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Text File | 1993-05-27 | 20.0 KB | 424 lines

Add-A-Drive v2.0 Released December 1992 ╒══════╡ Add-A-Drive v2.0 │ │ ┌──────────────────┐ ┌──────────────────┐ │ Micro House International, Inc. │ 42 MB │ │░░░░░0 MB░░░░░░░│ │ Boulder, Colorado │ ≡■≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡ │ │░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░│ │ From the makers of DrivePro └──────────────────┘ └──────────────────┘ │ - Professional Hard Drive Setup E: Installed 4_Drives v2.0 only │ ├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ Copyright 1992 by Dustbowl Designs, Inc. All rights reserved. │ │ DrivePro Package version. This program is not shareware or freeware. │ │ Unauthorized redistribution is strictly prohibited. │ └────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ =====Introduction============================= Add-A-Drive is a CONFIG.SYS block device driver that allows the utilization of a single hard disk drive on the standard Secondary Port Address using the DOS operating system. This permits two incompatible controllers and/or host adapters to coexist in the same system. * With Add-A-Drive you can combine MFM, RLL, ESDI and SCSI hard disk drives with the new low-cost AT/IDE interface drives. * This means you DO NOT have to retire your older MFM drives if you purchase a new AT/IDE hard disk drive!!! =====System Requirements====================== A few simple conditions must be met in order to utilize the Add-A-Drive device driver. They are: 1. System must be 286 CPU or higher. 2. DOS level must be v3.0 or higher. 3. A second Controller or Host Adapter which must have the option to set a Secondary Port Address to 170h and to disable IRQ14 monitoring. (Seagate ST-07A and ST-08A AT/IDE Host Adapters can do this.) =====Preparing "Secondary Port" Disk Drives==== The disk drive that will be attached to the Secondary Port Address needs to be partitioned and formatted on the Primary Port Address prior to using the Add-A-Drive device driver. Use DrivePro to accomplish this task. This will probably require temporarily removing the existing hard disk drive controller or preparing the "Secondary" drive in a different system. BEFORE disengaging the "Primary" drives, BE SURE to write down the CMOS drive type(s). If 'User Defined' or 'Custom' drive types are being used, write down the associated cylinder, head, write precomp, lzone and sector per track values. The installation steps to take for an unprepared drive without data are roughly as follows: 1. Finish reading the rest of this document. 2. Satisfy yourself that BACKUPs of your data are current and in good condition. 3. Install (on the default Primary Address) the drive you eventually intend to use on the Secondary and set the appropriate drive type number in the system CMOS setup. 4. Boot to the floppy diskette. 5. Use DrivePro to setup the hard drive. 6. Confirm that the hard drive boots without the floppy in A: and can perform reads and writes, and is good working condition. 7. Restore the CMOS drive types to the ones used on the original 1st (and 2nd) drives. Power down the system and reinstate the controller for the original drives. 8. Set the second Host Adapter for the "Secondary" drive to Secondary Port Address 170h and disable IRQ14 monitoring. (see below for Seagate ST-07A/ST-08A Host Adapter jumper settings). 9. Reboot. The system should start in the same way it always has. 10. Copy the ADDADRV.HDD program into the root directory of the C: drive and Edit the CONFIG.SYS file to include the line: DEVICE=C:\ADDADRV.HDD This line should precede any other block device drivers (such a RAMDRIVE.SYS). If a Disk Manager (tm Ontrack Computer Systems) partition is installed on the original "Primary" drives, the DEVICE=C:\ADDADRV.HDD line should follow after DMDRVR.BIN. 11. Reboot. An Add-A-Drive installation screen (shown above) will indicate the loading status of the device driver. The drive letters assigned to the "Secondary" drive(s) will depend on the number of partitions on your C: and D: drives. =====Background=============================== In the past, three major factors have stood in the way of achieving the elusive goal of supporting more than two hard disk drives or even two disk drives of dissimilar interfaces. First, DOS versions prior to the v5.0 would support a maximum of two physical hard disk drives. The v5.0 DOS FDISK supports up to eight physical hard disk drives if the Host Adapter is designed to follow the FDISK conventions of DOS v5.0. (Some SCSI interface Host Adapters are now out in the marketplace which have this support.) Second, standard interface hard disk drive controllers (except for SCSI) are limited to two physical drives. In the case of MFM, RLL and ESDI, the drives usually have a Drive Select 3 and 4 jumper (DS3 & DS4), but the controllers for these interfaces use the industry standard "Daisychain" configuration which allows only two drives to be connected. (The rare "Radial" configuration uses the DS3 and DS4.) In the case of the new AT interface for hard disk drives, also known as IDE, the controller is built onto the drive itself and is limited by design to two physical drives per Host Adapter - Master and Slave. Third, controllers for these interfaces usually require a drive type number to be set in CMOS and only two slots are ever given by the system BIOS. Until Add-A-Drive, two AT controllers have generally been unable to coexist because of a condition known as a "port address conflict." In effect, both controllers canceled each other out because they needed to use the same Hard Drive Primary Port Address, 1F0h. In its default configuration, DOS only recognizes hard disk drives that are attached to this Primary Port Address and communicates with them through the system bios and INT13. A block device driver is required to service drives that are attached to the common Secondary Port Address, 170h; the Add-A-Drive device driver serves this function. =====Outline================================== An brief outline of how Add-A-Drive works is as follows: After partitioning and formatting in the DOS environment, every hard disk drive, regardless of interface, controller, or CPU has a very special sector of information called the Master Boot Record (MBR). The MBR is always the very first physical sector on the disk (cyl 0, hd 0, sector 1), the contents of which 1) preserve the defined partition structure, 2) contain the first executable instruction to begin loading the active operating system, and 3) a final word signature in the sector, AA55h, indicating a valid Master Boot Record. Once a valid MBR is identified, the values stored in the partition record of the MBR indicate the location of the DOS Boot Record (DBR) which is generally located at logical cyl 0, hd 1, sector 1. This DOS boot sector contains two vital components - the BIOS Parameter Block (BPB) structure and a loader routine for the operating system . The BPB provides a logical description of the hard disk drive's geometry (logical blocks, heads, sectors per track, bytes per sector, etc.), while the operating system loader establishes the names of the system files IO.SYS and MSDOS.SYS, their root directory locations and then loads them into memory . Next, the IO.SYS file is read into memory, followed by the MSDOS.SYS. These are the names of the two hidden files which accompany COMMAND.COM after formatting a bootable drive. These programs begin an initialization routine which establishes the resident character and block devices found during the Power-On Self Test (POST) and motherboard ROM BIOS initialization. Once the basic hardware has been identified and the DOS kernel has been positioned into low memory, the next stage is to run a system module within IO.SYS called SYSINIT. It is at this time that the first of the Primary Port Address drive letter designations are assigned (A:, B:, C:, etc.). These block devices are given special handling at this point. For each, a pointer to a BPB array is established in memory. Next, begins the process we are most interested in, namely the processing of the CONFIG.SYS file. The entire file is read into memory and analyzed for block and character type device drivers. When block device drivers are identified, like Add-A-Drive, their entries are added to the drive translation table and given the next available drive letter designation. Device drivers, like regular programs (but not quite like regular programs), have initialization code and resident code. The initialization code in Add-A-Drive is the display banner and secondary drive identification, while the resident portion is a collection of routines handling very specific AT register set commands. The AT register commands "talk" directly to the Secondary Port Address, 170h, and therefore to the drive itself, and cover drive specific operations like Read, Write, Recal, and Reset. It should be noted that the Format command operation is not supported by Add-A-Drive, which is the reason why the drive must be partitioned and prepared in a normal C:/D: environment. After all components of the CONFIG.SYS file are processed, SYSINIT's final function is to load and execute the MS-DOS shell program, COMMAND.COM. How DOS manipulates the resident (critical error handling, for example) and transient portions (batch file processes, COPY, and RENAME, etc.) of the shell are beyond the scope of this overview. Thereafter, during the normal course of operation of the computer system, DOS commands which are directed towards the drive letter(s) assigned to the Add-A-Drive block device(s) are executed through the memory resident portion of Add-A-Drive. Add-A-Drive will occupy a minimum of 2,720 bytes of memory under DOS 5.0. The amount of memory required for the device driver will climb slightly (≈48 bytes) depending on the number of logical drives in extended partitions, if any. =====Error Messages=========================== The device driver may display a small assortment of error messages during the loading process of the CONFIG.SYS file. These usually relate to unformatted status, jumper, cabling and power issues. If the device driver is activated in the CONFIG.SYS when there is no controller or host adapter set to the secondary port address, the system may "hang" while trying to boot. Since the problem is part of the CONFIG.SYS file, you will need to boot to the A: drive first, in order to correct the C:\CONFIG.SYS file. =====App Notes================================ Some Application Notes: 1. The effect of the program on the performance of the system is negligible. 2. The use of Add-A-Drive on XT's is DISALLOWED, since it relies exclusively on AT register set commands which are only available on 286's or higher. 3. If power supply leads are in short supply, a simple "Y" adapter that splits two leads off of a single, are available at most computer supply stores. 4. If both controllers have support for floppy drives, disable the floppy support on the second. 5. Add-A-Drive can be moved into upper memory under DOS 5 with DEVICEHIGH=C:\your...path\ADDADRV.HDD 6. Add-A-Drive shows all signs of complete stability with Microsoft Windows (tm). In fact, our entire Windows subdirectory structure is located on the "Secondary" drive! We have thrown in everything we can think of to test Windows compatibility, and all tests have proven successful. If you intend to use the drive supported by the Add-A-Drive for the Swap File, then in must be of the Temporary Swap File Type. (A Permanent Swap File requires Int13 support.) 7. We've run three of the most popular file defragmenters without problems. In any case, ALWAYS follow the software manufacturer's instructions and BACKUP you data first. 8. DOS 2.x and above will run with the same partition and capacity limits allowed by that version of DOS, however only DOS 3.0 and above will show the proper drive letters on the Add-A-Drive initialization screen. 9. 10 partitions per physical drive are allowed under Add-A-Drive support. 10. It is possible to install a single MFM or RLL drive on the secondary port address and utilize Add-A-Drive. This process, however, is not as straight forward as putting the AT/IDE on the secondary because typical ST412 interface controllers (MFM and RLL) usually do not have the built-in ability to disable the IRQ14. If no jumper on the MFM controller exists to disable IRQ14, then the line can usually be disabled manually where it plugs into the motherboard. On a 16-bit controller, the IRQ14 line is found on the back side card edge, on the "short" 16-bit extension. It is the 7th contact from the left or 12th from the right (D7). Usually, placing a piece of simple transparent tape over the contact will cause it to be disabled when the card is plugged into the motherboard. It is advisable that you refrain from attempting this configuration unless you have prior experience with modifications of this sort. See below: │ ▐ │ Metal Clamp ▐──┼─────┐ ▐ │ 0 │ Perspective: Looking at the backside of the card ▐──┼─────┘ ▐ │ 8-bit long slot 16-bit short slot ▐ │_____ 31 total contacts ___ 18 total contacts______ ▐ ▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌ ▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌ ▐ │ ▐ D7 (IRQ14) count 7 spaces from left or 12 spaces from right Note: Many manufacturers only plate the contacts that will be needed on the card. Be sure to count spaces, not actual plated contacts. 11. As noted earlier, some programs will not operate through Add-A-Drive (i.e. FDISK, FORMAT). This is because these programs bypass DOS and do not update the partition's FAT (File Allocation Table). Other examples of this are usually drive diagnostics utilities. If programs of this sort are deemed necessary to run, the drive will need to be reinstated on the primary port address in order to be "seen" by the program. =====Seagate ST-07A and ST-08A================ ===== AT IDE Host Adapters==================== The ST-08A is a combination floppy drive and hard drive host adapter, while the ST-07A is for hard drives only. The floppy support on the ST-08A can be disabled making it functionally equivalent to the ST-07A. J2 ┌─ Drive-on-a-Card Mounting Point Diskette │ Connector J3 LED │ J1 AT Interface (ST08A only) │ ┌───┘ Hard Disc Connector │ ┌──────────┼─────┼─────────────┼───────────────────────┐ ▌▀▀▀▀ │ │ 1 1 ° │ ┌──┼─▌ │ │ :: °°°° :::::::::::::::::::: └°─┼─▌ │ │ :: 1 │ ▌ └──┼── :: ┌─────────────────────┼─── JP2 │ :: 1 JP2 │ ▌ Disc/Diskette │ :: °° │ ▌ Address │ :: (ST08A only) │ ▌ Select │ :: ┌1──── JP4 Diskette Controller Enable │ ▌ │ : ┌──────────┼─── JP6 I/O │ ≡≡▌≡}── J4 Aux DC Power to 1 ┌──┼─▌ Channel │ 1┐ Hard Disc °° └°─┼─▌ Ready │ °°°└───┐ │ ▌ └┐ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄┌─┼──┐ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄┌────┘ ▌ └─▀─▀─▀─▀─▀─▀─▀┘ │ └─▀─▀─▀─▀─▀─▀─▀─▀─▀─▀─▀─▀─▀─▀┘ ▌ └─ JP5 Disable Interrupt or ▌ Interrupt While Busy IRQ14 If set up as the 2nd Host Adapter for use with Add-A-Drive: 1. Add a jumper to JP2 (Disc/Diskette Address Select) which sets the port to the secondary address at 170h. 2. Remove jumper from JP5 (Interrupt While Busy, IRQ14). The jumper can be conveniently stored on a single pin. 3. If ST-08A, then remove jumper from JP4 (Diskette Controller Enable) to disable the Floppy Controller). =====Legal Disclaimer========================= LICENSE AGREEMENT Add-A-Drive v2.0 Released December 1992 Dustbowl Designs, Inc. provides the accompanying object code software ("Software") and nonexclusively licenses its use on the following terms and conditions. The Software is copyrighted by Dustbowl Designs, Inc. with all rights reserved. YOU ASSUME FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SELECTION OF THE SOFTWARE TO ACHIEVE YOUR INTENDED PURPOSES, FOR THE PROPER INSTALLATION AND USE. Dustbowl Designs, Inc. DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE SOFTWARE WILL MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS, THAT THE SOFTWARE IS FIT FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR THAT THE USE OF THE SOFTWARE WILL BE ERROR FREE. Dustbowl Designs, Inc. EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT WILL Dustbowl Designs, Inc. BE LIABLE TO YOU, YOUR CUSTOMERS OR OTHER USERS FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE SOFTWARE. Add-A-Drive is a trademark of Dustbowl Designs, Inc. The Add-A-Drive software and documentation are Copyright 1992 by Dustbowl Designs with all rights reserved. The Add-A-Drive software program is not shareware or freeware and unauthorized redistribution is strictly prohibited. This special Seagate Technology version is Licensed through: Micro House International, Inc. 4900 Pearl East Circle, Suite 101 Boulder, Colorado 80301 ph: 800-926-8299 Sales (USA and Canada) 303-443-3389 Sales (international callers) 303-443-3389 Technical Support 303-443-9957 BBS 303-443-3323 FAX The authors of: "The Encyclopedia of Hard Drives" "The Hard Disk Technical Guide" "The Encyclopedia of Main Boards" The makers of: "DrivePro - Professional Hard Drive Setup" "EZ-Drive - Quick IDE Installation Software" End of License agreement. ***************************************************************** Contents of the Add-A-Drive Distribution Set. ADDADRV.HDD Device driver file ADDADRV.DOC Documentation file with installation instructions. ***************************************************************** =====Upgrade Offer============================ As noted in the screen representation and at the beginning of this document, Add-A-Drive supports a SINGLE hard disk drive on the Secondary Port Address. In the event that you may want to add a SECOND drive to the Secondary Port Address, we offer the program 4_Drives. Information and pricing for 4_Drives can be obtained from Micro House International.