3 Nov
2003
3 Nov
'03
11:01 a.m.
On Mon, 3 Nov 2003, Mike Davis wrote:
Are there any PC (DOS) programs that can
1) Read a CP/M disk
2) Save the contents, including the boot tracks to a DOS file (or files)
3) Format a CP/M disk
4) Write these files back to the disk, including the boot tracks?
I know there are programs that can do this for just the program and data
files but what about the boot part of the disk. Seems that info could be
saved to a file so that a bootable disk could be restored. What I'm basically
looking for is a program that can backup a CP/M disk (including boot
records) and later restore them to a CP/M disk that would still be bootable.
I have looked at 22Disk but don't see where it can essentially copy and save
a bootable CP/M disk. I have heard about SmartDisk and Media Master but
don't know if they can handle bootable disks so that they can be backed up
and restored to and from a PC (DOS).
Anyone know? yes
Most such programs are for the purpose of transferring the contents of a
FILE from one disk format to another. SOME also include the capability of
duplicating a disk, but often ONLY IF the system tracks use a similar
physical format to what is used in the data are (no single density boot
tracks, etc.)
Instead of looking at file transfer disk format conversion products, there
are a few that may be better suited for you.
Look at Teledisk.
Look at CopyII-PC (and at the "Option Board"), and at the
"CatWeasel".
Although most commonly used for unauthorized duplication of
copy-protected disks, it will duplicate many of the disk formats that are
physically possible.
Be aware that SOME disk formats, including a few hundred of the CP/M
formats, are physically impossible to read/write/duplicate using stock PC
hardware. The stock PC hardware can only do MFM with WD style sector
headers. Some formats, such as hard-sectored and GCR can NOT be done
without other hardware. Some other formats, such as FM ("Single Density")
or some invalid headers (such as Kaypro DS), can be done with some FDC's,
with some additional software.
WHAT CP/M format are you trying to do?
--
Fred Cisin cisin(a)xenosoft.com
XenoSoft http://www.xenosoft.com