Software Vault: The Gold Collection

home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search

/ Software Vault: The Gold Collection / Software Vault - The Gold Collection (American Databankers) (1993).ISO / cdr26 / pwrutls2.zip / MANUAL < prev next >

Wrap

Text File | 1993-06-03 | 37KB | 955 lines

@@KEYSPEED.COM KEYSPEED Dan Gookin --------------------------------------------------------------- Purpose: KEYSPEED increases the repeat rate and delay rate of your keyboard. Format: KEYSPEED.COM requires two parameters: one to specify the repeat rate and another for the delay rate. The syntax for KEYSPEED.COM is: KEYSPEED R=r D=d where "r" is a number from 0 to 31, specifying the repeat rate, and "d" is a number from 0 to 3, specifying the delay rate. Zero is the fastest repeat rate, corresponding to roughly 30 characters a second, and 31 is the slowest, equal to about 2 characters a second. Values for "d" result in the following wait times: d Wait time - ----------- 0 1/4 second 1 1/2 second 2 3/4 second 3 1 second @@ALREADY.COM ALREADY --------------------------------------------------------------- Purpose: ALREADY.COM works by checking the system date against the date it has stored. If they're not the same, ALREADY.COM writes a new copy of itself, storing the current date in the process, and exits with ERRORLEVEL 0. If the program has already run that day, it returns ERRORLEVEL 1. Remarks: For example, to display a to-do list every morning when you boot up, add these lines to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file: ALREADY IF ERRORLEVEL 1 GOTO SKIP REM Things you only do once a day TYPE TODO.TXT | MORE PAUSE :SKIP REM Things you do every boot-up CHKDSK /F Caution: Be sure to switch to the directory where ALREADY.COM is stored before running the program. Otherwise, you'll write a new copy of the program in the current directory. Note: This utility must be run outside PCCNDX. @@BATSPLIT.EXE BATSPLIT Ed Quillen --------------------------------------------------------------- Purpose: BATSPLIT allows you to combine all your batch files into a single file and run them with BATSPLIT, saving you disk space. Note: To use BATSPLIT, you need extended or expanded memory, a high memory manager such as HIMEM.SYS. Remarks: To use BATSPLIT, you need a RAM disk in extended or expanded memory. If you don't already have one, open your CONFIG.SYS file and add the following line: DEVICEHIGH=C:\DOS\RAMDRIVE.SYS 128 128 128 /A This will create a 128k RAM disk in expanded memory and automatically assign it a drive letter (in our example, it's drive D:). Once you've set up a RAM disk, collect your batch files into a compendium file. Issue the command COPY *.BAT BATFILES to write all your batch files into a single file, and open BATFILES in a text editor. At the start of each batch listing in the file, type START followed by the batch file's name -- including extension. At the end of each listing, type END followed by the filename. A portion of the finished file should look something like this: START WIN.BAT @ECHO OFF REM Changes to Windows directory, REM loads Windows in Standard mode. C: CD\WIN3 WIN /S END WIN.BAT Now, edit your AUTOEXEC.BAT file by adding the following two lines before your path statement: MD D:\BATCH C:\DOS\BATSPLIT These lines ensure that whenever you boot up, the individual batch files from BATFILES will load into D:\BATCH. Since they're up in the RAM disk (this assumes you've set up a RAM disk), they execute faster and don't use any extra hard disk space. Note: This utility must be run outside PCCNDX. @@CHECKX87.COM CHECKX87 Dale Lewallen/Jeff Prosise --------------------------------------------------------------- Purpose: Test for a Math Coprocessor Format: Run CHECKX87 at the DOS prompt. Remarks: CHECKX87 checks for the presence of an Intel math coprocessor (8087, 80287, or 80387) in the system. If it finds one, it prints the message "80x87 installed" and returns a DOS errorlevel value of 0. Otherwise, CHECKX87 responds with "No 80x87 installed" and returns a DOS errorlevel of 1. @@COUNT.BAT COUNT Ronny Richardson --------------------------------------------------------------- Purpose: Batch Files that Count Remarks: Use this counting routine in batch files to perform routine tasks such as backups that you want to execute at regular intervals. Used in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file, you can automatically run the CHKDSK/F command every third time you reboot. Format: COUNT.BAT creates a zero-byte file and uses its name as the counter. When you execute COUNT.BAT, it looks for a file named BOOT? and branches to a label in the batch file. ECHO OFF CLS IF NOT EXIST BOOT? GOTO NO IF EXIST BOOT1 GOTO ONE IF EXIST BOOT2 GOTO TWO IF EXIST BOOT3 GOTO THREE GOTO ERROR :NO TYPE NOFILE > BOOT2 GOTO END :ONE REN BOOT1 BOOT2 GOTO END :TWO REN BOOT2 BOOT3 GOTO END :THREE REN BOOT3 BOOT1 CHKDSK /F GOTO END :ERROR ECHO ANOTHER "BOOT" FILE EXISTS; ECHO PLEASE DELETE AND TRY AGAIN GOTO END :END When you execute COUNT.BAT, it checks for a file named BOOT? and branches to a label in the batch file. Although most of the branches simply rename the file to increment the counter, two take an action: No types the nonexistent file NOFILE to create the counter file (and names it BOOT2 to reflect one iteration of the counter), while THREE performs the CHKDSK /F command. Ignore the "File not found" error message that appears when you first run the batch file. You can perform tests on as many different branches as you like. For example, you might count to ten, performing CHKDSK /F on five and an incremental backup the tenth time you boot up. Adding IF tests takes the counter as high as you like before recycling. If you give the counters different names, you con have as many counters as you like. Note: This utility must be run outside PCCNDX. @@DOONCE.BAT DOONCE Chris Devoney --------------------------------------------------------------- Purpose: Use this trick with your AUTOEXEC.BAT to make sure tasks are run just once a day. Remarks: Do you have a few computerized tasks that you do at the start of your day? Some people like running CHKDSK first thing, to make sure their disks are sound. Others check their electronic mailbox while opening regular mail. Some software collectors like to automate virus scans, in case recent downloads have brought unwelcome visitors. The idea behind the once-a-day trick involves getting the date from the DOS DATE command into an environmental variable. The technique then searches for a file whose name is based on the date. If the file exists, that means your PC has already performed its maintenance tasks for the day. If the file doesn't exist, your PC proceeds to do its daily chores. To implement the scheme, start by creating a DATES subdirectory to hold the date file. Next, create the CURRENT.BAT file in the root directory of Drive C:. The single line for the file is: SET DATE=%4 The filename is important; if you give this file a different name, the procedure doesn't work. Finally, use your text editor or word processor to add these lines to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file: ECHO Y | MORE | DATE >DATEIT.BAT CALL DATEIT DEL DATEIT.BAT IF EXISTS \DATES\%DATE%.DT GOTO ALREADY (Insert lines here for the tasks to run once each day) DEL \DATES\*.DT ECHO Y > \DATES\%DATE%.DT :ALREADY (Rest of your batch file, if any) Note: This utility must be run outside PCCNDX. @@DTEST.COM DTEST and DTESTR.BAT --------------------------------------------------------------- Purpose: Make FORMAT smarter with DTEST.COM, a program that checks for the presence of a disk and returns information about any disk it finds. Remarks: DTEST returns four ERRORLEVEL values that a batch file can interpret: 0 for a disk that's already formatted; 1 for a disk that's unformatted; 2 when there's no disk in the drive; and 3 for a disk with files on it. Format: To examine the disk in drive A:, for example, type DTEST A:. @@FZERO.BAS FZERO --------------------------------------------------------------- Purpose: FZERO.BAS finds, lists, and deletes empty files from all directories and subdirectories on all specified logical drives. This program also deletes zero-length read-only files but does not affect hidden files. Remarks: Before executing FZERO.BAS, check the logical health of all drives that you want cleared of zero-length files by typing at the DOS prompt: CHKDSK /F If the command asks whether to write corrections to disk, answer "yes". Format: If you plan to use FZERO.BAS frequently, invoke it from FZERO.BAT with the following commands: CHKDSK C: /F GWBASIC FZERO Include the CHKDSK /F command with different drive letters for each drive that you use with FZERO.BAS. Replace GWBASIC with the name of the BASIC interpreter you use (BASIC, BASICA). FZERO is currently set to scan drives C:, D:, and E: consecutively. The program handles up to 12 logical drives with minor revisions The code for changing the drives is located in the source (.BAS) file in lines 40 through 70. Note: This utility must be run outside PCCNDX. @@ISDEV.COM ISDEV --------------------------------------------------------------- Purpose: ISDEV.COM lets batch files detect configuration errors and respond to them before your applications load. Remarks: To get the most from your applications, you may have created different CONFIG.SYS files to include extended memory for Windows 3.0, create expanded memory for early versions of Lotus 1-2-3, or install a RAM drive that accelerates slow programs. But with all those configurations, it's easy to mix them up and waste time locating the error. ISDEV.COM asks DOS if CONFIG.SYS has loaded drivers for devices such as drives, mice or additional memory. It checks only for drivers that CONFIG.SYS loads at startup-those that typically sport A.SYS extension like MOUSE(.SYS), not drivers loaded as TSRs with a .COM extension (like MOUSE.COM). If DOS recognizes the driver, ISDEV returns an exit code of 0. If it doesn't, ISDEV returns a 1. By using DOS's ERRORLEVEL command, a batch file tells you if the right device driver is loaded. Format: ISDEV d: or ISDEV device -now d: is the name of a drive device -name is the one- to eight-character name for a DOS device ISDEV returns an exit code (ERRORLEVEL) of 0 if DOS recognizes the drive/device driver, 1 if it doesn't. Examples: To check for the existence of RAMDRIVE F:, use: ISDEV F: IF ERRORLEVEL I GOTO NO GOOD To verify that DOS is using a Microsoft Mouse: ISDEV MS$MOUSE IF ERRORLEVEL I GOTO NO-MOUSE To verify that CONFIG.SYS loaded the driver for your Microsoft Mouse before you execute a program called PAINT, create a startup batch file as follows: ISDEV MS$MOUSE IF NOT ERRORLEVEL 1 GOTO OKAY ECHO MS-Mouse is missing! GOTO END :OKAY PAINT :END Remember that MS$MOUSE is the device name for the Microsoft Mouse that DOS recognizes, not the device driver filename, MOUSE.SYS. Here are device names for several other devices: PC$MOUSE-Logitech or Mouse Systems mouse XMSXXXXO-HIMEM.SYS XMS) memory EMSXXXXO-LIM (EMS) memory SMARTAAR-SMARTDRV EMMXXXXO-QEMM-386 One common driver ISDEV can't test for is ANSI.SYS, which duplicates the service name of CON, used also to refer to the console-the keyboard and display. Since they're always loaded, ISDEV tells you CON is loaded even if ANSI.SYS isn't. Tips: ISDEV lets you create intelligent batch files that respond when a particular device is missing. Here's a batch file for programs that store temporary files in directories on your hard disk. If you accelerate a program by forcing it to store temporary files on a RAM drive, it won't run properly if the drive is missing. Sometimes, though, you can't spare the RAM for such a drive. This file tells the program to use the TEMP directory on a normal drive, C:, for the temporary files when the RAM drive, E:, is missing. ISDEV E: IF ERRORLEVEL 1 GOTO NO-E SET TEMP=E:\ GOTO JUMP :NO-E SET TEMP=C:\TEMP :JUMP @@MFORMAT.BAT MFORMAT --------------------------------------------------------------- Purpose: To save time, format floppies in your dual-drive system with MFORMAT.BAT. MFORMAT lets you format disks without stopping to respond to prompts from DOS's FORMAT command. The program works with systems containing two 5 1/4-inch or two 3 1/2-inch drives, or one of each. Remarks: You pop floppies in both drives, and after formatting one disk, the program formats the disk in the second drive, while you restock the first drive. MFORMAT.BAT responds when FORMAT prompts you to press Enter, Yes or No. If you have a hard drive, make sure DOS's FORMAT.COM program is in your path. if you have only floppy drives, create a RAM drive and copy FORMAT.COM to it. @ECHO OFF CLS ECHO. > REPLY.DAT ECHO N > > REPLY.DAT ECHO.> > REPLY.DAT ECHO insert a new disk into each ECHO drive. While the last disk is ECHO being formatted remove the ECHO disk from the other drive ECHO and leave its door open SET DR1=A:%1 SET DR2 = B:%2 SET DR=%DR1% :BEGIN FORMAT %DR% < REPLY.DAT IF ERRORLEVEL 1 GOTO END ECHO INSERT NEW DISK IN DRIVE %DR% IF %DR%==%DR1% GOTO MAKE_B IF %DR%==%DR2% GOTO MAKE_A :MAKE_A SET DR=%DR1% GOTO BEGIN :MAKE_B SET DR = %DR2% GOTO BEGIN :END DEL REPLY.DAT SET DR1 = SET DR2= SET DR= To execute the program, type MFORMAT on the command line, followed by the appropriate FORMAT command switches. For example, to format low-density disks on 5 1/4- and 3 1/2-inch high-density drives, type: MFORMAT /4 /N:9/T:80 Lines 3 through 5 create the file REPLY.DAT, which responds to prompts from FORMAT so you don't have to. ECHO. inserts a carriage return. Lines 11 through 13 create environmental variables that lets DOS switch between drives and format disks with the switches you enter on the command line. If you always use the same switches, set them up permanently. Lines 18 through 24 switch drives, branch back to BEGIN, and restart the formatting process. When you're done formatting, open the drive bay on the drive not in use. When the batch file flips to the empty drive, FORMAT generates an error code. The IF ERRORLEVEL statement on line 16 responds to the error by branching to the end of the program. @@SOLVEIT.EXE SOLVEIT --------------------------------------------------------------- Purpose: Even with the many powerful spreadsheet programs currently available, computer users still turn to adding machines or calculators when doing simple calculations. Creating the batch file SOLVEIT.BAT puts a very powerful calculator at your fingertips each time you use your computer. Format: SOLVEIT.BAT lets you enter complex arithmetic expressions at the DOS prompt. For example, the following command gives you the product of three multiplications: SOLVEIT 256*33*4 When you enter it, you'll see a display that looks like this: Solve: 256*33*4 Solution: 33792 If there's a mistake (say, a typo) SOLVEIT gives you an error message. Remarks: SOLVEIT can use parentheses in a more complex expression. SOLVEIT (3+5)*(4-1)/(3+2) SOLVEIT.BAT supports addition subtraction (-), multiplication (*) and division (/). If an expression contains different types of operators without parentheses, the program performs multiplication and division operations first, followed by addition and subtraction. In addition to the basic arithmetic operators, SOLVEIT.BAT supports arithmetic functions as listed in the box included below. The following command, for example, uses SOLVEIT to display the square root of 144 times 3. SOLVEIT SQR(144)*3 Note: This utility must be run outside PCCNDX. @@WARM.COM WARM --------------------------------------------------------------- Purpose: Executed from the command line or from inside a batch file, WARM initiates a reset, just as if you had pressed Ctrl-Alt-Del. Remarks: There are other applications for WARM. For example, if you find yourself frequently switching CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files to select between two or more startup configurations, you could write a batch file to copy the proper configuration files to the root directory and make WARM the final command in the batch file. Then, when the batch file is executed, your PC will automatically reboot itself. @@COLD.COM COLD --------------------------------------------------------------- Purpose: Executed from the command line or from inside a batch file, COLD initiates a reset, just as if you had pressed the RESET button on your computer. Remarks: There are other applications for COLD. For example, if you find yourself frequently switching CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files to select between two or more startup configurations, you could write a batch file to copy the proper configuration files to the root directory and make WARM the final command in the batch file. Then, when the batch file is executed, your PC will automatically reboot itself. @@WARN.BAS WARN --------------------------------------------------------------- Purpose: A simple BASIC program in AUTOEXEC.BAT lets you know when your hard drives are filling up. Format: Make sure the directory containing BASICA or GWBASIC (usually your DOS directory) and the directory containing WARN.BAS are on the DOS search path. Then, type: GWBASIC WARN Remarks: The best way to use WARN.BAS is to include that line in your AUTOEXEC.BAT so that WARN will run automatically each time you turn on your machine. Substitute BASICA for GWBASIC if that is the name of your BASIC interpreter. Your system will take a few seconds longer to boot while the program checks the system drives. If none of your drives falls below the warning level (977 clusters for DOS 3.x or 488 clusters for DOS 4.x), nothing happens. But when you're running short of disk space, WARN beeps and displays a message warning you which drives are running out of room. Note: This utility must be run outside PCCNDX. @@WHEREIAM.EXE WHEREIAM --------------------------------------------------------------- Purpose: WHEREIAM displays a message and a digital clock, both of which move randomly around your screen. Format: Execute the program by typing the command WHEREIAM. Remarks: WHEREIAM first prompts you for the message you want displayed. Type any combination of alphanumeric characters, up to 255 characters in length, and press [Enter]. WHEREIAM then reminds you to type "Q" or "q" when you want to stop the program. If you plan to use this program frequently, create a batch file called WHEREIAM.BAT, which fires up the program with a minimum of keystrokes: ECHO OFF WHEREIAM Store this file in a directory on your DOS PATH. Invoke the program by typing WHEREIAM at the DOS prompt. @@DECHEX.COM DECHEX Dale Lewallen/Jeff Prosise --------------------------------------------------------------- Purpose: DECHEX converts decimal numbers to hexadecimal formats and displays the results on your screen. Format: DECHEX nnnn Remarks: DECHEX is a simple Decimal to Hexadecimal conver- sion routine. It converts a simple decimal number to hexadecimal format. Use DECHEX nnnn, where "nnnn" is any decimal number. @@NOSOUND.COM NOSOUND Dale Lewallen/Jeff Prosise --------------------------------------------------------------- Purpose: Disable your PC's internal speaker. Format: Place the file NOSOUND.COM in your \DOS Directory. Then, to use the program, type NOSOUND at the DOS Prompt. Program N NOSOUND.COM Code for E 0100 EB 1A 00 00 00 00 9C 2E DEBUG: E 0108 FF 1E 02 01 9C 50 FB E4 E 0110 61 EB 00 24 FC E6 61 58 E 0118 9D CA 02 00 B8 1C 35 CD E 0120 21 89 1E 02 01 8C 06 04 E 0128 01 B8 1C 25 BA 06 01 CD E 0130 21 BA 1C 01 CD 27 RCX 36 W Q @@SHOWEMS.COM SHOWEMS Dale Lewallen/Jeff Prosise --------------------------------------------------------------- Purpose: SHOWEMS looks for expanded memory and, if it's present, displays the EMS version number. Remarks: This will usually be EMS 4.0. But older expanded memory boards (and even EMS emulators) may only provide EMS 3.2 expanded memory. The distinction is important, because, as noted, some EMS-aware programs require EMS 4.0. If SHOWEMS doesn't find expanded memory in the system, it reports, "No expanded memory manager installed." You will also get this response if a PC contains expanded memory hardware but no expanded memory driver is enabled to enable it. If the system does contain expanded memory, SHOWEMS reports the version number. Format: Type SHOWEMS at any DOS Prompt. (Ensure SHOWEMS is in the current directory or in your path.) @@WAIT.COM WAIT Ed Quillen --------------------------------------------------------------- Purpose: WAIT is a short utility that lets you build a delay into any batch file and determine its duration on a case-by-case basis. If you press any key before WAIT reaches its timeout, it returns the errorlevel that can take you past a step in your batch file. Format: To use the program, insert the word WAIT on its own line in a batch file, followed by a number that represents how many seconds you want the file to wait before it moves to the next line. On the line directly beneath WAIT, insert IF ERRORLEVEL 1 GOTO followed by a location (label) name such as SKIP in the example below. In this example, the batch file waits ten seconds before backing up or skis to an impertinent message at the end if you press a key. ECHO Will back up in 10 seconds unless you press a key WAIT 10 IF ERRORLEVEL 1 GOTO SKIP BACKUP C:\*.* /S A: GOTO END :SKIP Echo Hey, you really should back up :END @@KEYMOD.COM KEYMOD Paul Somerson --------------------------------------------------------------- Purpose: KEYMOD is a batch file and short program to modify assignment of keys on your keyboard. Usage: First, check that ANSI.SYS is in your DOS directory or elsewhere on your hard disk, and then ensure that it's listed as a device in your CONFIG.SYS file. Open CONFIG.SYS in DOS 5.0's EDIT or a similar text editor and look for a line such as DEVICE=C:\DOS\ANSI.SYS (or one containing a different path to the same file). If it's missing, add it and then reboot to tload the driver into RAM. It will take up about 4.1k of conventional memory. Next, create a special subdirectory called SETKEY under your batch file or utilities subdirectory to contain KEY.COM and ANSIKEY.BAT. Change to the appropriate parent directory and enter MD SETKEY. Press ENTER, and then type CD SETKEY to take you to that directory. Next, create two batch files to take you to the SETKEY directory and start the process. This extra step is necessary because ANSIKEY creates a file that enables you to reset your keys and always puts this file in the subdirectory from which you launch the batch file. To avoid littering your hard disk with reset files, you must issue the batch file from the same subdirectory every time, and a second batch file is the easiest way to do it. With this set of files and programs, you can reassign functions between keys and assign text to a given key. You should be able to change any single-digit ASCII key, including numbers, letters, Shift- and Ctrl-key combinations, the number pad's direction keys (arrows, Home, End, PageUp, PageDn), Ins, Del, Backspace, Enter (try this carefully), Ctrl-Enter, and most punctuation keys. The exceptions are the gray keys mentioned in the file's REM lines. To assign a string to a key, type SETKEY followed by a string up to nine words long. This technique is useful for assigning hard-to-type commands to a single key. Attaching reminders to keys is another use of the technique. Let's say you want to assign the phone number of your systems manager or resident DOS helper to the F1 key. Enter the following line: SETKEY Call 7021 for help When you press Enter, the batch file will prompt you to press the key. For this example, press F1 and then press it again when prompted for a double-check. When you're assigning a string to a key, the batch file will offer to put a carriage return at the end of the line. This is handy if you're assigning a command such as DIR /P /W, but in this case, press N. You'll be given the option to avoid overwriting the RESET file, to which you should answer Y. Now, whenever you press F1, you'll see the string you've assigned to it. ANSIKEY creates a file called RESET.BAT in its subdirectory whenever you reassign keys. Use the DOS TYPE command to check it out. Enter RESET to restore F1, and after you see the reset message, press F1 to verify. @@ADDTOIT.COM ADDTOIT Jeff Prosise/Dale Lewallen --------------------------------------------------------------- Purpose: Extend path environment variable to any length. Format: ADDTOIT [drive:] [path] Usage: ADDTOIT lets you append additional directory names to the end of your path environment variable set up in your AUTOEXEC.BAT. It lets you break up a long PATH command into several commands. For example, to render a path of C:\DOS;C:\WINDOWS;C:\MASM\BIN; use the following syntax: PATH=C:\DOS;C:\WINDOWS; ADDTOIT C:\MASM\BIN or even: PATH=C:\DOS; ADDTOIT C:\WINDOWS ADDTOIT C:\MASM\BIN Remarks: By breaking a long PATH statement into smaller components that fit within DOSs 127-character limit on individual commands, you can create PATH strings that are limited only by the amount of free space If ADDTOIT displays the "Insufficient environment space" error message, increase the environment size with a SHELL statement in CONFIG.SYS. Another error message you might see from ADDTOIT is "PATH variable not found". This means that the environment currently contains no PATH string. (ADDTOIT can't create a path statement; it can only add directory names to an existing PATH.) One annoying drawback to DOSs SET and PATH commands is that they will display only the first 127 characters of the PATH, even though DOS uses the full ADDTOIT path when it searches your hard disk for an executable file. Comments: Use ADDTOIT in moderation. Long PATH strings slow DOS down, and the later a directory name appears in a PATH string, the longer it takes DOS to find a program file in that directory. Keep your PATH statements as short as possible. @@MARQUEE.BAS MARQUEE David Rygmyr --------------------------------------------------------------- Purpose: Basic screen saver for DOS and QBasic Runtime. Format: QBASIC /RUN MARQUEE.BAS (This assumes you have both MARQUEE.BAS and QBASIC.EXE in your DOS path.) Comment: Create a batch file called MARQUEE.BAT that types the above "Usage" text for you. Remarks: Screen savers are neither new nor exciting but their virtues are legendary. While you're away from your PC, a screen saver prevents the electron gun in your monitor's cathode ray tube (CRT) from overstimulating the phosphors that coat the inside of your screen which, over time, would reduce their luminosity and could cause characters to be burned into the screen. The classic screen saver is memory resident--and like any TSR, it hogs system resources and conflicts with most drivers and programs you want to run. MARQUEE.BAS is an alternative. It is a QBasic program you can use to blank your screen or display with a scrolling message of up to 79 characters (that is, a screen's width less 1 character). This screen saver is compatible with Windows 3.1. Add a program icon to one of your groups called MARQUEE. For the command line syntax, use the QBASIC /RUN syntax listed above. Then, when you want a quick screen saver in Windows, click on the icon and type in a quick message and your screen will be blanked with the quick message you typed until you restore the screen upon your return. @@VIEWER.COM VIEWER Jeff Prosise --------------------------------------------------------------- Purpose: View Binary Files Without the DOS Beep Usage: VIEWER < CHKDSK.EXE > CHKDSK.TXT VIEWER < CHKDSK.EXE Remarks: Try to view a nontext file with DOSs TYPE or MORE command and all you'll get is junk and beeps. Binary files, though, often contain useful text information such as error messages, copyright information, etc., that can help you identify mystery files on ao hard disk. VIEWER scans binary files for embedded text messages. To view longer files onscreen, pip VIEWERs output to MORE, as in: TYPE CHKDSK.TXT|MORE @@TODAY.BAS TODAY David Rygmyr --------------------------------------------------------------- Purpose: Fast File Finder for Mobile PC Usage: QBASIC /RUN TODAY.BAS Remarks: This program requires the QBASIC Runtime module, which should be located in your \DOS directory. TODAY.BAS searches all subdirectories on specified drives for any files with specific extensions and the current date in effect, it rounds up any file you've edited or created that day. As it finds files, it asks whether you want them copied to the floppy drive and prompts you for a Y or N answer. A reply of N restarts the search for more recently created or edited files; a Y keystroke first copies the named file to the root directory of your floppy disk, then moves on to find others. The program's operation is simple which is the whole point of the exercise but your drive configuration and the extension of the files you're interested in will probably differ from the example we provide. If you modify data on only your C: and D: drives and want to copy only files with .DOC and .XLS extensions to drive A:, TODAY.BAS will work for you exactly as it is written. If your needs are different, here's how to customize the program. To copy files to a drive other than A:, modify the DestDrv$ statement in the main program. To copy to drive B:, for instance, type the line DestDrv$ = "B:" To modify the names of the hard disks you want to search, change the DATA statement to include either different letters or more drives. If you add drives, be sure to modify the earlier variable NumOfDrives% to reflect the new total. For instance, to check drives C:, F:, and G:, modify the two lines like this: FOR NumOfDrives% = 1 TO 3 and DATA "C:\", "F:\", "G:\" Finally, to change the file extensions or to add new ones go to the subroutine and find the line that starts IF Ext$ = "DOC". Replace the .DOC and .XLS extensions with any that you work on regularly and add as many as you like. To avoid typing errors, use your text editor's copy and paste commands to stack multiple Ext$ strings, and type over the copied extension. If you use nonstandard file extensions (such as month abbreviations), a long chain of Ext$ strings starting with IF Ext$ = "JAN" OR Ext$ = "FEB" and ending with THEN would work fine. To look for all files with the current date, simply comment out this line. Alternatively, instruct the program to search for COM or EXE files that were changed something virus programs are very fond of doing.