DISKLOCK
                                   v1.0
                         for Atari ST/TT computers
                               by Jim Stamm
                            ** User's Manual **

DISKLOCK is a memory-resident AUTO folder program that allows you to 
disable all destructive disk operations.  When activated by a "hot key" 
sequence, it prevents any program (including the GEM Desktop) from making 
changes through operating system calls to any of the disks connected to 
your computer.  DISKLOCK protects floppies, hard disks and ram disks.  It 
was inspired by my two year old son who loves to play with D.A. Brumleve's 
excellent children's programs.  When I activate DISKLOCK, I can let him 
use the computer (fairly) unsupervised and not worry about him trashing 
files on my hard drive.  It's also convenient to use _whenever_ I leave the 
computer unattended, as even adult tampering is not unheard of.  In fact, I 
have come to think of it as a "screen saver" (although manual) for my disks.

There are other software "write-protect" programs around, but they have 
more features and complexity than I need, and take up more RAM than I'm 
willing to give.

INSTALLATION

Copy DISKLOCK.PRG to the AUTO folder of your boot disk to install it.  If 
you want to protect a hard disk or ram disk, you will need to be sure that 
it comes after the hard disk or ram disk driver program in the directory 
listing (as viewed unsorted).  DISKLOCK.PRG can also be run from the 
Desktop at any time, so rebooting is not necessary for an occasional use.  
However, it only takes up a little over 1 KB of RAM, so it's a good 
candidate for permanent presence in your boot sequence.  Please note though 
that if you want to protect a RAM disk that you run from the Desktop, you 
will have to run DISKLOCK from the Desktop also, as it is necessary to run 
it after the RAM disk program.

ACTIVATION/DEACTIVATION

Until you activate DISKLOCK it just sits there passing disk operation 
requests on to the operating system.  After pressing the keypad's "plus" 
key while holding down the Control, Left Shift and Alternate keys, DISKLOCK 
swings into action.  It can then be deactivated by pressing the keypad's 
"minus" key while holding down the Control, Left Shift and Alternate keys.  
You can activate and deactivate DISKLOCK as many times in one session as 
you like.

OPERATION

When DISKLOCK is installed and activated, it automatically intercepts 
attempts to make changes to any of the system's disks (copying, renaming 
or deleting files, creating or deleting folders, formatting floppies, or 
changing a file's attribute bits).  If such an attempt is made, DISKLOCK 
will ring the console bell and deny the request.

COPYRIGHT

DISKLOCK is placed in the public domain, and may be freely distributed, 
provided this documentation file accompanies it.  If you find the need to 
alter the program, or this file, please be sure to make it clear to the 
user/reader that you have done so.  Commented assembly language source 
code (for Laser C's in-line assembler) is available on request.

DISCLAIMER

While this program seems fine to me (else I would not release it) you must 
take it "as is".  I am not responsible for anything bad that happens as a 
result of or while using this program.  I will, of course, take credit for 
any and all good things that happen.  It has been tested only on TOS v1.04, 
but should work on any TOS version and machine.

January 26, 1992

Jim Stamm
Silicon Mountain Systems
5989 Ohio River Rd
Huntington WV 25702
304-525-0164
GEnie address:  J.STAMM