              
                                  xFloppy Version 1.1
                                     by Philosopher
                  
                    --------------------[INTRO]--------------------

Some time ago, a friend asked me to write a windows program to format, write end read 
X68000 floppy disks with a PC... Here it is!!

Technical notes:

The first attempt  was made using the standard  vwin32.vxd through DeviceIoControl...
The format routine worked, but there was no way to write or read sectors greater than
512 bytes... Very disappointing!!!!
So I wrote a simple vxd to simulate the int 13h functions ah=02h and ah=03h. In order
to read/write 8 sectors per call (2000h bytes) I had to make a static vxd... In fact,
with a dynamic vxd you can't get, at run time, a copy buffer larger than 4k (1 memory 
page).

The vxd implements also two routines  that gain access to the Default Drive Parameter
Table  with a call to DPMI  int 31h function 02h that maps a real-mode segment in the 
Local Descriptors Table.

Obviously, this program won't work under Windows NT/2000.
 
                    -----------------[INSTALLATION]----------------

The package contains an executable file (xfloppy.exe), a static VxD (xfloppy.vxd) and
the text you're reading (readme.txt). 
Put the VxD file in your  \windows\system  directory  and add the  new  device in the
system.ini file under [386Enh] key:

[386Enh]
...
...
device=xfloppy.vxd
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^  the os will load it at boot time

Reboot your system and... enjoy!!!

NOTES:
The program has been tested on some PCs and it works... I can't feel  responsible for
any system crash  and/or any loss of data...  The program is FREE and maybe I'll soon
release the sources if someone is interested. You are FREE to try out if this program
works on your PC... But, if so, please, take YOUR responsibility ;)

                    -------------------[WHAT'S NEW]-----------------    

Version 1.0 -----> Version 1.1

- Lieutenant Q suggested me to add the ability to make images from disks with bad sectors
  and... How can I disregard a good advise? ;)

- I also fixed some minor bugs, nothing special...