Short:    Patch RAM to show right size, and more...
Uploader: thor@einstein.math.tu-berlin.de (Thomas Richter)
Author:   thor@einstein.math.tu-berlin.de (Thomas Richter)
Type:     util/boot
Version:  1.21
Requires: OS 2.04 or better.

*** Obsolete for Os version 3.9. ***

This file patches the RAM disk to show the real size occupied - its no longer
100% full. Furthermore, it increments the stack size of the RAM task a bit,
which seems to be *very tight*.

****** IMPORTANT NOTE: DUE TO INTERNAL CHANGES, THE PROGRAM MUST NOW *********
****** RUN BEFORE THE RAM DISK IS USED. THIS IS A FUNCTIONAL	     *********
****** DIFFERENCE TO FORMER VERSIONS				     *********

The feature of allocating large RAM blocks reverse has been removed and is
now integrated into PoolMem - which can be found in util/boot, too.
____________________________________________________________________________

Changes made in 1.21:

	- Increased the stack size of the new RAM supervisor task by a few
	  bytes because it was low on stack.
	- Auto-increments the stack size of the main RAM task on startup
	  because this used to be too low as well... )-:
____________________________________________________________________________

Changes made in 1.20:

	- Removed the reverse memory allocation feature and integrated
	  this in PoolMem. Removed, therefore, some command line arguments
	  that don't make sense anymore.

Changes made in 1.11:

	- Added command line options, see below.
	- Added a different patching mechanism on request.

Changes made in 1.10:

	- Fixed a bug that actually broke the reverse memory allocation
	  feature. Sigh.

Changes made in 1.09:

	- PatchRAM replaces no longer the AllocVec() function completely.
	  Thus, the patch might be slightly (almost unnoticably) slower,
	  but is compatible to AROS. Thanks to Jörg Strohmeier for the
	  report.

Changes made in 1.08:

	- Streamlined the code a bit.
	- PatchRAM can now be run anywhere in your startup sequence.
	  It loads the RAM disk in case it is not available.

____________________________________________________________________________

                        The THOR-Software Licence


This License applies to the computer programs known as "PatchRAM".
The "Program", below, refers to such program.


The programs and files in this distribution are freely distributable
under the restrictions stated below, but are also Copyright (c)
Thomas Richter.


Distribution of the Program by a commercial organization without written
permission from the author to any third party is prohibited if any payment
is made in connection with such distribution, whether directly
(as in payment for a copy of the Program) or indirectly (as in payment
for some service related to the Program, or payment for some product
or service that includes a copy of the Program "without charge";
these are only examples, and not an exhaustive enumeration of prohibited
activities). However, the following methods of distribution involving
payment shall not in and of themselves be a violation of this restriction:


(i) Posting the Program on a public access information storage and
retrieval service for which a fee is received for retrieving information
(such as an on-line service), provided that the fee is not
content-dependent (i.e., the fee would be the same for retrieving the same
volume of information consisting of random data).



(ii) Distributing the Program on a CD-ROM, provided that the files
containing the Program are reproduced entirely and verbatim on such
CD-ROM, and provided further that all information on such CD-ROM be
redistributable for non-commercial purposes without charge.



Everything in this distribution must be kept together, in original
and unmodified form.




Limitations.

THE PROGRAM IS PROVIDED TO YOU "AS IS," WITHOUT WARRANTY. THERE IS NO
WARRANTY FOR THE PROGRAM, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS. THE ENTIRE
RISK AS TO THE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE PROGRAM IS WITH YOU. SHOULD
THE PROGRAM PROVE DEFECTIVE, YOU ASSUME THE COST OF ALL NECESSARY
SERVICING, REPAIR OR CORRECTION.



IF YOU DO NOT ACCEPT THIS LICENCE, YOU MUST DELETE ALL FILES CONTAINED IN
THIS ARCHIVE.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Synopsis:

PatchRAM	PORTPATCH/S


PORTPATCH:	If given, use a different patching mechanism for the RAM
		disk disk info bug. The "PORTPATCH" might be slightly 
		faster, might cause less compatibility problems with
		programs that somehow mess with the port lists and the
		reply ports, but is itself not without its quirks, too.
		It uses the undocumented PA_ACTION¹ type for the RAM disk
		port to capture the broken dos packets. The problem is
		that this message port type has never been officially
		documented, but is working since the very first release
		of the system, though. 
		This patched port might - or should (!) - make your virus
		scanner scream!

_____________________________________________________________________________

¹ For all the picky folks: Yes, I KNOW that this type isn't called 
PA_ACTION indeed, but since no official name has been assigned to this
mode and it is often referred to as PA_ACTION, I keep this name for
"traditional reasons".
_____________________________________________________________________________

Installation:

	Add PatchRAM to your startup sequence. This program MUST NOW BE RUN
	BEFORE THE RAM-DISK IS STARTED OR IT WILL FAIL. NOTE THAT THIS 
	IS DIFFERENT FROM FORMER RELEASES.
	A good point is here:

SetPatch		;*** NOTE THAT THIS IS DIFFERENT FROM FORMER RELEASES
PatchRAM		;insert below this line, probably with options...


October 1999,
	Thomas