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- **********************************************
-
- RDB-Salv
-
- Version 1.00 Rev. 1 (28-May-1996)
-
- English User Manual
-
- Translation by Bernd Felsche
-
- **********************************************
-
- Legal
- *****
-
- As with most other software, there are legal conditions associated with
- RDB-Salv and you must read them before you first use the program. These
- conditions shall be interpreted according to the laws of Germany. The
- German text of these conditions shall take precedence over any
- translation thereof for the purposes of legal interpretation.
-
- Copyright
- =========
-
- RDB-Salv is subject to Copyright 1995-1996 by Angela Schmidt. All
- Rights Reserved, for both Software and the documentation. No part of
- this product shall be distributed, altered, manipulated or copied
- without the prior written authorisation of Angela Schmidt, Neu-Ulm,
- Germany.
-
- The freely distributable, unregistered version of RDB-Salv is covered
- by special conditions regarding its copying and distribution.
-
- Disclaimer
- ==========
-
- Angela Schmidt shall not be held responsible for any damages or losses,
- direct or consequential, resulting from the use, or inability to use
- the software. This applies even if Angela Schmidt has been made aware
- of the possibility of losses or damage.
-
- Alterations
- ===========
-
- RDB-Salv shall *not* be altered (patched). Those who do this anyway,
- should not be surprised by extremely uncomfortable side-effects. You
- are *explicitly* warned against removal of the registration number
- requester.
-
- Of course, RDB-Salv shall *not* be distributed if it has been altered
- -- even when the altered software was based on the freely distributable
- version.
-
- If a modification is thought to be useful, it's worth your while to
- contact the Author, who may after all have the desired function in the
- next version.
-
- Trademarks
- ==========
-
- This documentation mentions various hardware and software by name. Such
- names are often protected Trademarks and their mention in this document
- shall in no way damage their legal status.
-
- Licence Agreement
- =================
-
- This Agreement is a legal contract between you, the end user, and
- Angela Schmidt. You agree to accept the conditions of this contract by
- use of the software.
-
- The *registered* version with a valid registration number entitles you
- to use a *single* copy of the software on *one* computer (i.e. at only
- *one* location for *one* unit)
-
- If you use the *unregistered* version of RDB-Salv, you can use as many
- copies as you like simultaneously, and distribute copies to as many
- people as you like at no charge. Copy fees are prohibited -- exceptions
- must be obtained in writing from the author. Distribution via the
- following CD-ROMs is hereby expressly permitted: Meeting Pearls,
- Gateway!.
-
- An *unregistered* version of RDB-Salv can be recognized by the startup
- requester for registration number and user address. You are dealing
- with an *unregistered* version when *all* fields are empty (no default
- values). It is safest to only ever pass on the original archive --
- nothing can go wrong that way.
-
- Registration
- ============
-
- I have unfortunately discovered from my previous projects (most notably
- with DisKey), that users will only register the shareware which they
- don't use almost every day if they have no other choice -- by limiting
- the functionality of the freely distributable version.
-
- This is the reason why the unregistered version of RDB-Salv has limited
- functionality.
-
- As I like the idea of swapping one program for another, I'm offering to
- swap RDB-Salv for other *good* programs. However, the program must
- adhere to the Style Guide and proper programming practices as I only
- run *clean* software on my machine. Excessive use of Setfunction() is
- unacceptable! If in doubt, you can always ask me.
-
- Those who cannot program might like to translate the catalogs and/or
- manuals to another language. I'll gladly reward you with a registered
- version. To prevent two (or more) people doing the same work at once,
- please advise me. I can be reached via email as
- Angela.Schmidt@stud.uni-karlsruhe.de.
-
- Those who cannot directly contribute to RDB-Salv, and can't offer a
- useful contribution to my collection of programs can register in the
- traditonal way (with money). As I'm rather slow and lazy with snail
- mail, I've delegated these duties to my sister -- who's fast and
- reliable. ;-)
-
- Normal Registration
- 30 DM plus Postage and Packing.
-
- Bound Manual
- 10 DM extra.
-
- Postage and Packing within Germany
- 5 DM for floppy only, or floppy with manual
-
- Postage and Packing within Europe
- 5 DM for floppy only
- 10 DM for floppy with manual
-
- Postage and Packing outside Europe (Air Mail)
- 10 DM for floppy only
- 20 DM for floppy with manual
-
- Express Delivery
- 15 DM *extra*. The Registration will be processed immediately and
- sent via Express delivery. Yet even normal registrations will be
- processed quickly by my sister - not like SASG where one often has
- to wait for weeks when Express is not chosen.
-
- Please understand that my sister likes to take the occasional
- holiday, usually in August or September, as well as at the start
- of January. Registrations cannot be processed at these times and
- I beg your understanding.
-
- C.O.D. (only in Germany)
- 8 DM extra. This only makes sense if registering by telephone.
-
- A normal registration will therefore cost 35 DM within Europe,
- including postage and packing. Express registration with delivery to the
- USA would cost 30+10+20+15=75 DM (Registration + Manual + postage +
- Express).
-
- You can send a cheque within Germany; the preferred and safest method.
- Of course you can send cash at your own risk. If need be, the
- registration can also be done via C.O.D. (for an extra 8 DM).
-
- You can also send a cheque from outside of Germany but please consider
- that this can present some difficulties and disproportionate costs (20
- DM is not unusual). Please make sure that theres enough left over to
- pay your registration after all the additional costs have been paid --
- otherwise your registration cannot be completed.
-
- As foreign cheques often cause trouble, I prefer foreign registrations
- to be made using cash (preferably DM, or US Dollars of equivalent
- value).
-
- Send your registration (in German, English or if need be, in French) to:
-
- Katrin Schmidt
- Finkenweg 26
- 89233 Neu-Ulm
- Germany
- Tel.: 0731/712316 (9:00 to 21:00 CET)
-
- Author
- ======
-
- You can contact me at the following addresses:
-
- EMail:
- Angela.Schmidt@stud.uni-karlsruhe.de
- http:
- http://home.pages.de/~Angela/
-
- Snailmail (for as long as I'm still studying, at least until end 1996)
- Angela Schmidt
- Klosterweg 28/I501
- 76131 Karlsruhe
- Germany
- Tel.: +49 721 695307 (only at a *civil* hour!)
-
- General
- *******
-
- This chapter explains why you need RDB-Salv, how it works, its system
- requirements, and how to install it.
-
- Please aquaint yourself with these points before using RDB-Salv.
-
- Note that these instructions include an *extensive* glossary. If you
- are unsure of a particular term in the technical jargon, you should
- check the glossary first, to see if it's explained in there.
-
- Terminology which is adequately explained in you system's manuals has
- not been included in the glossary. If you are new to, and/or not
- familiar with your AMIGA, you are urged to keep its manuals at hand.
-
- Introduction
- ============
-
- Ever had a checksum error or similar in one of your partitions? You've
- probably used something like Dave Haynie's `DiskSalv' to salvage the
- partition. Maybe you had a backup of the affected partition, which you
- could use to fix the problem.
-
- Now imagine that you lose *all* partitions on a disk drive at once. If
- you're lucky, you have a current backup of all the data, but as Murphy
- would have it, that is seldom the case. If you don't have a tool which
- can recover your data, you may have destroyed days, weeks; even months
- of work.
-
- This is by no means just a ficticious horror story -- it's happened to
- many people in the past. Their "RigidDiskBlock" (abbreviated as "RDB"
- or "RDSK") or similar "Management Block" (e.g. "Partition Blocks") has
- been overwritten, erased or damaged, preventing access to all data on
- the disk, even though the data on the disk is otherwise undamaged.
-
- Many have undoubtedly accepted defeat in such situations and
- repartitioned and initialised their hard disks, thus losing all data.
- Others have desparately sought to reconstruct the RDB (and the
- associated partition blocks) by guessing partition information. But
- even after many hours of reconstruction, the work has not usually
- resulted in success, mainly because there are simply too many
- combinations to try. The loss of the RDB (and/or other important
- Management Blocks) has in the past been associated with the total loss
- of data on the disk.
-
- RDB-Salv puts an end to that as of right now. RDB-Salv is a
- professional tool which will help you to recover your data in such
- situations. It's easy to use and besides offering the ability to
- salvage partition data, it provides functions for backing up and
- restoring the RDB and associated Management Blocks. It can't be any
- easier or more secure.
-
- Background/Functional Description
- =================================
-
- Most hard disks are divided into "Partitions" for example into a
- "System-Partition" and a "Work-Partition". Data can be accessed whilst
- the system knows the size and location of the partitions on the hard
- disk. If this information is lost, then so is all the data on the disk.
- However, the data can be accessed again as soon as the system is
- informed of the size and location of partitions.
-
- When the system is intact, this "Partition Data" is usually stored in
- the first few blocks of the hard disk. It would be very difficult to
- recover any data from the hard disk, without an appropriate tool, if
- these blocks are destroyed through an operational error, a buggy
- program or even a virus.
-
- The first 16 blocks of a hard disk contain the "RDB" (aka "RDSK" ),
- which contains a few global values, as well as pointers to "partition
- blocks" and other management blocks. The partition blocks are
- especially important as they contain all the data defining a partition.
-
- RDB-Salv offers several options to prevent you suffering from an
- "RDB-Mishap" in future:
-
- * RDB-Salv provides means to make a backup copy of the RDB and
- associated blocks and to perform a subsequent restore when
- necessary from the backup copy. This is preferable to salvage
- operations, even with the aid of RDB-Salv.
-
- * Sometimes, only parts of the RDB and management blocks are
- over-written. RDB-Salv can scan your disk for management blocks
- which are no longer recognized by your system, and salvage the
- lost data.
-
- * If you haven't rebooted since the loss of the RDB i.e. all
- partitions are still visible, then RDB-Salv can read the data from
- the "DeviceList" from RAM and thus recover the necessary
- information. A reboot or power off makes this method of recovery
- impossible.
-
- * Even when both of the above methods fail, you needn't despair.
- RDB-Salv can scan your entire hard disk and calculate parameters
- for all your AmigaDOS partitions. Some values, which are
- fortunately not critical should be restored manually as their
- automatic recovery is simply not possible. Amongst other values,
- this includes the names of the salvaged partitions (e.g. `DH0:',
- `HD0:', `wb_3.x:', ...).
-
- RDB-Salv will not change the contents of your hard disk -- except when
- you confirm its actions in the requester which appears. You need not
- worry about RDB-Salv destroying something without it asking you to
- confirm its actions first.
-
- When you wish to restore a partially or completely destroyed
- "RigidDiskBlock", RDB-Salv will search for or calculate many parameters
- which will allow the afflicted partitions to once again be addressed.
- You can then either store these directly as RDB and partition block, or
- opt to enter them manually into a "Prep program" (e.g. `HDToolBox').
- Additionally, you can store the values as a "MountList" or mount the
- devices.
-
- Requirements
- ============
-
- RDB-Salv requires OS 2.04 or later. RDB-Salv will speak to you in your
- own language as of OS 2.1, and OS 3.0 and later provides for
- enhancements relating to the GUI.
-
- Of course you'll need a hard disk! The controller/host adaptor must
- not have too many errors. RDB-Salv goes to great lengths to work around
- "device driver" problems.
-
- A significant `Limitation' must be stated now: RDB-Salv can only find
- AMIGA partitions. AFS, NetBSD and Mac partitions won't be found. The
- same goes for other unrecognizable partition types. However,
- RDB-Salv will in these cases, detect unused partitions and report them
- as such, so that it's possible for you to guess which of the
- unrecognizable partitions is which.
-
- Installation
- ============
-
- Please use the "Installer script" to install RDB-Salv. The script has
- been developed to accomodate various system configurations and to set
- corresponding "Tooltypes" for RDB-Salv's icon.
-
- Click on the Installer icon and follow the directions. If you're
- unsure of anything, use the Help button to obtain helpful information.
-
- Some manual adjustments may be necessary as it's not possible to know
- all possible configurations of "device drivers" and to probe for them
- in the Installer script. The Installer script will advise you when it
- can't recognize your "device driver". You should then proceed as
- follows:
-
- 1. Click *once* on the newly-installed RDB-Salv icon.
-
- 2. Choose `Information ...' from the Workbench Icons menu.
-
- 3. Edit the following Tooltypes according to the description in
- Tooltypes. If you are unsure of how to do this, consult your
- Workbench manual.
-
- * `BUFMEMTYPE'
-
- * `NOSCSICMD'
-
- * `NOGETGEOMETRY'
-
- * `NONEWSTYLE'
-
- 4. Click on `Save'. All done!
-
- Another few Tooltypes should be adjusted subsequently -- as per the
- description in Tooltypes. The Installer script is unfortunately unable
- to determine these values automatically.
-
- * `MAXTRANSFER'
-
- * `MASK'
-
- You can now start RDB-Salv. Simply double-click on the RDB-Salv icon.
- A window requesting your registration number and address will appear
- after a little while.
-
- If you're registered, enter the requested data and click on `Save'.
- This personalizes RDB-Salv for you so that you don't always have to
- re-enter your registration number. This personalized version should
- *never* be passed on.
-
- If you don't wish to modify RDB-Salv at this time, even though you have
- registered, click on `Use' after entering your registration number.
- All program functions will then be available, without actually changing
- RDB-Salv.
-
- Without registration, you have no option but to click on `Cancel'.
- This limits the functionality of RDB-Salv but you are most welcome to
- explore and test to see if RDB-Salv meets your needs.
-
- When you have completed the information in the requester, RDB-Salv
- starts and lets you get on with your work.
-
- Tooltypes
- =========
-
- A list of Tootypes recognized by RDB-Salv follows. Values appropriate
- to the computer should be set before starting RDB-Salv.
-
- `DEVICE=<default-devicename>'
- The device driver normally used, e.g. `scsi.device'. This value
- can be easily changed later from within the GUI. Please refer to
- your hard disk system manual to determine a suitable value.
-
- `UNIT=<default-unit>'
- "Device unit" normally used, e.g. `0' for Unit 0. This value can
- be easily changed later from within the GUI. Please refer to your
- hard disk system manual to determine a suitable value.
-
- `BACKUPFILENAME=<default-backupfilename>'
- Default filename for the backup copy, e.g. `DF0:RDB-Backup'.
- This value can be easily changed later from within the GUI.
-
- `BUFMEMTYPE=<bufmemtype>'
- Memory type from which to use for device access. This value only
- makes sense when `NOGETGEOMETRY' has been set or if the device
- driver does not support `TD_GETGEOMETRY'. `TD_GETGEOMETRY' if
- available defines the type of memory and this will *always* be
- used. Please refer to your hard disk system manual to determine a
- suitable value. If your manual doesn't help, then it's best to
- use `0x00000001' which corresponds to `MEMF_PUBLIC'.
-
- `MAXTRANSFER'
- Smallest MaxTransfer value for all disks. This value is used by
- RDB-Salv and passed on to potential file systems. Please refer to
- your hard disk system manual to determine a suitable value. One
- is usually safe to specify `0x0000FE00' -- although this has an
- unfortunate side-effect of significantly reduced transfer rates
- over higher values. Values which are too high can lead to data
- transfer problems. If in doubt, try it out. If you are unsure,
- then sacrifice speed for reliability and specify the `0x0000FE00'
- value.
-
- `MASK'
- Desired value for Mask. The value will be passed on to potential
- file systems. Please refer to your hard disk system manual to
- determine a suitable value. If that doesn't help, try it with
- `0xFFFFFFFE'. That value is now used by most systems. RDB-Salv
- only does data transfers to memory which has been obtained from
- `AllocMem()', and doesn't validate that this agrees with `MASK'.
-
- `NOGETGEOMETRY'
- Prevent despatch of `TD_GETGEOMETRY'. You *must* set this option
- if your device driver crashes when it gets a `TD_GETGEOMETRY'. If
- your device driver doesn't support `TD_GETGEOMETRY', you should
- set this option to avoid unnerving Alerts. Consider upgrading
- your device driver anyway.
-
- The following symptoms indicate that your device driver has trouble
- with `TD_GETGEOMETRY':
-
- * You get a warning requester when you first press `Start',
- telling you that `TD_GETGEOMETRY' isn't working.
-
- * Your machine crashes after your first click on `Start'.
-
- `NONEWSTYLE'
- Don't use New-Style commands. You *must* set this if your device
- driver crashes when it gets a `NSCMD_DEVICEQUERY'. Do not set
- this option if your device driver simply doesn't implement this
- command (applies to almost all drivers as it is very new).
-
- You can tell if your device driver has problems with
- `NSCMD_DEVICEQUERY' because your computer will crash when you
- first click on `Start'.
-
- `NOSCSICMD'
- Prevent despatch of `HDSCSICMD'. If your device driver crashes
- when it gets a `HDSCSICMD', then you *must* set this option.
- Should your device driver not support `HDSCSICMD', you can set
- this option to avoid annoying alerts. You should consider a
- device driver update anyway.
-
- The following symptoms indicate that your device driver has trouble
- with `HDSCSICMD':
-
- * You get a requester telling you that `HDSCSICMD' isn't
- working; probably preceded by another that says that
- `TD_GETGEOMETRY' isn't working either.
-
- * Your computer crashes after clicking on `Start' for the first
- time, possibly preceded by a warning about `TD_GETGEOMETRY'
- not working.
-
- `SCSIREADWRITE'
- Use SCSI-Direct commands (`HDSCSICMD') to read and write hard disk
- blocks. This option is not allowed if `NOSCSICMD' is set. This
- will become significant in future -- when hard disks larger than
- 4 GB are the rule, rather than the exception -- as it allows
- addressing of SCSI disks larger than 4 GB.
-
- `BADDEVICE1'
- This option should not normally be set. It is only to be set if
- the return code from attempting to read non-existent blocks is
- inconsistent. This is a hack to allow for bad device drivers.
-
- `NORECOVER'
- Switch off `Find lost blocks' when `NORECOVER' is set. This value
- can be easily changed later from within the GUI. As an
- alternative, a Tooltype can by the way be set to
- `RECOVER=TRUE|YES|1' to explicitly switch *on* `Find lost blocks'.
-
- `READDEVLIST'
- The `Read' function will default to `Read from DeviceList' when
- this is set -- `Read from Media' otherwise. This value can be
- easily changed later from within the GUI.
-
- `OPTIMIZE'
- Activate `Optimize' for the `Backup' function. Storage of the
- management blocks will be optimized to reduce space requirements.
- Unused blocks which may still contain lost data will not be backed
- up. This value can be easily changed later from within the GUI.
-
- `DEBUG'
- Debug mode -- should *not* normally be switched on.
-
- If you're an expert and prefer to use the shell, then these Tooltypes
- can be specified as parameters to the program -- unless otherwise
- specified.
-
- Using RDB-Salv
- **************
-
- Having successfully installed RDB-Salv and having gained some
- understanding of the underlying principles, you can being using
- RDB-Salv. This chapter outlines points to note while using this
- program.
-
- Starting RDB-Salv
- =================
-
- RDB-Salv is started from the Workbench by double-clicking on it's Icon.
- A window will open, presenting the main menu. This lets you choose
- between multiple pages of functions.
-
- About
- The Information Page (About). Information about those who
- contributed to RDB-Salv is presented here.
-
- Backup
- The Backup Page. Backups of the RDB and associated management
- block can be created with the aid of this page.
-
- Restore
- The Restore Page. This page is needed to write the backed-up RDB
- and management blocks back to the hard disk.
-
- Salvage
- The Salvage Page. Un-corrupted data, still on your hard disk is
- used to try to re-establish the RDB and associated management
- blocks using the functions on this page. Salvage attempts meet
- with a success rate of well over 90 %, though 100 % can never be
- guaranteed.
-
- Read
- The Read Page. All available RDB and management blocks are read
- and displayed using this page. It's also possible to search for
- long-lost RDB and management block data. For example; any backup
- copies which have been saved to the hard disk *against* the
- recommendation to save them to floppies.
-
- Click on one of the five gadgets in the main menu to select the page
- you wish to use.
-
- Exiting from RDB-Salv
- =====================
-
- Sooner or later, you'll wish to quit from RDB-Salv. There are several
- possibilities:
-
- 1. The close Gadget.
-
- 2. The Quit menu option.
-
- 3. The Amiga-Q keyboard shortcut.
-
- 4. The `Quit' button which appears on several of the pages.
-
- Note that *no* confirmation will be required as this is, more often
- than not, an annoyance.
-
- About
- =====
-
- You may be curious as to who contributed to RDB-Salv, who owns the
- Copyright (C), etc. Then this page is at your service!
-
- Backup
- ======
-
- An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. It's highly
- recommended that you make backup copies of your RDB and associated
- management blocks. A backup copy is always preferable to any attempt
- to recover the data after a "disaster". It's imperative that the
- backup copy is not saved on the hard disk but on one or more floppies,
- as it doesn't help much to have a backup RDB on a hard disk struck by
- disaster.
-
- The backup copy is written as a single file. This usually fits
- comfortably onto a single floppy disk.
-
- Although RDB-Salv's Salvage function does not support all file system
- types, the backup function is able to backup relevant information for
- all file system types, including NetBSD, Mac, AFS.
-
- To create a backup copy:
-
- 1. Format an empty floppy disk. Refer to your system manual for an
- exact description of how to go about this if you are unsure.
-
- 2. Label the floppy disk and insert it in a drive.
-
- 3. Click on Backup. Provide the correct information in the three
- text gadgets:
-
- Device
- `Device' must contain the name of the device driver of the
- device for which you wish to create the backup. e.g.
- `scsi.device'. Consult your hard disk controller or host
- adapter manual for the name of the device driver noting that
- its specification is case sensitive. Click on `Choose...' to
- see all possible device drivers. Double-click on the correct
- name to accept it.
-
- Unit
- This number corresponds to the `Unit' number of the device.
- SCSI `Unit' numbers usually range from 0 to 6. If you don't
- know the number off-hand, then start up the corresponding
- prep program (e.g. `HDToolBox') which will give you an idea
- of all unit numbers. Alternatively, check your hard disk
- manual.
-
- Backup-File
- `Backup-File' specifies the name of the file to which the
- backup of the RDB and associated management blocks is to be
- written. If you click on `Choose...', a filename browser
- will appear so that you can choose a directory and enter a
- filename which should be on the formatted floppy. The backup
- copy should never be stored on the hard disk from which the
- RDB originates.
-
- 4. Set the check-mark `Optimize' appropriately. When selected, the
- backup will contain (just about) only those block which contain
- directly relevant data. This can significantly reduce the size of
- the backup copy. However, it won't backup those lost blocks which
- you may be able to find using the Read page. Laymen are advised
- against selecting this option.
-
- 5. Click on the `Start' gadget to start the backup. A requester will
- appear when the backup has been completed successfully.
-
- 6. Just to make sure, make a copy of the floppy. Floppy disks are
- much less reliable than hard disks and it would be extremely
- annoying to discover that your backup is unusable. If need be,
- refer to your system manual to find out how make a copy of a
- floppy disk.
-
-
- Restore
- =======
-
- This page is used to restore the hard disk RDB if you suffer from a
- disaster some time after making a backup of the RDB and associated
- management blocks.
-
- Insert your backup floppy, click on `Restore' and complete the fields
- corresponding to `Device', `Unit' and `Backup-File' as described in
- Backup. Data will of course be read from `Backup-File' and written to
- the specified hard disk, and not the reverse.
-
- Click on `Start' when ready. The RDB data on the hard disk will be
- destroyed and over-written from the backup copy. If you are absolutely
- sure that you want to do this, then confirm the action in the requester.
-
- Salvage
- =======
-
- If you lose your RDB and don't have a backup copy, then this page can
- help. Specify the device and unit as per Backup and click on `Start'.
-
- Your entire hard disk will now be scanned, which depending on its size,
- gives you enough time for a coffee break. RDB-Salv searches for
- recognizable data from AmigaDOS partitions and thus arrives at previous
- "Partition Boundaries". The "progress indicator" shows the percentage
- of the scan completed. A drive name will be listed in the left window
- panel whenever a partition has been found. Only AmigaDOS partitions
- will be found.
-
- Items can be selected from the list after the successful scan and
- subsequent (short) compute interval. The right window panel indicates
- detailed information about the selected partition.
-
- Check the list carefully. Does it list some partitions which don't
- really exist? Or perhaps partitions which have long been over-written?
- Maybe you've even saved a "floppy disk image" to the hard disk; as this
- would be shown as a separate partition. Check each list entry
- individually and verify that it actually exists. The panel to the
- right shows `additional information' about each partition so that you
- can tell if it overlaps one or more other partitions. If two or more
- partitions overlap then it indicates that all but *one* of these do
- *not* really exist; they are so-called pseudo-partitions.
-
- Having identified all the incorrectly-indicated partitions, select them
- using the mouse and click on `Remove'. Don't panic; this does not
- alter or erase any data on the hard disk! You're only telling
- RDB-Salv which partitions really exist and help it to avoid subsequent
- errors. If a partition does not overlap others, you will be asked to
- confirm its removal by a requester as it makes little sense to do so in
- most cases.
-
- You must remove *all* incorrectly-indicated partitions to avoid
- subsequent problems. Exceptions to this are partitions named `RDSK ...'
- and `Unused space'. These "pseudo-partitions" serve as "place holders"
- and cannot usually be removed.
-
- Under exceptional conditions, it can take several seconds to remove a
- partition (depending on CPU), this time being required to recalculate
- several values. This is the exception, rather than the rule.
-
- Perhaps you are asking yourself why `RDSK ...' and `Unused space'
- appear in the list, yet not in `HDToolBox' and other prep tools. The
- answer is simply that prep tools do not generally allow you to use the
- *whole* hard disk for partitions as they silently reserve small
- sections for themselves. RDB-Salv indicates these sections as follows:
-
- RDSK ...
- This entry encompasses the section of disk in which the RDB and
- associated management blocks are stored. Some space must be
- reserved for this -- which is done by reserving space at the start
- of the hard disk.
-
- Unused space
- This entry identifies a "hole" in your partition data, i.e. a
- space where no recognizable data can be found, and where an RDSK
- is not usually found. The end of a hard disk will often have one
- of these. In such cases, the prep program has simply given away a
- few blocks at the end of the disk, which have now been identified
- by RDB-Salv.
-
- But there is another possibility: Perhaps you have an unformatted
- partition. Or AFS or NetBSD partitions, similar. These will also
- be indicated as `Unused space'.
-
- You should note that several of these unrecognized partitions which
- are *adjacent*, will only be shown as *a single* `Unused space'.
- Unfortunately, RDB-Salv is not able to identify partition
- boundaries within the unused space in this case. Such data cannot
- be salvaged using RDB-Salv.
-
- As mentioned previously, the end of the disk often contains a
- "pseudo-partition" called `Unused space'. This is the only
- pseudo-partition which can be removed using `Remove'. If you're sure
- that you have no more partitions at the end of your disk, then you
- should remove this pseudo-partition from the list using the `Remove'
- button. This can avoid subsequent problems with other prep programs.
-
- If you'd like to test if RDB-Salv has established correct data, then
- you can use the `Salv/Read' menu to mount partitions or to generate a
- "MountList". You can also save and print all results. Please read
- `Using the Salv-Read Menu' for details of how to do this.
-
- If all went well, you'll probably want to set up a new RDSK. Use the
- `Save as RDSK and partition blocks ...' menu option to be found under
- the `Salv/Read' menu. Further information about this can be found under
- `Using the Salv-Read Menu'.
-
- After writing out the salvaged RDSK, you must edit it using `HDToolBox'
- or similar. The procedure to follow with `HDToolBox' is detailed
- herein. Refer to the Appendix entitled RDB-Adjustments for a tabular
- outline of the exact procedure.
-
- Start `HDToolBox' and select the damaged drive. Click on the
- `Partition Drive' button and select `Advanced Options'. Check and
- alter the following values on *every* partition.
-
- Partition Device Name
- Enter the required "device name" here, according to what it was
- called before the disaster. It's not possible to determine the
- previous name automatically. There are often no problems at all
- resulting from a partition getting a new name after the salvage
- operation.
-
- Buffers
- If you've specified an unusual number of `Buffers', then enter the
- corresponding value here. A larger number of buffers results in
- greater RAM usage, less buffers result in slower access to the
- partition.
-
- HostID
- Enter the correct value if your host adapter is not set to Unit 7.
-
- Bootable
- This option must be set if you need to be able to boot from the
- partition.
-
- BootPri
- Enter the Boot-Priority on all Bootable Partitions. A value of 0
- is normal. If you choose a value above 4 or 5, then it may not be
- possible to boot from the internal drive without resorting to the
- Bootmenu.
-
- Note that partitions named as `UNUSED<n>' (where <n> is replaced by
- some number) will require special handling as they refer to an
- unrecognized file system or free blocks. RDB-Salv stores all
- "pseudo-partitions" with such a name. You'll usually know the correct
- values to enter as you probably set up the partition yourself some time
- ago.
-
- A small unused partition at the end of the drive indicates that you (or
- your "prep program") gave away some blocks when the drive was
- partitioned. This is no cause for worry. If you'd removed the `Unused
- space' as described above, then this confusion would have been avoided.
- Simply ignore the partition. If you *really* want those last few
- kilobytes, then they can be mounted and formatted. Under *no*
- circumstances should you attempt to merge it with the previous
- partition as that would make it unreadable.
-
- Undefined regions between partitions usually indicate an unrecognizable
- partition. This partition cannot be completely salvaged by RDB-Salv.
- It requires manual intervention on your part. Note that such regions
- may actually be more than one partition. You must try to remember
- which partition(s) are located in the region (AFS, NetBSD, Mac, ...),
- and to configure them using `HDToolBox'. Due to technical constraints,
- RDB-Salv is only able to identify and salvage real AMIGA partitions.
-
- If you wish to use non-resident file systems, click on `Add/Update' and
- create a new file system entry -- as detailed in the system manual.
- When done, return by clicking on `Ok'.
-
- Now click on `Change...' for *every* partition. Verify if the
- partition should be mounted automatically by setting the `Automount
- this partition' option accordingly.
-
- RDB-Salv attempts to set values so that a *useful* configuration
- results on as many systems as possible. This configuration is however
- conservative and results in noticeable performance degradation on many
- systems. You can change this behaviour by verifying that optimum
- values have been set for `MaxTransfer' and `Mask' for every partition.
- These values are set in the same window where `Automount this
- partition' was just verified.
-
- Check your hard disk system manual for appropriate values if you are
- unsure. If the manual indicates better values, then they should be
- changed accordingly. You can save yourself some time and effort later
- by saving them in RDB-Salv's ToolTypes as described in Installation.
-
- When you have corrected all values leave this page using `Ok'.
-
- Having completed adjustments for all partitions, leave the partitioning
- page using `Ok' and then click on `Save Changes to Drive'.
-
- You may wish to change some global values which have *not* been changed
- by RDB-Salv:
-
- * BadBlockList
-
- * DriveInit-Code
-
- * Host Adapter Address (HostID)
-
- * Interleave value
-
- * Park-Cylinder
-
- * WritePreComp
-
- * ReducedWrite
-
- * StepRate
-
- * AutoParkSeconds
-
- * Flags: Reselection, LastDisk, LastLun, LastTID, Synchronous
-
- Please check your system manual, and your hard disk manual to know how
- to set these values and what they mean!
-
- If you change any of these values, please note that the values for
- `Cylinders', `Heads', `Blocks per Track' and `Blocks per Cylinder'
- established by RDB-Salv, will not be destroyed. Should this be the
- case anyway, as with `HDToolBox' when `Change Drive Type' creates an
- entry and `Read Configuration' is activated, then you *must* re-enter
- the values calculated by RDB-Salv manually! RDB-Salv indicates these
- values under `Drive Parameters' for every partition. The values are,
- by the way, identical for all partitions on the same drive.
-
- It's recommended that you use `HDToolBox''s `Read Configuration'
- function (click on `Change Drive Type' followed by `Define New...' and
- `Read Configuration') to obtain the default parameters for your disk
- drive. You must *always* however restore the values destroyed by this
- procedure as described above, otherwise your data will *still* not be
- available because of a defective RDB!
-
- When you've complete the above changes, click on `Save Changes to
- Drive' again.
-
- You can now dare to reboot and keep your fingers crossed...
-
- Read
- ====
-
- This page primarily serves to read an existing "RDB" and its associated
- "partition blocks" as well as to locate lost, but not yet over-written
- partition blocks. If the system has not been rebooted, and partitions
- are still mounted after loss of the "RDB-Data", then the "DeviceList"
- can also be scanned for data.
-
- If you can still see data from apparently lost partitions, then it's
- preferred that you use *this* page (`Read') as this page can locate
- more *accurate* information about your old partitions. However, it's
- not infrequent that `Read' does not locate some or any information. In
- that case, you can still resort to `Salvage'.
-
- To use this page, you must specify -- as described in `Backup' -- the
- `Device' and `Unit'.
-
- If you have not rebooted since losing the RDB, (i.e. if all the
- partitions are still mounted) you can set the `Method' to `Read from
- DeviceList'. Otherwise, set `Method' to `Read from Media'.
-
- If you also wish to find lost blocks while reading from media, then set
- the `Find lost blocks' option. If you only wish to see the current RDB
- and the associated partition blocks, then set `Find lost blocks' to off.
-
- If `Find lost blocks' is set, even the space behind the RDB and
- associated management blocks will be scanned for old "RDB-Data" -- if
- need be, the entire disk. This can also locate backup copies of RDBs
- amongst the lost partitioning information; backup copies which have
- been stored on the hard disk against recommendations.
-
- Click on `Start'. The available RDB and associated partition blocks
- will be found and displayed very quickly. If you have selected `Find
- lost blocks', then a requester appears before the scan starts to remind
- you that you can cancel the operation after about a minute if intend to
- only search for lost RDB-Data, as that always resides at the
- *beginning* of the hard disk.
-
- The left panel shows any data as ghosted text, as soon as it is located.
- If the scan is interrupted, all data found to that point will be
- indicated as solid text.
-
- You may select any of the items found, upon completion of the scan to
- read details of the selected item in the right-hand panel. Lost blocks
- can now be added to the RDSK -- as described in Salv-Read -- using the
- `Add to RDSK' menu option in the `Salv/Read' menu.
-
- Note: If the addition of partitions leads to overlap in the RDSK, then
- some prep programs will become terribly confused! Take care!
-
- Description of the Main Menus
- *****************************
-
- Until now, only specific menu options have been described. This
- chapter describes all menu options in detail.
-
- The Project Menu
- ================
-
- The obligatory Project menu of RDB-Salv offers only two options:
-
- About ...
- ---------
-
- Selecting this option results in a requester which provides details of
- the program version and Copyright details. If you submit a "bug
- report", then the *precise* version number as shown here, must be
- included. If you omit the version number, it won't be possible to
- identify the cause of the problem.
-
- Quit
- ----
-
- This menu option terminates RDB-Salv immediately. No confirmation is
- required or offered.
-
- The Settings Menu
- =================
-
- The Settings menu allows you to load, save and set RDB-Salv's defaults.
-
- These operations will only work if RDB-Salv has an icon as the defaults
- are stored there. The advantage of this is that the defaults can be
- set externally -- and they need to be in some cases (see Installation).
-
- If you have deleted the icon, then defaults for RDB-Salv cannot be
- stored there. As you'll have to start RDB-Salv from the CLI anyway,
- you can include the options on the command line.
-
- Save settings
- -------------
-
- This option saves GUI-setable values to RDB-Salv's icon. If there is
- no icon, then an error message to that effect will appear.
-
- Last saved
- ----------
-
- Retrieves settings from the values in RDB-Salv's icon. If the icon
- doesn't exist, an error message to that effect will appear.
-
- Default
- -------
-
- This option sets all GUI-setable values to default. These values are
- reasonable defaults for RDB-Salv.
-
- The Salv/Read Menu
- ==================
-
- This menu becomes selectable when you are on the `Salvage' or `Read'
- pages. It's also necessary for you to have successfully completed a
- data read, or that you have completed a salvage attempt.
-
- Save Results
- ------------
-
- It's likely that you'll want to store the results shown. This option
- performs that function, storing the values from the right-hand panel
- for each entry in the list in the left-hand panel.
-
- If you haven't used this option before, a file-requester will appear,
- allowing you to specify the name and location of the file.
-
- The requester will not appear on subsequent selections of this option.
- Data will be written directly to the same file, *without* an
- intervening requester for confirmation.
-
- Save Results as ...
- -------------------
-
- This option performs the same function as `Save Results' but *always*
- presents a file-requester for specifying the target file.
-
- Print results
- -------------
-
- This works like `Save Results' except that results are printed instead
- of being saved in a file.
-
- Save all MountLists as ...
- --------------------------
-
- If partitions have been found or read, then the data which describes
- the size of the partition, etc can be written as a "MountList". A
- partition which has a "MountList" entry can be mounted using the
- `Mount' command from the CLI.
-
- This option writes a MountList entry for *all* partitions which have
- been found. If selected from the `Salvage' page, then entries will have
- names beginning with `SALV' or `UNUSED' as the original names can no
- longer be retrieved, having been stored in the partition blocks, not in
- the partitions themselves. If selected from the `Read' page, then the
- entries will be created with their *real* names.
-
- Mount all Devices
- -----------------
-
- All partitions which have been found are mounted. The names used for
- mounting will be as described in `Save all MountLists as ...'.
-
- Any errors which occur while mounting a partition will be shown in an
- output window.
-
- The `Mount' CLI command must reside in the C directory for this option
- to work.
-
- Save MountList as ...
- ---------------------
-
- This option is used if you only wish to save the MountList for a
- particular entry, not *all* of them. Naming will be as described under
- `Save all MountLists as ...'.
-
- Mount Device
- ------------
-
- Use this option to mount a particular device, which is a frequent
- requirement. Naming will be as described under `Save all MountLists as
- ...'.
-
- Any errors which occur while mounting a partition will be shown in an
- output window.
-
- The `Mount' CLI command must reside in the C directory for this option
- to work.
-
- Write RDSK block ...
- --------------------
-
- This option writes a new RDSK block -- after you confirm the action in
- the safety requester. The old RDSK block and associated data will be
- destroyed. It means that you won't be able to get to any of the
- partitions on the drive! Most of this data can be recovered from the
- `Read' page with `Find lost blocks' selected and clicking on `Start'.
-
- This option is useful to wipe out the contents of the RDBs, perhaps so
- that you can rebuild it step-by-step from selected, salvaged partitions.
-
- If you only want to salvage selected partitions, then proceed as
- follows:
-
- 1. `Salvage' the required partitions so that they are shown in the
- left-hand list.
-
- 2. Select the `Write RDSK block ...' from the `Salv/Read' menu.
-
- 3. Then, for each of the partitions which you want to salvage:
-
- * Select the partition in the list on the left.
-
- * Select option `Add partition block to RDSK ...' from the
- `Salv/Read' menu.
-
-
- Save as RDSK and partition blocks ...
- -------------------------------------
-
- This option will save all the read or salvaged data as RDSK and
- partition blocks. Data is written to the selected drive after you
- confirm the action in the safety requester which appears. This is
- similar to what happens in `HDToolBox', when `Save Changes to Drive' is
- selected.
-
- If you choose this option from the `Salvage' page, then partitions will
- be saved as `SALV<n>' or `UNUSED<n>' as appropriate, where `<n>' is a
- number. You will see an extended safety requester, which gives you a
- chance to cancel the operation; and the option to save the unused space
- as partitions. Partition blocks will be written for every regions of
- unused space if you choose to take that option. You should then
- immediately use `HDToolBox' to adjust values on the "pseudo-partition".
-
- In theory, having successfully written the RDSK, you can reboot. It is
- however *highly* recommended that you adjust certain values using
- `HDToolBox' -- as described under Salvage. This is especially
- important if this menu option has been chosen from the `Salvage' page.
-
- Remove partition block from RDSK ...
- ------------------------------------
-
- This option can only be selected if you are on the `Read' page and a
- valid partition has been selected in the left panel.
-
- It removes the selected partition from the RDSK after you confirm the
- action in the safety requester. This means that the data required to
- mount the partition will be erased.
-
- The partition will *not* appear in `HDToolBox' and will not be mounted
- when the computer is next booted. You'd better know what you're doing!
-
- Add partition block to RDSK ...
- -------------------------------
-
- This option is available if you select a partition, not already in the
- RDSK, from the list in the left-hand panel. This partition will then
- be added to the RDSK, following your confirmation in the safety
- requester. If you choose this option of the `Read' page, then the
- original name will be used; otherwise the name `SALV<n>' or `UNUSED<n>'
- will be used, where `<n>' is a number.
-
- As all partition blocks in the RDSK should have the same number of
- "sectors" per "cylinder", a warning will appear if the partition being
- added has has an incompatible number of sectors per cylinder. It's
- possible to cancel the operation at this point.
-
- Add all partition blocks to RDSK ...
- ------------------------------------
-
- This option works like `Add partition block to RDSK ...'. However, it
- automatically adds *all* partitions which do not already exist in the
- RDSK.
-
- Like so many other options, partitions found with `Salvage' will be
- named `SALV<n>' or `UNUSED<n>' where `<n>' is a number.
-
- Questions
- *********
-
- Q:
- I always get `unused space' showing up after my last partition
- after a Salvage completes. I'm sure that the last partition went
- to the last cylinder. What gives?
-
- A:
- A few blocks are often lost when the drive is partitioned. These
- blocks reside after the last cylinder specified by you but don't
- make a complete cylinder and can therefore not be used. RDB-Salv
- recognizes that these blocks may be used to create a small
- partition, and indicates it as such. The existence of the
- partition has a few side effects (experts should read the next
- paragraph). It's recommended that you remove the partition from
- the list by selecting it and clicking on the `Remove' button.
-
- Experts may value this more explicit explanation. You must reduce
- the value of the `BlocksPerCyl', `BlocksPerTrack' and `Heads'
- parameters drastically to be able to mount the partition. This
- has the effect of dramatically increasing the number of
- `cylinders'. Which is not a problem in itself, but various prep
- tools (`HDToolBox' included) have problems with large values.
-
- Q:
- I have a `floppy disk image' stored in an 880kB file on my hard
- disk using FMS. Salvage finds this image. What does it mean?
-
- A:
- Read the chapter about Salvage.
-
- Q:
- Why are salvaged partitions always called `SALV<n>' or `UNUSED<n>'?
- Please have the next version choose the right name like `DH0'.
-
- A:
- It's simply not technically possible. You've lost your RDB and
- partition blocks which is unfortunately the only place where the
- device names are stored. Therefore, restoring the names is no
- longer possible. If the device name was important, then you
- probably know it anyway. Don't you?
-
- Q:
- Salvage returns the wrong parameters. I'm absolutely sure that
- the values were different before.
-
- A:
- It's entirely possible that `Salvage' returns *different* values.
- But theses values are not necessarily wrong as there are numerous
- combinations which will allow the partitions to be mounted.
- `Salvage' calculates *one* of them. Just try them and you'll see
- them working!
-
- Q:
- I keep getting a requester telling me that a so-called
- `TD_GETGEOMETRY' isn't working. What does it mean?
-
- A:
- Read the chapter on Installation.
-
- Q:
- My computer crashes when I click on `Start'.
-
- A:
- Read the chapter on Installation. Take special note of the
- sections on `NOGETGEOMETRY', `NOSCSICMD' and `NONEWSTYLE'.
-
- Q:
- I've managed to salvage my hard disk but it's running much more
- slowly now. What can I do about it?
-
- A:
- Check the values of `Mask' and `MaxTransfer' as described in
- Salvage and correct the values if necessary. A larger number of
- `Buffers' can also increase speed.
-
- RDB-Adjustments
- ***************
-
- The table below describes RDB adjustments which must be done using
- `HDToolBox' after you have written the "RDSK" and "partition blocks".
- Adjust each of the values in the column corresponding to the function
- which you were using. Special notes apply to some entries in the
- table. These are indicated by numbers in round brackets.
-
- Entries annotated with "-" stay, by and large, unaltered. Entries
- marked with "???" can/should/must be changed. This must be checked in
- each individual case.
-
- +---------------------------------+-----------+--------------+---------------+
- | Description of Entry | Salvage | Read/Media | Read/DevList |
- +---------------------------------+-----------+--------------+---------------+
- | Change Drive Type | click | click | click |
- | Drive Types | (1) | (1) | (1) |
- | Define New... | click | click | click |
- | Read Configuration | (2) | (2) | (2) |
- | FileName | - | - | - |
- | Manufacturers Name | - | - | - |
- | Drive Name | - | - | - |
- | Drive Revision | - | - | - |
- | Cylinders | (3) | (3) | (3) |
- | Heads | (4) | (4) | (4) |
- | Blocks per Track | (5) | (5) | (5) |
- | Blocks per Cylinder | (6) | (6) | (6) |
- | Reduced Write Current Cylinder | - | - | - |
- | Write Precomp Cylinder | - | - | - |
- | Park head where (cylinder) | - | - | - |
- | Supports reselection | - | - | - |
- | Ok | click | click | click |
- | Ok | click | click | click |
- | Modify Bad Block List | - | - | - |
- | Low-level Format Drive | - | - | - |
- | Partition Drive | click | click | click |
- | Advanced Options | click | click | click |
- | Start Cyl | - | - | - |
- | End Cyl | - | - | - |
- | Total Cyl | - | - | - |
- | Buffers | ??? | - | - |
- | Partition Device Name | ??? | - | - |
- | HostID | ??? | - | ??? |
- | Bootable | ??? | - | ??? |
- | Boot Priority | ??? | - | - |
- | Change... | click | click | click |
- | File System | - | - | - |
- | Fast File System | - | - | - |
- | International Mode | - | - | - |
- | Directory Cache | - | - | - |
- | Automount this partition | ??? | - | ??? |
- | File system block size | - | - | - |
- | Identifier | - | - | - |
- | Mask | ??? | - | - |
- | MaxTransfer | ??? | - | - |
- | Beginning | - | - | - |
- | End | - | - | - |
- | Use custom boot code | - | - | - |
- | Number of custom boot blocks | - | - | - |
- | Ok | click | click | click |
- | Add/Update... | (7) | (7) | (7) |
- | Add New File System | (7) | (7) | (7) |
- | Ok | (7) | (7) | (7) |
- | Verify Data on Drive | - | - | - |
- | Save Changes to Drive | click | click | click |
- | Exit | click | click | click |
- +---------------------------------+-----------+--------------+---------------+
-
- The following numbers are for descriptions which are too long to fit
- directly in the table:
-
- (1)
- `SCSI' or `XT' selected according to drive type.
-
- (2)
- Click and confirm with `Continue'.
-
- (3)
- Enter the number of "Cylinders" (from the right-hand panel under
- `Hard disk parameters').
-
- (4)
- Enter the number of "Heads" (from the right-hand panel under `Hard
- disk parameters').
-
- (5)
- Enter the number of "BlocksPerTrack" (from the right-hand panel
- under `Hard disk parameters').
-
- (6)
- Enter the number of "BlocksPerCylinder" (from the right-hand panel
- under `Hard disk parameters').
-
- (7)
- Click on this if a file system is to be stored in the RDSK.
-
- Glossary
- ********
-
- Bug Report
- Larger projects invariable contain some ugly errors which the user
- may encounter at some time. In such cases, we ask that the user
- submit a "Bug Report". This is a description of the error which
- has been encountered. Check the circumstances under which the
- error occurs and write down everything! Note the *exact* version
- of RDB-Salv which you are using and the configuration of your
- computer. Most significantly, note the name and version of the
- "device driver" which you are using. If you are using
- `scsi.device', simply type "`version scsi.device full'" at a CLI
- prompt and note the output.
-
- Coffee Break
- A coffee break is that amount of time required by a program to do a
- particular task in background. Most of the time, there's no
- precise indication of how long this is. Sometimes, it won't be
- long enough to get the kettle to boil, yet at other times, you'll
- have enough time to invite the neighbours around to share the
- latest gossip over some cake.
-
- I'd like to take this opportunity to apologize to those who may
- have been misled that a *single* cup of coffee was sufficient, by
- my comments on "Meeting Pearls III". Of course, a *bucket* of
- coffee was what I meant. :-)
-
- DeviceList
- This is a system list maintained in RAM, The list contains all
- devices (e.g. `DF0:', `DH0:') as well as volumes and assigns known
- to the system. This list contains all the information required to
- mount devices such as `DF0:' and `DH0:'. If your RDB and
- associated partition blocks have been destroyed, but the devices
- are still mounted (if you haven't rebooted (1)), then you can
- salvage your "partitioning data" by scanning the device list for
- the required devices.
-
- Device Name
- The "device name" is the name of a "partition" as visible from
- within a "prep program". `DH0:' is a typical example, whereas
- `Workbench:' is *not* a device name, being a "volume name".
-
- Disaster
- A "disaster" is the greatest foreseeable accident. In relation to
- RDB-Salv, this means the destruction of the "RDB" and associated
- "partition blocks". Such a disaster previously meant the loss of
- all data on the hard disk.
-
- Device Unit
- See "Unit".
-
- Device Driver
- Every hard drive requires a "Device Driver" so that it can be used
- in the AMIGA in a system-conformant way. This driver is
- responsible for reading data from, and writing data to the hard
- disk, amongst other tasks. Devices drivers have a name ending in
- `.device'. For example; `scsi.device', `gvpscsi.device',
- `omniscsi.device', `z3scsi.device', `dracoscsi.device', etc.
-
- Floppy Image
- Floppy disks and even partitions can be written into files by means
- of "unrolling" them so that the file contains blocks starting from
- the lowest (0) through to the highest-numbered block at the end.
- Such a file contains a "Floppy Image". At some time thereafter,
- the file can be written to a floppy of equal size to yield an
- exact copy of the original. The floppy has, in principle, been
- copied.
-
- Unfortunately, RDB-Salv cannot always discriminate between data
- representing a real partition or just data from a "Floppy Image"
- previously stored in a file as it often looks exactly like a real
- partition. Salvage describes how to get around problems caused by
- such a situation.
-
- Hard Disk Parameters
- The right-hand panel of the Salvage-Page show data including "hard
- disk parameters":
-
- Every hard disk has a fixed number of blocks on which data may be
- stored. These blocks are divided into "Cylinders", "Tracks",
- "Heads" and "Sectors". A "cylinder" contains one or more tracks
- -- dependent on the number of heads (if there are two heads, then
- every cylinder contains two tracks, etc.). A track, in turn,
- consists of a number of sectors.
-
- The actual number of cylinders, heads and sectors is not important
- in this case. What is important, is that
- `CylindersĂ—HeadsĂ—Sectors' results in a number which does not
- exceed the total number of available blocks, and which permits a
- division so that all partitions can be mounted, as "partition
- boundaries" can only be specified as cylinder numbers.
-
- Most of the time, more than one combination of values gives "hard
- disk parameters". So don't be surprised when RDB-Salv shows values
- which you are certain are different from the original ones. Just
- verify it for yourself.
-
- Installer Script
- A unified method of installation for all software packages on the
- AMIGA was developed to make this as simple as possible. Every
- package includes a plain-text file -- the Installer script -- to
- be interpreted by the Installer program at installation time to
- make the installation process as independent as possible of the
- prior knowledge of the user.
-
- Management Block
- These are blocks such as "partition blocks", when referred to in
- connection with RDBs. A verbal shorthand referring to these as
- "RDB"s is, strictly speaking, incorrect. The RDB consists of a
- single block -- management blocks are however, all those blocks
- somehow linked to the RDB.
-
- Meeting Pearls
- You don't know about Meeting Pearls? That's got to be fixed
- straight away! Meeting Pearls is Germany's most popular CD-ROM
- series for the AMIGA as well as being extremely good value for
- money as the creators don't demand any payment for their work (2),
- so only direct production and distribution costs need to be paid..
- If you have a CD-ROM drive, it's well worth a look.
-
- MountList
- In principle, the "MountList" contains the same data as "partition
- blocks". The significant difference is that MountLists are *files*
- usually in the `DEVS:' directory and therefore readily accessible
- to the user. Partition blocks, in contrast, are very difficult to
- access for the normal user.
-
- A MountList may contain entries specifying *several* partitions.
-
- Partition
- Most hard disks are divided into regions (called partitions),
- named something like `DH0:', `wb_2.x:', `work:' etc. Sometimes,
- only a *single* such region exists. A partition can only be
- mounted if its precise location is known.
-
- This information can be lost in the case of a disaster.
- Fortunately, RDB-Salv is able to recalculate this information in
- just about all cases, so that the data can be salvaged.
-
- Partition Block
- Such a block is located at the start of the hard disk for (almost)
- every partition. It contains all the information necessary to
- mount the partition, e.g. the precise location of the partition.
- When this information has been destroyed, RDB-Salv can be used to
- recompute the necessary data.
-
- Partition Boundaries
- Most hard disks are divided into "regions" as described under
- "Partition". The boundary between partitions is called a
- "partition boundary".
-
- Partition Data
- Almost every "partition" has a "partition block" which describes
- how the partition is to be mounted. The information contained in
- these partition blocks is called "partition data".
-
- "MountLists" by the way; also consist of "partition data".
-
- Prep Program
- "Prep programs" are used to divide hard disks into "regions".
- Well-known prep programs include `HDToolBox', `FaaastPrep',
- `ExpertPrep' and `RD-Prep'.
-
- Program Icon
- Many programs have an icon -- a small symbol on which you can click
- when it appears on the Workbench. Icons belonging to programs are
- called "program icons". Further information about this can be
- found in your Workbench manual.
-
- Progress Indicator
- The "progress indicator" indicates what proportion of work has
- been done by the use of a bar graph. On occasions, this indicator
- will move at a very uneven rate. This will always occur if the it
- wasn't possible to pre-compute how long the particular operation
- would take.
-
- Pseudo Partition
- A partition which isn't normally shown when using `HDToolBox' or
- other "prep programs".
-
- RigidDiskBlock
- RDB
- RDSK
- The "RDB" is a single block which resides somewhere in the first
- 16 blocks of a hard disk and contains information about the hard
- disk. It contains, amongst other things, the location of
- partition blocks. Contrary to common usage, the "RDB", "RDSK" or
- "RigidDiskBlock" is always only *one* block, and thus doesn't
- include partitioning and other management blocks.
-
- RDB Data
- "RDB data" includes not only the data of the "RDB", but also that
- of associated blocks, like "partition blocks".
-
- Region
- See "Partition".
-
- System Partition
- Almost every AMIGA which has a hard disk, has such a partition.
- It's the partition from which the machine is booted, and it's often
- called something like `wb_2.x:', `SYS' or `System:'.
-
- UNUSED<n>
- RDB-Salv chooses this "volume name" for all parts of the hard disk
- which are unused. This name is used not only when "partition
- blocks" or "MountLists" are written, but also when volumes are
- mounted.
-
- Unit
- A particular hard disk drive is identified by its "unit" or
- "device unit". Valid unit numbers are typically between 0 and 6
- for SCSI drives. If you have an external drive, this may have a
- switch for setting a number. The number is usually the unit
- number of the drive. If in doubt about the unit number, consult
- the manual for your hard disk system.
-
- Volume Name
- The *formatted* name of the "partition" is the "volume name".
- This name is also visible on the `Workbench' screen and can be
- changed at almost any time (3) using Workbench `Rename ...' menu
- function. `Workbench' is a typical volume name, whereas `DH0:' is
- *not*; that being the "device name".
-
- Work-Partition
- Most hard disk on the AMIGA are divided into at least two regions.
- One of these partitions -- the "Work-Partition" -- contains
- user-dependent data, like special programs, projects created by the
- user, etc. This partition is usually called `work:'.
-
- ---------- Footnotes ----------
-
- (1) Note: of course this won't work if you've suppressed the actual
- mount using the NOMOUNT flag
-
- (2) although donations are most welcome :-)
-
- (3) as long as the unit isn't write-protected
-
- Acknowledgements
- ****************
-
- Firstly; a *big* round of thank-yous to all the nice people who
- translated RDB-Salv to another language:
-
- Bernd Felsche
- For the translation of the manual to English.
-
- Eivind Olsen
- For the translation of the manual and catalog to Norwegian.
-
- Francesco Dipietro
- For the translation of the catalog to Italian.
-
- Fredrik Zetterlund
- For the translation of the manual to Swedish.
-
- Johan Roennblom
- For the translation of the catalog and parts of the manual to
- Swedish.
-
- Wessel Dankers
- For the translation of the manual and catalog to Dutch.
-
- Yann-Erick Proy
- For the translation of the manual and catalog to French.
-
- And all the others
- Maybe there will join a few translators *after* this manual has
- been released. These persons will be named in the next version.
-
- And naturally thanks to all those who've contributed to making
- RDB-Salv a success. Special thanks go to Christian Krapp and Patrick
- Ohly who provided the scroller and registration routines respectively.
-
- Andreas Horneffer
- He was a beta tester and helped to fix some bugs under V39.
-
- Bernhard Möllemann
- Who received almost every beta version, reviewed all changes and
- gave his opinion. He was, by the way, a good beta tester and he
- has written the first device which supports new style commands, so
- I could test the new style interface of RDB-Salv.
-
- Christian 'cr8y' Krapp
- Who programmed the pretty scroller routine as well as drawing the
- ambulance and the Amiga-Logo.
-
- Klaus Melchior
- He too was a good beta tester.
-
- Markus Illenseer
- Who also did some good testing as well as reviewing the German-
- and French-language manuals.
-
- Michael-Wolfgang Hohmann
- Who created the icons.
-
- Olaf Barthel
- Who also did some good beta testing.
-
- Patrick Ohly
- Who wrote the routine to check the registration number; tested
- RDB-Salv and wrote bug reports.
-
- Reinhard Spisser, Sebastiano Vigna
- Both contributed by providing makeguide for the AMIGA; the program
- used to format this text. Many thanks.
-
- Stefan Schulz
- Who did some beta testing and was responsible for ensuring that
- this project was *indeed* revived and did not wind up gathering
- dust on the shelf as it had threatened to do.
-
- Keyword Index
- *************
-
-
-
- 4 GB Hard Disks Tooltypes
- BACKUPFILENAME Tooltypes
- BADDEVICE1 Tooltypes
- BUFMEMTYPE Tooltypes
- BUFMEMTYPE Installation
- DEBUG Tooltypes
- DEVICE Tooltypes
- HDSCSICMD Tooltypes
- MASK Tooltypes
- MASK Installation
- MAXTRANSFER Installation
- MAXTRANSFER Tooltypes
- MEMF_PUBLIC Tooltypes
- NOGETGEOMETRY Installation
- NOGETGEOMETRY Tooltypes
- NONEWSTYLE Installation
- NONEWSTYLE Tooltypes
- NORECOVER Tooltypes
- NOSCSICMD Installation
- NOSCSICMD Tooltypes
- NOSCSICMD Tooltypes
- OPTIMIZE Tooltypes
- READDEVLIST Tooltypes
- RECOVER Tooltypes
- SCSIREADWRITE Tooltypes
- TD_GETGEOMETRY Questions
- TD_GETGEOMETRY Tooltypes
- UNIT Tooltypes
- About ... Project
- Acknowledgements Acknowledgements
- Add all partition blocks to RDSK ... Salv-Read
- Add partition block to RDSK ... Salv-Read
- Add to RDSK Read
- Add/Update Salvage
- Advanced Options Salvage
- AFS partitions Salvage
- Alterations Alterations
- Author Author
- Automount this partition Salvage
- AutoParkSeconds Salvage
- Background/Functional Description Background
- Backup Starting
- Backup Backup
- Backup Background
- Backup Copy Backup
- Backup Copy Starting
- Backup copy Background
- Backup-File Backup
- BadBlockList Salvage
- Blocks per cylinder Questions
- Blocks per Cylinder Salvage
- Blocks per Track Salvage
- Blocks per track Questions
- Bootable Salvage
- BootPri Salvage
- Buffers Questions
- Buffers Salvage
- Bug Report Glossary
- bug report Project
- Change Drive Type Salvage
- Change Drive Type Salvage
- Change... Salvage
- Coffee Break Glossary
- coffee break Salvage
- Copyright Copyright
- Copyright About
- cylinder Salv-Read
- Cylinders Questions
- Cylinders Glossary
- Cylinders Salvage
- Default Settings
- Define New Salvage
- Description of the Main Menus Description
- Device Backup
- Device Driver Glossary
- device driver Installation
- device driver Backup
- Device Name Glossary
- Device Unit Glossary
- Device Unit Glossary
- DeviceList Read
- DeviceList Glossary
- DeviceList Background
- Devicename Glossary
- Disaster Backup
- Disaster Glossary
- Disclaimer Disclaimer
- drive name Salvage
- Drive Parameters Salvage
- DriveInit-Code Salvage
- FAQ Questions
- Find lost blocks Read
- Finishing Finishing
- floppy disk image Questions
- floppy disk image Salvage
- Floppy Image Glossary
- Gadget, Backup-File Backup
- Gadget, Device Backup
- Gadget, Optimize Backup
- Gadget, Start Restore
- Gadget, Start Backup
- Gadget, Start Salvage
- Gadget, Unit Backup
- Glossary Glossary
- Hard Disk Parameters Glossary
- HDToolBox Salvage
- HDToolBox Salv-Read
- HDToolBox Salv-Read
- Heads Salvage
- Heads Questions
- Heads Glossary
- HostID Salvage
- HostID Salvage
- icon Settings
- information Page About
- Installation Installation
- Installer script Installation
- Installer Script Glossary
- Interleave value Salvage
- Introduction Introduction
- Last saved Settings
- LastDisk Salvage
- LastLun Salvage
- LastTID Salvage
- Legal Legal
- Licence Agreement Licence Agreement
- Limitations Requirements
- Management Block Introduction
- management block Background
- Management Block Glossary
- Mask Questions
- Mask Salvage
- MaxTransfer Questions
- MaxTransfer Salvage
- Meeting Pearls Glossary
- MenĂ¼, Settings Settings
- Menu, Add all partition blocks to RDSK ...Salv-Read
- Menu, Add partition block to RDSK ... Salv-Read
- Menu, Add to RDSK Read
- Menu, Default Settings
- Menu, Last saved Settings
- Menu, Mount all Devices Salv-Read
- Menu, Mount Device Salv-Read
- Menu, Print results Salv-Read
- Menu, Project Project
- Menu, Remove partition block from RDSK ...Salv-Read
- Menu, Salv/Read Salv-Read
- Menu, Save all MountLists as ... Salv-Read
- Menu, Save as RDSK and partition blocks ...Salv-Read
- Menu, Save as RDSK and partition blocks ...Salvage
- Menu, Save MountList as ... Salv-Read
- Menu, Save Results Salv-Read
- Menu, Save Results as ... Salv-Read
- Menu, Save settings Settings
- Menu, Write RDSK block ... Salv-Read
- Method Read
- Mount Salv-Read
- Mount Salv-Read
- Mount all Devices Salv-Read
- Mount Device Salv-Read
- MountList Salvage
- MountList Glossary
- MountList Salv-Read
- MountLists Salv-Read
- NetBSD partitions Salvage
- Optimize Tooltypes
- Optimize Backup
- Park-Cylinder Salvage
- Partition Background
- Partition Glossary
- Partition Block Glossary
- Partition block Salv-Read
- partition block Glossary
- partition block Salv-Read
- Partition block Salv-Read
- partition block Background
- Partition block Salv-Read
- Partition boundaries Salvage
- Partition Boundaries Glossary
- Partition Boundaries Glossary
- Partition Data Glossary
- Partition Data Background
- Partition Device Name Salvage
- Partition Drive Salvage
- Partition-Block Introduction
- Partition-Block Read
- Partition-Block RDB-Adjustments
- Prep Program Glossary
- prep programs Read
- prep programs Salvage
- Print Salv-Read
- Print results Salv-Read
- Program Icon Glossary
- Progress Indicator Glossary
- progress indicator Salvage
- Project Menu Project
- Pseudo Partition Glossary
- pseudo-partition Salvage
- Pseudo-Partition Salvage
- pseudo-partition Salvage
- pseudo-partition. Salv-Read
- pseudo-partitions Salvage
- Questions Questions
- Quit Project
- RDB Glossary
- RDB Salv-Read
- RDB Background
- RDB Introduction
- RDB Read
- RDB Data Glossary
- RDB-Adjustments RDB-Adjustments
- RDB-Data Read
- RDB-Data Read
- RDSK Salv-Read
- RDSK Introduction
- RDSK Glossary
- RDSK Salv-Read
- RDSK Salv-Read
- RDSK RDB-Adjustments
- RDSK Background
- RDSK Salv-Read
- RDSK Salv-Read
- RDSK ... Salvage
- Read Salv-Read
- Read Background
- Read Read
- Read Background
- Read Configuration Salvage
- Read Configuration Salvage
- Read from DeviceList. Read
- Read from Media. Read
- ReducedWrite Salvage
- Region Glossary
- Registration Registration
- Remove Salvage
- Remove Salvage
- Remove partition block from RDSK ... Salv-Read
- Requirements Requirements
- Reselection Salvage
- Restore Restore
- Restore Background
- Restore Starting
- RigidDiskBlock Glossary
- RigidDiskBlock Introduction
- SALV<n> Salv-Read
- SALV<n> Salv-Read
- SALV<n> Salv-Read
- SALV<n> Questions
- SALV<n> Salv-Read
- Salvage Salv-Read
- Salvage Background
- Salvage Salvage
- Salvage Starting
- Save all MountLists as ... Salv-Read
- Save as RDSK and partition blocks ... Salvage
- Save as RDSK and partition blocks ... Salv-Read
- Save Changes to Drive Salv-Read
- Save Changes to Drive Salvage
- Save Changes to Drive Salvage
- Save MountList as ... Salv-Read
- Save Results Salv-Read
- Save Results as ... Salv-Read
- Save setting Settings
- scsi.device Tooltypes
- sector Salv-Read
- Sectors Salvage
- Sectors Glossary
- Settings Menu Settings
- Shell Tooltypes
- Start Salvage
- Start Restore
- Start Backup
- Starting Starting
- StepRate Salvage
- Success rate Starting
- Synchronous Salvage
- System Partition Glossary
- System-Partition Background
- The Salv/Read Menu Salv-Read
- Tooltypes Tooltypes
- Tooltypes Installation
- Tooltypes Installation
- Tooltypes, BACKUPFILENAME Tooltypes
- Tooltypes, BADDEVICE1 Tooltypes
- Tooltypes, BUFMEMTYPE Tooltypes
- Tooltypes, DEBUG Tooltypes
- Tooltypes, DEVICE Tooltypes
- Tooltypes, MASK Tooltypes
- Tooltypes, MAXTRANSFER Tooltypes
- Tooltypes, NOGETGEOMETRY Tooltypes
- Tooltypes, NORECOVER Tooltypes
- Tooltypes, NOSCSICMD Tooltypes
- Tooltypes, NOSCSICMD Tooltypes
- Tooltypes, OPTIMIZE Tooltypes
- Tooltypes, READDEVLIST Tooltypes
- Tooltypes, RECOVER Tooltypes
- Tooltypes, SCSIREADWRITE Tooltypes
- Tooltypes, UNIT Tooltypes
- Tootypes, NONEWSTYLE Tooltypes
- Tracks Glossary
- Tracks Salvage
- Trademarks Trademarks
- Unit Glossary
- Unit Backup
- unused space Questions
- Unused space Salvage
- UNUSED<n> Salvage
- UNUSED<n> Salv-Read
- UNUSED<n> Salv-Read
- UNUSED<n> Salv-Read
- UNUSED<n> Salv-Read
- UNUSED<n> Questions
- UNUSED<n> Glossary
- Using RDB-Salv Operation
- Volume Name Glossary
- Volume Name Glossary
- Warning Requester Tooltypes
- Warning Requester Tooltypes
- Work-Partition Background
- Work-Partition Glossary
- Write RDSK block ... Salv-Read
- WritePreComp Salvage
-
-