
                  
                  DWare - Disk based archival software for DOS
                   Now TRACK ZERO BAD disks can be put to use
                              
                     Copyright (c) 1997 Ramkumar Srinivasan
                              All Rights Reserved


Background
----------

   Although floppy disks are protected from abuse by a layer of plastic coat 
they get damaged more often than not. For efficient data storage the floppy 
disk is partitioned into numerous tracks and sectors which is formed when the 
disk is formatted. The outer most track of every floppy disk contains very 
vital information which is used by DOS for data management. If for some 
reason this outer most track get damaged either partially or fully the disk 
is rendered useless and its very annoying for a computer users to dump such 
disk into the dustbin. Hence I constructed DWare.

  Most computer users would at some point have encountered bad disk and many 
users (especially home users) preserve it for reasons best known to them. Now 
with DWare these floppy disks would be of some use to them.

DWare is written in C and compiled using Turbo C++ V3.0 compiler. DWare is a 
menu driven utility which allows users to put BAD disks to use. DWare gets 
around the track zero bad problem by storing the vital information regarding 
file allocation in the next available undamaged track. 


Some of the features available in DWare
---------------------------------------

* Completely menu driven.

* Quick initialize (format) option.

* Volume label of disk can be as long as 30 (any ASCII) character.

* Password protection for disks.

* Additional data storage space of :
                
        1.49 Mb on a 1.45 Mb disk  : 40 Kb bonus space
        1.24 Mb on a 1.21 Mb disk  : 30 Kb bonus space
        745  Kb on a 720  Kb disk  : 25 Kb bonus space
        369  Kb on a 360  Kb disk  : 09 Kb bonus space 
        
* Allows storage of upto 256 files in root directory of the disk.

* During storage or retrieval of files DWare warns if the file already exists
   and gives you an option to rename, overwrite or  skip the file.

* Gives detailed information like the date and time of initialization, space
   used, space free etc.


Costs
-----

DWare is a shareware. If you like to use it, you are expected to pay a small!
registration fee of Rs. 200 for Indian users and $15 for foreign users.  

My address is :

Ramkumar Srinivasan,
c/o Dr. R. Srinivasan,
A-14/2, Vijay Kiran Apts.,
32, Victoria Road,
Bangalore - 560034.
India.

E-mail : ramkumar@giasbga.vsnl.net.in          

Disclaimer
----------

You are using DWare at your own risk. Iam not responsible for any 
loss of data or damage to property caused by the use of DWare. There 
are no guarantees or warranties for DWare.


Using DWare
-----------

Since DWare is completely menu driven, I feel you won't have any difficulty 
in using it. I hate writing manuals but since all sharewares have a cute 
little manual packed with it, Iam doing the same. 
                                             
                               ----------
                               INITIALIZE
                               ----------

Every disk has to be initialized before data is stored on it. The very first
time you initialize a disk use NORMAL mode of initialization.

MODE            COMMENTS

Quick           Will work only if the disk has already been initialized using
                Normal mode. When a Disk is initialized using this mode newly 
                formed disk errors are not checked for. The directory areas 
                and the allocation table are cleared. Use this mode as an 
                alternative to deleting all the file(s) in the disk.

Normal          The disk is initialized with all disk errors checked for. Use
                this mode when you are initializing a particular disk for the
                very first time and also when DWare had reported disk errors 
                while accessing the disk.

After initialization you are prompted for the disk label. A query for 
password protection of disk also appears. After this the total disk space, 
space lost due to damage & the actual available space are displayed.

                               -------
                               ARCHIVE
                               -------


Store           This option allows you to store data on the disk. After 
                selecting this option you are prompted for the source path 
                (i.e.) the drive, directory where your source files exist. If
                the entered path is valid, all the files in the entered path
                are displayed. The file(s) to be stored in the disk can be 
                marked by using the <space bar> key. The `*' key can also be
                used for marking. After you are done press the <F2> key.

Retrieve        This option allows you to retrieve the file(s) stored in the 
                disk. After selecting this option, all the files stored in 
                the disk are displayed. The file(s) to be retrieved from the 
                disk can be marked by using the <space bar> key. The `*' key 
                can also be used for marking. After you are done press <F2> 
                key. The target path (i.e.) target drive, directory is 
                prompted for. If entered path is valid, the marked files are 
                retrieved.

                -----------------------------------------------------------
                NOTE :

                If the file which is to be stored/retrieved already exists,
                you will get an query which looks something like this :

                           File filename.ext already exists
                              Overwrite (y/n/a/r/q) : _

                Here : y=yes, n=no, a=all, r=rename, q=quit
                -----------------------------------------------------------

Delete          This option allows you to erase the file(s) stored in the 
                disk. After selecting this option, all the files stored it
                in the disk are displayed. The file(s) to be erased from the 
                disk can be marked by using the <space bar> key. The `*' key 
                can also be used for marking. After you are done press the
                <F2> key. 


Contents        Shows the list of files stored in the disk with the other
                information like file size and date or time of its creation.


                               -------
                               UTILITY
                               -------


Label           To change the label of the disk. A maximum of 30 characters
                (any ASCII characters) can be entered.

Password        To activate, change, remove password protection of disk.
                Once a disk is password protected for almost every operation
                to be performed on the disk the password has to be entered.
                If you want to remove the password press the <Enter> key at 
                the password prompts.

DInfo           Gives detailed information about the disk.


                               ----
                               QUIT
                               ----

This option takes you back to good old DOS.


