Dos Program Launcher V1.31 Copyright 1994, All rights reserved by Datasolv Technologies #111, 615 Colborne St. New Westminster B.C., Canada V3L 2E1 Fax # 604-521-6795, Internet:73551,1054 at Compuserve datasolv@uniserve.com System Requirements: --------------------- IBM PC/AT or compatible computer, VGA 640 x 480 resolution, 700k of hard disk space, mouse optional. License Agreement ------------------ Please read the terms and conditions at the end of this document before using this software. Installing the Dos Program Launcher: -------------------------------------- The DOS Program Launcher installer will create a directory on the drive of your choice and copy the required files to it. A batch file will be created in the root directory of the chosen drive called "DPLMENU.BAT", this file eliminates the need to include an entry in the path statement of your autoexec.bat. 1. Type INSTALL from the directory where the Dos Program Launcher files currently reside. 2. Follow the instructions on your screen. The Dos Program Launcher files ------------------------------- DPLMENU.BAT....... resides in the root directory, starts the DPL DATASOLV.BAT...... configures the DPL, editing this file is not recommended! DPL.EXE........... Dos Program Launcher executable DPL.FRS........... resource file MENUDATA.CRD...... database that stores the menu configuration VGA.DEV........... screen driver README.TXT........ this document ORDER.TXT......... order form for the Dos Program Launcher PAZWRD.EXE........ run this to see a forgotten password PAZWRD.FRS........ resource file PRINTMNU.EXE...... prints your current menu structure PRINTMNU.FRS...... resource file *.BBX............. printer drivers Running the Dos Program Launcher: ---------------------------------- Type the following at the dos prompt: DPLMENU The file "DPLMENU.BAT" can be found in the root directory of the drive you you installed the Dos Program Launcher to. This file can be renamed to something shorter by typing the following at the dos prompt: REN DPLMENU.BAT newname.BAT (replace "newname" with the name of your choice) example: REN DPLMENU.BAT menu.BAT Setting up the Dos Program Launcher main menu: ----------------------------------------------- 1. Start the Dos Program Launcher 2. The first screen that shows on your monitor is the "MAIN MENU". 3. Press "M" or click on the "Menu maintenance" button. 4. You will now be looking at the "Menu Maintenance" screen. 5. Press "M" or click on the "Main menu" button. 6. Now choose which main menu button you would like to modify by either typing the letter of the button or clicking on it with the mouse. 7. Enter the text you would like to appear on the button. This button leads to a group of 16 sub menu buttons. Naming your main menu button to something that explains the 16 buttons in the sub menu will help to group your programs and make it easier to find a sub menu choice in the future. 8. Press "ENTER" to confirm the button text. 9. If you would like to include password protection for this button, enter the password of your choice up to 20 characters in the password box. This option will prevent unauthorized use of the 16 sub menu items attached to this button. 10. Press "ENTER" to confirm your entry. Setting up a Dos Program Launcher sub menu: --------------------------------------------- 1. From the Main Menu screen choose "Menu maintenance". 2. Then choose "Sub Menu" by pressing "S" or click on the "Sub Menu" button. 3. You will now be asked "Which sub menu group would you like to change". 4. Choose a sub menu item by pressing the letter or clicking on it with the mouse. 5. The screen changes and opens up to 16 sub menu buttons. Choose which button you would like to attach a program to. 6. Above the buttons you will notice some white boxes. This is where you provide information to help the Dos Program Launcher, find and run the program you are attaching to the chosen sub menu item. 7. Enter the name of the program, maximum of 38 characters. 8. Enter the drive and directory where the program can be found on your hard drive. 9. Enter the dos filename of the program. Usually the extension of the filename will be either "filename.EXE" or "filename.COM". If a batch file exists for the EXE or COM file you have entered, the Dos Program Launcher will automatically insert BAT in place of EXE or COM. 10. Pause after running the program is only used if the program you are running does not pause at the end of scrolling text to the screen. This feature is usually used with dos functions such as "DIR", which will display a directories contents and not stop at the end. The dos function "MEM" will display available memory on your computer but will not pause after displaying. Using the "pause after running y/n" feature will stop the output so you can view the information before returning to the Dos Program Launcher. 11. The command line option is used when you would like to pass parameters to the program you are running. For example if you use a drawing program that lets you pass it the drawing you would like loaded as your program is loading, you would type in the drawing filename complete with the full path in the "Command line" box. This is also used for adding switches to the program you are using. Setting up "Passwords" ----------------------- 1. Choose "Menu maintenance" from the Main Menu screen. 2. Press "p" or click on the "Passwords" button. 3. To password protect the "Menu maintenance" function enter a password of your choice in the first box, up to a maximum of 20 characters. 4. To password protect the "ESC to dos" button, enter the password of your choice in the second box, up to a maximum of 20 characters. 5. The "ENTER" key confirms the entries. 6. To attach a password to a main menu button choose "Main menu" from the Menu Maintenance screen, choose the button you would like to password protect, enter the password of your choice in the second box. 7. To attach a password to a sub menu button choose "Sub menu" from the Menu Maintenance screen, choose the sub menu group, and finally the sub menu button. Enter the password of your choice in the top right hand box. 8. Whenever you try to use the functions you have attached a password to, the Dos Program Launcher will ask for a password. You have 3 tries before security will return you to the current screen. Setting up the Screen Saver ---------------------------- 1. From the menu maintenance screen, press "C" or click on the "Screen Saver" button. 2. Type in a number from 1-30 (minutes). Entering a "0" disables the screen saver. 3. The "ENTER" key confirms the entry. 4. The screen saver will automatically engage after the preset time, when there is no activity reported from the keyboard or mouse. Printing a Menu Structure -------------------------- 1. From within the directory where the Dos Program Launcher resides usually "\dplmenu", type "printmnu" and follow the on-screen instructions. You may print all or individual menu structures. Should you forget your password... ----------------------------------- From within the Dos Program Launcher directory ("\dplmenu"), - type "pazwrd" This will display your passwords on-screen. License Agreement ------------------ Upon use of the Dos Program Launcher, Datasolv Technologies (DT), will in no event be liable for damages, whether incidental, consequential or otherwise arising from product deficiencies or errors in content. THIS CONSTITUTES DT's SOLE WARRANTY AND CONDITIONS, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND YOU WAIVE ALL OTHER WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATIONS WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. This agreement may not be modified. This agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada.