Date   : Wed, 11 Jan 1984 06:07:00 EST
From   : Jerry E. Pournelle <POURNE@mit-mc>
Subject: *** SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT on dBase2 **

Your RESETT fix for Dbase 2 uses CP/M function 37 Reset Disk.

DO NOT USE THAT FUNCTION.

Function 37 has a serous bug, undocumented, that can cause CP/M
to write over the directories OF ALL DISKS it can get at,
including the A: disk, hard disks, memory drive disks, etc.  We
do not know precisely what triggers the bug; it takes a
reasonably complex pattern of disk changes and resets; but it
DOES THE JOB.  I know of three casees in which 10 megaByte hard
disks had to have their files reconstructed sector by sector
because they were bitten by CP/M FUNCTION 37.
       You must use RESET SYSTEM even though that logs you on
to the A: drive (and takes longer).  I repeat, DO NOT USE
FUNCTION 37.  You will regret it if you do.

J E Pournelle