inst-all.exe Version 3.30 ========================= Author """""" jason_o@cix.compulink.co.uk Please E-Mail me with any problems, enquiries or feedback. I would love to hear from you. This utility is Freeware. In fact it would be sensible to register your name with me, as a user, in order to receive free updates (by E-Mail only) and bug fixes (Hopefully not). This software is constantly being improved. Requirements """""""""""" Windows 3.0 or later. (Although inst-all will run with Windows 95 it will not report changes to the registry which a future Windows 95 version will do) Upgrading """"""""" If upgrading from version 3 or later, just replace your old inst-all.exe with the new inst-all.exe. That is all. Introduction """""""""""" Run Inst-all.exe before installing any new software. It notes your system set-up, runs the new software's installation program and then compares any differences in the following:- windows directory windows/system directory win.ini file system.ini file autoexec.bat file config.sys file The results are saved for future reference in a report file. Using this report file, you can easily uninstall the software at a later date and be sure that no trash is left on your hard disk or in your system files. Even programs with uninstall capabilities do not always clean up properly. The program is free to use and distribute provided that this readme.txt file is distributed with it. Files & Installation """""""""""""""""""" The zip file contain the following files: README TXT (This File) FILE_ID DIZ (For BBS System operators) INST-ALL EXE 33,062 11/05/95 22:22 CMDIALOG VBX 18,688 28/04/93 0:00 Version 2.1.0.5 CTL3D DLL 25,104 23/08/94 5:37 Version 2.20 The program also requires: VBRUN300 DLL COMMDLG DLL which most users should have on their system (usually in the windows\system directory). If not they can be freely downloaded separately. Other than the report files selected by the user, no other permanent files are created or modified. Only temporary files are created and no system files are touched. STEP ONE -------- Place the following wherever you wish: INST-ALL EXE The location of this program will be the default directory for your reports. NOTE: Please do not re-name this program to install.exe as this causes conflicts when using installation software with the same name. STEP TWO ---------- Place the following files in your windows/system directory, __ONLY__ if they do not already exist on your system or if you have earlier versions (Check version numbers using Properties in File Manager's File menu, rather than rely on dates): CMDIALOG VBX 18,688 28/04/93 0:00 Version 2.1.0.5 CTL3D DLL 25,104 23/08/94 5:37 Version 2.20 You also need the following files to be on your system COMMDLG DLL VBRUN300 DLL STEP THREE --------- INST-ALL.EXE can be added to a program manager group if desired. Using the program """"""""""""""""" Prior to installing new software, start the program from file manager, program manager etc. Select the new software's installation program. Select the name for your report file. Inst-all.exe examines your system, installs the new software and then notes changes in your report file. If inst-all fails to finish due to the new software resetting the system or for some other reason, do not worry, the next time that inst-all is run it will attempt to recover where it left off. Some programs refuse to install whilst other programs are running. If you get a message of this sort, just close inst-all (select close on the system menu), continue with the installation and once finished run inst-all again. It will attempt to recover where it left off. New to version 3.30 is a manual install option. Just select a report file, select manual install and then the next time that inst-all is run it will report the changes. Many people have noticed that some programs create extra files when started for the first time, as well as during installation. It is therefore advisable to use this new manual install option after installation and before running your new software for the first time. A neater way to do this, is not to confirm to this utility that installation is complete until you have run your new software. Also new to version 3.30 is the ability to check autoexec.bat and config.sys for changes. If you find that these files are not being reported then it is because these files are not at the expected location (C:\). You will need to add the following command line switch when starting inst-all.exe: inst-all.exe [path] where [path] is the path to autoexec.bat and config.sys. So for example if these files are on the root directory of drive H, you would put: inst-all.exe H:\ On the other hand, if you do not want to report changes to these two files then use the command line switch N, as follows: inst-all.exe N Limitations to version 3.30 """"""""""""""""""""""""""" You tell me! Please E-mail the author to register for free upgrades and with improvement suggestions. Version History """"""""""""""" Version 3 --------- Utility Renamed to INST-ALL.EXE to stop incompatibilities with installation routines with the name install.exe. Completely re-written algorithm in order to be freed of DOS compatibility problems. Version 3.01 ------------ Slightly changed interface. Better error checking and debugging routines. Temporary files are now deleted if the Utility is exited early. Changes working directory to new software installation directory where necessary. Version 3.21 ------------ Added a viewer to the utility including the ability to delete unwanted report files. Added images to the interface. Improved error checking. Optimised exe file size. Re-written code to give a very large (x10) increase in file comparison speed. Fixed a small file comparison bug. Some software installation routines need exclusive use of your PC or need to close and restart windows. Inst-all.exe was unable to cope with such installation routines. A major re-write means that if the utility is re-run after such an interruption, it will attempt to recover where it left off. Version 3.30 ------------ Files are now checked for differences in the date and time, to indicate when files have been modified but not name changed. Files autoexec.bat and config.sys can now be checked. A manual installation option is now included. Fixed a problem with Novell networks reporting directories incorrectly. Length limitation removed when comparing large changed sections. Report files are neater and less repetitive. ENJOY ===== Jason J Ozin JaySoft 18 Holmwood Grove London NW7 3DT United Kingdom Copy of FILE_ID.DIZ follows --------------------------- INST-ALL (v3.30) Install/Uninstall Utility Run before installing any new software. It notes your set-up, installs the new software & then compares any differences in your set up. The results are saved in a report file. You can easily uninstall the software at a later date & be sure that no trash is left on your disk or in your system files. Even uninstall programs do not always clean up properly. Inst-all is FreeWare.