home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Shareware Overload Trio 2
/
Shareware Overload Trio Volume 2 (Chestnut CD-ROM).ISO
/
dir37
/
dfs126.zip
/
DFS.DOC
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1994-02-21
|
20KB
|
424 lines
┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ░▒▓█ DFS (DOS FORMAT Shell) v 1.26 █▓▒░ │
│ Shareware · February 1994 │
│ For DOS 5.x and 6.x · By Lee Sluga · HeliX Software │
├───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ · ┌ ┌ ┌── ┌ ┌┬─ ┌┐┌─ ┌── ┌┬┐ ┌── ┌┬─ ┌ ┌ ┌─┐ ┌┐ ┌── · │
│ ├─┤ ├ │ │ ├┤ └─┐ ├ ┤ ├ │ │┌┐│ ├─┤ ├┴┐ ├ │
│ · └ └ └── └── └┴─ └┘└─ └─┘ └┴┘ └ └ └┘└┘ └ └ └ └ └── · │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
┌─────────────────┐
│Table of Contents│
┌─────────┴─────────────────┴──────────┐
│ Shareware page.....................1 │
│ Installing & starting DFS........2-4 │
│ DFS main screen commands.........5-6 │
│ Error messages.....................7 │
│ Special notes......................8 │
│ Order form.........................9 │
└──────────────────────────────────────┘
┌
┌─┼─┐ When you see this, look for how to use the mouse
├─┴─┤ (if you have one
│ │ installed) with DFS.
└───┘
PAGE 1
"Shareware page"
Every manual for a shareware program has at least one
page of this lecture. Some get carried away and have as many as
five. I'm just going to put one in, though. The fact is,
shareware isn't free. The only free part about it is that you
get to try it before you buy it. If you try DFS and continue to
use it in any way, you now have tried it and need to buy it. If
you try it and don't want it, then delete it or pass it on
(preferably), and you're not obligated to buy it. And to
register DFS, it's only ten bucks. If you can't afford to give
the author something for his time writing, releasing, supporting,
and updating the program, you shouldn't continue using it. So,
I'm asking that if you use DFS, register it. It's only ten
dollars and it will get you the registered version of DFS, free
upgrades in the future, and shareware/bannerware versions of
other HeliX Software programs. To register, use the order form on
the last page and send it in with $10, or write down the
information needed from the order form and send that with $10. I
will send you a disk with the registered version of DFS and other
programs I've released on it. You will get free upgrades to any
new versions along with support via Internet or regular mail.
Thank you!
PAGE 2
Installing & Starting DFS
Requirements: DOS 5.x or 6.x
Can use a mouse (not required)
Note: The only system this will not work with is a system
with one floppy drive and no other drives.
Experience recommended: Beginner to Intermediate.
Installation may require copying a couple files, possibly
formatting a system disk, and knowing where FORMAT.COM is.
Get a friend if you can't seem to understand the instructions.
There's not much to install with DFS. Just copy DFS.EXE
to your hard drive (if you boot from it), or you may put it on a
bootable floppy disk that has FORMAT.COM on it, if you have two
floppy disk drives. Here's a chart of possible setups:
("FD"="Floppy Drive", "HD"="Hard Drive")
┌───────────────┬───────────────────┬───────────┐
│ 2 FDs │ 1 FD, 1 HD │ 2 FD, 1 HD│
┌───────────────┼───────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────┤
│ You boot │ 1) FD │ 1) FD │ 1) FD │
│ from... │ │ 2) HD │ 2) HD │
│ │ │ │ │
├───────────────┼───────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────┤
│ So DFS.EXE │ 1) On a │ 1) MUST BOOT │ 1) On a │
│ should be │ boot │ FROM HD │ boot │
│ located... │ disk │ 2) On HD │ disk │
│ │ │ │ 2) On HD │
├───────────────┼───────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────┤
│ FORMAT.COM │ 1) On the │ 1) MUST BOOT │ 1) On a │
│ should be │ boot disk, │ FROM HD │ boot │
│ located... │ \DOS dir │ 2) On HD, in \DOS │ disk │
│ │ preferably │ dir preferably │ 2) On HD │
│ │ │ │ (Both: in │
│ │ │ │ \DOS dir │
│ │ │ │preferably)│
├───────────────┼───────────────┼───────────────────┼───────────┤
│ Command to │ 1) DFS │ 1) MUST BOOT │ 1) DFS │
│ start DFS with│ │ FROM HD │ 2) DFS │
│ FORMAT.COM in │ │ 2) DFS │ │
│ \DOS dir │ │ │ │
└───────────────┴───────────────┴───────────────────┴───────────┘
PAGE 3
Installing & Starting DFS
USUAL command to start DFS assumes that if DFS is on a
hard drive, FORMAT.COM will be in the DOS directory (for example
C:\DOS), and that if DFS is on a boot disk, FORMAT.COM will be in
a DOS directory (for example A:\DOS). You may want to make these
directories if you don't have them just so you can type only
"DFS" to begin. If FORMAT.COM is in another directory besides
\DOS, you need to specify it after "DFS" when you run DFS. For
example, if FORMAT.COM is in the root directory, type "DFS \" to
begin; do the same for other directories besides \DOS.
NOTE:
If you don't like typing the directory where FORMAT.COM
is after "DFS", make a batch file to do it. Or use this PROMPT
trick:
PROMPT $P$G$E[4;0;" DFS";13p
The $P$G part just gives you "C:\>" prompt, but the other
part will let you hit "CTRL-D" from DOS to run DFS.
You should include the drive letter before the backslash
when using a 2 FD, 1 HD system, DFS is on the hard drive, DFS is
in your PATH, and you are running it from A: or B:. In this case
you need to type "DFS C:\DOS" C: can be D: or E: or whatever,
depending on the letter of your hard drive. Whatever directory
FORMAT.COM is in must be specified after the drive letter, even
if it's in the default directory, \DOS.
Installation on a system with no hard drive, just two floppies:
1) Copy DFS.EXE to your DOS boot floppy if there is room. Proceed
to step 2.
NOTE:
If there is no room, do this: boot up the computer, then
copy FORMAT.COM and DFS.EXE to a disk in drive B:. Now put a
new/blank disk in drive A:, and type "FORMAT B: /S". Wait until
this is done, and then copy FORMAT.COM from the disk in drive B:
to the newly formatted disk in drive A:. Now copy DFS.EXE from
drive B: to the new disk. This disk can now boot the computer
and, after you boot with it, you can use DFS to format a disk in
drive B:.
2) Start DFS by typing "DFS \" which will tell DFS that
FORMAT.COM is in the root directory. The default is for
FORMAT.COM to be in a directory called DOS, so you have to
specify that it's in the root directory and not in a directory
named DOS. You could make a directory named that - "MD DOS" -
and copy FORMAT.COM to that directory, so that you would only
have to type "DFS" to start DOS FORMAT Shell.
PAGE 4
Installing & Starting DFS
Installation on a system with one floppy drive and a hard drive:
1) Copy DFS.EXE to the DOS directory on your hard drive. If you
don't have a directory called DOS, type "MD DOS" to make one,
then find FORMAT.COM and copy it to the new DOS directory. If
you already have a DOS directory, make sure FORMAT.COM is there.
You can also specify a different location for FORMAT.COM if you
don't want to make a DOS directory. (For example, typing "DFS
\UTILS" will tell DFS that FORMAT.COM is in the subdirectory
"UTILS". DFS needs to know where FORMAT.COM is and will assume
\DOS if you don't type anything after "DFS".
2) If you boot from the hard drive, you are ready to type "DFS"
or "DFS \DIR" where \DIR is the subdirectory FORMAT.COM is in.
* You must boot from the hard drive in this case, since if you
boot from a floppy disk, then take that disk out, COMMAND.COM,
which DFS needs to use, will be out of the computer with no way
for DFS to access it.
NOTE:
If you have a system with TWO floppies and a hard disk,
and you boot from the hard disk, setup will be the same as for
installation on a system with one floppy and a hard drive. If
you boot from a floppy, you must follow the steps for
installation onto a system with no hard drive so that you can at
least format B:.
SECTION NOTE:
It's easiest to have FORMAT.COM in the default directory,
\DOS, so all you have to type is "DFS". If FORMAT.COM
is in another directory, for ease of starting DFS, move
FORMAT.COM to a \DOS directory. If you don't have a DOS
directory, make one using "MD DOS", then copy FORMAT.COM to the
new \DOS directory.
PAGE 5
DFS Main Screen Commands
Here is a quick rundown of commands:
Hit 1 to change from drive A: to B: or back from B: to A:
Hit 2 repeatedly to cycle through disk types.
Hit 3 to change whether or not this disk will be a system disk.
Hit 4 to change whether or not to quick-format this disk.
Hit 5 to change whether or not to unconditionally format disk.
Hit 6 to set a volume label for this disk.
Hit SPACE to start formatting a disk with all specifications.
Hit ? for help.
Hit H for info on HeliX Software.
Hit ESC to quit DFS.
┌ Click on any number or the unchanging text area next to
┌─┼─┐ it with the LEFT button to do the same thing as hitting
├─┴─┤ the number on the keyboard. Click the left and right
│ │ buttons AT THE SAME TIME to begin the format with the
└───┘ specifications. Click the RIGHT button to do the same
thing as ESC - quit. Click on the "(?)" button to get help.
Click on the big HS in the top left corner to get some info on
HeliX Software. When DFS says to "Click" only and does not
specify a button, it means the LEFT button.
- Explanation -
Drive setup defaults to B:.
For disk types, "360 k in 1.2 meg" means that you're
specifying that the 360 k disk you're formatting is being
formatted in a 1.2 meg drive. This is the same for "720 k in 1.44
meg". There are a few differences that have to be set by DFS if
either of these is the case. This defaults to "360 k".
For system disks, this simply means that you are telling
DFS to make a floppy disk bootable, which means including some
hidden files and COMMAND.COM on the disk. You could start up
your computer if you put a disk formatted this way in drive A:.
You can add AUTOEXEC.BAT, CONFIG.SYS, etc, to this disk to set it
up specifically later. It defaults to "NO".
Quick-format must only be used for disks that have been
formatted at least once before. This just erases all records of
files and directories on the disk. It defaults to "NO".
Unconditional format means that DOS will not save
UNFORMAT information. This defaults to "YES" but you can switch
if you're worried about accidentally formatting disks with data
on them.
Selecting 6 will make a field appear for typing in a
volume label for this disk. Characters that you cannot use for
this are: *?/\|.,;:+=<>[]()&^
The message box periodically tells you things you need to
know, what's going on, or it advertises for DFS for DOS 3.3.
PAGE 6
DFS Main Screen Commands
You can set up the format any way you wish, really, but
if you set up something wrong and try to start the format, DFS
will tell you that it will not work the way you set it up and
return to the main screen.
DFS completely eliminates the need to ever goof with
pressing "...ENTER after inserting a new disk...", going past the
volume label prompt, or the "Format another? Y/N" prompt. DFS is
designed to let you control the entire program with the touch of
a few keys and you can do EVERYTHING except type in a volume
label with the mouse. I know there's lots of mouse users who
will appreciate full mouse control! I do!
I have not included a "Format 2.88 meg" disk format
option, but if you have a 2.88 meg drive and would like this
option, register and I'll include it in your registered version.
(Specify it on the order form)
PAGE 7
Error Messages
You will get error messages in any of the following cases:
1) DFS can't call FORMAT.COM
- out of memory? (free up some)
- DFS can't find it? (specify where FORMAT.COM is after DFS)
- you didn't include drive letter before FORMAT.COM's
directory (for cases such as on Page 2, last paragraph)
- DFS disk out of drive? (if using from floppy)
- wrong specification of where FORMAT.COM is?
2) DFS can't call COMMAND.COM
- out of memory?
- DFS can't find it? (DFS hasn't been installed on a boot disk
or boot disk was taken out of drive when booting from a
floppy on a system with a hard drive)
3) DFS can't create its temporary files
- is DFS' resident disk full?
- is DFS' resident disk write-protected?
4) Error when formatting
- does the volume label have invalid characters?
- is the disk format incorrect?
- is the DFS disk in the drive? (if running off a floppy)
- is the disk to format in the drive?
- is the disk write-protected?
- format canceled with Ctrl-C
5) Format noisy and long when formatting a 1.44 meg disk to 720 k
in a 1.44 meg drive
- see PAGE 8, "Special Notes", number 1
PAGE 8
Special Notes
1) When formatting a 1.44 meg disk to 720 k in a 1.44 meg drive
(Yes, I've had to do this-don't ask!) you MUST cover the hole
opposite the write-protect tab with tape or a write-protect
tab from a five- and-a-quarter-inch floppy. Otherwise you
will get an awful-sounding format that lasts a long time and
end up with 300+k in "Bad Sectors" which can be fixed just by
covering the hole.
2) In case you didn't notice, DFS has a simple built-in screen
saver that activates after you haven't clicked a button or hit
a key for three minutes. Just hit a key or click a button or
move the mouse to go back to the program.
3) For your convenience, a tone will sound after each format is
completed. This lets you know when it's finished so you don't
have to sit there.
4) The MOUSE: text under the HeliX Software logo at the top left
of the main screen will read MOUSE: NO or MOUSE: YES depending
on whether you have a mouse installed or not.
5) This manual includes formfeeds for convenient printing. Run
PRINTDOC to print the manual, or VIEWDOC to look through it on
the screen.
6) Feel free to pass this shareware version along to friends,
BBS's, user's groups, and the like, and please do!
7) Feel free to write with any questions, comments, or complaints.
VERSION HISTORY:
v1.26 - a few minor changes to prevent misplacement of
text on some systems & general housecleaning.
v1.25 - fixed bugs in volume label input (didn't clear
all characters out sometimes) and modified input
routine so input is CLEAN, no cursors bouncing
all over.
v1.15 - fixed bugs in v1.05 that included errors when
running DFS from a directory other than the one
the program resides in. Dropped inclusion of
WordPerfect-format manual, for various reasons;
This is already formatted for printing anyway.
v1.05 (first) - first release of DFS. Released to a few BBS's.
PAGE 9
Order Form
┌─────────────────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────┐
│ Send with $10 check/money order to: │ Registration form for: │
│ │ │
│ Lee Sluga │ DFS (DOS FORMAT Shell) │
│ HeliX Software │ v1.26 for DOS 5.x/6.x │
│ 3056 Bunker Hill Rd. │ │
│ Randolph, NY 14772 │ │
├─────────────────────────────────────┴───────────────┬─────────┤
│ Registration │ $ 10.00 │
│ (includes registered version of DFS, free updates, │ │
│ other bonus programs, and support via Internet or │ │
│ regular mail) │ │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┼─────────┤
│ Shipping/Handling │ FREE │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┼─────────┤
│ Total │ $ 10.00 │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┴─────────┤
│ Please specify when ordering: │
│ │
│ Do you want a version with formatting for 2.88 meg? ______ │
│ │
│ What size of disk? [ ] 360k/5.25" [ ] 720k/3.5" │
│ │
│ Name to include in program? _______________________ │
│ │
│ Your mailing address: │
│ │
│ Name: ________________________________________________ │
│ │
│ Address: ________________________________________________ │
│ │
│ City: ____________________ State: _____ ZIP:_________ │
│ │
│ │
│ Suggestions for additions/changes/etc to DFS: │
│ │
│ ------------------------------------------------------------- │
│ │
│ ------------------------------------------------------------- │
│ │
│ ------------------------------------------------------------- │
│ │
│ THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING SHAREWARE! │
│ │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘