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StopWatch 16
A Computer Chronograph
TAN$TAAFL(TM) Software Company
Version 1.4 ■■ 10 October 1994
A Shareware Distributed Program!
CUSTOMER SERVICE
If you experience any problems with
this program, please write to:
MacGregor K. Phillips
TAN$TAAFL(TM) Software Company
Sto. Nino
Palauig, Zambales 2211
Philippines
(C) Copyright 1993, 1994
TAN$TAAFL(TM) Software Company
All Rights Reserved
Program written by MacGregor K. Phillips
Manual written by MacGregor K. Phillips
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
MacGregor K. Phillips was born in South Bend, Ind. USA in 1944.
Retiring after 22 years of service in the US military he now
does what he loves best, writing computer software. He lives
with his wife and daughter in the Philippines.
Trademark Acknowledgements
Epson is a registered trademark of Epson America, Inc.
IBM and PS/2 are registered trademarks of International
Business Machines Corporation
Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation
Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation
TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 3
---------------------------------------------------------------
Features.....................................................4
Association of Shareware Professionals.......................5
ASP Ombudsman................................................5
Shareware Distribution.......................................5
Registration Incentives......................................5
Available by the same Author.................................6
Pass it Along................................................6
Preface......................................................7
Computer Requirements........................................7
Installing StopWatch.........................................8
Executing StopWatch..........................................8
Command Line Parameters......................................8
Executing StopWatch the First Time...........................9
Multitasking Environment.....................................9
Power Management for Laptop Computers........................9
What You Need to Know to Use StopWatch......................11
Keyboard, Mouse, Hot Keys, Command Bars, Menus..........11
The Critical Error Reporting System.....................14
The Extended Error Reporting System.....................14
The Printer Error Reporting system......................15
Using a Printer.........................................16
Calibration and Timer Routines..........................16
Using StopWatch.............................................17
Main and Secondary Menus................................17
Synchronizing the Real Time Clock.......................18
Calibration.............................................20
Up Timers...............................................22
Race Timer..............................................24
High Precision Up Timer.................................25
Down Timers.............................................27
Down Timer 1 as a Game Timer............................28
Lap Timers..............................................29
Game Timer..............................................31
Split Timer.............................................32
Dates...................................................35
Info................................................36
Delta Days or Days Between Dates....................36
Plus or Minus Days..................................36
Life Display........................................36
Calendar and Holidays...............................37
About...................................................39
Quit....................................................39
Help....................................................39
Appendix A
Start Up Errors.........................................40
Program Errors..........................................41
Critical Errors.........................................42
Printer Errors..........................................45
Appendix B - Terminology....................................46
Index.......................................................47
FEATURES Page 4
---------------------------------------------------------------
StopWatch contains many features. Here are just a few of them.
Turn your Laptop computer into a precision StopWatch. Take
it anywhere, time events, and save the results to disk for
printing at a later time.
Calibrate your computer for 3 modes of timing precision.
Up Timer - Low, Medium, and High Precision Modes. Race Timer
in Medium Precision Mode.
Down Timer - Low and Medium Precision Modes. Low precision
mode can be used as a game timer.
Lap Timer - Low and Medium Precision Modes. Up to 1,024 laps
can be recorded and saved to a disk file for printing at
a later time.. Displays total elapsed time, last 8 lap
times, current lap time, and average lap time.
Game Timer - for any game that has four 15 minute quarters.
Select 2 minute warning for 2nd and 4th quarters.
Split Timer - time two alternating events like the program
and commercial segments of a TV program. Keep tract of the
number of commercials in each segment. Save to disk and
print out a report later.
Dates Section - Date information, days between dates, plus
or minus days, and a Life Display. Calendar for any month
between Jan. 1600 to Dec. 3267. Display a list of holidays
for any given year.
Save screen images to a disk file and print out at a later
time. Time an event in the field and save the results to
disk for printing at a later time.
High Precision Up Timer has a hook to hardware INT 3 or 4
so it can be started and stopped by an interrupt signal from
an external source.
Easy to understand Critical Error Reporting System, Extended
Error Reporting System, and Printer Error Reporting System.
Page 5
ASSOCIATION OF SHAREWARE PROFESSIONALS
---------------------------------------------------------------
This software is produced by MacGregor K. Phillips who is a
member of the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP).
ASP wants to make sure that the shareware principle works for
you. If you are unable to resolve a shareware-related problem
with an ASP member by contacting the member directly, ASP may
be able to help.
The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a dispute or problem
with an ASP member, but does not provide technical support
for members' products. Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at
545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI 49442 or send a CompuServe message
via CompuServe Mail to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536."
_______
____|__ | (R) StopWatch is
--| | |------------------- distributed as
| ____|__ | Association of Shareware. This
| | |_| Shareware allows you to try
|__| o | Professionals it out for a reason-
-----| | |--------------------- able period of time
|___|___| MEMBER before you register
it. Please refer
to the TRIAL USE LICENSE section of the VENDINFO.DIZ File.
If you continue to use StopWatch regularly you are expected
to register the program. You can use the instant order form in
the file ORDER.DOC. Just print it out on your printer, fill it
out, and mail it. If you are not familiar with the Shareware
concept please read the file SHR_WARE.DOC. The registration fee
is $25.00, plus shipping and handling. For complete details on
registration see the ORDER.DOC file.
REGISTRATION INCENTIVES
---------------------------------------------------------------
Receive the lastest registered version of StopWatch 16 and
StopWatch 32, which is optimized for 32 bit registers and is
for 80386 and up computers. The registered versions have a
Printer Options Menu, Speed Calculations for all Up and Lap
Timers, a Holiday Editor which allows you to maintain your
own list of holidays, and the option of sending the output from
the LAP and SWH files to your printer or a disk file. The
registration reminder screen is also removed in the registered
versions. Plus receive two small utilities. One is NEWCLS.COM, a
replacement for the DOS CLS command which allows you to set any
valid combination of screen colors whenever you clear the screen.
The second is GUARDIAN.SYS which guards your computer against any
attack through DOS's backdoor.
Page 6
Once you have registered any version of StopWatch you will be
notified of any major upgrades by the TAN$TAAFL(TM) Software
Company and the only cost to you for a new version will be the
cost of a disk from the TAN$TAAFL Software Company and a small
postage and handling fee.
Program support by mail will also be provided for 90 days after
registration.
I am currently living overseas in the Philippines and do not
have access to a telephone, fax, or CompuServe. If it seems to
take a long time for me to answer your letters please remember
the slow pace of mail between foreign countries. If your
registration form or letter gets returned because of a change
of address please contact ASP for my current address. This will
be greatly appreciated by all. All registrations will be
acknowledged.
Site Licenses are provided for companies, offices, workgroups,
government agencies, etc. who need to register and use more
than one copy of StopWatch. See the "SITELICE.DOC" file for
more information.
DISTRIBUTORS WANTED
---------------------------------------------------------------
Distributors wanted for the registered versions of all programs
published by TAN$TAAFL(TM) Softeware Company. Must be able to
accept credit cards.
AVAILABLE FROM TAN$TAAFL Software Company
---------------------------------------------------------------
For the best data security program on the market check out
Global Security. Registered versions of Global Security come
in a 32 bit version and a 16 bit version which can be used on
all 80x86 computers. Encipher a file, transmit it, and then
decipher it at the other end. Your data is safe even from the
dreaded National Security Agency (NSA) and their super
computers. Privacy by mathematical law in now a reality. Also
prepares files for transmission by E-Mail. Includes Pack/UnPack
Files for compressing multiple files into one and seperate
Wipe/Delete Files routines. Now has Disk Security for wiping
all unused areas on a floppy or hard disk.
PASS IT ALONG
---------------------------------------------------------------
BBS SYSOPs, Vendors, Computer Clubs, and Shareware Distributors
please refer to the VENDINFO.DIZ file for information.
Individuals who wish to distribute the "StopWatch" package to
friends or associates may do so in accordance with the
restrictions outlined in the LICENSE section of VENDINFO.DIZ.
All the files listed in the PACKING.LST section of the
VENDINFO.DIZ File, plus the VENDINFO.DIZ file, must be included
when distributing this program. If you archive the program for
distribution through BBS's, please use the name STWTCH14.EXE
(or .ZIP, .LZH, .PAX, etc. as appropriate).
PREFACE Page 7
---------------------------------------------------------------
Welcome to StopWatch.
Time your 3 minute eggs in the morning, time a soccer game or
a professional football game, time the laps in the Indy 500,
time a horse race or a foot race, time a scientific experiment
with an accuracy up to millionths of a second, or time the
program and commercials of a T.V. or radio program in seperate
counters and print out a full report.
StopWatch is a highly accurate computer chronograph that can be
used to time events, games, laps, and races in three modes of
precision. There are Up Timers, Down Timers, Race Timers, Split
Timers, Lap Timers, and Game Timers. There is a section that
will provide all kinds of information about past, present, and
future dates, calendars, and holidays.
If you need to time any kind of an event StopWatch is the
program you are looking for.
Computer Requirements
---------------------------------------------------------------
SW16.EXE - 16 Bit Version - 80286 and up computer.
SW32.EXE - 32 Bit Version - 80386 and up computer.
(Available as Registered Version Only)
Both Versions
---------------------------------------------------------------
DOS 3.0 and up.
Video Adapter CGA, EGA, VGA, MDA, HGC (MCGA and PGA may
work)
Disk Drives One hard and floppy disk recommended. Will
work with one floppy disk drive.
Printer Any printer that can accept CR, LF, and FF
control characters. If your printer accepts
the IBM line drawing characters they will
print out correctly.
Laser Printers All printouts from this program are designed
for printers with fan fold paper and may not
print correctly on laser printers. If you
still wish to try it on a laser printer make
sure it is setup for IBM or EPSON emulation
mode.
Mouse (optional) Any Microsoft or compatable mouse.
INSTALLING StopWatch. Page 8
---------------------------------------------------------------
It is assumed that you are familiar with the operation of
your computer and content of your DOS manuals. If not, now
is the time to become familiar with your computer and DOS
manuals before you begin installing and using StopWatch.
The installation procedure for StopWatch is very simple. You
will need at least 336K of free disk space to store all of the
programs and documentation files.
Use the INSTALL.EXE file to install the StopWatch files on any
disk drive. At the DOS prompt type INSTALL followed by a
carriage return if you are logged onto the drive and directory
that INSTALL.EXE is in. Or if you are on the C: drive and
INSTALL.EXE is on the A: drive type A:\INSTALL followed by a
carriage return. You do not have to be logged onto the drive and
directory that INSTALL.EXE is in. INSTALL.EXE will take over and
guide you through the installation process.
INSTALL.EXE checks itself and all of the programs in the
StopWatch Package, except VENDINFO.DIZ, for signs of alteration,
tampering, or infection by a computer virus.
INSTALL.EXE allows you to select the files you wish to install.
It does not require you to install all the files and then delete
the ones you do not want.
INSTALL.EXE has very sophisticated error detection routines that
will tell you if anything goes wrong during the installation
process. While each file is being transferred the data is
verified by reading it back and comparing it against the
original data.
During the actual transfer process if any error is detected you
will be informed and installation will be stopped. This will
mean that you have a problem with the source or destination disk
that has to be taken care of before you can continue the
installation process.
EXECUTING StopWatch
---------------------------------------------------------------
StopWatch may be executed from either a floppy or hard disk
drive. To minimize loading time it is recommended that
StopWatch be run from a hard disk drive. You will also be
able to create larger data files on a hard disk drive.
StopWatch CANNOT be executed from a CD-ROM disk because it
has to be able to create files in the directory in which the
EXE file is located. CD-ROM is a read-only media and you
cannot create files on it.
Page 9
If you desire to execute StopWatch from any directory, the
directory name that StopWatch resides in must be placed in
the "PATH=" environment variable. Check your DOS manual for
more details. If the Directory is not in the "PATH="
environment variable you will first have to log on to the
required directory with the following DOS Command:
"CD STWATCH" assuming that "STWATCH" is the directory name
you have the EXE file in.
Command Line Parameters
-----------------------------------------------------------
There are two command line parameters that can be entered
when you execute StopWatch. They may be entered in any order
or combination, and in upper or lower case letters.
1). /B - Forces a black and white display when StopWatch
is executed. If you have a black and white or
monochrome monitor attached to a color adapter
and the screen colors do not appear right use
this command line parameter.
2). /P - forces a pause after printing each page. Use
this switch if your printer does not use fan
fold paper or have a paper tray. Has no effect
when using the Print Screen Key.
From the DOS Prompt type in SW16 followed by the desired
command line parameters and press the Enter Key. StopWatch
will load and be ready to run.
Examples
-----------------------------------------------------------
SW16 - Loads program with default settings.
SW16 /P - Forces a pause after printing each page.
SW16 /B /P - Forces a black and white display and turns
on the pause after printing each page.
EXECUTING STOPWATCH THE FIRST TIME
---------------------------------------------------------------
The first time you execute StopWatch the main menu will
appear on the left with a light white background and Command
Bars which list the major functions of StopWatch. The right
side will have a blue background and in the middle will be a
dialog box asking you the following question: Is this an
IBM PS/2 Computer?. Using the three Command Bars below you
can answer No, Yes, or Quit. If you answer Quit StopWatch
will terminate and you will be returned to DOS. If you
answer Yes or No the answer will be recorded in the
Calibration File created by the program. The reason for this
question is because according to Microsoft Macro Assembler
Programmer's Guide, Version 6.0 on page 482, some IBM PS/2
computers cannot reliably read key scan codes using the
keyboard ports. The key scan code must be read through a
Page 10
handler for BIOS Interrupt 15H. The handler determines the
current key press from the AL register when the AH register
equals 4FH. StopWatch replaces the keyboard interrupt
routine and watches for keyboard scan codes instead of the
ASCII character codes. On some IBM PS/2 computers this would
cause you to go into a loop that could not be gotten out of
except by rebooting your computer. Therefore, on IBM PS/2
computers the original keyboard interrupt is called, which
in turn calls INT 15H Function 4FH with the correct scan
code which is supplied to the program. Because of this, some
timing results may not be as accurate as possible. Particu-
larly the High Precision Up Timer. Your answer to the IBM
question is stored in the Calibration File. Once the
question is answered it will never be automatically asked
again. You may want to try the program by first answering no
to the question. If you have problems with the program press
the F9 Key and you can change your answer.
The first time StopWatch is executed the Calibration File is
also created and placed in the same directory as SW16.EXE.
MULTITASKING ENVIRONMENT
---------------------------------------------------------------
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO RUN StopWatch IN A MULTITASKING ENVIRONMENT.
It will adversely effect the timing routines and erroneous
results will be displayed. StopWatch will refuse to load and
run if it is executed from Windows or the DOS Task Switcher.
POWER MANAGEMENT FOR LAPTOP COMPUTERS
---------------------------------------------------------------
While using StopWatch on a laptop computer do not use any power
management routines that slow down the CPU.
Page 11
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO USE STOPWATCH
---------------------------------------------------------------
Before doing anything with StopWatch there are many things
about the program you need to know.
Functions of the "F" Keys
---------------------------------------------------------------
F1 Key - may be used at any time to pop up the current
Quick Help Reference System screen. Cannot
be used while a calibration or timer routine
is running.
For VGA Only - (F2 - F5 Keys)
F2 Key - brightens the color intensity level.
F3_key - dims the color intensity level.
F4 Key - resets color intensity levels to their
original settings.
F5 Key - blanks the screen. Sets all color intensity
levels to 0.
F6 Key - appends the current screen image to the end
of a disk file called SW16.PRN. If is does
not exist it will be created. The only screen
images you cannot save to disk are the
Critical Error Reporting System Screen and any
screen image while doing a calibration or
timer routine. This file is created in the
StopWatch directory and is compatable with any
text editor that can read ASCII files.
F7 Key - is used to print the SW16.PRN disk file. When
all the screen images have been successfully
printed the file will be deleted. The F7 Key
will only function from one of the main menus.
F8 Key - Prints the SW16.LAP file if the left menu is
on Lap Timer. Prints the SW16.SWH file if the
left menu is on Game/Split.
F9 Key - Asks the IBM Question.
F10 Key - used to toggle between the computers default
cursor and a full size block cursor. For
those hard to see cursors on laptops.
Other Keys
---------------------------------------------------------------
ESC Key - always backs you out of the program the way
you came in, all the way to DOS. Can be used at any time
except when a Critical Error Reporting System screen
or Printer Error Reporting System screen is active.
Page 12
Print Screen Key - allows you to print the current
screen at any time except when you are doing a
calibration or timing routine. Two screens can be
printed per page of paper. After two screens have been
printed the paper will have advanced so the next two
screens will appear on the next page. There is room at
the top to use a two hole punch and save the screen
shots in a folder.
Ctrl C and Ctrl Break Keys - are trapped by the program
and have no function.
The Pause Key - is trapped by the program and has no
function.
The Mouse
---------------------------------------------------------------
A menu item or command bar is selected by using the left
mouse button. Selection is made on the release of the
left button and not the press of the left button except
for the main menu on the left.
Right Mouse Button - Toggles between hiding and showing
the mouse pointer on screen.
The Chime
---------------------------------------------------------------
A chime will sound at the top of the hour, when an
invalid key is pressed during keyboard entry, and when
some timing procedures are completed.
HOT Keys
---------------------------------------------------------------
Most menu items and Command Bars have a Hot Key that may
be pressed to select the indicated menu item or Command
Bar. For monochrome or black and white monitors the Hot
Key is the first letter of the menu item or Command Bar.
Command Bars that indicate a keyboard key such as Home,
End, PgUp, etc. do not have a Hot Key. For computers
with a Mouse clicking on any menu item or Command Bar
mimics the behavior of the indicated Hot Key or keyboard
key.
Page 13
Command Bars
---------------------------------------------------------------
Command Bars such as Help, Quit, Escape to Quit, etc.
are shadowed bars that appear throughout the program.
They indicate the available commands for use. They may
be selected by their Hot Keys or by clicking on them
with the left mouse button. When the mouse pointer is on
a Command Bar and you press the left mouse button the
shadow will change from black to grey. When you release
the left mouse button it will change back to black and
the command will be carried out. If you move the mouse
pointer off of the Command Bar before releasing the left
mouse button the shadow will change back to black but
the command will not be executed.
Command Bars such as Up, Down, Left, Right, PgUp, PgDn,
etc. indicate the keyboard keys that may be used. The
mouse may also be used on these Command Bars. Clicking
the left mouse button on one of these Command Bars
performs the same function as using the keyboard key.
Pressing and holding the left mouse button on one of
these Command Bars is the same as pressing and holding
the keyboard key down. Repeated commands are issued but
not as fast as from the keyboard.
Active Command Bars have a black shadow and inactive
Command Bars have a grey shadow.
Menus
---------------------------------------------------------------
The vertical menu on the left hand side of the screen
may be selected with the mouse or my using the Up and
Down Arrow Keys. They do not have Hot Keys.
Menus indicate the major functions the program performs.
They may be selected by using the indicated Hot Key or by
clicking on them with the left mouse button. When you
click the left mouse button on a menu the menu item will
be highlighted and when you release the left mouse button
the menu item will be selected. If you move the mouse
pointer off the menu item before you release the left
mouse button the menu item will be unhighlighted and not
selected.
Page 14
The Critical Error Reporting System
---------------------------------------------------------------
The Critical Error Reporting System reports on all
critical errors generated by DOS. When a critical error
is encountered a dialog box will appear with the critical
error information displayed. Below is an example for
trying to create a file on a write protected disk.
Disk Drive: A:
Disk Operation: Write
Disk Area Affected: Directory
Error Code: 00H
Error Message: Disk Write Protected
Below this information will be displayed four Command
Bars: Retry, Cancel, Abort, Help.
If you can correct the criticial error select Retry and
DOS will try to perform the operation again. In the above
example remove the write protection from the disk and
select Retry to allow DOS to perform the disk operation
again.
If you cannot or do not want to correct the error select
Cancel. DOS will cancel the operation and the program
will return you to an appropriate menu in the program.
If the error is severe enough select Abort and the
program will try to perform a controlled exit and return
the computer to a stable condition. 99.999% of the time
the program will be able to do so.
If for some reason the computer has locked up your only
recourse is to reset or reboot the computer.
If you have a hard or floppy disk that is constantly
giving you critical error messages other than Disk Write
Protected or Drive Not Ready you can pretty much tell
which area of the disk is going bad and take steps to
preserve the data on the disk.
The Print Screen Key functions within the Critical Error
Reporting System, but the F6 and F7 Keys do not because
disk access is not allowed during critical error
processing.
The Extended Error Reporting System
---------------------------------------------------------------
The Extended Error Reporting System is used to report
DOS errors and program errors. It incorporates all known
DOS errors plus errors that pertain to the program.
Page 15
I have included program errors in this reporting system
to present a common format for reporting errors. In the
example below the error is generated because you have
tried to use a low precision timer when there is no
calibration data for it in the SW16.CAL file.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
│ Extended Error Reporting System
│
│ DOS/BIOS Function: 3FH - Read File
│ File Name: SW16.CAL
│ Error Locus: Block Device
│ Error Class: Out of Resourse
│ Error Message: No Calibration Data for Low Precis
│ Recommended Action: Correct Error, Then Retry
│
│
│ Ok ▄ Help ▄
│ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
There are two Command Bars displayed that you can use
at this point. One is "Ok" and the other is "Help".
Help calls up the Quick Help Reference Screen and Ok
returns you to an appropriate menu in the program.
All program generated errors are listed and explained
in the Errors Appendix of the documentation. To get a
listing of all DOS errors you will have to purchase a
book on DOS. At the present time there are close to 100
different errors that can be reported by DOS. Most are
self-explanatory.
The Printer Error Reporting System
---------------------------------------------------------------
The Printer Error Reporting System will report on any
errors encountered while printing. See the Errors
Appendix for complete details on all printer errors.
The following screen was generated because the printer
was not turned on.
┌──────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Printer Error Reporting System │
│ │
│ Printer [LPT1] Status │
│ │
│ NOT SELECTED │
│ │
│ │
│ Retry ▄ Cancel ▄ Help ▄ │
│ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ │
└──────────────────────────────────────┘
Page 16
At this point you could turn the printer on and select
Retry. Or you could select cancel and be returned to
an appropriate menu in the program.
Using a Printer
---------------------------------------------------------------
All printing is designed for printers using fanfold
paper. They may or may not print correctly on printers
that print on only a single sheet at a time or have
paper trays that feed single sheets of paper.
Printer Setup: All printers should be setup for 80
columns by 66 rows. Use the font of your choice. All
laser printers will have to be set for IBM or EPSON
emulation mode prior to printing with the program.
Commom Setup Problems:
1. Printer prints double spaces between lines:
printer is setup for an automatic line feed after
a cariage return. Consult your printer manual on
how to turn this off.
2. Printer does not print the extended ASCIIZ
character set. Consult your printer manual on how
to turn this feature on.
Page Pause: If you use the command line switch /P to
pause printing after each page a dialog box will pop
up at the end of each page that says "Printing Paused".
When you have the next page ready to go click the left
mouse button on Continue or press the "C" Hot Key.
Calibration and Timer Routines
---------------------------------------------------------------
While any calibration or timer routine is waiting to be
started, or is running, all F Keys, the mouse, all TSR's,
and the Print Screen Key are deactivated and will not
function.
USING STOPWATCH Page 17
---------------------------------------------------------------
┌───────────────────┐ This is the Main Menu which is on
│ TAN$TAAFL (TM) ▄ │ the left side of the screen when
│ StopWatch ■ 32 █ │ StopWatch is running. These are the
│ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ │ major functions available. Each one
│ Time ▄ │ will be expained in its own section,
│ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ │ except Time, which shows a graphical
│ Calibrate ▄ │ display of the current time.
│ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ │
│ Up Timer ▄ │ These are shadowed Command Bars and
│ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ │ they look much better in full color.
│ Down Timer ▄ │
│ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ │ If your system does not have a mouse
│ Lap Timer ▄ │ the Help Command Bar says F1 = Help.
│ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ │
│ Game/Split ▄ │ The active menu item has a black
│ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ │ shadow on the command bar while the
│ Dates ▄ │ inactive menu items have a grey
│ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ │ shadow.
│ About ▄ │
│ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ │ To select a menu item use the mouse
│ Quit ▄ │ or the Up and Down Cursor Keys. As
│ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ │ a new menu item is selected its
│ Help ▄ │ shadow changes to black and the
│ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ │ previous one changes back to grey.
└───────────────────┘ The right panel with the blue back-
ground will change to reflect the new menu item.
Secondary Menu
---------------------------------------------------------------
╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ Low Medium High ║
╠════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Calibrate provides three levels of calibration: Low, ║
║ Medium, and High. Each level provides a greater degree ║
At the top of the right blue panel is the Secondary Menu for
the calibration and timer routines. Time, About, and Quit
do not have secondary menus. The date and time is displayed
instead. The Secondary Menu for Dates is at the bottom of the
right blue panel. The Seconday Menu is Low, Medium, and High
for the calibration routines and the Up Timer. For the Down
Timer, and Lap Timer it is Low and Medium. For Game/Split it
is Game and Split.
To select a secondary menu item use the left and right arrow
keys to highlight the desired menu item and then press the enter
key to select the menu item. Or you can click the left mouse
button on the desired menu item to select it.
Synchronizing the Real Time Clock Page 18
---------------------------------------------------------------
Before starting each calibration or timer routine you will be
asked to synchronize your real time clock with an accurate
outside time source. The synchronizing screen looks like this:
╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ Low Medium High ║
╠════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ ║
║ ║
║ ║
║ ║
║ ┌──────────────────────────────────┐ ║
║ │ Synchronize Real Time Clock │ ║
║ │ │ ║
║ │ Date │ ║
║ │ 03 SEP 1994 ▄ │ ║
║ │ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ │ ║
║ │ │ ║
║ │ Time │ ║
║ │ 00:00:00 ▄ │ ║
║ │ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ │ ║
║ └──────────────────────────────────┘ ║
║ ║
╠════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ ── ▄ ── ▄ ──┘ ▄ Quit ▄ ║
║ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ║
║ ▄ ▄ Do Again ▄ Skip ▄ ║
║ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ║
╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
It is displayed with the current date and zero hours, minutes,
and seconds. Command Bars will appear below the dialog box which
you can use to enter an accurate date and time to synchronize
your real time clock with. You can use the indicated keyboard
key in the Command Bar or click on a Command Bar with the left
mouse button. Holding down the indicated keyboard key or holding
down the left mouse button on a Command Bar issues repeated
commands.
The "Quit" Command Bar exits the Synchronizing process and
returns you to the main menu.
The "Skip" Command Bar skips the Synchronizing process and uses
the current date and time from the real time clock.
Use the Left and Right Arrow Keys or click on the Command Bars
to select the day, month, year, hours, minutes, or seconds field
you wish to change. The current field to change is always a
different color than the rest of the fields. Use the Up and Down
Arrow Keys or click on the Command Bars to change the indicated
field.
Page 19
The object is to set the date and time to about 10 to 15 seconds
in the future and when the accurate outside time source reaches
this date and time press the Enter Key or Click the left mouse
button on the Enter Command Bar to set the Real Time Clock to
the displayed time.
Once this is done the displayed time will start changing every
second. You can now check the displayed time against the
accurate outside time source. If they agree press the Enter Key
or click the left mouse button on the Enter Command Bar. If they
do not agree press the "D" Hot Key or click the left mouse
button on the Do Again Command Bar to set the date and time
again.
Valid dates for synchronizing the Real Time Clock are 1 Jan.
1980 to 31 Dec. 2099, the range of dates that can be set by DOS.
StopWatch prevents you from entering a date that is outside of
this range.
Hint: For systems with a mouse - Once the date and time are set
to 10 to 15 seconds in the future the easiest way to
proceed is to press the left mouse button on the Enter
Command Bar but do not release it. Once the accurate
outside time source matches the displayed time release the
left mouse button.
Calibration Page 20
---------------------------------------------------------------
There are three calibration routines. Each one provides a
different degree of precision. Low calibration uses the Real
Time Clock generating an interrupt approximately 128 times per
second. Medium calibration uses the Real Time Clock generating
an interrupt approximately 4096 times per second. High Precision
uses the speed of the CPU itself. The faster the CPU or the less
clock cycles required to execute a fixed set of instructions,
the greater the degree of precision.
Before each calibration routine starts you will be asked to
synchronize your real time clock with an accurate outside time
source. An accurate outside time source is not your wrist watch,
but a place like the Naval Observatory in Washinton D.C. or the
National Bureau of Standards. Synchronize as close as possible
but do not spend to much time on it. Once the Real Time Clock is
synchronized the calibration process will proceed automatically.
The only key that will be recognized is the "S" Hot Key to Stop
the calibration process.
Note: While the High Precision Calibration Routine is being run
do not press any keyboard keys except the "S" Hot Key when
you want to stop the calibration process. Hitting any
other key while the High Precision Calibration Routine is
executing will invalidate the results.
When you are ready to stop the calibration process you must
consult the same accurate outside time source. Mark the time
and date you stop the calibration process when you press the
"S" Hot Key. Enter this time and date when asked to. The Command
Bars are the same as when you Synchronized the Real Time Clock.
Calibration figures will then be displayed on screen and saved
to the Calibration File.
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Medium Precision Calibration │
│ │
│ Start Date Start Time │
│ 04 SEP 1994 ▄ 14:23:45 ▄ │
│ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ │
│ Stop Date Stop Time │
│ 04 SEP 1994 ▄ 14:59:00 ▄ │
│ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ │
│ Ticks/Second Seconds/Tick │
│ 4,096.6954 .0002440991 │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ The displayed calibration figures represent a │
│ minimum of 24 hours of work. It is highly │
│ recommended that a copy of SW16.CAL be made │
│ and placed in a safe, secure place. │
│ │
│ Calibration Complete. Continue ▄ │
│ SW16.CAL Updated. ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Page 21
To know what to expect, go through the calibration process a few
times, but only let it run for a few minutes. Then when you are
ready you can set it up to run for 24 hours or more.
Note: So you do not have to wait for 24 or more hours to test
StopWatch and see if you like the program, run each
calibration process for about 10 or 15 minutes and then
you can test all the various timing routines in StopWatch.
The results will not be accurate, but you will get an idea
of what StopWatch is all about.
Calibration figures are maintained to an accuracy of 10 decimal
places for low and medium precision modes. In high precision
mode figures are maintained to 14 decimal places. While these
figures are used in all internal calculations the timers in low
precision mode only display seconds to two decimal places. In
medium precision mode seconds are displayed to 4 decimal places.
In high precision mode seconds are displayed to 10 decimal
places. There is no rounding off of any displayed time figures.
Because of this, when you subtract the start and stop times and
compare it to the total elapsed time the two figures may
disagree by plus or minus 1 in the last decimal place.
To give you an idea of what to expect, the following calibration
figures were done on my 80386DX 20 Mhz computer using SW16.EXE.
Calibration: Ticks/Second Seconds/Tick Cal. Date
LOW: 128.0232 .0078110842 04 SEP 1994
MEDIUM: 4,096.6954 .0002440991 04 SEP 1994
HIGH: 738,621.5309 .0000013538 08 AUG 1993*
*The last four decimal places in High Precision Mode will be
displayed when you run the High Precision Up Timer.
Low and medium precision figures will be very close to the above
figures for all computers. It is the High Precision Mode figures
that will show significant differences. A fast 80486 or Pentium
may approach three, or four million ticks per second.
I have not mentioned a time limit for the calibration routines
because there is none. You can let them run for thousands of
years, and then thousands more before the calibration routines
would overflow their counters.
Unlike the calibration routines all timer routines do have a
time limit. It is approximately 58.49 years. The Down Timers
have a limit of 512,408 hours, 59 minutes, and 59 seconds.
Note: There are a few programs available that allow you dial
up an accurate time source and automatically set your Real Time
Clock. If you have one of these programs use it just prior to
running StopWatch and you can "Skip" the synchronizing routine.
Up Timers Page 22
---------------------------------------------------------------
All three modes of precision are available to the Up Timer.
This is the only timer that utilizes the High Precision Mode.
Select the precision mode you wish to use with the keyboard keys
or using the mouse. In Low and Medium Precision Modes you will
then be asked to synchronize your real time clock. This is just
to give accurate start and stop times. It has nothing to do with
the accuracy of any timed event. If your real time clock is set
accurate enough for you just "Skip" the synchronization pro-
cedure. Then the Up Timer Screen will appear and you will be
able to enter names for the event(s) you are going to time. A
Command Bar will be at the bottom of the screen which says
"Escape to Quit Data Entry". If you do not wish to enter an
event name at this time press the Escape Key or click on the
Command Bar with the left mouse button. You will have another
opportunity to enter event names when you have finished timing
the events.
╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ Low Medium High ║
╠════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Event Timer 1 ║
║ Event: ║
║ Start Date: ║
║ Start Time: ║
║ Stop Date: ║
║ Stop Time: Hours Minutes Seconds ║
║ Elapsed Time: ║
║ ║
║ ║
║ Event Timer 2 ║
║ Event: ║
║ Start Date: ║
║ Start Time: ║
║ Stop Date: ║
║ Stop Time: Hours Minutes Seconds ║
║ Elapsed Time: ║
╠════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Overlay ▄ ║
║ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ║
║ Escape to Quit Data Entry ▄ ║
║ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ║
╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
Note: Check the Quick Help Reference System for the editing keys
available for use while entering data.
Next the Up Timer Command Bars will appear at the bottom of the
blue panel. At this point all Function Keys, the Mouse, the
Print Screen Key, and TSR's will be inoperative. You will only
be able to enter commands via the keyboard with Hot Keys. Not
all Command Bars will be active all the time. Active Command
Bars will have a black shadow and inactive Command Bars will
have a dark grey shadow. The Hot Key for each Command Bar is the
first letter of the Command Bar. On color screens it will be
red.
Page 23
The Command Bars and their functions are:
1 Start - Start Timer Number 1.
2 Start - Start Timer Number 2.
Both - Start Both Timers at the same time.
Escape - Quit Timer and return to main menu.
1 Stop - Stop Timer Number 1.
2 Stop - Stop Timer Number 2.
Info - Enter or Edit Event Names.
Do Again - Reset Up Timers for new events.
Once all the timers have been stopped the Functions Keys, the
Mouse, the Print Screen Key, and all TSR's will be available
for use. You can now use the Print Screen Key to print out the
results of the events you have timed or save the results to a
disk file using the F6 Key for printing at a later time. This
is ideal for laptop computers. It allows you to take a laptop
computer anywhere you want, time the events, save the results
to disk, and print them out once you have access to a printer.
The Low Precision Mode displays time to 2 decimal places of
accuracy while the Medium Precision Mode displays time to 4
decimal places.
A completed Up Timer display looks like this:
╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ Low Medium High ║
╠════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Event Timer 1 ║
║ Event: Rubik's Cube Contestant No. 1 ║
║ Start Date: 03 SEP 1994 ║
║ Start Time: 14:34:54.9510 ║
║ Stop Date: 03 SEP 1994 ║
║ Stop Time: 14:35:12.0498 Hours Minutes Seconds ║
║ Elapsed Time: 0 00 17.0987 ║
║ ║
║ ║
║ Event Timer 2 ║
║ Event: Rubik's Cube Contestant No. 2 ║
║ Start Date: 03 SEP 1994 ║
║ Start Time: 14:34:54.9510 ║
║ Stop Date: 03 SEP 1994 ║
║ Stop Time: 14:35:13.1597 Hours Minutes Seconds ║
║ Elapsed Time: 0 00 18.2086 ║
╠════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ 1 Start ▄ 2 Start ▄ Both ▄ Escape ▄ ║
║ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ║
║ 1 Stop ▄ 2 Stop ▄ Info ▄ Do Again ▄ ║
║ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ║
╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
Race Timer Page 24
---------------------------------------------------------------
In Medium Precision Mode you also have the choice of using a
special Race Timer. It provides for up to eight finish times
for each race. After Synchronizing the Real Time Clock you will
be asked via a dialog box if you want to use the Medium
Precision Up Timer as a race timer. You can answer No, Yes, or
Quit via Hot Keys or click on the desired Command Bar with the
left mouse button. To use the normal Up Timer answer No. To use
the Race Timer answer Yes. The Race Timer screen will then
appear and you can enter an event name if you wish. Then the
Race Timer Command Bars will appear and commands can only be
issued from the keyboard using Hot keys. The Command Bars and
their functions for the Race Timer are:
Start - Start the Race Timer.
Time - Record a Finish Time.
Stop - Stop Race Timer. No Finish Time is recorded.
Info - Enter or edit an Event Name and a Name for
each Finish Time.
Do Again - Reset Race Timer for next event.
Escape - Quit Timer and return to main menu.
Once the Race Timer is stopped everything returns to normal and
you can print the results using the Print Screen Key or save
the results to a disk file using the F6 Key.
A completed Race Timer Screen looks like this:
╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ Low Medium High ║
╠════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Race Timer ║
║ ║
║ Event: 100 Yard Dash - Men's ║
║ Start Date: 03 SEP 1994 ║
║ Start Time: 14:36:17.3909 Hours Minutes Seconds ║
║ Elapsed Time: 0 00 20.2862 ║
║ ║
║ Finish Times Names ║
║ 1st: 00:00:13.1122 Dan Towers ║
║ 2nd: 00:00:14.0620 John Taylor ║
║ 3rd: 00:00:15.5859 Joe Allen ║
║ 4th: 00:00:15.7794 Bob Parker ║
║ 5th: 00:00:17.3421 Paul Daniels ║
║ 6th: 00:00:18.9930 Fred Dunkirk ║
║ 7th: 00:00:19.5871 George Shaw ║
║ 8th: 00:00:20.2862 Tom Summers ║
╠════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Start ▄ Time ▄ Stop ▄ ║
║ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ║
║ Info ▄ Do Again ▄ Escape ▄ ║
║ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ║
╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
High Precision Up Timer Page 25
---------------------------------------------------------------
In High Precision Mode only one timer is available. When you
start it up you will see that it is completely different from
the other timers. There are no start or stop times and dates
provided. While the timer is running there is no continuous
display of the elapsed time. Since the Timer routine must run
the exact same set of instructions as the calibration routine,
total ticks and elapsed time will be displayed only after the
timer is stopped.
When the High Precision Timer is selected the High Precision
Screen will be displayed and you have the option of entering
the event name prior to timing the event. Then two Command bars
will appear near the bottom of the High Precision Timer Screen
that say "Start" and "Stop". The active Command Bar has a red
check mark to the left of the Command Bar. At this point all
Function Keys, the Mouse, the Print Screen Key, and all TSR's
are inoperative. Press the "S" Hot Key to start the timer and
the red check mark will then move to the left of the "Stop"
Command Bar.
WARNING: Pressing any key except the "S" Hot Key to stop the
timer while the timer is running will cause the timer to return
inaccurate results.
When you are ready to stop the timer press the "S" Hot Key. At
this time total ticks and total elapsed time will be displayed.
Three new Command Bars will appear at the bottom of the High
Precision Timer Screen. They are "Info", "Do Again", and
"Escape" whose functions have already been explained.
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Event: Exp. No. 1 - Object falling 10 feet. │
│ │
│ Total Ticks │
│ 121,927 ▄ │
│ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ │
│ Multiplied By │
│ Seconds per Tick │
│ 0.00000107756774 ▄ │
│ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ │
│ Equals │
│ Total Seconds │
│ 0.1313846018 ▄ │
│ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ │
│ Hours Minutes Seconds │
│ 0 00 00.1313846018 │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Info ▄ Do Again ▄ Escape ▄ │
│ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Once the timer is stopped all program functions return to normal
and you can use the Print Screen Key to print the results or
the F6 Key to save the screen image to disk.
Page 26
Special Note: The High Precision Timer also has a hook into
hardware IRQ 3 or IRQ 4. The first hardware IRQ
received will start the High Precision Timer. The
second one received will stop the High Precision
Timer. If you have an interface board that can
issue hardware IRQ 3 or 4 when an event starts and
stops you will be able to time events down to
millionths of a second.
The specific hardware IRQ number your computer
uses will be displayed in yellow on the initial
UP Timer screen. The IRQ number depends on which
IRQ number your mouse uses if you have one
installed.
Down Timers Page 27
---------------------------------------------------------------
Only the Low and Medium Precision Modes are available for the
Down Timers.
When you select the Low or Medium Precision Mode you will first
be asked to synchronize the Real Time Clock with an accurate
outside time source. This is done so you can have accurate start
times for the Down Timers and in no way affects the accuracy
of the timers. If your Real Time Clock is set accurate enough
you may "Skip" this procedure.
In Low Precision Mode you will then be asked via a dialog box
if you want to "Use Down Timer 1 as a Game Timer?". Use the
"Yes", "No", or "Quit" Command Bars to give your answer. More
on the Game Timer later.
Next the Down Timer Screen will appear and you will have the
option of entering event names for the Down Timers. Then a
dialog box will pop up so you can set the count down time for
each timer. The count down time is set in hours, minutes, and
seconds in 1 second intervals. The maximum count down time is
512,408 hours, 59 minutes, and 59 seconds. Use the Left and
Right Arrow Keys or click the left mouse button on the Left and
Right Arrow Command Bars to select the field you want to set.
Use the Up and Down Arrow Keys or click the left mouse button on
the Up and Down Arrow Key Command Bars to change the value in
the selected field. When the times for the Down Timers are set
use the Enter Key or click the left mouse button on the Enter
Command Bar to enter the times.
╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ Low Medium ║
╠════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ ║
║ ║
║ ║
║ ║
║ ┌──────────────────────────────────┐ ║
║ │ Enter Count Down Times │ ║
║ │ │ ║
║ │ Down Timer 1 │ ║
║ │ 00:03:30 ▄ │ ║
║ │ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ │ ║
║ │ │ ║
║ │ Down Timer 2 │ ║
║ │ 00:04:00 ▄ │ ║
║ │ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ │ ║
║ └──────────────────────────────────┘ ║
║ ║
╠════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ ── ▄ ── ▄ ──┘ ▄ Quit ▄ ║
║ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ║
║ ▄ ▄ PgUp ▄ PgDn ▄ ║
║ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ║
╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
Page 28
At this point the Down Timer Command Bars will appear at the
bottom of the blue panel and the Functions Keys, the mouse, the
Print Screen Key, and all TSR's will be disabled. Use the
indicated Hot Keys in the Down Timer Command Bars. They are:
1 Start - Start Down Timer 1.
2 Start - Start Down Timer 2.
Both - Start Both Down Timers at the same time.
Info - Enter or Edit Event Names.
Do Again - Reset Down Timers for next event.
Escape - Exit Down Timers and return to main
menu.
When each Down Timer reaches zero a chime will sound to inform
you that it has finished. When both Down Timers have finished
all program functions will return to normal and you can use the
Print Screen Key to print the results or use the F6 Key to
save the screen image to a file on disk.
Down Timer 1 as a Game Timer
---------------------------------------------------------------
When you elect to use Down Timer 1 as a game timer only Down
Timer 1 will be active and Timeouts will be enabled. Once the
Down Time is set for the game period you wish to time the
following Command Bars will appear:
Start - Start Game Timer.
Timeout - Pause Game Timer.
Restart - Start Game Timer after a timeout.
Info - Enter or Edit Event Names.
Do Again - Reset Down Timer for next game period.
Escape - Exit Down Timer and return to main
menu.
When a timeout is in effect the Down Timer will stop and a
Command Bar that says Timeout will appear next to the Down
Timer. At the end of the game period a chime will sound and all
program functions will return to normal.
Note: Use Down Timer 1 as a Game Timer for any game that does
not have four 15 minute quarters.
Lap Timers Page 29
---------------------------------------------------------------
The Lap Timer runs in Low or Medium Precision Modes. It supports
up to 1,024 laps. After you select the precision desired and
synchronize the Real Time Clock you will have the opportunity
to enter an event name. At this point the Function keys, the
mouse, the Print Screen Key, and all TSR's will be disabled.
The Lap Timer Command Bars will appear in the bottom of the
right blue panel. You can only use the indicated Hot Keys to
issue commands. They are:
Start - Start the Lap Timer.
Lap - Record a Lap Time.
Stop - Stop the Lap Timer - Does not Record a Lap.
Info - Enter or Edit Event Name.
Do Again - Reset Lap Timer for next event.
Escape - Exit Lap Timer and return to main menu.
As each lap is recorded its number and lap time is displayed on
screen. The eight most current laps are displayed. To the left
of the recorded lap times is a small window that displays the
running time for the current lap and the average times for all
the recorded laps.
Note: The Stop Command does not record a lap. It only stops the
Lap Timer.
An example of a completed Lap Timer screen follows:
╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ Low Medium ║
╠════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Lap Timer ║
║ Event: Car race - 1 mile practice laps. ║
║ Start Date: 03 SEP 1994 ║
║ Start Time: 14:57:44.2293 Hours Minutes Seconds ║
║ Elapsed Time: 0 07 47.4195 ║
║ ║
║ Lap Information ║
║ Number Hours Minutes Seconds ║
║ 9 0 00 47.8945 ║
║ Current Lap 8 0 00 49.5449 ║
║ 00:00:00.0000 7 0 00 50.5544 ║
║ 6 0 00 52.8040 ║
║ Avg. Lap Time 5 0 00 53.2060 ║
║ 00:00:51.9355 4 0 00 51.3434 ║
║ 3 0 00 52.8006 ║
║ 2 0 00 58.0910 ║
╠════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Report ▄ File ▄ Prt File ▄ ║
║ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ║
║ Info ▄ Do Again ▄ Escape ▄ ║
║ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ║
╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
Page 30
Once the Lap Timer is stopped all program functions will return
to normal and three new Command Bars will appear replacing the
"Start", "Lap", and "Stop" Command Bars. They are:
Report - Print a report of all the recorded laps.
File - Save all recorded lap infomation in a file
called SW16.LAP for printing at a later
time. Creates SW16.LAP if it does not exist.
Prt File - Print all lap information in the SW16.LAP
File.
Note: The number of sets of lap times that SW16.LAP can hold
is only limited by the available disk space. Once all sets
of lap times have been printed the file will be deleted.
Game Timer Page 31
---------------------------------------------------------------
Once you select the Game or Split Timer from the secondary menu
at the top of the right blue panel the secondary menu will be
replaced by the current date and time and the Game Timer or the
Split Timer screen will appear. The instructions for the Game
Timer will be given first followed by the instructions for the
Split Timer.
┌──────────────────────────────────┐ The Game Timer is for
│ │ any game that has 4 15
│ Use Two Minute Warning │ minute quaters. After
│ in 2nd and 4th Quarters? │ you have synchronized
│ │ the Real Time Clock you
│ │ will be asked "Use Two
│ │ Minute Warnings in 2nd
│ No ▄ Yes ▄ Quit ▄ │ and 4th Quarters?".
│ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ │ Answer No, Yes, or Quit.
│ │ If you answer Yes the
└──────────────────────────────────┘ game clock will auto-
matically be stopped at the two minute mark in the 2nd and 4th
quaters.
Next you can enter information about the game. This can be
skipped and entered at the end of the game if you wish.
You will then be allowed to select the quarter you want to start
in. Use the Left and Right Arrow Keys or click the left mouse
button on the Left and Right Command Bars to highlight the
starting quarter. Then press the Enter Key or click the left
mouse button on the Enter Command Bar to select the highlighted
quarter. Once this is done the Game Timer Command Bars will
appear and their functions are:
Start - Start game clock for indicated quarter.
Timeout - Pause game clock.
Restart - Start game clock after a timeout.
Info - Enter or Edit game information.
Do Again - Reset Game Timer for a new game.
Escape - Exit Game Timer and return to main menu.
When a Timeout is in effect a Command Bar with the word
"Timeout" will appear next to the game clock.
If Two Minute Warnings are enabled a chime will sound when the
game clock is stopped at the two minute mark and a Command Bar
saying "Two Minute Warning" will appear next to the game clock.
At the end of a quarter a chime will sound to let you know that
the game clock has run out.
At the end of a game the total game time for all four quarters
will be displayed if it is available. All program functions will
return to normal and you can use the Print Screen Key to print
the Game Timer screen or use the F6 Key to save the Game Timer
screen to a file on disk.
Split Timer Page 32
---------------------------------------------------------------
The Split Timer is an invention of my own. Have you ever
wondered how much time a television program spends on the
program and how much is spent on commercials? And how many
commercials there are for each commercial break? Or how about a
radio station that advertises more rock and less talk? If you
have, this timer is for you. It allows you to time two seperate
events where one event starts as the other event stops and
vice versa. A maximum of 1,024 switches between timers is
allowed. Once the program is stopped a full report can be
printed or saved to a disk file called SW16.SWH for printing
at a later time. The report contains the start time of each
segment along with the duration of that segment.
After synchronizing the Real Time Clock you will be able to
enter information about the event.
Once the information is entered the Switch Timer Command Bars
will appear and the Function Keys, the mouse, the Print Screen
Key, and all TSR's will be inoperative. The Switch Timer Command
Bars have the following functions:
Start - Start the Switch Timer with Event No. 1.
Count - Replaces the Start Command Bar after the
Switch Timer is started. Active only when
Event No. 2 is in progress. Adds 1 to
count. May be used to record the number of
commercials during a commercial break.
Always starts with 1 since there will
always be at least one commercial.
Switch - Switch to Event No. 2 or back to Event
No. 1.
Halt - Stop Switch Timer and record duration.
Info - Enter or Edit information about the event.
Do Again - Reset Switch Timer for next program.
Escape - Exit Switch Timer and return to main menu.
Once the Switch Timer is halted all program functions return
to normal and three new Command Bars will appear in the top row.
They have the following functions:
Report - Print a full report on all Switch Timer
information.
File - Save Switch Timer information to a file
called SW16.SWH. Creates SW16.SWH if it
does not exist.
Prt File - Print information in SW16.SWH File.
Note: The number of sets of Switch Times that SW16.SWH can
hold is only limited by the available disk space. Once all
Switch Time sets have been printed the file will be
deleted.
Page 33
An example of a completed Split Timer screen follows:
╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ Computer Chronograph SATURDAY 03 SEP 1994 ■ 15:16:27 ║
╠════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Split Timer ║
║ ║
║ Start Date: 03 SEP 1994 Source: TV ║
║ Start Time: 15:12:54.06 Call Letters: KQSTZ ║
║ Stop Date: 03 SEP 1994 Frequency: N/A ║
║ Stop Time: 15:16:24.93 City: Chicago ║
║ Total Time: 00:03:30.87 State: Illinois ║
║ ║
║ Event No. 1 Event No. 2 ║
║ Saturday Movie - Program Sat. Movie - Commercials ║
║ ║
║ Switches Left: 1,021 ▄ Event No. 2 Cnt: ▄ ║
║ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ║
║ Hours Minutes Seconds Hours Minutes Seconds ║
║ 0 02 18.62 0 01 12.25 ║
║ ║
╠════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Report ▄ File ▄ Prt File ▄ ║
║ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ║
║ Info ▄ Do Again ▄ Escape ▄ ║
║ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ║
╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
An example of a Switch Timer Report follows:
Switch Timer Page 1 of 1
Start Date: 25 Aug 1993 Source: T.V.
Start Time: 08:00:05.10 Call Letters: KWQP
Stop Date: 25 Aug 1993 Frequecny: N/A
Stop Time: 08:16:05.10 City: Chicago
Total Time: 00:16:00.00 State: Illinois
Event No. 1: Movie - Program Event No 2: Movie - Commer.
Total Time: 0:05:00.00 Total Time: 0:11:00.00
Time Duration Time Duration Count
08:00:05.10 00:03:00.00 08:03:05.10 00:05:00.00 11
08:08:05:10 00:02:00:00 08:10:05:10 00:06:00:00 9
Total Count Equals: 20
What the report says is that the first program segment started
at 08:00:05.10 and lasted for 3 minutes; then the first
commercial segment started at 08:03:05.10 and lasted for 5
minutes. Count in this case would be the number of commercials
during this commercial segment. With this report you can find
Page 34
out how much time a program spends on the program and how much
time is spent on commercials, the total number of commercials a
program has, and if you want to do a little math you can figure
out the average number of commercials during a commercial
segment and the average length of a commercial. You can also
tell the pattern between the program and commercials the program
follows. Are the commercials spread out throughout the program
evenly or bunched together. Does your favorite late Friday night
horror movie have 1 and 1/2 hours of movie with 3 hours of
commercials? A lot of the late night movies seem this way to me.
Now with the Split Timer you can find out for yourself. Make
copies and send reports to the T.V. and network executives
letting them know that they are being monitored by concerned
parents. These reports may give you enough ammunition to make
some changes in the way T.V. works.
Dates Page 35
---------------------------------------------------------------
When you get down to the Dates screen you will see a great
deal of information about the current date in the right blue
panel. The date and time will be displayed at the top of the
right blue panel with five Command Bars at the bottom of the
right blue panel. They are "Info", Delta, Plus-Minus, Life,
and Calendar. To selected a Command Bar use the indicated Hot
Key or click the left mouse button on the desired Command Bar.
╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ Computer Chronograph SATURDAY 03 SEP 1994 ■ 15:16:35 ║
╠════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ ║
║ Current Date: 03 SEP 1994 ║
║ ║
║ 1 Julian Period Equals: 7,980 Years ║
║ Year of Julian Period: 6707 ║
║ Julian Day Number (Noon): 2,449,599 ║
║ ║
║ Chronological Cycles: ║
║ Solar (28): Year 15 of Cycle 240 ║
║ Lunar (19): Year 19 of Cycle 353 ║
║ Roman Indiction (15): Year 02 of Cycle 448 ║
║ ║
║ Day of the Week: SATURDAY ║
║ Day of the Year: 246 ║
║ Day of the Century: 34,579 ║
║ ║
╠════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Info ▄ Delta ▄ Plus-Minus ▄ ║
║ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ║
║ Life ▄ Calendar ▄ ║
║ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ║
╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
When one of the first four functions is selected a dialog box
will appear asking you to enter one date, two dates, or a date
and an offset, or a date and a time. Use the indicated keyboard
keys or click the left mouse button on the desired Command Bar
to move between and change the highlighted date or time field.
Use the Left and Right Arrow Keys or click the left mouse button
on the Left or Right Command Bar to go to the next or previous
field. Use the Up and Down Arrow Keys or click the left mouse
button on the Up and Down Command Bars to change the value in
the highlighted date or time field. When you have the desired
date, times, and/or offset entered use the Enter Key or click
the left mouse button on the Enter Command Bar and the function
will calculate and display the desired information.
All date and time fields wrap around so there is no danger of
entering a number that is invalid. When entering a birth date
and time in "Life" you cannot enter a date and time that is in
the future. If you do you will be returned to enter a valid date
and time that is not in the future.
Info Display Page 36
---------------------------------------------------------------
Displays the same information about any selected date as shown
for the current date. Valid dates range from 1 Jan. 1600 to
31 Dec. 3267 for all date and calendar functions.
Delta Days
---------------------------------------------------------------
Or Days Between Dates - Enter any two dates and the number of
days between them will be calculated and displayed.
Plus or Minus Days
---------------------------------------------------------------
Enter any date and press the Enter Key or click the left mouse
button on the Enter Command Bar. Then enter the number of days
(the offset) into the past or future you would like to see the
date for (e.g. 1 Jan. 1992 and -200 days would be 15 Jun. 1991).
When entering the offset the PgUp and PgDn Keys or Command Bars
change the value by plus or minus 100. You cannot enter an
offset that takes you beyond the range of a valid date.
Life Display
---------------------------------------------------------------
First enter your name or the name of any person. Then enter the
date and time of birth. If the time is not known just leave it
set as it is.
┌──────────────────────────────────┐
│ Life │
│ │
│ Birthday │
│ 10 OCT 1988 ▄ │
│ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ │
│ │
│ Time of Birth │
│ 17:06:00 ▄ │
│ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ │
└──────────────────────────────────┘
The length of time in days, hours, minutes, and seconds you have
lived will then be displayed. It will be updated every second. A
date and time in the future is invalid and not allowed by the
program. Try it and see. If you are executing this program from
a floppy disk and save the screen image to a file the "you have
lived time" will get out of sync with the current time by a few
seconds.
Page 37
The following shows an example of a Life Display for my daughter
named Marygrace.
╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ Computer Chronograph SATURDAY 03 SEP 1994 ■ 15:19:44 ║
╠════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Life ║
║ ║
║ Name: Marygrace A. Phillips ║
║ Birthday: 10 OCT 1988 (Leap Year) ║
║ Time of Birth: 17:06:00 ║
║ Julian Day Number (Noon): 2,447,445 ║
║ ║
║ Current Date: 03 SEP 1994 ║
║ Current Time: 15:19:44 ║
║ Julian Day Number (Noon): 2,449,599 ║
║ Days Between Dates: 2,154 ║
║ ║
║ You have lived for: 2,153 Days ║
║ 22 Hours ║
║ 13 Minutes ║
║ 44 Seconds ║
╠════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ ── ▄ ── ▄ ──┘ ▄ Quit ▄ ║
║ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ║
║ ▄ ▄ Do Again ▄ Calendar ▄ ║
║ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ║
╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
Calendar and Holidays
---------------------------------------------------------------
When you select Calendar a calendar showing the current month of
the year will pop up. Sundays are shown in red, National Holidays
are shown in red, observed days are shown in yellow if not a
Sunday, and normal days are shown in black. National Holidays
also have an asterick after the day of the week to make it easy
to identify National Holidays when they are printed on paper.
At the bottom of the Calendar are 6 Command Bars which may be
selected by using the left mouse button or the associated
keyboard key. The Command Bars and the Associated keyboard keys
shown in brackes are:
< Month (Down Arrow Key) - Show previous month of the
year.
Month > (Up Arrow Key) - Show next month of the
year.
Holidays ("H" Hot Key) - Show a list of 17 holidays
and observed days for the
current year. National
Holidays are in red,
observed days in yellow.
Quit ("Q" Hot Key) - Return to the information
display.
Page 38
< Year (PgDn Key) - Show calendar for current
month of the previous year.
Year > (PgUp Key) - Show calendar for current
month of the next year.
Note: If you select Holidays after changing the year the list
of Holidays will change to reflect the new year.
Note: If you go back far enough into the past the holiday
information will not be valid since they were not legal
holidays yet.
When the information is displayed for "Info", "Delta",
"Plus-Minus", and "Life" the Do Again and Calendar Command Bars
will become active.
Do Again - Resets to enter new dates, time, and/or
offsets depending on the function.
Calendar - The calendar displayed depends on the
function as explained below:
Info - Displays a calendar for the month and
year of the selected date.
Delta - Displays a calendar for the second date.
Plus-Minus - Displays a calendar for the past or
future date.
Life - Displays a calendar for the month and
year of birth.
Note: If you show the calendar while the Life Display is
running and then return to the Life Display the time
lived will stay in sync with the current date and time.
You can use the Print Screen Key or F6 Key to save a screen
image to disk at any time while you are in the dates section.
All date calculations are done using Astronomical Julian Day
calculations. This converts a date (month, day, year) to a
single number which represents the number of days since the
start of the Julian Period. The Julian Period began at noon on
1 JAN. 4713 B.C. The Julian period was devised in 1582 by Joseph
Scaliger and named after his father Julius (not after the Julian
calendar). The beginning of the Julian period was the most
recent time that three major chronological cycles began on the
same day: (1) - the 28 year solar cycle after which dates in the
Julian calendar return to the same day of the week (e.g. Jan 1st
on a Monday), (2) - the 19 year lunar cycle after which the
phases of the moon return to the same dates of the year, and
(3) - the 15 year indiction cycle used in ancient Rome to
regulate taxes. There are 7980 years in 1 Julian period, the
product of 28, 19, and 15.
There are 285 28 year Solar Cycles, 420 19 year Lunar Cycles,
and 532 15 year Roman Indiction Cycles in one Julian period.
About Page 39
---------------------------------------------------------------
Displays copyright information and other information about
the program.
Quit
---------------------------------------------------------------
Press the enter key or click the left mouse button on the "<──┘
to Quit" Command Bar to exit the program and return to DOS.
You can also use the ESC Key to exit the program from anywhere
on the main menu. It is important that the program performs its
exit procedures to make sure your computer is returned to the
same state it was in prior to executing StopWatch. The date and
time maintained by DOS is also reset to reflect the date and
time of the Real Time Clock since every time you use a timer the
updating of the date and time maintained by DOS is stopped.
Help
---------------------------------------------------------------
Except while a calibration or timer routine is running you may
select Help by pressing the F1 Key or click the left mouse
button on the Help Menu Command Bar. When a Critical Error
Reporting System or Extended Error Reporting System screen is
displayed use the Help Command Bar provided in the screen to
call up the Quick Help Reporting System, If your system does
not have a mouse installed the "Help" Command Bar will read
"F1 = Help".
You can page through the Quick Help Reference System using the
Hot Keys for the Next and Previous Command Bars, by clicking
the left mouse button on the next or previous Command Bar, or
by using the PgUp and PgDn Keys. Pressing and holding the
keyboard keys or the left mouse button down issues repeated
commands.
Appendix A Page 40
---------------------------------------------------------------
START UP ERRORS
---------------------------------------------------------------
On start up there are a number of errors that can prevent the
program from running. Most are self-explanatory.
1. - Sorry! An 80386 or above is required to execute
StopWatch 32. (32 bit registered version only)
2. - Sorry! An 80286 or above is required to execute
StopWatch 16.
The following start up errors pertain to both 32 and 16 bit
versions of StopWatch.
3. - StopWatch 16 requires DOS 3.0 or above.
4. - StopWatch 16 cannot run with a CGA Adapter.
5. - StopWatch 16 cannot determine system configuration
parameters. (StopWatch uses BIOS Int 15H Function C0H,
Return System Configuration Parameters, to determine
some of the system parameters. If this BIOS Function
is not supported in your computer this error will the
displayed.
6. - StopWatch 16 requires a Dallas Real Time Clock.
7. - StopWatch 16 requires a 2nd interrupt chip (PIC).
There are some computers that do not have 2 PIC's such
as Inboard 386 PC computers. These will not work with
StopWatch.
8. - StopWatch 16 cannot run with a nonfunctional Real
Time Clock.
9. - StopWatch 16 needs to be in 25 rows by 80 columns Mode.
10. - Mouse is using IRQ 2. IRQ 2 reserved for Real Time
Clock in StopWatch 16.
11. - StopWatch 16 will not execute under Windows or the DOS
Task Switcher. (Exit Windows or turn the DOS Task
Switcher off and then execute StopWatch again from the
DOS prompt.)
Appendix A Page 41
---------------------------------------------------------------
PROGRAM ERRORS
---------------------------------------------------------------
The following errors are displayed by the Extended Error
Reporting System as required by the program.
1. Insufficient Space on Disk to Create SW32/16.SWH
Insufficient Space on Disk to Create SW32/16.CAL
Insufficient Space on Disk to Create SW32/16.PRN
Insufficient Space on Disk to Create SW32/16.LAP
Clean up the floppy or hard disk you are using to make
room for the files. If you get this messsage while using
a hard disk you will have to print out the report
immediately if you want to save the data because you
will have to exit the program to clean up the disk.
If you get this message while using a floppy disk just
change disks.
2. No Calibration Data for Low Precision Timer
No Calibration Data for Medium Precision Timer
No Calibration Data for High Precision Timer
If you try to use a timer routine and there is no
calibration data for that level of precision you will
receive the above error message. Perform the calibration
routine for the indicated level of precision.
Appendix A Page 42
---------------------------------------------------------------
CRITICAL ERRORS
---------------------------------------------------------------
The following errors are reported by the Critical Error
Reporting System. Possible remedies are also suggested.
1. Disk Write Protected
Remove the write protection from the disk and select
Retry from the Critical Error Reporting System menu.
2. Unknown unit
This error should never be encountered. But if it is
select Cancel from the Critical Error Reporting System
menu and you will be returned to an appropriate menu.
3. Drive Not Ready
You have selected a drive without a disk in it. Insert
a disk in the drive and select Retry from the Critical
Error Reporting System menu or select cancel and you
will be returned to an appropriate menu.
4. Unknown Command
A device has received an unknown command. If you ever
encounter this critical error select Cancel from the
Critical Error Reporting System menu and you will be
returned to an appropriate menu.
5. Data Error (Bad CRC)
A data error as indicated by a bad CRC value has been
encountered. You may select Retry from the Critical
Error Reporting System menu and DOS may be able to over-
come the error. If it still reports Data Error after a
few attempts select cancel from the menu and you will be
returned to an appropriate menu. The process you were
trying to do will be cancelled and all files being
worked on or created will be taken care of.
If you continue to get this error repeatedly on a floppy
or hard disk it indicates that the disk is going bad
in the area reported by the Critical Error Reporting
System.
6. Bad Request Structure Length
Select cancel from the Critical Error Reporting System
menu and you will be returned to an appropriated menu.
Appendix A Page 43
---------------------------------------------------------------
7. Seek Error
A disk drive is having problems finding a specific track
or cluster on a disk. Select Retry from the Critical
Error Reporting System menu a few times to see if DOS
can overcome this error. If it cannot select Cancel and
you will be returned to an appropriate menu.
If you continue to get this error repeatedly on a floppy
or hard disk it indicates that the disk is going bad
in the area reported by the Critical Error Reporting
System.
8. Unknown Media Type
A disk with an unknown or improper format type is being
used. This may also happen because of different format
programs being used which are not compatable with all
computers. Select Cancel from the Critical Error
Reporting System menu and you will be returned to an
appropriate menu.
9. Sector Not Found
A disk drive could not find the sector it was looking
for. You can select Retry from the Critical Error
Reporting System menu a few times to see if DOS can
overcome this error. If it cannot select Cancel and you
will be returned to an appropriate menu.
If you continue to get this error repeatedly on a floppy
or hard disk it indicates that the disk is going bad
in the area reported by the Critical Error Reporting
System.
10. Out of Paper
Will never be reported by StopWatch because it does not
use DOS to print with.
11. Write Fault
Select Retry to see if DOS can overcome the error. If
it cannot select Cancel and you will be returned to an
appropriate menu.
If you continue to get this error repeatedly on a floppy
or hard disk it indicates that the disk is going bad
in the area reported by the Critical Error Reporting
System.
Appendix A Page 44
---------------------------------------------------------------
12. Read Fault
Select Retry to see if DOS can overcome the error. If
it cannot select Cancel and you will be returned to an
appropriate menu.
If you continue to get this error repeatedly on a floppy
or hard disk it indicates that the disk is going bad
in the area reported by the Critical Error Reporting
System.
13. General Failure
I do not know when this critical error would be reported
but I would probably select Abort and try to exit the
program in a controlled manner.
Appendix A Page 45
---------------------------------------------------------------
PRINTER ERRORS
---------------------------------------------------------------
The following errors are reported by the Printer Error
Reporting System.
1. TIMEOUT - Printer has timed out. Select Cancel from the
menu in the Printer Error Reporting System, reset your
printer and try again.
2. I/O ERROR - Printer has encountered an I/O Error. Select
Cancel from the menu in the Printer Error Reporting
System and try again.
3. NOT SELECTED - Printer not turned on. Turn your printer
on and select Retry from the menu in the Printer Error
Reporting system
4. OUT OF PAPER - Put more paper in your printer and select
Retry from the Menu in the Printer Error Reporting
System.
5. BUSY - Usually means that the printer is turned on but
is not on line. Put the printer on line and select Retry
from the menu in the Printer Error Reporting System.
On my system with no printer connected to the computer the first
time you try to use the printer it takes the BIOS up to 30
seconds to report "Out of Paper". While the BIOS has control
the update of the displayed time is stopped. The second time
the Print Screen Key is pressed it reports "Out of Paper"
immediately. Depending on your computer and printer you may get
this or a different error message when you do not have a printer
connected to your computer.
Appendix B Page 46
---------------------------------------------------------------
TERMINOLOGY
---------------------------------------------------------------
Click To quickly press and release a mouse button.
Command Bar A shadowed bar that carries out a command
or action. May be activated by pressing the
indicated Hot Key or clicking with the left
mouse button. Common Command Bars are Quit
and Help. Some Command Bars do not have a
Hot Key. In that case use the indicated
keyboard key (ie. PgUp, Home, End). Active
Command Bars have a black shadow while
inactive Command Bars have a dark grey
shadow. When you press the left mouse button
on a Command Bar the shadow changes from
black to dark grey. When you release the
left mouse button the shadow changes back
to black and the Command for that Command
Bar is executed.
Cursor Keys The Left, Right, Up, and Down Arrow keys.
Directory A collection of computer files (programs,
data, and subdirectories) stored at the same
location on disk.
Hot Key A single key that can be used to invoke a
command. The Hot Key is usually indicated
by a letter that is a different color than
the rest of the word in the Command.
Throughout the program the Hot Key is always
the first letter of a Command. This makes
it easy for black and white or monochrome
monitors to know which one is the Hot Key.
Mouse Pointer The non-blinking rectangular box on the
screen indicates the mouse position.
INDEX Page 47
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About.......................39 Errors
Ask IBM PS/2 Question........9 Critical................42
Association of Shareware Printer.................45
Professionals (ASP) Program.................41
Address..................5 Start Up................40
Disputes.................5 Escape Key..................11
Member...................5 Executing StopWatch the
Ombudsman................5 First Time...................9
Astronimical Julian Day Extended Error
Calculations................38 Reporting System............14
Available by same Author.....6
Function Keys...............11
BIOS Interrupt 15H...........9
Block Cursor................11 Game Timer..................31
Select Starting Quarter.31
Calibration.................20 Timeouts................31
Time Limit..............21 Two Minute Warning......31
Calendar....................36
CD-ROM Disk..................8 Hardware IRQ Hook...........26
Chime.......................12 Help........................39
Click.......................46 High Precision Up Timer.....25
Command Bars................13 Holidays....................36
Active/Inactive.........13
Command Line Parameters......8 IBM PS/2 Computers...........9
/B.......................9 Info Display................36
/P.......................9 Installing StopWatch.........8
Computer Requirements........7 Invalid Dates...............36
Control Break Key...........12
Control C Key...............12 Joseph Scaliger.............38
Critical Error Julian Period...............38
Reporting System............14
Keyboard
Data Entry and Editing Keys.22 Control C Key...........12
Dates.......................35 Control Break Key.......12
Astrominical Julian Day Escape Key..............11
Calculations............38 Function Keys...........11
Solar Cycle.........38 Hot Keys................12
Lunar Cycle.........38 Pause Key...............12
Roman Indiction Ports....................9
Cycle...............38 Print Screen Key........12
Calendar................37
Holidays............37 Lap Timers..................29
Date Limits.............28 Lap Limit...............29
Delta...................36 Printing Report.........30
Info....................36 Save to SW32/16.LAP.....30
Life....................36 Print SW32/16.LAP File..30
Plus-Minus..............36 Laptop Cursor...............11
Down Timers.................27 Life Display................36
Used as Game Timer......28 Lunar Cycle.................38
INDEX Page 48
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Main/Secondary Menus........17 Up Timers...................22
Mouse High Precision Mode.....25
Click...................46 Warning.............25
Hide Pointer............12 Hardware IRQ Hook...26
Right Button............12 Race Timer..............24
Show Pointer............12 Using StopWatch.............17
Multitasking Environment....10
Video Adapters Supported.....7
Pass It Along................6
Pause Key...................12 What You Need to Know
Plus or Minus Days..........36 to use StopWatch............11
Power Management for
Laptop Computers............10
Preface......................7
Print Screen Key............12
Printer.....................16
Command Line Switch /P...9
Common Setup Problems...16
Emulation Modes..........7
Laser....................7
Pause After Page.........9
Printer Error
Reporting System........15
Printer Errors..........45
Using a Printer.........16
Program Support..............6
Quit........................39
Race Timer..................24
Registration Incentives......5
Roman Indiction Cycle.......38
Secondary Menus.............17
Solar Cycle.................38
Split Timer.................32
Number of Switches......32
Purpose.................32
Printing Report.........32
Sample Report...........33
Saving SW32.SWH.........32
Printing SW32.SWH File..32
Synchronizing the Real Time
Clock.......................18
Valid Dates for.........19
Time Limits
Calibration.............21
Timers..................21