LaTeX Installation Instructions for PCTeX

1994 August 10

SUMMARY =======

(Note: LaTeX2e is also available directly from Personal TeX, Inc. with the purchase of any new PCTeX System or PCTeX Upgrade. To find out how to contact Personal TeX, see the end of this file.)

This file contains instructions on how to install LaTeX2e for PCTeX (either PCTeX for Windows or MS-DOS) from Personal TeX, Inc.

Before reading this file, you should read `install.txt', which will explain how the LaTeX2e installation works.

This file describes:

* How to save any old version of LaTeX.

* How to unpack the LaTeX distribution.

* How to configure LaTeX.

* How to create the LaTeX format.

* How to check the LaTeX installation.

* What to do if you have any problems.

SAVING ANY OLD VERSION OF LaTeX ===============================

The installation of LaTeX2e is designed to *preserve* the existing LaTeX 2.09 files. Two versions of LaTeX should be able to coexist on the same computer. LaTeX 2.09 will typically still stay in the `<drive>: subdirectory, and LaTeX2e will be installed into `<drive>:e'. Later, when you feel comfortable switching completely to LaTeX2e, you can delete the `<drive>: subdirectory to save hard disk space.

The format file for LaTeX 2.09 is named `lplain.fmt', residing in either the `<drive>:' or `<drive>:.386' subdirectory. The format file for LaTeX2e will have the name `latex.fmt', so it will not write over your existing lplain.fmt file.

UNPACKING THE DISTRIBUTION ==========================

These instructions assume you have already installed PCTeX for Windows or PCTeX for MS-DOS.

It is recommended that you create a new subdirectory `<drive>:e' in which to put the LaTeX2e distribution files. IMPORTANT: Do NOT mix the LaTeX2e files with your existing LaTeX 2.09 files. To create the `e' subdirectory, enter at the DOS prompt:

md <drive>:e

Then change to the `<drive>:e' subdirectory and copy the LaTeX2e distribution files into it.

You will also need a file with hyphenation patterns. You can copy the one in your `<drive>:' subdirectory. To do this, enter:

copy <drive>:.tex <drive>:e˙

Then you need to unpack the LaTeX2e distribution files using Big PCTeX/386. From within the <drive>:e subdirectory, at the DOS prompt, enter:

tex386b unpack.ins /i

If you do not have Big PCTeX/386, you may use PCTeX (tex.exe) or PCTeX/386 (tex386.exe), but these versions will take much longer to unpack the file. If you use PCTeX, substitute `tex386b' with `tex' in the line above. If you use PCTeX/386, substitute `tex386b' with `tex386'. Note: You may want to consider upgrading to Big PCTeX/386 if you plan on using LaTeX2e.

CONFIGURING LATEX =================

After unpacking the `unpack.ins' file, you will need to modify the system configuration file, `texsys.cfg', which is used to tell LaTeX2e where to find input and .tfm files.

To modify this file, use a text editor to open the file. As you will find out, by default, all the lines in the file are commented out.

(1) Search for the text string `