HD Installation Tools 1. Software Installation of a Harddisk 1.1 General Information This chapter guides you through the software installation of your harddisk. If you purchased an entire system, your harddisk is already installed. In that case, you may start using your harddisk right away, and this chapter is not of importance to you. 1.2 Starting the Amiga Insert the included disk into your Amigas floppy drive and start up your computer. All files needed for startup are on the disk. 1.3 Starting the Program The installation program »HDInstTools« is located in the root directory of the disk included. To start the program, open the disk window first, by double-clicking the disk icon with the left button of your mouse. The disk window opens immediately, displaying all icons of the programs on it. Double-click the »HDInstTools«-icon to start the program. After loading the program from disk, the main window and another window above appears. The controller searches for connected devices in the upper window. A filling bar indicates the status of progress. As soon as the search process is completed, the window disappears automatically. 1.4 Choosing a Language By default, the program starts in English. If you would like to use the program in a different language, please select the item SETTINGS/LANGUAGE in the pull down menu. A list of languages will be displayed immediately for you to choose from. Leave the window with USE. The main window should now appear in the selected language. 1.5 Installing the Harddisk The main window displays a list of all devices found as desribed in section 3.3. Please double-click the harddisk that you would like to install. You can distinguish between them using the displayed list. A window appears asking you to confirm your choice. Please click OK if this the harddisk that you would like to install. All parameters of the harddisk are determined and selected automatically and a partition is created. All data is written to the harddisk and the partition is formatted. 1.6 Copying Disks Last but not least, a requester appears asking whether you would like to copy the contents of a disk to the partition and if so, requests you to insert a disk in the disk drive »df0:«. Just insert your Workbench-disk and click OK. However, if you would like to copy your own software to the partition, please abort at this point. Important! If you want to install a Workbench 2.0 or higher from the beginning you have to use the installation program of the Workbench. Therefor please read the Workbench manual. It isn't enough to copy only the Workbench disk onto the harddisk. 1.7 The Final Step That's all. You have now installed your harddisk. Please reboot your computer by clicking the REBOOT gadget and your system will start the Workbench from your new harddisk, provided that you copied it as described in the section above. 2. HDInstTools 2.1 System Requirements This program requires an Amiga with at least 512 kByte of RAM - memory and an Amiga operating system 1.3 or higher. Of course a controller with at least one mass media storage device is required for sensible use. This program supports all bsc controllers. 2.2 Installation In order to install the program on your harddisk you must drag the »HDInstTools«-icon from the disk window to the harddisk window. This requires of course, that you have already installed your harddisk. Until then you can use the program from the disk. If you like, you may also create a directory for the »HDInstTools« to copy the program into that drawer. This completes the installation. 2.3 Compatability Please note: A harddisk installed with the »HDInstTools« from scratch may not be altered with the ALF-programs »InstallAlf« and »AlfPrefs« anymore. The »HDInstTools« install the harddisks in such an optimized form, that the ALF-programs cannot cope with anymore. If you do not obey this, the ALF-program will remove the installation of your harddisk and all your data is lost. However, if you installed your harddisk with »InstallALF« or »ALFPrefs«, you can use »HDInstTools« without problems. This applies in most cases and probably also in yours. If that is so, you do not need to reinstall your harddisk. 2.4 Operation Instructions The program is controlled with a mouse. In many cases you can also use your keyboard by pressing the corresponding key of the underlined letter in the gadget you wish to select. 2.5 The Procedure The following steps given in short form give you an idea of what it takes to install your harddisk. Prepare the device: In most cases you will not need to change the settings determined by the program. Filesystem: You may decide which type of filesystem you would like to save on the device. Partition drive: You may create a new partition with Add Partition. Edit partitions: This allows you to rename a partition, to make a partition smaller or to add another partition. Saving changes to disk: The selections you made in the last four steps are saved to the RigidDiskBlock on your harddisk. Formatting DOS: Prepares a partition for the use of AmigaDOS. Copy disk: Copies the contents of an entire disk to a partition. Naturally you do not have to execute all of the steps described above. Just use whatever is necessary when installing your harddisk. In case you would like to change the partitions, like the names or the buffers for example, all you need to do is edit the partition and save the changes to your harddisk. 2.6 Pull Down Menu Many of the items in the pull down menu can be selected using a key combination. To select an item press the key and the key displayed next to the function in the pull down menu. 2.6.1 Project/Scan This function searches for devices connected to the controller. You do not need to restart the computer and the program, if you connected one or more devices during operation. After selection of the item a display appears giving the status of the search process. You may stop the process by clicking Cancel. If a device is found, the program tries to identify it and determine its parameters. The devices found are then displayed in the list of all available devices in the main window, as well as their status. 2.6.2 Project/Info An information window displays the currently used driver name, the current installation mode, whether logical IDs are supported and whether controllers of the same kind are also searched for. It also displays the size of the main memory, the graphic memory and the largest available block of free memory. You can quit this window by selecting OK. When this window is open, no other function can be selected. 2.6.3 Project/About This window contains the program name, the version number, copyright information and the names of the authors. Quit this window with OK. When this window is open, no other function can be selected. 2.6.4 Project/Quit It was hard to guess, but with Quit you leave the program. You may also quit the program by clicking the close gadget in the upper left hand corner of the main window. Before the program quits, you are asked to confirm your choice. Click YES if you like to quit, or NO if you would like to continue using the program. 2.6.5 Settings/Language You may choose one of the available languages with this function. As soon as you have selected this item, a list of languages will be displayed immediately for you to choose from. The current language is highlighted. Select a language and click USE to leave the window. If you select Cancel you'll leave the window without using the changes made. In order to save the changes for later use, select Settings/Save. 2.6.6 Settings/Mode With mode you may select between one of two installation modes. Depending on the selected mode some functions in the main window or in the pull down menues are disabled and can therefore not be selected. In the automatic mode all decisions concerning the installation and selection of parameters for your harddisk are taken by the program. This way you aren't given a chance to make any mistakes. The manual mode gives you access to all parameters. Please note that in this mode you have access to parameters that my lead to serious problems or malfunction, if they are set wrong. 2.6.7 Settings/Save This lets you save all changes made in the settings. You will not be asked to confirm your choice. The settings are saved in the »ToolTypes« of the icon. 2.6.8 Extras All functions mentioned above, are described in further detail in later sections. 2.7 Main Window This window displays a list of all available devices, as well as several gadgets used to access the different parts of the program. 2.7.1 Devices in System This list contains all devices which can be accessed by the driver set in »ToolTypes«. PIC: This number distinguishes between several controllers connected to one computer. In case you have only one controller in your computer this will always be set »0«. The support of several controllers is enabled or disabled with the keyword »PIC« in the »ToolTypes«. If, however, your Amiga 2000 has an Oktagon 2008 and an AmigaLoadsFaster 2 controller to the left of it, all devices connected to the Oktagon have the number »0« as opposed to those connected to the ALF, which have the number »1«. That means that one driver can address all connected devices, even if they are connected to different controllers. Until now this technology is only supported by controllers of bsc. Other manufacturers of controllers do not offer such a flexible system. If several controllers of the same or similar type exist in one computer, they are distinguished by different driver names, like »scsi.device« and »secondscsi.device«. In order to address devices connected to different controllers you must therefore add the corresponding driver name in the »ToolTypes«. LUN: The logic unit number distinguishes between possible installed logical sub-devices in the computer. The support of several logical sub-devices is disabled with the keyword »LUN« in the »ToolTypes«. TID: This states the identification number (Target ID) of the listed devices. This number is set via jumpers or switches directly at the device. It is recommended to start counting with the identification number zero. Manufacturer: The heading »Manufacturer« lists the name of the devices' manufacturers. The program itself determines this information from the devices directly. Name: This lists the names of all devices in the system. Status: This indicates the status of the listed devices. Unmodified: These devices are installed correctly and completely. The device specifications could be determined and the examination of the determined data showed no faults. Modified: If a device is listed as modified, there may be several reasons for this. The device may be installed partially or not at all, or the environment has changed. For example: The identification number of the controller is stored in the devices data. In case you changed the ID-number of the controller, the device will also be marked as changed in the list. In this particular case the examination of the device data would show that the identification number of the controller does not match the system data of the device. Not ready: This status indicates that the device is basically okay, but is not ready for operation yet due to some kind of problem, e.g. disk drive without medium. Unknown: Devices with this label cannot be installed by the program, e.g. streamers or CD-ROM drives. 2.7.2 Automatic Installation If you activated the automatic mode in the settings function of the pull down menu, you can have a device installed automatically, by double-clicking it in the list. The installation process will proceed as described under »Procedure«. Before the installation is performed, you are requested for confirmation. Then everything else is done automatically. You will also be asked to insert a disk, e.g. a Workbench - disk, into the first disk drive. The contents of the disk will then be copied to the partition. Finally, a display panel informs you that the device is completely installed. The device now has a partition for you to work with. 2.7.3 Close Gadget In order to leave the program, simply click the close gadget in the upper left hand corner of the main window. Before you actually leave the program, you are requested to confirm whether you really want to quit the program. Click YES if you are sure and NO if you would like return to the program. 2.8 Setup Drive... This function is only available when working in the manul mode. Otherwise the gadget is disabled and ghosted. When clicking on Setup Drive... a new window opens. This window displays various data of the device selected. If the device was previously installed, the data is read from the »RigidDiskBlock«. In case the device does not have a »RigidDiskBlock« yet, all necessary data is requested with an »Inquiry« from the device and is partially compiled by the program. All data concerning the devices is stored in the »RigidDiskBlock« on the device and is partially evaluated by the driver and the Amiga upon booting. Use: Click Use and all changes of data are adopted or maintained. Finally these changes can be saved by using the function SAVE CHANGES TO DRIVE. Cancel: If you do not want to keep your changes or you were just peeking, choose Cancel to leave the window again. All changes are lost. 2.8.1 Information This data is saved in the »RigidDiskBlock« (RDSK block), however, it will not be used unless you reinstall the device. In that case all of the stored data in the RDSK block is retrieved and displayed. Type: This indicates what kind of device it is, e.g. hard disk, removable disk, CD-ROM, streamer, scanner, etc. Manufacturer: This field contains the name of the manufacturer, e.g. »Quantum«. This information is determined during initial start-up via direct »Inquiry« from the device. In case no name could be found, or the name makes no sense, you may alter the name. In order to do so, simply click the text gadget. Name: This field contains the name of the device, e.g. »LPS240S«. This information is determined during initial start-up via direct »Inquiry« from the device. In case no name could be found, or the name makes no sense, you may alter the name. In order to do so simply click the text gadget. Version: This field contains the release verion number of the device, e.g. »1234.5678«. This information is determined during initial start- up via direct »Inquiry« from the device. The version number is usually also printed on the case of the device. Size: Size or memory capacity of the device is indicated in kilo- or megabytes. One kilobyte corresponds to 1,024 bytes and one megabyte corresponds to 1024 kilobytes. The actual size of the device is calculated according to the number of blocks and the size of each block. The number of blocks must be supplied by the device according to SCSI standard specifications. In case the device does not supply a value of the block size, the controller will adapt 512 bytes as a standard value (please also refer to Capacity/Block Size). Please note that the value of the megabytes can differ from the information supplied by the manufacturer. Many manufacturers of harddisks define a megabyte differently. To their advantage they define one megabyte with only 1000 kbyte, and this results in a higher total capacity of megabytes. 2.8.2 Capacity These are the physical values of a device. They do not necessarily correspond to the actual capacity. Do not get confused by values listed that can not be possible on first sight. The values are ignored anyway. Cylinders: Basically a cylinder is one track. In case a device has several heads, one cylinder consists of so many tracks, as the device has heads. Sectors: As stated above a cylinder may consist of several tracks. The number of sectors indicates the number of blocks per track. Heads: Number of heads of your harddisk. The number of heads determines the number of tracks of a cylinder. The number of tracks per cylinder is analogous to the number of heads. Block Size: The block size represents the fourth and last value for determining the storage capacity of a device and its partitions. The devices block size is determined via a direct »Inquiry« by the program. Usually a block on a harddisk is the size of 512 bytes. Sony Magneto-Optical drives may have sizes of 512 bytes or 1024 bytes and CD-ROMS can even have 2 kilobytes per block. If the device does not return a value upon »Inquiry«, the program uses 512 bytes as a default setting. 2.8.3 Control The first three control flags »last unit:«, »last TID« and »last LUN« are especially evaluated by the system programs upon startup. The system programs read these three values and know up to where they have to scan for devices. If a device is specified as the last one, the scanning process stops with that device and devices connected thereafter will not be mounted to the system. Please not that this function is only supported by the latest operating system versions. last unit: The program automatically sets the flag to the correct position. It defines that the device that you are installing is last device to be mounted to the system. By setting this flag no further devices are mounted to the system. last TID: The program automatically sets the flag to the correct position. It defines that the device that you are installing is last device of that controller, to be mounted to the system. Up to seven devices may be connected to a SCSI-controller. If you have only connected one harddisk, you can activate this flag. This prevents the system programs from looking for other additional devices upon booting and may save some time. last LUN: The program automatically sets the flag to the correct position. This switch defines whether this is the last logical unit of a or »in« a device. Reselection: Using RESELECTION you can define whether the controller should accept and use the function Disconnect/Reconnect for this device. Synchronous: Defines whether data should be transferred with a less explicit protocol. This is not useful as the harddisks are already operated at maximum data transfer rates. Interleave: The INTERLEAVE factor should always be »0«, except for Seagate harddisks, which may require a different factor. The interleave factor has influence on the drives' transfer rate. A factor of »0« means that the device should use its own default setting. Using factors »1« and higher you can determine the interleave factor for the low level format. In order for the factor to have any effect, you need to select the item EXTRAS/LOW LEVEL FORMAT. Please note that all data on the unit will then be deleted! Auto park: Using auto park you can set the time period after which the harddisk should move to the parking position. This function is especially useful if you do not work on your computer for a long time, e.g. several days, while the computer is stilled turned on. In case you work regularly on your computer, it is recommended to set the value to »0«, i.e. to switch the auto park function off. Minimum time period is 300 seconds. The program does not accept shorter periods. 2.8.4 Pull Down Menu Paramter The window, »Installation of Device« has its own pull down menu. Inquiry: This function determines the information and capacity of the device upon request. The program sends the »Inquiry« command to the device, which then returns the information. Load: Since the program is also suitable for installing devices connected to IDE/AT-Bus controllers, you can use this function to load preference settings. This is particularly useful, as these devices return either wrong or insufficient data after an »Inquiry« in most cases. The preference settings for various devices are located on the disk in separate files. After selecting PARAMETER/LOAD a file requester opens. Now you can select the file with the suitable preference settings. The name of the file corresponds to the name of the device. Save: This function is only supplied in order to give the manufacturer the possibility to save files with preference settings. Usually you will not need this function. 2.9 Partition Drive... This function is only available, if you have selected the manual mode. It lets you create and setup one or more partitions. All values that need to be set here are saved on the device in the »PartitionBlock« after the RDSK Block and are evaluated during each startup of the computer by the driver and the Amiga. Use: Click USE and all changes of data are adopted or maintained. Finally these changes can be saved using the function SAVE CHANGES TO DRIVE. Cancel: Use CANCEL in case you do not want to adopt or maintain the changes made or you just peeked in and want to leave the window without performing any changes. All changes made will be lost. 2.9.1 Available Partitions This list displays all available partitions on the selected device. The partitions are listed by their names and size in megabyte. You can select a partition from the list for editing. The selected partition is also displayed in the line under the list. Additionally the corresponding block, representing the selected partition is highlighted in the overview. Partitions are automatically set as close as possible by the program, so that no space is left or wasted between the individual partitions. 2.9.2 Overview In the overview the individual partitions are displayed as blocks in a bar which represents the capacity of the entire device. You can select one partition by clicking a block in the bar. The block will then be displayed in color, indicating the active partition. 2.9.3 Add The function ADD PARTITION adds a partition of maximum size to the end of the device and appends it to the list. If there is no free disk space at the end of the device, the function is ghosted and can not be selected. You must then supply sufficient space by reducing or deleting another partition. 2.9.4 Edit After clicking EDIT PARTITION you access the window including all parameters of the selected partition. The description of the parameters is given in the section »Edit Partition«. If no partition is selected, this function is ghosted and can not be selected. In that case you must first use the function ADD PARTITION to partition a drive. 2.9.5 Delete The function DELETE PARTITION deletes the active partition in the list. Please note that the following partitions close the gap and free disk space will be available at the end of the device. In case there is no partition at all, this function is ghosted and can not be selected. 2.10 Edit Partition... This function cannot be accessed via the main window, but only via the window »Partition drive...«. Use: When using the gadget USE, all changes of data are adopted or maintained. Finally these changes may also be saved using the function SAVE CHANGES TO DRIVE. Cancel: Use CANCEL in case you do not want to maintain or adopt any changes made, or when you were just peeking and want to leave the window without performing any changes. All changes are lost. 2.10.1 Name In this field you can enter or change the name of the partition. This name corresponds to the physical name of the partition. You should therefore use »dh0:«, »dh1:« or similar names. The names correspond to the names of floppy disk drives, such as »df0:«. 2.10.2 Bytes This informs you of the size of the partition in byte. The program automatically calculates the size whenever you change the number of cylinders. 2.10.3 Cylinder Here you may enter the number of cylinders a partition should consist of. This value defines the size of the partition. When you change the size of a partition, all following partitions - if applicable - are automatically moved accordingly, closing any gaps. In case the device does not have sufficient space for the desired size of the partition, the program will automatically reduce the number of cylinders to the maximum possible number. If you still want to enlarge the active partition, you must reduce the size of another partition, first. 2.10.4 StartCyl and EndCyl These values indicate at which cylinder the partition begins and which cylinder defines the end. Both values include the cylinders given. If the StartCyl-value is 10, the partition begins with cylinder 10 and not with 11. 2.10.5 Reserved This value is usually set to »2« and should not be changed. This value also depends on the used file system. It is different for MS-DOS file systems. The value defines the number of reserved blocks at the beginning of a partition, e.g. for the boot program. 2.10.6 PreAlloc This value is usually set to »0« and should not be changed. It defines the number of reserved blocks at the end of the partition. 2.10.7 File System The cycle gadget »File system« offers the choice of several file systems. The default setting is the »FFS«. The »DOSType« is automatically changed by the program according to the chosen file system. Each file system has its own specific DOSType. This information defines which file system, installed in the Amigas ROM or on the device should be used for the partition. The allocation is done during the booting process of the Amiga. Only if you have chosen the file system »Special«, you must enter the »DOSType« yourself, e.g. »MSD\0« for the »CrossDOSFileSystem«. Typ File System Name / Typ OS Version DOS\0 DOS StandardFileSystem 1.2 DOS\1 FFS FastFileSystem 1.3 DOS\2 DOS Inter StandardFileSystem International 2.1 DOS\3 FFS Inter FastFileSystem International 2.1 DOS\4 DOS DirCache StandardFileSystem Directory Cache 3.0 DOS\5 FFS DirCache FastFileSystem Directory Cache 3.0 2.10.8 DOSType Here you can only enter a DOSType if you have chosen the file system »Special«. In all other cases the entry field is ghosted. The »DOSType« is stated in C-syntax. 2.10.9 Mask Determines to which memory range of the Amiga the controller may transfer data. This value is automatically set by the program. 2.10.10 MaxTransfer This value defines the maximum amount of byte the operating system can request from the controller. The value is set automatically by the program. 2.10.11 Automount »Automount« defines whether a partition should be mounted to the Amiga-system during the boot process. For example, you may turn off the »Automount« and mount the partition manually later on whenever necessary with the »c:Mount«-command and a MountList- entry. If »Automount« is disabled, you cannot change the values »Bootable«, »Priority« and »Bootblocks«, as »Automount« is necessary for these values to have any effect. 2.10.12 Bootable »Bootable« lets you select whether you would like to boot from this partition after starting up your computer. If »Automount« is disabled for this partition, you cannot select »Bootable«. In this case the gadget is also displayed ghosted. 2.10.13 Priority The »Priority« states from which bootable partition the Amiga should boot upon start up. The partition with the highest priority is used in that case. The values may range from »-127« to »+127«. If you enter »-1« the Amiga will boot from the floppy disk, as the floppy disk drive has a priority of »5«. 2.10.14 Bootblocks The program uses the default value »0«. Until now, a possible »Bootprogram« is not supported by the controllers yet. 2.10.15 Buffers Here you enter the size of the »Buffer« (Cache) that is used for the data transfer. A buffer has the size of 512 byte. The buffer is allocated in the main memory of the Amiga. You should select the size of the buffer according to the amount of main memory available. Please note that allocating large buffers for many partitions is very memory consuming as all these buffers are summed up. 2.10.16 Pull Down Menu Password/Install Using this function you may set a password for a partition, as well as access rights. Please note that the password is stored together with the partition data in the RDSK Block. As the RDSK Block is not designed for this kind of data, the RDSK Block does not conform to the standard anymore. If you would like to a have 100% standard RDSK Block, you should not install a password or delete an existing password with PASSWORD/DELETE. Please also refer to the description of »OktagonMount« in the chapter »Utilities«. Access rights without password (Public): This defines the access rights for the partition that you or other users have, if a password was not entered at boot time. No Access: You have absolutely no access to the partition. If the user did not enter a password, the user will never actually see the partition as it isn't even mounted during start up. Read: The partition is mounted to the system and may be read from. Write, Read: The partition may be read and written to. Format, Write, Read: The partition may be read, written to and formatted. Access rights with password (Protected): Here you select the rights of users that have entered the correct password. No Access: This option is disabled, as you have to allow at least for reading access. A user that entered the correct password will always be able to read the partition. Anything else would not make sense. Read: The partition is mounted to the system and may be read from. Write, Read: The partition may be read and written to. Format, Write, Read: The partition may be read, written to and formatted. Password: Enter a password consisting of a maximum of eight characters. Please note that the program is case sensitive, i.e. distinguishes between upper and lower case letters. Use: The gadget USE adopts or maintains data changed. Finally you may also save the changes to your device using SAVE CHANGES TO DRIVE. Cancel: If you do not wish to adopt or maintain the changes made, or if you were just peeking and would like to quit the window without keeping the changes, please select CANCEL. All changes are lost. 2.10.17 Pull Down Menu Password/Delete This function erases the existing password information after a confirmation by the user. This enables you to simply erase password settings and restore the RDSK Block to its standard form. 2.11 File System This function is only available if you are working in the manual mode. Otherwise the gadget is disabled and ghosted. The function FILE SYSTEM gives you the opportunity to load a specific file management system, prepare it for saving on a device and use it for partitions. Use: The gadget USE adopts or maintains data changed. Finally you may also save the changes to your device using SAVE CHANGES TO DRIVE. Cancel: If you do not wish to adopt or maintain the changes made, or if you were just peeking and would like to quit the window without keeping the changes, please select CANCEL. All changes are lost. 2.11.1 Available File Systems All listed file systems including the device and partition data are saved on the device. This is only necessary when you want to use a file system for one or several partitions which are not included in the Amigas ROM. The »FastFileSystem« is included in Kickstart 2.0 ROM, but not in the Kickstart 1.3 or 1.2 ROMs. If you would like to operate a partition with »FastFileSystem« under Kickstart 1.3 you must add »FastFileSystem« to the list. The list not only shows the name of the file system, but also its size, version and DOSType. The »FastFileSystem« of later operating systems starting with release 2.0 also include the »StandardFileSystem«, as well as some »International«- and »DirectoryCache«-variations starting with operating systems 3.0. Therefore you' ll need to load the »FastFileSystem« only once for the file systems ranging from »DOS\0« to partially »DOS\5«. DOSType: This information identifies the file system. Version: This displays the version and revision number of the file system. The number given in the version field actually consists of two parts. The number before the period indicates the version the number thereafter the revision number. Since Commodore did not determine a standard for this value it may occur that the version number is incorrect or unusable. In that case you can either change the entry or enter it using UPDATE. This is not possible later, though. Size: Since the version number of some file systems can and/or could not always be identified to full satisfaction, the file system may also be distinguished by their file size. Their size is given in byte. Name / Type: In most cases this is the name of a file system under which it is also saved on disk. Depending on the DOSType they may also be different. The later versions of »FastFileSystems« know for example several DOSTypes. When adding or replacing the »FastFileSystem« with »DOS\3«, »FastFileSystem International« will appear in the list. 2.11.2 Add After clicking ADD a file requester opens where you can enter the name of a new file system. In the Add File System window you can then change or correct the DOSType, version number and the size. 2.11.3 Update With UPDATE you can replace an already existing file system by another one, e.g. a later version (see ADD). After clicking ADD a file requester opens where you can enter the name of a new file system. In the Add File System window you can then change or correct the DOSType, version number and the size. 2.11.4 Delete With DELETE you can delete the selected file system. It will not be saved on the file system any longer. 2.11.5 Add File System Window Use: Click USE and all changes of data are adopted or maintained. Finally these changes can be saved using the function SAVE CHANGES TO DRIVE. Cancel: Use CANCEL in case you do not want to adopt or maintain the changes made or you just peeked in and want to leave the window without performing any changes. All changes made will be lost. Name: Enter the path and file name of the file system which you would like to install on the device. Of course this is only possible, if the file system is available as a file, e.g. the »FastFileSystem« in the »l:«-directory. DOSType: See above: Available File Systems/DOSType Version: See above: Available File Systems/Version Revision: See above: Available File Systems/Version 2.12 Save Changes To Drive This function finally saves all changes performed by the functions SETUP DRIVE, PARTITION DRIVE and FILE SYSTEM to the RDSK Block on the unit. Before these settings are saved you will be asked for confirmation. All previously existing data will then be lost. In case you have previously installed your harddisk and have now changed the partition data, the Amiga will only find the new partitions and not the old ones after a reset. When the program has completed writing the data, it will inform you and ask you whether you would like to reboot your Amiga to activate the new settings. Click REBOOT. A reboot is especially necessary when you have changed partitions on an already installed harddisk, as the old partitions are still mounted to the system. If you would now mount the new partitions with »OktagonMount« or the function DOS FORMAT in this program your Amiga could not cope with this situation. The Amiga will then try to work with different partitions on the same harddisk, which will not work in the long run. In case you are installing your harddisk for the first time, you may click CANCEL and continue with the function DOS FORMAT. 2.13 DOS Format With this function partitions are formatted for use with AmigaDOS. As a rule you have to format all partitions with DOS. You may use this function only when a partition exists on the selected device and you are in the manual mode. You do not necessarily have to use this program for formatting. You may also format these partitions from the Workbench or CLI/Shell as you would format a normal floppy disk. In Workbench 2.0 the function used to format is called ICONS/FORMAT DISK... . In the CLI/Shell you have to use the command »sys:system/format«. We have integrated this function in our program in order to make the installation easier for unexperienced users. If you want to use a special data management system (file system) and with that a special DOSType for the partition, you cannot use this program. This program supports only the standard types. Cancel: If you are done formatting, or if you were just peeking, you can leave the function and the window by clicking CANCEL. 2.13.1 Available Partitions A list of all partitions available on the selected drive is displayed. To select a partition, click it in the list and it will be highlighted. 2.13.2 New Volume Name Enter the name of the partition in this field. The name will be shown on the Workbench under the respective icon, just like the icon of a floppy disk. 2.13.3 Trashcan If you select this checkmark gadget a trashcan will be added to your partition after formatting. The program will try to copy the trashcan from the »sys:«-directory or, if that does not exist, it will copy the trashcan saved in the program. 2.13.4 Verify When checked, the program will search for errors that occurred during the formatting of the partition. This feature will not work, if you select QUICK FORMAT. 2.13.5 File System Here you may assign a file system to the partition, absolutely independent from the settings of the partition. After starting your Amiga the controller will first read the partition data with the assigned DOSType. Then it will search for a file system of the same DOSType, load and start it. Finally the file system checks the partition itself for which file system the partition was formatted. It is possible that a file system supports different systems, e.g. »FastFileSystem« »DOS\0« up to »DOS\5«. 2.13.6 Format After clicking FORMAT you are asked to confirm your choice for safety reasons one last time, as all data on your device will be lost. Once the partition is formatted you can work with it and copy for example files, programs and data to your partition. 2.13.7 Quick Format This type of formatting does the same as FORMAT, just a little faster but less safe. Only essential structures will be written to the partition and not the complete formatting information. The partition will not be checked for errors either, even if you selected the VERIFY checkmark gadget. 2.14 Copy Disks Using this function you can copy the contents of a file or a device to a partition. You may also copy the contents of a disk from the CLI to a partition using the command »c:copy«. The program contains the COPY DISKS function in order to help the unexperienced user to copy a Workbench to the partition without having to go into the details of the CLI/Shell. Cancel: If you are done copying, or if you were just peeking and would like to leave this function and close the window, click CANCEL. 2.14.1 From Drive Here you select the medium from which the data is to be copied, e.g. a Workbench disk. The selected device or drive is highlighted. 2.14.2 To Drive Here you select the partition to which the contents of the drive selected above should be copied to. The selected partition is highlighted. 2.14.3 Copy Click COPY... to start the process. Please note that you cannot interrupt this operation. 2.14.4 List Files This function opens a file requester enabling you to look at the contents of the device. 2.15 Extras/Low Level Format... This function formats a drive physically. It is completely different from the DOS format. The low level formatting is the precondition for storing data on a storage medium. Blocks and tracks, e.g. on the harddisk are created to store a certain amount of bytes. When DOS-formatting, the Amigas operating system creates its own file management structure. This file management structure and the files are stored together as data on the device in the created blocks. After low level formatting a specific amount of memory blocks are available on the drive. Only after DOS-formatting the drive you can create files and directories on the Workbench or in the CLI, name files, store files in subdirectories, etc. In recent years the low level formatting is already performed by the manufacturer of the device. Therfore you will not need to low level format your device. Low level formatting will rarely be necessary, only when for example you are having difficulties with the installation or other major problems occur. First select the device to be formatted from the list of available devices in the main window. Then select the function. Please note that all data on the device will be erased due to the formatting process. While the window »Low Level Format« is open, you cannot access any other function in the main window of the program. All functions are ghosted. Cancel: When you are done formatting, or if you were just peeking and would like to leave this function and close the window, please click CANCEL. 2.15.1 Drive Displays the drives name and manufacturer to avoid a mix up of drives, if you have connected more than one. Please make sure you really selected the correct one! 2.15.2 Interleave The INTERLEAVE-factor should always be »0«, except for Seagate harddisks, which may require a different factor. The interleave factor has influence on the drives' transfer rate. A factor of »0« means that the device should use its own default setting. Using factors »1« and higher you can determine the interleave factor for the low level format. This value is also used for SETUP DRIVE, but has no actual effect in that function. 2.15.3 Block Size The devices block size is determined via a direct »Inquiry« by the program. Usually a block on a harddisk is the size of 512 bytes. Sony Magneto-Optical drives may have sizes of 512 bytes or 1024 bytes and CD-ROMS can even have 2 kilobytes per block. If the device does not return a value upon »Inquiry«, the program uses 512 bytes as a default setting. 2.15.4 Ignore Grown Defects Clicking the checkmark gadget IGNORE GROWN DEFECTS you can determine, whether all blocks listes as defective shall be reused. Generally you should leave this function off. 2.15.5 Format After clicking FORMAT a panel appears asking for your confirmation before the selected device is formatted. The formatting process cannot be interrupted until it is completely done. Please note that all data on the device is erased in the formatting process. As soon as the device is completely formatted it may be set up, using the program. 2.16 Extras / Check Drive... Checks your harddisks for possible errors. When errors are detected, this does not necessarily mean that data is lost. Harddisks have a mechanism for repairing minor defects so they will not occur. Using the CHECK DRIVE command this mechanism is deactivated and therefore even the smallest errors on the harddisk are detected. While the window CHECK DRIVE is open, you cannot access any other function in the main window. All functions are ghosted. Cancel: As soon as you are done checking your harddisk or if you were just peeking and would like to leave this function and close the window now, please click CANCEL. 2.16.1 Errors Found All errors found during the check are displayed in this list. If you select REASSIGN these blocks will be reassigned. 2.16.2 Number of Checks Here you determine the number of time the harddisk is checked subsequently. Usually the harddisk is checked only once. If you are certain though, that an error occurs only seldomly you can enter a higher value, for example 100. However, this may take an entire night. All errors found in the test cycles are added to the list. 2.16.3 Check Select CHECK to start the process. If errors are found they will be displayed in the »errors found« list. When you call up this function, a window opens and informs you that the harddisk is now being checked and the cycle number is also displayed. Please note that you cannot interrupt this function. Only if you have entered several checks, you can interrupt the operation between two check cycles. While CHECK is running, you cannot access any other function in the main window. All functions are ghosted. 2.16.4 Clear List Deletes all entries from the »errors found« list. 2.16.5 Reassign SCSI-devices can reassign bad blocks without a loss of data of capacity. Data stored in a bad block is written to another block and a reference to the good block is saved in the bad block. The new block is located in a section of the harddisk especially reserved for these cases. This section is not available for normal operation. The function REASSIGN initiates the reassignment of bad blocks. This operation cannot be interrupted. As soon as the reassignment process is completed, you return to the main window and the window CHECK DRIVE is closed. 2.17 Extras / Rigid Disk Blocks With this function you can manage the system information of the harddisk. The following functions all refer to the device selected in the »Devices in System« in the main window. Please make sure that you always select the correct device. 2.17.1 Load from File When selecting RIGID DISK BLOCKS/LOAD FROM FILE... a file requester opens, from which you may select a file. The file will be loaded into the RDSK Block structur in the RAM. Then you can write the data from RAM to the harddisk with SAVE CHANGES TO DRIVE in the main window. This function is especially helpful, when the system information on the harddisk was lost, e.g. when it was accidentally overwritten by another program. In this case you can load the RDSK Block, which you previously stored on a disk, and write it to the harddisk. That's all you need to do to repair your harddisk. In case you don't have a copy of the RDSK Block on disk you'll have to think hard to remember the position your partitions. So, always keep a copy of the RDSK Block in a safe place. 2.17.2 Save to File Saves the RDSK Block to a file. A file requester appears and you can choose the filename and directory. You should select a floppy disk, as destination as the information would be useless in case of a harddisk problem. You'll also need the program on disk in the worst of all cases. 2.17.3 Erase This command will erase the RDSK Block. It will create a »virgin«, i.e. uninstalled harddisk. This function is to be used with greatest care, as the entire installation and the data of the harddisk is lost irrevocably. First you will be asked whether you really want to continue. Then the RDSK Block is deleted from RAM. With SAVE CHANGES TO THE DRIVE in the main window you may save the changes to the harddisk. This function doesn't actually erase the RDSK Block completely, but makes it unreadable for the system programs and for the operating system. Consequently, the operating system assumes that the harddisk has not yet been installed. 2.18 Configure Controller These functions are only available for the controllers Oktagon 508, 2000 or A.L.F. 3 or Oktagon 2008, as these have a special configuration memory. This memory allows for saving the configuration parameters in a memory buffer that is never lost, even after turning off your computer. The parameters are values that cannot be changed anywhere and have no room. This is not available with the AT-Bus 2008 or the Tandem controllers! 2.19 ToolTypes The program stores its own environment parameters under ToolTypes. You access ToolTypes by selecting the programs icon on the Workbench and calling up INFO or INFORMATION in the pull down menu of the Workbench. A window appears with the text gadget »ToolType«. 2.19.1 Device The program tries to find devices by the means of the installed driver. The program uses the driver name »oktagon.device« as a default, if you haven't entered anything else in ToolTypes yet. Selecting PROJECT/INFO displays which driver is selected. Since the program is case-sensitive please mind the correct spelling and do not forget the extenstion ».device«. Examples: DEVICE=ALF.device DEVICE=scsi.device DEVICE=oktagon.device If the program cannot find the chosen driver in the system, you will be informed by a panel when starting the program. This message is displayed even before the main window appears. Click OK to quit the program. Then check, why the driver name could not be found. Either your controller is defective or the driver name is incorrect. 2.19.2 Language You should change this setting from the program via the pull down menu SETTINGS/LANGUAGE which are then saved in the ToolTypes. The default language is English, if nothing is displayed in the ToolTypes. 2.19.3 Logical Units If this parameter is not specified in the ToolTypes, the program supports logical IDs by default. The parameter is then activated. LUN=yes LUN=no Usually, you will not have to deactivate the support of logical units, only if you use older Seagate harddisks for example. In this case addressing logical units will result in a harddisk failure and the system will halt. Using PROJECT/INFO from the program will inform you whether logical units are supported. 2.19.4 Mode You should make these settings via the programs' pull down menu SETTINGS/MODE. Using SETTINGS/Save the selected mode is saved in the ToolTypes. The program uses the default setting »automatically« if no setting is stated in the ToolTypes. 2.19.5 Plug in Cards If this parameter is not set in the ToolTypes, the program supports several controllers of the same Type. In this case the parameter is activated. PIC=yes PIC=no Using PROJECT/INFO from the program will inform you whether the support of several controllers of the same type is activated.