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1993-06-30
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Rosenthal Engineering 3737 Sequoia, San Luis Obispo, CA USA 93401
all patent, trademark and copyrights reserved. 1993
Master Disk (tm)
Master Disk prepares floppy diskettes used as masters for software
duplication and distribution. Software duplicated from Master Disk
prepared originals is more reliable and resistant to virus
contamination. Master Disk examines the diskette and drive for flaws
and errors, and verifies the quality and integrity as being suitable
for use as the original master from which many duplicate copies are to
be made.
Distribution security is enhanced because unused areas of the diskette
and file allocation table (FAT) are filled with special security code,
reducing opportunity for concealment of viruses and similar malicious
contamination. The system boot tracks are replaced by a special
security program that displaces potential boot sector viruses and
displays an announcement if the system is booted from the diskette.
The registered user's company name is embedded within the security code
and displayed if the system is booted from the enhanced diskette. You
can demonstrate this extra protection by booting a system with the
protected diskette in place, or use the DOS DIR command which reveals
zero bytes free.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Master Disk Enhances Distribution Security
Users need to trust the software received from reliable vendors, but an
alarming number of virus infections have been spread by software
actually contaminated at its source. Master Disk assures users that a
software supplier has made every effort to protect the integrity of
software they distribute.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Mastering Diskettes for Reliability and Security
Floppy diskettes store information in concentric circles called tracks.
Every track is further divided into multiple sections called sectors.
In order to keep track of the files stored on each diskette, the
computer's disk operating system records the side, track, sector, bios
parameter block, file allocation table, bootstrap loader and similar
information in specific areas, sectors and tracks of the diskette.
When a computer system is first turned on, reset, or booted; the
embedded program stored in the computer's nonvolatile memory directs
the computer to attempt to execute the disk operating system from the
boot sector of the default floppy diskette. If the computer fails to
find a diskette to load the disk operating system from, it will then
load from the normal memory storage device, such as a hard disk drive.
The ability to load the operating system from the boot sector of a
floppy diskette is required for initial set up and maintenance of the
hard disk drive, but presents a significant security risk for infection
by boot sector viruses.
The boot sector of distribution floppy diskettes is a popular hiding
place for contamination by malicious programs such as software viruses,
worms, trojans, modification and other tampering. Master Disk
overwrites the boot sector of the diskette and replaces it with a
special security program. When the boot sector security program runs,
it displays an announcement, and the registered source of the software.
Master Disk overwrites other unused portions of of the diskette with
special security code, preventing malicious programs from being
transferred between systems in the unused portions of the diskette or
increasing the size of a trusted file by attaching malicious virus code
to it.
It's important that only reliable diskettes are replicated, so all
tracks are verified to disclose any discrepancies,
- - - - - - - - - - - -
How to use Master Disk
Prepare a freshly formatted diskette to include all the files and data
you wish to distribute. Follow the directions for your independent
virus detector to assure that the computer you're using has no known
viruses active. Run the Master Disk program from the DOS prompt and
follow the directions to enter the letter of the diskette drive you
wish to process.
Only registered users have an additional file called MASTER.DAT which
contains the company name that gets embedded in the security code. If
you have not yet registered, you may still evaluate this software but
without the embedded company name.
Master Disk will process the floppy diskette, filling unused tracks,
directory entries and boot sector with security code.
The first time the program is run, registered users should check the
spelling of their embedded company name as it appears in the boot
sector announcement.
Master Disk will prompt the user to enable the write protect notch at
the appropriate time. The process will continue until the entire disk
is examined and verified.
Finally, use your virus detecting program to examine the completed
distribution disk. That's it..... you're done!
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Duplication of Diskettes from Original Masters
Whether you duplicate a few diskettes on single PC or send them out to
a duplication house, the process is similar.
Diskettes Used for Mastering
The diskette used as a master should be new, of high quality, freshly
formatted using a clean, tested drive. Even if you have erased files
from the diskette before using it, some information may remain, which
is how some unerase programs can often recover files. When your
diskette is duplicated, even erased files are duplicated as well.
Master Disk will overwrite any unused tracks and erased files with
special security code, but it's still best to use a fresh diskette.
Only high quality diskettes should be used as masters. The major factor
in determining the reliability and quality of a floppy diskette is the
"clipping level". It refers to a measurement of the relative read/write
signal amplitude of the diskette. The "clipping level" is dependent on
the surface quality of the iron oxide coating of the diskette as it
contacts the clean head/write heads.
A diskette with a clipping level of 60% should produce no pulses that
are less than 60% of the average signal amplitude, with no more than
40% of the signal being clipped. If the clip level is not high enough,
a signal may fail to be read properly causing a data bit to be missed,
or dropout as it's called.
The best diskettes have a clipping level of 70% or at least 60%. The
industry ANSI standard calls for a minimum clipping level of 40%.
Bargain diskettes often have a lower clipping level, so use only good
quality diskettes for original master diskettes.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Disk Drive Preparation for Mastering
Make sure the diskette you use as a master is prepared on a freshly
cleaned drive. Follow the directions with the "Disk Drive Cleaner"
program from Rosenthal Engineering to ensure your disk drive is
operating at its optimum for preparing your original master. The "Disk
Drive Cleaner" contains additional information on the importance of
this process.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Duplicating Copies from Masters
Clearly label your masters. Include your company name, program title
date and of course "Master". If you're sending your master copy away
for duplication, it's best to make at least two backup copies using the
DOS DISKCOPY command. One backup copy you keep, and the master and one
backup are sen