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DiskPatch saves a number of files during a session. These files are
saved in a folder named 'DPFILES'. This folder is created in the current
location, at startup: when using the bootable floppy disk, the folder is created
in the root of the floppy disk. If this folder can not be created at startup, a
message is displayed and the user is asked to select a different location for
the files. This would for instance occur when DiskPatch is started from a
bootable CD/DVD. It's also possible to disable the saving of files, but this is
not recommended: log- and undo files would not be created.
DiskPatch creates the following files at runtime, depending on which operation
is performed:
| DP.LOG |
Log file;
tracks actions and contains analysis information, mainly to be used by
DIY DataRecovery support. A fresh log file is created when DiskPatch is
started. The last 6 log files are kept, DP.LOG being the latest and
DP.LO5 being the oldest. |
| DPSTATE.12x |
State
file; contains partition information that was collected during scanning.
One is saved for each disk that is analyzed. |
| UNDOARCx.12x |
Undo
file; contains the sectors that were changed during a session, to allow
reverting of repair actions. These are saved per disk, and a maximum of
8 can be created per disk. |
| xxxxxxxx.12x |
Export
file; these are created when the Disk Editor's sector export function is
used. Files can be named by the user, or automatic naming can be used
(recommended: the file is named after the sector number where the export
was initiated). |
General considerations:
- when running DiskPatch from a bootable
CD/DVD, files can not be saved to the current location (the CD/DVD). At
startup DiskPatch will ask you where you wish to place the files, or you can
disable file-saving (not recommended). Make sure you don't accidentally
select the disk that you are working on; nothing should be saved to the
problem disk. For this reason it's best to use the DiskPatch bootable floppy
disk; files can always be saved to the floppy.
It's also possible to use a USB stick for DiskPatch's files. Most modern PCs
allow access to USB devices when running from DOS or other older operating
systems. Make sure the USB stick is formatted as FAT or FAT32 and have it
inserted before starting the PC from the DiskPatch startup CD. If the PC
doesn't allow access to the USB stick when using the DiskPatch boot disk you
may need to adjust a BIOS setting (probably called something like
"allow legacy access/devices for USB"). Please check your PC's
BIOS manual if you have to change USB related settings. Use the HP
USB key formatter to prepare a USB stick or key for use with DiskPatch. Read
more on how to do this here.
- during surface scanning or cloning, the
log file may fill up with notifications on bad sectors that were
encountered. If the disk is in bad shape, the large number of errors that
are logged may cause the floppy disk to become full. At that point (when no
files can be saved anymore) DiskPatch will abort. So consider the state of
the disk if you're about to clone a disk: if the disk is known to be very
bad, you may wish to disable logging, or make sure you have enough room for
the log file. Also, this setting in the
options screen will affect error logging, disabling it will create a cleaner
log file.
- when creating a support analysis log,
the file that contains the information is the 'DP.LOG' file. Copy and paste
the contents of this file into the email or support message. Do not include
any other files.
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