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iJoin for Windows v1.62A split-file joiner by IanB |
All software written fully in Assembler for maximum speed and minimum size!
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Split-files are produced by splitting any binary file into equal-sized data chunks, just like slicing a cucumber! This is usually done where the original file is very large and it is easier to transport or upload it in smaller segments, on Usenet for instance, which are easily rejoined by an end-user with a utility like this.
Split-files are always named with an extra 3-digit numeric extension, eg. MYFILE.DOC.001 up to MYFILE.DOC.999 where the original file was MYFILE.DOC - there are a maximum of 999 splits allowed in most implementations. Some split handling utilities additionally create an extra .000 file which does not contain any binary data from the set, just information about it. This can safely be ignored.
This version of iJoin now also handles 4-digit split files, eg. MYFILE.0001.TS to MYFILE.9999.TS - these are currently specific to the .TS transport stream format and no normal splitter application produces them.
To rejoin the file, iJoin reads in each split file in sequence and writes it straight out to the target file, the name of which is given by removing the numeric suffix. By default, iJoin will create the new joined file in the same folder as the source splits, but you can choose any target location you prefer. On completion, you can have iJoin remove the used-up split files, if they are not going to be needed any more, to save disk space.
First use the "Browse for split set" menu option to select a set of files to join. They must all be in the same folder, and they must start at .001 - iJoin will only show you the .001 set member to help you choose (or the .0001.TS member of a .TS split set). When you have selected the set you wish to join, the size of the eventual joined file and the number of splits found is displayed in the program window.
While examining the set, a basic sanity check is run on the filesizes - they should all be identical except for the last, because splits are always made using a single chunk size. The join process will be unavailable if the final joined file is already present in the target folder, unless it is a different size to that calculated from adding together the sizes of all the found splits. In that case, iJoin will allow you to delete this file and rejoin it, in case of a previous join failure.
The split set is also confirmed complete/contiguous or not - if split .049 is missing in a set of 52, iJoin will report the error and will refuse to join the set until all missing files are retrieved from the original source and in the same folder.
If the set appears valid and there is enough space on the target drive, the large push button with status information will be enabled, and you press it to start the join process. Visual feedback on the process completion status is given, and if it was successful the elapsed time is computed for you. Then you can choose another set to join if you wish!
Choosing an alternative target folder is done through the "Select output folder" menu option. The option to delete splits after joining is also set through the main program menu, and this is confirmed in the program window. Deletion takes place ONLY if the file was successfully joined, otherwise the splits are left intact.
It is STRONGLY advised that before joining, and certainly if using the option to auto-delete splits, that ALL files are first verified using PAR/PAR2. If the files were obtained from Usenet then this verification should have been provided by their poster. If you join unverified files, the resulting file could be invalid and may simply be unusable (if you are lucky) or cause problems with your computer.
1.1 - released 23/04/06 - improvement to write speed for common split-file sizes (multiples of disk sector sizes). Testing indicates this is now definitely faster than HJSplit! Also fixed bug allowing selection of floppy/read-only target drives for joining.
1.2 - released 24/04/06 - interface bug fixes for different screen resolutions, "about" box tweak.
1.3 - released 16/07/06 - tests for and reports any missing splits in a set as an error.
1.4 - released 17/07/06 - added menu option for web update check.
1.5 - released 18/07/06 - correctly handles 4-digit splits (.0001.TS to .9999.TS) for .TS format files.
1.6 - released 24/07/06 - bugfixes for XP Visual Theme working correctly and correct handling of network drives.
1.62 - released 16/08/06 - web domain links updated.
To the author's best knowledge, it operates correctly as specified here. It is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. You can use it at your own risk, but you are encouraged to report any problems you may encounter to the author so that it can be improved.
You are free to copy this software ONLY if you include all other accompanying files in the package in full and unaltered. You may NOT charge anyone for a copy of this software other than a small copying fee. You may NOT include or combine this software with any commercial software without the written consent of the author. You may NOT disassemble this software for any purpose.
If you find iJoin useful, please consider donating something towards the time I have spent creating it, and to encourage further development and upgrades. There is a Paypal donation link at the top of this page.