CD ROM Paradise Collection 4/CD ROM Paradise Collection 4 1995 Nov.iso/system/biosr1.zip/BIOSR.TXT

Text File | 1994-05-31 | 8KB | 152 lines

BIOS Reporter, version 1.0                       _______
Copyright (c) 1995, Paul Postuma            ____|__     |                (R)
all rights reserved                      --|       |    |-------------------
                                           |   ____|__  |  Association of
                                           |  |       |_|  Shareware
                                           |__|   o   |    Professionals
                                         -----|   |   |---------------------
                                              |___|___|    MEMBER

Freeware by a member of the
Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP)


The BIOS Reporter is a low-level programmer's utility.  This text-mode
program grew out of my desire to be able to directly examine the BIOS data
area.  There's a wealth of system information in this area, all of which
easily accessible without resorting to DOS function calls.

I've often wondered how various flags changed during program operation,
in order to use them.  I've wanted to know exactly what the value was, at
such-and-such a location, and whether it could be useful to me.  I've
wondered whether a program I was working on was correctly polling the BIOS
data area - was the right value being returned?

The BIOS Reporter returns most of the useful info available in the BIOS
data area, though it only examines those parts that are most useful to us,
more specifically, of most interest to me.  In particular, the PS/2 BIOS
is incompletely supported, proprietary NEC diskette-related info is not
presented, and if I don't understand it or don't have enough information
on a particular area, it also won't be there.

The program works both from the command-line, and in TSR (Terminate-and-
Stay-Resident) mode.  Type the name to run it from the DOS prompt:

        BIOSR

The TSR version can be loaded into your system's memory, where it awaits
the Left-Shift - Ctrl - B keystroke combination.  When this combination is
detected, the program checks whether it is safe to pop up, then pops up.
About 12K of system memory is used by the TSR, and it may be loaded high.
To load the program into memory, use:

        BIOSR L

At present, the BIOS Reporter pops up in text mode only - with graphics
modes the screen save and restore part of the program would consume even
more precious memory, though I'll add it if enough interest is shown.
It can still be nicely used to debug graphics-mode programs, however, if
run in the background of a text-mode debugger.

To unload the program from memory, make sure that any TSRs loaded after it
are also removed before attempting to remove BIOS Reporter; make sure to
remove these other TSRs in reverse order of loading.  Then, to remove, type:

        BIOSR U

That's all there is to it.  Again, the TSR only works in text, not graphics
modes.  For this, and any parts of the BIOS I didn't present, I make no
apologies.  I wrote this program for my own benefit, and release and
distribute it as freeware, hoping you'll find it useful.  I ask nothing
in return, except that if you like it, or wish to see some changes,
drop me a line.


The usual Disclaimer

While I've extensively tested this software, and know of no problems
associated with its use, I must still protect myself in this litiginous
society:  This program is provided "as is."  I DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES
RELATING TO THIS SOFTWARE, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, and WILL NOT BE
HELD LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, WHETHER DIRECT OR INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL
OR INCIDENTAL, ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THIS SOFTWARE.
The person using the software bears all risk related to its use.


About the Program

This program is produced by 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.

This particular program is provided as freeware, that is, you may freely
use, copy, and redistribute this program.  It may not, however, be sold for
profit, though a fee not exceeding $10 may be charged for distribution of
the program.

This program is NOT released to the public domain.  It is copyrighted and
may not be altered without my permission.

BIOS Reporter was written in assembly language and compiled using the
Wolfware Assembler by Eric Tauck, a fine, inexpensive, and easy-to-use
assembler program.  The annotated source code for BIOS Reporter is available
from myself for a fee of $5.00 (U.S. or Canadian):  please specify 3.5 or
5.25" floppy disk.  While this source code may not be modified except with
my express permission, it can provide a starting point for an aspiring
programmer, and you're welcome to learn from it what you can.


Other Freeware/ Shareware

My program ScanCode Show is the companion program to BIOS Reporter, and is
also available as freeware.  Program and source code are again available for
$5.00, from myself.  The program itself may be found on the Net, or in
various forums on Compuserve.  About this program:

        ScanCode Show - reports scan and ASCII codes as well as keyboard
        BIOS value for any keystroke, in scrolling display.  Small, fast,
        and allows printing.  For programmers and the curious. Freeware

Finally, if you're at all into growing plants, and in particular want to
know just how to propagate a favourite specimen, check out:

        GROW'EM - The definitive program on propagating plants from
        seeds, cuttings, by layering, etc.  Features over 200 species,
        most propagating techniques in depth, and detailed info on
        growth media, composting, lighting, etc.  Easy-to-use resource,
        illustrated with sketches and photos, runs well under DOS or
        Windows.  Requires VGA, 1.6 MB hard disk space free

The shareware version of this program is available on Compuserve, Exec-PC,
ASP-associated bulletin boards and from ASP-associated vendors, and on
various Internet FTP sites, including Simtel and its mirror sites, and
I'm also happy to send you a copy of the *shareware* version for $5.00 U.S.
or Canadian, which basically covers my costs.  If you ask to receive the
source code for ScanCode Show, you'll automatically receive this shareware
program on the same disk.

The registered version comes in VGA and SVGA flavours, and is in look, feel
and function identical to the shareware program.  However, it features
detailed growing information on well over 350 species and is better
illustrated with sketches and sharp photographic images; the original text
has also been expanded and made more readable, and extra topics have been
added.  About 3 MB free hard drive space is required.

The registered version of Grow'Em may be ordered directly from me, for
$19.95 in U.S. or Canadian dollars.  Please be sure to specify VGA or SVGA.
The form ORDER.FRM is provided for your convenience.


Enjoy,

Paul Postuma             Phone:  [phone]
16 Fullyer Drive         Compuserve:  74471,1240
Quispamsis, NB           Internet:  [e-mail]
CANADA
E2G 1Y7