Category : Alternate Operating Systems - Quarterdeck DesqView, CP/M, etc
Archive   : POLYBOOT.ZIP
Filename : PATCHMAN.US

Shortcut Explanation to PATCH401.ASM
------------------------------------

These explanations are for SPECIALISTS only !!!

If you have no expirience with assembly programming for DOS, this
program is probably not a good example to begin.

Ask a friend with expirience in assembler, write netmails to me
or just call (number and times see README), but dont poke around
in this program - your' just frustrating yourself.
(You can even damage all data on your harddisk, if you're doing wrong !)


1. Principle Thoughts
---------------------

Because in most cases it isn't possible to work with POLYBOOT without
making patches to DOS, the program PATCH330.COM was developed.

It should help the end user, who mostly lacks the tools amd/or
knowledge to make the necessary patches himself. This program
does the necessary patches fully automatic, and reverts even the
patches for creation of bootable floppy discs.

Because of the fast upgrades and the wide variety of versions, it is
nearly impossible to be up to date with patch-programs for all
national/OEM/etc. releases. Therefore I supply now source code for
the latest patcher and adress all assembler-cracks, especially in
foreign countries (i will try to be up-to-date in Germany).
I hope there will be patchers for all new releases short after
the release of new versions of DOS in all BBSs.


2. Changes in Source
---------------------

Program code of the patcher needn't be changed - all version dependent
data is collected, where it should be, in the data area.
Change the following lines:

372-381 Message-Textes (only for beauty)
383+384 Name of system files ("Dir-Format" 8+3 - no period !)
386+387 Name of system files ("Path-Format" Ascii-string with period)

Now you must search a string in both system files:
This string is composed of version number and CRLF, e.g:
Version 3.30 string : "3.30",0Dh,0Ah
Determine the offset of the first character from begin of file.

389 ff insert offset in biocmp (Value from IBMBIO or IO)
393 ff insert offset in doscmp (Value from IBMDOS or MSDOS)

Now search the string "\CONFIG.SYS" (backslash is important !) in the
BIOS-file (IBMBIO or IO). Insert the offset from begin of file in

397 hd1org and
401 hd1pat .

At least you must find the byte string from hd2org (every after "L„nge").
Insert the offset from begin to

405 hd2org and
413 hd2pat .

OK, that's it - run makefile! - hope! - patch!

Have Luck

Markus Noller