Release Notes Text

ataid011.zip    ATA/IDE diagnostic and identification program ver 1.11
		This version replaces all earlier version of the program.

The .ZIP file should contain:
	ataid.exe       AT Attachment Diagnostic and Identification Program
	ataidrel.txt    This text file 
	ataidrpt.txt    A description of the various reported parameters
	ataidref.txt    A brief refernece on ATA/IDE Drives

Version 1.11    Released October 28, 1994
		bug fixes in the intialization and diagnostics routines
		to fix user reported problems with Seagate drives.
Version 1.10    Not released to the general public
		Sept 8, 1994
Version 1.00    Release Date July 26, 1994
	Initial Release

Description:

	This program will run perform diagnostics on any ATA (commonly known as
	IDE) disk drive.  The Diagnosics status will be reported, and if the
	drive passed, a drive identification will be performed. Up to 2 drives 
	are supported. 

The drive model, serial number etc. will be reported.  A typical example is:

	Drive # ------------------------------- : 0
	Model Number -------------------------- : QUANTUM LP240A GM240A01X                
	Serial Number ------------------------- : 142326130353        
	Controller Firmware Rev Number -------- : 6.3     
	Media type ---------------------------- : Magnetic
	Drive Type ---------------------------- : Fixed (non-removable)
	Sector Formating ---------------------- : Not MFM Encoded, Soft Sectored
	Able to do Double Word Transfer ------- : No
	Maximum Data Transfer Rate ------------ : Greater than 10 MB/Sec 

	Controller buffer type ---------------- : Dual port multi-sector
						  Simulataneous transfer capability
						  Read caching capability
	Controller cache buffer size ---------- :  256 KB 
	ECC bytes avial on long transfers ----- :    4
	Max # of sectors per interrupt -------- :    8
						 #cyls #heads #Sec  Size
	Default Translation Mode -------------- :  723   13    51   234 MB
	Current Translation Mode -------------- :  723   13    51   234 MB
	Current BIOS Setup  ------------------- :  723   13    51   234 MB
	DMA Supported ------------------------- :   Yes
	LBA Supported ------------------------- :   No 
	PIO Data Transfer Timing Mode --------- :    2
	DMA Data Transfer Timing Mode --------- :    2
	Supported DMA Single Word Transfer Modes: None
	Active DMA Single Word Transfer Mode -- : None
	Supported DMA MultiWord Transfer Modes  : None
	Active DMA MultiWord Transfer Mode ---- : None


Command line switches:

	/? Displays help information 
	/i Log drive information only, do not run diagnostics
	/d Debug: Creates an additional file containing a hex dump
		  of the drive header information to submit to me if
		  you have problems \n");

Use under Windows:

	This program will not run under Windows, or in a DOS shell under windows.
	The program talks directly to the disk drive hardare, which violates the 
	Windows I/O interface.  In order to prevent any damage from occuring, I 
	have included code to check and see if you are trying to run the program 
	under Windows.  If you are, the program will warn you and stop running.

Known bugs:
	
	If you try to run this software on a SCSI drive, it will stay in a loop
	waiting for a valid status from and IDE drive.  CTRL-BREAK will kill the
	program.
	If anyone knows how to determine in software if you have an IDE or SCSI 
	drive attached to a PC please let me know.

Planned enhancements:
	
	For the next version I plan to include routines to determine data transfer rate
	and access time.
	
Support:

	As this is my first attempt at this code, I am sure someone will find
	something wrong with it.  There are so many combinations of drives and
	controllers that I could not possibly test them all.  If you run into
	anything which seems to be incorrect, send me a copy of the log file and
	the hex dump file and I will try to correct the problem.  
	I would like to hear from you if you have any ssuggestions for improvements
	or even if you just like the program.

E-mail address:  
 
	Barry.R.Drodge@Waterloo.NCR.COM


Street Address:

	Barry Drodge
	Unit 112, 93 Milford Ave.
	Waterloo, Ontario
	N2L 3Z5 CANADA

License:

	This software is freeware.   I request no payment be made to me. 
	If you are a home user, you may use a copy of this software free. 
	Business users are expressly forbidden to use this software on an
	ongoing basis. 

Copyright:

	The Software is protected by Canadian copyright laws and international 
	treaty provisions.      
	You acknowledge that no title to the intellectual property in the
	SOFTWARE is transferred to you.  You further acknowledge that
	title and full ownership rights to the SOFTWARE will remain the
	exclusive property of Barry Drodge.

Warranty:

	I do not certify that this software is error free. In no event will I 
	or any shareware provider be held liable for direct or indirect 
	damages of any kind arising out of the use of the software.

Shareware:
	
	This software may be freely uploaded to any BBS.
	Shareware Distributors may not charge their customers for the 
	Software other than a nominal fee for the diskette.
	All files of this Software must be distributed bundled together, 
	with the Software .EXE files bundled with the .TXT files.