Disc Image Manager

[geraldholdsworth]

I'm fairly sure that DIM checks the SIN to make sure there is a JesMap sector, which is why some go through without error. Although I can't remember what range checking it does on the figures given in the JesMap header, which may be causing the out of range errors.

For the inf files, I'll put in an extra tag [DATESTAMP], [TIMESTAMP], or [DATETIME]...e.g.:

Code: Select all

[DATETIME]=20230408131700

(i.e. YYYYMMDDhhmmss).

[geraldholdsworth]

Although it was a while ago I updated the application, due to work commitments, I've just got around to compiling it and uploading to GitHub - latest version is 1.45.2.
I can't remember though if I did anything about the Interleave discussed above.

[Ukwebb]

awesome work Gerald - keep it up

[geraldholdsworth]

I've now added the ability to change the interleave method, and then re-read the image using the new method. This is now version 1.45.3.

This gives us three methods of changing the ADFS interleave:

• First is to change the setting in the preferences. This will take effect the next time an ADFS 'L' image is loaded.
• Second is using the button on the toolbar. This moves the data around in the loaded image. So if you load it as "Interleave" and change it to "Sequential", when you save it, it will be "Sequential".
• Third is on the Image Details dialogue box. Assuming that the image hasn't been modified, then you can change the interleave method and it will then re-read the image. This is the same as closing the image, using the first method, then re-opening it.

[geraldholdsworth]

I've fixed a few more bugs and moved Disc Image Manager up to a full release: 1.46 - now available on GitHub and my website.

New or improved features

• Image report now lists the free space map for ADFS.
• Add Partition button now works for DFS single sided images to add a second side.
• Exporting files now includes a date/time stamp field in the *.inf file if set.
• Importing files, where the *.inf file has a date/time stamp field, updates the date/time for the file.
• The ADFS interleave can now be changed without re-organising the data. This method then re-reads the file using the new method.
• Can now save a BASIC file to the host system as a text file.
• BASIC file viewer now uses smaller text and no longer bold, unless it is a keyword. Text in quotes is now in italics.
• Image report now checks every file and directory on an image and reports details of files with CRC32 error or broken directories (ADFS).
• When importing a file to an image, it no longer complains if the selected node is not a directory. Now, it just selects the selected node's parent before importing the file.
• The BackSpace key is now a shortcut for deleting files or directories.

Bug fixes

• When deleting directories, the internal directory references were not getting updated.
• When deallocating free space on a New Map ADFS, the wrong idlen was sometimes being used.
• The New Map ADFS free space map was not getting read correctly.
• Renaming an ADFS file in a ADFS/DOS hybrid image could crash the application on Windows. Renames on the DOS or Acorn FS side could also fail.
• Broken ADFS directories were getting displayed with the 'Not Read' colours.
• A corrupt 'JesMap' sector, on Acorn FS, can cause the application to crash. Additional checks have been put in place.
• An ADFS Old Map, with no free space, would hang when trying to delete a file.
• In ADFS, when selecting a sub-directory the image details status bar would sometimes report no image title, 0 bytes used and 0 bytes free.
• When an ADFS New Map zone is close to capacity (i.e., not enough space for a fragment id to be written in), the free space was incorrectly reported. This would cause files and directories to fail to being written but the catalogue information would still be.
• Deleting an ADFS directory which is the penultimate directory in the catalogue would result in the last one being deleted from the internal references. This then caused confusion with the front end GUI and resulted in a crash. In addition, deleting everything from the image would leave the free space map not correctly updated.

[daveejhitchins]

Gerald . . . Would you consider adding ROMFS to your list of filing systems support?

It's probably a bit of a niche FS, however, the Beeb and Electron both support this!

Also, would it be possible to add scrolling for the HEX editor?

Dave H.

[Ukwebb]

Thanks again Gerald - Love this program, so useful in so many ways


@daveH - there is a scroll bar already down the right hand side?

What would be really useful is the ASCII representation on the same line

and maybe edit features too ( in the ascii and hex sides) to alter the contents of the file ?

[baz4096]

Thanks again Gerald - Love this program, so useful in so many ways

Couldn't agree more, it's an excellent tool.

and maybe edit features too ( in the ascii and hex sides) to alter the contents of the file ?

or perhaps a way to specify an external editor?

There's a minor issue on macOS - DIM doesn't seem to like Dark Mode. All the foreground text is white, which on a pale grey background doesn't show up too well:

Still functions perfectly, but it's just a bit awkward to read.

[daveejhitchins]

@daveH - there is a scroll bar already down the right hand side?
Screenshot 2023-05-19 084119.png

To clarify . . . the ability to use a scroll wheel or equivalent . . .

Dave H.

[markusher]

Well done Gerald for your continued support and efforts squashing the bugs. DIM is a very useful tool.

[BeebMaster]

Absolutely. When I get a chance I will have a go with the latest version and see how it copes with date stamps on my L3 discs.

[geraldholdsworth]

Would you consider adding ROMFS to your list of filing systems support?

Of course

Also, would it be possible to add scrolling for the HEX editor?

This is something I've been toying with. Yes, the hex editor does do scrolling, but it's kind of custom written and I only get, from the OS, whether the user wants to scroll or not, and not by how much. It could be because there is nothing to scroll, so I have been wondering about adding rows above and below what is displayed (if available) to tell the OS that there is stuff there to scroll to. I'll need to play.

[geraldholdsworth]

Thanks again Gerald - Love this program, so useful in so many ways

Thank you - it means a lot.

What would be really useful is the ASCII representation on the same line

There is...I think there must be another bug where I haven't expanded the width on different DPI setups. I'll take a peek.

and maybe edit features too ( in the ascii and hex sides) to alter the contents of the file ?

The hex editor is a cut down version of my File Dump application (really must change the name of that), which does have edit features. I'll look into doing the same with the editor in DIM.

[geraldholdsworth]

Couldn't agree more, it's an excellent tool.

Thank you.

There's a minor issue on macOS - DIM doesn't seem to like Dark Mode. All the foreground text is white, which on a pale grey background doesn't show up too well:

Another for the list - I'll look into this. Can't remember if Catalina does dark mode, but I have Monterey on my Mac Mini which certainly does, so I can test this out.

[geraldholdsworth]

Well done Gerald for your continued support and efforts squashing the bugs. DIM is a very useful tool.

Thank you Mark - I forgot to sort out the font size on the Basic viewer that you asked about...I'll add this into the next version.

[geraldholdsworth]

To clarify . . . the ability to use a scroll wheel or equivalent . . .

Funny story here - I thought that the capability was already there, but would only do one line at a time. Seems I put that into the full blown File Dump (which, I have decided, will from now on be called 'File Viewer'), but neglected to add it to the cut down version in Disc Image Manager . I was wondering where the procedure for handling the mouse wheel went...

[geraldholdsworth]

Due to work commitments, development has stalled slightly on this. So, I've put out a mid-version release: 1.46.1. Includes some of the requests above - but no editing in the hex editor as yet, and the dark mode is not complete. Also, it can read ROM FS images, create blank ones and can add and delete files - note: you need at least one file in a ROM FS otherwise DIM cannot detect it as such an image.

I've still got some more bugs to fix, on the command line, which I have been told about. I'll get onto those when time permits.

If you find any ROM FS images that fail to be read, please send them along (either post them here, or PM me with them...either works).

[geraldholdsworth]

Another mid-release - this time 1.46.2.

I've completely removed the command line module and re-written it as a console. I've yet to update the documentation so, for now, I've added them here:

Code: Select all

Entering The Console
--------------------

--console= or -c= enters the console.
--console=<filename> or -c=<filename> enters the console and executes the commands in the file <filename>.

Console Commands
----------------

Command parameters are separated by spaces, and are separated from the command
by a space. Use quotes (") to enclose parameters containing a space. For
example:
add "This File.txt" ThatFile.txt
will add a file called 'This File.txt' and another called 'ThatFile.txt' to the
image.

Square brackets [] indicate optional parameters.

Eplipses ... indicate multiples of the same parameter.

access <file> [<attributes>]
 Changes the file's access rights, or attributes, to those given.
 Anything invalid is ignored.
 
add <file> [[<file>] ...]
 Adds the files/directories listed. Can contain wildcards.
 
cat
 Displays a catalogue listing for the current directory.
 
chdir <dirname>
 Changes the host OS directory.
 
create [<dirname>]
 Creates a new directory. If no name given, 'NewDir' is used instead.
 
delete <file> [[<file>] ...]
 Deletes the files/directories listed. Wildcards not allowed.
 
dir <dirname>
 Changes to directory <dirname>. Use '^' to specify the parent directory.
 
dirtitle <title>
 Changes the currect directory title.
 
exit
 Quits console and application.
 If the image has not been saved, it will be discarded.
 
exittogui
 Quits the console and opens the GUI application.
 
extract <file> [[<file] ...]
 Extracts all files/directories listed to the local OS folder.
 Filenames can contain wildcards.
 
insert <filename>
 Loads image specified by <filename>.
 
interleave <option>
 Changes the current interleave method and re-organises the data.
 <option> can be 0, 1, 2, or 3 or auto, seq, int, or mux.
 Only valid for Acorn ADFS L or FS.
 
new <format> [<option>] [<option2>]
 Creates a new image:
 <format> <option> <option2>  Result
 DFS      S80                 Acorn DFS single sided 80 track
 DFS      S40                 Acorn DFS single sided 40 track
 DFS      D80                 Acorn DFS double sided 80 track
 DFS      D40                 Acorn DFS double sided 40 track
 WDFS     S80                 Watford DFS single sided 80 track
 WDFS     S40                 Watford DFS single sided 40 track
 WDFS     D80                 Watford DFS double sided 80 track
 WDFS     D40                 Watford DFS double sided 40 track
 ADFS     S                   Acorn ADFS S
 ADFS     M                   Acorn ADFS M
 ADFS     L                   Acorn ADFS L
 ADFS     D                   Acorn ADFS D
 ADFS     E                   Acorn ADFS E
 ADFS     E+                  Acorn ADFS E+
 ADFS     F                   Acorn ADFS F
 ADFS     F+                  Acorn ADFS F+
 ADFS     HDD                 Old map, Old directory 20MB
 ADFS     HDD      OO<cap>[M] Old map, Old directory <cap> size
 ADFS     HDD      ON<cap>[M] Old map, New directory <cap> size
 ADFS     HDD      NN<cap>[M] New map, New directory <cap> size
 ADFS     HDD      NB<cap>[M] New map, Big directory <cap> size
 AFS      <level>  <cap>[M]   Acorn FS Level <level> of <cap> size
 CFS                          Acorn Cassette Filing System
 C1541                        Commodore 1541
 C1571                        Commodore 1571
 C1581                        Commodore 1581
 AMIGA    DD                  Commodore Amiga DD
 AMIGA    HD                  Commodore Amiga HD
 AMIGA    HDD      <cap>[M]   Commodore Amiga hard drive of <cap> size
 DOS+     640                 DOS+ 640K
 DOS+     800                 DOS+ 800K
 DOS      360                 DOS 360K
 DOS      720                 DOS 720K
 DOS      1440                DOS 1.44MB
 DOS      2880                DOS 2.88MB
 DOS      HDD      <cap>[M]   DOS hard drive of <cap> size
 <cap> is specified in KB, or MB if M is included.
 
opt <option> [<side>]
 Sets the boot option for the current side, or <side> if specified.
 <option> can be 0, 1, 2, or 3, or can be none, load, run, or exec.
 
rename <file1> <file2>
 Renames <file1> to <file2>.
 
save [<filename>] [<compressed>]
 Saves the current loaded image to the host OS.
 If a UEF is required to be compressed, pass 'TRUE' as the second parameter.
 
title <title> [<side>]
 Sets the disc title for the current side, or <side> if specified.

Or, you can just type help when in the console.

[geraldholdsworth]

It would appear that Windows doesn't like the way that I've done this and reports "File not open". Works fine on macOS though.

Watch this space...

EDIT: It works with Linux too, so it is just Windows that is being difficult.

EDIT2: Found a workaround.
I was going to post up 1.46.3 until I tried this on Windows...now I've made a bit of progress, I'll see if I can implement it into the DIM code.

[geraldholdsworth]

Finally...almost - version 1.46.3 is now available. All I've done between 2 and 3 is add a few more console commands and added colour - however, Windows doesn't like the colouration so that is still monochrome. Hopefully, by the time I get around to doing the next full release, it'll have colour.

Code: Select all

Entering The Console
--------------------

--console or -c enters the console.
--console=<filename> or -c=<filename> enters the console and executes the commands in the file <filename>.

Console Commands
----------------

Command parameters are separated by spaces and are separated from the command 
by a space. Use quotes (") to enclose parameters containing a space. For
example:
add "This File.txt" ThatFile.txt
will add a file called 'This File.txt' and another called 'ThatFile.txt' to the
image.

Square brackets [] indicate optional parameters.

Ellipses ... indicate multiples of the same parameter.

access <file> [<attributes>]
Changes the file's access rights, or attributes, to those given.
Anything invalid is ignored.

add <file> [[<file>] ...]
Adds the files/directories listed. Can contain wildcards.

cat [<option>]
Displays a catalogue listing. If <option> is not given, then the current
directory is shown. <option> can be one of the following:
all  : Displays a catalogue listing for the entire image.
dir  : Lists all the directories in the image.
root : Lists all the roots in the image.

chdir <dirname>
Changes the host OS directory.

create [<dirname>]
Creates a new directory. If no name given, 'NewDir' is used instead.

delete <file> [[<file>] ...]
Deletes the files/directories listed. Wildcards not allowed.

dir <dirname>
Changes to directory <dirname>. Use '^' to specify the parent directory.

dirtitle <title>
Changes the currect directory title.

exit
Quits console and application.

exittogui
Quits the console and opens the GUI application.

exec <filename> <address>
Updates the execution address for <filename> to be <address>, which must be a
valid hex number.

extract <file> [[<file] ...]
Extracts all files/directories listed to the local OS folder.
Filenames can contain wildcards.

free
Displays the free space on the partition/side.

insert <filename>
Loads image specified by <filename>.

interleave <option>
Changes the current interleave method and re-organises the data.
<option> can be 0, 1, 2, or 3 or auto, seq, int, or mux.
Only valid for Acorn ADFS L or FS.

load <filename> <address>
Updates the load address for <filename> to be <address>, which must be a valid
hex number.

list <filename>
Displays the file specified (BBC BASIC listing/text output/hex dump).

new <format> [<option>] [<option2>]
Creates a new image:
<format> <option> <option2>  Result
DFS      S80                 Acorn DFS single sided 80 track
DFS      S40                 Acorn DFS single sided 40 track
DFS      D80                 Acorn DFS double sided 80 track
DFS      D40                 Acorn DFS double sided 40 track
WDFS     S80                 Watford DFS single sided 80 track
WDFS     S40                 Watford DFS single sided 40 track
WDFS     D80                 Watford DFS double sided 80 track
WDFS     D40                 Watford DFS double sided 40 track
ADFS     S                   Acorn ADFS S
ADFS     M                   Acorn ADFS M
ADFS     L                   Acorn ADFS L
ADFS     D                   Acorn ADFS D
ADFS     E                   Acorn ADFS E
ADFS     E+                  Acorn ADFS E+
ADFS     F                   Acorn ADFS F
ADFS     F+                  Acorn ADFS F+
ADFS     HDD                 Old map, Old directory 20MB
ADFS     HDD      OO<cap>[M] Old map, Old directory <cap> size
ADFS     HDD      ON<cap>[M] Old map, New directory <cap> size
ADFS     HDD      NN<cap>[M] New map, New directory <cap> size
ADFS     HDD      NB<cap>[M] New map, Big directory <cap> size
AFS      <level>  <cap>[M]   Acorn FS Level <level> of <cap> size
CFS                          Acorn Cassette Filing System
C1541                        Commodore 1541
C1571                        Commodore 1571
C1581                        Commodore 1581
AMIGA    DD                  Commodore Amiga DD
AMIGA    HD                  Commodore Amiga HD
AMIGA    HDD      <cap>[M]   Commodore Amiga hard drive of <cap> size
DOS+     640                 DOS+ 640K
DOS+     800                 DOS+ 800K
DOS      360                 DOS 360K
DOS      720                 DOS 720K
DOS      1440                DOS 1.44MB
DOS      2880                DOS 2.88MB
DOS      HDD      <cap>[M]   DOS hard drive of <cap> size
<cap> is specified in KB, or MB if M is included.

opt <option> [<side>]
Sets the boot option for the current side, or <side> if specified.
<option> can be 0, 1, 2, or 3, or can be none, load, run, or exec.

rename <file1> <file2>
Renames <file1> to <file2>.

report
Displays the image report.

save [<filename>] [<compressed>]
Saves the current loaded image to the host OS.
If a UEF is required to be compressed, pass 'TRUE' as the second parameter.

title <title> [<side>]
Sets the disc title for the current side, or <side> if specified.

[geraldholdsworth]

Still pottering away to get 1.47 out, but for now we have another pre-release (or mid-main release, or release candidate, or whatever) with 1.46.4.

I was asked for MD5 for each file in an image when outputting to CSV. There was also a request to do a bunch of images, outputting CSVs of them - so that tool has been added (under the Tool menu - doesn't affect the currently loaded image). There's also some more console commands: saveascsv, filetocsv, config and status. Full details are given in the help (just type 'help').

[mmelbourne]

I've recently imaged a 2GB SCSI HDD (using 'dd'), originally from a RiscPC (OS 4.x) which had (to the best of my memory) 4x512MB partitions. I didn't expect DIM to do anything with the resultant disk image, but I am encouraged to observe that it opens the first partition even though SCSIFS isn't explicitly supported. I assume there is some similarity between ADFS and SCSIFS disk image formats?

Is there any way DIM could access the additional partitions?

Keep up the fantastic work Gerald; it's much appreciated!

Cheers, Matt

[geraldholdsworth]

Hi Matt,

Unfortunately, not at the moment. Multi-partition support has been on the cards for a while now, but things keep cropping up and getting in the way.

DIM can only, currently, open two partitions where both are different format - i.e., ADFS with DOS partition, ADFS with Acorn FS partition, or double sided DFS. These are "bodged", so I need to re-write how this is done so it does it properly.

[marrold]

Hi All,

First off thanks for creating this excellent software, it's already saved me some time and pain!

I've been trying to create an ADFS Hard Drive image but as soon as I get to the prompt to select the Size / Map / IDE / Emulator etc I can't proceed any further. I've tried various configurations but the Create and Cancel buttons don't respond. I then have to close the program in Task Manager.

Am I doing something wrong?

Thanks

[geraldholdsworth]

First off thanks for creating this excellent software, it's already saved me some time and pain!

You are very welcome. Glad it is useful.

I've been trying to create an ADFS Hard Drive image but as soon as I get to the prompt to select the Size / Map / IDE / Emulator etc I can't proceed any further. I've tried various configurations but the Create and Cancel buttons don't respond. I then have to close the program in Task Manager.

Am I doing something wrong?

No - you're not doing anything wrong at all. I've just tried the same thing with no issues. What version of Disc Image Manager are you using? Presumably, this is on Windows (not that it should make a difference)?

[marrold]

What version of Disc Image Manager are you using? Presumably, this is on Windows (not that it should make a difference)?

I'm using version 1.46.4 on 64 bit Windows 11. I just tried the 32 bit and 1.45 version to see if it made any difference but no luck.

Creating DFS, ADFS Floppies and File Server partitions all seems to work fine.

Cheers
Matthew

[Ukwebb]

Hi Gerald
I've also just tried it and get the same I'm afraid
same version too ... little video here for you
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cJu30F ... sp=sharing

its as though the cancel/create buttons aren't firing their click event

[geraldholdsworth]

I think I've figured out what is wrong, and only appears to affect Windows. If I'm right, then the Cancel button on the previous dialogue also will not work, along with either OK or Cancel on the Image Detail dialogue...plus, probably a few others.

It looks like the Modal Result of the buttons is being ignored by Windows (but not by macOS) and, therefore, not closing the windows.

[Ukwebb]

not sure if it helps but all the other buttons you mention, all work as expected , its just the hard disk form
Even loading in a hdd .dat file , all works perfectly

[geraldholdsworth]

not sure if it helps but all the other buttons you mention, all work as expected , its just the hard disk form
Even loading in a hdd .dat file , all works perfectly

OK, now I'm confused.

Leave it with me - I'll figure it out.