This screen appears when no help is currently available.
It should only appear if there are no jobs on the screen and the user presses <F1>. It can also appear if we forget to put a reference to a dialog box in this Help file.
All the other menus can be accessed by pressing <Alt><Z>, where <Z> is the first letter of the menu. For example, the "File" menu is pulled down by pressing <Alt><F>. '
Press <Esc> to close the Help screen.
File (Alt F)
The File menu includes choices for opening and saving files, changing directories, DOS shell, and exiting the program.
Open
Change
Exit
File types:
image
serial
label
File
The File
New command creates one of the file types used in DiskDupe. You can create a new job, image, set, serial, or label file. To open a pre-existing file, use the File
Open command.
File
Creates a new set file.
See Also:
Creating/Editing
File
Serial
(Pro/AutoPro)
Creates a new serial file.
File
Label
(Pro/AutoPro)
Creates a new label file.
File
Open
The Open command displays the Open File dialog box for one of the file types used in DiskDupe. You can open an existing job, image, set, serial, or label file. If you want to create a new file use the File
New option. $
The Open File dialog box contains:
An name
box with a history list
A list
box to browse the directory
The Cancel button
The Open action button
An information panel that describes the
selected file
Whenever you open an Image, Set, Serial, or Label, you can press <Tab> to the pick list and use the down arrow key to browse through the list of files. You can also type the first few letters of the file and then press <Tab>.
File
Image
The Open Image command allows you to change the description of the image file.
File
(Pro/AutoPro)
This allows you to edit the set(s) files that you have created.
File
Serial
(Pro/AutoPro)
This allows you to edit a serial
file for the serialization of diskettes.
File
Label
(Pro/AutoPro)
This allows you to edit a label file for printing labels as the disks are copied.
File
Save
The Save command allows you to save the current editor window to a disk file. If it has already been saved, the file will be saved under the same name. If you wish to save the file under a new name, select the File
As command instead.
File
Save As
The Save As command allows you to save the current editor window to a new file name. Note that if an editor window does not have a name (it is called "Untitled"), selecting File
Save will execute the Save As command.
File
Save All
The Save All command saves all editor windows to disk.
File
Change Dir...
Change Dir brings up the Change
Directory dialog box, in which you can change the current directory.
File
DOS Shell
With the DOS Shell command, you can leave the program temporarily to perform a DOS command or run another program. 9
To return to this program, type EXIT at the DOS prompt.
File
Exit
<Alt><X>
The Exit command terminates this program.
Edit
<Alt><E>
The Edit menu includes choices for UNDO in the editor and managing the clipboard.
Edit
Undo
<Ctrl><BkSp>
The Undo command allows you to "take back" the last editor action you performed. For example, if the line:
This is an editor test
is changed to:
This was an editor test
the Undo command will become active. Executing the Undo command will cause the line to revert back to its original version. Note that changes which can be undone are grouped into similar actions, such as typing, or deleting characters. Any action type you perform that is different than the last action type will cause the Undo information to be lost.
Edit
Redo
The Redo command allows you to "take back" the last undo command of the last editor action you performed.
Edit
<Shift><Del>
The Cut command removes the selected text and places it on the clipboard. Any information previously on the clipboard is lost. Text cut from the editor may be immediately replaced by selecting the Undo command before moving the cursor.
Edit
Copy
<Ctrl><Ins>
The Copy command places a copy of the selected text on the clipboard. The selected information is left unchanged, but any information previously on the clipboard is lost.
Edit
Paste
<Shift><Ins>
The Paste command inserts the contents of the clipboard into the current editor window at the cursor position. If any text is selected in the current editor window, the highlighted text is replaced by the text coming from the clipboard. The contents of the clipboard remain unchanged. Information pasted into an editor may be removed immediately by using the Undo command before moving the cursor.
Edit
Show Clipboard
The Show Clipboard command will display the Clipboard contents is an ordinary editor window. Note that Cut and Paste commands are not enabled while the clipboard is the focused window.
Edit
Clear
<Ctrl><Del>
The Clear command removes any selected text from the current editor without placing a copy of the text on the clipboard. The effects of this command may be reversed by selecting Undo before moving the cursor.
Search
<Alt><S>
The Search menu provides text search and replace in the topmost edit window.
Edit
Find
<Alt><F>
The Find command performs a text search in the editor.
Edit
Replace
<Alt><R>
The Replace command performs a text search and replace in the editor.
Edit
Search again
<Alt><S>
The Search again repeats the last Find or Replace.
Job
<Alt><J>
A job is a particular task that the user would like DiskDupe to perform. The purpose of a job is to allow the user to save the settings for a particular task under a particular job name. The next time that task needs to be performed, the user can simply select the appropriate job rather than re-entering the settings.
jobs can be added for each task that the user performs frequently and some or all of the jobs can be included in an opening menu screen that is presented when DiskDupe is run. Y
Most of the job settings are displayed in a job dialog box in the center of the screen.
File
<F3>
The open command allows you to open or delete existing jobs.
File
Creates a new job.
Delete
The delete command allows you to choose an existing job to delete.
Source
The Source is the location of the master diskette to be copied or compared to the destination chosen for the job to be performed. The Source could be a drive that contains a master diskette, an image file, a set of image files, a RamboDisk or a DOS format. If you are creating a set of images and you have the masters for the set in several drives, set Source to Cascade. If you want to make copies of different master disks without using the keyboard, set Source to Relay.
Source
Drive
This allows you to use a drive as your Source. This drive will contain the master diskette that you want to read in.
Source
Cascade
The Cascade option allows you to set your source to a set of drives. DiskDupe will read the master disks in the order that you set the Cascade drives.
Source
Image
The image option allows you to choose a previously created image file (stored on the hard drive) as your source. The image file will be copied to the destination.
Source
(Pro/AutoPro)
The set option allows you selete a set of images as your source. These images will be copied to the destination.
Source
Rambo
(Pro/AutoPro)
This setting allows you to use the RamboDisk as your source. The destination will receive the data from the Rambodisk.
Source
Format
This is used to copy a blank DOS format to the disks in the drive chosen as the Destination.
A DOS version 3.3 format is used since this format is compatible with all versions of DOS. If you would like to use a different DOS version, create an image of a blank disk with the preferred format and then use that image file as your Source instead of choosing "format".
Source
Relay
In this case the destination drive (or drives) will be used as the Source and the disks will be copied in Relay mode (DiskDupe senses write protected masters and copies their contents to subsequent non-write protected disks).
Destination
The destination is the place where you want your source to be copied and/or compared.
Destination could be: Y
Drive
Cascade
Image file (to create a new image file)
Set of image files
Rambodisk.
Destination
Drive
The drive option allows you to choose the drive that will contain the floppy diskette that is to receive the data from the source.
Destination
Cascade
This option allows you to use more than one floppy drive of the same type. If you are making multiple copies, you can use Cascade to "daisy chain" the drives so that they copy in sequence. Once the last diskette of the last drive in the chain has been copied to, DiskDupe sits and waits for the diskette in the first drive to change. Once this has changed, DiskDupe assumes that the rest of the drives in the chain also have new diskettes and continues making copies. Q
For more information on using Cascade, click on Cascade below or press <Enter>.
Cascade
Destination
Image
The destination of the source disk will be an image file. If you type in a new image name, DiskDupe will store an image of a floppy disk on your hard disk. If you choose an existing image name DiskDupe will replaced the old image with a new image of the source disk, unless you have marked the image as read-only.
Destination
(Pro/AutoPro)
Choose Set as your destination when you want to make the images in a Set. Before making the images, the Set file must be created first. The end result is the same as creating each image file individually, with less effort.
See Also:
Creating/Editing
Destination
Rambo
(Pro/AutoPro)
This option allows you to use the RamboDisk for temporary storage of your source disk. If you choose this as your destination, a copy of your source disk is stored on the RamboDisk.
To update an image file:
1) Copy the image to the RamboDisk (Source = image, Dest. = RamboDisk).
2) Quit out to DOS to modify the files on the RamboDisk.
3) Go back into DiskDupe and copy from the RamboDisk to the image (Source =
Rambodisk, Dest. = image). 7
The above process can be automated with a batch
file.
Disk
The disk is the type of disk, or media, that you are using. In almost all cases, this is set to Auto to let DiskDupe automatically sense the type of disk that you are using.
Format/Verify
This dialog screen lets you select the Format, Verify, and Track Range options. 6
Choose one of the following for further information.
Format
Verify
Track
Range
Serial
(Pro/AutoPro)
The serial option allows you to serialize your disks. If you don't want to serialize your disks, make sure it is set to Off.
Label
(Pro/AutoPro)
The Label option allows you to turn the label printing On or Off and to select which label file gets printed when a diskette is copied.
See also:
Labels
Label
Choices
Options
This option allows you to change the name of your current job, control how the disks are counted, set the number of allowable "Retries" and set the User
Interrupt option.
Protect
(Pro/AutoPro)
This menu item is for DiskDupe's optional copy protection module for creating copy protected diskettes. Consult the DiskDupe manual or call Micro System Designs for more information on the copy protection option.
See also:
Technical
Support
The Go option is selected when the user is ready to perform an operation (duplicate or compare). If the user has a mouse then the "Go" button on the job dialog box can be selected, provided that the "Sticky Menu" has not been selected.
Disks can also be formatted in a separate pass through the Go option by choosing Format as the Source. This applies a DOS format to the disks.
See also:
Options
Using
DiskDupe
Window
List
Window
List allows the user to choose which window to put in the foreground to make it easier to access the windows on mouseless computers.
File
Image
Creates a new image
file of a master diskette on the hard drive.
Using the Network Server
(AutoPro)
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING THE NETWORK SERVER
1) Have a job open. Set the Destination to the autoloader drive, and set the "Job
Disk" to the correct disk type of the job the Network Server is waiting for. For example, change Disk to 1.44MB instead of "Auto", or 720K instead of "Auto", etc. u
2) Go to "Setup
Network", and set the network directory to the directory you want to pull Network batch files from.
3) Select "File
Network Server". From another computer on the network copy a batch file into the directory that was entered under Setup
Network (step 2). A sample batch file can be found under Network
Batch
Files. (
INSTRUCTIONS FOR TURNING ON REPORTING C
1) Go to "Setup
Network", and select the box marked Reporting On.
Doing so creates a STAT#.LOG file, where # is the number of the file. This has all of the data fields that are pulled into the Network Monitor from DDNet. The data fields are comma delimited so they can be pulled into a spreadsheet or database.
With the Network Server activated, DiskDupe will scan the network directory for batch
files to run that begin with a remark line that specifies the same disk type as the type that was mentioned in Step 1, under INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING THE NETWORK SERVER. For example, if Disk was set to 720K then DiskDupe will look for batch files that include the line: REM DISK=720k, or if Disk was set to 1.44Mb, then batch files with REM Disk=1.44Mb will be executed. +
If the batch file also contains a workstation identification field, the job will be executed by the Network Server with that workstation name, unless of course that station is not currently an active Network Server. If that station is not active, the job will be executed based on the Disk field.
These batch files can be copied into the common network subdirectory by another application from anywhere on the network. DDNet however automatically does this for you.
See Also:
About
Network
Server
Setup
This is where the user defines their particular hardware configuration (controllers,drives, and disks), as well as settings for the colors and some global settings that are not specific to any particular job. s
Normally only the first three items on the list (Controllers, Autoloaders and Drives) need to be set by the user.
Setup
Controllers
(Pro/AutoPro)
This is where the floppy disk controllers are identified for use with DiskDupe.
Setup
Drives
This is where the user defines what floppy drives are connected to the computer. The A: and B: drives of a computer will normally be set up automatically by DiskDupe, but other floppy drives need to be specified.
Drive
Setup
Disks
(Pro/AutoPro)
This is where you define disk formats (how many tracks, sectors per track, etc.). This will already include the commonly used formats (360k, 720k, 1.2MB, 1.44MB, etc.) and allows for the user to enter in custom formats as well. If necessary, the user can define a different format for each track of a custom disk.
See also:
Disk
Setup
Global
Global
settings are those settings that will be the same no matter what job is being processed. Settings that change from job to job (like the "source" and "destination" are saved under the job that they correspond to.
Setup
Colors
The Colors option brings up the Colors dialog box, where you can customize the colors of the screen display.
Setup
Autoloaders
(AutoPro)
This option brings up the Autoloader
List where the Autoloaders are set
up for use with DiskDupe.
Setup
Network
(AutoPro)
This is where the network directory is defined for running DiskDupe's Network
Server feature for remote control of the duplication machine. This is also where Reporting can be turned on to generate a history file of the machine's activity.
Setup
Sound
This option allows the user to customize the sounds produced by DiskDupe.
See Also:
Sound
Window <Alt><W>
The Window menu contains commands to close, move and perform other window-management commands.
Most of the windows in this program have all the standard window elements, including scroll bars, a close box, and zoom icons. >
For more about windows and their elements, refer to windows. :
Window-management commands
Size/Move Zoom
Cascade Close
Next Previous
Window
Cascade
Choose Window
Cascade to stack all file viewers on the desktop. A
Cascaded Windows
Window
Size/Move
<Ctrl><F5>
Choose this command to change the size or position of the active window.
Size
If you drag the Resize corner or press <Shift> while you use the arrow keys, you can change the size of the active text editor windows or Help screens. Once you've adjusted its size, press <Enter>. Dialog boxes cannot be resized.
Move
When you choose Window
Size/Move, the active window moves in response to the arrow keys. Once you have moved the window to where you want it, press <Enter>.
A window can also be moved by dragging its title bar with the mouse. If it doesn't move, make sure the mouse is activated by pressing <F10>.
Window
Zoom
<F5>
Choose Zoom to resize the active text editor window to the maximum size. If the window is already zoomed, you can choose this command to restore it to its previous size. {
You can also double-click anywhere on the window's title bar (except where an icon appears) to zoom or unzoom the window.
Window
Next
<F6>
Choose Next to cycle forward through the windows on the desktop.
Window
Previous
<Shift><F6>
Choose Previous to cycle backwards through the windows on the desktop.
Window
Close
<Alt><F3>
Choose Close to close the active window. N
You can also click the Close box in the upper left corner to close a window.
Help
<Alt><H>
The Help menu provides access to DiskDupe's on-line help, which provides information for virtually everything in DiskDupe.
Help
Contents
The Help Contents provide a summary of several help topics that you can choose from, like the "Table of Contents" of a book. g
You can get to the list by Double-clicking on Contents or press <Enter> when Contents is highlighted.
Once you are in Contents and the item that you want is highlighted, press <Enter> (or double-click on the mouse) to get to the help screen of that item.
Contents
Help
Index
DiskDupe's on-line help comes with a comprehensive alphabetic index. a
You can get to the list by double-clicking on index or press <Enter> when Index is highlighted.
Once you are in the Index and the item that you want is highlighted, press <Enter> (or double-click on the mouse) to get to the help screen of that item.
Index
Help
Getting Around
Navigating
Menus
(press <Enter> for this topic,
<Esc> to exit this help screen.)
You can access DiskDupe context sensitive Help at any time by pressing the <F1> key.
To access the Help
Index you can click on the Help menu bar and then click on Index (if you have a mouse), or type <Alt><H> followed by "I" .
To access the Help
Contents you can click on the Help menu bar and then click on Contents (if you have a mouse), or type <Alt><H> followed by "C". #
You can click on any word that is highlighted to get more help on that particular subject. If you do not have a mouse, you can press the <Tab> key to choose between highlighted words and then press <Enter> when the word that you want is highlighted. Press <Esc> to leave a Help screen.
Help
About
<F9>
When you choose the About command from the Help menu, thhe copyright and version information will appear. A
To close the box, press <Esc>, <Space> or <Enter>, or press Ok.
Help
Error Messages
This menu item gives the user access to a list of the common error messages that can occur when using DiskDupe. The user can select any error message for more detailed information on that message. Press <Enter> for the Error
Messages
List.
About DiskDupe
The About screen shows the version of the software and the serial number of this particular copy. Each copy of DiskDupe has a unique serial number which needs to be referred to by the customer in order to receive technical
support.
Controller Setup
(Pro/AutoPro)
This is where the floppy disk controllers are defined when editing or adding a controller to the Controller
List. %
Name: Can be up to 20 characters.
Type: This is the type of the controller card that you are using. Almost all primary controllers are of the Standard type. Add-on controllers (also called "Secondary controllers") usually have the controller type labeled on the board itself. +
Base Address: This should be set up the same as the address jumper setting on your controller card. 3F0 is the Primary address (for A: and B:). Additional controller cards are jumpered to operate at other addresses. DiskDupe will allow you to list more than one controller at a given address even though it is impossible to operate two controllers at the same address. If your controller is at an address that is not listed, you can enter it in as a custom address and type in the address field below the Base Address field. See also CompatiCard
IV. "
Interrupts: Most floppy controllers use Interrupt 6. The one exception to this rule is when two controllers are used to control an SDS drive. In this case the first controller (for head 0 of the drive) uses Interrupt 6 and the second controller uses no interrupt at all (Interrupt 0). #
DMA Channel: This needs to be set the same as the DMA Jumper settings on your controller card. If you are using an Allegro or CompatiCard
IV controller, you can leave this set to Auto and let DiskDupe determine the DMA channel. If you are using an Allegro
II you must select a channel.
DMA Burst Mode: The DMA burst mode needs to be turned on in order to operate high density double speed floppy drives. If you are using an Allegro, CompatiCard
IV or Allegro
II controller, you can leave this set to Auto.
Controller List
(Pro/AutoPro)
This is where the floppy disk controllers are defined for use with DiskDupe. If a drive is connected to a controller other than the primary controller (for A: and B:) then the additional controller(s) must be listed here. The primary controller is included on the Controller List by default.
You can have DiskDupe automatically set up your controllers by pressing the Auto-Set button or set them up manually by pressing Edit or Add. When you press the Edit or Add button, DiskDupe brings up the Controller
Setup dialog box, where the controllers can be manually defined.
If you are manually adding a controller to this list and you are not sure what type of controller you have, try setting the type as Standard, the DMA to 2 and the IRQ to 6. Primary controllers are always at address 3F0 and almost all secondary controllers are at address 370.
If your computer locks up when the Auto-Set button is pressed, there is probably a card in the computer (such as a network card) that is using one of the floppy disk controller addresses. In this case the additional controllers should be added to the Controller List manually.
Cascade
At the Drive Letters prompt, enter the drive letters that you want DiskDupe to Cascade through. For example, if you want DiskDupe to Cascade through your A:, B:, and D: drives, than at the prompt enter ABD and press <Enter>.
Choose
Use the arrow keys or the mouse to move the highlight bar to the disk or drive being selected.
Disk Drive
Disk Setup
(Pro/AutoPro)
The Disk Setup allows you to define the parameters of special diskette formats. i
Density: Choose the density of the disk that most closely matches the disk format that you are using. *
Name: This can be up to 20 characters.
Cylinders: The number of cylinders (tracks) that your disk has per side. 360k disks have 40 cylinders, all others have 80. You can specify up to 81 cylinders, however, not all drives can step to cylinder 81. 4
Sides: The number of sides on your disk; 1 or 2.
Fill Bytes: Sectors of the disk that have no data will have a fill byte written in place of the data. Most disks use an F6(Hex) fill byte.
Skew: The amount of sector displacement successive cylinders will have from the first cylinder. For example, if Skew was set to 1, and the sector order of the first cylinder was 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 DiskDupe would assume the successive cylinder sector order to be 9,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8. Skew allows faster reads because it gives the drive head time to step, allowing the first sector to be ready for reading.
Skew applies only to tracks that are not defined. Normally, you only need to define the first track and then specify the skew. a
Skew should normally be set to 0, since it only applies to diskettes that have unusual formats.
ISO format: This format is characterized by the lack of an index field at the beginning of each track of the disk. You need to use an Allegro controller to write the ISO format, otherwise the regular IBM format will be written. V
Side 2 as 1: This is for disks that put side 1 marks on side 2 and is rarely used.
Track List: This lists the parameters of the tracks. Only one track is listed if all of the tracks of the disk have the same parameters. If some tracks are different from the first track then they are listed here as well. Unlisted tracks are assumed to have the same parameters as tracks that precede them. For example, if the track list includes two sets of parameters for track 0 and track 1, tracks 2 and beyond will have the same information as track 1.
Advanced Disk Setup
(Pro/AutoPro)
The Advanced Disk Setup allows you to set the advanced parameters of custom disk formats. m
Sector size: This is the sector size in bytes (decimal). Most diskettes have a sector size of 512 bytes. J
Start Track: This decimal number is usually set at 0. The start track is the track that the parameters that you list will begin on. Unlisted tracks will be assumed to have the same parameters as tracks that precede them. Cyl 0, Head 0 refers to track 0; Cyl 0, Head 1 refers to track 1; Cyl 1, Head 0 refers to track 2, etc. Y
Sectors: This is the number of sectors (in decimal) that your disk has on this track. X
Read Gap: This is how many bytes (in hexidecimal) the controller will ignore after the end of a data sector before it begins to look for the next data sector. The purpose of this is to ignore the write splice that occurs after the sector data since these write splices can cause the controller to lose synchronization with the data stream. b
Format Gap: This is the number of bytes (in hexidecimal) that are written between each sector. ~
Format: FM stands for Frequency Modulation and MFM stands for Modified Frequency Modulation. Most disks use MFM encoding.
Lower Density: The first track will be low density (LD) and the rest of the disk will be high density (HD). This is for some NEC formats that require the first track to be LD for booting purposes.
Sector Order: The sectors are listed here in the order that they are found on the diskette. Sector numbers (in decimal) are separated by commas. W
Set Sector Interleave To: Allows you to define the sector interleave. Interleave is the number of sectors between consecutive sectors. Most disks have an interleave of one. For example, a 9 sector track with an interleave of 1 has the sectors in order: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9. With an interleave of two the order would be: 1,6,2,7,3,8,4,9,5.
Disk Auto-Add
(Pro/AutoPro)
Disk Auto-Add allows you to specify the number of cylinders to be analyzed on the disk. Usually 4 is enough, however if it has varying tracks near the end, you could analyze more.
Disk List
(Pro/AutoPro)
This Setup
Disk option allows you to Edit, Add, or Delete the disk type that is highlighted. DiskDupe defaults to include all of the standard disk types in the Disk List (1.2MB, 1.44MB, etc.). For most users, nothing needs to be set in this list. h
There are several extended capacity formats to choose from. See Special
Formats for more information.
If you choose Add, DiskDupe will add the new disk type that you have specified and place it under the highlighted disk type in the Disk List. y
DiskDupe's Auto-Add command will automatically analyze the disk format and add the new type to the disk list for you. ]
The Delete command will allow you to delete a disk type that you don't want or don't use. j
If you choose to Edit a disk type, DiskDupe will allow you to edit the highlighted disk type manually.
Advanced Drive Setup
(Pro/AutoPro)
Th Advanced Drive Setup allows you to set the advanced settings for your drives.
The Step Rate is the time delay in milliseconds between the step pulses sent out to the drive when stepping the drive head from track to track on the diskette. If it is set too long, the drive may not copy at its optimum speed. If it is set too short, the drive stepping motor will not be able to keep up and DiskDupe will report an Error 209, Bad Seek when duplicating disks or running drive test. This option is usually set to Auto.
Head Settle. The head settling time is how long the head is allowed to settle on a new track before beginning to write the data. The copy quality can suffer if this time is set too low but the copying time can increase if it is set too high. This option is usually set to Auto.
Motor Delay is how much "spin up" time the drive is allowed from the time it is turned on to the time that the first data is written on the diskette. This option is usually set to Auto. >
Pin 6 Control. Mark this option if you are using a Trace Qualicopy drive with either an Allegro, Allegro II or CompatiCard IV controller. This will reduce the write current on the inner tracks for better quality. In order for this to work, JP2 on the Trace interface board should be jumpered to positions 2 and 3.
The Pin 6 Control is normally set Always High, but if Auto-Set were used to configure a drive, DiskDupe would automatically determine which setting was best for the drive in use.
Connector. This is the type of interface the drive is using. If you are using a regular speed (1x) or double speed (2x) drive, select Normal. For SDS drives, the interface can be anyone of the three listed. Single cable SDS drives can be either Y-E Data or Alf. Dual cable SDS drives should be set to Normal. If you are not certain which connector to select, use the Auto-Set feature to have the software determine the drive interface automatically.
Total Disks Copied, Disks Since Cleaned and Disks Since Aligned keep track of the use of the floppy drive for maintenance purposes. A reminder for drive cleaning and alignment can be set in the Setup menu under Global.
Drive List
The Drive List allows you to Edit, Delete, Test (Diagnostics) or Clean the drive that is highlighted. You can also add a drive or use the drive Auto-Set feature to add drives automatically. (Pro/AutoPro)
When you press the Edit or Add button, DiskDupe brings up the Drive
Setup dialog box where the drives can be manually defined. Any changes you make will either change the drive that is highlighted or will be added to a new drive on the Drive List.
Note: If you want to add drives to the Drive List that are connected to a controller other than the primary controller, the other controller(s) need to be specified first in the Controller
List.
Drive Setup
(Pro/AutoPro)
The Drive Setup dialog box allows you to manually configure your drive.
The Drive Letter can be any letter or number and does not have to correspond to the letter that DOS may have assigned to the floppy drive. z
The Drive Name can be up to 40 characters, although the Drive
List will only show the first 20 characters of the name.
The Drive
Type should be set to the maximum capacity of the drive. For example, if you have a drive that can copy 1.44MB and 720KB diskettes then the drive type should be set as a 1.44MB.
The Drive Speed for almost all drives is Regular. 2X stands for double speed, SDS stands for Simultaneous Double Sided (SDS drives are supported only in the AutoPro version of DiskDupe).
The Number (position) of the drive indicates where the drive is connected on the controller. Most controllers only have two numbers available, number 0 (for a twisted drive cable) and 1 (for a straight cable). In the case of the primary controller, drive A: is at number 0 and drive B: is at number 1. On controllers that support four drives there are two more drive numbers available on a separate connector: number 2 for a twisted cable and number 3 for a straight cable.
The controller that the drive is connected to needs to be selected in the Controller field. If you are using an SDS drive, there are two controllers used for the drive and the first of these should be selected. c
If the drive is in an autoloader, then this autoloader should be specified in the loader field. d
The Advanced menu for the drive can be accessed by pressing <A> from the Drive Setup dialog box.
Format, Verify, and Track Range options
This dialog screen lets you select the Format, Verify, and Track range options. &
Please choose one of the following:
Format
Verify
Track
Range
Global Settings
Misc. If "Auto-set A: & B:" is selected, then DiskDupe will determine the drive types of A: and B: by reading the CMOS of the computer. If you are using an autoloader or plan on changing the drives frequently, deselect this so that your changes won't be reset every time you start DiskDupe. .
Old Style Menus can be selected for users that are used to using the menu system from earlier versions of DiskDupe. The new menu options at the top of the screen get replaced with the familiar Go, Source, Destination, Options, Setup, Quit, and include two additional menu options: Window and Help.
Ask for User Name. If desired, DiskDupe can display the name of the user on the duplication screen. Also, if Network
Reporting is turned on, it will record the name in the log file and show it on the DDNET display. If only one user will be using DiskDupe, select "At Startup" which will ask for the user name only once when DiskDupe is started. If several users will be using DiskDupe to start jobs, select "Before Each Job".
EMS and XMS memory usage ,by DiskDupe can be limited if needed. In most cases it is best to leave these set to -1 for "No Limit". <
Disks between Cleaning and Disks between Aligning are for reminding the operator to clean and align the drives at the specified intervals. DiskDupe keeps track of the disks copied in each drive in the Drive
List and reminds the operator to service the drive when the specified number of copies has been reached.
Image description
This text field allows the user to enter a brief description (up to 40 characters) of the image file that is being created. When the image file is used in the future, up to 20 characters of the name will be displayed in the message window of the status screen.
Using DiskDupe
DiskDupe uses the same technique for navigating the menus that is used in Windows, and just like Windows there are pull-down menus available across the top of the screen that allow the user to access dialog boxes for entering selections.
NOTE: DiskDupe requires that at least one Job window be open to operate. If you close all the Job windows leaving a blank desktop, you can obtain a list of jobs available by pressing <F3>, or by selecting File
Job from the menu bar. X
If you have a mouse, you can select menu choices by clicking on them with the mouse.
If you do not have a mouse, you can select menu choices by pressing <Alt><Z> where <Z> is the first letter of the menu. Once the menus are active, you can move around them using the arrow keys. Use <Enter> to select a menu item.
The <F10> key enables the 'Sticky Menus' for default access to the menus for mouseless computers. Press <F10> again to turn 'Sticky Menus' off.
Once you have selected a menu item, a dialog box appears with choices for that item. Use <Tab> or <Shift><Tab> to move from field to field. When you have made your selections, press <Enter> to save them.
When you are in a dialog box you can press <Alt><N>, where <N> is the highlighted letter of the option you want to go to. You can also press the highlighted letter of the option alone to move around as long as you are not moving from a field that required you to type something in.
To leave a dialog box or help screen press <Esc>. To close a job or any other file box, either click on the Close button in the upper left corner of the box or press <Alt><F3>.
In the Help screens you can also use the <Tab> key to move the highlight bar from one keyword to another. Use <Enter> to select the highlighted keyword. Use the arrow keys or the <Page Up> and <Page Down> keys to scroll up and down in the Help screen.
See also: 7
File
Edit
Setup
Help
Delete
If you press delete, it will delete the Job that you highlighted. Otherwise press <Esc> or click on <Done> to exit this dialog box.
Options
Use the <Tab> key to move from field to field. When all of the settings are correct press <Enter>.
(Pro/AutoPro) When Count Bad Disks is selected, DiskDupe will count both good and bad disks while duplicating, instead of not counting any bad disks encountered. This is useful when disks are pre-labeled with a serial number , and you do not mind DiskDupe skipping the serial number of the bad disk. Disks that are skipped can always be remade at a later date with the correct serial number. w
This function is always "OFF" when you're comparing disks, since DiskDupe reports counts for both good and bad disks. #
(Pro/AutoPro) When Collate Sets is selected, copies made from the images in the set will remain in the same order specified by the set. This option by default is normally selected. For more information on sets see Sets or for additional information on collating see Collation
Sets.
(Pro/AutoPro) User
Interrupts can be turned on here for interfacing with TSR's that are made to interface with DiskDupe. If you are not using such a TSR then leave this set to "off". P
The Job
Name is the name that is displayed at the top of the Job dialog box.
(Pro/AutoPro) Retries specifies the number of retries that DiskDupe will attempt when coping or reading disks. Four numbers are entered, separated by commas, with no spaces. They represent in order: @
1) Retries allowed per track for duplication and verification. @
2) Retried tracks allowed during duplication and verification. :
3) Retries per track allowed when reading a master disk. @
4) Retried tracks allowed per disk when reading a master disk.
Label Choices
(Pro/AutoPro)
There are three main options in this menu.
1) "Off" turns off the label feature so that diskettes are copied without printing labels. If the "Off" option is chosen then the Edit and Select buttons have no effect. ]
2) "Select One" allows the user to select a single label file that will be sent to the printer for each diskette copied. With this option no matter which diskette is being copied, the same label file will be printed. When "Select One" is chosen, you can <Tab> over to the Select button to choose or create a label file that you would like to use.
3) "Follow Image" allows the user to have a different label file for each image file. For example if you are copying from an image file called DISK1.DDI then DiskDupe will look for a serialization file called DISK1.DDL and print that label when DISK1 has been copied. When "Follow Image" has been selected, you can <Tab> over to the Edit and Print buttons to edit or print the label files that have the same names as the images that you are going to copy from. o
The printer type can usually be set to Standard unless you are using one of the other printer types listed.
The Print To option would normally be set to print to LPT1, which is the default on most computers. This can be changed to another port or to a filename if desired.
Open File
This screen allows you to choose the file that you want to edit by double-clicking on the filename or by typing the name of the file. When typing the name of the file, you don't need to type the extension unless it is an extension other than the default.
Select Rambo
(Pro/AutoPro)
In this screen you need to type in the drive letter of your RamboDisk, which is the drive letter that DOS assigns to it. The drive letter is displayed as the Rambodisk is loaded when the computer boots. You can also type RAMBODSK from the DOS prompt to see which drive letter has been assigned.
Status Screen
The status screen gives the operator information about the job that is in progress.
The main status box shows the progress of the operation by displaying a character for each track of the diskette as it is duplicated, formatted, or compared. The key box in the upper lefthand corner of the screen shows the meaning of these characters. The
character, which is not listed in the key, is used to represent a format-with-write operation, which is only supported on certain controllers. }
The Statistics box keeps track of the copying speed and the total number of good and bad diskettes that have been produced.
The message window at the bottom of the screen displays messages for the operator. You can scroll through the list of messages that have appeared using the arrow keys or the mouse. J
At any time, the <Esc> key can be pressed to stop the current operation.
Advanced Serialization
(Pro/AutoPro)
Increment on Bad disks: This would normally be unmarked so that all of the good diskettes produced are in order. If you are serializing disks after they have been pre-labeled with the serial numbers, mark this option so that if bad disks are encountered the subsequent disk labels will not show the wrong serial numbers.
Special Characters: These are the reserved characters used in the Stamp
Mask to denote ASCII, Binary, and CRC Check replacement characters, respectively. The default characters are @^~. /
CRC Seeds: Used to create CRC
Check
Digits.
Use External File: This allows the user to use an ASCII file that they have created ahead of time as the source of the serial numbers that will be written to the diskettes. "Select" is for choosing the source file.
Encryption Key: This is used to encrypt the serial number on the disk to prevent users from finding or changing it. If you put a string here, it will be xor'ed with the serial number before putting it on the disk. %
Serial Log File: This is for creating a log file during duplication to give the user a record of the serial numbers that have been used. It is an ASCII file with four fields that are separated by commas. The fields contain the date, serial number, serial ID surrounded by "", and the time.
Log Entry ID: This is an identifier for the serial numbers printed in the Serial Log File. You can enter up to 80 characters.
See also:
Serialization
Serial
Serialization File
(Pro/AutoPro)
The Serialization file contains information that DiskDupe uses to serialize the diskettes, and can be stored on the local hard drive or a floppy. A serialization file is required in order to serialize copies, and can be created from File
Serial.
"Serial Number" is the current serial number. This is the number that will be put on the next disk that is serialized. The serial number can be between -2,147,483,648 and 2,147,483,647. m
Note: If, on the Advanced Serial dialog box, you have "Use External Serial File" selected, the "Serial Number" option will change to "Line Number" and will indicate which line from the external serial file is to be used next. If DiskDupe detects that the date or time of the external serial file has changed, it will automatically set the "Line Number" back to 1.
"Increment" is the amount that the serial number will increment by between disks. The increment can be a positive or negative number between -32,768 and 32,767.
"Stamp Mask" is the string that will replace the search string on the diskette. There are three special (reserved) characters used in the stamp mask: @,^, and ~. These special characters can be changed in the advanced menu.
The @ character is a special character that gets replaced by an incrementing ASCII serial number when the diskette is serialized. t
If you put ^^^^ (four ^ characters) in the Stamp Mask, they will be replaced with the 32 bit binary
serial
number. P
The ~ character is a special character that gets replaced by CRC
check
digits.
"Locations" refers to the locations on the diskette where the serial Stamp Mask is to be written. You can use a table of locations if you know the exact locations that you want to serialize or you can use a Search
String that you have put on the master disk.
"Search For" is the the string that DiskDupe will search for on the master disk when "Locations" is set to "Search". "Num to Find" is the number of search strings that you have left on the disk for DiskDupe to find. t
"Description" helps you to identify the serial file when opening it. The description can be up to 40 characters. X
"Edit Table" allows you to access DiskDupe's table of serial locations for the disk. 9
"Advanced" is for the advanced serialization options.
Serialization Choices
(Pro/AutoPro)
There are three main options in this menu. T
"Off" turns off the serialization so that disks are copied without modification.
"Select One" allows the user to select a single serialization
file to specify how to serialize the disks. With this option, no matter which disk is being copied, the same serialization file will be used. When "Select One" is chosen, the you can <Tab> over to the Select button to choose or create the serial file that you would like to use. Also, if this option is selected and your Source is set as an image or RamboDisk, you can Search it to see if it can find the "Search For" string.
"Follow Image" allows the user to have a different serialization file for each image file. For example, if you are copying from an image file called DISK1.DDI, DiskDupe will look for a serialization file called DISK1.SER and use its parameters to serialize the disks. When "Follow Image" is selected, you can <Tab> over to the Edit and Search buttons to edit or search the label files that have the same names as the images that you are going to copy from.
Also see:
Serialization
Dialog Serial locations
Serial Locations List
(Pro/AutoPro)
This list describes the locations of each serial string on the diskette to be copied.
The cylinder, head, sector, and offset are all listed as decimal values. If you do not know the locations that you want to use to serialize your disks, you can use a search
replace string instead.
Select Source
Choose the Source where you want your master to be read from. T
For more information on the specific sources, select one of the following options. 3
Drive
Cascade
Image
Rambo
Format
Relay
Drive Auto Ins
Protection Choices
(Pro/AutoPro)
This dialog box is for DiskDupe's optional copy protection module for creating copy protected diskettes. Consult the DiskDupe manual or call Micro System Designs for more information on the copy protection option.
Protect File Option: You can choose to turn off copy protection, select a single copy protection file or use the "Follow Image" option to have DiskDupe use the protection that has the same name (but different extension) as the image file that is being copied.
Operation: Choose Duplicate or Compare. F
Copies: Enter the number of copies that you want to Duplicate or Compare. For Duplicate, the number entered is the number of good disks that will be produced. For Compare, the number entered is the total number of disks (good and bad) that will be compared to the master disk or image. For continuous operation, enter 0.
Open
This allows the user to open or delete a pre-existing job. Use the arrow keys to move the highlight bar from job to job.
Autoloader Setup
(AutoPro)
The Autoloader Setup allows you to define your autoloader for use with DiskDupe.
Name: This is whatever you want your autoloader to be called. It can be up to 40 characters, with up to 20 characters displayed in the Autoloader
List. D
Type: Select the type of autoloader you are using with DiskDupe. M
Port: This is the communication port that the autoloader is connected to.
Baud: The rate at which the autoloader and the computer can transmit data back and forth. Most autoloaders work at 9600 baud. Allowable baud rates are 9600, 2400, 300, and 19200. B
Misc: This field contains the Use CTS and Full Status options.
Mark "Use CTS" if you don't want DiskDupe to send any characters to the autoloader until the computer asserts the Clear To Send line. Leave this unmarked unless you are having problems communicating with the autoloader. 1
Normally, after every command, DiskDupe will ask the autoloader for status information. On some older autoloaders (especially Mountain), the status is not always correct. Mark "Full Status" unless DiskDupe copies the first disk and reports "Error 403", or has problems communicating with the autoloader.
Stop Bits: The number of stop bits the port expects. This value is rarely critical to the COM port's operation and the default value, 1, will work under most circumstances. The only other option is 2.
Data Bits: Indicates how many data bits the port requires. Autoloaders generally use 8 data bits to communicate. The only other allowable value is 7 bits, but DiskDupe will usually work correctly if set to 8 bits even if the autoloader uses 7 bits.
Parity: The port's method of checking for errors during the transmission of data. Normally, select None. Other options are Odd and Even.
Autoloader List
(AutoPro)
This is where the autoloaders are defined for use with DiskDupe. When you press the Edit or Add button, DiskDupe brings up the Autoloader
Setup dialog box, where the autoloaders can be manually defined.
As with any other drive you use with your computer, you should test the autoloader drive. Since there are more variables here, this can be a little tricky and sometimes requires simple trial and error.
Job Name
Enter the name of the job that you are creating. The name can be up to 40 characters and will appear when opening a job and on the top of the job dialog box.
Colors
The Colors dialog box consists of two list boxes, a text display area, the standard OK, Cancel, Help buttons and one of the following:
On color and black-and-white systems, it
also contains two color palettes.
On monochrome systems, it contains a set
of radio buttons instead of the palettes.
This dialog box is where you can change the colors of different parts of this program.
Group
Desktop
Menus
Dialogs/Calc
Puzzle
Calendar
Ascii table
The Group list box contains the names of the different regions of the program that you can customize. L
Item
Color
When you select a group from the Group list, the Item list box displays the names of the different views in that region.
Foreground
Background
On color and black-and-white systems, you use the Foreground and Background palettes to modify colors.
Colors
) Mono low
( ) Mono high
( ) Mono underscore
( ) Mono inverse
On monochrome systems, you use the Colors set of radio buttons systems to modify the character attributes. Q
Text Text Text
Text Text Text
On all systems, the display text shows the current color or attribute settings. a
Changes do not take effect on the desktop until you close the Colors dialog box by pressing Ok.
Network Setup
(AutoPro)
In the "Network Reporting" option, use the spacebar to turn Reporting on. This will cause DiskDupe to create files called STAT1.LOG, STAT2.LOG, etc. in the network directory for historical reporting of jobs that have been performed (the number used is the same as the line number that the station appears on in the DDNET program). This can also be written to a directory on the local (C:) hard drive if no network is being used. k
Note: DiskDupe uses the file MSDNET.DAT to track the real time status of all jobs running on the network.
"Workstation Name" is a name of up to 20 characters that will be used to identify your workstation when it is monitored remotely using DDNet.
"Network Directory" is the directory where you would like to have DiskDupe type its report file (MSD.NET) and also look for jobs sent from other workstations when running the Network
Server.
About Network Server
OVERVIEW OF FEATURES M
DiskDupe's Network Server option is used to make one or more duplication machines available to any workstation on a network. When the Network Server is active, DiskDupe searches in a common network directory for jobs sent by other workstations. If a job is present for it, DiskDupe "grabs" it and produces the disks as requested.
A requirement for Network Server to work properly when active is that at least one job window be open, and that "Job
Disk" be set to the type of network batch file DiskDupe is searching for.
Information related to Network Server, such as Network Directory, Reporting Features, and Workstation Name, can be found under "Setup
Network".
A MORE DETAILED EXPLANATION z
If you have multiple workstations, i.e. more that one computer running DiskDupe on a network, the computers acting as Network Servers are able to identify jobs available for them via the Disk field as explained in Network
Batch
Files. If the job also contains a workstation identification field, the job will only be executed by the Network Server with that workstation name.
Once a Network Server identifies a job for it, the batch file is marked as in-use by renaming it with a .RUN extension. When the job is completed, it creates a results file called DiskDupe.RES, and deletes the .RUN if the job was completed successfully. If an error is encountered, the .RUN does not get deleted, but gets renamed with a .ERR extension. This is so the operator can find the jobs that were not completed.
Jobs are completed in the order that batch files arrive in the network directory, i.e. if there is more than one job present for a particular station , the batch files will be processed first-in, first-out.
See Also: E
Using
Network
Server
Network
Batch
Files
Network
Setup
DDNet
Sound List
DiskDupe can produce sounds to alert the operator of various conditions during duplication. To change the Sound
Settings for a particular item, move the highlight bar over the item of interest using the arrow keys and press Edit.
Sound Settings
Sounds: Sounds can be chosen using the up and down arrow keys. Press <Alt><P> to hear the sound chosen. New sounds cannot be added to this list.
Seconds before first sound: The number of seconds that DiskDupe waits after a condition has occurred before it produces the sound. }
Seconds between sounds: The number of seconds DiskDupe waits between producing sounds if the machine is left unattended.
Frequency adjust: Increases or decreases the frequency of the sound. Positive numbers increase the frequency, negative numbers decrease it. 0 is the default value. If this number is set too high or too low then no audible sound will be produced.
Sound Play
DiskDupe plays the sound selected in the sound settings dialog box.
Select Destination
Choose the Destination where you want your Source to be copied and/or compared to.
See Also: #
Drive
Cascade
Image
Rambo
DiskDupe Trial
This is a special limited version of the DiskDupe 5.0 Standard software. All the features of the Standard are included in the Trial, as well as the typical aptly named "bother-screens", which the official version dispenses with.
The Trial version does keep track of how many times you use the program, as well as when you first start using it, so that after 60 days of use the program does the following:
Creates a forced delay of 10 seconds after the initial bother-screens
Limits the number of copies than can be made to 4 disks
Limits features to that of the Lite version
After 60 days of use, you should register the program or stop using it. .
As the the message on the screen indicates, you may distribute DiskDupe Trial to anyone, but let them know it is not free. Also, when distributing it, please keep the files mentioned on the opening registration screen together. The program will not operate without all the neccessary files present. 6
The three options on the screen allow you to either:
Continue : Proceed to the main program menu
Register : Proceed to the registration information section
Exit : Terminate this session
If you've discovered this menu, you already know that pressing <F1> will bring up help information for the dialog box you are currently in. To get more comprehensive information on a particular item it, check the on-line help index by selecting Help
Index.
DiskDupe Trial Registration Name
PAYMENT OPTION
Please select appropriate payment option. When selecting credit card, please enter the card number as well as the expiration data. We also require that you list the name on the card for verification purposes. Z
The information you enter is saved, except your credit card number for security reasons.
Personal and company checks in U.S. dollars are accepted, as well as CODs to the U.S. Purchase orders require that a credit terms agreement be signed and filed with us first.
MAILING ADDRESS |
Enter the mailing address where you want the product shipped to. For P.O. Box addresses, packages will be sent U.S. mail.
DiskDupe Trial Registration Print
Select a printer port or filename you would like to copy your completed registration information to. You may choose to copy your registration information to a file if you have a computer fax that can convert the file to a fax document. You may specify also specify a path for the file.
DiskDupe Trial Registration
DISKDUPE PRODUCT FEATURES 4
There are several different versions of DiskDupe currently available to support a wide range of duplication needs. From performing routine copying, to designing a fully automated in-house duplication system, the DiskDupe product line has a version available for everyone, as well as a proven upgrade path. k
If by chance there is a feature you would like that is not supported, program customization is available. %
The DiskDupe product line includes: T
DiskDupe Lite
DiskDupe Standard
DiskDupe Professional
DiskDupe AutoPro
DiskDupe Lite is a no-frills duplication program designed for people that simply want to make copies, but don't require all the amenities of the Standard version. Main Features include disk images, relay copy, user definable jobs, 1.68Mb disk format and 5" to 3" disk conversion.
DiskDupe Standard is designed for people that routinely perform disk duplication and want all the features of the Lite, as well as full utilization of their computers EMS/XMS memory for quicker copying, command line support, user adjustable colors and sound and track range data. O
DiskDupe Professional is designed for software developers that want to do in-house duplication, and anticipate medium volume diskette duplication. The Pro contains all the great features of the Standard, as well as support for additional floppy drives, double speed drives, RAM drives, disk serialization, custom disks and disk sets. >
DiskDupe AutoPro is designed to be used in conjunction with all the major manufacturer auto-loaders. It includes all the features of the Professional, with the addition of being able to generate log files of duplication activities, support quad speed (2XSDS) drives and in-line printers and provide network support.
All of our products come with a comprehensive on-line help system that is only a key press away. If you need assistance beyond what the help can provide, you are entitled to FREE UNLIMITED technical support.
As mentioned briefly before, we have a proven upgrade path available. If you decide to upgrade, almost all of your initial investment can be applied towards the upgrade.
Feature
Comparisons
Lite Standard Pro AutoPro
Duplicates x x x x
Compares x x x x
Formats x x x x
No Disk Swapping x x x x
Auto Formatting x x x x
Stores Disk Images x x x x
Image Descriptions x x x x
Senses Disk Changes x x x x
Relay x x x x
Cascade x x x x
Data Sensing x x x x
Disk Type Sensing x x x x
Detects Bad Disks x x x x
Auto Drive Configuration x x x x
Byte by Byte Comparisons x x x x
Max. Capacity Formatting x x x x
Pull Down Menus x x x x
5" to 3" Conversions x x x x
User Definable Jobs x x x x
Disk Drive Cleaning x x x x
1.68Mb Format Support x x x x
Windows icon and .pif x x x x
UNLIMITED COPIES ** x x x
Utilizes EMS/XMS Memory x x x
Track Range Data x x x
Command Line Support x x x
Adjustable Screen Colors x x x
Adjustable Sound x x x
Drive Step Rate Adjustment x x x
2.8Mb Drives x x x
User Manual x x x
Custom Disks x x
Labels x x
Additional Drives x x
Copy Protection Interface x x
Secondary Controller x x
Allegro Controller x x
Double Speed Drives x x
Disk Sets x x
RamboDisk x x
Serialization x x
User Set Disk Retries x x
Autoloader Support x
Network Server Support x
Log Files x
In-Line Printer Support x
Floppy to Hard Disk Utility x
2XSDS Drives x
** The number of copies that can be made of a particular
disk is limited to 4 copies at a time with DiskDupe Lite
Table 1-1
SHIPPING ~
Select the shipping method you would like. Orders are sent either U.P.S. ground or U.S. Mail. Handling costs are included.
CALIFORNIA SALES TAX RATE r
If you are a California resident, please include the appropriate county sales tax. All other states are exempt. "
SITE LICENSE AND SPECIAL PRICING
If you would like to purchase a site license for additional user support or if you are a licensed dealer and would like to request a purchase arrangement, please contact us.
WHERE YOU CAN CONTACT US
Micro System Designs, Inc.
10062 Miller Avenue, Suite 104
Cupertino, CA 95014
TEL (408) 446-2066
FAX (408) 446-2095
Compuserve 75162,451 GO MSDESIGNS
AOL MaxDunn
Internet sales@msd1.com
FTP ftp.msd1.com /pub/msd1
WWW http://www.msd1.com/msd1
DiskDupe Trial Registration Wait
I know you've been putting this off, but it really is time to register or STOP using the program! You can get all the great features of DiskDupe with no bother screens, unlimited free technical support, and a clear conscience.
Just fill out the registration information form (don't tell me you can't find it) and call, mail or fax it to us for a prompt delivery! !
Well, what are YOU waiting for!
Advanced Options
Note: The options specified here require certain equipment to work. Without the required equipment, the options will not function properly even though no error message may be displayed when such a function is attempted.
Turbo 2.2 Rev (Requires an Allegro II controller): With the Allegro II, it is now possible to copy disks even faster. By selecting this option, the Allegro
II switches to a "turbo" mode, where the amount of time spent accessing a disk during duplication is reduced. To take advantage of turbo mode during duplication, make sure Job
Format is set to "Always", since disks need to be formatted with turbo mode in order to speed up duplication.
Write Protect Disable (Requires an Allegro I controller and a specially modified drive): When selected, DiskDupe can write to a normally write-protected disk. Precautions should be taken when selecting this option, since the write-protect notch on the disk will be ingnored, which removes the safeguard of protecting a disk from accidental erasure. When using RELAY this option is automatically DEACTIVATED. @
CopyBus options (Requires a CopyBus MultiBin autoloader): First Bin and Last Bin lets you specify the bin range to be used by DiskDupe. If the First Bin is set to 2 and the Last Bin 3, DiskDupe ignores the contents of bin 1, processes bins 2 and 3, ignores the contents of bin 4, and starts the cycle over at bin 2.
Collator Max Stack (Requires an Ashby autoloader collator): Sets the maximum stack height for the collator before it sends a collate.
See Also: (
Allegro
Write
Protect
Disable
Revision
Controller Advanced Options
Note: The options on this menu are exclusively for the Allegro
II controller.
The settings on this menu should not be changed unless the Address jumper on the Allegro has been moved as well, since the settings here must correspond to the address that has been selected on the board.
The Address jumper in most cases will not have to be moved from its default setting, unless two or more Allegro II cards are installed or when the installing the Allegro II as the primary controller. Even if you have another card already in your computer at the same address as that of the Allegro II, the jumper does not need to be moved since the Allegro II's base address is software configurable. Simply go to Setup
Controllers, edit the two Allegro II controllers that are available, and change their base addresses respectively.
In order to select the "3F0 & 360" setting, both 3F0 and the 360 must be jumpered on the board. Jumpering both addresses allows the Allegro II to provide an extra address.
DiskDupe Help Contents
Getting Started with DiskDupe k
System
Requirements
README
Notes
Registration
Installation
Configuring
DiskDupe
Navigating
Menus
Basic Operations :
Duplicate
Diskettes
Format
Diskettes
Compare
Diskettes
Duplication Features
Cascade
Copy
Protection (Pro/AutoPro)
Disk
Conversions
Image
Labels (Pro/AutoPro)
RamboDisk (Pro/AutoPro)
Relay
Serialization (Pro/AutoPro)
Sets (Pro/AutoPro)
Track
Range
Batch Files
Batch
Programming
Cleaning your drives
Cleaning
drives
New Features
What's
DiskDupe
Trouble Shooting r
Error
Messages
Help
Index
Software
Compatibility
Trouble
Shooting
Guide
disks
What
Before
Calling
DiskDupe Help Index
Alignment
Allegro
Controller (Pro/AutoPro)
Allegro
Controller (Pro/AutoPro)
Allegro
Controller (Pro/AutoPro)
ALTALK (AutoPro)
Autoloader (AutoPro)
Auto-set
Basic
Operation
Batch
Files
Beginning
Number
Binary
Serial (Pro/AutoPro)
Capabilities
Cascade
Cleaning
CMOS
Configuration
Colors
Command-Line
Communication
Ports (AutoPro)
Compare
CompatiCard (Pro/AutoPro)
Controller (Pro/AutoPro)
Converting
disks
Copy
Protection (Pro/AutoPro)
Copying
Disks
Value
Database
Information
providers (Pro/AutoPro)
Destination
Option
Diagnostics
Disk
Disk
Option
DiskDupe
DiskDupe
DiskDupe
DISKDUPE.DAT
Error
w/SmartDrv
Download
utility (AutoPro)
Driver
Problem
ALTALK (AutoPro)
Drive
Duplicating
Duplicating
Search
Track (Pro/AutoPro)
Errorlevel
Command
Error
Messages
External
Floppy
Cable (Pro/AutoPro)
File
Format
Compatibility
Format
Operation
Formatting
Full
Reformat
Hardware
DiskDupe
does/doesn't
Maximize
Quality
Image
Increment
By (Pro/AutoPro)
Increment
Reject (Pro/AutoPro)
Installation
Keyboard
Labels (Pro/AutoPro)
Laptop
Error
Limited
Warranty
Lock
problem
caused
DDPro/AutoPro (Pro/AutoPro)
Memory
Menus
Mouse
Network
Server (AutoPro)
Network
(batch
files)
Networks
Image
Networks
Install
Notchless
Optimized
Master
Disks
OS/2
Products
Overview
PS/2
Model
Qemm
Quality
Speed
RamboDisk (Pro/AutoPro)
README.TXT
Registration
Reject
Rates
Relay
Relay
Cascade
Replaceable
Parameters
Replacement
String
Reporting
Results
Running
DiskDupe
Clipper
Running
DiskDupe
RamDisk
Saving
Changes
drives (AutoPro)
Search
String (Pro/AutoPro)
Serialization (Pro/AutoPro)
Editor (Pro/AutoPro)
Order (Pro/AutoPro)
Sets (Pro/AutoPro)
Setup
Shareware
Distributors
Slow
Problems
Software
Compatibility
Software
Developers
Speed
Speed
Table
Start
Search
Track (Pro/AutoPro)
Switches
System
Requirements
Technical
Support
Temp
Track
Range
Trouble
Shooting
TSR's
Causes
Problems
Unreadable
Disks
User
Interrupts (Pro/AutoPro)
Verify
Viruses
Windows
jumper
settings (Pro/AutoPro)
Help on Help
Navigating
Menus
(press <Enter> for this topic)
DiskDupe provides a context sensitive help system that can be accessed by pressing the <F1> key at any time. When <F1> is pressed, a help screen like this one appears.
Key words (in yellow) can be selected to access other help screens by clicking on them with the mouse or by pressing the <Tab> key until the key word has a blue backround and then pressing <Enter>. Press the <Esc> key to leave Help. Y
Items marked by (Pro/AutoPro) only apply to users of DiskDupe Pro and DiskDupe AutoPro.
Get Disk
Here DiskDupe prompts the user to insert a disk in the drive for the operation that has been selected (duplicate, compare, or format).
If the disk that you want to use is already in the drive then you can press <Enter> to accept the disk. Press <Esc> to cancel the operation.
Text Editor (Sets)
This is where you list the image files that you want to include in your set.
See Also:
Creating/Editing
Text Editor (Labels)
This is where you enter the ASCII text that you want to include in your label. <
Use <F2> to save the label file and <Alt><F3> to close it.
Additional Setup Information
For most installations the user will only need to configure the "Controllers", "Autoloaders" and "Drives" items in the DiskDupe Setup menu. Additional topics are covered below. o
Disk
Setup
Network
Sound
Global
Colors
RamboDisk
Temp
Auto-set
EMS/XMS
Limit
Color
Test
Allegro Write Protect Disable Revision
The Allegro I SDS controller has a built-in feature to ignore a drive's write protect sensor. With this ability, the drive's write-protect function can now be deactivated/activated from within DiskDupe. For example, if the Write Protect Disable function were selected, you would be able write to an otherwise write-protected disk. -
In order to use this feature you must have: \
Allegro I SDS controller serial number ALG1-0196 or greater
Specially modified drive
If you own an Allegro I SDS controller with a serial number prior to the one above and wish to take advantage of this feature, an upgrade chip is available. _
If you would like to get more information on obtaining a modified drive, contact your dealer.
Alignment
If your drive is out of alignment, the disks that it produces will be hard to read on a different drive or another drive may not be able to read it. To fix the problem, you can read the alignment of your drive with a program called "Drive Probe." Once the drive alignment is read, you can realign your drive. If a drive is badly damaged, however, it may not be repairable.
Allegro Controller
(Pro/AutoPro)
The Allegro controller from Micro System Designs, Inc., formats and writes to the diskette at the same time. This results in a faster duplication speed when writing to unformatted media and also improves the copy quality by removing the write splices between the data sectors of the diskette. x
When using the Allegro controller, make sure that "Format" is set to "Always" to enable the format-with-write feature.
Allegro I SDS Controller: _
The Allegro I SDS controller card comes pre-set with the recommended default jumper settings. .
For the single cable Y-E Data SDS interface: Z
No jumpers need to be set (make sure that the "C1 SDS CONFIG" jumper is set to YE DA). 6
For SDS drives using the ALF single cable interface: -
Set the "C1 SDS CONFIG." jumper to 'ALF'.
For a two cable SDS interface:
Set the "C1 SDS CONFIG." jumper to 'NORM'.
Attach the "Head 1 Adapter" cable (included with Allegro 1) to "C2" on the Allegro 1 board (See Figure 1). c
The Allegro I can also be used with non-SDS drives with the "C1 SDS CONFIG" jumper set to 'NORM'. .
Default Jumper Settings for the Allegro I:
ADDRESS: 370
INDEX: SDS
C1 SDS CONFIG: NORM or YE DA or ALF
FDC1: IRQ 6, DMA 2
FDC2: no IRQ, DMA 3
Note:
There are always three DMA jumpers per controller. For SDS drives, FDC1 should not be jumpered to use the same DMA channel as FDC2.
For SDS drives, the interrupt for FDC2 is left unjumpered. The only case where FDC2 would have an interrupt is when a non-SDS drive is connected to the C2 connector. FDC1 should be jumpered to use interrupt 6.
See also:
jumper
settings
Allegro II Controller
(Pro/AutoPro)
TURBO MODE m
The Allegro II controller was designed with the purpose of decreasing copy times. Since the Allegro I already explored the idea of formatting and writing to a disk track in one revolution as opposed to two, the Allegro II had to do something else. That something else was to decrease the amount of time spent stepping the drive's head from cylinder to cylinder.
Decreasing the amount of time spent stepping the head entails what we have termed as "catching the rev". That is, finding the first sector of the next track immediately after stepping the head, as opposed to having to spend a full revolution seeking the first sector after stepping.
In order to find that first sector right away, the first sector on each successive track must be skewed a certain number of sectors relative to the last. By skewing the sectors on the disk, the physical layout of the disk will be different that of a normal DOS format, but the data on the disk will be unaltered. Since the physical layout of the disk is has be optimized for data retrieval, disk access times will be reduced substantially. This boils down to quicker retrieval of information from the disks copied with the Allegro II. '
The Turbo 2.2 Rev switch gets its name from the fact that disks copied with the Allegro II require only 2.2 disk revolutions per track to format, write, verify and step the head. As a comparison, the Allegro I can perform the same tasks in 3 revolutions, while a normal controller requires 4! #
Additional Turbo Mode Information
To copy disks using turbo mode, make sure Format (Job
Format)
is set to "Always" (unless of course the disks have already been
preformatted using an Allegro II in turbo mode ahead of time)
Turbo mode is NOT active when reading a disk
SOFTWARE CONFIGURABLE
The Allegro II controller card comes with only one jumper. This jumper only has to be moved when installing two or more Allegro II cards or when installing it as the primary controller. Even if you have another controller card already in your computer at the same address, the jumper does not need to be moved since the Allegro II's base address is software configurable. Simply go to Setup
Controllers, edit the two Allegro II controllers that are available, and change their base addresses respectively.
Not only is the Allegro II's base address software configurable, the interrupt (IRQ), DMA (Direct Memory Access) channel and drive interface are software configurable too. Changing the DMA channel is now simply done by selecting the desired channel from the available list.
The drive interface, i.e. whether the drive has a Y-E Data, Alf or Normal interface, can be chosen from the Advanced Drive Setup menu (Setup
Drives
Advanced) or it can be automatically done by selecting the Auto-Set feature found on Drive List menu.
See also:
Controller
Auto-Set
Allegro Mini Controller
(Pro/AutoPro)
The Allegro Mini controller, like the Allegro from Micro System Designs, Inc. , formats and writes data to a disk in one disk revolution instead of two. This results in faster duplication speed when writing to unformatted media and also improves the copy quality by removing the write splices between the data sectors of the diskette.
Unlike the Allegro, the Allegro Mini does not support SDS (Simultaneous Double Sided) and 2XSDS (Double Speed Simultaneous Double Sided) drives. It does support regular speed and 2X drives though. }
When using the Allegro Mini controller, make sure that "Format" is set to "Always" to enable the format-with-write feature.
Allegro Mini Controller: ^
The Allegro Mini controller card comes pre-set with the recommended default jumper settings. 1
Default Jumper Settings for the Allegro Mini: <
ADDRESS: 370
IRQ: 6
DMA: 2
Note: s
When changing the DMA channel, be sure to move all three jumpers to the corresponding channel at the same time.
See also:
jumper
settings
ALTALK
(AutoPro)
ALTALK is a program that lets you automatically change disks in the autoloader from the DOS command-line or in a batch file. It is especially useful for automating tasks like scanning disks for viruses or copying files from a stack of floppy disks to the hard disk.
See also:
ALTALK
Setup
Testing
ALTALK
ALTALK Setup
ALTALK comes on your DiskDupe Auto Pro disk. It was copied to your hard disk at the same time you installed DiskDupe. To set up ALTALK with your autoloader, go to the DOS prompt and type ALTALK <Enter>, <S> to go into Setup, and then type the COM port number that you will be using.
Testing Altalk
To test ALTALK first type ALTALK C <Enter>. If everything is working, you will be able to hear your autoloader calibrate itself. If not, make sure that the autoloader is on, all your cables are connected tightly, and ALTALK is correctly set up.
For the next test, type ALTALK L <Enter>. This should insert a disk into the autoloader. Then type ALTALK U <Enter> which should eject the disk. If these two tests work then ALTALK is working correctly.
In order to use ALTALK, you will need to access the disk drive in the autoloader. Most drives can be accessed as drive B:. However, if you are using a secondary controller such as the CompatiCard IV, your autoloader drive could be drive D: or any other drive number you specified. Double speed drives usually work properly when attached to a CompatiCard IV with the CC4DRV.SYS driver.
Beep
The beep option allows you to choose how frequent you want the autoloader to beep after the completion of duplicating.
Autoloader Drive
(AutoPro)
The drive in the autoloader corresponds to a drive letter. Which letter it is depends on the controllers in your system and how you connect the drive. If you have a secondary controller like the CompatiCard IV, the autoloader drive will be D:, if connected to a cable with a twist, or E:, if connected to a straight cable. Otherwise it will probably be the B: drive.
If you have an autoloader attached to the B: drive, you would normally set CMOS for A:&B: to No. This allows you to change drives in the autoloader without having to reset the CMOS configuration each time.
Enter the drive that the autoloader is in at the Drive Setup, which is found under Setup
Drive. Press Add to get to the Drive Setup window.
Whenever you use this drive as the Source or Destination, DiskDupe will recognize it as an autoloader drive and know to duplicate automatically.
Notes:
You will get an error if you try to copy to or from a drive that is not attached to an autoloader. Select None for the Autoloader Drive if you want to use a drive without the autoloader.
When using A: or B: as the Autoloader Drive, and the autoloader is off at the time the computer is booted up, your system may give you an error message that the drive is not connected properly. This will not cause any problems using the drive with DiskDupe.
Autoloader
(AutoPro)
An Autoloader is an automatic disk duplicating machine. DiskDupe Auto Pro controls the Autoloader and the drive inside through a PC to automatically load diskettes from the input hopper into the drive, copy to them, and sort the finished diskettes into the "good" and "bad" output bins of the autoloader.
See also: B
Autoloader
List/Setup
Command
Drive
Port
Testing
Using
Autoloader Setup
(AutoPro)
DiskDupe Auto Pro supports the Trace, Champion, MissionSix, Rimage, ADC, Ashby, MediaForm, Costas and compatible autoloaders.
DiskDupe controls the autoloader and the drive inside it through two connections between the computer and the autoloader. A serial cable allows the loader itself to communicate with the computer and a drive cable connects the autoloader disk drive to the controller card inside the computer, transmitting the actual data. In addition, a power cord connects the autoloader to a wall outlet and an internal power cable from the autoloader's power supply plugs into the drive.
Autoloader Testing
(AutoPro)
To test your autoloader setup, press Test from the Autoloader List dialog box and DiskDupe will begin testing the autoloader. If any errors occur, press <F1> when the error message is displayed for help on that error.
Notes:
Be sure the cables are attached securely and correctly and that the autoloader is turned on. If necessary, try different connectors or connections.
See also: &
Error
Autoloader
Responding
Using Your Autoloader
(AutoPro)
DiskDupe Auto Pro functions with any supported drive, whether it is in your autoloader or your computer. When copying just a few disks you can use DiskDupe Auto Pro without an autoloader; use the autoloader when you require larger quantities of disks. Either way, disks are copied in a single pass, and with the autoloader DiskDupe loads, ejects and sorts the disks automatically.
The big advantage of using an autoloader is that you can start the duplication process, walk away and later return to a completed job. DiskDupe will alert you with an alarm if you need to load more disks, remove a jammed disk or when the job is done. Q
A stack of disks is placed in the input hopper, typically found on top of the autoloader. DiskDupe instructs the autoloader to take a disk from the input hopper and insert it into the floppy drive. Then DiskDupe duplicates, formats, or compares the disk. Finally, DiskDupe tells the autoloader to remove the disk and load the next one.
DiskDupe sends all good disks to an output hopper and puts any bad disks in a reject hopper. Hopper locations vary depending on the manufacturer and their function can often be controlled with switches located inside the autoloader.
Unreadable copies
If DiskDupe produces disks without reporting errors but some of the disks are unreadable there are several possible causes. n
DiskDupe has several CRC checks built into it. Every track of the image file has a CRC, and there is a CRC for all of the tracks in the image, so you will find that if one bit of the image is changed in the data area then it will be rejected by our software ("Error 908, Image file corrupted"), so if there were a bad spot on your hard drive we would catch this.
DiskDupe also does a CRC check of its own code loaded in memory ("Error 906, Code Memory Corrupted") and a CRC check of the buffers used to store the image while transferring it to the diskette ("Error 907, Buffer Memory Corrupted"). !
When DiskDupe is run with "Verify" set to "Always" then every bit written to the disk is read back and compared to the original image and because of the above mentioned CRC checks it is not possible for the data to be written to the floppy with a diffent bit content from the image file. w
Despite all of this checking it is possible for data to get corrupted when read from the floppy controller if there is a DMA problem causing a master to be read incorrectly. Running Drive
Test ("Diagnostics") in DiskDupe will catch this and report either Error 205, Bad DMA, or Error 301, Bad Compare. Try running Drive Test to see if errors are reported on this machine. O
If Drive Test passes then take some of the unreadable diskettes and compare them to their corresponding master disks or images using DiskDupe with the drive that the copies were made in and on other drives as well. Typical error messages that will come up are Error 202(Bad Address Mark), Error 204(Record not Found), and Error 207(Bad CRC). (If DiskDupe were to report an error 301(Bad Compare) reading one of these copies then this would indicate a hardware problem (most likely a DMA conflict) and also that the diskettes were copied with the compare option turned off in DiskDupe.) a
IF THE BAD DISKS ARE READABLE IN THE DRIVE THAT PRODUCED THEM BUT NOT READABLE IN OTHER DRIVES:
Poor drive alignment. This is probably the most common cause. If the diskettes are consistently unreadable in most drives except the drive that they were written on then the alignment of the drive used to make the copy is questionable. Usually such a diskette will be unreadable starting with the first track (i.e. cannot read the directory) on other machines. Check the alignment using a good quality drive allignment diagnostics kit such as "Drive Probe" by Accurite Technologies, Inc. D
Poorly positioned track zero sensor. If the track zero sensor is positioned incorrectly then the drive might be able to produce diskettes that have the tracks in the wrong place on the diskette. Usually such a diskette will be unreadable starting with the first track (i.e. cannot read the directory) on other machines.
Copy drive is passing marginal diskettes. This problem is most common with double speed drives, especially Y-E Data 2X and 2XSDS drives. Diskettes that spin at double speed produce a stronger read signal than at regular speed so it is often possible to read a marginal diskette at 2X but not at 1X. Diskettes with these defects will often be readable on the first tracks because their errors (usually due to drop-outs in the media) occur randomly on the diskette. This problem is most obvious when poor quality media is used. Try reducing the number of retries that DiskDupe allows when comparing the disk to zero by using the /retries# command line switch(i.e. call up DiskDupe by typing: DISKDUPE /RETRIES0 from the DOS prompt. This setting gets saved in the DISKDUPE.DAT file so it does not need to be set every time. The default number of retries is two. This command line switch is only supported in version 4.09 and above and only in the Pro and AutoPro versions.
Disk type is set incorrectly in DiskDupe. This problem can be avoided by leaving the disk type set to "Auto" in DiskDupe. For example if you are making disk-to-disk copies of 1.44Mb disks with the disk type set to 1.2Mb then DiskDupe will read the master disks as it were a 1.2Mb diskette (ignoring the last three sectors of each track). The disks produced will be completely unreadable (fail on the first track with a "Record not found" error). F
IF THE DISKETTES ARE NOT EVEN READABLE ON THE DRIVE THAT WROTE THEM:
Dirty Drive heads: Before checking anything else make sure that the heads on the drive are clean because dirty heads are unpredictable. {
Poor media quality: In this case the bad disks will show errors on various tracks. If the diskette quality is poor then the diskette will not hold its signal well over time. Use only certified diskettes with a clipping rate of at least 60%. For best results use blank media and format them as you copy to them using DiskDupe with "Format" set to "Always" in the Setup menu.
Drive cable is loose: If the drive cable connector is loose and pins 32, 33, and 34 are not connected and the rest are, then DiskDupe will format, write and verify disks with compare on, but the disks will be bad. It will also format the disks even if they are preformatted. T
Pin 32 is the pin that selects which side of the disk gets written to. If it is not connected then all of the data will be written to and read from only one side of the disk. When copying the disk DiskDupe reads back the information that it writes for each track immediately after writting it and thus reports no errors despite the fact that all the data is being written to and read from only one side of the disk. For each track the data for the first side gets written to and read from the first head and then the data for the second side gets written to and read from the first head again.
If these disks are compared in a separate pass after duplication then DiskDupe will report and Error 204(Record not Found) on the first track since all of the side 1 data has been overwritten by the side 2 data. Drive Test will report the same error. Q
Diskette has not been removed from drive after copy. DiskDupe gets its speed by bypassing DOS and the BIOS of the computer. In doing so DOS is left in the dark with regards to the changes that occur to the diskette while the DiskDupe software is running. This often leads to strange results when a directory command is tried immediately after exiting from DiskDupe. If the diskette is removed from the drive and a <Cntrl>C is typed before reinserting the diskette then DOS should then recognize that the disk in the drive has been changed and give an accurate response to a DIR command.
Basic Operation
DiskDupe has two basic operations - Duplicating and Comparing. You can also format disks, which is a variation of duplicating.
Duplicate makes a copy of a disk and Compare checks that two or more disks are identical. The Copies setting controls the number of copies that are made. Enter 0 to copy continuously.
Whether you are duplicating or comparing, DiskDupe always works from the Source to the Destination. It copies from the source, sometimes called master disk, to the destination, or target, disk.
Regardless of the options chosen, DiskDupe makes an exact copy of a disk, including system and hidden files, subdirectories and volume labels. However, DiskDupe cannot make duplicates of copy protected disks.
Duplicating P
Cascade
Creating
Drive
Drive
Images
Relay
Relay
Cascade
Comparing $
Stand-alone
Compare
Verify
Option
Batch Files
DiskDupe's settings, normally controlled through the menus, can be entered as command-line switches at the DOS prompt. This allows DiskDupe to be controlled by DOS batch files or by another program.
See also: X
Command-line
Examples
Command-line
Switches
Detecting
Errors
Replaceable
Parameters
Beginning Number
(Pro/AutoPro)
This is the beginning serial number that you want to use. You can use beginning numbers as high as 2,000,000,000. If you use this as your beginning number, DiskDupe will keep incrementing it until it reaches 2,147,483,647.
Binary Serial
(Pro/Autopro)
A 32-bit binary number can also be embedded in the disk. To do this put four ^^^^ symbols in the Stamp Mask where you want the number to go. Usually, you would put an identification string in front of this number in your executable code. For instance, you might put "Serial",0000 in your code. The Search String would be "Serial" and the Stamp Mask would be "Serial^^^^". This would place the binary serial number right after the string "Serial".
DiskDupe Capabilities
DiskDupe Can:
DiskDupe will copy IBM, Mac High Density, MIDI, QNX, Zenix, and Unix disks. >
DiskDupe makes an exact track by track copy of the master. `
DiskDupe will copy hidden files, system files, volume labels, directories & sub-directories.
Will copy the volume label. {
(Pro/AutoPro) Will let you copy the files to the RAM drive and then make a disk copy from the RAM drive using DiskDupe.
Will copy a file that has been deleted on the master disk, but could be restored on the master. If it can be restored on the master, it can be restored on the copy. )
DiskDupe Cannot:
DiskDupe will not copy a copy protected disk. Our disks are not copy protected. A software developer can copy protect his disks. Would first use DD and then another program such as StopCopy or Everlock.
Will not copy from a directory to a disk, although with the Pro versions of DiskDupe a RAM disk driver is included ("Rambodisk") that copy from a RamboDisk to a Disk.
Will not write to disks that have no write protect notch(5") or tab(3"). To copy data onto diskettes without write protect notches(tabs) the drive has to be modified to ignore its write protect sensor. The software cannot override this.
Will not write to more than one drive at a time, even when using the OS/2 and Windows operating systems, because the floppy drives share the same interrupt and DMA channel (Direct Memory Access).
Cascade
If you have more than one floppy drive of the same type and are making multiple copies, you can use Cascade to "daisy chain" the drives so that they copy in sequence. Once the last diskette of the last drive in the chain has been copied to, DiskDupe sits and waits for the diskette in the first drive to change. Once this has changed, DiskDupe assumes that the rest of the drives in the chain also have new diskettes and continues making copies. T
1. Select Source and choose the image file or drive that you will be reading from. r
2. Select Destination, choose Cascade and enter the drives in the order you wish DiskDupe to cycle through them. U
Drive Letter
ABE:
3. Put a write-protected master disk into the first drive. #
4. Select Duplicate and press Go. b
DiskDupe will read the first disk and then wait for you to remove the disk and insert new ones in all the drives. DiskDupe will sense the disk change, make a copy in the first drive, and then switch to the next drive to make a copy. It will make copies until it reaches the end of the cycle and then waits for you to change the disks in all the drives. c
DiskDupe will sense when you insert a new disk in the first drive and resume copying immediately.
DiskDupe will continue copying until the desired number of copies has been made or until you hit <Esc> to break the cycle. If a bad disk is encountered, you will have to remove it and insert a new disk in that same drive before DiskDupe resumes duplicating.
Cleaning
One of the most common undiagnosed causes of bad disks is dirty drive heads. Since dirty heads prevent data from being properly written, good disks are often needlessly rejected while bad disks pass through error detection mechanisms unnoticed.
See also: >
Drives
Dirty
Often
Clean
Cleaning
Drive
Command-Line Examples
Running DiskDupe from the command-line and batch files has a number of useful applications, some of which are given here.
where the bracketed words correspond to the settings found under a particular menu.
The easiest way to set up a batch file is to first set up a job. This way, the parameters are already set, which leaves fewer commands for you to type at the DOS prompt. For example, to make 5 copies of a job called Task 1 from the DOS prompt, you would type: #
DISKDUPE /JOB="Task 1" /DUP /C5.
By typing /C5 you override the number of copies specified in the job.
If you don't specify the job or image file that you want to duplicate in a batch file, DiskDupe creates a job called Command Line.
Source and Destination:
Source can be a drive, an image file, a set filename with an @ symbol in front of it, or the word RELAY, or RAMBO, or DOS format. You can specify the drive letter of a floppy drive or a rambodisk as your source.
Destination can be a drive letter (floppy or Rambo), a filename, or a Set filename with an @ symbol in front of it. To Cascade drives put a colon after the last drive letter of the cascade. For example: DISKDUPE IMAGE1 ABD: /DUP
Image Files. If you have a master disk that you need to duplicate periodically, create a disk image-file of the disk to keep from using it repeatedly. Set Source to B: and Destination to File.
DISKDUPE B: DISK1 /DUP
Then to make three duplicates, set Source to Image(DISK1) and Destination to B:
DISKDUPE DISK1 B: /C3 /DUP
Backup disks with Relay. If you received a software program and the instructions tell you to back up the program disks before using it or if you have been keeping all of your letters on floppy disks and want to have a back- up copy in case something happens to them, put write-protect tabs on every master disk. Place a blank (or preformatted) disk behind each master. Set Source to Relay and Destination to B:.
DISKDUPE RELAY B: /DUP
Each master disk will be copied to each blank disk behind it. CAUTION: Any non write-protected disk will be overwritten. k
Blank DOS Disks. If you are responsible for formatting and distributing all the blank floppy disks that your business receives and wants to reformat old disks to remove potentially sensitive information from them before they are redistributed, Set Copies to 0 for continuous operation. Then set Format to Always, and select Format. From the command line, use: "
DISKDUPE FORMAT B: /C0 /FA /DUP
RamboDisk. The Rambodisk is assigned a drive letter by DOS. Make sure that you do not use the same drive letter for any of your floppy drives in DiskDupe under Setup
Drives. To make one copy from a RamboDisk with drive letter E: to the B: drive without pausing use: "
DISKDUPE E: B: /C1 /DUP /NOWAIT
See also:
Command-line
switches
Collate Option With CopyBus
CopyBus with MultiBin option:
If you have a CopyBus autoloader setup as a CopyBus MultiBin, whenever you use sets it will copy each image to a different bin. For example, if you specified that you needed 2 copies of a set, and this was your set: 4
C:\IMAGES\DiskA
C:\IMAGES\DiskB
C:\IMAGES\DiskC
the sequence and bin location of the copies would depend on whether collation was selected or not.
With collation ON:
DiskA, in bin1
DiskB, in bin2
DiskC, in bin3
DiskA, in bin1
DiskB, in bin2
DiskC, in bin3
With collation OFF:
DiskA, in bin1
DiskA, in bin1
DiskB, in bin2
DiskB, in bin2
DiskC, in bin3
DiskC, in bin3
CopyBus without MultiBin option:
If you setup the loader as a CopyBus, the multiple bins of the CopyBus autoloader will act as one extended bin and automatically goto the next bin when the current one is empty.
Collation and Sets
When Collate
Sets is selected, copies made from the images in the set will remain in the same order specified by the set. For example, if your set looked like this: 4
C:\IMAGES\DiskA
C:\IMAGES\DiskB
C:\IMAGES\DiskC
and you wanted to make 2 copies of the set, the sequence of the copies would be DiskA, DiskB, DiskC, DiskA, DiskB, DiskC.
Using the same example as above, if Collate Sets were deactivated the sequence of the copies would be DiskA, DiskA, DiskB, DiskB, DiskC, DiskC. p
Images in a set can contain a quantity specified after the image to inform DiskDupe that more than one copy of that image is desired. Whenever DiskDupe sees a set with a quantity after any image, it goes into mixed quantity mode. In this mode it will deactivate collation and set the number of copies to one. For more information on this see Creating/Editing
Set.
If you are using a CopyBus autoloader collate operates a little differently. See CopyBus
Autoloader for more additional information.
Colors
The Color option is found in the Setup menu. DiskDupe offers choices of colors for everything.
If you have a color monitor, but DiskDupe only shows up in black and white, type MODE CO80 from the DOS prompt. If you are working on a laptop or color system where DiskDupe doesn't show up well in color, type MODE BW80 from the DOS prompt.
Verify
The verify function performs a byte-by-byte comparison of copied disks to the original disk or an image file as it is copied to ensure that they are exactly the same for all of the tracks that have data on the master. Disks can be compared either while they are copied, by setting Verify to Always under the Job Window, or in a separate
compare
pass. r
If there are any errors on the disk, DiskDupe will show a message on the screen indicating that the disk is bad.
See also:
Serial
String
Track
Range
Comparing Serial Numbers with Track Range
(Pro/AutoPro)
If you compare a disk with Track Range set to Serial and Serialization turned on, DiskDupe will just compare the tracks that contain the serial string. It will also read the serial string off the disk and display it on the screen.
See Also:
Serial
String
Track
Range
Compaticard Setup
(Pro/AutoPro)
There are three CompatiCard floppy controllers available from MicroSolutions, Inc.; the CompatiCard I, II and IV.
The CompatiCard IV is the most popular because it allows the connection of up to four floppy drives and it supports 2.88M drives and double speed 1.44MB drives. '
Compaticard IV Settings for DiskDupe: 8
DIP Switches and Jumpers:
------------------------
All switches down (off) on SW1 and SW2. S
Make sure that the jumpers on J2 are on Interrupt 6 and on both DMA2 positions. >
Put J1 on B for the 370 address, or C for the 360 address. y
Do not jumper J1 to A (the primary address) unless the origonal primary controller (for A: and B:) has been disabled. a
Configure the new controller and drives in the Setup menu, starting with the Controller
List.
The P2 (internal connector) of the card is for drive positions 0 (twisted cable) and 1 (straight cable). The P3/P4 external connector is for drive positions 2 (twisted cable) and 3 (straight cable).
IF DISKDUPE REPORTS A DMA ERROR:
If a DMA problem arises then use DMA1 by moving the DMA jumpers on J2 to DMA1 and also changing DIP switch 6 on SW1 to the on (up) position. For DMA 3 put both switch 5 and 6 up on SW1. DiskDupe will automatically detect these changes.
TO ACCESS THE DRIVE FROM DOS:
(Please note: The DOS drivers do not need to be installed to access the drives from the DiskDupe software).
If you want to access the drive connected to the CompatiCard IV from DOS as a drive letter then you can load the CompatiCard drivers into memory as explained on page 6-1 of the CompatiCard IV manual. It is best to configure 3" double speed as if they were 2.8Mb drives (type 8) for the CompatiCard drivers so that the high data rates for these drives are supported. In this case the CONFIG.SYS might include the lines: C
We do not recommend that the on-board BIOS of the CompatiCard IV be enabled because this often creates conflicts during the POST test (when booting the computer), so make sure that you are using the DIP switch settings listed above (all DIP switches off). <
The CompatiCard DOS drivers will not work with SDS drives.
Communication Ports
A computer controls an autoloader with a cable that connects the serial or communication ports on the backs of the two machines. Attach one end of a serial(RS-232) cable to the port on the back of the autoloader, referred to as the autoloader port, and the other end to one of the computer's ports. Computers typically have at least two serial ports, each of which is denoted by a different Com Port(COM) number. W
DiskDupe will support your autoloader on COM1, COM2, COM3, or COM4. Even though you have a limited number of ports, different devices may need to use those ports at various times. In a system with two serial ports, COM1 and COM3 refer to one and COM2 and COM4 to the other. Since DOS supports only two ports at once and the ports themselves are not shareable, if you have a mouse configured as COM1 or COM3, you should connect the autoloader to COM2 or COM4. There is no problem configuring the autoloader to COM2 while a modem is configured to COM4 as long as you don't use both at the same time.
The COM port number used in DiskDupe should match the COM port number set on the serial card. If you need to change the COM port on the serial card, it can usually be done by changing the position of a jumper, a tiny plastic sleeve that fits over a metal pin on the card, or sometimes through software. Check your serial card (or "Super I/O card") documentation for this information.
If DiskDupe is able to calibrate the autoloader, but then pauses and reports a COM Timeout error, it's possible that the mouse is using the same COM port or that there is another conflict, such as a network card using the same interrupt.
Auto-set A: & B:
When Auto-set A: & B: is selected, DiskDupe will read the CMOS memory of the computer to determine what type of A: and B: drives are connected. This option is helpful when you run DiskDupe on more than one computer because whenever you start DiskDupe, it will read the drive settings in the CMOS of whatever computer you are on and configure itself automatically. To select Auto-set A: & B:, go into the Setup menu and choose Global.
Seting Up your Computer
The Setup menu is where you specify your computer configuration (ie: controllers, drives, disks, etc.). In most cases, you will be able to use DiskDupe right away without changing anything in the Setup menu. If you do change something, your changes will be automatically saved in the configuration file DISKDUPE.DAT, and will affect all jobs that have been created.
The easiest way to set up your computer is to go down each item in the Setup menu. For the basic setup, you would need to access Controllers, Autoloaders and Drives. Below lists a summary of the basic steps to set up your computer with DiskDupe:
(Pro/AutoPro) Go into the Setup menu and select Controllers. Press Auto-Set and DiskDupe will automatically set up your controllers for you.
(AutoPro) Once you have finished setting up your controllers, select Autoloaders from the Setup menu and edit or add the specifications of the autoloader that you will be using.
When you have finished setting up your autoloader, select Drives from the Setup menu and press Auto-Set, which will automatically set up your drives for you.
Before closing the Drive List dialog box, click on Test to check your computer setup. If no error messages appear, you are ready to begin duplicating.
See also:
Controller
Setup
Drive
Setup
Additional
Setup
information
Autoloader
Drive
Communication
Ports
Autoloader
Testing
ALTALK
Setup
Testing
ALTALK
Controller
(Pro/AutoPro)
The controller card connects the floppy disk drives to the computer.
If your computer only has two floppy drives (A: and B:) then it probably only has one controller (called the "Primary" controller). Additional drives can sometimes be connected to the Primary controller but they are usually connected to another controller. DiskDupe enters in the Primary controller to the Controller List automatically. Additional controllers need to be defined in the Controller List.
See also: #
Controller
Controller
Types
Controller Types
(Pro/AutoPro)
If the controller that you are using is not listed in the DiskDupe menus then it should be set as one of these types.
Standard: supports high and low density regular speed drives and low density double speed drives. Most primary controllers (for A: and B:) and inexpensive secondary controllers are of this type.
Enhanced 82077: provides additional support for 2.88MB drives and double speed high density drives. These controllers normally use either the NEC/Intel 82077 or the NS 8477 controller chips. The CompatiCard IV from Micro Solutions, Inc., is an example of this type of controller.
SDS (simultaneous double sided) floppy drives require either two single controller cards (like two CompatiCard IV's) or else a dual controller card (like the Allegro I SDS controller) because data is written to and read from both heads of the drive at the same time. 2
Typical controller configuration for SDS drives: /
1st controller (for head 0 of the SDS drive): 9
Address: 370
DMA Channel: 2
Interrupt: 6
2nd controller (for head 1 of the SDS drive): L
Address: 320
DMA Channel: 3
Interrupt: None (leave unjumpered)
See Also: -
drives
Drives
Allegro
CompatiCard
Disk Conversion
DiskDupe allows you to convert certain type of disks to disks of another physical size, such as from a 5
", 1.2Mb to a 3
", 1.4Mb. You can, for example, copy a program's 5
" program disks to 3
" disks for installation on a laptop which only has a 3
" drive.
Converting disks is just a special application of the Duplicate command. The table below indicates which disks, drives, and menu settings to use for a conversion. The conversions listed are the only ones presently supported.
Settings for Disk Conversions
Conversion
Disk Type
Drive type
Disk Menu
360K to 3
" 720k disk 720k or 360k
1.4Mb drive
720k to 5
" 360k 1.2Mb drive 720k
1.2Mb disk
1.2Mb to 3
" 1.4Mb disk 1.4Mb drive 1.2 Mb
DiskDupe transfers the information track-by-track, including hidden and system files, volume labels, and subdirectories. During a conversion, the destination disk will be formatted to the same capacity as the source disk. So if you are copying from a 5
", 360k disk to a 3
", 720k disk will have a capacity of 360k.
Track-by-track disk conversion won't copy from a higher density disk to a lower density disk, even if the higher density disk has just a few files on it. So you can't use disk conversions to convert a 1.4Mb disk to a 1.2Mb disk. In this case, it's better to use the DOS Copy command to transfer the files. If this situation comes up frequently, see the RamboDisk chapter for possibilities on automating this process.
720k to 5
" Conversion
When converting a 3
" 720k disk to a 5
" size disk, you will need to copy to either a 360k disk or a 1.2Mb disk, depending on your computer. In both cases, you must use a 1.2Mb drive to make the conversion. Try using a 360k first and only switch to a 1.2Mb disk if you get an error on several disks. The disk will be formatted to 720k capacity by using the area between the tracks.
Hidden Copies
Copying Disks
Whether you're duplicating, formatting, or comparing, many variations are possible in DiskDupe. Copying from one disk to another is the simplest way to make new disks. Variations of this include Relay and Cascade, discussed in detail later in this chapter.
Regardless of the options chosen, DiskDupe makes an exact copy of a disk, including hidden and system files, subdirectories, and volume labels. However, DiskDupe cannot make duplicates of copy protected disks.
See also: 9
Disk
Images
Relay
Cascade
Relay
Cascade
Images
If you frequently make copies of one disk, making an image of the disk on your hard drive saves time and avoids unnecessary wear on the disk. The only drawback is the hard disk space that Images take up.
Copy Protection
(Pro/AutoPro)
Serialization is a relatively painless way for both developers and users to combat software pirating. Copy protection is a more rigid method of combating illegal copying. Copy protection can be achieved in a number of ways. The methods described here involve encoding disks with special characters that copy programs cannot recognize.
Although, DiskDupe will not duplicate copy protected disks, you can use it together with other software to make copy protected disks of your own. Diskettes can be duplicated first and protected in a second pass, or the process can be done concurrently using an autoloader. DiskDupe AutoPro interfaces with Az-Tech's Everlock and BBI's StopCopy to automate copy protection with floppy duplication.
Another method is to purchase a disk containing a copy protection signature- a set of special characters- and use it to make your master disks. (Be sure to set Format under the Job Window to Never when duplicating these masters so the signature does not accidently get overwritten.)
User
Interrupts
Slow Copy Time Problems
If DiskDupe is not meeting the copy times listed in the manual:
Make sure there is XMS (or EMS) memory available for DiskDupe to use for buffering. Type MEM at the DOS prompt to see how much is available. Make sure that the EMS/XMS Limit in the DiskDupe menu is set at No Limit. If there is not enough memory for DiskDupe to buffer the image then DiskDupe will use the hard drive as a buffer and this can slow down the copy speed. When making multiple copies the hard drive should not be accessed after the first copy if the EMS or XMS memory is available.
A 386 processor or above is required to meet the times listed in the manual. For maximum copying speed we recommend that the software be run from DOS with at least 2Mb of XMS or EMS memory available.
Some memory managers can slow down the copying processes. If your duplication speed is higher when the computer is booted off of a floppy disk instead of the hard disk then for duplication purposes it would be best to load a simple memory manager such as HIMEM.SYS, found in the DOS directory. If the computer is to be dedicated to floppy duplication then we recommend that the CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files be as simle as possible. An example CONFIG.SYS might contain only three lines: 0
FILES=30
BUFFERS=30
DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS
Run Drive Test (under Setup
Drives) with a high density diskette and see if an error is reported. Such errors can slow down the copy proccess since DiskDupe has to rewrite all tracks that show errors. In this case the disk will not copy at an even pace.
Try booting from a floppy diskette and running DiskDupe without the CONFIG.SYS or AUTOEXEC.BAT. Sometimes an inefficient memory manager can slow down the copy speed.
The copy times listed in the manual for low density pre-formatted 720Kb and 1.2MB diskettes are often not attainable with certain drives. Sometimes it is possible to speed up the copy time by reducing the stepping rate of the drive.
CRC Check Digits
(Pro/AutoPro)
CRC check digits are special numbers that are generated at the time of serialization to ensure that each serial number follows a certain pattern. When diskettes are serialized with a unique serial that includes check digits, the software developer can modify his or her program to run the CRC check before execution of the program on the diskette. This makes it difficult for dishonest users to change the serial number.
CRC Value
When data is copied to a disk, a CRC(Cyclical Redundancy Check) value is written following the data in each sector of the disk so that when the diskette data is read back it can be checked for corruption.
DiskDupe also generates a hexidecimal disk CRC that gets attached to the image file that is calculated when the source is read in. When a particular diskette is read in it will always produce the same CRC value. If any data is changed on the diskette then the CRC value will change. When an image is created the CRC gets attached to it so that the next time that the image is used by DiskDupe it can be checked for corruption. The disk CRC is shown on the status
screen after the master has been read in.
Creating Image Files
Image files can be created directly from a RamboDisk, a process significantly faster than copying the files to a floppy and then using it to create the image file. After copying files to the RamboDisk, load DiskDupe, set File under Destination to an image filename, and select Duplicate.
Creating/Editing a Set File
(Pro/AutoPro)
DiskDupe's text editor allows you to list the image files that you want to include in your set. In addition to the image files, you can list the number of copies you want to make of each image. However, if you do not specify any number, the value in Copies is used.
Either go into File
New to create a new set or File
Open to edit an existing set. Enter the name of a .DDS file to create or edit, or type *.DDS to display a list of existing .DDS files in the current directory.
If the image files that you want to include in your set have already been created, you can select them by pressing <F7>. If they do not already exist, you will need to type in their names manually, pressing <Return> after each image file name. When entering in the image file names manually, if the image files that you are using are not in the same directory as DiskDupe then also include their path. A typical set file might look like this: @
C:\IMAGES\DiskA.DDI
C:\IMAGES\DiskB.DDI
C:\IMAGES\DiskC.DDI
Use <F2> to save a set file and <Alt><F3> to close it. d
If a number appears after an image file name in a set, that image will be repeated by that number when the set is copied. If no number is listed after the image file name, then only one copy of that image will be made per set. As an example, the following set will make one copy of image DiskA, two copies of image DiskB, and three copies of image DiskC. D
C:\IMAGES\DiskA.DDI
C:\IMAGES\DiskB.DDI,2
C:\IMAGES\DiskC.DDI,3
A use for the above set might be for replenishing shareware disks, or any time another program is generating set files and passing them to DiskDupe. -
Note: if DiskDupe sees a set with a quantity after any image, it will deactivate collation and set the number of copies to one. Using the above example, the sequence and number of copies would be DiskA, DiskB, DiskB, DiskC, DiskC, DiskC. See Collation
Sets for information regarding collation.
Cleaning the Drive
To clean the drive, use a good wet-dry style cleaning kit (you will need different kits for 3" and 5" drives). These kits consist of a bottle of cleaning fluid and a disk with a cloth-like material inside it. Through the cut-out portion of the disk, apply five drops of the fluid to the material inside, and insert the cleaning disk into the drive.
Under DiskDupe's Setup
Drive highlight the drive you want to clean, and then choose Clean list and press <Enter> or click on the mouse. The drive will be cleaned for 15 seconds. +
While cleaning, DiskDupe moves the head back and forth across the disk. This provides the best possible cleaning and ensures that the cleaning disk is evenly used. Be sure to discard the cleaning disk if you notice any discoloration or if it has been used past the recommended number of cleanings. "
If you clean your drives regularly, a 15 second cleaning chould be sufficient. However, if your drives are especially dirty, serveral repetitions of the cleaning process may be required. In extreme cases, it is necessary to clean the drive head by hand with a Q-tip and isopropyl alcohol.
Cleaning the drive does not wear it out. A dirty drive will actually wear out faster because of the abrasive action of the dirt.
Database and Information providers
Database and Information providers often need to transfer frequently changing files from CD-ROMs and mainframe computers to floppy disks in various combinations. DiskDupe comes with a special RAM Disk, called RamboDisk, to which you can download information. DiskDupe can then copy that data to diskettes, You can automate the process by writing batch routines that incorporate DiskDupe's command-line switches with a database that downloads the corresponding files for each type of disk.
Feature Comparison DiskDupe DiskDupe Pro
Duplicates
Compares
Formats
No Disk Swapping
Auto Formatting
Stores Disk Images
Image Pick List
Senses Disk Changes
Relay
Cascade
Data Sensing
Disk Type Sensing
Diagnostics Check
Detects Bad Disks
Auto Drive Comfiguration
Byte by Byte Comparison
Disk Drive Cleaning
Max. Capacity Formatting
Pull Down Menus
Command Line
5" to 3" Conversions
Lables
3rd and 4th Drive
2.8Mb Drives
Copy Protection Interface
Secondary Controller
Double SpeedDrives
Disk Sets in Set Order
RamboDisk
Track Range
Serialization
Running DiskDupe From Clipper
Clipper doesn't leave enough memory for DiskDupe when using ! or RUN command. DD needs 350k. d
In Config.Sys put SET CLIPPER=R350. Also put Command.Com and DiskDupe in default sub or on path.
DDNet
DDNet is a program (sold separately from DiskDupe) that is used to send jobs to one or more duplication machines that are located remotely on a local network. This can be used in one of two scenarios: r
1) DDNet is used by many workstations on the network to send jobs to a relatively small number of disk machines.
2) DDNet is used with one controlling workstation to control the production of multiple autloaders connected to a common network.
DDnet can submit jobs for the duplication machines and it also has a network monitoring function for observing the progress of current jobs and history of past jobs that have been sent to the disk machines. j
DDnet sends the jobs to a subdirectory on the network that is scanned by the Network
Server in DiskDupe.
Running DiskDupe on Ram Disk
Needs 1MB of XMS. %
Configure bootup disk as follows: v
DEVICE=HIMEM.SYS, DEVICE=RAMBODSK.EXE /F=720 added to CONFIG.SYS. If they don't have DDPro, use VDISK.SYS instead. C
Copy Rambodisk.exe and DISKDUPE.* from DD disk to boot up disk. q
Modified AUTOEXEC.BAT to copy DISKDUPE.* and COMMAND.COM to C:, SET COMSPEC=C:\COMMAND.COM then change to C:. l
Then run DiskDupe from C:, set it up the way they like it and then copy DISKDUPE.DAT back to the floppy.
Detecting Errors
In a batch file you can test for problems using the ERRORLEVEL command. ERRORLEVEL returns only the first number of the error. Since errors involving similar parts of the computer start with the same number, this should be enough to narrow the problem down.
In the example below if the ERRORLEVEL command detects an error it will displays a message based on the error code. ?? Does not display error code. 9
@ECHO OFF
DISKDUPE
IF ERRORLEVEL=3 GOTO THREE
IF ERRORLEVEL=2 GOTO TWO
IF ERRORLEVEL=1 GOTO ONE
GOTO NOERROR
:ONE
Echo Error code 3: Setup error.
GOTO END
:TWO
Echo Error code 2: Disk read error.
GOTO END
:ONE
Echo Error code 1: User escape
GOTO END
:NOERROR
ECHO Error code 0: No errors.
:END
The errorlevel can also be read from the DISKDUPE.RES file that is created when DiskDupe exits.
Drive Test
After completing the setup procedures run the Drive Test, located under Setup
Drives, to test the various components in your computer for any problems. You should test every floppy drive in your system. Also for high density 5
" 1.2Mb or 3
" 1.4Mb drives, you should test both the low and high density disks.
You should test your setup in the Drives Setup menu. There is also a test option in the Autoloaders Setup menu, however, it does a test on your autoloader setup only. ]
Important! This test will write over any data on the disk so be sure to use a scratch disk. '
1. Select Drives from the Setup menu. [
2. From the Drive List dialog box, select the drive that you want to test and press Test. <
3. Select the type of disk you will be using and press Ok.
4. Insert a test disk in the drive you are testing. DiskDupe will automatically sense the disk and begin testing the drive. When done, DiskDupe will prompt you with any errors that your setup might have.
Disk
In almost all cases the disk type should be set to Auto. For more information, choose one of the following topics:
Converting
Ensuring
quality
Erasing
quickly
Formats,
Layout,
Types
Special
Formats
Formatting
Preformatted
Reject
Rates
Custom Disk Gap Guidelines
(Pro/AutoPro)
For 5.25" disks:
Sector size
Gap
Format Gap
----------------------------------------
128 0A 0C
256 20 32
512 2A 50
1024 80 F0
2048 C8 FF
For 3.5" disks:
Sector size
Gap
Format Gap
----------------------------------------
256 0E 36
512 1B 54
1024 35 74
"Gap" is how many bytes are ignored after reading the last byte of a sector (the CRC bytes) before looking for the sync bytes (0's) of the next sector. "Format Gap" is the actual number of "4E" bytes between each sector put down when formatting. The gap size is also influenced by how many sectors are on the disk.
Drive to Drive
The most straightforward way to duplicate is to copy from one drive to another. This is useful for making a specific number of copies of disks of different types and sizes. For example, if you want 50 copies of disks, you would select Duplicate with Copies set to 50.
To Copy from Drive to Drive:
1. Go to the Job Window and choose the disk option. Use the <Up> and <Down> arrow keys to highlight the type of disk you want to copy, or select Auto, and press <Enter>. M
2. From the Destination option, select the drive to which you want to copy.
3. Under Source, indicate the drive from which you want to copy. Source and Destination can be the same drive or two similar drives.
4. In the Job Window, move to the Copies and set the number of copies that you want to make. If you want DiskDupe to copy continuously until you press <Esc>, enter 0 for the number of copies. +
5. Highlight Duplicate and press <Enter>. m
DiskDupe will prompt you to put the master disk in the source drive and the drive light will turn on. As soon as you close the drive door, DiskDupe will start reading the disk into your computer's RAM, or memory, using your hard disk as virtual memory if necessary. This allows DiskDupe to make as many copies as you want without having to reread the master disk.
When you use DiskDupe with your autoloader, all you need to do is insert a stack of disks in the input hopper and DiskDupe will control the duplication.
Notes:
Although you can duplicate 360k disks in a 5
", 1.2Mb drive, it is not recommended, particularly if the disks might need to be read in a 360k drive. A 1.2Mb drive writes a narrower track than a 360k drive, so it does not make a very good 360k duplicate.
Disks of different types are easily distinguishable. 5
" 360k disks have a protective ring in the middle, while 5
" 1.2Mb disks do not. 3
" 720k disks have a single write-protect notch in the upper right-hand corner; 3
" 1.4Mb disks have notches in both corners. The 360k and 720k disks are also referred to as low-density, while the 1.2Mb and 1.4Mb disks are known as high-density.
DiskDupe will not successfully copy disks that are copy protected. However, it will allow you to make copy of protected disks of your own.
Copy
Protection
Although DiskDupe is DOS-based, it will allow you to duplicate disks of other formats, including Mac high-density, Xenix, Unix, and Midi disks. DiskDupe can copy Unix disks that have an interleave of 3, but the copies it makes will have an interleave of 1.
Some developers distribute software on notchless disks so that they cannot be overwritten. To write data to such a disk, you will need to obtain a drive modified for this purpose.
DiskDupe
Duplicates, formats, and compares 5" and 3" disks in one pass including high density formats. Duplicates up to 200 disks per hour. Uses Relay to duplicate lots of master disks. Stores images on hard disk. Automatically formats disks, detects bad disks, has batch automation, and uses pull down menus.
Feature
Comparison
DiskDupe Auto Pro
Has all features of DiskDupe Pro and supports autoloaders.
See also: "
DiskDupe
Feature
Comparison
DiskDupe Pro
Has all the features of DiskDupe Standard. Adds support for up to four floppy drives and double speed drives, copies individual files using RamboDisk, makes sets of disks, has the Track Range option and can serialize disks.
See also:
Feature
Comparison
Disk Option
In almost all cases this should be set at "Auto". DiskDupe will automatically determine what the disk type is, unless the source is set to DOS Format, in which case the user is prompted for the disk type before formatting begins.
The only time that the disk type would be set to something other than "Auto" is if the user does not want DiskDupe to consider other disk types, such as when the Network
Server option is used.
1.4Mb OK, 720k problem
If a drive is able to copy 1.4Mb disks fine but gives errors reading or writing 720k, the drive could be jumpered wrong. Need to jumper the drive to set the density from the disk, not the software.
Download Utility
(AutoPro)
DiskDupe AutoPro includes a download utility that is used to copy files from 3.5" floppy disks in an autoloader to the sequentially numbered directories on the hard drive.
Download prompts the user for a directory name and then creates numbered sub-directories for each floppy disk whether or not it is readable.
Download uses two Rambodisks, a (720KB and a 1.44MB) to receive the data from the floppy disks and then the files are copied from the Rambodisk to the hard drive using the FILECOPY.BAT batch file included with DiskDupe.
As an example if the autoloader drive in DiskDupe is D:, the 1.44MB Rambodisk is drive E: and the 720KB Rambodisk is drive F: then edit DOWNLOAD.BAT to read:
dl d e f
To run the utility type "download". D
To install the Rambodisks the CONFIG.SYS should include the lines: Q
DEVICE=C:\DISKDUPE\RAMBODSK.EXE /F=1.4
DEVICE=C:\DISKDUPE\RAMBODSK.EXE /F=720
This should be loaded after loading your XMS driver (HIMEM.SYS, QEMM, 386MAX, ect). Type RAMBODSK /? for help on the Rambodisk.
Drive
Select one of the following topics: *
Drive
Drive
Setup
Auto-set
Drive Auto-Set
The auto-set feature will automatically determine what type of drive(s) your computer has attached to it, i.e. density, speed, SDS (Simultaneous Double Sided), etc. To do this it requires each drive to contain a formatted disk that is the highest capacity the drive can accept. For example, if the drive's capacity is 1.44Mb and a 720K Low-Density disk was being used instead of a High-Density 1.44Mb, auto-set would incorrectly set the drive up as a 720K.
Auto-set will systematically check every drive position your computer has available, so if you have a diskette in a drive that you don't want set-up, remove it!
If you have an Allegro SDS controller and auto-set assigns a drive as "Unknown", check the "C1 SDS CONFIG" jumper on the Allegro to make sure that it corresponds to the type of interface your drive uses.
DOS Driver Problem w/ ALTALK
(AutoPro)
If DOS does not sense the disk change:
If you are running a batch file using ALTALK that requires access to the drive from DOS but DOS is not recognizing the disk change line (i.e. a directory of the current disk always reports the same directory that was reported for the first disk) then you need to use a driver that does not use change line detection. If you are using the A: or B: drive then if you are running DOS 5.0 or above then you can respecify the driver parameters using the DRIVPARM command. For example you could load the following line to config.sys to redefine drive B: (drive position 1) as a 1.44Mb drive (type 7) with no change line detection (/C not specified): DRIVPARM= /D:1 /F:7 ?
Sony 1.44Mb works with DiskDupe but not with the DOS drivers:
The Sony 73W 1.44Mb drive that is often used in autoloaders has a jumper (SL5) that has to be soldered in the B position to work with the DOS drivers. It is found on the circuit board on the underside of the drive near IC5.
Drive Setup
DiskDupe will automatically sense what type of drives are installed in A: and B: by checking your computer's CMOS configuration. If you want to change these settings, select Setup
Drives and pick the drive that you want to edit. You don't need to change your computer's CMOS configuration or reboot your computer to change drive types in DiskDupe. ~
Since DiskDupe talks directly to your floppy controller and bypasses DOS and the BIOS for maximum speed, it doesn't require any drivers in your CONFIG.SYS file. It will ignore any drive mappings you have set up using the ASSIGN command and it will not work with floppies that connect to the parallel port, such as MicroSolutions' Backpack drives or certain external laptop drives.
Selecting
Drive
Drive Type
DiskDupe automatically adds your A: and B: drives to the Drive
List but other drives need to be specified in the Setup
Drive menu. DiskDupe supports all floppy drive types, although some drives need special controllers to operate.
Notes:
Simultaneous Double Sided (SDS) drives read to and write from both drive heads at the same time as opposed to regular drives which can only operate one head at a time. This can increase throughput by up to 50%.
The 2X notation denotes a Double Speed drive, a special drive that spins twice as fast as a normal drive and copies disks twice as fast. 2XSDS denotes a Double Speed SDS drive.
Some double speed drives can copy 720k disks at double speed and 1.4Mb disks at regular speed. When using this kind of drive, you must set it up in DiskDupe as two separate drives. For 720k disks on such drives, set you drive as a 3
" 720k 2X and for 1.4Mb disks use 3
" 1.4Mb.
See also:
Drives
drives
Replacing the DOS Serial Number
Disks formatted with DOS 4.0, 5.0 and 6.0 contain a disk serial number located on the boot sector of the disk. The serial number appears when you do a directory of the disk, making it a convenient way to display your product's serial instead.
To replace the serial number with your own you need to specify the disk address location of the DOS serial number. The serial number occurs at the location right before the volume label of the disk (cylinder 0, head 0, sector 0 , offset 39, beginning from 0). Q
To enter this information select Edit
Edit Table
Add from the Serial Choices menu and enter the disk address(given above). Now go back to the Serial menu and enter "^^^^" for the Stamp Mask. This will replace the DOS serial number with a 32-bit number of your own choosing. For more information on Stamp Mask see Serialization
File.
Destination Option
The Destination is the place where you want your Source to be copied and compared. Destination could be a drive, cascade, an image
file, a set
image
files, or a RamboDisk.
Duplicating Time
The following table gives you an indication of the relative speed of various copying combinations. (Use <F5> to zoom the help window). ;
Note: These speeds does not include the disk change time. I
Duplicating Speeds(Disks per Hour)
Regular Speed Drives
360k 1.2Mb 720k 1.4Mb 2.8Mb
DiskDupe
X
X
X
DiskDupe Pro/ Auto Pro
X
X
X
X
Duplicate
Preformatted, no verify
225
90
75
75
Prefmted w/verify
112
54
45
45
Blank Disks (regular)
75
38
32
32
Blank Disks (Allegro)
90
54
45
45
Format
Blank Disks w/verify
112
54
45
45
Reformat
600
600
600
600
Compare
Full Compare
225
90
75
75
Double Speed Drives
360k 1.2Mb 720k 1.4Mb
DiskDupe
DiskDupe Pro/ Auto Pro
X
X
X
X
Duplicate
Preformatted, no verify
300
180
150
150
Prefmted w/verify
180
108
90
90
Blank Disks (regular)
128
77
64
64
Blank Disks (Allegro)
180
108
90
90
Format
Blank Disks w/verify
180
108
90
90
Reformat
600
600
600
600
Compare
Full Compare
300
180
150
150
SDS Drives (AutoPro only)
360k 1.2Mb 720k 1.4Mb 2.8Mb
Duplicate
Preformatted, no verify
450
180
112
112
Prefmted w/verify
225
108
75
75
Blank Disks (regular)
150
67
54
54
Blank Disks (Allegro)
180
90
75
75
Format
Blank Disks w/verify
225
108
75
75
Compare
Full Compare
450
180
112
112
2XSDS Drives (AutoPro only)
360k 1.2Mb 720k 1.4Mb
Duplicate
Preformatted, no verify
450
270
225
225
Prefmted w/verify
300
180
150
150
Blank Disks (regular)
225
135
112
112
Blank Disks (Allegro)
300
180
150
150
Format
Blank Disks w/verify
300
180
150
150
Compare
Full Compare
450
270
225
225
Notes: 0
The Allegro controllers from Micro System Designs, Inc., format and write concurrently so for full diskettes there is no time penalty for using unformatted disks. The copy quality is better than with regular controllers because the data is written over fresh media rather than on top of format data.
If your disks are not completely full, duplicating times will be faster than this with normal controllers. With the Allegro controllers there is no speed difference between copying a full disk and an empty disk since the data and the format are written in the same pass. n
Some 1.4Mb drives steps, or move from track-to-track, fairly slowly and are not able to match these times.
Times
Duplicating
Duplicate makes a copy of a disk, the Copies setting controls the number of copies that are made. Enter 0 to copy continuously. Y
DiskDupe works from the Source drive to the Destination drive when you are duplicating.
Ensuring quality of disk
These are several steps you can take to ensure the quality of your copies. If you still get a significant amount of bad disks after following these suggestions, you might consider changing to a different brand of disks.
Make sure your computer operates properly with DiskDupe. DiskDupe bypasses DOS and the BIOS and uses dual DMA techniques to achieve maximum speed. A small number of computers might have problems with these advanced techniques. To check your computer, run Test under Setup
Drives and choose the Test As an additional test, copy several different 5
" and 3
" master disks with and use DiskDupe to compare each master disk to its copy. If DiskDupe does not report any errors, your computer will work well with DiskDupe.
Avoid using a 5
" 1.2Mb drive to copy 360k disks, if at all possible. Since the 1.2Mb drive writes a smaller track than a 360k drive, some 360k drives will have problems reading 360k disks written in that drive. This is getting to be less of a problem since most computers have 1.2mb drives that can read these 360k disks with no problems but, to be on the safe side, copy 360k disks in a 360k drive.
Clean your disk drives frequently. This is the easiest and single most important step in producing good disks. Dirty heads produce disks that work erratically and make diagnosis of the problem a trying and difficult task. It is better to clean your drives too much than too little. Drives need to be cleaned about every 500 disks or at least once a month. Select the drive to be cleaned from the Setup
Drives menu. Insert the special cleaning disk and the drive will be cleaned for 15 seconds.
Make sure your drives are properly aligned. If a drive's read/write head is out of alignment, it will be able to duplicate and read the disks it copies with no problem. but other drives may not be able to read these disks. Drive diagnostic kits are available that will measure the drive alignment directly. A good test is to copy a few disks on one drive and compare them on different drives using DiskDupe. If you suspect the drive might be out of alignment it is usually best to replace it. Drives can be re-aligned but sometimes this can cost more than buying a new one. The alignment should be checked after every 10,000 disks copied or at least once a year.
Use only blank high clip (OEM Grade) media. Copies made on pre-formatted diskettes are inherently less readable than diskettes that are formatted by the same drive that writes the data. Most floppy controllers will take longer to write to a blank diskette than a pre-formatted diskette, but the newer controllers (such as the Allegro controllers from MSD) can format an write concurrently so there is no time penalty for writting to blank media. With these controllers the copy quality is further improved because the data is written onto fresh media rather than over the fill bytes that were left by the drive that formatted the diskette.
After you duplicate disks on one drive, compare them on another. Sometimes you will want to compare 100% of the disks, but usually comparing 5% to 10% of the disks is enough to alert you to any problems.
Even if your disks are duplicated perfectly, after you mail them to someone else, you can expect about 1% of them to develop problems. A lot of the damage is done to disks during mailing, mainly due to magnetic fields produced by the motors used in conveyer belts and sorting equipment. Also many people have dirty or misaligned drives that will have problems reading any disks besides their own.
Quick Erase
To do a quick erase, set Format under the Job Window to Only if neccesary and verify to never.
Reformatting a disk that has been previously formatted takes only about 2 seconds per disk. This effectively wipes out the data on a disk by writing over the disk's FAT(File Allocation Table) and directory table. DiskDupe will format the first couple of tracks, where the file and directory information is located, realize that the disk doesn't need to be formatted, and prompt you for another disk. If you run a DIR or CHKDSK on the disk, you will see that the disk directory is indeed empty.
If you also want to recheck the disk to make sure there are no damage areas, set the Verify option to Always. This is quicker than a full reformat, but will check the entire disk for defects.
Everlock Copy Protection
(AutoPro)
Everlock copy protection from Az-Tech Software, Inc., can be interfaced with DiskDupe AutoPro to protect floppy diskettes as they are duplicated.
The 2.14 version of Everlock's Master Maker software is required. The 2.14c version adds support for floppy controllers at addresses other than 3F0.
Protection counts are supplied in a hardware key that attaches to the parallel port of the computer. All floppy controllers and disk drives that are supported by AutoPro are supported by Everlock.
The EVDD.COM driver supplied by Everlock uses the "Enhanced style" user interrupts (found under Setup
Options). EVDD has to be loaded before DiskDupe is run. See the Master Maker manual (pages 1-1 to 1-6) for details.
Everlock requires that the drive controller being used for copy protection be jumpered to use DMA channel 2. If the controller in use is the primary, it is probably already jumpered to use DMA 2. Look at your controller manual , and see Controller for more information. Z
Az-Tech Software, Inc. 201 E. Franklin, Suite 11 Richmond, MO 64085 Voice: (800)227-0644
(816)776-2700
Fax: (816)776-8398
Error List
Disks
Address
Write
Protect
Record
Found
Boundary
Timeout
Address
Record
Found
Compare
verify
Unknown
Error
Autoloader
Responding
Autoloader
Command
Responding
Input
Parity
Error
Framing
Error
Unknown
Autoloader
Error
Hopper
Empty
Output
Labeler
empty
Input
hopper
empty
Output
hopper
Loader
paused
Printer
Found
Found
Files
Access
Denied
Invalid
handle
Invalid
Access
Invalid
Drive
Number
Cannot
Remove
Current
Directory
Cannot
Rename
Across
Drives
Error.
error
Assigned
Input
Output
Invalid
Numeric
Format
Write
Protected
Unknown
Drive
Ready
Unknown
Command
Error
Drive
Request
Error
Unknown
Media
Sector
Found
Printer
Paper
Write
Device
Fault
Device
Fault
Hardware
Failure
Virus
found
Configuration
Found
Controller
Responding
Drive
Responding
RamboDisk
Valid
Image
Unknown
Image
Version
Can't
Determine
Wrong
Destination
Drive
Controller
Compaticard
Controller
Enhanced
82077
Enough
Memory
Enough
Memory
Interrupt
Installed
Controller
Responding
driver
installed
drive
external
serial
Printer
responding
Bottom
Stacker
responding
Setup
Error
(command
line)
First
needs
write-protected
Responding
Unknown
auto-loader
controller
setup
Cable
Upsidedown
source
Image
cable
upside
Controller
Setup
drive
cables
reversed
data,
cable
setup
Unknown
version
Controller
Allegro
Unknown
Error
Memory
Error
Error
Interrupt
Error
Buffer
Memory
Corrupted
Memory
Corrupted
Image
corrupted
Setup
Error
allowed
protected
XXXX
Internal
Error,
Unknown
Error
External Floppy Cable
How to make a floppy cable for an external drive: 8
1) Cut a Six foot length of 34 conductor ribbon cable.
2) Connect the ribbon cable to the DB-37 male connector with pin 1 of the ribbon cable (red stripe) connecting to pin 21 of the DB-37 connector. Pins 1, 2, and 20 of the DB-37 connector will be the only pins left unconnected.
3) Connect the other end of the ribbon cable to a 34 pin IDE edge card connector (for 5.25" drives) and a 34 pin IDS socket (for 3.5" drives). Pin one of the ribbon cable should be opposite the triangular pin one indicator on the IDS socket, which is backwards, but this is standard for most 3.5" floppy drives. The IDE edge card connector usually has a tab between pin 4 and pin 6 so make sure that this is on the pin 1 side of the ribbon cable.
FIX720 program
Some computers will recognize the converted disk and be able to do a DIR of it, but cannot read the actual files. If you encounter this problem, use the FIX720.COM program included with DiskDupe. This is a small memory-resident program that allows such computers to read this 5
" disk.
Note: If you are copying disks to send to others, we recommend making a master for each disk size, rather than using track conversions. This allows you to use the full capacity of the disk and will alleviate any problems that other computers might have reading converted disks.
Ramdisk installation
If the computer doesn't have a hard disk and is not attached to a network, you can run DiskDupe off of a Ram drive provided that you have enough memory. DiskDupe can be run off of a harddisk or a Ram drive but it is not possible to run DISKDUPE.EXE off of a floppy drive.
If you only have extended memory you can use a RAM disk to run DiskDupe. Copy the DiskDupe files from the floppy to the RAM disk and run DiskDupe on the Ram disk to leave your floppy drives free for copying.
If you have the Pro edition of DiskDupe a special RAM disk called a RAMBODSK.EXE is included. If you have the Standard edition, you can use the RAMDRIVE.SYS utility included with DOS instead. Follow the instructions below to run DiskDupe from a RAM disk. ~
1. Create a boot-up disk and copy *.sys and DISKDUPE.* from the DiskDupe disk to the boot-up disk with the DOS copy command.
2. Add the line: DEVICE = RAMBODSK.EXE to the CONFIG.SYS file on the boot-up disk. The RamboDisk will be given a drive letter, such as C:. 7
3. Modify the AUTOEXEC.BAT file to contain the lines: G
COPY COMMAND.COM C:
COPY DISKDUPE.* C:
SET COMSPEC = C:\COMMAND.COM
4. Run DiskDupe from the RamboDisk C:, configure it as described in the Setup chapter, and exit to save the configuration file.
5. Copy DiskDupe's configuration file, DISKDUPE.DAT, from the RamboDisk in C: to bootup disk in A:. This will preserve your customized setup for future use. If you make modifications in the future, copy the file to the bootup disk once again.
Formats, Layout, and Types
Floppy disks and floppy drives are classified according to their type and format. Most drives in today's PCs can write data on both sides of a disk, although the first IBM PCs could only write on one side of a disk. Double- sided disks have magnetic material on both sides and drives have a separate read/write head for each side. the other factor determining the type of a disk is the "density" at which data can be written. The more dense, or close together, the particles on the disk, the more information it can hold. You've probably heard of disks referred to as low or double-density (DS/DD or 2S/2D) and high-density(DS/HD). =
Floppy Disk
" 360k
" 1.2Mb
" 720k
" 1.4Mb
" 2.8Mb
Character-
Double
High
Double
High
Extra
istics
Density
Density
Density
Density
Density
Tracks 40 80 80 80 80
Sectors per track 9 15 9 18 36
bytes per sector 512 512 512 512 512
Before a computer can write to a disk, it must format it, a process which determines how data is written to the disk. In the table above, characteristics of the various disk formats common to IBM PCs are shown. Disks are formatted into tracks-concentric circles going around the disk- similar to the grooves on a record. A track is broken up into short arcs, called sectors, that generally hold 512 bytes, or characters, of data. Sectors resemble a wedge or pie slice.
The read/write head moves back and forth over a disk's surface, moved by a "stepping" motor so that it is positioned directly over any given track. The increments between tracks are thus called steps, and the amount the head moves is its step rate.
The size or capacity of a disk is measured in kilobytes(k) or megabytes(Mb). Disks can roughly be divided into the flexible 5
" variety and the harder 3
" type and further grouped into low and high-density varieties. The 5
" disks come in 360k and 1.2Mb sizes, while the 3
" are commonly found in 720k and 1.4Mb capacities. You can tell these apart because 360k disks have protective ring in the middle, while 1.2Mb don't; 720k's have a write-protect notch in just one corner, while 1.4Mb disks have notches in both upper corners. =
In addition to the physical makeup of the disk, capacity is dependent on the process used to format the disk, which, in turn depends on the operating system. For example, an older type of disk, the CP/M 320k disk, differs from a 360k DS/DD disk in that it is formatted with eight sectors per track rather than nine.
Other operating system formats are not native to IBM PC's and compatibles, and cannot be read by DOS, but can still be copied by DiskDupe. These include Unix, Xenix, and Midi disks, as well as Mac high density disks only.
Format Compatibility
When DiskDupe formats disks, it places a DOS 3.3 boot track on the disk. This is compatible with all versions of DOS. If you want to format a disk with the boot track of another DOS version, or make a bootable disk or make formatted Unix, Midi or Mac high density disks, follow these instructions. i
1. Format a disk using the normal format command for that system. With DOS this is FORMAT or FORMAT /S.
2. Use DiskDupe to make a copy of this disk. If you want you can also create an image file of this disk and use that as the Source.
If you are using a master disk formatted with DOS 4.0 or higher, DiskDupe will copy the serial number of the master disk without changing it.
Format Operation
A good, all-purpose setting for Format is Only if Necessary. DiskDupe will detect if disks have been formatted and take advantage of it for faster copies. If any part of the disk needs formatting, DiskDupe will detect it and switch into format mode. This works especially well for a combination of preformatted and new disks.
If you are formatting new disks you can set Format to Always to save the few seconds that DiskDupe normally takes to identify that a disk is blank and shift into Format mode. Also if you want to re-format old disks, set it to Always.
If you're using disks that you know have been formatted, you can set Format to Never to save time. With Format set to Never, DiskDupe will reject as "bad" any disks that haven't been formatted, so you can also use this setting to separate out unformatted disks from a mixed stack.
Format Option
For maximum speed with most floppy controllers, a good all-purpose setting for Format is Only if Necessary. DiskDupe will detect if disks have been formatted and take advantage of it for a faster copy. If any part of the disk needs formatting, DiskDupe will detect it and switch into format mode. This works especially well for a combination of preformatted and new disks.
If your main concern is the copy quality, we recommend that unformatted diskettes be used and that Format be set to Always so that the diskette is formatted by the same drive that writes the data. With most controllers, this results in a slower copying speed, but with the new Allegro controllers from Micro System Designs, Inc., there is no time penalty for formatting while copying to full disks.
If you are formatting new disks, you can set Format to Always to save the few seconds that DiskDupe normally takes to identify that a disk is blank and shift into Format mode. Also if you want to re-format old disks, set it to Always.
If you're using disks that you know have been formatted, you can set Format to Never to save time. With Format set to Never, DiskDupe will reject as "bad" any disks that have not been formatted, so you can also use this setting to separate out unformatted disks from a mixed stack. ,
Controller
Types Quality
Considerations
Formatting Disks
With DiskDupe, you can either format a disk as it is being duplicated or separately. When you copy disks with Duplicate, DiskDupe will detect whether a disk has been formatted and, if necessary, format it while copying. Use Format as a separate feature whenever you want to preformat disks ahead of time for later use with DiskDupe such as making master disks or for general DOS use.
To format a disk separately:
1. Set Source to Format.
2. Set destination to the drive you will use to format the disk and press Ok. This can be one drive or a number of drives using Cascade. a
3. Go to the Format and Verify settings. Set the Format and Verify to the appropriate settings.
4. Set the number of Copies, or set it to 0 for continuous copying, and select Duplicate. When you are ready to format, press Go.
See Also: 2
Format
Compatibility
Full
Reformat
Quick
Erase
Full Reformat
To do a Full Reformat, set Format in the Job dialog box or menu to Always. s
Use full reformat if you plan to use an old disk as a master disk or want to completely erase all the data on it.
Settings for Formatting
Variation
Format Option
Verify Option
New Disks(unformatted)
Always
Always
New Disks(performatted)
Only if Necessary
Always
Old Disks-Reformat
Only if Necessary
Always/
(clear directory only)
Only after Format
Old Disks-
Always
Always/
Full Reformat
Only after Format
Reverify
Only if Necessary/
Always
(after formatting)
Never
Note: If you are using an Allegro controller then set the Format option to Always. This enables the format-with-write capability of the Allegro for improved copy quality without increasing the copy time for full disks. Otherwise DiskDupe takes a couple of seconds to determine if the disk is formatted or not.
Trouble Shooting Guide
CCIV
Settings
Custom
Guidelines
DDPro/AutoPro
Locks
Machine
Error
SmartDrv
Driver
Problems
ALTALK
Drive
Maintenance
Disks
disks
External
Floppy
Cable
Hardware
DiskDupe
does/doesn't
Maximize
Quality
Image
Compatibility
Laptop
Error
Light
Stays
Running
DiskDupe
Clipper
Running
DiskDupe
Setup
2.8Mb
40W-15
Slow
Problems
Track
Range
TSR's
Causes
Problems
Windows
Extra
Serial
Locations
Jumper
Settings
1.4Mb
problems
Hard Disk Installation
See also: B
Windows
Installation
Network
Installation
Ramdisk
Installation
To install DiskDupe on your hard disk: b
1. Make a subdirectory for DiskDupe on your hard disk by typing the line MD C:\DISKDUPE <Enter>. =
2. Type CD C:\DISKDUPE <Enter> to change to that directory.
3. Insert the DiskDupe program disk in drive A:, or the appropriate floppy drive, and type: COPY A:\*.* <Enter> to copy the files to your hard disk. 8
4. Type DISKDUPE <Enter> to load the DiskDupe program.
DiskDupe searches the current directory and your path for its configuration file DISKDUPE.DAT. If you add the \DISKDUPE subdirectory to the statement in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file, you will not need to change to the \DISKDUPE subdirectory every time you run DiskDupe.
Hardware DiskDupe does/doesn't work with
DiskDupe works with:
IBM Compatibles and PS/2's +
ArcNet, Novell, and Lantastic networks. 1
DiskDupe AutoPro works with autoloaders from:
Mountain, Trace Mountain, MissionSix, Champion Duplicators(Ventuno), Rimage, Ashby, Applied Data Corporation(CopyMaker), Costas, Mediaform(Genesis), and Boland Developements.
DiskDupe AutoPro works with all floppy disk drives and all controllers. This includes regular, double speed(2X), simultaneous double sided(SDS) and double speed simultaneous double sided(2XSDS) drives.
DiskDupe doesn't work with:
Tandy 1000. Gives "initial seek" error. Runs on other Tandy machines. )
Compaq 286 Deskpro might have problems with 1.4Mb_2x drives. Some Compaq 486 66's cause DMA conflicts with the floppy controllers that cause DiskDupe to report "Error 301, Bad Compare". In this case if you are using a secondary controller then try moving its DMA channel from DMA 2 to DMA 1. W
Old XT's can't have secondary controllers and will only support low density drives.
DD won't work with Adaptek SCSI controller 1542B or 1542C. Reports error 205 sporadically. Need to disable its floppy controller and install a CompatiCard IV floppy controller.
Won't work with IBM external drives or external floppy drives that connect to the parallel port like MicroSolutions BackPak. Z
Computers with the microchannel bus (some PS/2's) cannot accept secondary controllers.
DiskDupe AutoPro does not work with autoloaders from the following manufacturers: DataPath, CopyMaster(CopyBox), Victory. Also certain Mountain loaders that use a parallel interface instead of a serial interface.
How Drives Get Dirty
Drive heads get dirty in two ways: particles on the disk surface like dust and cigarette smoke can stick to the head and through normal use of the disk's magnetic coating which rubs off on the head. These coatings vary in quality. Disks that have been in humid environments can clog the drive heads after just 50 or 60 disks.
When the heads gets dirty, they no longer make good contact with the disk and the dirt particles diffuse the reading and writing process. This produces erratic results: some disks work fine while others are inexplicably rejected.
How Often to Clean
We recommend that you clean the drive heads every 500 disks, or at least once a month. Sometimes in humid or dirty environments, you will need to clean the heads every 100 disks. If you start experiencing a lot of rejected disks or have other problems, it is always a good idea to clean the heads.
When drives are extremely dirty, you can actually see the dirt on the head. After you remove the cover, you will be able to see reddish-brown spots on the white ceramic piece attached to the moveable head-frame.
Image File Compatibility
DiskDupe can only use image files made with DiskDupe. K
DiskDupe image files are forward compatible. DiskDupe versions 4.05 and above add CRC's to the image files when they are created. When pre-4.05 DiskDupe images are read for the first time by a current version of DiskDupe the image file gets a new time stamp because DiskDupe adds CRC's to the image and marks it as "updated".
If DiskDupe is reading in a pre-4.05 DiskDupe image file and it gets interrupted for some reason the image file should not be marked as updated, as the CRC's are added as the last step. On rare occations an image file can be marked as updated even though the CRC's have not yet been added. In this case if the image file is read again then DiskDupe will report an error 908, "Image file has been corrupted", because it sees that the file is marked as updated, but cannot find the CRC's. To mark an image file as "not yet updated" one byte needs to be changed from a one to a zero. For example to mark a file called IMAGE1.DDI using DOS DEBUG you would type the following: %
debug image1.ddi
-e 103 0
Images
If there are disks that you copy frequently, it may be worthwhile to store an image of these master disks on your hard disk. Not only is reading an image file from your hard disk much faster than reading a floppy disk, using the image prevents undue wear and tear on the disk. The drawback to image files is the space they take up on your hard disk. Image files contain the data on the disk plus a header for identification purposes which, for a half full 360k disk, amounts to about 200k. (
Working with disk images is just like working with two disks, except that you copy either to or from the image file on your hard disk. the first step is creating the image file from the master disk. This is done by setting Destination to File. Once created, an image file can be used to duplicate or compare disks, and will remain on your hard disk until you delete it. To make copies or compare disks using the image file, select File from the Source menu. When copying from an image file, be sure to set the copy type to the type of the image file.
Selecting an Image:
When you pick Image from either the Destination or Source, you will see *.DDI, which stands for DiskDupe Image, the default extension for image files. You can use this extension or type in a new one.
Press <Enter> to display a directory tree listing all files with this extension or type in the name of a new or existing image file. You can use any extension for your images (some users use .DD5 for 5
" images and .DD3 for 3
" images in order to view 5
" and 3
" images separately).
Creating Image Files:
1. Under the File menu, select New
Image. Type the name of the image file you want to create, such as DISK1.DDI (you do not have to type the extension unless you use an extension other than the ".DDI" default). When you have finished, press Open. The image file will be created in the current subdirectory. To store it in a different subdirectory, include a drive letter and path before the file name. Type C:\DISKDUPE\*.DDI <Enter> to select from a list of existing image files and subdirectories.
2. Select the drive that the master disk will be read from (A: or B:) and press Ok. Diskdupe will prompt you to insert the master disk into the drive and the image file will be created in the current subdirectory.
You can also create image files the same way that you copy from drive to drive, except that you would choose Drive as your Source and Image as your Destination. When creating the image file, the Copies setting has no effect.
Copying From Image to Disk:
1. Select Source
Image. Select the image file, then press Open. The copy type will be automatically set to that of the image file. ;
2. Select Destination, and the drive you want to copy to.
3. Set the number of Copies, use "0" for continuous copying, and select Duplicate. When you are ready to duplicate, press Go.
To compare a disk with a previously created image file, set Source to the name of the file and select Compare from the Job Window. DiskDupe will do a byte-by-byte comparison of the copies. For more information, see the Compare section.
See also: #
Networks
Read-Only
Updating
Increment By
(Pro/AutoPro)
Usually after every disk, you will want the serial number to increase by 1. However, sometimes you might want it to increase by 10, 100, or 1000.
To provide extra security with your serial number, choose an increment like 13 or 97 and start your serial numbers at 0. Then if someone calls and tells you a serial number, you can easily tell if it is valid. To check the serial number for authenticity, subtract your beginning serial number or any known valid serial number from the questionable serial number and see if the difference can be divided evenly by the number you set up as your increment. If the qoutient is an even number, the serial number you are questioning is valid.
Increment on Reject
(Pro/AutoPro)
This option tells DiskDupe what to do if it encounters a bad disk. If you are going to be applying the serial labels to the disks after you copy them, set this option to No.
If you are serializing disks that already have labels applied with the serial number on them, set this to Yes. Then if a bad disk is encoutered, the remaining disks will still get the correct serial number.
Install
These are the three types of installation that you can do.
Hard
Networks
Ramdisk
- Please Note: It is not possible to run DISKDUPE.EXE from a floppy drive.
Label File
(Pro/AutoPro)
A label file is a file that is to be printed on the diskette label after the diskette is copied.
Labels
(Pro/AutoPro)
DiskDupe allows you to print labels for your disks. This feature can be used for ordinary disk labels, to record disk serial numbers, or to pull information from the disk, such as the serial number, volume label and other contents of a disk file. H
If you are a shareware distributor, you can use the Relay feature and have the disk volume name printed on the label. To include a longer description of the disk on each label, you can put a file on each disk with the description and use the SRCFILE,README.TXT command in your label file to print the description on the label. s
Note: DiskDupe's label feature is designed for sheets of labels that have only one label horizontally on a sheet.
Creating a Label file:
1) Select File
Label. Enter the name of the file you want to create and press New. This will bring up the editor from which you enter the contents of your label. o
2) When you have finished entering the contents of your label, select Save from the File menu, or press <F2>. W
Note: To edit a label file, select File
Label and follow the instructions above.
Printing a Label file: $
1) Select Label from the Job menu. `
2) Choose Select One or Follow Image and then type the name of the label file you want to use. p
3) Make sure that Printer and Print To is correctly set. When you are ready to print your labels, press Print. !
Label file Commands (keywords): 8
The following table lists the Label commands, which you can embed in the label file. Any line that starts with a semicolon is a comment and does not print out; anything else prints out on the label. Bracketed text indicates a command. Two commands on the same line will print out side-by-side on the same line.
Command
Function
Example
{Code,code#1,
Sends printer control codes.
{Code,27,78,$1B,$6B}
code#2}
Put a "$" in front of hex codes.
{Serial}
Prints the serial number.
Serial #{Serial}
{IncFile,
Prints an entire file on the
{IncFile,C:\graphics\logo.pm}
filename}
hard disk. This can be used for
graphical logos.
{SrcFile,
Prints the first line of a file
{SrcFile,README.TXT}
filename}
on the disk being copied.
{VolLabel}
Prints the volume label on the
{VolLabel}
source disk.
Normal Line
Print as is
(c) 1994, XYZ corp.
{Date}
Prints the current date.
{ImageNum}
Prints disk # in set.
Disk {ImageNum} of
{Images}
Prints total # of images in set.
{Images}
{SetNum}
Prints set # in job.
Set {SetNum} of
{Sets}
Prints total # of sets in job.
{Sets}
{CopyNum}
Prints disk # in job
Disk {CopyNum} of
{Copies}
Prints total # of disks in job
{Copies}
{CPI10}
Changes the pitch.
{CPI12}
and {CPI17}
{Prop}
Changes to a proportional font.
{Italic} and
Italics
{ItalicOfF}
{Cond}
Condensed
and {CondOff}
{Wide}
Wide
and {WideOff}
{Bold}
Bold
and {BoldOff}
{Under}
Underlined
and {UnderOff}
{Sup}
Superscript
and {SupOff}
{Sub}
Subscript
and {SubOff}
{LS1/8}
Change the line spacing.
{LS7/72}
and {LS1/6}
{LS216,x}
To set line spacing to x/216 inches.
{LF216,x}
To do a line feed of x/216 inches.
{RM,x}
To set right margin to x spaces.
{LM,x}
To set left margin to x spaces.
{UD}
To print text upside-down on the LLP Printer.
Note: Not all of these commands are supported on all printers.
The Code command allows you to use printer-specific codes, which can be found in your printer's manual. They would, for example, let you use printer-resident fonts.
Files created with the label editor are normal ASCII, or text, files and have the extension .DDL for DiskDupe Label. If you want to use special fonts or graphics, you can use a word processing or desktop publishing program to create the label layout and then print it to a file. The label file will be sent directly to the printer except for any special label commands in it, such as {Serial}, which will be sent from DiskDupe. G
If you use the IncFile command in a label file, but the file cannot be found when the labels are being printed, DiskDupe will give you an error. However, the SrcFile command will simply print out a blank line if it cannot locate the file, as will the VolLabel and Serial commands if there is no volume label or serial number. \
You could also print labels in two runs: one to print a graphic image with a desktop publishing program and another to print disk-specific information with DiskDupe. Another alternative is to buy labels with your logo and company information already printed on them and then have DiskDupe customize them with volume and serial number information.
Laptop DMA Error
Some laptops will give error 205, Bad DMA when DiskDupe is running. Goes away when battery saving feature is off. H
It is caused by the battery saving feature turning off the DMA chip.
Light Stays On
When you are duplicating disks with DiskDupe the drive light stays on until all the copies are made, even as DiskDupe prompts the user to change the diskettes. &
While the drive light is on the drive motor is spinning. The total time that the drive motor is on to copy a diskette with DiskDupe is significantly less that the time required to copy disks with the DOS Diskcopy command. Since the drive spindle motors are brushless they do not wear out.
It does not damage the drive to remove a diskette from the drive when the drive light is on. When a diskette is removed from the drive the heads mechanically retract from the diskette to prevent such damage.
As long as DiskDupe prompts you to remove the disk from the drive there will be no damage to the data on the diskette. Diskettes should not be removed when copying or formatting are in progress.
DDPro/AutoPro Locks up Machine
(Pro/AutoPro)
If DiskDupe locks up the computer there is probably a conflict with a TSR (software) or with one of the adapter cards in the computer (hardware). >
CHECK FOR SOFTWARE CONFLICTS:
----------------------------
First try booting off of a floppy disk so that the AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS are "clean". If DiskDupe does not lock up under these conditions then you need to eliminate the source of the trouble by "remarking" lines in the CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT one at a time. >
CHECK FOR HARDWARE CONFLICTS:
----------------------------
If the lock up problem persists after a clean boot there is probably a conflict with one of the cards in the computer. If this is the case then the conflicting card can be identified by removing the cards one at a time and trying the software. Once a card is isolated as the source of the conflict then the card can be jumpered to use another address, interrupt, or DMA channel to prevent the conflict. >
To find the conflicting card:
----------------------------
Start by removing the network card (if there is one). If the program still locks then try removing other cards one at a time, rebooting and testing DiskDupe to see if it locks.
Try DiskDupe with just the Primary controller. If that fixes the problem then move the floppy card or the network card to another address and reenter the controllers. V
When confilicting card has been isolated:
----------------------------------------
ADDRESSES:
When DiskDupe starts it writes to the floppy controller addresses. The main floppy controller addresses are 3F0(Primary), 370(Secondary), and 360. If the conflicting card is using one of these addresses it will have to be moved to another address.
INTERRUPTS:
Interrupt 6 is reserved for the floppy controllers and should not be used by other cards.
DMA CHANNELS:
DMA 2 is reserved for the floppy controller and should not be used by other cards.
Several times we have seen a lockup problem when a network card was jumpered to use one of the addresses for the secondary controller. This setting the "Secondary Controller" to "None" in DiskDupe. If this fixes the problem then the network card card will need. j
To reassure yourself that the DiskDupe software is not corrupted you can check it on another computer.
Drive Maintenance % Good Disks
Head Cleaning:
Every 500 disks under normal conditions. T
Every 100 disks under humid conditions, or when using diskettes of poor quality.
Allignment:
Check every 10,000 disks.
Normal drive life:
About 100,000 disks, if cleaned regularly.
Normal reject rate for diskettes with DD with verify on: About 1% with good quality diskettes, about 2% with bad quality diskettes.
Normal percentage of diskettes that go bad during shipping: from 0.1 to 0.5%. This does not depend much on the quality of the diskettes.
How to Maximize Copy Quality
Check drive allignment periodically (at least once for every 10,000 diskettes). =
Use unformatted high clip (at least 60%) certified media. )
Set "format" to "always" in DiskDupe. b
Clean drive heads every 500 diskettes. Clean more frequently in humid or smokey environments.
Spot check 1% of diskettes produced using the DiskDupe Compare feature using a different floppy drive from the one that produced the diskettes.
EMS/XMS Limit
DiskDupe will use all available memory to store the disk image before using the hard disk as virtual memory. If you are running DiskDupe under a multitasker such as DESQview, Windows, or OS/2, you may want to limit the amount of memory it uses to reserve it for other programs.
DiskDupe first uses all available conventional RAM memory. If more memory is required, it uses expanded(EMS) memory and extended(XMS) memory, in that order. =
The default settings is "-1", for no limit. To change this, select Global from the Setup menu and enter the appropriate settings. Use 0 for none at all and any number 1 or above to specify the amount of memory to use. Memory is specified in thousands of bytes or "k". To limit memory use to 1Mb (1024k), enter 1024.
DiskDupe Menus
File
Edit
Setup
Help
PS/2 Model 35SX and 55SX
PS/2 Model 35SX and 55SX have chip flaw that interferes with DiskDupe's concurrent DMA techniques when using the hard disk as virtual memory. If you are using either of these computers with a network, you can still use DiskDupe as long as you store image and temporary files on the network drive.
Mouse
When you first start DiskDupe, you'll see a menu bar across the top of the screen, from which you can select the pull-down menus that control its operation. In the center of the screen there is normally a job dialog box for the current task to be performed. Use the mouse cursor to select menu items by clicking on them. You can also make changes in the job by clicking directly on the item that you want to change.
DiskDupe supports both mouse and keyboard use, so you can select menus either by clicking on each option with the mouse or moving the highlight bar with the <Tab> and pressing <Enter>. To get to the menus with your keyboard just hit F10.
Networks
See also: Windows
Installation o
If you are running DiskDupe on a network, image files are an easy way to duplicate disks at a number of workstations. Instead of distributing master disks to each workstation, create image files on the network. More than one user can then run DiskDupe to make copies as needed. And, it is a simple process to update an image file on the network if its data changes.
Image files stored on the network can be shared by serveral workstations. For example, one workstation can duplicate disks from the images file while another compares them to the same image.
Note: If more than one workstations used at the same time to copy disks, ask about a site license. Our license agreement states: "DiskDupe may only be used on a single computer. However, after the program has been register, it can be installed on additional computers if there is no possibility of it being used on more than one computer at the same time and there is no possibility of it being used by anyone other than the registered owner."
Network Batch files
DiskDupe AutoPro 5.0 has the ability to execute Network batch files automatically when the Network Server function has been activated from "File
Network Server". The batch files can be created by a text editor, an in-house application, or by DDNet. 7
A sample batch file produced by DDNet is shown below:
ECHO OFF
REM MSD Network Batch, Version 1
REM Image=ALGUTIL.DDI
REM Description=
REM Disk=720k
DISKDUPE H:\DATA\DD\ALGUTIL.DDI /c2 /DUP /NOWAIT
When the Network Server is active, DiskDupe will scan the network directory for batch files to run that begin with a remark line that specifies the same disk type, i.e. if the Disk Type in DiskDupe was set to 720K, then DiskDupe will look for batch files that include the line: REM DISK=720k. i
The naming scheme of a Network batch file can be of the users choosing, but must have a .BAT extension. I
Additional commands that can be issued in a Network batch file include: I
These commands require no REM statement for execution. DiskDupe command line parameters require no REM statements as well. D: assumes a Rambodisk is present. D
The sample batch file above essentially does this (excluding the Network Server header information): It formats an already present RamboDisk. It then copies all the files from the C:\DISKDUPE\AUTOPRO subdirectory to the Rambodisk. Next, it deletes DISKDUPE.TMP from the Rambodsik file subdirectory. It then makes a HELP subdirectory in Rambodisk. Next, it copies all the .TXT files from the C:\DISKDUPE\HELP subdirectory to the Rambodisk. It then labels the Rambodisk with "DDAP". Lastly, it runs DiskDupe and copies all the files from the Rambodisk to the loader drive f:.
The Station command identifies which Network Server the job is for. It does not need to be present, unless you want the job to go to a specific Network Server. A
As mentioned before, a requirement for the Network batch file to work properly is for the Disk to be set to the type of job DiskDupe is seeking, i.e. if the Disk is set to 720K, then DiskDupe will look for a batch files that include the line: REM DISK=720k. This requires the job window of the users choice to be open.
See Also:
DDNet
Network Installation
See Also: Windows
Installation
Running DiskDupe on a network allows you to take full advantage of the multiuser environment and allows you to share image files with others on the network. As long as only one computer is using DiskDupe at a time, you can install DiskDupe on the network under terms of this license agreement. If more than one person will be using DiskDupe at once, contact us for information on site license. %
If you are the only one using DiskDupe on your network, you can install it as described in the hard disk installation section. However, if you would like multiple workstations to be able to access DiskDupe, the network administrator should install it according to the following instructions.
1. Copy all the files from the DiskDupe disk into a shared subdirectory on the network. Run DiskDupe once from that directory to create a DISKDUPE.DAT file. x
2. Copy the file DISKDUPE.DAT from the shared subdirectory to a local subdirectory that DiskDupe will be started from. d
3. DiskDupe searches the current directory and the path for its configuration file DISKDUPE.DAT, which is updated with DiskDupe's current settings each time you exit. if DiskDupe cannot locate a DISKDUPE.DAT file, it creates a new one in the directory from which it was started. There are several ways to ensure that a user's configuration will be saved: <
Add the local subdirectory to the user's PATH statement. <
Keep Auto-set A: & B: on in the shared subdirectory. If started with the shared DISKDUPE.DAT, DiskDupe will start up with the A: and B; drives tailored to the specific workstation's configuration at the time it was turned on or rebooted. This alleviated the need for some users to have a local DISKDUPE.DAT file. O
Start DiskDupe from the local subdirectory or create a batch file to do so.
Optimized Master Disks
If files have been erased from a disk, DiskDupe may be fooled into thinking that there is more data on the disk than there really is. To help DiskDupe work most efficiently, it is best to use a newly formatted disk as your master disk.
DiskDupe is able to sense which part of the disk has valid data on it and only duplicate that part of the disk. If you have a master disk which has had many different files copied to it and then erased, DiskDupe will have to duplicate the entire disk even though all of the disk may not contain real data. The copies wil still be good, but the duplication will take longer than necessary.
To make a blank master disk, first format a disk using the DiskDupe Format command with Format set to Always under the Job Window. Then use the DOS Copy command to copy the necessary files onto this newly formatted disk. This master disk is now clear of extraneous data.
Note: If you format your master disks with the DOS 5.0 format command, use the FORMAT/U option to erase the entire disk. This will enable DiskDupe to make fast copies of this disk.
OS/2
To get maximum speed, open the DOS settings box for the DISKDUPE.EXE object. You'll need to set HW_TIMER to Off and IDLE_SENSITIVITY to 100 for the DOS session.
Overview
This section provides an introduction on how to use DiskDupe and a quick description of each of its menus. w
DiskDupe's opening screen, shown below, is displayed until you start copying disks, when duplicating screen comes up. ~
File
Edit
Job
Setup
Window
Help
Source
Destination
copies
Operation
Disk
( ) Duplicate
Format
( ) Format
Verify
( ) Compare
Range
Serial
Option
Label
[ ] Relay
F1 Help F10 Menu
DiskDupe supports both mouse and Keyboard. With a mouse you can move through the DiskDupe's menu with just a click of your mouse. If you don't have a mouse, you can hit F10 at the main screen to get to the menus. To move around the Job Window, just press the <Tab> key.
See also:
Navigating
Preformatted Disks
If you buy preformatted disks, be sure that Verify is set to always. The quality of preformatted disks varies greatly. Some vendors sell preformatted disks that are infact rejected disks formatted with special drives that alter the formatting of the disk in order to bypass the defects. If you simply write to the disk without formatting, it may seem okay, but if the disk is formatted again in a normal drive, chances are that it will fail.
Our Products
The list below are our products. If you are interested in any products we have listed here, please give us a call and we will send you more information about it. @
DiskDupe
DiskDupe
DiskDupe
Feature
Comparison
QEMM and SmartDrive 3.1
If QEMM reports an error with its DMA buffer, use the line "QEMM386.SYS DB=3 DMA=15" to load QEMM. The DB=3 parameter allocates 3k for the disk buffer and DMA=15 allocates 15k for the DMA buffer. This sometimes occurs with SCSI hard disks.
Quality vs Speed
This section provides advice on how to make perfect copies and how to speed up DiskDupe. There is always a tradeoff between speed and quality but with DiskDupe you can achieve a good balance. z
The main way to control quality and speed is with the Format and Verify options in the Job Window or under the Job Menu.
Balancing Quality and Speed:
Here at Micro System Designs, we create separate image files for each edition of the DiskDupe software that we sell. Five inch and three inch images are distinguished by a "5" or a "3" at the end of the file name, and the images are identified as such by the extension .DDI. We purchase OEM grade (high clip) blank floppy diskettes and format them as they are copied. The diskettes are copied in an autoloader with double-speed drives using the Allegro I controller. Format is set to Always and and Verify to Always. Next, we run 10% of the disks through a Compare with the image files, using different drives to detect misalignment. Finally, we clean our drives regularly- the step most often overlooked. ^
You can speed up this process and still retain a good measure of security. However, the fastest reasonable approach should at least have Verify set to Only after Format with disks that you format yourself. When using preformatted disks, which is the single most dramatic way to speed up your duplication, you should still have verify set to Always.
See also:
Quality
Considerations
RamboDisk
(Pro/AutoPro)
RamboDisk, a special RAM disk created to work with specific disk formats, lets you make disks containing files that are frequently updated. You copy files to this disk from the DOS prompt almost instantly and then use DiskDupe to duplicate, track-by-track, from the RamboDisk to a floppy at the speed of the hard disk. The RamboDisk, automated using DOS batch files, becomes a powerful way to make customized disks at high speed. C
First, install the RAMBODSK in the CONFIG.SYS by adding the line: !
DEVICE=C:\DISKDUPE\RAMBODSK.EXE 7
Then from DOS set the disk type with: RAMBODSK /F=720
where: /F=360 - 360k
/F=720 - 720k
/F=1.2 - 1.2Mb
/F=1.4 - 1.4Mb
/F=2.8 - 2.8Mb
/F=NONE - to release all memory
(This can also be done in the CONFIG.SYS.)
Whenever the disk type is specifed, the RamboDisk will be formatted and all information erased. To reformat an existing RamboDisk use: RAMBODSK FORMAT t
If more than one RamboDisk is being used, use the drive letter to indicate which one like this: RAMBODSK E: /F=1.4
See also:
Creating
Image
Files
Setup
Making Duplicates
(Pro/AutoPro)
When the computer boots up, the RamboDisk driver displays the logical drive letter that it has been assigned in your system. Start DiskDupe and choose Rambo under Source. Type in the drive letter displayed when the RamboDisk was loaded. DiskDupe will not test to see if there is a RamboDisk and that it is of the correct type until you start to duplicate disks.
Each RamboDisk works with one type of disk only. For example, you need separate RamboDisks for copying files to 360k disks and to 720k disks, no matter how much space the files will take up.
README notes
The README.TXT file, found on your program disk and in the \DISKDUPE sub-directory on your hard disk, contains the latest information about DiskDupe, some of which may not be included in the help file. It contains workarounds for know incompatibilities with hardware or software and lists bug fixes and changes from previous versions on the program. 2
To view the file page-by-page on the screen use. !
TYPE README.TXT
MORE <Enter>.
To print out a copy for future reference, use:
TYPE README.TXT > PRN <Enter>.
Read-Only Images
To prevent accidental erasures, DiskDupe allows you to mark image files as read-only. This is done by typing ATTRIB +R DISK1.DDI at the DOS prompt. ATTRIB -R DISK1.DDI will remove the read-only designation.
Registration
Before you install DiskDupe, please take a moment to fill out your registration card and send or fax it to us. This will entitle you to technical support for your current version of DiskDupe and discounts on future upgrades and other products. If you have misplaced the registration card enclosed in your DiskDupe package, it is reproduced on page 4 of the manual.
Reject Rates
In most batches of disks, depending on the quality, you can expect about 1% to 2% to be bad on the first pass. If you want to use only the highest quality disks, you can throw these away. You can put the disks through again and usually about half of them will pass the second time. These disks will be tend to be of lower quality than the disks that passed the first time. Once a disk is rejected twice, it is best to throw it away. m
If you are experiencing a high reject rate then make sure that the drives are clean and in good allignment.
Relay
Relay is an extremely efficient method of backing up program disks or making copies of a shareware library. =
To use it, first make sure all your master disks have write-protect tabs on them. Relay senses the write-protect tabs and automatically reads and copies the master disks to all the non write-protected disks after each master disk. This allows you to make copies of different master disks without using the keyboard. @
1) Set the Destination to a drive, and select Relay as your Source. Put in the first master disk and let DiskDupe read it. Then put in as many non write-protected disks as you want to copy. When you want to start copying from a new master, make sure that it is write-protected and DiskDupe will sense it automatically. 4
2) When you are finished duplicating, press <Esc>.
Relay and Cascade
You can also combine Cascade with Relay. In such a setup, the first write-protected master disk is read from the first drive in the cycle and will be copied to every non write-protected disk inserted in the following drives. It will continue, through the cycle, to make copies of the first disk until the second write-protected master disk is read, and so on.
See also:
Relay
Replaceable Parameters
When you write batch files to automate DiskDupe, it's often useful to change certain options while retaining the format of the batch file. By using replaceable parameters you can type the name of the batch file followed by a value for a particular feature, such as a drive letter or the number of copies. In DOS, a replaceable parameter is indicated by a percent sign followed by a number, such as %1. A second replaceable parameter would be %2, and so on. The actual values for these are given in order on the command-line, following the name of the batch file.
The following batch file makes an image file from a disk in the drive letter you type to replace %1 and, in the same drive, makes however many copies are specified by the value that replaces %2. O
DISKDUPE %1 IMAGE1.DDI /DUP /NOWAIT
DISKDUPE IMAGE1.DDI %1 C%2 /DUP /NOWAIT
If the batch file were called DDCOPY.BAT you could make 50 copies in the B: drive with the command DDCOPY B: 50. %1 in the batch file will be replaced with "B:" and %2 with "50."
Replacement String
(Pro/AutoPro)
The replacement string is what you want DiskDupe to actually put on the disk. Use the symbol "@" wherever you want a serial number to be.
For example, if the Beginning Number is 10001, the Replacement string is "@@@@@", and the Increment By is "1", DiskDupe will put "10001" on the first disk, "10002" on the second, "10003" on the third, etc.
If there are more @'s than there are numbers, DiskDupe will put 0's in front of the number. For instance, if the Beginning Number is 201 and the Replacement String is "@@@@@", DiskDupe will put "00201" on the disk.
You can break up the number with other characters if you like. For instance, if your Beginning Number is 123456 and your Replacement String is "@@@-@@@", DiskDupe will put "123-456" on the disk. U
You can also put in other information in the Replacement String like the release date or version. Let's say that you want to put the release date on every disk. Your Search String could be "00/00/00" and your Replacement String would be the date like "10/15/93". In this case, no serial number is wanted so you wouldn't use the "@" symbol.
You can also combine the two and have a Search String of "00/00/00 00000" and a Replacement String of "10/15/93 @@@@@". With a Beginning Number of 10001, DiskDupe will put "10/15/93 10001" on the disk.
Results File
The DISKDUPE.RES file is produced every time that DiskDupe exits. It contains information about the last operation performed by DiskDupe.
SDS Drives
SDS stands for "Simultaneous Double Sided". SDS floppy drives can read from and write to both sides of the diskette at the same time to speed up the duplication process.
SDS drives require either two single controller cards (like two CompatiCard IV's) or else a dual controller card (like the Allegro I SDS controller).
See also:
Controller
Types
Drives
Search String
(Pro/AutoPro)
The Search String is the string of characters you enter into your program to hold a place for the real serial number. This might be a string of 0's like "00000" or a special word like "SERIAL."
DiskDupe can find up to 10 locations of this Search String on the disk and will serialize them all. For instance, you can put the word "SERIAL" in your program and also in the volume label on the disk. Then DiskDupe will replace both of these with the actual serial string.
You should pick a Search String that is not too common, otherwise DiskDupe might find some "phantom" serial locations and embed the serial string where you don't want it.
You can check for phantom serial locations by looking at the "# of serials" line displayed in the statistics box while the master disk is read. If this reports more serial locations than you intended, use the Start Search Track and End Search Track options to locate the correct ones.
Note: When using a disk's volume label as the search string, a duplicate volume label may be present. For example, disks formatted with DOS 6.0 have two volume labels kept in the disk's boot record. We recommend using master disks formated with DOS 3.3, since this problem will not occur and it is compatible with all versions of DOS. DiskDupe's format option, found in Job
Source, uses DOS 3.3.
See also:
Serialization
Serialization
(Pro/AutoPro)
Serialization is used by software developers and others who track the disks they distribute. A serial number serves as an identification tag for a disk and can be used to track the software, keep customer records, and discourage software pirating. *
A serial number can be inserted into a number of places, including labels, executable files and data files. It can be as high as 2,000,000,000, up to 40 characters long, text or binary, can be incremented by any number, and can be combine with other information, such as a date or version number. m
The serial number can also be protected from snooping or debugging by encrypting it or adding check digits.
With ASCII serialization, up to 11 characters in the Stamp Mask can be incrementable numbers. With binary serialization, up to four bytes can be incremented. h
All of the serialization information for a particular master disk is stored in the serialization file.
The first step in serialization is embedding a string of ASCII characters, such as "00000," in a program on the disk. When DiskDupe copies the disk, it replaces those characters with a unique serial number that serves as an identification tag for the disk. D
To serialize disks starting with the number "00001" you would search for "00000" and replace it with the Stamp Mask "@@@@@," a special code that tells DiskDupe to look for every occurrence of the Search String "00000" and embed in its place "00001" on the first disk, "00002" on the second disk, "00003" on the third, etc. )
To add, for instance, a date to the serial number, put the string "00/00/00 00000" in the program code and have DiskDupe search for it. Then tell DiskDupe to replace it with "08/01/94 @@@@@". When the disk is serialized, DiskDupe will replace the @'s with the actual serial number for that disk.
To look at the serial number on a disk, run Compare with Track Range set to Data and DiskDupe will display the disk's serial number on the screen when the destination diskette is read.
See also:
Binary
Serial
Comparing
Serial
Numbers
Track
Range
Track
Range
Serial
numbers
Serialization
Choices
Replacing
Serial
Number
Set Order
(Pro/AutoPro)
DiskDupe defaults to copy sets of disks in set order. For example, take a set file and assume that 10 copies are needed. The "set order" option would make ten sets, copying the disks in the order they are listed in the Set file: 1,2,3,4., 1,2,3,4., etc. When duplicating in set order, Copies refers to the number of complete sets of disks that are to be made.
To copy a set in disk order, you must include quantities in the Set file after the image file names to indicate the number of copies. For example, you would type the following to make the specified number of copies: 5
DISK1.DDI,2
DISK2.DDI,3
DISK3.DDI,1
DISK4.DDI,5
Usually in this case, you would set Copies to 1. If you set it to 2, for example, it will repeat the set twice.
Sets
(Pro/AutoPro)
A DiskDupe set file allows you to create and duplicate a group of image files. A set does not contain the actual image files, it's just a list of image file names specified in the order in which you want the copies to be made. e
You might use a set if you produce software that is distributed on several disks. Another use might be to create image files of your master disks and later copy those images to floppy disks. You could of course use the File setting to create or copy from the image files one-by-one, but using a set simplifies the process of working with multiple images.
When a set is specified as the source, it is to make copies from a set of image files. When a set is the destination, it is to create a set of image files from master disks to the hard drive.
See also: ;
Creating/Editing
Collating
Serializing
Serializing a set of disk
(Pro/AutoPro)
When serializing a set of disks with Set Order On, DiskDupe now increments the serial number only after the last disk in the set. This allows you to put the same serial number on every disk in the set.
Setup
DiskDupe talks directly to your floppy controller through its own special drivers. This allows it to work at your computer's top speed and support drives and configurations that DOS cannot. In most cases, you will be able to use DiskDupe right away without changing anything on the Setup Menu. If you do change something, your changes will be automatically saved in the configuration file DISKDUPE.DAT.
See also:
Autoloader
Drive
Controller
Setup for 2.8Mb Sony 40W-15
To setup the Sony 40W-15 to copy 720, 1.4 or 2.8 Mb disk, move the left jumper to the leftmost position as in the picture below. 0
40W-12 and 40W-11 can only copy 2.8Mb disks.
IE210
^ ^
Drive select 1
Internal density select
The CompatiCard IV comes with drivers that have to be included in the CONFIG.SYS in order to access the drive from DOS. For a 2.88M drive the additional lines in the CONFIG.SYS file might read: E
device=c:\cciv\cc4bios.sys /b
device=c:\cciv\cc4drv.sys /b1,8,3,y
This is clarified in the CompatiCard IV Manual. DiskDupe has its own drivers which are independent of the DOS drivers.
Shareware Distributors
Shareware distributors in particular can use Relay, which copies variable quatities of disks, to duplicate their software libraries. Suppose you want to keep ten copies of each master disk on hand at any given time. Simply go through your master disks and the number of disks you need behind each. Either insert the disks one at a time or place the stack of disks in your autoloader. DiskDupe will differentiate between the write-protect tabs on the master and the non-write protected blank disks. Without pressing a key, you can use Relay to make as many copies as you need to maintain your inventory.
You can even use Relay with a cycle of two or more drives, called a Cascade. After DiskDupe reads the first master, it cycles through all the drives, making copies until it detects another write-protected master.
DMA Error w/ SmartDrv and QEMM
If DiskDupe sometimes reports a DMA error when it is buffering to the hard disk with SmartDrv (the one that came with Windows 3.1) and QEMM 6.01, put DB=3 and DMA=15 on the QEMM386.SYS line to reserve 3k for disk buffering and 15k for DMA buffering. @
This will usually happen only on computers with SCSI drives.
Software Compatibility
This section provides remedies to difficulties that some computers experience when running DiskDupe. If you have a problem running DiskDupe that matches one or more of the descriptions below, you may want to try the suggestion given to see if it improves performance or eliminates the problem. Try these only if you experience problems.
See also: ,
Windows
QEMM
SmartDrive
OS/2
Software Developers
Software developers can use DiskDupe's Serialization and Label printing features to protect their disks from unauthorized copying. While it copies and serializes the disks, DiskDupe can print out labels for them, including the serial number, volume label, and the first line of a file on the disk, for example.
Sets can automate your duplication. Suppose you sell a program that comes on four disks. You can create image files for each disk and list those image files in a DiskDupe Set file. Then, you can tell DiskDupe to make copies of the Set.
Sound
Whether you're duplicating disks from your computer or a network of autoloaders, DiskDupe gives you the option of customizing each warning sound. This is especially helpful when you are duplicating on a network of autoloaders, since you can vary the sounds for each one and distinguish which autoloader is giving you the warning. ^
To customize the Sounds, select Setup
Sound and edit the Sound
Settings from the Sound
List.
Source
The source is the location of the master diskette to be copied or compared to the destination chosen for the job to be performed. The source could be a drive that contains a master diskette, an image file, a set of image files, or a Rambodisk.
Special Formats
Four new disk types have been added to the Disk list: 400K, 800K, 1.36Mb, and 1.68Mb. This allows for the formatting and reading of disks with these unique formats. [
The new types are meant to be used in conjuction with disks that normally are formatted to 360K, 720K, 1.2Mb and 1.44Mb respectively. The extra capacity is derived by increasing the disk's sectors per track and decreasing the gap width between sectors. Formatting disks with these new types is not recommended if the disk will be written over on drives other than the one it was formatted on, since drive speeds vary from drive to drive which , which can cause the data on the disk to be written incorrectly. If the formatted disk will only be read by other drives, then this will not be a problem.
Serial String and Track Range
(Pro/AutoPro)
DiskDupe's Track Range feature allows disks to be serialized in a second pass. Since bad disks are detected early, breaks in the sequence of serial numbers are minimized. Use the following steps to duplicate with Track Range. M
1) Duplicate the disks with Serial set to Off and Range set to All or Data. 7
2) Apply labels indicating each disk's serial number.
3) Set Range to Serial and Serial to Select One or Follow Image. Select the file with your serial parameters or create a new one.
4) Make sure that Duplicate is selected and press Go when you are ready to serialize your disks. DiskDupe will only copy the tracks containing the serial numbers.
DiskDupe automatically determines where the serial locations are. The Start Search Track and End Search Track settings don't have any effect when writing or comparing a disk. i
With serial turned Off, Track Range's Serial setting has no effect; it works just like Track Range All.
See Also: +
Comparing
Serial
Numbers
Track
Range
Stand-alone Compare
The Compare operation under the Job Window works nearly the same as Duplicate, whether you're comparing from a disk, an image file, or using Relay. When doing a Relay Compare, be sure to write-protect your master disks.
When comparing a master disk to a copy, be sure to put the master disk in first. Otherwise DiskDupe might report an error in the Unused portion of the copied disk.
One minor difference between Compare and Duplicate is that if you specify 10 copies, DiskDupe will compare just 10 disks whether they are good or bad. With Compare, for example, if the last disk is bad DiskDupe will not ask for another disk. Duplicate, on the other hand, will make 10 good disks. Thus, if DiskDupe found three bad disks while duplicating, you would have ended up putting in thirteen copies to get the 10 good disks.
Start Search Track; End Search Track
(Pro/AutoPro)
Sometimes the Search String appears on the disk in several places even when you only intended to have one real serial number. In this case you can use the Search Tracks to limit where DiskDupe looks for the search string. Unfortunately, there is no easy way to tell which is the right serial number. The best thing to do is to limit the track range(see below) to find just one and then serialize a disk and try it out to see if it is the right one.
The only function of the Start Search Track and End Search Track settings is to limit the scope of the serial string. The purpose here is to save time and limit the possibility of unwanted serial numbers.
StopCopy Copy Protection
(AutoPro)
StopCopy copy protection from BBI Computer Systems, Inc., can be interfaced with DiskDupe AutoPro to protect floppy diskettes as they are duplicated.
Protection counts are supplied in a count floppy that is usually accessed in the A: drive of the computer. A hard drive installable version is also available. ?
StopCopy supports the primary floppy controller address (3F0) with regular speed drives and the CompatiCard
IV is supported with regular and double speed floppy drives at various addresses. The CompatiCard IV DOS drivers need to be installed if the CompatiCard is used: consult the BBI manual for more information.
"Enhanced" style interrupts are used. The older SCPDUP driver supplied by BBI uses the "Multi-Dupe style" user interrupts (found under Setup
Options). The newer driver also gives you the option to use "Enhanced" user interupts. Note: SCPDUP has to be loaded before DiskDupe is run.
SCPDUP can be used to add copy protection to diskettes during or after duplication. To add protection as a second pass choose the "Track Range None" option from the Job menu under "Format/Verify". To copy and protect the disks in the same pass set Track Range to "All" or "Data". r
BBI Computer Systems, Inc. 14105 Heritage Lane Silver Spring, MD 20906 Voice: (301)871-1094 Fax: (301)460-7545
Switches
Each switch can be thought of as part of a control panel that governs some aspect of DiskDupe's operation. Some have just two positions: On/Off. Others can have several. If a switch works with the On/Off command, you can turn it on with TRUE or YES as well, and turn if off with a FALSE or NO.
You can designate a switch from either the menus or the command-line, and if a switch isn't specified when you start DiskDupe, it will remain in the same position as the last time you exited.
(press F5 to zoom the screen)
Go Switches
Topic
Switch
Explanation
Duplicate /DUP Duplicate (also for format if source is FORMAT).
Compare /COM Stand-Alone Compare.
Test /TES Drive Test (diagnostics).
Label /LAB Print test for labels.
Network /SERVER Starts the DiskDupe Network
Server option.
No pause /NOWAIT No pause at menus before or after copy.
Overwrite /OVERWRITE Same as NOWAIT, but will overwrite the disk
currently in the drive.
Theses switches get DiskDupe to start immediately and exit itself automatically upon completion. If you don't specify one of these switches then DiskDupe will change the settings you specify and pause at the menus for you to make a selection. A
To format diskettes /DUP is used with the Source set to FORMAT. e
The /NOWAIT switch is used to keep DiskDupe from stopping at the menus when errors are encountered. w
Unlike the other switches, these active switches are not saved and must be specified each time DiskDupe is called up.
Basic Switches
Topic
Switch
Explanation
Copies /C Specifies number of copies(/C0 for continuous)
Example: DISKDUPE /C50
Job name /JOB=filename Pulls up settings previously saved in a job
in DiskDupe. If job name has spaces in it then
surround with quotes.
Example: DISKDUPE /JOB="Make product disks"
Data file /DAT=filename Use alternate .DAT file for different duplicating
jobs. Must follow "DISKDUPE" command.
Example: DISKDUPE /DAT=datafil1.dat
This setting is not saved.
Format /F Use /FA for Always, /FO for Only if Necessary,
Options or /FN for Never.
Verify /V Use /VA for Always, /VO for Only if Necessary,
Options or /VN for Never.
Drive Setup /CMOS=YES "YES" uses CMOS bootup configuration for A:
/CMOS=NO and B: drives; "NO" does not.
Memory /EMS Specify an amount of memory, "0" not to use, or
/XMS "-1" for no limit. Example: /XMS=1024
Autoloader Switches
(AutoPro)
Topic
Switch
Explanation
Keep Disk /KEEPFIRST Keeps the first or last disk in the autoloader
/KEEPLAST drive. This option is not saved.
Serial
Pause /SERCOMPPAUSE Pauses between serial numbers while comparing
=ON disks that have serial numbers. Useful when
doing serial quality assurance, so the operator
can verify the serial number with the disk
label.
Note: The /KEEP switches will be disregarded when used in conjunction with the Cleaning or Drive Test functions. DiskDupe will always insert a new disk.
Disk Type Switches
Switch
Explanation
/TAU Disk set to Auto
/T320 320k Disks
/T360 360k Disks
/T400 400k Disks
/T720 720k Disks
/T800 800k Disks
/T12 1.2Mb Disks
/T136 1.36Mb Disks
/T14 1.44Mb Disks
/T168 1.68Mb Disks
/T28 2.8Mb Disks
Advanced Switches
Topic
Switch
Explanation
Track Range /TRALL Track Range: All
/TRDATA Track Range: Data
/TRSER Track Range: Serial
/TRNONE Track Range: None
Serial /SZON Serial: On
/SZOFF Serial: Off
/SZF=file.SER Select serial file with parameters for serialization.
/SZN Serialization Number
User /USER="name" Specifying the user's name. This setting is not
saved.
Labels /LBON Turn on or off label printing while copying.
/LBOFF
/LBF=filename Specify the label file to use
/LBP=lpt1 Specify the port of file to print to
Images /DES="description" Specifies image description from
the command line.
Count all /COUNTALL Causes DiskDupe to count all disks during
or duplication so that pre-labeled diskettes do not
/COUNTBAD get out of order when bad disks are encountered.
LLP /LLPKEEP Prevents clearing of the CopyMaker autoloader when
starting a new operation.
Retries /RETRIES= The number of retries you will allow DiskDupe to
perform when DiskDupe is writting and reading
disks.
Example: DISKDUPE /DUP /RETRIES=2,5,5,10
Retries specifies the number of retries that DiskDupe will attempt when coping or reading disks. Four numbers are entered, separated by commas, with no spaces. They represent in order: 8
1) Retries per track for duplication and verification. 8
2) Retried tracks during duplication and verification. 2
3) Retries per track when reading a master disk. 8
4) Retried tracks per disk when reading a master disk.
See also: A
Command-Line
Examples
Detecting
Errors
Replaceable
Parameters
Requirements
IBM PC or compatible computer
DOS 3.1 or later
450k free RAM "
Hard Disk, RAM Disk or Network
(AutoPro Only) Trace, Champion Duplicators (Ventuno), MissionSix, Rimage, ADC, Ashby, MediaForm, Costas or compatible autoloader or floppy drive
The duplication
speeds for diskettes copied with DiskDupe do not depend on the processor speed of the computer if the processor in the PC is a 286 or above. Copying times on XT (8086) computers will probably be slower.
Technical Support
DiskDupe is backed by a technical support system designed to offer you fast, courteous service. To use it, please register your program immediately. If you can't find the registration card sent with the program disk, you can submit a copy of the registration card found on page 4 of the owner's manual. Then, if you need assistance beyond what the manual can provide, you are entitled to unlimited technical support for your current version of DiskDupe. The only cost to you will be the charges for calling us.
If an error message is occurring then be sure to press F1 when the error message occurs for the help screen on that error. If this does not help to solve the problem then call us for technical support.
What to Do Before Calling: \
In order for us to provide the best possible help, before calling please do the following.
Check the Help file in DiskDupe and follow the instructions it specifies for that error. We continuously update the Help file and chances are good that the solution to your problem is in there.
Have the serial number of your DiskDupe program ready. This can be found on the box, the disk label, and the DiskDupe Help
About dialog box which can be accessed from the main screen by pressing <F9>. L
Write down exactly what the problem is and what error messages appeared. >
Write down the types of drives and computer you are using. .
Be at your computer with DiskDupe running. P
Call the Technical Support number in the Help
About dialog box (press <F9>).
Temp File
DiskDupe uses your hard disk as virtual memory once it runs out of RAM. Normally, the current subdirectory will be used for this temporary file. If you are running on a network and want to use a local drive for temporary storage, add a temp setting to your AUTOEXEC.BAT. If you do not have the TEMP variable in your AUTOEXEC.BAT then add the following line:
SET TEMP=C:\TEMP
and make a directory called C:\TEMP by typing:
CD \
MD TEMP
at the DOS prompt. This allows DiskDupe to create a temporary file. The temp file will be delected when DiskDupe is done.
Track Range
Track Range controls which parts of a disk are formatted and verified.
If Track Range is set to Data then DiskDupe formats, verifies, or compares only the part of the destination disk that corresponds to a data track on the source. This can save a lot of time if the disks are not very full.
The Serial setting is useful for applying serialization to diskettes in a second pass so that DiskDupe will only write to the track(s) that have serial numbers. j
With Track Range All, DiskDupe formats and verifies the entire disk, whether or not it is writting data.
If you are copying to blank diskettes with the Track Range set to Data, then the diskette produced will be perfectly readable for the files that it originally contains. However anyone who tries to copy additional files to this disk or make a copy with DOS DiskCopy will get an error because the empty space on the disk has not been formatted. This can serve as a type of copy protection. In addition, since most disk defects occur in the last tracks, you get more "good" disks.
Serializing with Track Range: #
With Serialization set On and Track Range to Serial, DiskDupe duplicates or compares only the track or range of tracks containing the serial string. This lets you copy the disks first and serialize them as a secong step. With Serialization Off, this setting functions like Track Range All.
Track Range set to None can be selected if you are using StopCopy to apply copy protection in a second-pass. This will prevent the data already present on the copies not be over-written.
See Also:
Serialization
Track Range Data
When an image file is made with DiskDupe the entire disk is read in and the image file contains only the information from the tracks that have data on the master (the "Track Range Data" setting has no effect when disks are read).
It is important that the master be "clean" (formatted with format set to "Always" under "Options" in DiskDupe or formatted from DOS using the /u switch) before files are copied to it so that there is no old data on the final tracks of the disk. ^
When any image is used for copying and the "Track Range" is set to "Data" only the tracks that have data on the master are copied and verified on the destination disk. If DiskDupe has trouble reading any of the tracks that it is copying to then it will try to reformat the disk from the bad track through the last data track of the disk, so a poorly formatted disk is still usable. By choosing "Track Range Data" DiskDupe is forced to look at only the data tracks of the destination disk (to speed up the copying process) so any errors in the part of the disk beyond this data will not be caught. The disk will perfectly readable from DOS because all of the data tracks have been copied and verifed by our software (provided that "Verify" is set to "Always" in the "Options" menu), but it may not be readable from our software if the final tracks are bad.
To take an extreme case you can copy from an image file to an unformatted diskette with the "Track Range" set to "Data" and the disk produced will be perfectly readable from DOS and invariably unreadable as a master with DiskDupe (which will report an "Error 204, Record Not Found" as soon as it reads the last data track). This disk can, nevertheless, be compared to the image file it was created from in DiskDupe if the "Track Range" is set to "Data".
TSR's that Causes Problems
Keyboost by PolyTron. Older version. &
AST RamDisk, SuperSpool utilities. Y
Hyperdisk ver 4.31. Causes computer to lockup with "Stack overflow" message from Dos.
Try booting without and TSR's loaded and see if DiskDupe runs better. Please let us know of any other TSR's that you find to be incompatible with DiskDupe.
Unreadable Disks
Master disks or images using DiskDupe using drive that the copies were made in and on other drives as well. Typical error messages that will come up are Error 202 (Bad Address Mark), Error 204 (Record not Found), and Error 207 (Bad CRC). (If DiskDupe were to report an error 301 (Bad Compare) reading one of these copies then this would indicate a hardware problem (most likely a DMA conflict) and also that the diskettes were copied with the compare option turned off in DiskDupe.) a
IF THE BAD DISKS ARE READABLE IN THE DRIVE THAT PRODUCED THEM BUT NOT READABLE IN OTHER DRIVES:
Poor drive alignment. This is probably the most common cause. If the diskettes are consistently unreadable in most drives except the drive that they were written on, then the alignment of the drive used to make the copy is questionable. Usually such a diskette will be unreadable starting with the first track (i.e. cannot read the directory) on other machines. Check the alignment using a good quality drive alignment diagnostics kit such as "Drive Probe" by Accurite Technologies, Inc. D
Poorly positioned track zero sensor. If the track zero sensor is positioned incorrectly then the drive might be able to produce diskettes that have the tracks in the wrong place on the diskette. Usually such a diskette will be unreadable starting with the first track (i.e. cannot read the directory) on other machines.
Copy drive is passing marginal diskettes. This problem is most common with double speed drives, especially Y-E Data 2X drives. Diskettes that spin at double speed produce a stronger read signal than at regular speed so it is often possible to read a marginal diskette at 2X but not at 1X. Diskettes with these defects will often be readable on the first tracks because their errors (usually due to drop-outs in the media) occur randomly on the diskette. This problem is most obvious when poor quality media is used. Try reducing the number of retries that DiskDupe allows when comparing the disk to zero by using the /retries# command line switch(i.e. call up DiskDupe by typing:
DISKDUPE /RETRIES0
from the DOS prompt. This setting gets saved in the DISKDUPE.DAT file so it does not need to be set every time. The default number of retries is two. This command line switch is only supported in version 4.09 and above.
Disk type is set incorrectly in DiskDupe. This problem can be avioded by leaving the disk type set to "Auto" in DiskDupe. For example if you are making copies of 1.44Mb disks with the disk type set to 1.2Mb then DiskDupe will read the master disks as it were a 1.2Mb diskette (ignoring the last three sectors of each track). The disks produced will be completely unreadable (fail on the first track with a "Record not found" error). F
IF THE DISKETTES ARE NOT EVEN READABLE ON THE DRIVE THAT WROTE THEM:
Poor media quality: R
If the diskette quality is poor then the diskette will not hold its signal well over time. Use only certified diskettes with a clipping rate of at least 60%. For best results use blank media and format them as you copy to them using DiskDupe with "Format" set to "Always" in the Setup menu. The bad disks will show errors on various
Dirty Drive heads: v
Before checking anything else make sure that the heads on the drive are clean because dirty heads are unpredictable.
Drive cable is loose:
If the drive cable connector is loose and pins 32, 33, and 34 are not connected and the rest are, then DiskDupe will format, write and verify disks with compare on, but the disks will be bad. It will also format the disks even if they are preformatted. V
Pin 32 is the pin that selects which side of the disk gets written to. If it is not connected then all of the data will be written to and read from only one side of the disk. When copying the disk DiskDupe reads back the information that it writes for each track immediately after writting it and thus reports no errors despite the fact that all the data is being written to and read from only one side of the disk. For each track the data for the first side gets written to and read from the first head and then the data for the second side gets written to and read from the first head again.
If these disks are compared in a separate pass after duplication then DiskDupe will report and Error 204(Record not Found) on the first track since all of the side 1 data has been overwritten by the side 2 data. Diagnostics will report the same error. 8
Diskette has not been removed from drive after copy.
DiskDupe gets its speed by bypassing DOS and the BIOS of the computer. In doing so DOS is left in the dark with regards to the changes that occur to the diskette while the DiskDupe software is running. This often leads to strange results when a directory command is tried immediately after exiting from DiskDupe. If the diskette is removed from the drive and a <Cntrl>C is typed before reinserting the diskette then DOS should then recognize that the disk in the drive has been changed and give an accurate response to a DIR command.
Updating Images
If you simply want to update an image file with a newer version of a disk, create an image file, using the old name as the Destination. The old image will be replaced, unless you have marked the image as read-only. If you try to overwrite or delete a read-only image file, you will get an "Access denied" error.
User Interrupts
(Pro/AutoPro)
User interrupts are usually used to apply copy
protection while the disks are being copied. This gives you the advantage of running the disks through only once. When User Interrupts is turned on, DiskDupe copies the disk, then pauses while the copy protection program provides a signature. Once the copy protection program writes the signature to the disk, DiskDupe resumes copying. N
User interrupts can also be used to apply specialized serialization schemes.
On the Job
Options menu, you can either choose MultiDupe user interrupts or the new style Enhanced under the User Interrupt option.
Verify
The Verify option lets you select how carefully you want DiskDupe to check the disks being copied for defects. Normally, Verify is set to Always. This will make sure that all defects are detected. If you are using preformatted disks that you know are good, you can set Verify to Only After Format to speed up duplication, but there is no assurance that the diskettes produced will be readable. \
Verify uses both CRC(Cyclical Redundancy Check) and byte-by-byte compare to detect errors.
You will definitely want to use Verify when you format new disks. If you buy preformatted disks, you should set Verify to Always, since the quality of preformatted disks varies tremendously. m
Even with disks that you preformat yourself you may run Verify to catch any damage that occurred to the disks after you formatted them. For instance, someone may have accidently touched the floppy disk surface. Duplicating times for preformatted disks with Verify check are still fairly quick, and with Verify turned off, defects will most likely not be detected. ]
You shouldn't set Verify to Never unless you plan to Compare every disk in a separate pass.
Format Compare
Viruses
Viruses rank among a computer's deadliest enemies, infecting programs and depositing themselves in your hard disk's boot sector. When virus-ridden programs and disks are run on another computer, that machine is striken as well. Programs capable of spreading viruses are associated with the operation of a program and typically have the extensions EXE, COM, OVL, OVR, SYS, BIN, or PRG. These are opposed to data files, which have no means of spreading a virus.
DiskDupe is a natural deterrent to viruses. Since it works directly with your computer's hardware, DiskDupe will not spread viruses from a infected computer to the copies it makes. However, if a disk that DiskDupe is copying, or the files on it, are already infected, the copies will be as well. Since DiskDupe images are stored as data files they are not susceptible to virus infection, even if your system is later infected by a virus. However, images made from virus-ridden disks will contain the virus.
Commercial software such as Norton Anti-Virus, PC Tools and McAfee Viruscan can check for and remove viruses from your hard and floppy disks.
Limited Warranty
Micro System Designs, Inc. warrants the physical diskettes and physical documentation enclosed herein to be free from defects in materials and worksmanship for a period of 60 days from the date of delivery to you.
Micro System Designs does not warrant that the functions contained in this program will meet your requirements or that the program operation will be uninterrupted or error free. /
Micro System Designs entire liability and your exclusive remedy shall be the replacement of the diskette or documentation not meeting the "Limited Warranty" and which is returned to Micro System Designs freight prepaid within the warranty period with a copy of your receipt or other proof of purchase.
Micro System Designs specifically disclaims all other warranties, expressed or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of fitness for any particular purpose and of merchantability. "
In no event will Micro System Designs be liable to you for any damages, including but not limited to any lost profits, lost savings, commercial damage or other incidental or consequetial damages arising out of the use or inability to use this program, or for any claim by any other party.
What's New in DiskDupe 5.0
Job format with opening menus.
Auto-Setup capability for easy setup.
New Edit Menu for editing text files.
Support for faster Allegro floppy controllers.
Improved Serialization capability.
Custom disk format analysis and duplication support.
Improved drive setup with advanced menu for fine tuning drive performance.
Windows 3.1
If you get an error message indicating a DMA problem, add the line DMABufferSize=018 to the Windows SYSTEM.INI file under the [386Enh] heading in the file.
When running in 386 Enhanced Mode and Windows reports a "Program Violates System Integrity" message when you click on the DiskDupe icon, create a PIF file for DiskDupe with EMS KB Limit set to 0. this occurs when EMM386 is used with the /NOEMS parameter.
Windows Installation
1) From the DOS prompt Follow the instructions for hard
disk installation or network installation. =
2) From the Windows File Program Manager select "File
New". &
3) Select "OK" for new program item.
4) For Description enter "DiskDupe". For Command Line enter "DISKDUPE.PIF". For working directory enter your DiskDupe directory, i.e. "C:\DISKDUPE" or whatever directory that you have installed DiskDupe into.
5) Select "Change ICON". Windows will report that no icon is available. Enter in your path and the DiskDupe.ICO file, i.e. type:
"C:\DISKDUPE\DISKDUPE.ICO"
(If you have installed DiskDupe on a network rather than you C: drive then be sure to include the drive letter and directory in this statement.) Y
6) Select OK twice. This should add the DiskDupe icon to your windows program manager.
Please note: Duplication speeds will be somewhat slower when DiskDupe is run from Windows. Once you have followed the above procedure the DiskDupe.PIF file will allow DiskDupe to run in the background copying disks as you work on other applications.
Windows Extra Serial locations
When using the Windows File Manager to copy files to a floppy disk sometimes parts of files will show up in two locations on the disk. This can be disconcerting if you are using DiskDupe with serialization and DiskDupe is finding more serial locations than you would expect to find on that master disk. To avoid this problem it is best to copy the files to the master disk using DOS copy commands to be sure that all of the data exists only in one location on the disk.
YE Data Jumper Settings
===========================
Y-E Data 6030S, 1.4Mb 2xSDS
===========================
Drive Jumpers
-------------
ET ''
PC ''
IT ''
MD ''
DI '' '' RY
M2 '' == DC
M1 == '' Aux
P2 '' == DS1
P1 '' '' DS0
('' is open, == is jumpered)
=======================
Y-E Data 6031B, 1.4Mb
=======================
Drive Jumpers
-------------
'' RY
IF '' == DC
HD '' '' DS3
M2 '' '' DS2
M1 == == DS1
P1 '' '' DS0
('' is open, == is jumpered)
=========================
Y-E Data 6031A, 1.4Mb 2X
=========================
Drive Jumpers
-------------
'' RY
IF == == DC
HD '' '' DS3
M2 '' '' DS2
M1 == == DS1
P1 '' '' DS0
('' is open, == is jumpered)
=========================
Y-E Data 6031H, 1.4Mb 2X
=========================
Stock 2X drive: MediaForm drive:
------------- ---------------
'' RY '' RY
IF == == DC IF '' == DC
HD '' '' DS3 HD '' '' DS3
M2 '' '' DS2 M2 '' '' DS2
M1 == == DS1 M1 == == DS1
P1 '' '' DS0 P1 == '' DS0
('' is open, == is jumpered)
=====================
Y-E Data 6131B, 1.4Mb
=====================
Drive Jumpers
-------------
'' RY
IF '' == DC
HD '' '' DS3
M2 '' '' DS2
M1 == == DS1
P1 '' '' DS0
('' is open, == is jumpered)
101 Disks are Done.
This is a normal message indicating that all the disks are done.
102 User Esc.
This is a normal message that occurs when the user presses the <Esc> key to stop duplicating disks.
201 Bad NEC CMD.
This usually indicates a hardware problem with your computer.
202 Bad Address Mark.
This normally occurs when reading a master disk that is bad, but can also indicate that the drive or disk type is set incorrectly. If your drive has been used for several months, it might need cleaning.
If are using the Pro or Auto Pro version and the number of Retries is set too low, disks that would normally pass with the default settings of "2, 10, 5, 100" might be rejected. For example if "2" were selected for each setting, and three retries occured the disk would be rejected. NOTE: A number must be selected for each category. If just one number is entered, for example "1", DiskDupe does not assume the other settings are "1" as well. The settings may be initialized with zeros, causing this error as well.
It can also occur if the drive or disk type is set incorrectly. If you are using a double speed drive set up as a regular speed drive (or vice versa) in the Drive
List (under Setup
Drives) then you might see this message.
With two-cable SDS drives this message can occur if the head 0 cable is connected correctly but the head 1 cable is not or if the cables are reversed.
With single cable SDS drives on the Allegro controller this error message sometimes occurs when the "C1 SDS CONFIG" jumper is set incorrectly. If it is set to YE DA then try setting it to ALF or vice-versa.
203 Write Protect.
If the disk that you are trying to write to has a write protect tab on it, you will get this error, unless you are using Relay mode.
It can also occur with an autoloader if the diskette is not being fully inserted in the drive. Remove the cover of the autoloader and visually inspect the insertion of the diskettes using the ALTALK program.
This can also occur when more than one drive are connected to the same cable on a controller. Never connect two drives to the same drive select (postion) on the drive cable. X
With two-cable SDS drives this error can occur if the head 1 cable is on upsidedown.
204 Record not Found.
This usually occurs when reading a master disk that is bad but can also occur if the wrong disk type is selected. See error
202.
If the drive you are using has a Y-E Data interface and the P1 jumper is on the wrong jumper block, this error can also occur.
205 Bad DMA.
Usually this indicates that there is a conflict between the floppy controller and some other device in the computer that is using DMA. #
Common sources of DMA conflicts:
- SCSI hard drive cards (Adaptec 1542)
- LAN cards configured to use DMA
- Soundcards
- Power management feature on laptops
In the specific case of the Adaptec 1542 SCSI controller it is necessary that the floppy controller used with DiskDupe supports FIFO buffering. The Allegro and the CompatiCard
IV are examples. The new Adaptec 1542CF controllers come with an 82077 floppy controller, which also supports FIFO buffering and works fine with DiskDupe. G
Network cards should be jumpered to use polled I/O rather than DMA. u
Soundcard conflicts can often be avoided by moving the soundcard or the floppy controller to another DMA channel. d
If you get this error message using a laptop then try turning the power management features off.
With SDS controllers make sure that the DMA channel for the Head 0 controller (usually 2) is different from the DMA channel of the Head 1 controller.
If you get this message using an Allegro controller try changing the jumpers on the Allegro to use another DMA channel. Avoid using DMA 2.
If you get this error using a CompatiCard
IV then try using another DMA channel on the CompatiCard. Refer to the CompatiCard manual for the corresponding DIP switch settings for SW-1.
The DMA Burst Mode for the controller must be turned on or set to Auto for double speed high density drives. This is set in the Controller
List (highlight the controller and then pick Edit). Make sure that your controllers are configured correctly in the Controller List.
With 2XSDS drives you can try going into the computer's CMOS setup and increasing the bus speed and/or the DMA speed. Some older computers are shipped with the bus and DMA speed set too low for 2XSDS drives.
206 DMA Boundary.
This usually indicates a hardware problem with your computer. It could also be caused by a software program gone astray. Try rebooting the computer and taking out all memory resident programs.
207 Bad CRC.
This usually occurs when reading a master disk that is bad but can also occur if the wrong drive type or disk type is selected.
If you get this message writting to the final tracks of a diskette then it is likely that the heads on the drive are dirty or misalligned or that the disks are of poor quality. This can also happen when the disk type (density) is set incorrectly, epecially with 5.25" diskettes.
Sometimes this error occurs if the ribbon cable for the floppy drive is too long or too close to the computer monitor or if the pull-up resistors on the drive or the controller board are of the wrong value.
Some drives tend to have problems writting to preformatted diskettes because they cannot overwrite the format information. The older Sony drives are known for this problem. Try using blank media and set "Format" to "Always" in the job menu. If your media is preformatted then try degaussing it. (To degauss small quantities of disks you can use an inexpensive Bulk Tape Eraser, which can be purchased at Radio Shack).
208 Bad NEC.
This usually indicates a hardware problem with your computer or floppy controller. Y
If you get this error on a laptop then try turning off the power management features.
209 Bad Seek.
If you are using an Allegro I SDS controller with an SDS drive, this can occur if the Allegro is jumpered for a NORM drive interface instead of YE DATA. See the Allegro manual for installation instructions.
If you get this error at the beginning of a copy then it is likely that loose or misconnected drive cable or power connector is causing the problem, although sometimes you can get this error right away if the stepping rate for the drive does not suit the drive (see below).
If this message occurs at the end of a copy then it is probably either that the stepping rate is set too fast for the drive, there is a problem with the stepping motor for the drive heads, or the track zero sensor for the drive is faulty or mispositioned. Check and make sure that the heads of the drive are not catching on anything (such as the power cable or the diskette jacket).
In DiskDupe 5.0 the step rate can be set for the drive by editing the drive in the Drive List (under Setup
Drives) and choosing the Advanced option from the Drive Setup. Usually the Auto setting works best but you can also set the step delay to a particular time. 6ms is usually (but not always) a good value for 3.5" drives, 12ms for 5.25". Try both increasing and decreasing the stepping rate and then running Drive Test from Setup
Drives.
210 Timeout.
This error can occur for several reasons: The drive that DiskDupe is trying to use does not exist, there is no power to the drive or the disk does not have an index hole. It can sometimes also be cause by an address conflict (see Error
Controller
Responding).
It can also occur with an autoloader if the diskette is not being fully inserted in the drive. Remove the cover of the autoloader and visually inspect the insertion of the diskettes using the ALTALK program.
With SDS drives this error can occur when the head 1 connector is incorrectly connected to the SDS floppy controller. It can also occur if the SDS (head 1) controller does not have its interrupt disconnected or if the index signal from the drive (pin 8 of the floppy connector) is not getting to both controllers. On the Allegro I controller make sure that the INDEX jumper is set to SDS for SDS drives. See error
824. ^
DiskDupe cannot read disks with a sector interleave greater than 4. If a particular diskette causes this problem then recopy its files to another diskette with normal interleave using DOS DISKCOPY and use the new diskette as the master for DiskDupe. This error can also occur when DiskDupe is run on a computer that is not completely compatible.
211 Bad Window Margin
The diskette has failed the window margin test on the floppy controller board and has been rejected. Window margin testing is only supported on certain controllers.
212 SDS Head 1 bad DMA.
The SDS (head 1) controller DMA channel is not working correctly. Make sure that the SDS controller (for Head 1) is on a different DMA channel from the head 0 controller and that the corresponding channel has been entered in the Controller
List in DiskDupe under Setup
Controllers. In the case of the CompatiCard IV and the Allegro controllers just leave the DMA channel set to Auto so that DiskDupe will sense the channel automatically. `
The SDS controller is listed immediately after the Head 0 controller in the Controller List. s
If the DMA channel is configured correctly in the software and you still get this error then try moving the jumpers on the controller card to another DMA channel. If you are using a CompatiCard IV as the SDS controller then make sure that SW 1-5 and SW 1-6 are set correctly for the DMA channel that is being used. With the Allegro I board just set the DMA jumpers.
213 Bad SDS NEC
This usually indicates a problem with the computer or the SDS (Head 1) floppy controller.
214 Bad Address Mark on SDS Head 1
Normally this error message indicates that side 1 of the diskette is unreadable on a particular track.
If this error occurs consitently on the first track of several disks then this is an indication that DiskDupe can read the data from the head 0 controller but cannot read the data from the head 1 controller. Make sure that the drive is jumpered for the correct mode and drive select.
If you are using a two cable SDS drive make sure that both cables are the same: either both cables are straight or both cables have a twist. On the Allegro controller this message occurs if the head 1 cable of a two cable SDS drive is left unconnected. x
If you are using a Tracer 3 autoloader with a Y-E Data 2XSDS drive, the JP-2 jumper needs to be in the 2-3 position.
jumper
settings
215 SDS Head 1 Record Not Found
The data on Head 0 of the SDS drive was readable but the data on head 1 was not. See error
214.
216 Bad CRC on SDS
The data on Head 0 of the SDS drive was readable but the data on head 1 was not. See error
214.
Disk bad after user interrupt
The TSR has informed DiskDupe that some problem was encountered with the diskette so we will take their word for it and reject the diskette.
301 Bad Compare.
This is an error that normally occurs only when comparing disks. It indicates that DiskDupe rejected a disk because there were data discrepancies between it and the master.
With certain computers and controllers this error message can occur when duplicating and this is usually indicative of a DMA problem (especially with Compaqs and machines with SCSI controllers, soundcards, or network cards that are jumpered to use DMA). See error
205, Bad DMA.
Sometimes this error can be caused by a floppy cable being placed too close to a noise source (such as a monitor). In this case you will also see error
207 (bad CRC) on some disks. Try using a shorter cable.
302 Bad CRC only verify
When the user asks DiskDupe to perform a CRC only verify of some diskettes the DiskDupe asks for the CRC value to check for. If the disk CRC does not match this value this error message is reported. 2
This feature is not yet supported in DiskDupe.
401 Unknown com Error.
DiskDupe is having trouble using the com port. If possible try another com port or check the serial card. Also try a "clean boot" (i.e. boot the computer from a floppy disk and then try running DiskDupe).
402 Autoloader is not Responding.
Usually because the wrong com port or autoloader type is chosen. Try another com port in the Autoloader
List under Setup. Use the test button on the autoloader list to see if the autoloader will respond. n
Can also be caused by the autoloader power switch being off, by a bad serial cable, or by com port drivers (i.e. mouse drivers) eating up the response from the autoloader (the autoloader calibrates but then DiskDupe reports the error 402). Try booting from a floppy diskette and then running DiskDupe. If the problem goes away then some com driver is to blame.
If you get this error when trying to access a drive that is not in an autoloader then setup the drive to use no autoloader (under Setup
Drives). J
If using DesqView, make sure in the DV setup, "Uses Com ports" is Yes.
If you are using Com1, make sure that the com port is jumpered as Com1. If it is jumpered as Com2 or 3, DOS will still find it and be able to send commands to it, but DiskDupe won't.
If DM is silent and you get Error 402 "Autoloader not Responding" then try USE CTS NO, found in the Autoloader List (pick Edit for the autoloader of interest). A
Try running the ALTALK.EXE program to control the autoloader. W
In ALTALK pick t for talk:
Try the following sequence:
<C>X<S>07<I>X<S>0B<A>X<S>07
Send:
<C> for calibrate
<I> for insert
<A> for accept disk
<R> for reject disk
Receive: One byte:
X for okay
E for error
? for unrecognized by autoloader
Send:
<S> for status
Receive: Two bytes:
07 for no disk in drive
0A or 0B for disk in drive
First Byte:
If it is not zero then an error has occured. 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, B, D, or F indicate a disk jam ,
2 indicates that the input hopper is empty 0
4 indicates that a command is out of sequence.
Second Byte:
0 through 7 indicate that there is no disk in the drive. A
8, 9, A, B, C, D, E, or F indicate that a disk is in the drive. C
0, 1, 4, 5, 8, 9, C, or D indicate that the hopper is not seated.
If there has been an error then you have to send a C for recalibrate to clear the error before the autoloader will accept further commands.
If the autoloader does not respond to ALTALK then take the autoloader to another computer and connect it with another serial cable and try running ALTALK again.
403 Bad Autoloader Command.
Turn the loader power off, wait five seconds, turn it back on and try again.
If DiskDupe copies the first disk but then reports an Error 403 Bad Autoloader Command then go into the Autoloader
List, highlight the autoloader on interest, choose Edit and turn off the "Use Full Status" option. This is a common problem with older Mountain loaders.
404 Com Port not Responding.
If you are using Desqview make sure that "Uses COM ports" is set to "yes". Otherwise make sure that the com port that you have chosen in the Autoloader
List works.
406 Printer Com Port not Responding.
Can occur if you have the printer type set to a serial type printer, like the JP350, and it is hooked up to a parallel port instead.
407 Input Lost
DiskDupe was unable to recover the serial communication bytes from the autoloader fast enough. Turn of the autoloader, wait five seconds, turn it on again and then try running DiskDupe again.
408 Parity Error
The com port has reported a parity error. Try using another com port or a new serial card.
409 Com Framing Error
Turn the loader power off, wait five seconds, turn it back on and try again.
501 Unknown Autoloader Error.
An unknown error has occured with the autoloader. Turn the loader power off, wait five seconds, turn it back on and try again. Also check the loader cabling.
502 Hopper is Empty.
The autoloader input hopper is empty.
503 Disk Jam.
A disk has become jammed in the autoloader. Remove it before continuing. K
If DiskDupe reports this error even though there is no disk stuck in the autoloader then it is possible that one of the disk present photo sensors is not functioning correctly. First try turning the autoloader off and on again. If that does not work then run ALTALK.EXE and chose T for "talk directly to loader" from the ALTALK menu. The screen should then display "type <Cntrl>C to exit". Type a "D" for diagnostics and the autoloader should present a menu of diagnostics choices. Pick "P" for "display photocells" to get a real-time display of the status of the photocells. Check the various photocells by blocking them one at a time with a piece of paper, especially the one mounted in front of the drive and the one mounted by the exit slot. If there is no response from one of the cells then try cleaning it with compressed air.
Also try turning off the "Use Full Status" option for that Autoloader. Go into the Autoloader
List, highlight the autoloader on interest, choose Edit and turn off the "Use Full Status" option.
504 Output Bin is Open.
Some Mountain autoloaders have a removable output bin that has to be in place for the autoloader to function.
505 Labler Empty
This error message applies to the ADC Copymaker Plus (LLP). The printer has been sent a label file but no disk. Press the pause key on the autoloader.
506 Input Hopper Empty
This error message applies to the ADC Copymaker Plus (LLP). The input hopper of the printer is empty. Refill the hopper and then press the pause key on the autoloader.
507 Output Hopper Full
This error message applies to the ADC Copymaker Plus (LLP). The printer output hopper is full. Empty it and then press the pause key on the autoloader.
508 Loader is paused
This error message applies to the ADC Copymaker Plus (LLP). To resume press the pause key on the autoloader.
509 No disk in printer
DiskDupe has ejected a disk but the disk has not arrived at the inline printer. Check to see that a jam has not occurred.
602 File not Found.
You may be trying to use an image, set label, or serial file that does not exist or that is in a different directory from where DiskDupe is looking. DiskDupe assumes that all of these files are in a common directory with the image files.
To create a new file select the File
New menu. To view an existing file select File
Open. In either case the file dialog box will show at the bottom what directory the files are in. k
Can also occur while trying to create an image when Compare is chosen instead of Duplicate from Job
603 Path not Found.
This can occur if you have erased the subdirectory that a file was in file was in.
604 Too Many Open Files.
If you get this error, check your CONFIG.SYS file to see if there is line that says FILES=30(or greater). If not, add this line and reboot your computer before trying DiskDupe again.
605 File Access Denied.
This can happen if you have marked a file as read-only and are trying to create a new disk image file with the same name. Use the DOS command (ATTRIB -R filename) to unmark the file. It can happen on a network if someone else is using the same image file. If two people are trying to make copies of the same disk image file, mark it as shareable. On Novell networks you can do this with the command FLAG DISK1 SRO.
If the DISKDUPE.DAT file is marked as read only then whenever changes are made to the configuration then DiskDupe will report an "error 605 writting configuration file, changes not saved". This is normal.
606 Invalid File Handle
612 Invalid File Access Code.
615 Invalid Drive Number.
616 Cannot Remove Current Directory.
You cannot remove the directory that you are currently in.
617 Cannot Rename Across Drives.
You can only rename files that are on the same physical drive or partition.
700 File Error. Disk read error.
This usually indicates a serious problem with your hard disk, but could also indicate that the image file chosen is not intact. Try making a new image file.
Sometimes users that are unfamiliar with the DiskDupe will get this message if they pick a non-image file as a source with the intention of copying the file directly to the destination diskette. DiskDupe is designed for disk to disk (or image to disk) copy and does not support a direct copy of DOS files. It is possible to copy files to a Rambodisk from DOS and then run DiskDupe to make a copy of the Rambodisk to a floppy.
701 Disk is Full.
Your hard disk is full. Quit DiskDupe and delete some unused files before trying again. To avoid this error make sure there is enough XMS or EMS memory available to buffer a full diskette. 0
DiskDupe cannot be run off of a floppy disk.
702 File not Assigned.
This error can occur if you have erased the Temp File name under Options. Specify C:\DISKDUPE.TMP
703 File not Open.
Error messages 703, 704, and 705 will only occur if a software program has gone astray. Try taking out any memory resident programs and rebooting the computer.
704 File not Open for Input.
See Error#703
705 File not Open for Output.
See Error#703.
706 Invalid Numeric Format.
A disk image file or the DISKDUPE.DAT file has been damaged. If you get this error message when you first start DiskDupe, copy the DISKDUPE.DAT file from the origional program disks into the \DISKDUPE subdirectory on your hard disk. If it occurs when reading from an image file, make a new image file of the disk.
750 Disk is Write Protected.
This can occur if you are running off DiskDupe on a floppy drive when Diskdupe tries to save its data files or if DiskDupe tries to write over a disk with a write protect tab. DiskDupe will not work properly when run off of a floppy disk; a hard disk or Ram disk is required.
751 Unknown Unit.
Make sure that you specified a valid hard disk letter like C:. If you are hooked up to a network, make sure that you are logged in.
752 Drive not Ready.
Make sure that you specified a valid hard disk letter like C:
753 Unknown Command.
There is a problem accessing the hard drive.
754 CRC Data Error.
Indicates a problem reading data from the hard disk.
755 Bad Drive Request.
756 Disk Seek Error.
The hard drive controller has reported a seek error.
757 Unknown Media Type.
The hard drive controller has reported an unknown media type error.
758 Sector not Found.
The hard drive controller has reported a sector not found error.
759 Printer out of Paper.
This error messages occurs when Labels are selected and the printer is not ready to accept jobs.
760 Write Device Fault.
DiskDupe is having trouble accessing the hard disk.
761 Device Read Fault.
DiskDupe is having trouble accessing the hard disk.
762 Hardware Failure.
DiskDupe is having trouble accessing the hard disk.
Can occur if the TEMP file is on a network directory where the user does not have write access. Add the following line to the computer's AUTOEXEC.BAT file: SET TEMP=C:\TEMP.
780 A Virus was found
A virus was found on the hard disk.
801 Configuration File not Found.
DiskDupe cannot locate the file DISKDUPE.DAT. or DISKDUPE.DA5 Make sure this file is in the current subdirectory or in a subdirectory on your path statement.
802 Controller is not responding.
A controller that is not functioning correctly has been selected under Setup. If you have a secondary controller, check its configuration. H
Try running Auto-Set from the Controller
List in DiskDupe before and after installing a new floppy controller. Normally a computer has only one Primary Controller at address 3F0 and additional controllers are put at the 370 and/or 360 addresses. When the new controller is removed (with the computer power off) if Auto-Set detects a controller at these addresses or if the computer locks up when Auto-Set is run then determine which card is causing the conflict and re-jumper it to use another address or move the floppy controller to another address to keep it from conflicting. q
If Auto-Set locks up the computer then enter the floppy controller addresses manually in the Controller List.
Do not install a new floppy controller card that is jumpered to use the Primary address (3F0) unless the Primary controller for the computer (for A: and B:) has been disabled.
If you are trying to run an SDS drive with two controllers then make sure that the second controller (for head 1 of the drive) has its interrupt disconnected and that its address is entered in the controller following the Head 0 controller in the Controller List. \
Can also occur if a controller is not setup to use IRQ 6, which is the normal floppy drive interrupt request signal. Although DiskDupe supports other IRQs, we recommend using IRQ 6 since it has a high service priority. Look at the controllers documentation for information on what interrupt it is using. Most controllers by default use IRQ 6.
803 Drive is not Responding.
This is the expected error when the floppy cable is disconnected. Try another floppy cable. Most likely the drive number is incorrect in the Drive List or there is a cabling problem. Try selecting Auto-Set from the Drive
List to see where DiskDupe finds the drive.
If you are working with an SDS drive with two cables make sure that the head 0 controller is connected to head 0 of the drive and that the SDS controller is connected to head 1.
If you are using an Allegro I controller make sure that the C1 SDS CONFIG. jumper is set for the type of interface you are using: NORM for normal drives and two-cable SDS drives, YE DA for factory Y-E Data SDS single cable drives, and ALF for the single cable ALF interface. (If you have jumpered the card for software select of the C1 connector and you are using a Y-E Data SDS drive then make sure you have run the SDSCON.EXE program to configure the connector).
With single cable Y-E Data 2XSDS drives make sure that the jumpers on the drive are set correctly. There should only be jumpers on M1, DC and DS0.
jumper
settings
804 Not a RamboDisk.
The drive letter set for the Rambodisk is not a valid RamboDisk rambodisk or is not formatted to the correct capacity. Reboot your system and check the drive letter for the RamboDisk, which is displayed when the driver loads. Make sure that the Rambodisk is formatted to some capacity (like 720Kb) and that it is accessable from DOS as a drive letter (like D:). Type RAMBODSK /? from the DOS prompt for help.
805 Not a Valid Image File.
This occurs when you specify a source file that was not created by DiskDupe. It can also indicate that the disk image file is damaged. Try creating a new disk image file.
If an error occurs when creating an image file, even if it is an autoloader error, then the image file will not be finished and will not be valid.
Sometimes users that are unfamiliar with the DiskDupe will get this message if they pick a non-image file as a source with the intention of copying the file directly to the destination diskette. DiskDupe is designed for disk to disk (or image to disk) copy and does not support a direct copy of DOS files. It is possible to copy files to a Rambodisk from DOS and then run DiskDupe to make a copy of the Rambodisk to a floppy. Type RAMBODSK /? from the DOS prompt for help.
806 Unknown Image Version.
This message commonly occurs when two different versions of DiskDupe are used to copy from a common set of image files. Image files are always foward compatible but not always backwards compatible. Otherwise this could be a sign that the image has been corrupted.
807 Can't Determine Disk Type.
The auto-sensing feature under Disk can not tell what type of disk is being used. This usually means that the disk is unreadable but it can also occur if the drive or disk type is configured incorrectly in DiskDupe. '
Try setting the disk type manually.
808 Wrong Disk Type.
Check the type of disk that is set under the Disk menu- usually it is best to leave the disk type set on "Auto".
The only cross-format configurations that DiskDupe supports are the three listed in the Help
Contents under "Disk Conversions". In most cases the disk size of the "Source" should be the same as the "Destination" regardless of the amount of data on the master.
809 Set Destination to a Drive.
You may get this error if, for example, you are formatting a disk and have destination set to an image
file.
810 Controller not a Compaticard IV.
The CompatiCard
IV is an enhanced controller that has a special driver in DiskDupe. Try the Auto-Set option in the Controller
List under Setup.
811 Controller not an Enhanced 82077.
Try setting the controller type to Standard.
812 Not Enough EMS Memory.
This could indicate a problem with the actual memory chips in your computer.
813 Not Enough XMS memory.
This could indicate a problem with the actual memory chips in your computer.
814 Bad set File.
Your set file has been damaged. Try creating a new set file (File
New).
815 User Interrupt TSR not installed.
If you are using a copy protection program like Az-Tech's Everlock or BBI's StopCopy make sure the copy protection TSR is installed before you start DiskDupe, then go into Job
Options to activate it. S
If you are not using a TSR, make sure User Interrupts is off under Job
Options. <
DiskDupe looks for the TSR at interrupt vector 60 (hex).
816 SDS Controller not Responding.
The controller for the head 0 side of the SDS drive is responding but the controller for head 1 is not. Check the address of this controller and make sure it is the address listed for the last controller in the Controller List. If it is not then enter the correct address in this menu or try running "Auto Set". If something is conflicting with the controller then you might need to move it to another address. See error
802. P
Also make sure that the interrupt on the SDS controller is left unconnected.
817 DOS driver not installed for this drive
818 File is bad.
Can occur if an image, DiskDupe.DAT, or serial file has been corrupted. Remake the file, but keep a backup of the corrupted file just in case this is not the problem. Image files have built in Cyclical
Redundancy
Checks which help maintain data integrity, so if the data read in does not correspond to its CRC calculated value this error may occur.
Can also occur when DiskDupe is buffering data to an area of the hard drive that is bad. If this problem is encountered, a possible solution might be to run SCANDISK which comes with DOS 6.0 or running an equivalent program that checks your hard drive for bad spots.
819 Went past the end of the external serial text file
820 Printer is not responding
821 Bottom Stacker is not responding
822 Setup Error, Error in the Command Line
DiskDupe has not recognized one of the command line switches used, which is indicated with a ^ symbol in the error dialog box.
Command
switches
823 First disk needs to be write-protected
When running in Relay mode the first diskette must have a write protect so that it can be recognized as a master.
824 SDS Head 1 not Responding.
The drive SDS drive head 0 is responding but the drive head 1 is not. Check the connection between the head 1 board on the drive and the controller.
Some SDS drives are designed to operate with controllers (such as the ALF and Allegro controllers) that do not need to see an index pulse at both heads so it is possible to find a drive that has does not have its index pins connected together for both heads. If you are using an SDS drive with two boards (the so-called "pancake" SDS drives) then make sure that the pin 8 of the first board (index) is connected to the pin 8 of the second board by checking this connection with a continuity meter.
If you are using the Allegro
I board with a SDS drive then you only need to make sure that the INDEX jumper is in the SDS position.
825 Unknown Auto-loader Type.
If you are using a CopyBus loader, try turning it off and waiting 5 seconds before before turning it back on.
826 No controller setup
827 Cable Bad or Upsidedown
WARNING! If you have a Media Logic AccuCopy drive do not reverse the drive cables. This error can occur for a number of reasons, so it is imperative not to assume that drive cable is indeed upside down, since reversing the cables will DAMAGE your drive!
If you get this error message using a Multi-Disk II controller make sure that the controller type is set up correctly in the Controller List under Setup. y
The 34 pin ribbon cable for the floppy drive is in question or else the drive select jumper is in the wrong position.
For the Y-E Data 2XSDS single cable drive the jumpers should be on DS0, DC, and M1 only, even though the drive is at position 1. All other drives should be jumpered to use DS1. U
The ALF and Y-E Data SDS single cable interfaces only work with a straight cable.
828 Set source to an Image or Set
829 SDS Cable is bad or upside down
This error message can occur with SDS drives for the same reasons listed for error
827.
830 No SDS controller Setup.
DiskDupe cannot find the SDS controller listed in the Controller
list. If you are not using an SDS drive then set the Drive Speed to 1X in the Drive
List (highlight the drive of interest and choose Edit).
If you are using an SDS drive then the SDS controller should be the last controller in the list and it should have no interrupt (IRQ 0). Try choosing Auto-Set in the Controller List under Setup to see if DiskDupe can sense the controller.
831 SDS drive cables are reversed
This error message can occur on two cable SDS drives if the drive cables are reversed.
832 Controller not an enhanced 82078
Try running Auto-Set from the Controller list under Setup.
833 Side 0 has side 1 data, bad cable or setup
This error message can occur if the drive has been setup as a 1x or 2x drive and it is really a SDS or 2xSDS drive. u
This error message can occur if the drive cable is connected incorrectly or if the drive is jumpered incorrectly.
Jumper
Settings
834 Unknown File Version
835 Controller is not an Allegro
If you are using an Allegro controller and you get this message then there may be an address conflict (see error
802). Make sure the Allegro has been properly entered into the menus on the Controller
List. y
If you get this message using some other type of controller then enter in the controller type in the Controller List.
901 Unknown Error.
(Technical
Support)
902 Out of RAM Memory.
DiskDupe ran out of conventional memory. Try exiting out of DiskDupe and starting up again. If the computer has extended memory then make sure that a memory manager is loaded (like HIMEM.SYS or QEMM) so that XMS memory is available to DiskDupe.
903 EMS Error.
This could indicate a problem with the actual memory chips in your computer.
904 XMS Error.
This could indicate a problem with the actual memory chips in your computer.
905 User Interrupt Error.
The user interrupt TSR reported an unknown error.
906 Buffer Memory has been corrupted.
Indicates that the image file has changed or that the memory in your computer might be bad. Try setting the "EMS/XMS Limit" in the Setup menu to "Not Used/Not Used". This message can also occur if the image file has been corrupted. Try remaking the image file. Also be sure to scan for viruses.
907 Code Memory has been Corrupted.
Indicates that there might be a problem with a TSR writing over the DiskDupe code. Also try scanning for viruses.
908 Image File has been Corrupted.
DiskDupe has checked the CRC's in the image file and found a discrepancy, which usually means that the file has been overwritten on the hard drive due to a virus or a malfunction of the hardware. Such hardware overwrite problems are often made worse when the Doublespace feature of DOS 6.0 is used.
In rare cases this error can occur when using an image file made with a previous version of DiskDupe (prior to version 4.05) that has not been updated correctly. Also try scanning your computer for viruses.
909 DMA Setup Error.
There has been a conflict between the DiskDupe software and the memory manager of the computer (usually when running under Windows). Try starting up DiskDupe using the /DMAWINOFF command line switch by typing DISKDUPE /DMAWINOFF from the DOS prompt. This setting gets saved in the DISKDUPE.DAT file so it does not need to be reset each time that DiskDupe is run.
910 Not allowed in protected mode
XXXX Internal Error, Unknown error.
If DiskDupe reports an internal error then call or fax us here at Micro System Designs for technical support. Be sure and let us know the number of the internal error (usually a four digit number) and the conditions under which it occurred.
Technical
Support
File viewer
A file viewer views the contents of a text file. You can use the arrow keys to move about in the file. A file is loaded via the File
Open menu item. a
Up Move up one line
Down Move down one line
Right Move right one column
Left Move left one column
PgUp Move one page up
PgDn Move one page down
Home View right most column of the file
End View left most column of the file
Ctrl-PgUp View top of file
Ctrl-PgDn View bottom of file.
File viewers can be resized and moved using the Windows menu.
Name
The Name input box is where you enter the name of the file to open. If you don't know the name of the file, type *.* (or the extension) and press enter to see a list of filenames.
Files
FILENM01.PAS
FILENM09.PAS
FILENM02.PAS
FILENM10.PAS
FILENM03.PAS
FILENM11.PAS
FILENM04.PAS
FILENM12.PAS
FILENM05.PAS
..
FILENM06.PAS
\MOREXAMP
FILENM07.PAS
\TOURS
FILENM08.PAS
\ANSWERS.DIR
The Files list box lists the names of files in the current directory that match the file-name mask in the Name input box, plus the parent directory and all subdirectories.
C:\TP\EXAMPLES\*.PAS
HELLO.PAS 52 Jul 14,1990 12:00pm
The File information panel shows the path name, file name, date, time, and size of the selected file. =
None of the items on this information panel are selectable.
[ Open ]
The Open button opens the selected file.
[ Cancel ]
If you choose Cancel, nothing changes and no action occurs, and the dialog box is closed. M
(Esc always cancels a dialog box, even if a Cancel button does not appear.)
[ Open ]
In the Open a File dialog box, if you choose the Open button TVDEMO opens a new file
viewer and places the selected file in that window.
Help on the Change Directory dialog box
The Change Directory dialog box consists of an input box, a list box, the standard OK and Help buttons, and two other buttons (Chdir and Revert). |
Directory Name
The Directory Name input box is where you type in the path of the new directory.
Directory Tree
Drives
C:\
TP
TVISION
The Directory Tree list box enables you to navigate directories by using the selecting bar and pressing Enter.
If you're using the keyboard, press Enter to make the selected directory be the current directory, then choose OK or press Esc to exit the dialog box. +
[Chdir ]
The Chdir button changes the current directory once you've selected or typed in a directory name. +
[Revert]
The Revert button goes back to the previous directory, as long as you haven't yet exited the dialog box.
(.txt)