                       TECNOLEC SmartFormat Version 2.1
                       --------------------------------
                               - by Vinay Pai -
         Copyright(c) TECNOLEC Software, 1998-99 - All Rights Reserved

Whats New in Version 2.1?
=========================
     > 1.72 MB format is now more reliable, especially under Windows
Whats New in Version 2.1?
=========================
     > Extended capacity 1.72 MB format of standard disks in standard drives.
     > Wipe-Only and Verify-Only options for faster formats
     > New User Friendly menu driven interface

TECNOLEC SmartFormat - Overview
===============================
     Most computer  users  seem to  have  a growing  pile  of disks which are
unusable because the FORMAT  program  gives a "Track zero bad" error when one
tries to format them. TECNOLEC SmartFormat is smarter than the average format
program... so it can put these disks to use. All you have to do is format the
disk with  SmartFormat... and use it as you normally  would!  And as an added
bonus, SmartFormat also formats  disks with  less bad  space that  most other
format  programs (eg. the FORMAT program that comes with DOS or Win9x).
     Once you format a disk with  SmartFormat, you can  use it to copy files,
create backups using PKZIP  and everything else you can do with normal disks!
All this without the need to load any drivers or TSRs.
     In addition,  this version of SmartFormat can format  standard disks for
1.72 MB instead of the  normal 1.44 MB, in  standard drives... an increase of
nearly 20%. This is achived  without using any  kind of data  compression. So
you can get full benefit of compression programs like PKZip and DriveSpace.

Whats With This Track Zero Anyway?
==================================
     Track zero  contains  the system  areas where DOS  (or Win9x, of course)
stores  vital  information  that  is used to identify  the disk  type, and to
locate files on the disk.

     > Track 0, Side 0 contains the Boot  Sector, first copy of the FAT (file
       allocation table) and part of the second copy of FAT.
     > Track 0, Side 1 contains rest of the second copy of FAT, the root
       directory and the first three data sectors

     The boot sector contains  information regarding the size and type of the
disk, and a short program that either loads the operating system, or displays
a message like "Non-system disk".
     The FAT helps locate files on the disks.
     The root directory  contains the  volume label,  and upto  224 files and
sub-directories.  The root directory  (and other  directories) give the first
cluster belonging to a particular file; the FAT helps locate the rest.

     If the boot sector is damaged,  DOS can't use the disk, because it can't
find the FAT or root directory! If the FAT or root  directory is damages, DOS
can't find the files, and so even though the data itself may be intact, it is
inaccesible.
     Hence,  track zero, is so  important, and most format programs refuse to
format disks with bad sectors on track zero.

How Does SmartFormat Fix These Errors?
======================================
     SmartFormat can't actually FIX bad sectors... it just moves them so that
the disk is still usable.  For example it will put them in the second copy of
FAT, ensuring that the boot sector and first copy of FAT are still usable. Or
it  will put  them on the first  few data  sectors to  ensure  that  the root
directory is readable.

How Does SmartFormat Increase Disk Capacity?
============================================
     By tweaking (modifying) a few floppy drive timing and format parameters,
it is  possible  to format  disks with 21  sectors per track,  instead of the
normal 18. In addition, the disks are formatted with 82 tracks instead of the
normal 80.
     By adjusting the boot sector data properly, SmartFormat ensures that the
operating system (Win9x or DOS) correctly reads the disk, without needing and
drivers or TSRs.

How Does The Verify-Only Option Work?
=====================================
     When a disk is formatted,  it is first put through a  low-level  format,
where sectors are created. Then the sectors are verified to find any unusable
sectors.  Any bad  sectors  that are  detected  are  marked in the FAT  (File
Allocation Table).
     Now, when the  Verify-Only options is selected, the first step, i.e. the
low level format is skipped.  This of course  works only if the disk has been
formatted before, for the same capacity.  For unformatted disks, or to change
the capacity of disks  (i.e. 1.44 MB to 1.72 MB or vice-versa) you should use
the complete  format  option.  Otherwise  it is better to use the Verify-Only
option, because it is faster.

What About Wipe-Only?
=====================
     The Wipe-Only  option  doesen't even bother with  verifying  sectors. It
only overwrites the FAT and Root Directory or erase all files on the disk. It
is even faster than DEL *.*, or deleting files from Windows.
     However,  note that if new bad sectors have  appeared since the disk was
formatted, these new bad sectors won't be detected, and could cause data loss
when the disk is used. Use the Wipe-Only option only for disks that have been
formatted recently.

Volume Serial Numbers With SmartFormatted Disks
===============================================
     You've  probably  noticed the disk  serial  number that DIR  displays at
the top is usually  something cryptic like 18F3-3F2D... it doesn't reall tell
you much. SmartFormat  uses the date and time of format as the serial number.
For example,  a disk  formatted  at  8:51pm on January 19 will get the serial
number -
           2051-1901
           ^ ^  ^ ^
           | |  | Month
           | |  Day
           | Minutes
           Hours

SmartFormat Features
====================
     > Extended capacity 1.72 MB format option (20% gain in capacity)
     > Formats disks with upto eight bad sectors on each side on track zero.
     > Disks formatted with SmartFormat can be used without any special
       drivers or configuration settings, under both DOS and Win9x.
     > Disks with bad sectors on other tracks have less bad space when
       formatted with SmartFormat than when formatted with most other
       programs.
     > Fast Verify-Only and Wipe-Only options

Important Notes
===============
     > SmartFormat works only with 3" disks. 5" disks are not supported.
     > Only 1.44MB (DSHD) disks are supported.
     > Disks with bad sectors on track zero may take a few  seconds longer to
       access. This is normal.
     > Disk utilities like Norton Disk Doctor and Microsoft Scan Disk may not
       work on disks with bad sectors on track zero.
     > Giving the verify parameter with some programs (like PKZip) results in
       a data  error with  disks with bad  sectors on  track zero.  Hence you
       should type in (for example):

            pkzip a:xyz c:\*.* -&

       rather than:

            pkzip a:xyz c:\*.* -&v
                                 ^ the 'v' (verify) parameter could result in
                                   a data error.

       Data  copied without the verify  parameter  will be copied  correctly,
       provided  no  new  bad  sectors  have  appeared  after  the  disk  was
       formatted.
     > If you do receive a  'data error'  or  'error reading'  message  while
       writing to a disk that has beem  SmartFormatted,  choose 'ignore'. The
       data  will  be  copied  correctly,  provided  no new bad  sectors have
       appeared after the disk was formatted.

Contacting Me
=============
     You can contact me in any of the following ways-

     > By E-Mail at
           vinaypai@crosswinds.com
     > By Snail-Mail at
           Vinay Pai,
           C-74/302 "SONCHAMPA",
           Vasant Vihar,
           Pokhran-II,
           Thane - 400 601,
           Maharashtra, INDIA.

Terms And Conditions
====================
     TECNOLEC SmartFormat Version 2.1 is freeware, but I retain the copyright
This  means  that you  are  allowed  to  (in fact, encouraged  to)  make  and
distribute as many copies as you please, so long as you:
     > Do not charge  anything  except  perhaps for the  media on which it is
       distributed or standard Download/Access charges for BBSs or websites.
     > Distribute  the  program in the  original ZIP file,  in its unmodified
       form.
     > Make no attempt to reverse-engineer the program.
     > Do not bundle  SmartFormat  with any other  product.  However, you may
       include SmartFormat with Shareware/Freeware collections or CDs.

Disclaimer
==========
     It seems fashionable for programs to include a disclaimer these days, so
here's mine:

     TECNOLEC SmartFormat  is  provided on  an "AS-IS"  basis  (whatever that
means) with no warranties implied or explicit.  Although I don't see how this
program can blow your computer up, I'm not to be held responsible if it does.
Similarly I'm not to be held responsible  even for lesser  eventualities like
damage  to  you, your  drive or  disks  (not  that I see how that can  happen
either). However, if you  feel that SmartFormat  has caused some  damage, you
are entitled to copy the program  to a floppy  and the jump on it,  pound it,
shred it, burn it and enjoy your sweet revenge. (A simpler  solution would be
to let me know, and I'll see if there indeed is such a bug!)
