. Only two
attributes are supported by this version:
H - for hidden
S - for system
HELP:ShareWare
==============
This is a shareware program. Please feel free to
distribute to friends and relatives and to anyone you
think will benefit from it.
However, if you find it useful, please drop me a note
and enclose a suggested contribution of $10.00 just as
a token of appreciation for my efforts. Anything more
or less than this will still be appreciated by me.
Actually even a note with suggestions will STILL be
appreciated!
Please address all correspondence to:
Noel Relucio
Zeckendorf Towers
111 E 14th St. Suite 313
New York, NY 10003
SAMPLE SESSION:Getting to the main menu
=======================================
You want to try out this new software and would like to see the
main menu. Do the following:
1. Get a Dos prompt (like C:\>).
2. C: <enter>
3. CD \DT <enter>
4. DT <enter>
You have reached the main menu. Press <Esc> or (F10) to exit.SAMPLE SESSION:Reading and filing diskettes
===========================================
You have new diskettes that you want to file. Do the following:
1. Start from the main menu.
2. Insert one diskette into the drive and close the drive.
3. Check the options box to make sure all settings are right.
a. Is the drive letter correct?
b. Is the disk type correct?
c. Do you want to see the hidden files?
d. Do you want to see the system files?
4. If you want to change any of the option settings, press
(F6) SET and highlight your new choices.
5. Press (F7) READ to scan the diskette for all files in all
directories.
6. If any file is found, the READ sub-menu will be displayed.
7. Press (F8) STAMP to classify and describe this whole list of
files.
8. Press (F9) SAVE to add the files to your internal database.
9. You are now back to the main menu. If you have more
diskettes, repeat this exercise.
SAMPLE SESSION:Searching for files
==================================
You are looking for the file "ANSI.SYS" you will need for your
config.sys file. You know you have it in quite a few of your
filed diskettes.
1. Start from the main menu.
2. Press (F2) SEARCH to scan your internal database.
3. Use the direction keys (the arrows) to choose "Filename".
4. Type "ANSI.SYS" when asked for the filename.
5. If the file "ANSI.SYS" file is found, the SEARCH sub-menu
will be displayed.
6. From the SEARCH sub-menu, choose (F3) MARK.
7. Browse through the list of "ANSI.SYS" files. Observe the
file sizes, dates, and times if they are the same. Note the
disk numbers on the left side that indicate where you can
get these files from.
8. Decide which disk you would like to use. Then get the disk
from your physical file.
9. You are now back to the main menu. If you need to search for
more files, repeat this exercise.
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
=====================
Question:
The program has been working fine for quite a while. All of
a sudden my searches started getting strange. Sometimes it
even gives me error messages and goes out of the program.
What is happening?
Answer:
The indexes to your database may be corrupted and may have
to be re-done. Go to The Disk Tracker directory and delete
all the indexes by typing:
DEL *.NTX
This will erase all the index files. Do not worry. You did
not lose anything. The Disk Tracker will notice the index
files missing and will re-create them the next time you run
the program.
Tip:
Always exit the program properly by pressing <F10> or <Esc>
from the main menu. This will close all files cleanly.
OTHER QUESTIONS
===============
Question:
How come The Disk Tracker did not come with any printed
reports?
Answer:
This is version 1.0 of The Disk Tracker. This first version
is only designed to be a disk organizer and file finder.
Future versions may come with some reports.
However, let me point out that the database files, namely
DISK.DBF, CLASS.DBF, and DESC.DBF are in dBase III Plus
format and all the fields have been given sensible names.
The PC market is already flooded with programs which can
read dBase files and create reports from them. You should
have no trouble finding one of these programs.
ADVANCED TIPS
=============
1. If you do not want to have a group class or description for
certain files, include a group class or description named
"<NONE>" which will always be at the top of the list of
classes and descriptions.