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Text File | 1993-06-01 | 31KB | 685 lines

+--------------------------------------------------------------+ | | | | | (tm) | | BOOTS | | | | Multiple Boot Utility | | | | Easily select between 100 different configurations | | either during boot time or after. | | | | Version 2.01 - Released June 1, 1993 | | (C) Copyright 1993 Robert L. Morton | | | | Morton Utilities | | 81-887 Tournament Way | | Indio, California 92201 | | (619) 347-7563 | | | | Compuserve 70132,3707 | | | | All Rights Reserved | | | | | | | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ _______ ____|__ | (tm) --| | |------------------- | ____|__ | Association of | | |_| Shareware |__| o | Professionals -----| | |--------------------- |___|___| MEMBER +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | What's New! | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ Version 2.00 o Support for SuperStor. o Will optionally set your Caps, Num, and Scroll Lock keys either on or off during boot-up. o Allows you to change the color scheme. Will also cycle between color schemes to reduce boredome booting. Version 2.01 o Compatibility with DOS 6.x DBLSPACE (DoubleSpace) program. o Reinstalling Boots without losing previous configurations is now possible. +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | Boots Features | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ o Allows you to create and maintain up to 100 different configurations. o Allows you to change configurations either during boot time or after. o Does not modify boot sector. Boots is completely safe. o Provides internal editor for editing configurations. o Allows you to use an external editor for editing configurations. o Will optionally ask for a password during boot-up. o Will optionally run your disk cache program to flush buffers before rebooting. o Allows you to specify an "Idle Time" which will, during boot time, automatically select the default configuration when the keyboard is untouched for a specified number of seconds. o Allows you to select a warm or cold reboot for activating a selected configuration. o Will optionally set your Caps, Num, and Scroll Lock keys either on or off during boot-up. o Allows you to add, edit, move, and delete configurations. o Allows you to activate a configuration through the DOS command line. o Provides quick automatic installation. o Does not remain in memory. o Allows you to change the color scheme. Will also cycle between color schemes to reduce boredome booting. o Can easily be used from Windows. o Can easily be used in a SuperStor or DoubleSpace environment. o Complete context sensitive help means little need for the manual. o Select a configuration quickly by using a function key or by typing the first letter of the configuration's extension. COPYRIGHT NOTICE This documentation and the software included with it as described in this documentation are copyrighted by Morton Utilities. Except as described in the following license agreement, this document may not, in whole or in part, be reproduced, photocopied, transmitted, transcribed, stored on a retrieval system or translated into any language or computer language, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, magnetic, optical, chemical, manual or otherwise, without the prior written consent of Morton Utilities. Altering, modifying or adapting this software or documentation, including, but not limited to, translating, decompiling, disassembling, or creating derivative works is prohibited. DISCLAIMER Morton Utilities, makes no warranties or representation, either express or implied, with respect to this software or documentation, including their quality, performance, merchantability, or fitness for a particular purpose. In no event will Morton Utilities be liable for direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of the use of or inability to use this software or documentation. LICENSE AGREEMENT You are licensed to use this software on a trial basis for a period of fourteen days. If after the trial period, you wish to continue using this program, you must purchase a permanent license from Morton Utilities. (See section entitled "Purchasing Boots" for details.) You are granted a limited license to copy this program only for the trial use of others subject to the agreement described above, and also the following: o Boots must be copied in unmodified form, complete with the following files: BOOTS.COM - Boots installation and operation program. BOOTS.SYS - Boots device driver for selecting configurations during boot time. BOOTS.HLP - Boots program help. BOOTS.DOC - Boots documentation. INVOICE.DOC - Boots registration invoice. o No fee, charge or other compensation may be accepted or requested by anyone without express written consent from Morton Utilities. o This program may not be distributed in conjunction with any other product or service without a specific license to do so from Morton Utilities. Electronic bulletin board operators (Sysops) may post this program for downloading by their users without written consent only when the above conditions are met. A fee may be charged for access to the BBS as long as no specific fee is charged for access to the Boots files. This program is distributed in a self-unarcing format. If your BBS uses a specific archive program for distributing programs, you may re-archive the Boots files using it. However, ONLY the files described above may be placed in the archive. Disk vendors and other Shareware distribution companies which market diskettes containing Shareware programs for profit MUST obtain written consent from Morton Utilities. Permission is usually given; please write for details. You are not allowed to modify this software under any conditions. TRADEMARKS Boots is a trademark of Morton Utilities. IBM PC, XT, AT, and PS/2 are registered trademarks of International Business Machines. MS-DOS is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. PC-DOS is a trademark of International Business Machines. +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | Table of Contents | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ Introducing Boots ............................................ 1 Boots Files ............................................ 1 System Requirements .................................... 1 Microsoft Windows Compatibility ........................ 1 SuperStor Compatibility ................................ 2 DoubleSpace Compatibility .............................. 2 Purchasing Boots ............................................. 3 Installing Boots ............................................. 4 Running Boots ................................................ 4 Command Line Parameters ................................ 4 Using Boots .................................................. 5 Add Configuration ...................................... 5 Start From Scratch ............................... 5 Model After Selected ............................. 5 Model After Current .............................. 5 Edit Configuration ..................................... 5 Delete Configuration ................................... 6 Move Configuration ..................................... 6 Setup .................................................. 6 Environment ...................................... 6 Mode of Operation ................................ 7 Idle Time Seconds ................................ 7 Clear Screen ..................................... 7 Password ......................................... 7 Lock Keys ........................................ 8 Reboot Type ...................................... 8 Color ............................................ 8 External Editor .................................. 8 Flush Cache Command .............................. 9 Un-installing Boots .......................................... 9 (C) Copyright 1993 Robert L. Morton Page 1 +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | Introducing Boots | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ Boots is a utility which allows you to maintain up to 100 different configurations. A configuration is defined here as a CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT file group. Each configuration should be given a name and an extension. The extension is applied to the the CONFIG and AUTOEXEC files, therefore each extension should be different. Boots allows you to select a configuration either during boot time or afterwards. Using the Boots program, you can also add, edit, delete, and move configurations. Complete information about any given feature is immediately available by highlighting the desired feature and pressing "Alt-H". Boots Files =========== Boots consists of the following files: BOOTS.COM - Boots installation and operation program. BOOTS.SYS - Boots device driver for selecting configurations during boot time. BOOTS.HLP - Boots program help. BOOTS.DOC - Boots documentation. INVOICE.DOC - Boots registration invoice. System Requirements =================== To use Boots you need: o IBM PC, XT, AT, PS/2, or compatible computer. o PC-DOS or MS-DOS version 3.3 or later. Microsoft Windows Compatibility =============================== To use Boots to change configurations from Windows, create a new program item called Boots, enter the required Boots directory, and enter the required program name "BOOTS.COM". When it's necessary to change configurations, click on the Boots program item and then select the desired configuration from the Boots menu. NOTE: Windows uses a disk cache program called "SMARTDRV.EXE". You may want to setup Boots to flush the disk buffers before rebooting. To do so, select "Setup" from the Boots main menu, select "Flush Cache Command", and then type: \WINDOWS\SMARTDRV.EXE /C (C) Copyright 1993 Robert L. Morton Page 2 SuperStor Compatibility ======================= To use Boots in a SuperStor or SuperStor Pro environment, you must install Boots to the uncompressed boot drive. During boot time this is drive letter C: but is then swapped for the drive letter of the compressed disk. Therefore, you would not install to drive letter C:, but instead to the drive letter that was swapped with C: at boot time. (This drive letter is displayed by SuperStor during boot-up.) After installation, you must select the Setup/Environment option and change the Boots environment to "SuperStor". DoubleSpace Compatibility ========================= To use Boots in a DoubleSpace environment, you must select the Setup/Environment option and change the Boots environment to "DoubleSpace". In this environment, Boots must perform a warm reboot after a configuration has been selected during boot-time. Normally (when DoubleSpace isn't used) Boots can do a quick re-boot that is much faster. (C) Copyright 1993 Robert L. Morton Page 3 +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | Purchasing Boots | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ Boots is distributed under the Shareware marketing system. The Shareware concept allows you, the user, to use a program on a trial basis to determine if it meets your needs. If you find the program useful and wish to continue using it, you are required to pay a license or registration fee to the author. If you received Boots through a distribution service and paid a small fee (usually $3 to $5), this does not constitute payment for Boots. You have simply paid for the distribution service. The $3.00 or $5.00 or whatever pays for the diskette, duplications and handling and does NOT constitute payment for the programs contained on the diskette. Boots license and registration costs $22.95. The file "INVOICE.DOC" contains an invoice which you may print and use for this purpose. With registration you'll receive: 1. The latest version of Boots without the Shareware notice/ screen. 2. The latest versions of all our other great Shareware programs. (There are four at the present.) 3. A professionally printed/bound manual. 4. Six months support plus we'll notify you of any program updates and new products. The Shareware system is dependent upon honest people. If you use a Shareware program and have not registered with the author after the evaluation period, you are helping to destroy the viability of the Shareware concept. If you appreciate the ability to try software, before you buy it, then we encourage you to register EVERY Shareware program you use. Registration of Shareware products ensures the existence of quality, low-cost software. (C) Copyright 1993 Robert L. Morton Page 4 +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | Installing Boots | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ To install Boots, log into the drive and directory containing the Boots files and type: BOOTS <Enter> Installation does the following: o Copies Boots' files to the specified drive and directory. o Saves your current AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files to the new Boots directory. o Creates a new CONFIG.SYS file containing only the statement: DEVICE=BOOTS.SYS o Creates BOOTS.BAT in the root directory. This batch file will automatically change to the Boots directory and load the Boots program. To allow you to run Boots from any directory, include a path to the root directory in your AUTOEXEC files. See your DOS manual for information on the PATH statement. To continue installation, enter the drive and directory where you wish Boots to be installed. For Boots to work correctly, you must install it to the drive you boot from (usually drive "C"). You must also specify a directory to install Boots to. You cannot install Boots to the root directory. +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | Running Boots | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ To load Boots, log into the drive and directory containing it and type: BOOTS <Enter> If you have a path set to the root directory, you need not change directories before typing the above. (This is because BOOTS.BAT changes directories for you.) Command Line Parameters ======================= Command line parameters allow you to select and reboot a configuration without using the Boots menu. Use the following syntax: BOOTS [/?] [/F1-F10] [/letter] /? ............ Displays syntax help. Eg. BOOTS /? /F1-F10 ....... Simulates pressing a function key which in turn selects a configuration and makes it active. Eg. BOOTS /F3 /letter ....... Makes the configuration that has an extension beginning with the specified letter active. Eg. BOOTS /W (C) Copyright 1993 Robert L. Morton Page 5 +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | Using Boots | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ From the main menu, use the following keys: "A" ....... Add a configuration. "E" ....... Edit selected configuration. "D" ....... Delete selected configuration. "M" ....... Move the selected configuration to another place on the list. "S" ....... Change Boots' settings. Use the arrow keys, PgUp, PgDn, Home, and End to select a configuration. Press Enter or one of the function keys to make a selected configuration active and reboot. (Applicable only when Boots is setup for this mode of operation. For more info, see "Mode of Operation" under "Setup".) Help is available throughout. Simply move the selection bar to an option you want more information about and press Alt-H. Add Configuration ================= This option allows you to create a new configuration. A menu prompts you for the type of "Add" you wish to do: Select "Start From Scratch" to create a new configuration from scratch. Select "Model After Selected" to create a new configuration patterned after the currently selected configuration's CONFIG and AUTOEXEC files. Select "Model After Current" to create a new configuration patterned after the current CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files. This is useful for when you've installed a new program and it has modified the CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files and you wish to create a custom configuration for that program. Once you've selected the type of "Add", the editing screen is displayed. The editing screen is discussed in the following section. Edit Configuration ================== This option allows you to edit the selected configuration. The editing screen consists of the CONFIG file's text, the AUTOEXEC file's text, and the configuration name and extension. Press F1 to edit the CONFIG file. Press F2 to edit the AUTOEXEC file. Press F3 to edit the configuration name and extension. (C) Copyright 1993 Robert L. Morton Page 6 When using the internal editor, use the following keys: Arrow keys .... Move cursor in that direction. Home/End ...... Move cursor to start/end of line. PgUp/PgDn ..... Move cursor up/down one page. Ctrl-Home/End . Move cursor to start/end of file. Insert ........ Toggle insert/overwrite mode. Delete ........ Delete character at cursor. Enter ......... Insert or break current line. If an external editor is defined (using Setup), pressing F1 will load it with the CONFIG file. Pressing F2 will load it with the AUTOEXEC file. Delete Configuration ==================== This option allows you to delete the selected configuration. As a safegaurd, you will be prompted before the configuration is deleted. Press "Y" to continue deletion. Press "N" to abort deletion. Move Configuration ================== This option allows you to move the selected configuration to another place on the list. This is useful for ordering your configurations based on preference. The configuration at the top of the menu is considered to be the default. Move a configuration to the top of the list to make it the new default. Setup ===== This option allows you to setup the following Boots settings: Environment Mode of Operation Idle Time Seconds Clear Screen Password Lock Keys Reboot Type Color External Editor Flush Cache Command Environment ----------- This option allows you to indicate the environment Boots is operating in. Select "Normal" for normal DOS environment. Select "SuperStor" for a SuperStor environment. Select "DoubleSpace" if you're using DOS 6.x DoubleSpace program. (C) Copyright 1993 Robert L. Morton Page 7 Mode of Operation ----------------- Boots allows you to select a configuration either during boot time or after. The default is "Select During Boot". If you rather run Boots only when you need to change configurations instead of selecting each time you boot up, then select "Select After Boot". "Select During Boot" Mode: The main menu will appear each time you boot up. Press the desired function key (F1-F10), the Enter key, or the first letter of the Extension to select that configuration. "Select After Boot" Mode: From the main menu, press the desired function key (F1-F10) or the Enter key to have Boots reboot your computer using the specified configuration. You can also select a configuration from the command line. See section entitled "Command Line Parameters". Idle Time Seconds ----------------- NOTE: Applies only to "Select During Boot" mode of operation. During boot up, the main menu will appear in which you may select a configuration. If the number of seconds specified in "Idle Time" elapses before a key is pressed, the default configuration (the first one on the menu) will automatically be selected. Set "Idle Time" to zero to turn off this feature. Clear Screen ------------ NOTE: Applies only to "Select During Boot" mode of operation. Set this option to "Yes" if you wish the screen to be cleared before the Boots selection menu is displayed during boot-up. Password -------- NOTE: Applies only to "Select During Boot" mode of operation. Boots will optionally password protect your computer from being booted. Each time you boot up, Boots will ask you for the password. Enter the correct password and booting will continue. Enter the wrong password 3 times and the boot process will stop. To activate this option, enter a password. To deactivate, backspace over the old password so that none is entered. NOTE: You can still boot your computer from a floppy disk. (C) Copyright 1993 Robert L. Morton Page 8 Lock Keys --------- NOTE: Applies only to "Select During Boot" mode of operation. Boots will optionally set the state of your Caps, Num, and Scroll Lock keys during boot time. For each Lock key, you may select "No change", "On", or "Off". Select "No change" to prevent Boots from changing the state of that Lock key. Select "On" or "Off" to have Boots change the state of that Lock key to on or off. Reboot Type ----------- NOTE: Applies only to "Select After Boot" mode of operation. This option allows you to specify the type of reboot that should be performed after a configuration is selected from the main menu. A warm boot is equivalent to pressing Ctrl-Alt-Del. A cold boot is equivalent to switching the power off and then on again. Color ----- This option allows you to select a color scheme for the Boots main menu and edit window. The default color scheme is "Ocean". Boots will optionally cycle through the available color schemes each time activated (either during boot time or after). To have Boots cycle, select the "Cycle" color scheme. External Editor --------------- Boots provides its own editor for editing configurations. If you rather use your own, enter the drive, directory, and program name here. Example: C:\DOS\EDIT.COM To switch back to using the Boots internal editor, backspace over the editor file specification until none is entered. (C) Copyright 1993 Robert L. Morton Page 9 Flush Cache Command ------------------- NOTE: Applies only to "Select After Boot" mode of operation. If you use a disk cache program, the cache should be flushed before re-booting. This option allows you to enter the cache program name including the drive, directory, and parameter(s) needed to flush it. Example: Windows uses a cache named SMARTDRV. To have this cache flushed before rebooting, you might enter: C:\WINDOWS\SMARTDRV.EXE /C NOTE: If the "Flush Cache Command" should run a batch file which in turn flushes the cache, you must use COMMAND.COM to run the batch file. Example: C:\DOS\COMMAND.COM /C FLUSH.BAT +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | Un-installing Boots | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ To un-install boots for whatever reason, do the following: 1) Load the Boots program. 2) Select "Setup" from the main menu. 3) Change "Mode of Operation" to "Select After Boot". 4) From the main menu, select the configuration you wish to become permanent. Press Enter to reboot and make it so. 5) Delete all Boots' files from its directory. Eg. Type: DEL BOOTS 6) Remove the Boots directory. Eg. Type: RD BOOTS That's it! Boots is now uninstalled.