

XDF README



XDF is a diskette image format for OS/2 WARP installation.  This reduces the
number of diskettes and installation time needed for OS/2 installation.


IMAGING THE DISKETTES.

Special utilities are needed to image these diskettes.


Imaging from an OS/2 System.
----------------------------
OS/2 1.X cannot be used to image these diskettes.  An OS/2 2.X system can be
used.  A new file, XDFLOPPY.FLT.  OS/2 WARP versions of IBM1FLPY.ADD and
IBM2FLPY.ADD are also needed.


ISA Systems.

         Rename IBM1FLPY.ADD to IBM1FLPY.OLD in the \OS2 directory.
         Copy XDFLOPPY.FLT and IBM1FLPY.ADD to the OS/2 directory.
         Add the following line to your CONFIG.SYS:

                      BASEDEV=XDFLOPPY.FLT


IBM MicroChannel Systems.

         Rename IBM2FLPY.ADD to IBM2FLPY.OLD in the \OS2 directory.
         Copy XDFLOPPY.FLT and IBM2FLPY.ADD.  Add the following line
         to your CONFIG.SYS:

                      BASEDEV=XDFLOPPY.FLT

IBM MicroChannel Systems with separately loadable ABIOS or PCM MicroChannel
Systems (Reply and NCR).

         Rename IBM1FLPY.ADD to IBM1FLPY.OLD in the \OS2 directory.
         Copy XDFLOPPY.FLT and IBM1FLPY.ADD.  Add the following line
         to your CONFIG.SYS:

                       BASEDEV=XDFLOPPY.FLT

         Change the following line in your CONFIG.SYS:

            BASEDEV=IBM2FLPY.ADD to BASEDEV=IBM1FLPY.ADD /MCA



Procedure for Imaging Diskettes
-------------------------------

Issue the following command from a command prompt from a native DOS, OS/2
or OS/2 DOS session:

                                  XDFCOPY
See syntax below.


Layout of Diskimages
---------------------

Diskette 0,1

These diskettes are not in the XDF format.  This allows the ability to add,
delete and copy files to these diskettes.

Diskettes (Diskimages) 2-n
--------------------------

These diskettes (diskimages) have the XDF format.  You can do a directory on
these diskettes but you cannot copy individual files or bundle files without
XDFCOPY Utility, XDFLOPPY.FLT, IBM1FLPY.ADD and if a microchannel system,
IBM2FLPY.ADD.

These diskettes have a software write protection.  You cannot erase files or
bundle files or add files to these diskettes.


Obtaining a Back Up Copy of the OS/2 WARP Installation Diskettes
----------------------------------------------------------------

From an Installed OS/2 WARP system,

         Issue the following command from an OS/2 or DOS session:

                                 XDFCOPY

         This command automatically formats (prepares) the target
         diskette during the copy process.  The target diskette must
         be the same size and type as the source diskette.  Use
         XDFCOPY only between diskettes of the same size and capacity.

         Follow the screen prompts.  This will give you a backup copy
         of all your OS/2 WARP diskettes including the Installation
         disketter ("D0") and diskette 1 ("D1").

Without installing OS/2 WARP.

         Insert the OS/2 WARP Installation diskette and restart your
         system.  Follow the screen prompts and insert diskette 1.
         When the key prompt ESCAPE is on the screen "ESCAPE" out of
         the OS/2 WARP installation to an OS/2 command prompt.  At the
         command prompt issue the following command:

                                  XDFCOPY

Selective Installation
----------------------

Your installed OS/2 WARP system has the appropriate files to access the
installations diskettes prompted by OS/2 WARP Selective Installation.  If you
have altered your system and cannot read the installation diskettes make sure
you have the CONFIG.SYS statement:

                        BASEDEV=XDFLOPPY.FLT

Make sure the OS/2 WARP versions of the following files are located in the \OS2
directory:

                              XDFLOPPY.FLT

  ISA systems:                IBM1FLPY.ADD

  IBM Microchannel systems:   IBM2FLPY.ADD

  PCM Microchannel systems might require the IBM1FLPY driver.  If you are
  have problems follow these instructions"

         Place "REM" before your CONFIG.SYS statement
         BASEDEV=IBM2FLPY.  Add the following line to your CONFIG.SYS:

                          BASEDEV=IBM1FLPY /MCA

         Insert the OS/2 WARP Installation Diskette 1( "D1") in drive
         A. Copy A:\IBM1FLPY.ADD to the boot drive \OS2 directory.


If the files have been erased, copy the files from your OS/2 WARP Installation
diskette 1 ("D1").  You do not need to use XDFCOPY just the COPY command
because the OS/2 WARP Installation Diskette ("D0") and Diskette 1 ("D1") can be
read with either command.


XDFCOPY
-------

This in essence is a diskcopy.  This command copies the contents of an
eXtended Density Format (XDF) diskette.  In addition to copying from diskette,
XDFCOPY can also copy to, or from, diskette images files that are located on
a hard disk.  A diskette image file is a data file that contains the complete
information from an entire diskette.  This file can be used to build an exact
copy of the original diskette.

XDFCOPY creates a temporary file on the source drive during the copy process.


 ------------------XDFCOPY----source drive-->
   drive   path

 >----------------------------target drive-->
    source image file

source drive specifices drive that contains diskette to be copied
source image file specifies the anem of file on hard disk
target drive specifies drive that contains the diskette to be copied

When copying to a diskette, XDFCOPY automatically formates (prepares) the
target diskette during the copy process.  The target diskette must be the
same size and type as the source diskette.

