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- This program overview is based on an outline developed by Nelson
- Ford for the Public (Software) Library.
-
-
- program name: HDTEST
- Shareware version num.: 4.45 date: 10/18/88
-
- Author: Peter R. Fletcher
- Address: 1515 West Montgomery Avenue, Rosemont PA 19010
-
- Telephone support available for Registered Users
-
-
- Requirements
- r = minimum required s = supported/optional n = not supported
- - = not applicable
- ******************************************************************
- Computer Memory Monitor Printer Input Device
- (_) Any MSDOS (_) 64k (r) Any (s) Any (r) any kybd
- (s) PC (_) 128k (s) CGA (_) Dot Mtrx. (-) 12 fkeys
- (s) PCjr (r) 256k (s) EGA (_) Laser (-) Mouse
- (s) PC-AT (s) 512k (s) Mono (-) Graphics (-) Joystick
- (_) AT&T 6300 (s) 640k (-) Herc (-) Color (-) Digitiz.
- (s) 99% Compat. (n) >640k ________ (_) Pin Feed (_) ________
- __________________________________________________________________
-
- # Drives Modem Software DOS Experience
- (s) 5.25" (-) 300 (-) BASIC (n) 1.x (_) None
- (s) 3.5" (-) 1200 (-) GW-BASIC (s) 2.x (r) Beginning
- (s) 1.2 meg. (-) 2400 (*) ANSI.SYS (s) 3.x (_) Moderate
- (s) Hard dsk. (-) 4800 (_) ________ (*) 4.x (_) Expert
- (s) RAM disk (-) 9600 (_) ________ (n) OS/2 (_) _________
-
- Other: * The shareware version of this software requires ANSI.SYS
- (or another ANSI console device driver) to be loaded for the
- generation of readable output screens, although it will function
- without such a driver. The Registered version of the program does
- not require an ANSI driver. The shareware version of the program
- will run under versions of DOS up to and including 4.0, but large
- (> 32 Mb) devices created under DOS 4.0 cannot be tested. Full
- DOS 4.0 support is incorporated in the Registered version of the
- program.
-
- Program Description
- ******************************************************************
- Purpose: HDTEST allows thorough READ/WRITE testing of a (hard or
- floppy) disk without loss of data.
-
- Features: This (Shareware) version of HDTEST allows thorough,
- comprehensive Read/Write testing of hard and 5.25", and 3.5" floppy
- disks on IBM PCs, XTs, ATs, and most reasonably IBM compatible
- clones. The latest version (sent to Registered users) can be used to
- test almost all DOS-accessible storage devices currently in use on
- MS-DOS-compatible computers, including removable (floppy and hard)
- disks and logically partitioned hard disks. HDTEST can thoroughly
- test the magnetic media on a device which contains data WHILE
- PRESERVING THE DATA (although data loss is unavoidable if an area
- which is in use has become unREADable). HDTEST normally tests the
- disk much more thoroughly than programs such as DFixer, Mace, and
- Norton's DT, because it WRITES AND reads multiple test patterns on
- every sector on the disk, and because it gets below the DOS level to
- detect errors which are minor enough to be ignored by DOS but may
- nevertheless warn of developing problems. In addition to its testing
- function, HDTEST has been reported to be useful as an automatic disk
- repair utility for both hard and floppy disks which develop
- (especially) intermittent or persistent read errors, preventing or
- impeding their normal use. Both versions of the HDTEST package
- include full documentation on disk and a second program (HDCHEK),
- which does not write to the disk, and can be used to check that a
- given hardware/software combination is compatible with HDTEST.
-