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- This program overview is based on an outline developed by Nelson
- Ford for the Public (Software) Library.
-
-
- program name: HDTEST
- version num.: 3.13 date: 8/1/87
-
- Author: Peter R. Fletcher
- Address: 1515 West Montgomery Avenue, Rosemont PA 19010
-
- Telephone support available for Registered Users
-
-
- Requirements
- r = minimum required s = supported/optional n = not supported
- - = not applicable
- ******************************************************************
- Computer Memory Monitor Printer Input Device
- (_) Any MSDOS (_) 64k (r) Any (s) Any (r) any kybd
- (s) PC (_) 128k (_) CGA (_) Dot Mtrx. (n) 12 fkeys
- (s) PCjr (r) 256k (_) EGA (_) Laser (n) Mouse
- (s) PC-AT (s) 512k (_) Mono (-) Graphics (-) Joystick
- (_) AT&T 6300 (s) 640k (_) Herc (-) Color (-) Digitiz.
- (s) 99% Compat. (n) >640k ________ (_) Pin Feed (_) ________
- __________________________________________________________________
-
- # Drives Modem Software DOS Experience
- (s) 5.25" (-) 300 (-) BASIC (_) 1.x (_) None
- (*) 3.5" (-) 1200 (-) GW-BASIC (r) 2.x (r) Beginning
- (s) 1.2 meg. (-) 2400 (r) ANSI.SYS (s) 3.x (_) Moderate
- (*) Hard dsk. (-) 4800 (_) ________ (_) ______ (_) Expert
- (*) RAM disk (-) 9600 (_) ________ (_) ______ (_) _________
-
- Other: * The shareware version of this software TESTS only 100%
- IBM-BIOS-compatible hard disks, and cannot be used to test
- RAMDisks or 3.5" floppies. The version of the software which is
- sent to Registered Users can be used to test a much wider range of
- devices. No specific disk configuration is required to RUN it.
-
- Program Description
- ******************************************************************
- Purpose: HDTEST allows thorough READ/WRITE testing of a (hard or
- floppy) disk without loss of data.
-
- Features: This version of HDTEST allows comprehensive Read/Write
- testing of hard and 5.25" floppy disks on IBM PCs, XTs, ATs, and
- most "true" compatibles. The latest version (sent to Registered
- users) can be used to test most MS-DOS-compatible storage devices
- currently in use on IBM-compatible computers, including removable
- (floppy and hard) disks and logically partitioned hard disks.
- HDTEST can thoroughly test the magnetic media on a device which
- contains data WHILE PRESERVING THE DATA (although data loss is
- unavoidable if an area which is in use has become unREADable).
- HDTEST normally tests the disk much more thoroughly than programs
- such as DFixer, Mace, and Norton's DT, because it WRITES AND reads
- multiple test patterns on every sector on the disk, and because it
- gets below the DOS level to detect errors which are minor enough
- to be ignored by DOS but may nevertheless warn of developing
- problems. In addition to its testing function, HDTEST has been
- reported to be useful as an automatic disk repair utility for both
- hard and floppy disks which develop (especially) intermittent or
- persistent read errors, preventing or impeding their normal use.
- The HDTEST package includes full documentation on disk and a
- second program (HDCHEK), which does not write to the disk, and can
- be used to check that a given hardware/software combination is
- compatible with HDTEST.
-