
___________________________________________________________________________

                      Partition Commander Version 8 and 
                   System Commander Personal Edition Notes 
___________________________________________________________________________

    CONTENTS

        A. Installation Notes           F. OEM Windows - erases all!
        B. What's new in PC8            G. Troubleshooting
        C. Overall Feature Summary      H. Technical Support
        D. Important Issues             I. Disk managers
        E. OS Limitations               J. Ordering Information
        

    A. Installation Notes

        The manual is up to date.

        Abbreviations used include PC8 for Partition Commander and SCPE 
        for System Commander Personal Edition.

        IMPORTANT  When installing new OSes or changing partitions
        we always recommend you have a backup of any important data and
        programs.


    B. What's New in PC8

        New Advanced Partitioning

        * Safely resize Windows XP/2003 and Linux partitions
          (NTFS, Linux EXT2, EXT3, ReiserFS and Linux Swap).

        * Support for huge drives - 200 GB+

        * Convert FAT/FAT32 to NTFS without using Windows
          (for safety and higher reliability)

        * Convert Windows 2000/XP/2003 Dynamic disk to basic 

        * Change disk volume labels

        * Many improvements to PC Wizard to make partitioning
          even easier!

        
        Installation
        
        * Now installs from all Windows types including Windows
          95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/2003
        
        * Can be installed in Windows file systems such as NTFS,
          FAT32 or FAT, or run directly from the CD.

        
        Other new features

        * File browser - works on FAT, FAT32 and NTFS, even if
          Windows is not running.

        * BootFixer - corrects errors in NT/2000/XP Boot.ini file 
          to properly boot up, even after partitions have been moved 
          or changed.

        Bonus! System Commander Personal Edition

        * New version adds ability to boot from diskette and MBRs

        * New version handles Linux LILO and GRUB MBRs

        Bonus! Copy Commander
        
        * Copy one drive to another

        * Automatic expansion of partitions option


    C. Overall Feature Summary

        Partition Commander makes it easy to take complete command of
        your hard drive.  You can reclaim wasted disk space, organize
        files, add new operating systems, even speed up drive access in
        many cases.  And you don't have to be a partitioning expert,
        because Partition Commander's exclusive Partition Wizard
        automates the process, guiding you through step by step.  This
        makes it faster, safer, and easier than any other partitioning
        product.  Or simply bypass the Wizard if you choose to customize.

        No other utility lets you partition your hard drive with more
        ease and confidence.  It even has built in safety features to
        protect against system failures, including power loss while
        performing partition resizing or FAT conversions.

        And with our exclusive BackStep Wizard, you can undo both
        Partition Wizard and manual partitioning steps that you
        previously performed. This includes deleted and formatted
        partitions, so long as no new data has been written to that
        area of the disk.

        Major highlights include:

            o Partition Wizard automates the partitioning process

            o Supports huge drives, even 200 GB and larger

            o BackStep Wizard to undo prior partitioning operations

            o Create, Move, Copy or delete partitions for any OS

            o Resize Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP/2003 and Linux 
              partitions


        Includes System Commander Personal Edition

        With SCPE you'll be able to have multiple operating systems
        function on a single computer.  Once installed, when you boot 
        up, you will be provided with a menu of OS choices, based on the 
        operating systems you install.

        SCPE's Key Benefits

        * Management of multiple operating systems in primary
            and logical partitions across multiple drives

        * Menu selections offered before any operating system runs

        * Remembers the last selection made

        * Choose from a number of unique sound effects when System
            Commander's menu appears

        * Select a time-out period to automatically make a selection

        * View partition information and change bootable status

        * Master Boot Record and DOS partition boot record virus
            detection and repair


        PC8 & SCPE Technical Highlights

        * Create and Delete any OS partitions

        * Non-destructive Resize for FAT, FAT32, NTFS and Linux

        * Copy and Move partitions

        * Fully compatible with Windows 95/98/ME, NT/2000/XP/2003, 
            Linux, OS/2, NetWare, DOS, Unix variants, NextStep,  QNX, 
            and most other OSes

        * Can be installed into any standard FAT, FAT32 or NTFS 
            partition, 

        * No bytes remain resident in memory after OS selection

        * Comprehensive boot validity checks and recovery

        * Can also be used on a blank system (no OS) with CD-ROM 
            or with created bootable partitioning diskette


    D. Important Issues

        Disk Compression

        Partition Commander is fully compatible with disk compression,
        but it only allows you to look at and change the true physical
        partitions.  Disk compression often makes other phantom drives
        and will alter the drive lettering.  Be aware that the drive
        letters Partition Commander shows will not match the altered
        drive lettering used by disk compression.

        SCPE is fully compatible with disk compression, but must be
        installed in the non-compressed C drive.  Normally SCPE will
        identify the non-compressed disk for you.

        GoBack is not compatible

        Our testing with GoBack has shown it is not compatible with any 
        boot management products including System Commander. If GoBack is 
        installed prior to System Commander, it will not let System 
        Commander complete its installation.  If System Commander is 
        installed prior to GoBack, then GoBack will disable System 
        Commander.

        The reason for these problems is that GoBack partly resides in
        the MBR, where boot management products must reside.  While
        System Commander has a special MBR boot feature that solves this
        obstacle, GoBack also alters the FAT and FAT32 partitions into
        custom non-FAT partitions.  (which also prevents partition
        resizing).

        If you wish to use any OS management product like System 
        Commander, or perform any partitioning operations, you will need
        to remove GoBack. Be aware that Windows Me/XP and later offer a
        similar feature as GoBack.


    E. Operating System Limitations

        Each OS has specific installation restrictions defined by the OS
        vendor.  For your convenience, we've summarized the key aspects
        of OSes relating to installation limitations on the hard disk.
        This is not a comprehensive list and vendors may change the
        limitations in future versions.

        The chart shows where the bootable portion of the OS can be
        installed.  Every OS can be installed in a primary partition on
        the allowed hard drives.  Some OSes can install into a logical
        partition, which is a portion of an extended partition.

        When known, we've also shown the manufacture's minimum partition
        size for its installation.  To install applications, and/or have
        any free disk space to work with, you should always allocate more
        disk space than the minimum size shown.  Newer versions, than
        those specified, will usually require a larger minimum disk
        partition.

                                           Boot    Logical   min MB 
        OS Name           Vendor           Drives  partition size  notes
        ----------------- ---------------- ------- --------- ----- -----
        AIX               IBM              0 only  no        100   9
        BeOS              Be               any     yes       250   9
        BSDI Unix         Berkely Software 0 only  no         80
        Btron 1B          Btron            0 only  no         40
        Coherent Unix     Mark Williams    any     no         15   9
        CP/M              Digital Research 0 only  no         10   9
        CTOS              Unisys           0 only  no         40
        DOS               all              0 only  no          3
        DOS/V             IBM/Microsoft    0 only  no          5
        FreeBSD           all              any     no         80
        Interactive Unix  Sun Microsystems 0 only  no         20
        Linux             all              any     yes       400
        Lynx              Lynx Real-Time   0 only  no         50
        Minux             all              0 only  no         30   9
        NetWare v2        Novell           0 only  no         20
        NetWare v3 & v4   Novell           0 only  no         55   2
        NetWare v5        Novell           0 only  no        500   2
        NeXT Step         Next             0 only  no        100   9
        OpenStep          Next             0 only  no        120   9
        Open Server       SCO              0 only  no        100   5
        OS/2 v1.x         IBM              0 only  no         20   9
        OS/2 v2 to v4     IBM              any     yes        40   4
        Pick              Pick Systems     0 only  no         50
        QNX               QNX Software     0 only  no         50
        Solaris v4        Sun Microsystems any     no         70   7
        Solaris v7        Sun Microsystems any     no        500   7
        Solaris v8        Sun Microsystems any     no        600   7,10
        Theos             Theos Software   0 only  no         10
        UnixWare          SCO/Novell       0 only  no         80   5
        Venix             Venturcom        0 only  no        100   9
        Windows 95        Microsoft        0 only  no         40   6,8
        Windows 95J       Microsoft        0 only  no         80   6,8
        Windows 98        Microsoft        0 only  no        250   6,8
        Windows 98J       Microsoft        0 only  no        250   6,8
        Windows Me        Microsoft        0 only  no        500   6,8
        Windows NT v3.1   Microsoft        0 only  no         90
        Windows NT v3.5   Microsoft        0 only  no        100
        Windows NT v4.0   Microsoft        0 only  no        220
        Windows 2000      Microsoft        0 only  no       1200   8
        Windows XP        Microsoft        0 only  no       1500   8
        Windows 2003      Microsoft        0 only  no       1500   8

        notes:
          2 - This OS is launched after DOS is booted. Information
              is stored in a separate non-bootable partition.
          4 - If installed outside the MultiFAT partition, OS/2
              requires IBM's boot manager to be installed in a
              separate partition during installation.  Boot
              manager is not required once OS/2 is installed, when
              using System Commander.
          5 - The OS installation may move partitions around, causing
              problems for other OSes.  In addition, when partitions
              are moved like this, SCPE may replace your OS
              descriptions with generic names.  Menu names are
              associated with the physical partition number and not
              the data in the partition.  No data is lost, but you
              may want to go through and update each OS description
              under the Setup option, and verify Local special
              options are set correctly for each OS choice.
          6 - The boot portion is similar to a standard DOS, but
              significant portions of the OS can be installed on
              other drives.
          7 - Solaris documentation indicates it only supports
              booting from a diskette when installed on any drive
              other than drive 0, but System Commander will
              properly boot Solaris from any IDE drive, without a
              Solaris boot diskette.  Some SCSI controller/drive
              combinations may not allow anything other than
              booting Solaris from the first disk.
          8 - Can be installed in and understands FAT32 partitions.
              (For Windows 95, only OSR2 supports FAT32).
          9 - This OS is no longer available, either due to being
              discontinued on the computer, and/or the manufacturer 
              is no longer in business.
         10 - Solaris 8's installation will alter the CHS portion
              of the partition table in every partition.  This can
              result in other OSes no longer working, and may
              prevent SCPE from working (if it is not in an EBIOS
              type partition).  For expert users, the SCIN partition
              editor can be used to restore the correct values.
              More information may be available on our web site.


    F. OEM Windows 95/98 can erase everything!

        During the installation of some OEM versions of Windows95/98, the
        installation program may or may not prompt you to format or
        repartition your hard drive. This means it could erase all files
        and erase all partitions on your drive, including non-DOS
        partitions!

        This operation depends on how the OEM set up the specific OEM
        version of Windows, as some OEM versions behave nicely (i.e.
        they might warn you if it is about to erase everything).
        In general, unless you plan to erase everything on the drive and
        start over, we recommend only using the full retail or upgrade
        packages of Windows 95/98.

        Partition Commander has no control over how the OEM Windows
        erases partitions. USE CAUTION when installing an OEM version
        on a system that has an existing operating systems you wish to
        keep.

        OEM versions often have the words printed on the CD-ROM "For
        Distribution Only with a New PC".


    G. Troubleshooting

        Most problems are easily resolved. The most up to date 
        information is available on our web site at www.v-com.com/support
         
        Basic troubleshooting information is also as described in the 
        manual under Troubleshooting.

        Uninstall PC8/SCPE or Disable SCPE

        If running from Windows, select Start, Programs, Partition 
        Commander, and either Console (to temporarily disable SCPE) or 
        select Uninstall.   
        
        You can also disable SCPE by booting from the Utility diskette 
        1 you made during installation. Boot from this diskette and at
        the prompt, run SCIN. Select the Disable or remove option and
        then disable. You cannot remove/uninstall when booting from
        the diskette.


        A  BootXY.  message appears

        If immediately after installation a "BootXY." message appears,
        see Chapter 7, Troubleshooting under Messages from System
        Commander at boot up for reasons why this might occur and how
        to easily correct it.

        In most cases, you will be given the option to boot from
        one primary partition from the first drive.


        During a partition resize, power is lost or a reset occurs

        Should a power fail or a reset occur during a resize or 
        conversion operation you will be prompted during boot up to 
        insert the Restart diskette which you made during installation or 
        boot from the Partition Commander CD.  It will start the 
        Partition Wizard restart process and complete the operation.

        If you were running OS Wizard for a new OS installation, the
        remaining preparation steps will not occur.  On a reboot you may
        be asked to use your new OS boot diskette.  Select Cancel and
        return to the OS Wizard (Alt-O).  Reselect the same OS and the
        process will complete.


    H. Technical Support

        If you followed the manual, you are unlikely to have any
        problems.  The chapter on troubleshooting covers some of the rare
        problems which might be encountered.  Seemingly bad problems like
        "Invalid COMMAND.COM" are usually solved easily, and are
        described in the manual.

        Complimentary technical support is available to registered users 
        on current product versions for 90 days after your first contact 
        with VCOM after your purchase.  If you contact us after this 
        period, please have a credit card ready for a nominal charge per 
        call. 

        For technical support to help you quickly, if at all possible,
        please run the SCOUT.EXE utility from the hard disk or diskette.
        This utility will run several diagnostics and collect key data
        about your system.  This data is written to a file SCOUT.TXT
        Print the file, or include the file with your web contact or FAX.

            To contact us via the Web, go to www.v-com.com/support

                or

            Call us at 1-408-965-4018. Support hours are from 9 am to 
            5 pm PST M-F. Support is closed on Thursdays from 12-2 pm 
            for training.

        Please include a brief description of the problem.  It is also 
        helpful to describe what OSes and versions you are using, and how 
        the drive is partitioned. (Running the SCOUT.EXE utility will do 
        all this for you).

        While we can help you with problems related to Partition
        Commander, we cannot assist you with using or solving problems
        within a specific OS.  For these issues, you can contact the OS
        vendor or a third party help desk service.


    I. Disk Managers/EZ-Drive

        PC8 will not install to a system that is using a drive 
        overlay like EZ-Drive or EZ-Bios. (Both are rarely seen in any 
        systems made after 1996).


    J. Ordering Information

        To purchase additional copies contact us at:

                V Communications, Inc.
                2290 North First St., Suite 101
                San Jose, CA  95131
                USA

                (408) 965-4000  (Sales)
                (408) 965-4014  (FAX)

        We also offer very attractive volume discounts and multi-site
        licenses.  Contact our Sales department for additional
        information.

        Additional information is available at  www.v-com.com, our
        company Web site.

___________________________________________________________________________


       Copyright (c) 2003 V Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved
       All products and brand names are trademarks or registered 
       trademarks of their respective holders.

___________________________________________________________________________

                               End of Notes       
