HPFSRem -- HPFS removability software Documentation: Difference between revisions

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==Introduction==
==Introduction==
    HPFSRem allows you to use HPFS on some removable drives
HPFSRem allows you to use HPFS on some removable drives without losing the ability to remove and replace disks. Although HPFS without any special software can sometimes be used on a removable drive without any problems, I found that often system crashes will be the result and data can be lost. HPFSRem is my attempt to eliminate data loss and system crashes from using HPFS formatted removable media. I can't guarantee HPFSRem will let you use HPFS with any drive, but it works for me and several other people with varying drives. You should test your drive with HPFSRem to see if it works before using HPFS on removable disks on a large scale. Please email me at jackowskij@email.uah.edu to tell me what works and what doesn't. Also, visit the web site at http://www.cs.uah.edu/cs/students/jjackows/hpfsrem. If its not there, search for it on Yahoo.
    without losing the ability to remove and replace disks.
    Although HPFS without any special software can sometimes be
    used on a removable drive without any problems, I found that
    often system crashes will be the result and data can be
    lost. HPFSRem is my attempt to eliminate data loss and
    system crashes from using HPFS formatted removable media. I
    can't guarantee HPFSRem will let you use HPFS with any
    drive, but it works for me and several other people with
    varying drives. You should test your drive with HPFSRem to
    see if it works before using HPFS on removable disks on a
    large scale. Please email me at jackowskij@email.uah.edu to
    tell me what works and what doesn't. Also, visit the web sit
    at http://www.cs.uah.edu/cs/students/jjackows/hpfsrem. If its
    not there, search for it on Yahoo.
      
      
    And PLEASE be sure to send the output of HPFSRem with the
And PLEASE be sure to send the output of HPFSRem with the "S" parameter and any error codes if you're having a problem.
    "S" parameter and any error codes if you're having a
    problem.


    PLEASE READ THIS DOCUMENT CAREFULLY! HPFS was not made to
PLEASE READ THIS DOCUMENT CAREFULLY! HPFS was not made to support removable drives. HPFSRem attempts to circumvent this limitation and will work if my directions are followed and your removable drive cooperates. Any deviation from my instructions may cause various problems ranging from an inability to use HPFS on removable media to system crashes when a disk formatted with HPFS is removed or inserted. Also, any emails I get with questions that have answers in this text may not receive a response.
    support removable drives. HPFSRem attempts to circumvent
    this limitation and will work if my directions are followed
    and your removable drive cooperates. Any deviation from my
    instructions may cause various problems ranging from an
    inability to use HPFS on removable media to system crashes
    when a disk formatted with HPFS is removed or inserted.
    Also, any emails I get with questions that have answers in
    this text may not receive a response.


    NOTE TO EXPERTS: You may skip the "Disk setup" section, but
NOTE TO EXPERTS: You may skip the "Disk setup" section, but should read the rest, paying close attention to the "FYI" and "Known problems and limitations" sections.
    should read the rest, paying close attention to the "FYI"
    and "Known problems and limitations" sections.


==System Requirements==
==System Requirements==
    OS/2 Warp (version 2.x may work, but I'm not sure)
*OS/2 Warp (version 2.x may work, but I'm not sure)
    HPFS must be installed
*HPFS must be installed
    EMX 0.9a or later installed
*EMX 0.9a or later installed
    A removable drive (see "Compatible Drives" and "Drive
*A removable drive (see "Compatible Drives" and "Drive Requirements" sections below)
      Requirements" sections below)
NOTE: Contrary to SyQuest documentation, partitioned removable disks can be used if OS/2 boots from a logical partition (so you can put OS/2 on drive D and DOS on drive C, for instance). The removable disks should be given a logical, not primary, partition to make this work.
    NOTE: Contrary to SyQuest documentation, partitioned
      removable disks can be used if OS/2 boots from a logical
      partition (so you can put OS/2 on drive D and DOS on drive
      C, for instance). The removable disks should be given a
      logical, not primary, partition to make this work.


==Web Site==
==Web Site==
    http://www.cincyteamos2.org/hpfsrem/
http://www.cincyteamos2.org/hpfsrem/ - Listed on Yahoo
    Listed on Yahoo
 
    The site contains updated information on HPFSRem including:
The site contains updated information on HPFSRem including:
      A list of compatible drives
*A list of compatible drives
      Instructions on making the drives work
*Instructions on making the drives work
      Links to device drivers
*Links to device drivers
      The latest version of HPFSRem
*The latest version of HPFSRem
    The web site is meant to be an addendum to this document,
The web site is meant to be an addendum to this document, not a total replacement.
      not a total replacement.


==Compatible Drives==
==Compatible Drives==
    The following drives have been tested by myself and other
The following drives have been tested by myself and other users. Other drives may work as well.
      users. Other drives may work as well.
*Iomega Zip works with the OAD drivers and works. FLT drivers may also work. Follow the instructions included with the drivers to format the disks with HPFS, then use HPFSRem.
    Iomega Zip works with the OAD drivers and works. FLT drivers
*Iomega Jaz has not been made to work, possibly because of SCSI controller problems.
      may also work. Follow the instructions included with the
SCSI controller note: The Iomega drivers use a neat trick to allow the disks to be formatted with HPFS. Controllers other than the ones that Iomega sells may have to use different drivers, which means no HPFS.
      drivers to format the disks with HPFS, then use HPFSRem.
*SyQuest's EZ135 and SQ3270 have been tested and work.
    Iomega Jaz has not been made to work, possibly because of
*SyQuest's EZFlyer and SyJET probably work because they use the same drivers as the EZ135.
      SCSI controller problems.
*A PD drive manufactured by Matsushita Electronic for Panasonic and Toray (650MB PHASEWRITER DUAL). It may require SyQuest drivers to eject, along with its own drivers.
    SCSI controller note: The Iomega drivers use a neat trick to
      allow the disks to be formatted with HPFS. Controllers
      other than the ones that Iomega sells may have to use
      different drivers, which means no HPFS.
    SyQuest's EZ135 and SQ3270 have been tested and work.
    SyQuest's EZFlyer and SyJET probably work because they use
      the same drivers as the EZ135.
    A PD drive manufactured by Matsushita Electronic for
      Panasonic and Toray (650MB PHASEWRITER DUAL). It may
      require SyQuest drivers to eject, along with its own
      drivers.


==Drive Requirements==
==Drive Requirements==
    SHORT: The drive should be non-removable (from OS/2's point
SHORT: The drive should be non-removable (from OS/2's point of view) or removable and lockable. Plus, you'll need to format the disk with HPFS.
    of view) or removable and lockable. Plus, you'll need to
 
    format the disk with HPFS.
LONG: To use HPFS with a given drive, you need to able able to format the disk with HPFS (consult documentation below and the documentation that came with the drive). This sometimes requires that you lock the disk in the drive. Use HPFSRem with the "I" parameter to lock the disk. Some drives will lock automatically. If the drive won't unlock, then the drive won't let you remove the disk.
    LONG: To use HPFS with a given drive, you need to able able
    to format the disk with HPFS (consult documentation below
    and the documentation that came with the drive). This
    sometimes requires that you lock the disk in the drive. Use
    HPFSRem with the "I" parameter to lock the disk. Some drives
    will lock automatically. If the drive won't unlock, then the
    drive won't let you remove the disk.


==Error messages (New info for v1.1)==
==Error messages (New info for v1.1)==
    HPFSRem v1 would sometimes give error messages that did not
HPFSRem v1 would sometimes give error messages that did not stop it from doing its task. I think it mostly has to do with support for locking and unlocking the disk, which was required in v1 to run without errors. I have made v1.1 to better handle the lack of support for locking and unlocking, and to support removable drives that OS/2 sees as non-removable drives.
    stop it from doing its task. I think it mostly has to do
 
    with support for locking and unlocking the disk, which was
In addition, HPFSRem v1.1 gives error code values that, while not always self-explanatory, should help me to figure out what's wrong.
    required in v1 to run without errors. I have made v1.1 to
    better handle the lack of support for locking and unlocking,
    and to support removable drives that OS/2 sees as
    non-removable drives.
    In addition, HPFSRem v1.1 gives error code values that,
    while not always self-explanatory, should help me to figure
    out what's wrong.


==Installation==
==Installation==
    First, install EMX if you haven't already. You can find the
First, install EMX if you haven't already. You can find the file you need at ftp://hobbes.nmsu.edu or ftp://cdrom.com.
      file you need at ftp://hobbes.nmsu.edu or ftp://cdrom.com.
 
      The directory to look for is EMX???, where the ??? mark
The directory to look for is EMX???, where the ??? mark the version number, such as 09a and 09b. The file is
      the version number, such as 09a and 09b. The file is
EMXRT.ZIP. It contains installation instructions for itself.
      EMXRT.ZIP. It contains installation instructions for
 
      itself.
Copy HPFSRem.exe to a directory in your path.
    Copy HPFSRem.exe to a directory in your path.


==Instructions==
==Instructions==
    The syntax of HPFSRem is:
The syntax of HPFSRem is:
      HPFSRem d [R | I | RI | S]
HPFSRem d [R | I | RI | S]
    d is the drive letter of the removable drive.
;d:is the drive letter of the removable drive.
    R tells HPFSRem to prepare the disk for removal. If the disk
;R:tells HPFSRem to prepare the disk for removal. If the disk is locked (drive won't allow the disk to be ejected), then HPFSRem will unlock it.
      is locked (drive won't allow the disk to be ejected), then
;I:tells HPFSRem to allow the insertion of a disk. You will be prompted to insert a disk. The disk will be locked in the drive until the "R" parameter is given.
      HPFSRem will unlock it.
;RI:a combination of the separate "R" and "I" parameters, tells HPFSRem to prepare a disk for removal and then allow another disk to be inserted.
    I tells HPFSRem to allow the insertion of a disk. You will
;S:will make HPFSRem give you information about the drive you specify. This information includes whether OS/2 sees the drive a removable or not, if the drive is locked, can be locked, or won't tell, and HPFSRem's assessment of the possibility of using HPFS removability on the drive.
      be prompted to insert a disk. The disk will be locked in
 
      the drive until the "R" parameter is given.
PLEASE give me this information along with bug reports!
    RI, a combination of the separate "R" and "I" parameters,
 
      tells HPFSRem to prepare a disk for removal and then allow
Type "hpfsrem" and enter to receive a help screen.
      another disk to be inserted.
    S will make HPFSRem give you information about the drive you
      specify. This information includes whether OS/2 sees the
      drive a removable or not, if the drive is locked, can be
      locked, or won't tell, and HPFSRem's assessment of the
      possibility of using HPFS removability on the drive.
      PLEASE give me this information along with bug reports!
    Type "hpfsrem" and enter to receive a help screen.


==Disk setup==
==Disk setup==
    NOTE: The following procedure only works for removable
NOTE: The following procedure only works for removable
    drives that support partitions, like SyQuest drives.
drives that support partitions, like SyQuest drives.
    Although the below text says otherwise (I haven't revised
Although the below text says otherwise (I haven't revised
    it), HPFSRem can be used on drives that do not support
it), HPFSRem can be used on drives that do not support
    partitions so long as its disks can be formatted with HPFS.
partitions so long as its disks can be formatted with HPFS.
    Follow the instructions included with your drive to do this.
Follow the instructions included with your drive to do this.
    Then you can use HPFSRem.
Then you can use HPFSRem.
 
To make use of this utility, you must format some of your
removable disks with HPFS. To do this, you must first
partition your disk using FDISK. You can run FDISK from the
command line, or select "Create partition" from the menu of
the Drives object.
 
If you are preparing several disks, it is fastest to boot
the system to the command line by pressing Alt-F1 before the
OS/2 logo is displayed and then pressing "C" for the command
line. This is because you will have to reboot every time you
set up a partition. HPFSRem can be used to unlock the disk
so that you can remove it without having to boot to the WPS.
Once you're running FDISK, select the correct disk for your
removable drive. FDISK starts with disk 1 (first physical
disk) selected. Disk 1 is normally a hard drive -- you will
probably need to select disk 2 or higher. If you can't find
the removable drive on FDISK's drive list, then you can't
use HPFSRem :(.
 
Next, delete any existing partitions on the removable disk.
Of course, you should backup any data that may be on the
disk if you want to keep it. After that, create a partition
on your removable disk that is the full size of the disk.
The default partition size FDISK will present is the total
remaining space on the disk. Make the partition an
extended/logical partition. Then quit FDISK. A reboot is
required by the system at this point.


    To make use of this utility, you must format some of your
After rebooting, you will need to format the disk. Go to the
    removable disks with HPFS. To do this, you must first
menu of the removable drive in the Drives folder and select
    partition your disk using FDISK. You can run FDISK from the
format. Tell the format program to use HPFS. Or, you can use
    command line, or select "Create partition" from the menu of
the format command from the command line with the "/fs:hpfs"
    the Drives object.
parameter.
    If you are preparing several disks, it is fastest to boot
    the system to the command line by pressing Alt-F1 before the
    OS/2 logo is displayed and then pressing "C" for the command
    line. This is because you will have to reboot every time you
    set up a partition. HPFSRem can be used to unlock the disk
    so that you can remove it without having to boot to the WPS.
    Once you're running FDISK, select the correct disk for your
    removable drive. FDISK starts with disk 1 (first physical
    disk) selected. Disk 1 is normally a hard drive -- you will
    probably need to select disk 2 or higher. If you can't find
    the removable drive on FDISK's drive list, then you can't
    use HPFSRem :(.
    Next, delete any existing partitions on the removable disk.
    Of course, you should backup any data that may be on the
    disk if you want to keep it. After that, create a partition
    on your removable disk that is the full size of the disk.
    The default partition size FDISK will present is the total
    remaning space on the disk. Make the partition an
    extended/logical partition. Then quit FDISK. A reboot is
    required by the system at this point.
    After rebooting, you will need to format the disk. Go to the
    menu of the removable drive in the Drives folder and select
    format. Tell the format program to use HPFS. Or, you can use
    the format command from the command line with the "/fs:hpfs"
    parameter.


==FYI==
==FYI==
    HPFSRem only needs to be used when a disk being removed or
HPFSRem only needs to be used when a disk being removed or
      inserted has been formatted with HPFS. When only disks
inserted has been formatted with HPFS. When only disks
      formatted with FAT are involved, the methods supplied with
formatted with FAT are involved, the methods supplied with
      your removable drive may be used.
your removable drive may be used.
    Before you shutdown the system, you may need either an HPFS
 
      disk in your removable drive or have used a FAT disk in
Before you shutdown the system, you may need either an HPFS
      the drive last. The FAT disk needs to be used in some way
disk in your removable drive or have used a FAT disk in
      (typing "dir" at the command line is good enough) and may
the drive last. The FAT disk needs to be used in some way
      be removed before shutdown. Failure to meet these
(typing "dir" at the command line is good enough) and may
      conditions may prevent a proper shutdown of the system if
be removed before shutdown. Failure to meet these
      you booted the system with a FAT disk in the removable
conditions may prevent a proper shutdown of the system if
      drive. Booting with an HPFS disk seems to prevent this
you booted the system with a FAT disk in the removable
      problem.
drive. Booting with an HPFS disk seems to prevent this
    It is best to partition removable disks with a logical, not
problem.
      primary, partition weather or not HPFS will be used on the
 
      disk. If OS/2 is booted from a logical partition, then
It is best to partition removable disks with a logical, not
      attempting to use a removable disk with a primary
primary, partition weather or not HPFS will be used on the
      partition will cause the system to crash. Partitioning the
disk. If OS/2 is booted from a logical partition, then
      disks with a logical partition avoids this problem and
attempting to use a removable disk with a primary
      works fine with systems that boot OS/2 from a primary
partition will cause the system to crash. Partitioning the
      partition. If you use a SyQuest drive, the DOS/Windows
disks with a logical partition avoids this problem and
      drivers will have no trouble using logical partitions.
works fine with systems that boot OS/2 from a primary
    Before a disk can be removed, all programs must stop using
partition. If you use a SyQuest drive, the DOS/Windows
      files on the disk. If a program has a file open on the
drivers will have no trouble using logical partitions.
      removable disk, HPFSRem will give an error and will not
 
      unlock the disk. Also, it is a good idea to close all
Before a disk can be removed, all programs must stop using
      views of the files and directories on the disk before
files on the disk. If a program has a file open on the
      removing it.
removable disk, HPFSRem will give an error and will not
    OS/2 uses a feature called lazywrite that buffers data to be
unlock the disk. Also, it is a good idea to close all
      written to a disk to improve performance. HPFSRem always
views of the files and directories on the disk before
      makes certain that all data to be written to the removable
removing it.
      disk is written before removal.
 
OS/2 uses a feature called lazywrite that buffers data to be
written to a disk to improve performance. HPFSRem always
makes certain that all data to be written to the removable
disk is written before removal.


==Known problems and limitations==
==Known problems and limitations==
    If you copy files with long names to a removable HPFS disk
If you copy files with long names to a removable HPFS disk
      using the WPS (drag & drop), the result may be
using the WPS (drag & drop), the result may be
      interesting. Although folder views of the directory on the
interesting. Although folder views of the directory on the
      HPFS removable will have long names, the files on the
HPFS removable will have long names, the files on the
      removable disk may not have long names. If you type "dir"
removable disk may not have long names. If you type "dir"
      at a command prompt, and find that the long names of the
at a command prompt, and find that the long names of the
      files are not in the directory, then you have this
files are not in the directory, then you have this
      problem.
problem.
      One way around this problem seems to be to put an HPFS
 
      formatted disk in the removeable drive before booting
One way around this problem seems to be to put an HPFS
      OS/2. Then, all files copied to the disk from the WPS will
formatted disk in the removable drive before booting
      retain their long names.
OS/2. Then, all files copied to the disk from the WPS will
      Another work around is to use the command line. A copy
retain their long names.
      command issued from the WPS will convert the long names of
 
      files to names suitable for FAT volume. However, if you
Another work around is to use the command line. A copy
      copy files from the command line, the long names will be
command issued from the WPS will convert the long names of
      preserved. Note that from the command line you cannot copy
files to names suitable for FAT volume. However, if you
      a file with a long name to a FAT volume.
copy files from the command line, the long names will be
    This program does not allow the use of HPFS on floppies.
preserved. Note that from the command line you cannot copy
      This is because HPFS can only be put on partitioned disks.
a file with a long name to a FAT volume.
      Floppies cannot be partitioned. This is a limitation of
 
      OS/2, but so is not supporting HPFS on removable disks
This program does not allow the use of HPFS on floppies.
      :-).
This is because HPFS can only be put on partitioned disks.
    HPFSRem supports only a single partition on removable disks.
Floppies cannot be partitioned. This is a limitation of
      Multiple partitions on a removable disk will cause
OS/2, but so is not supporting HPFS on removable disks:-).
      problems.
 
    Occasionally, the system may not complete a shutdown
HPFSRem supports only a single partition on removable disks.
      properly. This sometimes seems to be in connection with a
Multiple partitions on a removable disk will cause problems.
      drive not ready error from the removable drive. The cause
 
      of the error is trying to read from the drive when no disk
Occasionally, the system may not complete a shutdown
      is in it. Avoid this error. Also, limiting yourself to
properly. This sometimes seems to be in connection with a
      using the "RI" parameter for HPFSRem and using HPFSRem
drive not ready error from the removable drive. The cause
      when any disk is being inserted or removed, not just HPFS
of the error is trying to read from the drive when no disk
      disks, may help solve the problem.
is in it. Avoid this error. Also, limiting yourself to
    If data loss occurs when removing FAT disks from the drive,
using the "RI" parameter for HPFSRem and using HPFSRem
      use HPFSRem to remove FAT disks as well as HPFS disks. The
when any disk is being inserted or removed, not just HPFS
      data loss may come from using lazywrites on the disk. The
disks, may help solve the problem.
      lazywrite feature will cache writes to the disk, so some
 
      data to be written may be held in buffers when a disk is
If data loss occurs when removing FAT disks from the drive,
      removed. HPFSRem will make OS/2 write the contents of the
use HPFSRem to remove FAT disks as well as HPFS disks. The
      buffers to the disk, so no data loss will occur from
data loss may come from using lazywrites on the disk. The
      caching writes to the disk.
lazywrite feature will cache writes to the disk, so some
data to be written may be held in buffers when a disk is
removed. HPFSRem will make OS/2 write the contents of the
buffers to the disk, so no data loss will occur from
caching writes to the disk.


==Labels==
==Labels==
    To help me keep track of what I put on my removable disks, I
To help me keep track of what I put on my removable disks, I
    made a simple disk label template for use with IBM Works.
made a simple disk label template for use with IBM Works.
    The label, included in this package, is made for EZ135
The label, included in this package, is made for EZ135
    disks, but could be altered for use with other disks.
disks, but could be altered for use with other disks.
    To make use of the label, load it with IBM Works and save it
To make use of the label, load it with IBM Works and save it
    with a different name. You can change the "Spine
with a different name. You can change the "Spine
    Description" by double clicking your mouse on it. You'll be
Description" by double clicking your mouse on it. You'll be
    presented with a dialog where you you can change the text
presented with a dialog where you you can change the text
    and its orientation. Be sure that the bottom right icon on
and its orientation. Be sure that the bottom right icon on
    this dialog is pressed or the text won't be vertical
this dialog is pressed or the text won't be vertical
    anymore.
anymore.
    There are two tables on the left and right sides of the
    label. You can type text into these tables. If you press tab
    at the end of the table, you'll get another row and a
    horizontal line to go with it. This can't be undone without
    deleting and remaking the table. Its not my fault --
    IBMWorks needs some work.
    You can also add a vertical line to the table to separate
    some of the rows into columns. The vertical line doesn't
    have to divide all the rows. Also, it seems that only one
    vertical line can be used. If you add a third, no text will
    be displayed to the right of the line.
    Before you print the label, you may have to go to the
    printer setup dialog and tell your printer to print
    landscape style. I don't know why this is necessary, as IBM
    Works has been told to use landscape style for the label. It
    might be because I'm using OMNI.DRV to run my printer.
    Next, tell IBM Works to print only the first page, or you'll
    get an empty page at the end.
    Finally, cut along the outer lines and put the printed label
    in place of the blue label shipped with disk.


==Future posiblities==
There are two tables on the left and right sides of the
    Documentation in HTML (anyone got space on a web server I
label. You can type text into these tables. If you press tab
      could use for this?)
at the end of the table, you'll get another row and a
    An install program that adds a menu option to the object of
horizontal line to go with it. This can't be undone without
      the removeable drive for HPFSRem (way in the futrue)
deleting and remaking the table. Its not my fault - IBM Works needs some work.
You can also add a vertical line to the table to separate
some of the rows into columns. The vertical line doesn't
have to divide all the rows. Also, it seems that only one
vertical line can be used. If you add a third, no text will
be displayed to the right of the line.
Before you print the label, you may have to go to the
printer setup dialog and tell your printer to print
landscape style. I don't know why this is necessary, as IBM
Works has been told to use landscape style for the label. It
might be because I'm using OMNI.DRV to run my printer.
Next, tell IBM Works to print only the first page, or you'll
get an empty page at the end.
Finally, cut along the outer lines and put the printed label
in place of the blue label shipped with disk.
 
==Future possibilities==
Documentation in HTML (anyone got space on a web server I could use for this?)
An install program that adds a menu option to the object of the removable drive for HPFSRem (way in the future)


==Registration==
==Registration==
    HPFSRem may be employed for personal use at no charge.
HPFSRem may be employed for personal use at no charge.
    For commercial use, HPFSRem may be used for a 30 day trial
For commercial use, HPFSRem may be used for a 30 day trial
    period. For continued use beyond the 30 day trial period, it
period. For continued use beyond the 30 day trial period, it
    must be registered.
must be registered.
    To register, send a check for $20 (in US currency, or
 
    discuss other possibilities with me) made out to Jeffrey
To register, send a check for $20 (in US currency, or
    Jackowski and address the envelope to:
discuss other possibilities with me) made out to Jeffrey
          608J South Loop Road
Jackowski and address the envelope to:
          Huntsville, AL 35805
608J South Loop Road
    Send your email address so that I can send you your
Huntsville, AL 35805
    registered copy via email. Or, send a floppy with your check
Send your email address so that I can send you your
    and I'll return it with the registered software. (But
registered copy via email. Or, send a floppy with your check
    remeber, I don't know how to send mail internationally.)
and I'll return it with the registered software. (But
remember, I don't know how to send mail internationally.)


==About the programmer==
==About the programmer==
    I, Jeff Jackowski, am a student at the University of Alabama
I, Jeff Jackowski, am a student at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Not long after I bought my computer at the beginning of 1995, I have been running OS/2 Warp on it. I decided to run OS/2 after reading good things about it in some periodicals starting a year or two before I bought it. Too bad its harder to find such good words about OS/2 in the general press now.
    in Huntsville. Not long after I bought my computer at the
 
    beginning of 1995, I have been running OS/2 Warp on it. I
I can be reached at jackowskij@@email.uah.edu, but since I am sometimes busy with classes, it may take me a while to respond.
    decided to run OS/2 after reading good things about it in
    some periodicals starting a year or two before I bought it.
    Too bad its harder to find such good words about OS/2 in the
    general press now.
    I can be reached at jackowskij@@email.uah.edu, but since I
    am sometimes busy with classes, it may take me a while to
    respond.


==Copyright==
==Copyright==
    HPFSRem -- Copyright 1996 by Jeffrey Jackowski
HPFSRem - Copyright 1996 by Jeffrey Jackowski


==License==
==License==
    HPFSRem now uses the GNU General Public License.
HPFSRem now uses the GNU General Public License. It should be included in the same archive as HPFSRem with the name "COPYING". It may not be changed.
    It should be included in the same archive as HPFSRem with
    the name "COPYING". It may not be changed.


[[Category:Software Articles]]
[[Category:Software Articles]]

Revision as of 17:29, 7 March 2018


             HPFSRem -- HPFS removability software
                         Version 1.11
                Documentation update (96/10/13)
             Copyright (c) 1996 by Jeff Jackowski

This software is free

Introduction

HPFSRem allows you to use HPFS on some removable drives without losing the ability to remove and replace disks. Although HPFS without any special software can sometimes be used on a removable drive without any problems, I found that often system crashes will be the result and data can be lost. HPFSRem is my attempt to eliminate data loss and system crashes from using HPFS formatted removable media. I can't guarantee HPFSRem will let you use HPFS with any drive, but it works for me and several other people with varying drives. You should test your drive with HPFSRem to see if it works before using HPFS on removable disks on a large scale. Please email me at jackowskij@email.uah.edu to tell me what works and what doesn't. Also, visit the web site at http://www.cs.uah.edu/cs/students/jjackows/hpfsrem. If its not there, search for it on Yahoo.

And PLEASE be sure to send the output of HPFSRem with the "S" parameter and any error codes if you're having a problem.

PLEASE READ THIS DOCUMENT CAREFULLY! HPFS was not made to support removable drives. HPFSRem attempts to circumvent this limitation and will work if my directions are followed and your removable drive cooperates. Any deviation from my instructions may cause various problems ranging from an inability to use HPFS on removable media to system crashes when a disk formatted with HPFS is removed or inserted. Also, any emails I get with questions that have answers in this text may not receive a response.

NOTE TO EXPERTS: You may skip the "Disk setup" section, but should read the rest, paying close attention to the "FYI" and "Known problems and limitations" sections.

System Requirements

  • OS/2 Warp (version 2.x may work, but I'm not sure)
  • HPFS must be installed
  • EMX 0.9a or later installed
  • A removable drive (see "Compatible Drives" and "Drive Requirements" sections below)

NOTE: Contrary to SyQuest documentation, partitioned removable disks can be used if OS/2 boots from a logical partition (so you can put OS/2 on drive D and DOS on drive C, for instance). The removable disks should be given a logical, not primary, partition to make this work.

Web Site

http://www.cincyteamos2.org/hpfsrem/ - Listed on Yahoo

The site contains updated information on HPFSRem including:

  • A list of compatible drives
  • Instructions on making the drives work
  • Links to device drivers
  • The latest version of HPFSRem

The web site is meant to be an addendum to this document, not a total replacement.

Compatible Drives

The following drives have been tested by myself and other users. Other drives may work as well.

  • Iomega Zip works with the OAD drivers and works. FLT drivers may also work. Follow the instructions included with the drivers to format the disks with HPFS, then use HPFSRem.
  • Iomega Jaz has not been made to work, possibly because of SCSI controller problems.

SCSI controller note: The Iomega drivers use a neat trick to allow the disks to be formatted with HPFS. Controllers other than the ones that Iomega sells may have to use different drivers, which means no HPFS.

  • SyQuest's EZ135 and SQ3270 have been tested and work.
  • SyQuest's EZFlyer and SyJET probably work because they use the same drivers as the EZ135.
  • A PD drive manufactured by Matsushita Electronic for Panasonic and Toray (650MB PHASEWRITER DUAL). It may require SyQuest drivers to eject, along with its own drivers.

Drive Requirements

SHORT: The drive should be non-removable (from OS/2's point of view) or removable and lockable. Plus, you'll need to format the disk with HPFS.

LONG: To use HPFS with a given drive, you need to able able to format the disk with HPFS (consult documentation below and the documentation that came with the drive). This sometimes requires that you lock the disk in the drive. Use HPFSRem with the "I" parameter to lock the disk. Some drives will lock automatically. If the drive won't unlock, then the drive won't let you remove the disk.

Error messages (New info for v1.1)

HPFSRem v1 would sometimes give error messages that did not stop it from doing its task. I think it mostly has to do with support for locking and unlocking the disk, which was required in v1 to run without errors. I have made v1.1 to better handle the lack of support for locking and unlocking, and to support removable drives that OS/2 sees as non-removable drives.

In addition, HPFSRem v1.1 gives error code values that, while not always self-explanatory, should help me to figure out what's wrong.

Installation

First, install EMX if you haven't already. You can find the file you need at ftp://hobbes.nmsu.edu or ftp://cdrom.com.

The directory to look for is EMX???, where the ??? mark the version number, such as 09a and 09b. The file is EMXRT.ZIP. It contains installation instructions for itself.

Copy HPFSRem.exe to a directory in your path.

Instructions

The syntax of HPFSRem is:

HPFSRem d [R | I | RI | S]
d
is the drive letter of the removable drive.
R
tells HPFSRem to prepare the disk for removal. If the disk is locked (drive won't allow the disk to be ejected), then HPFSRem will unlock it.
I
tells HPFSRem to allow the insertion of a disk. You will be prompted to insert a disk. The disk will be locked in the drive until the "R" parameter is given.
RI
a combination of the separate "R" and "I" parameters, tells HPFSRem to prepare a disk for removal and then allow another disk to be inserted.
S
will make HPFSRem give you information about the drive you specify. This information includes whether OS/2 sees the drive a removable or not, if the drive is locked, can be locked, or won't tell, and HPFSRem's assessment of the possibility of using HPFS removability on the drive.

PLEASE give me this information along with bug reports!

Type "hpfsrem" and enter to receive a help screen.

Disk setup

NOTE: The following procedure only works for removable drives that support partitions, like SyQuest drives. Although the below text says otherwise (I haven't revised it), HPFSRem can be used on drives that do not support partitions so long as its disks can be formatted with HPFS. Follow the instructions included with your drive to do this. Then you can use HPFSRem.

To make use of this utility, you must format some of your removable disks with HPFS. To do this, you must first partition your disk using FDISK. You can run FDISK from the command line, or select "Create partition" from the menu of the Drives object.

If you are preparing several disks, it is fastest to boot the system to the command line by pressing Alt-F1 before the OS/2 logo is displayed and then pressing "C" for the command line. This is because you will have to reboot every time you set up a partition. HPFSRem can be used to unlock the disk so that you can remove it without having to boot to the WPS. Once you're running FDISK, select the correct disk for your removable drive. FDISK starts with disk 1 (first physical disk) selected. Disk 1 is normally a hard drive -- you will probably need to select disk 2 or higher. If you can't find the removable drive on FDISK's drive list, then you can't use HPFSRem :(.

Next, delete any existing partitions on the removable disk. Of course, you should backup any data that may be on the disk if you want to keep it. After that, create a partition on your removable disk that is the full size of the disk. The default partition size FDISK will present is the total remaining space on the disk. Make the partition an extended/logical partition. Then quit FDISK. A reboot is required by the system at this point.

After rebooting, you will need to format the disk. Go to the menu of the removable drive in the Drives folder and select format. Tell the format program to use HPFS. Or, you can use the format command from the command line with the "/fs:hpfs" parameter.

FYI

HPFSRem only needs to be used when a disk being removed or inserted has been formatted with HPFS. When only disks formatted with FAT are involved, the methods supplied with your removable drive may be used.

Before you shutdown the system, you may need either an HPFS disk in your removable drive or have used a FAT disk in the drive last. The FAT disk needs to be used in some way (typing "dir" at the command line is good enough) and may be removed before shutdown. Failure to meet these conditions may prevent a proper shutdown of the system if you booted the system with a FAT disk in the removable drive. Booting with an HPFS disk seems to prevent this problem.

It is best to partition removable disks with a logical, not primary, partition weather or not HPFS will be used on the disk. If OS/2 is booted from a logical partition, then attempting to use a removable disk with a primary partition will cause the system to crash. Partitioning the disks with a logical partition avoids this problem and works fine with systems that boot OS/2 from a primary partition. If you use a SyQuest drive, the DOS/Windows drivers will have no trouble using logical partitions.

Before a disk can be removed, all programs must stop using files on the disk. If a program has a file open on the removable disk, HPFSRem will give an error and will not unlock the disk. Also, it is a good idea to close all views of the files and directories on the disk before removing it.

OS/2 uses a feature called lazywrite that buffers data to be written to a disk to improve performance. HPFSRem always makes certain that all data to be written to the removable disk is written before removal.

Known problems and limitations

If you copy files with long names to a removable HPFS disk using the WPS (drag & drop), the result may be interesting. Although folder views of the directory on the HPFS removable will have long names, the files on the removable disk may not have long names. If you type "dir" at a command prompt, and find that the long names of the files are not in the directory, then you have this problem.

One way around this problem seems to be to put an HPFS formatted disk in the removable drive before booting OS/2. Then, all files copied to the disk from the WPS will retain their long names.

Another work around is to use the command line. A copy command issued from the WPS will convert the long names of files to names suitable for FAT volume. However, if you copy files from the command line, the long names will be preserved. Note that from the command line you cannot copy a file with a long name to a FAT volume.

This program does not allow the use of HPFS on floppies. This is because HPFS can only be put on partitioned disks. Floppies cannot be partitioned. This is a limitation of OS/2, but so is not supporting HPFS on removable disks:-).

HPFSRem supports only a single partition on removable disks. Multiple partitions on a removable disk will cause problems.

Occasionally, the system may not complete a shutdown properly. This sometimes seems to be in connection with a drive not ready error from the removable drive. The cause of the error is trying to read from the drive when no disk is in it. Avoid this error. Also, limiting yourself to using the "RI" parameter for HPFSRem and using HPFSRem when any disk is being inserted or removed, not just HPFS disks, may help solve the problem.

If data loss occurs when removing FAT disks from the drive, use HPFSRem to remove FAT disks as well as HPFS disks. The data loss may come from using lazywrites on the disk. The lazywrite feature will cache writes to the disk, so some data to be written may be held in buffers when a disk is removed. HPFSRem will make OS/2 write the contents of the buffers to the disk, so no data loss will occur from caching writes to the disk.

Labels

To help me keep track of what I put on my removable disks, I made a simple disk label template for use with IBM Works. The label, included in this package, is made for EZ135 disks, but could be altered for use with other disks. To make use of the label, load it with IBM Works and save it with a different name. You can change the "Spine Description" by double clicking your mouse on it. You'll be presented with a dialog where you you can change the text and its orientation. Be sure that the bottom right icon on this dialog is pressed or the text won't be vertical anymore.

There are two tables on the left and right sides of the label. You can type text into these tables. If you press tab at the end of the table, you'll get another row and a horizontal line to go with it. This can't be undone without deleting and remaking the table. Its not my fault - IBM Works needs some work. You can also add a vertical line to the table to separate some of the rows into columns. The vertical line doesn't have to divide all the rows. Also, it seems that only one vertical line can be used. If you add a third, no text will be displayed to the right of the line. Before you print the label, you may have to go to the printer setup dialog and tell your printer to print landscape style. I don't know why this is necessary, as IBM Works has been told to use landscape style for the label. It might be because I'm using OMNI.DRV to run my printer. Next, tell IBM Works to print only the first page, or you'll get an empty page at the end. Finally, cut along the outer lines and put the printed label in place of the blue label shipped with disk.

Future possibilities

Documentation in HTML (anyone got space on a web server I could use for this?) An install program that adds a menu option to the object of the removable drive for HPFSRem (way in the future)

Registration

HPFSRem may be employed for personal use at no charge. For commercial use, HPFSRem may be used for a 30 day trial period. For continued use beyond the 30 day trial period, it must be registered.

To register, send a check for $20 (in US currency, or discuss other possibilities with me) made out to Jeffrey Jackowski and address the envelope to:

608J South Loop Road
Huntsville, AL 35805

Send your email address so that I can send you your registered copy via email. Or, send a floppy with your check and I'll return it with the registered software. (But remember, I don't know how to send mail internationally.)

About the programmer

I, Jeff Jackowski, am a student at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Not long after I bought my computer at the beginning of 1995, I have been running OS/2 Warp on it. I decided to run OS/2 after reading good things about it in some periodicals starting a year or two before I bought it. Too bad its harder to find such good words about OS/2 in the general press now.

I can be reached at jackowskij@@email.uah.edu, but since I am sometimes busy with classes, it may take me a while to respond.

Copyright

HPFSRem - Copyright 1996 by Jeffrey Jackowski

License

HPFSRem now uses the GNU General Public License. It should be included in the same archive as HPFSRem with the name "COPYING". It may not be changed.