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- This program overview is based on an outline developed by Nelson
- Ford for the Public (Software) Library.
-
-
- program name: HDTEST
- Shareware version num.: 4.95 date: 3/10/90
-
- 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 (s) CGA (-) Dot Mtrx. (-) 12 fkeys
- (s) PCjr (r) 256k (s) EGA (-) Laser (-) Mouse
- (s) PC-AT (s) 512k (s) Mono (-) Graphics (-) Joystick
- (_) AT&T 6300 (s) 640k (s) Herc (-) Color (-) Digitiz.
- (s) 99% Compat. (n) >640k ________ (-) Pin Feed (_) ________
- __________________________________________________________________
-
- # Drives Modem Software DOS Experience
- (s) 5.25" (-) 300 (-) BASIC (n) 1.x (_) None
- (s) 3.5" (-) 1200 (-) GW-BASIC (s) 2.x (r) Beginning
- (s) 1.2 meg. (-) 2400 (-) ANSI.SYS (s) 3.x (_) Moderate
- (s) Hard dsk. (-) 4800 (_) ________ (s) 4.x (_) Expert
- (s) RAM disk (-) 9600 (_) ________ (n) OS/2 (_) _________
-
- Other: * The shareware version of this software can only be used to
- test hard disk partitions which extend beyond track 1023 (on those
- huge hard disks which have more than 1024 cylinders) at the
- relatively insensitive DOS level. Work is in progress on a version
- of the program which will support such disks more fully.
-
-
- Program Description
- ******************************************************************
- Purpose: HDTEST allows thorough READ/WRITE testing of a (hard or
- floppy) disk without loss of data.
-
- Features: This (Shareware) version of HDTEST allows thorough,
- comprehensive Read/Write testing of hard and 5.25", and 3.5" floppy
- disks on IBM PCs, XTs, ATs, and most reasonably IBM compatible
- clones. It can also be used to test almost all DOS-accessible
- storage devices currently in use on MS-DOS-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. Both versions of the
- HDTEST package include 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.
-