#: 12850 S6/File Utilities [S]
    18-Jan-89  22:55:57
Sb: Peter Norton Responds  
Fm: Robert Chappelear 73330,1156
To: all
             
From:  Peter  Norton
To:    All Norton Utilities 4.5 Users
             
This responds to all our users who have indicated they have problems 
with the latest Version 4.5 of the Norton Utilities.  Most of the 
complaints have concentrated on the Norton Disk  Doctor, specifically, 
those involved with running the Disk Doctor with partitioning schemes 
other than straight vanilla DOS.
            
First, let us say that the initial release of the Disk Doctor had a 
problem with third party partitioning software when combined with 
specific hardware configurations.  This resulted in false reports of 
problems with a disk, with the subsequent results many of you reported 
to us.
              
The 1/3/89  version corrected these problems. We have tested this 
version with every known partitioning scheme, including Golden Bow's 
Vfeature Deluxe, On-Track's Disk Manager, Storage Dimension's 
SpeedStor, and Priam's Partition Software.  And while the Disk Doctor 
always gave appropriate warnings and asked for user permission before 
changing anything on the disk, we have added extra safety precautions 
that make it doubly sure that a user will not inadvertently press "Yes" 
when a "No" was the appropriate answer.
             
           
It is important to note that NDD does not "erase" or "destroy" data.  
Under certain partitioning schemes and configurations, the Disk Doctor 
mistakenly changed those bookkeeping records needed to access the data, 
NOT the data itself.  Most users who have contacted us were walked
through the steps needed to put the appropriate bookkeeping information
(Partition Table or Boot Record) back into place, hence allowing all
data to be accessed again.
                      
Other bugs corrected in the 1/3/89 version include:
             
1.  LD /T
       -  Gave incorrect size results.
             
2.  NDD
       -  Didn't work correctly with some third party partioning 
          software.
       -  Reported that the drive type was wrong when using some third 
          party cache software or partitioning software.
              
3.  NCC
       -  Would not allow the saving of the setup file if one already 
          existed.
       -  Would not work properly on some EGA display adapters which 
          did not allow the cursor emulation to function correctly.
       -  Setting the Time/Date on some AT-class machines would not 
          function correctly.
               
4.  INSTALL
       -  Didn't allow installation in the root directory of the hard 
          disk.
       -  If the PATH command was the first command in the AUTOEXEC. 
          BAT file, then INSTALL would not be able to find it and would 
          try to add another PATH statement.
                    
               
5.  NI
       -  On some EGA adapters, a few of the programs would not run or 
          would hang the system.
             
6.  SI
       -  Did not recognize IBM PS/2 Model 70 correctly.
       -  On some '286 computers, the Computing Index was higher than 
          on previous versions of the Norton Utilities.
                      
We have read all of your complaints about getting through to tech 
support.  Due to PNCI's explosive growth, we are currently 
shortstaffed.  PNCI is actively hiring more tech support personnel and 
if you are interested, please let us know.  As for parties, please rest 
assured we do not go toarties when there is work to be done.  And 
yes, we do have office parties--that's part of how we keep our morale 
and team spirit so high.
                      
If you have a technical question, please call  (213) 319- 2020. Our 
customer service department has a list of all people who have called 
requesting the maintenance release; they began shipping January 13, 
1989.  If you have called and haven't received your copy or know of 
anybody else who needs an updated version, you can get them free by 
calling (213) 319-2010.  Please specify if you need 5 1/4 or 3 1/2 inch 
disks.
               
We would like to close by apologizing to all the users who have had 
trouble with the DISK DOCTOR.  Like everyone else, sometimes we're in 
top form, sometimes we're not.  This particular piece of software is 
really quite revolutionary, as it is the first ever program that not 
only diagnoses disk problems, but reports them AND fixes them.  Like 
any brand new software, there were some bugs.  We have now corrected 
all problems reported to us.  And if any new problems come up we want 
you to let us know about them right away.  We appreciate your 
input--help us make our programs just as good as they can be.
               
Peter Norton