README.TXT

Readme File:

Program:  FDISK.EXE

Version:  0.95 

Author:  Brian E. Reifsnyder
         reifsnyderb@mindspring.com

Note:  For a list of files included in the zip file with Free FDISK please
       read the file filelist.txt.

Description:  Creates, deletes, views partitions, and writes the MBR to the
              hard drive.  Also toggles the boot partition flag.

              I have written the program with command line functionality
              as well having the usual menu.  This will potentially allow 
              a hard drive to be configured via a batch file.

              This program uses a free master boot program to boot to 
              a hard drive; but, you can save the boot loader written by
              another version of fdisk into a "BOOT.MBR" file and use that
              if you wish. 

              As an added feature, this program has an external text-based
              lookup table called "part.dat" that can easilly be updated
              as software companies come out with different partition 
              types.  If the program is ran without the "part.dat" file, it
              will revert to using the internal partition lookup table.
              For purposes of using a boot disk, it may be desireable to
              not include the "part.dat" file.  By doing so the user will
              save space on the boot disk.

              A new feature added to this progam in version 0.7 is the
              ability to create non-dos partitions and modify primary
              partition types from the command prompt.

              As of version 0.8 this program now has a command line function
              to automatically partition a hard disk with one primary 
              partition, an extended partition (size permitting), and 
              logical drives in the extended partition (size permitting).

              As of verson 0.92 FDISK now supports the creation of non-LBA
              FAT-32 partitions.  FDISK will now delete all FAT-32 and LBA
              FAT-16 partitions.

Compiler:  Borland Turbo C++ 3.0 (Program is written in C)

Licensing:  Licensed under the GNU GPL.

Warranties:  This program does not have any warranties, either stated or
             implied.  By using this program, you are assuming full
             responsibility for the outcome of the program's execution.

Operating systems this program is known to work under:
         MS-DOS 6.22
         MS-Windows 95 (Single-tasking DOS mode only.  May still be
           problematic.)
	 FreeDOS

Operating systems this program will not work under:
         MS-Windows NT (No major loss :-)  ) (This is due to NT's control over 
           direct access to hardware.)
       
Misc. Notes:

     1.  The partitions scan ok when Symantec's Norton Disk Doctor II is
         executed.
     2.  As of version 0.8 the partitions now show up ok in Ranish Partition
         Manager.

Future Plans:
(These may be changed at any time.)

     1.  Fix any encountered bugs.

     (Version numbers are tentative.)

     Version .99   Any necessary bug-fixes.  Write a user manual.  Finalize
                   and document exit error codes.

     Version 1.0   Version .99 after being released a reasonable amount
                   of time to ensure that the progam is bug-free.

     Version 2.0   Possible forking of code to an automatic on-the-fly
                   repartitioning program.  The program will also be re-named
                   at this point.  (FreeQMagic????)  Any user wanting just
                   basic FDISKing capabilities will only need to use 
                   version 1.x.

Note:  Please read the file bloader.txt if you need brief instructions for 
       the bootloader and for licensing information.


