
  ZAP63.COM   ( Version 1.3  01/22/2002  for DOS )  1,819 bytes.
 ===========  ( Version 1.4  03/27/2007; revised documentation).

     This utility is  FREE for anyone to use in any way;  the  ONLY
 reason it displays a  version number, date and the phrase:  "Coded
 since 2002 by The Starman." is for program identification and code
 maintenance.  I am  NOT the creator of the original 'ZAP' program.
 That utility was a free download from IBM's website, but it had no
 documentation whatsoever; not  even an author's name, let alone an
 IBM copyright.  (That program even contains 'garbage bytes' at the
 end of its file!)

     ZAP63 was written because:  The original ZAP would 'zero-out' 128
 sectors; that would  not only include any OS Boot Record of the first
 partition, but also a portion of the  1st FAT (File Allocation Table)
 if it had a FAT filesystem.  If you made the mistake of 'zapping' the
 wrong drive using the original program, you'd have to hope its backup
 copy was still intact and re-create the 1st FAT from that copy; or
 lose the whole filesystem structure, and likely some data too!

 Considering that program too dangerous, we created  ZAP63 as a safer
 alternative:   By limiting the 'sector wipes' to 63 sectors, it will
 still 'zero-out' the MBR (Master Boot Record) and any Boot Managers,
 Overlays or even  Boot Viruses that often reside between the MBR and
 the first OS Boot Record, but still makes it possibile for all
 partitions on the hard disk to be easily recovered.

     Since version 1.3, ZAP63 is even "safer" (since a 'YES' must be
 entered before it will 'zap' your hard disk's first track).


    Here's the Help Message from ZAP63: 
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  ZAP63  (v. 1.4  03/27/2007  for DOS)  Coded since 2002 by The Starman.


   Usage:  ZAP  < Disk # >

   where:  < Disk # >  =  0 - 7   ( for Physical Disk Drives 0 thru 7. )

 Example:  ZAP 0    ( Will "zero-out" the first 63 Sectors of Drive 0. )
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------


    If you ENTER "ZAP 1" at a DOS prompt, it will respond with:
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  ZAP is now set to "zero-out" the first 63 sectors of Disk Drive 1
  The MBR will be erased, and the DRIVE will become inaccessible!

  If you wish to "zap" Disk Drive  1 , then ENTER the
   word  " YES "  (anything else ABORTS the program):
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------

    Entering anything (other than 'YES'), or simply pressing the
  ENTER key, forces ZAP to respond with:
 -------------------------------------
  * "Zapping" of Hard Disk ABORTED *
 -------------------------------------

    If you proceed by entering 'YES' but do not have a Second Physical
 Drive connected to your computer,  you'll get the following response:
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------
  * Error Code  01h  Returned from Hard Disk INT 13 Function Call *

  01h = Unsupported Drive or Param.   10h = Uncorrectable ECC or CRC Error
  02h = Add. Mark Not Fnd (Bad sect)  11h = ECC Corrected Data Error
  03h = Write-Protect (Locked) Disk   12h = Command in Progress
  04h = Sector Not Found              13h = Device Not Powered
  05h = Reset Failed                  20h = General Controller Error
  07h = Drive Param Activity Failed   40h = Seek Operation Failed
  08h = DMA Overrun on Operation      80h = Time-Out
  09h = Data-Boundary Error           AAh = Drive Not Ready
  0Ah = Bad Sector Flag Detected      BBh = Undefined Error Occurred
  0Bh = Bad Cylinder Detected         CCh = Write Fault on Selected Drive
  0Dh = Invalid # of Sectors on Fmt   E0h = Status Error/Error Reg = 0
  0Eh = Ctrl Data Addr Mark Detected  FFh = Sense Operation Failed
  0Fh = DMA Arb. Level Out of Range
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------

     ZAP is a simple assembly program that doesn't waste space, so you
  must 'look up' what the 'Error Code' means on the list displayed for
  you.  Error Code "01h" states: "Unsupported Function or Parameter"
  which also includes the fact the drive does not exist!

     If you try to run ZAP from within a DOS-Box under Windows 9x, you
  might get the Error Code: "03h" ("Write-Protect Error") which means
  Windows has a software LOCK on the drive.  ZAP should be run from a
  Real (16-bit) DOS prompt anyway, as Windows may try to write to the
  drive at the same time.

    If you do have a Second Drive connected and the 'zap' command
  succeeds, you'll see:
 -----------------------------------------------
  Physical Hard Disk Drive 1  has been Zapped !
  You can now use FDISK to Partition the Drive.
 -----------------------------------------------

    If you have any questions about ZAP, and don't know how to contact
 us, try writing to: < thestarman (at) juno (dot) com >, but make sure
 to BEGIN the subject line with: "TSR: " before sending it.  There may
 also be a form at: < http://www.geocities.com/thestarman3/FF.html >

 TS. 22 JAN 2002. 27 MAR 2007.