This program overview is based on an outline developed by Nelson 
         Ford for the Public (Software) Library.


                        program name: HDTEST
              Shareware version num.: 4.45   date: 10/18/88

         Author:  Peter R. Fletcher
         Address: 1515 West Montgomery Avenue, Rosemont PA 19010
         
         Telephone support available for Registered Users


                                   Requirements
         r = minimum required   s = supported/optional    n = not supported
         - = not applicable
         ******************************************************************
         Computer        Memory      Monitor     Printer       Input Device
         (_) Any MSDOS   (_) 64k     (r) Any     (s) Any       (r) any kybd
         (s) PC          (_) 128k    (s) CGA     (_) Dot Mtrx. (-) 12 fkeys 
         (s) PCjr        (r) 256k    (s) EGA     (_) Laser     (-) Mouse 
         (s) PC-AT       (s) 512k    (s) Mono    (-) Graphics  (-) Joystick
         (_) AT&T 6300   (s) 640k    (-) Herc    (-) Color     (-) Digitiz.
         (s) 99% Compat. (n) >640k   ________    (_) Pin Feed  (_) ________
         __________________________________________________________________

         # Drives       Modem      Software       DOS         Experience
         (s) 5.25"      (-)  300   (-) BASIC      (n) 1.x     (_) None
         (s) 3.5"       (-) 1200   (-) GW-BASIC   (s) 2.x     (r) Beginning
         (s) 1.2 meg.   (-) 2400   (*) ANSI.SYS   (s) 3.x     (_) Moderate
         (s) Hard dsk.  (-) 4800   (_) ________   (*) 4.x     (_) Expert
         (s) RAM disk   (-) 9600   (_) ________   (n) OS/2    (_) _________

         Other: * The shareware version of this software requires ANSI.SYS 
         (or another ANSI console device driver) to be loaded for the 
         generation of readable output screens, although it will function 
         without such a driver. The Registered version of the program does 
         not require an ANSI driver. The shareware version of the program
         will run under versions of DOS up to and including 4.0, but large
         (> 32 Mb) devices created under DOS 4.0 cannot be tested. Full 
         DOS 4.0 support is incorporated in the Registered version of the
         program.

                                Program Description
         ******************************************************************
         Purpose: HDTEST allows thorough READ/WRITE testing of a (hard or
         floppy) disk without loss of data.

         Features: This (Shareware) version of HDTEST allows thorough, 
         comprehensive Read/Write testing of hard and 5.25", and 3.5" floppy 
         disks on IBM PCs, XTs, ATs, and most reasonably IBM compatible 
         clones. The latest version (sent to Registered users) can be used to 
         test almost all DOS-accessible storage devices currently in use on 
         MS-DOS-compatible computers, including removable (floppy and hard) 
         disks and logically partitioned hard disks. HDTEST can thoroughly 
         test the magnetic media on a device which contains data WHILE 
         PRESERVING THE DATA (although data loss is unavoidable if an area 
         which is in use has become unREADable). HDTEST normally tests the 
         disk much more thoroughly than programs such as DFixer, Mace, and 
         Norton's DT, because it WRITES AND reads multiple test patterns on 
         every sector on the disk, and because it gets below the DOS level to 
         detect errors which are minor enough to be ignored by DOS but may 
         nevertheless warn of developing problems. In addition to its testing 
         function, HDTEST has been reported to be useful as an automatic disk 
         repair utility for both hard and floppy disks which develop 
         (especially) intermittent or persistent read errors, preventing or 
         impeding their normal use. Both versions of the HDTEST package 
         include full documentation on disk and a second program (HDCHEK), 
         which does not write to the disk, and can be used to check that a 
         given hardware/software combination is compatible with HDTEST.