[comp.sys.cbm] sda's and how to create them

grx0644@uoft02.utoledo.edu (04/03/91)

I want to create a sda file and I d/l'ed arcaide from milton to help me
out. Call me dumb,but I don't know how to use it.

I copied all the files to a work disk and copied the sda ml file too.
Anyone able to give an exam-burnout college student like me some  help???
I would really like a detailed instructions.......

Thanks,

Tony
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Anthony Paul Schliesser 			GRX0644@UOFT02.UTOLEDO.EDU|
|The University of Toledo			GRX0644@UOFT02.BITNET     |
|College of Pharmacy				FAC2966@UOFT01.UTOLEDO.EDU|
|						FAC2966@UOFT01.BITNET     |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+

cs4344af@evax.arl.utexas.edu (Fuzzy Fox) (04/03/91)

I never use Arc-Aid, so I wouldn't know how to create an SDA that way,
but I do create them often enough.  To keep things simple, do this:

1.  Format a blank disk.  With the DOS wedge:

	@N0:BLANK DISK,BD

If the disk was already formatted, leave of the ",BD" part.

2.  Copy the SDA ML module to the disk.  There are
two different kinds, one that displays a SEQ file on dissolve, another
that gives a directory of the archive.  I prefer the second one.

3.  Rename the SDA ML module so that it has a name ending with .ARC.
Using the DOS wedge:

	@R0:JUNK.ARC=sda-module-name  (whatever it is)

Make sure there are NO SPACES in the name you give it.

Warning, do not use an original copy of the SDA module, because it is
changed during this process.  Make sure you always have a copy of the
original module somewhere.

3.  Copy all the files you want to archive to the blank disk you
formatted.

4.  Load and run ARC.

5.  Insert the disk with the files to be archived, and enter the ARC
command:

	arc/a junk *

This will archive all files on the disk and add them to the JUNK.ARC
file.  If you didn't call the SDA ML module JUNK.ARC, put the name in
place of 'junk' above.

6.  This process can take a long time.  Be patient.  ARC is also known
to crash sometimes, I don't know why.

7.  When done, examine the directory for JUNK.ARC.  It should be a PRG
file that is less than about 200 blocks.  If it is too big, it will not
dissolve properly, and you must divide it into two or more sections, by
starting over with fewer files on the disk.

8.  Rename the JUNK.ARC file to some other name ending in .SDA, such as
JUNK.SDA.  It should be reading now.

9.  TEST YOUR SDA!!!  Format another disk, then run the JUNK.SDA file
and make sure that it dissolves to the proper files.  Test the files
that come out and make sure they are the right ones and that they are
correct.

That should hopefully do it for you!

-- 
David DeSimone, aka "Fuzzy Fox" on some networks.          /!/!
INET:    an207@cleveland.freenet.edu                      /  ..
Q-Link:  Fuzzy Fox                                        /   --*
Quote:   "Foxes are people too!  And vice versa."         /  ---