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Q C O P Y v5.1 (c) 1994,5 by Ulrich Feldmueller Published by BayDee Inc. (c) 1995 All rights reserved - i - Authors Foreword What is the best way to present a manual? Make that manual massive and you will intimidate many people. Worse still, they'll think that since there is so much to write about, this program must necessarily be com- plicated. Others may like to see every detail documented, have every issue proven and expect a documentation package many inches thick. We have added a few things to upgrade the manual of Qcopy v4.0, without turning it into a massive volume. We realize that no computer manual is going to be as breath-taking as a thriller. We would,however, recommend that, at a minimum, the section containing the installation be consult- ed. Then, simply try out the program (to this end, we would recommend that you not experiment with your original and newest diskettes of ex- pensive programs). If some questions arise during experimentation, then the manual can always be consulted. You should also do so if you sus- pect that there is a flaw in the job performed by QCopy. Some programs designed for disk comparison ( e.g. DISCOMP ) may report errors, even though a perfectly good copy has been made. The section referencing "Program Characteristics and Error Messages" will explain why this occurs. - ii - LIMITED WARRANTY AND DISCLAIMER =============================== Warranty is solely limited to the free replacement of this disk as a result of defects in the magnetic media. ALL warranties, whether expr- essed or implied, are disclaimed relating to this software, including, without limitations, the warranties of merchantability and of fitness for any purpose. Neither the Author, nor the Publisher and distributor will be held responsible for damages caused by QCopy v5.1,or any of its revisions. The Author and Publisher assume no liability for damages, direct or consequential, which may result from the use of QCopy v5.1. SHAREWARE ========= Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software before buying it. QCopy v5.1 is NOT FREE. It is neither public domain nor freeware. QCopy v5.1 is distributed as part of the "shareware" concept. You may freely copy the shareware program version and pass it on to others, provided that the contents of this disk, as detailed in the packing list,remains unaltered and complete. No portion or part of this program may be alt- ered or amended in any way. In particular, no one may patch or modify this file, or any other text or executable files in any way or form, including but not limited to decompiling, disassembling, or any other form of reverse engineering. BBS, catalog and disk vendors, please refer to the file VENDOR.DOC for further information. REGISTRATION ============ Non-licensed users of this program are granted a limited license to use this program for a specific period of time for evaluation purposes only. You MUST register this program if you continue to use it after a 30 day evaluation period. Unlicensed versions of this program are fully functional. That is, the shareware version contains all the features of the registered version. As a registration incentive, we have added a "count-down timer" to the shareware version as well as a reminder screen which appears at the end of the program. Both the timer and the reminder screens are removed in the registered version. Registered users of QCopy will receive upgrade offers at discounted prices. Registered copies of QCopy may be obtained from: BayDee Inc. Tel: (514) 457-1631 P.O. Box 25, Fax: (514) 457-1631 Beaconsfield Compuserve: 70302,557 Quebec, H9W 5T6 Internet: 70302.557@compuserve.com CANADA - iii - Registration fee ---------------- Standard edition: US $32 (In Canada, CDN $40) Professional edition: US $48 (In Canada, CDN $60) QCopyPAK * US $55 (In Canada, CDN $70) *[Includes QCopy v5.1 Professional edition + QCopy for Windows v1.1] We accept personal or company cheques, bank cheques or bank drafts, money orders or postal orders. Subject to prior approval, we also ship against company purchase orders. For US and overseas, please pay in US funds. In Canada, please add 7% for GST. Quebec customers add 6.5% TVQ. Shipping and handling included. System requirements =================== Operating System ---------------- MS-DOS (v3.3 and higher), PC-DOS (v3.3 and higher), DR-DOS (v5.0 and higher), Novell-DOS (v7.0 and higher), OS/2 (v2.1 and higher). RAM: 640K with approximately 500K free for DOS programs Hard drive: Minimum 2 Megs free Mouse: Recommended. Program features ================ * Reads and writes standard formats of 160K, 180K, 320K, 360K, 720K, 1.2M ,1.4M and 2.8M independent of the source diskette. You can, for example, copy 5¼" disks onto 3½", or 360K disks on to 1.2M. * Formats and copies many special formats up to 1743K, such as Microsofts DMF. * Optimizes copying process i.e. fragmented files are written in one block onto the target disk. * Only that portion of the disk which contains data is read and copied. Can speed up the copying process significantly. * Multiple copying or formatting capability. Can write image file of source diskette onto hard drive. Read the source only once and make X copies. * Disk labels are copied to the target, or can be assigned a new name. * Copies can be made to and from drives A: and B: and/or the hard drive. * Runs from the DOS command line, or from a user friendly menu. * Mouse supported. Features context sensitive on-line HELP. * True format conversion. * Professional version allows control of volume serial numbers. * Professional version can write new boot sectors to target disks. * Professional version can alternate two similar floppy drives to in- creased throughput in multiple copying. * Professional version lets you set up virtual drives forDSK-files using the driver QFILE. - iv - Contents ======== Installation........................................................ 1 Installation using DOS commands.......................... 1 Installation with QCopy.................................. 1 Path statement........................................... 2 Installation under OS/2.................................. 2 Starting the Program................................................ 3 Preset Options...................................................... 4 Operating elements.................................................. 5 Buttons.................................................. 5 Check Boxes and option buttons........................... 5 Text Boxes (Input fields)................................ 5 List Boxes............................................... 6 Active Elements.......................................... 6 Program Setups...................................................... 7 Source................................................... 7 Target................................................... 7 Format................................................... 7 Quantity................................................. 8 Options.................................................. 8 Main menu setup.....................................................11 Command line parameters.............................................14 Examples.................................................18 Program operation...................................................19 Error Messages......................................................21 Messages for rectifiable errors..........................21 Messages which can be ignored............................21 Messages for unrectifiable errors. ......................21 Error messages related to DSK files......................22 Services............................................................23 Setup for sector shift rate..............................23 Reading a boot sector....................................24 Modifying stored serial numbers..........................24 HELP................................................................25 Program characteristics and error messages..........................25 QFile v1.0..........................................................26 Qualifications...........................................26 Functions................................................26 Startup..................................................26 Special considerations...................................27 QFile messages...........................................28 Upgrades and other QCopy Programs...................................31 Acknowledgements....................................................33 Trade marks....................................................33 Copyright......................................................33 Packing list...................................................33 - 1 - INSTALLATION ============ QCopy must be installed in a directory on a hard drive. This can be done in one of two ways. Installation using DOS commands ------------------------------- Place the program diskette into the drive. If QCopy is to be installed into a directory which has not yet been created, then create it with the command: MD [directory] e.g. MD C:\UTILS\QCOPY Copy the QCopy files into the desired directory by using the copy command: COPY *.* [directory] e.g. COPY A:*.* C:\UTILS\QCOPY Installation with QCopy ----------------------- Place the diskette into the drive and type the command: [drive] QCOPY e.g. A:QCOPY QCopy will then perform the installation for you. To begin with, a directory must be selected for QCopy. A dialog box will appear which should be used as follows: (Using a mouse) Enter a directory name into the text box (input field) - it is preferable to enter the drive letter and a complete path, such as [drives]:\ e.g. C:\ and click on the OK button. You can specify any valid directory name, either an existing directory or a new one you wish to create. If you choose to use an existing directory, you can also select its name from the list displayed beneath the text box. If you double click on a directory name within this list, then its name will be automatically transferred into the text box for you or, the double clicking action will reveal any sub-directories should they exist. If you would like to list directories in another drive, then double click on DRIVE. By selecting the OK button, you will have chosen the directory name entered in the text box for installation. (Using the keyboard) Type a directory name into the text box, starting with the drive letter and complete path [drive]:\ e.g. C:\ and then hit ENTER. You can specify any valid directory name, either an existing directory, or a new one you wish to create. If you choose to use an existing directory, you can also select its name from the list displayed beneath the text box. You will first have to hit TAB or press ALT+A. Mark a directory by scrolling with the arrow key. If you hit ENTER on a highlighted directory name within this list, then its name will be automatically be transferred into the text box for you, or the ENTER action will reveal any sub-directories should they exist. If you would like to list directories in another drive, then highlight the DRIVE and hit ENTER. By pressing ALT+K, you will have chosen the direc- tory name entered in the text box for installation. - 2 - QCopy will copy the files into the specified drive and directory. A succ- essful installation will be confirmed with an appropriate message. Path statement -------------- You can include a path statement in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file, this file being located in the root of your hard drive. Typically, the line would look like this (assuming you install QCopy in a directory called UTILS): SET PATH=C:\DOS;C:\WINDOWS;C:\UTILS The path statement allows you to run a program ( such as QCopy ) without actually having to be located in that directory when you issue the com- mand. By this means, frequently run programs can be started in director- ies other than where they reside. If you have installed QCopy into a directory which is not yet included in the path statement, then you should modify the path to include QCopy. Us- ing a text only editor ( e.g. if you are using DOS 5.0 and higher, type EDIT), modify your AUTOEXEC.BAT so that the line SET PATH=........ i.e. PATH=...... [QCOPY directory] is included. SET PATH=C:\DOS;C:\UTILS;C:\WINDOWS;C:\UTILS\QCOPY Save the file AUTOEXEC.BAT and reboot your computer. Installation under OS/2 ----------------------- Activate the DOS window, or a DOS full screen and install the program as described previously. Create a new program object ( Template - drag the program object onto the desktop or into another folder by holding the right mouse button) and de- fine the following settings: Program : Path and filename : [directory]\QCOPY.EXE Parameter Working directory : [directory] Session : √ Close on exit o DOS window General : Title : QCOPY If you are working with QCOPY under OS/2, do not use the option "USE DOS". Avoid running QCopy multiple times absolutely. - 3 - Starting the Program ==================== If the program is in the current directory or a path has been set up to include the QCOPY directory, then type: QCOPY to start the program. Otherwise, you must specify the complete path by typing [path]QCOPY e.g. C:\UTILS\QCOPY\QCOPY You can preset certain parameters by adding the command line preset opt- ions (see later for definition of command line preset options): QCOPY [parameter] e.g. QCOPY NOMOUSE You can, furthermore, specify a particular copying action from the DOS prompt by defining other command line options (these command line options will be detailed below): QCOPY [commandline] e.g. QCOPY A: B: F=1440 ALL+ If no command line options are entered, then the copying details will have to be specified through QCopy's main menu. - 4 - Preset Options ============== Certain preset conditions may be defined by adding parameters behind the program command. Multiple commands are separated by a space. You can also define this parameter as an environment variable by entering: SET QCPARAMS=[PARAMETER] e.g. SET QCPARAMS=BW GM The settings remain as default until the computer is rebooted. If you enter the line SET QCPARAMS=[parameters] into your AUTOEXEC.BAT, then the settings will become the default at every bootup. The parameters are defined as: NM or KM or NOMOUSE Do not use mouse GM Use graphic mouse driver NOXMS Do not use XMS memory LCD or BW or SW Monochrome screen (only for VGA, CGA) D or R or REPEAT Continuous operation. Repeat settings until aborted QCopy reads the contents of diskettes, or the contents of DSK-files at one stroke. In order to store the data into sufficient memory, a 2.8 Mbyte buffer is required. If XMS memory is available, then this will be used, otherwise a temporary file is created to buffer the data. The speed of the copying process will be influenced by the method by which the buffer is created. QCOPY will prefer a RAM DRIVE, then a local (hard) disk drive, and least preferable a network drive. If an en- vironment variable TEMP (=[directory]) is available, then that directory will be used; If an environment variable QCOPYBUFFER (=[directory]) is available, then that directory will be used (see above for instructions on setting environment variables). - 5 - Operating Elements ================== When using QCopy, numerous operating elements become effective. Buttons ------- Activation of a button will immediately implement the assigned function of that button. This is accomplished by clicking the button with the mouse, or by using the keyboard and typing the highlighted letter within the name of that button. For example, hit the letter K and you will act- ivate the OK button. If the button happens to be highlighted already, (see below), then the specific action can be initiated by hitting the ENTER key. If you hit the ENTER key when none of the buttons are high- lighted as active,then the settings will remain as indicated (and in most cases, you will initiate OK or CANCEL). As a rule, the OK button will initiate a particular setting or selection. The buttons CANCEL and EXIT will either terminate or break off a particular action (the ESC key will also activate these two buttons). A context sensitive help window will be displayed by activating the HELP button ( or key F1 ). Rocker switches (push either side) are used in QCopy to increase or decrease a number for a particular process. Click the left side of the button with your mouse or type "-" and the number will decrease, click the right side to in- crease or type "+". Buttons which are shown in faded colours are tempor- arily inactive. Check Boxes and Option buttons ------------------------------ You may choose several check options at the same time. Checked boxes are indicated by [X]. An empty box [ ] indicates that the option in inactive. An option within a check box may be activated with a mouse either by clicking directly on the [ ] field, or the text adjacent to that field. When using the keyboard, hold down the ALT key and type the highlighted letter within the text, or hit the spacebar to mark the check box. To deactivate a marked check box, simply repeat (toggle) any of the steps described above. Option buttons differentiate themselves from check boxes in that only one of the options can be selected. The chosen selection is marked by an asterisk (*). An option within a option button may be activated with a mouse either by clicking directly on the ( ) field, or the text adjacent to that field. When using the keyboard, activate each option field (highlighted letter) by scrolling through the options with the aid of the arrow key. Option buttons or check boxes not used are shown by the symbols "---". Text Boxes (Input fields) ------------------------- Enter your text ( file names, directory names, numbers etc. ) into a text box. You may use the basic edit functions. The text will be automatical- ly rolled off if you type into the text box after it has reached the edge. An arrow head appears at the edge of the text box when more text is visible than can be displayed on the screen ( click the arrow head with the mouse and the text will shift ). Entries into the text are confirmed when you hit the ENTER key or move to another element. - 6 - List Boxes ---------- List boxes are used in QCopy when a choice can be made from a list of available elements ( e.g. filenames ). The text box is usually linked with the list box. In order to activate the list, use the mouse to click on an element within the list, or use the ALT key and the highlighted letter within the list title. Choose the element by double clicking it with the mouse, or with the keyboard by marking the element with the arrow key and hit ENTER. Active Elements --------------- In the dialog box containing multiple list boxes, usually one list box is active. This is most often shown as the highlighted element. You can move between them in a forward direction by using the TAB key, or in reverse by using the combination SHIFT+TAB. In most cases, QCopy will also allow you to utilize the arrow keys. - 7 - Program Setups ============== QCopy is a convenient program to copy and format diskettes. In addition to utilizing diskettes, QCopy also permits you to work with DSK-files (which are created by QCopy). Externally, QCopy handles DSK-files in ex- actly the same way as diskettes, but internally, DSK-files are accessed as files rather than diskettes. The program setup will determine such details as from where to where you are copying, whether a diskette will be formatted, how many copies will be made of a particular diskette, which disk format the copy should take, if the copy should be verified, etc. Alternately, this can be achieved through a series of options and switches acting as command line parameters. Specifically, SOURCE, TARGET, FORMAT, QUANTITY and OPTION are setup separately. An explanation of the program main menu will follow later, but first a few basic comments. Source ------ As a source for a copy, you may define floppy drives A: to Z: (provided these are actually available), a DSK-file or FORMAT. Floppy drives C: to Z: , if available, can only be used if the option "Use DOS" is activated. DSK-files may only be used as the source if they have been previously created with QCopy (version 4.0 and higher). DSK-files may reside on your system in any directory of your choice. The extension .DSK is necessary. In addition, you may specify FORMAT. When FORMAT is specified, no copies will be made, but instead the target diskette will be formatted. Target ------ As a target for a copy, you may define floppy drives A: to Z: (provided these are actually available), "DSK" or directory. Floppy drives C: to Z: , if available, can only be used if the option "Use DOS" is activated. DSK-files may reside on your system in any directory of your choice and if the directory does not exist, QCopy will create it. The extension .DSK is necessary. Diskettes and DSK-files will be written into a direc- tory when the option "directory" is chosen as the target. If the source diskette contains any sub-directories, then QCopy will copy and place the identical structure beneath the specified named directory (on the hard drive). Format ------ QCopy lets you specify the target format of a copy. QCopy performs a true format conversion. If, for example, you copy a 360K diskette onto a 1.4M diskette, you will then be able to utilize the (balance of) 1.4M format. The following formats are available and may be specified: "No source - Format" setup You can specify the standard formats assigned to the drives, such as 720K or 1.4M for a 3½" HD floppy drive. You can specify other special formats for target drives A: and B: as long as the option Use DOS is not active. - 8 - Target is floppy drive You can specify the standard formats assigned to the drives, such as 720K or 1.4M for a 3½" HD floppy drive. You can specify other special formats for target drives A: and B: as long as the option Use DOS is not active. In addition, you may specify "1:1" (match, if possible, the format of the source), "TARGET" (use the format of the target diskette - particularly useful for pre-formatted diskettes) and "LOWEST" (uses the lowest possible standard format - we recommend that you do not use this option, it has only been included due to tradition). Target is DSK-file You may choose between 1.4M and 2.8M. A 2.8M drive need not necessarily be installed. If you attempt to copy source diskettes into DSK files with special formats greater than 1.4M, then you must choose the 2.8M option. Quantity -------- You may specify the number of identical copies to be made from the source (without the need to re-insert the original source diskette). If the target has been set as a DSK-file or a directory, then the quantity will be ignored. Options ------- The options which have been set up will either influence how the program performs or how the results are achieved. In detail: Use DOS If "Use DOS" is active, the program will use the universal driver IOCTL. The option "Use DOS" must be used when floppy drives other than A: or B: are to be considered. In addition, (possibly?) for use with diskette formats 2.8M (not with DSK-files). When "Use DOS" is checked i.e. active, then the use of special formats is not available. If "Use DOS" is deactivated, then the program uses BIOS interrupt 13h. The special formats may therefore be used. In addition, an adjustable sector shift rate becomes available when formatting. Detect disk change If this option is checked, the QCopy will detect when a diskette change has taken place in the floppy drive. If detect disk change is active, then the floppy drive will be accessed from time to time and the drive light will therefore be on. When the option "Detect disk change" is checked, it is primarily assumed that the correct drive contains a diskette (e.g. When Copying from B: to B: - , the diskette in drive B: will be read without further prompt, it will be written after a diskette change has been recognized or a confirmation has been made). If the option is not active, then you must confirm the read and write cycles each time. - 9 - Sound Turns the sound on when active to alert you of any messages. Verify When "Verify" is active, then a verification process is engaged which will check the target data after it has been written to the diskette. If, in addition, the option "Verify formatted" is checked, then the tracks which have been formatted, but contain no data, are also verified. Data comparison In the professional version you can specify the verification process. If the option "Verify" is active and the option "Data comparison" is checked, then the written data is read once more into a buffer and compared byte by byte with the data in the write buffer. If the option "Data comparison" is inactive, then the verification will be conducted in the form of a CRC (check sum) check. Tracks which do not contain data, but which have been formatted, are verified with a checksum verification. Format all The program will check the diskette if it is of suitable format before it attempts to copy to it. If this is the case, then the diskette will not be formatted again, unless you have chosen the "Format all" option. If the diskette does not have a suitable format, then it will be formatted during the copying process. If the option format is set as the source, then the diskette will be physically formatted when the "Format all" is active. Otherwise, if the diskette has already been formatted correctly, then a logical (short) format will openly occur. Format only allocated tracks This option is only available in the professional edition. If active, only the tracks containing data will be formatted on a newly unformatted diskette (otherwise, the diskette will be formatted throughout). It should be noted that there are only two reasons why you would wish to create such a diskette, namely, that this would inhibit further writing of the diskette (for installation diskettes) and that programs such as DISKCOPY will, as a rule, refuse to work from such diskettes. Overwrite warning If this option is checked, then the program will verify prior to copying or formatting whether data already exists on a diskette (not valid for DSK-files). When writing in a directory (TARGET="directory"), then each file to copied be will be checked for overwrite. If data is present (when TARGET="diskette"), or in the event that a directory will be writt- en or a file already exists, then a warning will be displayed. You can then insert another diskette (in which case the overwrite check is per- formed again and, if applicable, you will receive another warning), ignore the warning, or cancel the operation. If this option is not act- ive, then data will be overwritten without any further prompting. Read only allocated tracks When the "read only alloc." is active, then only the tracks containing data will be read from the source diskette, as defined by the file allocation table (FAT). This can speed up your copying process signif- icantly for diskettes which do not contain much data. If the option "read only alloc." is not activated, then you can create a 1:1 copy, if you have set the FORMAT to "1:1" and the format of the source can be realized on the target drive. - 10 - New Label If this option is not active, then the label (diskette name) of the source will be transferred to the target when copying, or no label will be created when formatting. If the option is active, then you will be prompted to enter a new name for the label (in order to enter a new label refer later to Setup of dialog box and Setup with command line options). New boot sector With the professional edition you can write new boot sectors to target diskettes or DSK-files. If this option is active, then the boot sector of the source (i.e. the standard boot sector when formatting) will be replaced by a previously stored boot sector (which can be created with QCopy, see later under Services) and written to the target. Disk volume serial number management Ever since the release of MS-DOS version 4, serial numbers have been assigned to diskettes whenever they have been formatted (in addition, an extended boot sector has been added). The professional version permits you to have an influence upon the assignment of the volume numbers. Available choices are: Standard: A volume number is assigned when formatting (source is set as Format) according to standard DOS conven- tion. When copying, a new volume number is assigned by DOS convention,if the source already has a volume number. Otherwise, no volume number is issued. No new serial When formatting or copying, no new serial number is number: assigned. If the source has a serial number, this will be taken over. Increment new serial A chosen serial number is entered. An extension of number: this option permits incrementing the number entered. Serial number If a DSK-file is used as a source, a serial number management: assigned to this file is incremented with every copy made (for more details, see Services). Automatically alter drives This option is only available in the professional edition. If you have two identical drives A: and B: and this option is active, then the drives A: and B: will be accessed alternately, provided that the quantity pro- cessed is greater than 1. This will allow you to copy a disk in one drive and change the disk in the other simultaneously. Log file By checking log file (professional edition only), the work with QCopy will be logged into a named text file. - 11 - Main menu setup =============== If you have not included a command line parameter when loading QCopy (i.e. you just typed QCOPY at the DOS prompt) or you have added an invalid parameter, the program will start with the main menu. The main menu comprises the switch fields SOURCE (to choose the source), TARGET (to choose the copy target) and FORMAT (to choose the target format), the OPTIONS check boxes, the text box QUANTITY, the buttons OK, HELP. EXIT and SERVICES, the message box DETAILS and a short help text at the bottom of the screen (only available when a mouse is installed). All the settings previously used re-appear on the main menu when it is started, because they have been stored upon the last program exit. These settings are stored as soon as you hit OK or ENTER. You can also store them directly by pressing the "F2" key. If a previous setup can now no longer be fulfilled (e.g. a setting such as SOURCE = J:\DSKS\10000.DSK... ... where J: is a network drive and the network has not yet been loaded), then settings will either revert to a standard setup, or an appropriate dialog box will appear in order to correct the error. A dialog box is opened when certain options are selected. You can always exit a dialog box with ESC or CANCEL. Any switch will then return to a standard value, and any checked option will be deactivated. The choice of the DSK option for the option buttons SOURCE and TARGET, as well as the check boxes for the options "New boot sec." and "Log file" (only available in the Professional edition) open dialog boxes for furth- er text input for filenames. Enter the file name either directly into the "DSK-file" text box (use complete path, such as [drive]:\ e.g. C:\), or chose a file from the "files" list. At the bottom of the dialog box you will find detailed information on the highlighted file (name, size in bytes, date and time created), and the line above will indicate further about the filter (path and files *.DSK). An appropriate file must already exist if a DSK-file or a boot sector file is to be chosen as a Source. When considering a DSK file as a target or a log file, it must be possible for the file to be set up. The file names can be specified without extensions (the correct extension will then be added automatically), or with the extensions .DSK for DSK-files, .BS for boot sector files or .P for log files. All other extensions will be rejected. The screen will display an error message if an invalid filename has been entered, which must then be confirmed with OK. When the optin button "Directory" under Target is checked, a dialog box appears permitting you to enter a directory name (we have chosen not to program or offer a list box at this point, as we feel that it is un- likely that a user would wish to add the contents of a diskette into an existing directory). You should enter the complete path (including drive letter) when specifying a directory. The directory need not necessarily exist, you should not, however, specify a directory which cannot be created (e.g. specifying non existing drives). - 12 - We recommend that you always provide complete path names when specifying file and directory names. If you have, however, entered a relative (incomplete) path, then any filenames entered will be referenced to the directories listed in the second to last line of the dialog box. If you have specified a drive other than the one listed in the second but last line of the dialog box, then the current directory of that drive will be- come the default directory. When specifying another drive, the directory that is current will become the default directory. The option "Spec." under the option button FORMAT opens a dialog box to set the formats. You are given a choice of several appropriate formats for the respective drives. Next to the "raw" format in Kilobytes, you will find, in brackets, the details of the number of tracks (Total: 160 indicates 80 tracks, 2 heads) and the number of sectors per track. For a particular format, the button DETAILS allows you to further specify how many sectors can be allotted to an allocation unit (sectors per cluster) and how many entries are assigned for the root directory. Regarding number of sectors per cluster, setting the number to 2 is only advisable in extraordinary circumstances; the file allocation table (FAT) will be- come smaller (because fewer allocation units have to be assigned), but on the other hand, each file will occupy 1K or multiples of that, so that for example, a file of 1536 bytes (1024 + 512) will occupy 2 Kbytes. When the number of sectors/cluster is 1, then the FAT table is larger, but a file such as the 1536 bytes file will only occupy 1.5 Kbytes (512 + 512 + 512). If you would like to indulge in some arithmetic: For every 341 allocation units you need to allot 1 sector to the FAT. The FAT cannot have more than 4096 entries (that is why a 2.8M diskette requires 2 sec- tors per cluster). Each of the 16 root directory entries needs 1 sector (512 bytes). A reduction of the number of entries is therefore definite- ly recommended if only a limited number of files are to be stored. Many special formats cannot be processed by DOS without further assist- ance. For this reason, the program FDREAD v1.8, written by Christoph Hochstätter is included with QCopy. This program is loaded into memory and permits the reading and writing of diskettes with special formats, such as those processed by QCopy (or other programs). A text box will be opened if the check box option "New label" is active, so that you may enter a new name for the label. OK or ENTER will confirm the inputed name, ESC or CANCEL will abort the option. If a setting is loaded which already includes a (previously entered) name for the option New label, and if this is not altered for that setting, then as a precau- tion, a dialog box will appear requesting confirmation. This similarly applies for the target setup, when Target = DSK or Directory. If the check box option "Serial No." is checked (available only in the Professional Edition), then a dialog box will open and prompt you for further settings. "No serial number" ensures that no extended boot sector will be created when formatting, when copying the details of the source will be pertin- ent. - 13 - If "Input new serial number" is selected, then the number entered in the "input" text box will be used. If "Continually increment new no." is selected, then the number entered in the text box will be incremented by 1 (hexadecimal) for each copy/for- mat in excess of quantity 1. The new number must consist of 4 hexadecimal numbers, 0 to 9, A, B, C, D, E, and F, a hyphen followed by another 4 hexadecimal numbers. "Automatic increment" is only effective when DSK is checked in the Source option button. A stored serial number in the DSK-file will be increment- ed by 1 for every copy made. The actual number will be stored when the DSK-file is first stored and this option is checked. The stored serial number can be changed afterwards by accessing "Services" with the function "Reset Serial Number" (see below). If the option "Serial No." is not checked, then the serial numbers will be issued according to DOS conventions. SERVICES will allow you to call up other functions (see below). You can exit QCopy with the EXIT button or the ESC key. - 14 - Command line parameters ======================= By adding command line parameters to the main command, QCopy permits you to begin work immediately without having to enter the main menu. The program terminates after the work has been performed i.e. the command has been initiated. A command line parameter consists of the inputs SOURCE TARGET OPTIONS QUANTITY. The individual entries are separated by a space. The parameters are defined as follows: a.) Main Setup See above b.) Source The program recognizes a command line pertinent to the source by the inclusion of "Q=" or "Q:" preced- ing the setting. You can omit these if you specify "A" "B" or "A:" to "Z:" for a floppy drive, "[path] [filename].DSK" for a diskette file or "FORMAT" "F" "QF" "SF" for formatting. The exten- sion .DSK may be omitted if the filename is preced- ed with the expression "DSK=". If you do decide to define a parameter for the source without the "Q=" or "Q:", then this parameter must precede that of the target. c.) Target The program recognizes a command line pertinent to the target by the inclusion of "Z=" or "Z:" preced- ing the setting. You can omit these if you specify "A" "B" or "A:" to "Z:" for a floppy drive, "[path][filename].DSK" for a diskette file or "[directory]\" for the directory. The extension .DSK may be omitted if the filename is preceded with the expression "DSK=". The ending "\" can be omitted if that parameter is preceded by "VZ=". If you do decide to define a parameter for the target without the "Z=" or "Z:", then this para- meter must follow that of the source. d.) Formatting The parameter for formatting should be preceded by either a "F=" or "F:" i.e."format=" or "format:". The following formats are available: "160" "180" "320" "360" "720" "1.2" "1200" "1.4" "1440" "2.8" "2880" (these are also available with preceding "F=" etc.) for tangible formats, "TARGET", if the format found on the target is to be used "SOURCE" if the format of the source is to be used (SOURCE applicable to copying, not when formatting has been selected). - 15 - "Txx[Hx]Sxx[Rxxx][Cx]" for special formats, where "Txx" is the number of tracks (40,41,80-83), "Hx" is the number of heads (1 or 2; the 2 is default), "Sxx" is the number of sectors per track (8,9,10,15, 17,18,20,21,36), "Rxxx" the number of possible entries in the root directory (16 to 240; must be divisible by 16, if a non-valid figure is entered, then default numbers of 64,112,224,240 will be used), "Cxx" is the number of sectors per cluster (1 or 2; if a number is not specified, then the number of 1 (for DD) and 2 (for HD) will be used as a default value). If no format is specified, then the format of the copy will be used as if set to "SOURCE", when for- matting a standard format: 360K for 5¼" DD drives, 720K for 3½" DD drives, 1.2M for 5¼" HD drives and 1.4M for 3½" HD drives. e.) Options The program recognizes an option parameter by the endings "+" or "-". "+" turns the option on, "-" turns the option off. See below for the pre- settings. You need only set the respective para- meters if the pre-setting is not to be used. DOS(-) If this option is activated, then the program will utilize the DOS function (IOCTL) for diskette access, otherwise the BIOS function will be used. Driver dependent (floppy) drives (i.e. external... ) can also be used by using DOS functions, however, only standard DOS formats can then be processed. Only drives A: and B: can be used when using the BIOS function. It is then possible to format the special formats. If the target is assigned a floppy disk drive letter C: to Z:, then DOS should be set to "+". DE(+) Recognize disk change. If this option is selected, then the program determines if the disk- ette has been changed by itself. The program will prompt you for a diskette change, only in the event that a diskette needs to be read or written, and that immediately prior to this event, this diskette has been read or written to, e.g. when copying B: to B:, prior to writing when copying from A: to B:, quantity "7", each time after writing of the copy, not when writing the first copy. If this option is not set, then a prompt requesting each diskette change will be required. TON(+) If this option is active, then an acoustic sound will be emitted to alert you to an error message. - 16 - FORMAT(-) If this option is active, then a diskette will be formatted when written. The target diskette will be fully formatted when set to SOURCE="format". If this option is inactive,then the program will verify that the target diskette has already been formatted, i.e. that it has been formatted to the correct format. If this is the case, then no formatting will take place when copying, only a logical (short) format when formatting (SOURCE="format"), that is, new boot sector, FAT's and root directory are established. FNB(-) Format only used tracks. This option is only available in the professional addition. When acti- vated, in the case where a target diskette requires formatting before copying, only the tracks contain- ing data will be formatted. P(+) Verify. If this option is activated, then a CRC check will be performed on the diskette after writing. DV(-) Data comparison. This option only works if "verify" (see above) is also active and is only available in the professional edition. Instead of the CRC checks, the tracks containing data are read once more and placed into a buffer, and compared byte by byte with the contents of the write buffer. FP(-) Verify formatting. Set in conjunction with the opt- ion "verify", this feature, when active, will addit- ionally verify the formatted tracks which do not contain data. If verify is deactivated, then this option has no effect. ALLES(-) Read all tracks, not only the ones containing data. If this option is inactive, then only the tracks containing data will be read into memory. If this option is active, then all the tracks will be read. If the option format is set to 1:1 and if the format of the target permits it to be formatted in the same format as the source, then an identical copy will be processed which does not have any further optimization. As a result, this will produce a copy which corresponds to one achieved by the (DOS) program DISKCOPY. WARNEN(-) Overwrite warning. This option, when active, will verify if data is present on the target diskette. If data exists, then you will be prompted to confirm that you wish the data to be overwritten. AB(-) Automatic floppy disk drive change. This option is only available in the professional edition. If you have two identical drives A: and B: then activating this option for a quantity greater than 1 will result in the drives being addressed alternately. - 17 - f.) Quantity Specify "Quantity=[1-9999]". The default setting is quantity 1. You can also alter the quantity while copying or formatting. (see below) g.) Serial number The assignment of diskette serial numbers (volume numbers) can only be made in the professional edition. "SNR=NORMAL" (default). The volume numbers are assigned according to standard DOS convention. A new volume number is generated when formatting; a new number is generated when copying if the source contains an extended boot sector. "SNR=xxxx-xxxx". A serial number xxxx-xxxx (where x is a hexadecimal number) is generated for the target. "SNR=xxxx-xxxxPLUS". A serial number xxxx-xxxx (where x is a hexadecimal number) is generated for the first copy and xxxx-xxx(x+1) is given to the second copy etc. "SNR=KEINE". No new serial number is issued. Any serial number present on the source is transferred. "SNR=AUTOPLUS". This only applies if the source is a DSK-file. The target will receive the serial number stored in the DSK-file, incremented by one, for each copy processed. h.) Read boot sector file and issue to source. The boot sector file should be preceded with "BS=" or "BS:". e.g. "BS=C:\UTILS\QCOPY\AUTOBOOT.BS i.) Name log file. Use a "P=" or "P:" in front of the log file you wish to utilize, e.g. "PS=C:\UTILS\QCOPY\ALLES.P j.) New label. Use "NAME=" or "N=" followed by the name to define the new label. A name containing spaces is permiss- ible. Specify this parameter last. k.) Ready. This parameter has been specially included for users of the program SRDISK (from version 2). If the op- tion "recognize disk change" is activated, then a RAM drive defined by the SRDISK parameter /F:<size> can be recognized as "always ready". "READY=E:" or "R=E:" signifies that QCopy sees the diskette in drive E: and as changed and begins the write cycle. Please note that READY= will also be effective for other RAM drives (not valid for A: or B:). - 18 - Please note that portions of the command line parameters can also be entered into the environment variable QCPARAMS. This is only practi- cal for settings which rarely change (e.g. log files). Any parameters which are not required for a particular setting are ignored (e.g. "FORMAT=1.4" in "QCOPY A: VZ=C:\TEST\ FORMAT=1.4") Examples -------- QCOPY F A: 360 P- Format a diskette to 360K in drive A: without verifying. QCOPY SF A: 1440 N=DISK 1 or QCOPY F A: 1440 F- N=DISK 1 Logical Format (short format) of diskette in drive A: to 1440K. Disk will to be "DISK 1" QCOPY A A 1200 N=SAMPLE 1 and QCOPY A VZ=A:\ WARNEN+ Copy diskette in drive A: with diskette of drive A: to a target format of 1200K and label "SAMPLE 1" and then copy diskette in drive A: into the root directory of the diskette in drive A:. Provide also overwrite warning if duplicate files are present. QCOPY A: C:\DSKS\TEST.DSK F=2880 Copy diskette in drive A: into the DSK-file "TEST.DSK" located in the directory C:\DSKS (using format 2.8M). QCOPY A: C:\DSKS\TEST.DSK B: 720 ANZ=30 SNR=0001-0001PLUS Make 30 copies of the DSK-file "TEST.DSK" located in the directory C:\DSKS on to diskette of format 720K in drive B: with serial numbers commencing from "0001-0001" to "0001-001F". QCOPY A: C:\DSKS\TEST.DSK B: F=ZIEL ANZ=30 SNR=0001-0001PLUS N=MAIN 1.PROG Make 30 copies of the DSK-file "TEST.DSK" located in the directory C:\DSKS on pre-formatted diskette in drive B: with serial numbers and with the label "MAIN 1.PROG". - 19 - Program operation ================= The program commences execution after the settings have been established. First, the boot sector of the source is read. If errors are encountered, an error message will be displayed. Error: The format of the source diskette cannot be handled with the DOS-function. or Confirm: The format of the source diskette cannot be handled with the DOS-function. This program will switch over to the BIOS function to read. This type of error can arise if you attempt to read diskettes with special formats whilst the "USE DOS" function is activated. For drives A: and B:, the program will switch over to the BIOS function option. Error: The boot sector of the source diskette is probably damaged! The diskette cannot be read. If this error is reported, then the boot sector was "technically" read into memory, but the specified values for diskette format were not plausible. When receiving such a message, you should verify that the diskette has not been damaged with a boot sector virus. If the boot sector cannot be "technically" read (into memory), then you will receive a "normal" error message (see further details under Error Messages). Once the boot sector of the source has been successfully read, a message will appear on the screen while copying or formatting takes place. The left hand side of the screen will provide you information about the source and the right hand of the target. A small field displays further information about the copying and formatting process. Changes can be made to the copying/formatting while in progress by utilizing the panel of switches. "+" increases the number of copies being made and "-" re- duces them. If "verify" is switched, then the CRC check will be turned on and for "don't verify" it will be turned off. "Format" ensures that after writing to the previous tract, the next one will be (force) format- ted. "Don't format" turns this function off again. Cancel aborts the copying/formatting process. If the target is just being written to, then a warning message will appear with the choice of "abort" or "continue". If you specify "abort", then the program will terminate and "continue" will continue to process the diskette. Should an error occur, then an error message box will appear. If this error can be rectified (e.g. remove diskette write protect) then you will be given the choice of "OK" or "cancel". If the error cannot be rectifi- ed, then you can only cancel the process. - 20 - If you discover during copying that a particular target format cannot be utilized because the contents of the source requires a greater capacity, or you have set "format=target" and the diskette is not formatted, then you will be requested, if possible, to specify a new format. You can then choose any format from the dialog box which will permit the contents of the source to fit onto the target. If no target format can accommo- date the source, then you will receive a message indicating that fact. If you copy into a directory, then a further dialog box will appear which will inform you of the file names being copied. If small files are copied on to a hard drive, then their names will appear so quickly across the screen as to be unreadable. - 21 - Error Messages ============== If an error occurs while QCopy is performing a task, then a dialog box will open and remain so until you confirm with OK or CANCEL. You will only be able to use OK in the event that the error can be rectified. The following provides details of the types of errors: Messages for rectifiable errors ------------------------------- Write protect on the diskette in the drive [drive]: The target diskette is write protected. Remove the write protect (slide tab on a 3½" diskette or remove sticker on the edge of a 5¼" diskette), place the diskette back into the drive and use OK. The diskette in drive [drive]: was changed. This message should actually not occur. Try to continue with OK. If this persists, then you should reboot. Place a diskette into drive [drive]: There is no diskette in the specified drive. Insert a diskette and press OK. Messages which can be ignored ----------------------------- Diskette in drive [drive]: - data error (sector used) Data error implies that the check-sum of the sector to be stored does not compare with the check-sum of the data read. The data being read defin- itely contains errors. When reading such a diskette, you can either IGNORE, RETRY or CANCEL. If you enter RETRY, then the program will again attempt to read the erroneous data. Messages for unrectifiable errors ---------------------------------- Diskette in drive [drive]: - wrong diskette media. You have used a DD for an HD diskette, or visa versa. Diskette in drive [drive]: - Requested sector not found This message appears most usually when the sector being accessed has not been formatted (e.g. diskettes which have been incompletely formatted). Diskette in drive [drive]: - Data errors Data error implies that the check-sum of the sector to be stored does not compare with the check-sum of the read/write data. The data definitely contains errors. The retry-ignore option is not offered in the case where the boot sector or root is read erroneously, or also where both copies of the (FAT) file allocation table contain errors. Diskette in drive [drive]: - Track not found Diskette in drive [drive]: - No valid boot sector Diskette in drive [drive]: - General failure. Data media error! Probably some internal DOS related error has occurred and the drive has become disoriented. A system reboot is recommended. - 22 - Diskette in drive [drive]: - Unknown media Diskette in drive [drive]: - Other error Error message was induced from DOS or the BIOS. Errors other than the ones listed above are so unlikely that no attempt is made to specify them. Error messages related to DSK files ----------------------------------- File error - Access not possible. File error - Network error No. xxx. File error - File not found. The specified file does not exist. File error - Path not found. The specified path does not exist. File error - Too many files open. File error - Access denied. The file may be read only. File error - Drive not valid. File error - Data error. File error - Record not found. The file has not been correctly assembled. File error - Sector not found. File error - Write error. Drive is full. File error - Read error. The file has not been correctly assembled. File error - General failure. File error - File locked. File error - Invalid diskette change. This can occur if the DSK-file is read from a diskette. - 23 - Services ======== Activating the SERVICES button in the main menu of the standard edition will generate a dialog box that will permit you to adjust or calibrate the sector shift rate which QCopy uses in BIOS mode ("Use DOS" is in- active). In the professional edition, you will generate a dialog box to activate further functions with the aid of the SERVICES button: "Set sector shift rate" will generate a dialog box that will permit you to adjust or calibrate the sector shift rate which QCopy uses in BIOS mode ("Use DOS" is inactive). "Read boot sector" activates a function which will read a boot sector of a diskette into a boot sector file. "Reset serial number" allows you to modify the "serial number - automatic increment", utilized for changing the base serial number of this option. Setup for sector shift rate --------------------------- When formatting diskettes, each track is divided into sectors. Thus, for example, 5¼" diskettes have as a standard 9 sectors per track. Internal information is written to the diskette for each sector, the details of its size (512 bytes), to the number of sectors per track, and to the logical number of the sectors. This logical numbering system of the sectors is interesting when it is related to the speed of access for read or write process to and from the diskette. The diskette turns at a constant speed in the drive. To read, the first or the second head will, after searching, position itself over the track. It will begin to read when the sector 1 (logical numbering) is under the head. The data, having been read, will then be processed (e.g.trans- fered to memory) and the head or possibly another track will be changed in order to read the next sequence of data. The process is paused until sector 1 is located beneath the head etc. Waiting for sector 1 is a process which can be shortened. A maximum case would involve waiting for 8 sectors on 9 sectors per track. It would therefore be advantageous if sector 1 would appear under the head just at the point in time when the read cycle were to recommence. A sector shift rate can achieve this when formatting a diskette. QCopy stores two sector shift rate values for the various diskette formats. One for the case that only the head will be changed, the second for the event where the track will additionally be changed. The function "Set sector shift rate" allows you to input these values directly into the program for the various diskette formats, or you can have them measured (calibrated) by QCopy. First, choose the correct settings for drive, sectors per track and number of heads. The following values are valid for standard formats: - 24 - Format Sectors/track Heads -------------- ------------- ----- DD 160K 8 1 DD 180K 9 2 DD 320K 8 2 DD 360K 9 2 DD 720K 9 2 HD 1200K 15 2 HD 1440K 18 2 ED 2880K 36 2 After you have selected ADJUSTMENT, you can enter the values for "shift at head change" and "shift at track change". "Shift at track change" is the only value to be set when dealing with one sided diskettes. In order to let QCOPY establish the optimum value for the sector shift rates, you will need to prepare an empty diskette of suitable type (or one on which the data is not required). First choose the correct setting to the drive, sectors/track and heads. Select the button marked "CALIBRATION". You will be prompted to insert a diskette. You can still terminate the process at this point without losing data. After insert- ing the diskette and selecting OK, the calibration will commence. A number of tracks will repeatedly be formatted and read using various sector shift rates. The read time displayed is calculated to cover the estimated time to read the entire diskette. Select CANCEL and the cali- bration process will be terminated, the stored values will remain un- changed. The STORE button will store the most suitable values up to that point in the calibration process. The values for the best times achieved will be stored at the end of the calibration. Reading a boot sector --------------------- With the professional edition you can arrange to have QCopy use another boot sector. This boot sector will be read from a file which has been previously created with the function "Get a boot sector". After calling up this function, you first specify from which drive you wish the boot sector of the diskette to be read. Then specify a file name (enter a complete path name) into which the boot sector will be read into. Place the diskette into the specified drive and select the READ button. Modifying stored serial numbers ------------------------------- If you have activated the option "Serial No. - automatic increment" and have specified as a source a DSK-file, then QCopy will store a serial number (volume number) for this DSK-file. This number will be automatic- ally incremented whenever the DSK-file is accessed and the option "Serial No. - automatic increment" is activated. You can change the stored value of the serial number by calling up the button RESET SERIAL NUMBER. If no DSK-file -- serial number is stored, then you will receive an appro- priate message, otherwise a list box will open so that you can select a DSK-file (the display will show DSK file names without their exten- sions "DSK" and in brackets their paths). Enter a new base number into the field marked INPUT. RESET sets the base number back to "0000-0000". Exit ends the function, the change having been stored, CANCEL aborts the function without storing the changed value. - 25 - HELP ==== QCopy offers context sensitive help for practically all program func- tions. HELP is accessed by selecting the HELP button or hitting the F1 key (help may be available even though no HELP button is visible). Program characteristics and error messages ========================================== QCopy is capable of copying between diskettes of different formats. This is accomplished as follows: The boot sector is read into memory. This boot sector is the first sector on a diskette and contains, amongst other things, details about the format. The format of the source can be determined according to the information contained in the boot sector. The file allocation table (FAT) and the root is then read into memory. According to information contained in these, it is possible to determine which tracks of the source diskette occupy data. If the option "read only alloc."is checked, then only these tracks are read. Once the read cycle is finished, the data is prepared for the target format and stored into memory (coincidently, the files become defragmented). This process occurs even if the source and target format are identical. It is then determined for the target diskette which tracks contain data. The format of the target diskette is tested. In addition, an attempt is made to read the boot sector of the target. The target diskette is then formatted and written. Due to the process by which QCopy makes a copy, it is feasible that two diskettes can be physically unequal, even though the copy was made be- tween diskettes of equal format. If you then want to verify that such a copy is "correct", then a data comparison will begin. Programs like DISKCOMP will report deviations. For the same reason, QCopy is not suit- able to copy programs which contain hardware copy protection schemes. Diskettes with copy protection use special "hidden" identification schemes which are not, as a rule, copied along by QCopy. Some installation programs use absolute addresses from the installation diskette. These types of programs are also likely not to perform properly from a copy made by QCopy. QCopy will determine the drive data only once at the start of the pro- gram. The following problem could arise when using diskettes which have been compressed with programs such as DOUBLESPACE: When a DOUBLESPACE'd diskette resides in the drive at the time the program starts, only the host drive will be accepted (e.g. the compressed diskette is in B:, host drive is M: - QCopy will not recognize B: as a diskette drive, but in- stead will recognize drive M:). If a diskette is now inserted at the start of the program which is not compressed, (QCopy will then recognize B:) followed by a compressed diskette, then read and write will result in error (option "Use DOS" is active). The results of such a sequence are undeterminable. Most of the special formats which you can achieve with QCopy will not regularly be accepted by DOS. You should run the TSR program FDREAD, written by Christoph Hochstätter when using such formats. - 26 - QFile v1.0 (only packaged with the professional edition) ========================================================= QFile will transform a DSK secured file on your hard drive and make it available as a new drive. Virtually all DOS commands will function on this drive (programs which have been tested and verified are: all DOS commands, MS-Windows 3.1, DESQView, as well as PCTools and Norton pro- grams). QFile can be loaded into upper memory with the command LOADHIGH (DOS 5.0 and higher). Qualifications -------------- MS-DOS from version 3.3 (neither Dr-Dos not OS/2). Some of the early DOS 4.0 versions contained errors and could fail (in general, it is recommended that the specific DOS versions 4.0 and 6.0 be replaced and updated). QFile must be called up prior to using MS-Windows and other multitasking systems. Under no circumstances should QFile be called up in a DOS-window within a multitasking system. Functions --------- Qfile makes a logical drive available, the operation of which is steered over to the DSK-file. This logical drive does not have an associated physical drive. In principal, all programs i.e. files, which have been set for logical drives will function. Programs which attempt to access the physical drives will falter. If such programs were to be "badly" implemented, then the data processor could "hang up", or the contents of the DSK-file could be destroyed. The danger of destroying the file can be minimized by adding the switch option /r (read only) in the command line of QFile. Startup ------- The program is loaded with the command: [path]QFILE [/option] [DSK-file] [drive letter]: e.g. QFILE C:\DSKS\TEST.DSK D: or simply: QFILE C:\DSKS\TEST.DSK where [DSK-file] is the name of a DSK file previously created with QCopy. This (DSK) file must not be altered nor deleted as long as the QFILE- driver is loaded, even though further access is possible. This file would also be considered as having been altered if a defragmentation program e.g. COMPRESSS, SPEEDISK and DEFRAG were called up for that particular drive. [drive letter] specifies the newly to be created drive, followed by a colon. The drive to be created must not already exist and must be avail- able to your system. In a DOS system with a hard drive, it is usual that - 27 - the letters A: to C: have already been assigned so that the first avail- able drive would be D:. As long as you have not specified any other drive letters during the installation of DOS on your system, you can specify drive letters up to "F". If QFile generates the error message "drive letter beyond limits", then the limits will have to be extended. Refer to the section LASTDRIVE in your DOS manual. The switch [drive letter] is optional and can be omitted. If omitted, QFile will search for and assign the next available free drive letter. Overwrite access to the DSK-file can be prohibited by entering the option /r. For example: QFile /r C:\DSKS\TEST.DSK The driver can be removed (unloaded) with the command: QFile /d It is possible to activate several QFile drives. You can deactivate a particular drive by specifying the drive letter: QFile /d E: In general, you should remove the drives with QFile /d in the reverse order in which they had been created. For example, C:>qfile \bin\a.dsk activates pseudo drive D: C:>qfile \bin\b.dsk activates pseudo drive E: C:>qfile /d 2 QFile drivers found. Drive E: is no longer valid C:>qfile /d 1 QFile driver found. Drive D: is no longer valid A short help text is generated after entering the command: QFILE In addition, the number of loaded QFile-drivers will be displayed to- gether with their drive letters. Special considerations ---------------------- DR-DOS is not yet supported. Compatibility with some networks, caches and SCSI drivers have yet to be tested. In addition, multitasking will require further testing and possibly some critical regions must still be built in and tested. - 28 - QCopy only stores allocated blocks in the DSK-file. If an attempt is made to read unallocated blocks with QFile, then the reading will be successful, but data buffer being transferred will not be altered. The DSK-file will only be closed after QFile has been deactivated. Although QFile attempts to actually keep the DSK-file on the hard drive, it is possible that cache programs can cause the DSK-file to be realized only after QFile has been deactivated. QFile will deny any other program access to an active DSK-file. Unfor- tunately, this protection only functions if SHARE has been loaded first. QFile messages -------------- Load: QFile [/r] .DSK-file [drive letter]: or QFile /d [drive letter]: to unload (remove) assistance will be displayed when parameters are entered erroneously. Note: Other undocumented options are included which merely serve for test purposes and may have undesirable consequences if used. "Pseudo drive D: is active. (read only)" or "Pseudo drive D: is active. (read and write)" Message after successful installation. "1 QFILE driver found" Drive D: is again invalid Information provided after successful removal. "Terminate your session in MS-Windows now!" QCopy has discovered an active Microsoft-Windows, neither installation nor removal is possible. QFile must be loaded before you start Windows. "This DOS version is not supported!" The program is not capable of running under this operating system (MS DOS versions lower than 3.30 or DR-DOS or OS/2 DOS-Box or other DOS systems). You may be using incompatible DOS extensions. Avoid making further use of QFile, or upgrade to DOS 5.0 or 6.2. - 29 - "Internal error: go nul" This internal error should never occur; it points to serious errors in the internal data stack of the operating system. An immediate restart of the processor and isolation of the offending program is strongly re- commended. "Drive letter is beyond limits" The DRIVE LETTER is incorrect and conflicts with the LASTDRIVE directive. If no drive letter was specified, then there will be no free drives. "Drive letter is already in use" The DRIVE LETTER is incorrect, it is already being used. ".DSK file could not be found: <filename>" Read error when accessing .DSK file. ".DSK file was not created by QCopy" The DSK-file is incorrect or does not refer to a QCopy file. The file may also be blocked by other programs. "Insufficient space for an expanded .DSK-file" In order that QFile can permit write access to DSK-files, the file must previously have been expanded to its maximum size. The drive which con- tains the DSK-file has insufficient place to accommodate the increased file size. Either free up some space for the drive, or copy the DSK-file onto another drive. Alternately, you can also use the option /r when running QFile. In this case, write access to the DSK-file is denied. ".DSK-file must be copied to a suitable drive. Error: XXX" where XXX: is; FATCHK, Canon, DPB, GET, JFT, Get SFT, SecSiz or Re- movable. The information furnished for the DSK-file has contained an error. DSK files which reside on this drive cannot be processed any longer. Try to copy the DSK files onto another drive and try again. ".DSK-file cannot be reopened: <filename>" Try to run the same program once more. If the error occurs again, then copy the DSK-file to another drive. - 30 - "QFile driver verification error. Restart processor strongly recommended!!!!" Although no error had occurred when the driver was installed, a new drive failed to activate and install. Turn the processor off for a short time and avoid further use of QFile. The error message "Translate DPB failed" may also appear. "QFile driver not found" The removal of the driver could not occur since QFile was not installed. "Internal error: XXX Restart processor strongly recommended!!!!" where XXX: is; DPB, CHN, CLS, ABBLAE or MEM. An error has occurred while the driver was removed. If this type of error is reported, then it is likely that a deep rooted error has occurred. It is definitely recommended that the processor is restarted. If these errors continue to be displayed, then either QFile is not working properly, or another program is working incorrectly within the processor. Try to locate the error and avoid further use of that program absolutely. The contents of the DSK file could be inconsistent, especially for the error message ABBLAE; in addition, you should run CHKDSK or a similar program on the specific drive after receiving this message. - 31 - Upgrades and other QCopy Programs ================================= QCopy version 5.1 is delivered in two editions namely, the "Standard Edition" and the "Professional Edition". We also offer the Windows program "QCopy for Windows v1.1". If you are a registered user of QCopy, then you can update or upgrade your current version according to the following tables: For all customers in the US and OVERSEAS, payment in US funds is as follows (see next page for Canada): _____________________________________________________________________ | \ | QCopy | QCopy | QCopy | QCopy for | | \ From | v 4.0 | v 5.1 | v 5.1 | Windows | | To \ | | Std | Prof | v 1.1 | |_____________|_____________|_____________|_____________|_____________| | QCopy | | | | | | v 5.1 | $ 22.00 | ---- | ---- | $ 22.00 | | Std | | | | | |_____________|_____________|_____________|_____________|_____________| | QCopy | | | | | | v 5.1 | $ 38.00 | $ 16.00 | ---- | $ 38.00 | | Prof | | | | | |_____________|_____________|_____________|_____________|_____________| | QCopy for | | | | | | Windows | $ 21.00 | $ 16.00 | ---- | ---- | | v 1.1 | | | | | |_____________|_____________|_____________|_____________|_____________| | | | | | | | QCopyPAK *) | $ 42.00 | $ 25.00 | ---- | ---- | | | | | | | |_____________|_____________|_____________|_____________|_____________| QCopyPAK *) Includes QCopy for Windows v1.1 and QCopy Prof Edition v5.1 To use the above table, examine the first row (From) and find your current version. Go down the column until you find the program you wish to upgrade (To) on the left hand column. The intersection of the two will give you the upgrade price. Example, you are a registered user of QCopy v4.0 and wish to upgrade to the QCopyPAK (includes QCopy for Windows and QCopy v5.1 professional edition). Price US $42.00. The above prices include shipping and handling costs. In addition to the program diskette, printed manuals and an invoice are also provided. We do accept company purchase orders (subject to prior approval), but regrettably DO NOT at this point (September 1995) accept credit cards. - 32 - In Canada, upgrade prices are as follows - all funds in $ CDN _____________________________________________________________________ | \ | QCopy | QCopy | QCopy | QCopy for | | \ From | v 4.0 | v 5.1 | v 5.1 | Windows | | To \ | | Std | Prof | v 1.1 | |_____________|_____________|_____________|_____________|_____________| | QCopy | | | | | | v 5.1 | $ 28.00 | ---- | ---- | $ 28.00 | | Std | | | | | |_____________|_____________|_____________|_____________|_____________| | QCopy | | | | | | v 5.1 | $ 48.00 | $ 20.00 | ---- | $ 48.00 | | Prof | | | | | |_____________|_____________|_____________|_____________|_____________| | QCopy for | | | | | | Windows | $ 28.00 | $ 20.00 | ---- | ---- | | v 1.1 | | | | | |_____________|_____________|_____________|_____________|_____________| | | | | | | | QCopyPAK *) | $ 54.00 | $ 32.00 | ---- | ---- | | | | | | | |_____________|_____________|_____________|_____________|_____________| QCopyPAK *) Includes QCopy for Windows v1.1 and QCopy Prof. Edition v5.1 The above prices include shipping and handling costs. Please add taxes as follows: Orders outside Quebec, add 7% GST Orders within Quebec, add 7% GST plus 6.5% TVQ In addition to the program diskette, printed manuals and an invoice are also provided. We do accept company purchase orders (subject to prior approval), but regrettably DO NOT at this point (September 1995) accept credit cards. Please makes cheques payable to BayDee Inc. ********************** QCOPY GERMAN EDITIONS ************************ Die verschiedenen Versionen von QCopy können Sie direkt von dem Author in Deutschland beziehen. Bitte wenden Sie sich an: Herrn Ulrich Feldmüller Ulrich Feldmüller computersoftware Gerhard-Rohlfs-Straße 48 D 28757 Bremen Deutschland Telefon ++49(0)421-652118 FAX ++49(0)421-6589536 DFÜ ++49(0)421-655001 ************************************************************************* - 33 - Acknowledgements ================ Trade marks ----------- This documentation refers to trademarks: IBM, PC/XT, PC/AT, PS/2 and OS/2 are registered trade marks of International Business Machine Corporation. MS-DOS, MS Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. DR-DOS is a trademark of Digital Research Inc. PCTools is a trademark of Central Point Software Inc. Norton is a trademark of Norton Utilities DESQView is a trademark of Quarterdeck Office Systems Copyright --------- Author and Copyright 1990-95 by Ulrich Feldmueller, Bremen, Germany. Translation into English by BayDee Inc. Publisher and distributor BayDee Inc. Packing list ------------ QCOPY.EXE Main executable program QCOPY.RES Program resource file QCOPY.OVR Program file (Prof. edition only) FDREAD.EXE Driver QFILE.COM Program file (Prof. edition only) QCOPY.ORD Order form. (shareware version only) QCOPY.DOC Manual, text file - this file. README.TXT Text file - latest update information & revisions README.1ST Text file - special instructions VENDOR.DOC Instructions for BBS & vendors. (shareware version only) FILE_ID.DIZ Text file - program ID. (shareware version only) In addition to the above, the file QCOPY.CFG (configuration file) will be generated on your hard drive after the program has been run for the first time.