PC-Ditto

    README.1ST     November 16, 1987
    
    List of files and folders on pc-ditto master disk:
    
         README.1ST
         CERTPGMS.NEW    
         CERTPGMS.DOC
         OOPS.DOC
         \STPROGRAMS
              PC_DMENU.PRG
              PCDMENU1.RSC
              PC_DITTO.PRG
              PC_D.1
              PC_D.2
              AHDFIX.PRG
              AHDFIX.DOC
         \PCPROGRAMS
              PC_DFMT.COM
              PC_DDRVR.SYS
              PC_DMOUS.COM
              PCDSETTD.COM
              PC_DHD.SYS
              SPEEDY3.EXE
              QWICKEYS.COM
    
    1.   README.1ST     This file:  contains information regarding the files on
              your disk, latest updates to those files, and a summary of
              general problems and solutions which have been encountered by
              users.
    
    2.   CERTPGMS.NEW   Contains a list of software certified for version 3.00,
              since the last release.  This list and the list in CERTPGMS.DOC
              make up the complete list of software certified on pc-ditto at
              November 16, 1987.

    3.   CERTPGMS.DOC   Contains a list of software certified (i.e., tested
              fully) on pc-ditto.
    
    4.   OOPS.DOC       By popular request, this is a list of bugs in version 
              3.00, and problem programs.  All are currently being worked on.


    5.   \STPROGRAMS    Folder containing files which run under the Atari
              GEMDOS.  These files should be copied to an Atari format disk
              (see your User manual for details).
    
    6.   PC_DMENU.PRG   This program allows you to change the characteristics
              of pc-ditto to your taste.  Such parameters as colors used by the
              monochrome and graphics palettes, disk drive assignments, and
              others.  This program is menu driven, with built-in help.  Your
              user manual also explains how to get started.  This program
              should be run first, before pc-ditto, to ensure the configuration
              of pc-ditto is correct for your usage.
    
    7.   PCDMENU1.RSC   This is a part of the pc_dmenu.prg program above. It
              must be present on any disk that contains pc_dmenu.prg.

    8.   PC_DITTO.PRG   This is the main program.  Clicking this program will
              start the IBM compatible emulation using the preferences selected
              in the pc_dmenu program above.
    
    9.   PC_D.1    This is part of the pc_ditto.prg main program.  It must also
              be contained on the same disk as pc_ditto.prg for it to work
              correctly.
    
   10.   PC_D.2    This is part of the pc_ditto.prg main program.  It must also
              be contained on the same disk as pc_ditto.prg for it to work
              correctly.
    
   11.   AHDFIX.PRG  This program is required for use by any owner of an
              Atari SH204 hard disk.  Read the AHDFIX.DOC file for information.
              DO NOT USE pc-ditto WITHOUT FIRST READING THE .DOC FILE AND
              FOLLOWING ITS DIRECTIONS!

   12.   AHDFIX.DOC  This test file can be read and printed.  It describes
              problems with the Atari hard disk and how to use the AHDFIX.PRG
              program to solve them.

   13.   \PCPROGRAMS    This is a folder containing IBM-type programs.  These
              files should be copied to an IBM format diskette.  They only run
              under PC or MS-DOS.  Again, see your user manual, and the file
              HARDDISK.DOC, for more information concerning the copying and 
              setup of these programs.
    
   14.   PC_DFMT.COM    This program will format 80-track high-capacity 3.5"
              disks under DOS versions below 3.2.  It will also perform regular
              formatting, similar to the FORMAT utility program.  This program
              is menu-driven with built-in help.  Please see the user manual
              for additional information on the creation and use of high-
              capacity 3.5" disks, as well as some of the problem and solutions
              below.
    
              By the way, since DOS versions below 3.2 do not recognize a high-
              capacity disk (720K) without a device driver, DOS versions below
              3.2 cannot be installed on a high-capacity disk (the device
              driver is not present when DOS first starts up).
    
              For single-sided disk owners, this program can create 80-track
              format disks, providing 360,000 characters (360K) of storage.
    


   15.   PC_DDRVR.SYS   This is a DOS device driver used to access high-
              capacity (720K) diskettes using DOS versions below 3.2.  It can
              also be used to read and write Atari GEMDOS format disks, for
              those DOS versions that may have trouble doing so, otherwise.
              See your user manual for an in-depth discussion of high-capacity
              disks and use of this driver under your DOS.

   16.   PC_DMOUS.COM   This is the mouse driver for the Microsoft(tm)-
              compatible Serial mouse emulation (using your Atari mouse). See
              the update notes for use and installation of this driver.  (This
              driver is NOT needed for the Generic(tm) mouse).

   17.   PCDSETTD.COM   This is a utility which automatically sets the DOS
              time and date.  The time and date are obtained from GEM at the
              moment pc-ditto is started.  See update notes for installation 
              and use.

   18.   PC_DHD.SYS     This is a hard disk device driver.  It is used to
              access Atari partitions D: and above.  If it is NOT installed,
              pc-ditto will only be able to access drive C:.  It is
              VERY IMPORTANT that you read the file HARDDISK.DOC before
              using pc-ditto with your hard disk.

    
    --------------------Provided at no charge----------------------------
    
    19.  SPEEDY3.EXE    A  public-domain program which may be useful from time-
              to-time to speedup the screen display of some DOS versions;
              primarily DOS versions below 3.0.  Testing of this program has
              been limited.  Therefore, try running it after you start your DOS
              and before you run any applications.  For many applications (e.g.
              dBase series), it does speed screen displays around 30% faster.
              Other applications, such as Lotus 1-2-3, there appears to be no
              effect.  Because of the public domain nature of this program, it
              should be tested with your applications to determine if it has
              any real value.  Also, if you should encounter any flakyness
              using it, please let us know.  To date, we have not encountered
              any problems, but the possibly always exists with any product.

              To use this program in the high speed mode, you must type:

                       SPEEDY3 /H

              To change the speed back to low speed, you must type:

                       SPEEDY3 /L

    
    20.  QWICKEYS.COM   This program, like Speedy3.exe, is public domain.  It
              will often speed cursor and repeat key use.  Again, as with
              Speedy3.exe, please try it with your application to determine if
              any real enhancement is perceived.
    
    
    
    
                   PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS GENERALLY ENCOUNTERED
    
    PROBLEM:  Because IBM compatible 3.5" diskettes are double-sided, IBM
              compatible 3.5" software can not be used in an Atari single-sided
              drive (SF 354 or equivalent.)
    
              (This generally applies to Atari 520 ST owners; 1040 ST machines
              contain one built-in double-sided drive.)
    
    SOLUTION: 1.  Purchase a double-sided 3.5" drive (recommended because this
              format is the wave of the future and single-sided will become
              more rare), OR
    
              2.  Copy your PC-DOS and IBM compatible programs to single-sided,
              3.5" disks. (NOTE:  some copy-protected software will not copy;
              thus you're left with solution #1 above).
    
              Generally, you may receive assistance with transfering your
              software to single-sided disks from local Atari user groups or
              your local Atari dealer.
    
    
    
    PROBLEM:  Your software is on 3.5" single-sided disks.  You want to use it
              on an IBM compatible with double-sided 3.5" drives.
    
    SOLUTION: 1.  Your disks may be read/written by any Atari ST with single-
              or double-sided 3.5" drives.
    
              For IBM and compatibles, with 3.5" drives, the disks are usable
              only in the 40-track format.
              This is done by using the FORMAT program, (under DOS 3.2 and
              above, do not use DRIVEPARM or DRIVER.SYS).  Single-sided disks
              formatted with 40 tracks contain approximately 180,000 characters
              (180K).  Double-sided disks formatted with 40 tracks contain
              approximately 360,000 characters (360K).
    
              2.  If you are not technically experienced and can not obtain
              technical assistance, we recommend you purchase a double-sided
              drive.  The cost of the drive will most likely be worth avoiding
              the technical frustrations you will encounter.


              3.  However, if you are technically experienced or fearless and
              brave, the following explains the procedure for creating a 3.5"
              disk readable by both the Atari ST and IBM compatible.
                   
                A.  To format a 3.5" disk for single-sided, 40-
                    track operation under DOS using
    
                        FORMAT x:/1
    
                    where x is the letter of the drive
                    containing the 3.5" disk.
    
                    Then, use the disk as you would any other,
                    except for the much limited space.  This means
                    you may copy files to and from it, as well as
                    read and write it on an IBM or  compatible.
    
                B.  To format a 3.5" disk for double-sided, 40-
                    track operation under DOS using
    
                        FORMAT x:
    
                    where x is the letter of the drive
                    containing the 3.5" disk.
    
                    Then, use the disk as you would any other,
                    except for the much limited space.  This means
                    you may copy files to and from it, as well as
                    read and write it on an IBM or  compatible.
    
              
    
    PROBLEM:  You have a 5.25" disk drive and a 3.5" disk drive attached to an
              Atari ST.  You have selected drive A:  to be the 3.5" drive.
              But, my copy-protected software on 5.25" disk does not start.
    
    SOLUTION: Most copy-protected, 5.25" software expects to be started in
              drive A:.  This means that you must select the 5.25" drive as
              drive A:.
    
    
    
    PROBLEM:  My software is on 5.25" diskettes and requires two drives (A: and
              B:), but my B: drive is a 3.5" drive.
    
    SOLUTION: Copy the second 5.25" disk (normally in B: drive) to a blank 3.5"
              disk.  Then, use the first disk in the 5.25" drive and THE COPY
              of the second in the 3.5" drive.
              (The type of drive and size of media is generally tranparent to
              DOS and its programs).
    
    
    
    PROBLEM:  You have a double-sided, 3.5" disk drive, but when you format the
              disk you only get 360K instead of 720K data space.
    
    SOLUTION: 1.  For DOS versions below 3.2, you should use the PC-DFMT
              program on your master pc-ditto disk.  See your pc-ditto manual
              for copying the PC-DFMT program to an IBM format disk, if you
              have not already done so.
    
              The menu option tracks per disk should be set to 80 and the sides
              per disk set to 2.  This will provide 720K usable space.  (For
              your DOS to access this special disk, you must use the PC-
              DDRVR.SYS file, also (as described in your pc-ditto user manual).
    
              2.  For DOS versions 3.2 and higher, you may use the DOS
              utility FORMAT.  See the files DOS3280.TRK and DOS3380.TRK for
              information on creating 80-track single- and double-sided disks. 
              
    
    PROBLEM:  You have on 3.5" drive and one 5.25" drive connected to your ST.
              Your software requests the disk in the 5.25" drive be placed in
              the 3.5" drive.
    
    SOLUTION: This problem is most often encountered when installing a software
              program (i.e. customizing a package for user's taste).  The
              software master disk is in one drive, then moved to another for
              installation.
    
              1. In the PC-DMenu, select B: drive as (none) and A: drive as the
              drive you will use for installation. Then restart pc-ditto.  DOS
              will have only one drive, and will request that you swap disks in
              and out of the single drive.
                                            OR
              2. Because of the technical complexities and changes in new
              versions of software, contact your local Atari user group or
              dealer for assistance.
    
    
    
    PROBLEM:  Copying files to/from IBM disk to Atari disk on the Atari ST
    
    SOLUTION: The Atari GEMDOS can read and write almost any format of MSDOS
              disk used on an IBM PC or compatible.
    
              Also, files may be copied to/from IBM/compatible disks on the
              Atari.

              These facts are obscure, as they are not heavily promoted by
              Atari Corporation.
    
              CAUTION:  Atari disks created/formated by the GEMDOS, however,
              can not always be read by PC/MS-DOS (even versions 3.2 or
              higher).  This brings us to the next problem and solution.
    
    PROBLEM:  I tried to read a GEMDOS disk using DOS.  I tried this on the
              Atari using pc-ditto, and on an IBM compatible.  But, the disk
              appears to not be readable.
    
    SOLUTION: The GEMDOS format is almost compatible with the DOS version 3.2
              720K 3.5" format, but not quite.
    
              1.   You may use our device driver, pc_ddrvr.sys, to read and
              write your GEMDOS disks under DOS;
    
                             OR
    
              2.  You may copy them to a disk which was formatted by PC/MSDOS.
              This may be done on either an IBM/Compatible, or by using pc-
              ditto on the ST.    Then, use that disk on your PC/compatible.
    
         NOTE:     Any files may be copied, except for copy-protected programs,
              but the most common use is to transfer a text file between the
              two computers.
    
    PROBLEM:  I have a second 5.25" drive connected to my Atari ST.  But, when
              I try to use it, no disk I try will read properly using GEMDOS.
    
    
    SOLUTION: There are several technical reasons why your drive may not
              respond when using GEMDOS.
    
              First, if you can use the drive with pc-ditto, then electrically
              your connection is probably sound.  Therefore, you may need to
              tell GEMDOS about the drive speed.  One program we have found
              success with is SIXMS.PRG, a public domain product, available on
              many public domain bullentin board systems.  Use of this program
              permits you to read and write 5.25" diskettes.
    
              Second, if you can not use the drive with pc-ditto, then it most
              likely is connected incorrectly.  In that case, you may need to
              seek help from your local dealer, the company who sold the drive,
              or even a local Atari ST user group.
    
## End of Readme.1st ##