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JMAC PRINDIR Version 8.60 Users Guide and Reference Manual
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. GENERAL INFORMATION AND LEGALITIES
Introduction .......................................... page 2
Shareware Notice ...................................... page 2
Disclaimer ............................................ page 3
II. PRINDIR PROGRAM
Installation .......................................... page 3
Command Line Arguments ................................ page 3
The Multiplex ID ...................................... page 5
Popup Parameter Menu .................................. page 5
Current Status ........................................ page 5
Source Device ......................................... page 5
Destination Device .................................... page 5
File Name and Path .................................... page 6
Redirection to Files .................................. page 6
Invisible Mode ........................................ page 6
Delete Current File ................................... page 6
Byte Counter .......................................... page 6
Echo Mode ............................................. page 7
Video Mode Switching .................................. page 7
III. PRINMOD PROGRAM
Program Overview ...................................... page 7
Command Line Arguments ................................ page 7
IV. PRINKEY PROGRAM
Program Overview ...................................... page 8
V. PRINCOL PROGRAM
Program Overview ...................................... page 8
VI. TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Notes For Programmers ................................. page 9
Final Notes and Where to Get HELP! .................... page 10
Known Conflicts and Other Information.................. page 10
Site License Information .............................. page 11
PRINDIR Registration Form ............................. page 12
- Page 1 -
JMAC PRINDIR Version 8.60 Users Guide and Reference Manual
---------------- GENERAL INFORMATION AND LEGALITIES ----------------
INTRODUCTION:
Welcome to Version 8.60 of PRINDIR, the BEST printer redirection
program available! PRINDIR is a TSR program that will allow you to
redirect the output of any standard COM or LPT port to any other COM
or LPT port, as well as to disk files and to the display. In
addition, PRINDIR allows you to specify the full path and file name
for disk file redirection, thus it is possible to redirect to any file
or named device.
The main program offers an easy to use Popup Parameter Menu from which
the user can quickly and easily set program options. PRINDIR can
utilize expanded and extended memory on systems so equipped, making
its conventional memory footprint even smaller. PRINDIR also includes
several small support utilities to help you customize PRINDIR to meet
your needs. PRINDIR is fast, intuitive, easy to use, and can be
utilized to solve many different types of problems. Only your
imagination will limit what you can do with PRINDIR.
PRINDIR is a Shareware program written by Michael A. Hotz of J.M.
Allen Creations, and is user supported through Shareware registration.
Technical support is provided via phone, electronic mail, U.S. mail,
or any other means possible. Registered users are rewarded with very
cheap upgrades to any future version which is released after the
version they register.
SHAREWARE NOTICE:
The PRINDIR system, comprised of PRINDIR, PRINMOD, PRINCOL, and
PRINKEY versions 8.60, this documentation, and any previous or later
versions of any of the above are all Copyright (c) 1989-1993 J.M.
Allen Creations. All Rights Reserved by Michael A. Hotz. This
program is NOT public domain, it is released using the Shareware
concept. We invite you to use our software on a trial basis. If
after 30 days, you find that this is an indispensable addition to your
utility entourage, we ask that you pay for this program by sending a
$20.00 registration fee to JMAC using the registration form included
on the last page of this manual. You may also register by phone using
a valid VISA or MASTERCARD. Registered users will be allowed 25%
upgrades on any future Shareware versions of PRINDIR.
Registered users are invited to upgrade to the latest version of
PRINDIR for only $5.00. Registration assures you of 25 percent
upgrades for any future Shareware versions of the program, unlimited
technical support, and you will have a clear conscience knowing you
have not stolen this software, but rather paid a very modest fee for
the continued legal use of PRINDIR. In addition, there is no cost to
upgrade to a minor release version which is within the same major
release version you are currently registered for. For instance, if
you are already registered with 8.02, you can upgrade to 8.60 for no
charge. Only when the major version number changes are there changes
or improvements which warrant additional payment.
- Page 2 -
JMAC PRINDIR Version 8.60 Users Guide and Reference Manual
This program may be freely distributed for others evaluation as long
as no fee is charged, with the exception of modest disk, shipping and
handling charges. Any person who uses this product agrees to the
terms of the Shareware, Copyright, and Disclaimer notices contained
herein. If this system is distributed, only the original archive
distributed by J.M. Allen Creations should be used, and it should not
be modified in ANY WAY! This will allow users who fear they may have
obtained a patched, or otherwise modified version of the program to
verify the integrity of the program by calling J.M. Allen Creations
with the archive checksum information.
You MAY NOT disassemble, reverse engineer, hack, change, modify,
alter, mutate, refashion, vary, or catalyze any of these programs or
documentation in any way, manner, shape or form.
DISCLAIMER:
Michael A. Hotz, nor J.M. Allen Creations, nor any person or entity
affiliated with either, will assume any responsibility for any
situation which occurs as a result, be it direct, or indirect, of the
use of any of these programs. THE USER ASSUMES ALL RISK WHICH MAY BE
ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF THESE PROGRAMS. There are no warrantees
whatsoever, expressed or implied, as to the usefulness or
effectiveness of this system for any particular purpose. This
software is licensed as is, and is not guaranteed to work on any
particular machine, or under any particular hardware or software
configuration. All of the programs have been tested on many different
types of hardware under numerous configurations to perform as
described in this documentation. Use of this software in any way
constitutes IMMEDIATE acceptance of these terms by the user.
-------------------------- PRINDIR PROGRAM -------------------------
INSTALLATION:
PRINDIR should be installed on a system running version 3.00 of DOS or
greater. It should be installed at the command line, or in a batch
file, but should not be installed while you are shelled to DOS from
inside another program. The program requires one of three command
line switches to be installed, or one to be released. There are two
additional switches available to control special features.
COMMAND LINE ARGUMENTS:
prindir /c
Installing PRINDIR with the /c switch will cause PRINDIR to allocate
32k of CONVENTIONAL memory for redirection to disk files.
prindir /x
Installing PRINDIR with the /x switch will cause PRINDIR to
allocate 64k of EXTENDED memory for redirection to disk files. You
must have an XMM (Extended Memory Manager) such as HIMEM.SYS
- Page 3 -
JMAC PRINDIR Version 8.60 Users Guide and Reference Manual
installed, and sufficient extended memory in order to use extended
memory with PRINDIR.
prindir /e
Installing PRINDIR with the /e switch will cause PRINDIR to allocate
64k of EXPANDED memory for redirection to disk files. You must have
an EMM (Expanded Memory Manager) and appropriate hardware installed,
and sufficient expanded memory available in order to use expanded
memory with PRINDIR.
prindir /u
Running PRINDIR with the /u switch will unload the resident copy of
PRINDIR. If one of the interrupts PRINDIR takes over while it is
installed is changed while it is resident, PRINDIR will not be able to
unload until the affected interrupt is restored. If PRINDIR cannot
unload safely, it will display a message to this effect and remain
resident. At this point you may want to unload the offending program,
and attempt to release PRINDIR again. Any data in the disk buffer
will be written automatically before the program releases.
prindir /k
The /k switch is used to tell PRINDIR not to grab the keyboard
interrupt vector when the popup menu is displayed. This vector is
normally changed when PRINDIR is popped up, and restored when the menu
is closed to provide compatibility with programs that do strange
handling with the keyboard. The EDIT.EXE program that comes with DOS
5.0 is one particular program which benefits from this action. If you
have problems with PRINDIR you might try using the /k switch to
disable this function before calling for technical support.
prindir /b
The /b switch is used to tell PRINDIR not to change the blink bit
setting. On EGA and better display adapters, PRINDIR normally turns
of the blink bit to allow 256 different colors for the popup parameter
menu. You can use the /b switch to force PRINDIR not to modify the
blink bit setting.
prindir /p
The /p switch is used tell PRINDIR to add a formfeed character after
each print screen operation.
prindir /ixx
The /i parameter is used to change the ID number used by PRINDIR in
communicating through the multiplex interrupt 2Fh. The xx should be
replaced with any valid hexadecimal value from 00 to FF. See the
discussion of the multiplex ID below for details.
- Page 4 -
JMAC PRINDIR Version 8.60 Users Guide and Reference Manual
THE MULTIPLEX ID:
The purpose of the ID is twofold. First, if you have another resident
program using the default ID of 7Fh, you can change the ID used by
PRINDIR to avoid conflict. Generally speaking, if another piece of
software suddenly stops working when PRINDIR is installed, you may
need to use this switch.
The second reason to use this switch would be in a case where you want
to load multiple copies of the PRINDIR program to redirect multiple
devices at the same time. You could install the first copy of PRINDIR
with the default, and the second using a different ID number.
The PRINMOD program has an identical /ID switch so that you can
communicate with several loaded copies of PRINDIR installed using
different ID numbers. You may want to change the hotkey for one of
them so you have access to both popup menus, and you may want to
change the colors for one of them as well.
When you are ready to unload PRINDIR, you must specify the same ID
number when unloading as when you loaded. Also, if you install
multiple copies, you should unload them in reverse order.
POPUP PARAMETER MENU:
The popup parameter menu is your interface with the PRINDIR program.
From this small popup menu, you can set many different parameters.
The following paragraphs summarize the different configuration
settings and information displays. The default keystroke to pop up
PRINDIR is ALT + P (Hold the ALT key and press P).
CURRENT STATUS:
The current status of PRINDIR is visible at a glance based on which
items are selected or highlighted. Each set of options is mutually
exclusive, which means when you select one item in a group, the others
are turned off.
SOURCE DEVICE:
This section determines which port PRINDIR will capture data from.
The F1 through F7 keys will allow you to select different source
devices. Any output sent to this device will be intercepted by
PRINDIR, and redirected to the appropriate destination based on the
DESTINATION DEVICE. This setting will remain in effect until you
change it again through the popup parameter menu, or the PRINMOD
program.
DESTINATION DEVICE:
This section indicates which device PRINDIR is currently writing
redirected output to. The 1 through 7 keys, plus S and F will allow
you to select different destination devices. Any data that is printed
to the SOURCE DEVICE will be captured by PRINDIR and redirected to the
- Page 5 -
JMAC PRINDIR Version 8.60 Users Guide and Reference Manual
DESTINATION DEVICE selected. This setting will remain in effect until
you change it again through the popup parameter menu, or the PRINMOD
program.
FILE NAME AND PATH:
There are two fields which control the redirection files PRINDIR uses.
The P key will allow you to edit the file path field.
The N key will allow you to edit the file name field.
You could, for all practical purposes, put an entire path and file
name in either of the fields. When opening the file to write, PRINDIR
simple appends the file name to the file path. They are provided as
two separate fields to provide a more simple approach to entering
destination file and path information.
REDIRECTION TO FILES:
You don't have to worry about losing data already in a file because
PRINDIR will never write over existing data. If the destination file
you have specified already exists, PRINDIR will simply append any
further data to the end of the file, leaving the original data
untouched. If the file specified does not exist, PRINDIR will
automatically create it. PRINDIR automatically writes any data in
it's buffers before the parameter menu is activated and before the
program is removed from memory at the users request. PRINDIR will
also write any buffered data after a default of 5 seconds pass with no
new data being added to the buffer.
INVISIBLE MODE:
When PRINDIR is in invisible mode, it appears transparent in that
it does not modify any data in any way. Invisible mode allows PRINDIR
to remain in memory without disturbing any printed data, waiting for
your commands at any time. You can set PRINDIR to invisible by using
the I key in the Popup Parameter Menu, or by using the PRINMOD
program.
DELETE CURRENT FILE:
The D key will allow you to delete the file currently specified
in the File Path and File Name fields. PRINDIR does not provide you
with an option to change your mind when this key is pressed. The file
is deleted instantly.
BYTE COUNTER:
This display is a five digit counter that can be seen in the
upper right corner of the screen when the Counter option is selected
with the C key. The display shows the number of bytes that are in the
redirection buffer, and uses the same colors as the parameter menu.
- Page 6 -
JMAC PRINDIR Version 8.60 Users Guide and Reference Manual
ECHO MODE:
Echo mode provides a way to print to two devices at one time.
When echo mode is on, every byte printed to the port intercepted will
be sent to the PRINDIR destination, as well as to the original
intercepted device. For instance, if the CAPTURED DEVICE is set for
LPT1, and the DESTINATION DEVICE is set to FILE, and the ECHO MODE is
turned on, anything you print to LPT1 will go into the file specified,
as well as to LPT1.
VIDEO MODE SWITCHING:
PRINDIR now incorporates very simple logic for dealing with
graphics and other nonstandard display modes. When you pop PRINDIR up
over anything but a standard 80 x 25 text display, PRINDIR will switch
the display mode to a mode it can deal with, and when you close the
Popup Parameter Menu the original screen and video mode will be
restored. HOWEVER, the method used to save and restore the screen is
not perfect, and therefore you will notice, particularly in graphics
modes, that a portion of the display is not properly restored, and the
palette colors may be lost as well. While we aren't pleased with the
end results, we feel this is better than nothing at all. This
approach allows popping up over graphics with virtually no additional
code overhead. If the side effect of popping PRINDIR over graphics
displays annoys you, we suggest you only pop up over text screens.
PRINDIR will automatically write any bytes in the disk buffer
before popup. This occurs to prevent problems with parts of files
being printed to parts of other files when doing file name changes.
-------------------------- PRINMOD PROGRAM -------------------------
PROGRAM OVERVIEW:
PRINMOD is a separate program to support changing resident
PRINDIR parameters from batch files, or at the command line, or even
from within other programs. PRINMOD will allow you to do this easily.
You simply run PRINMOD with the desired parameters. The parameters
can be any number from the list below, in any combination.
COMMAND LINE ARGUMENTS:
/IDxx - Set ID number used to communicate with
resident program (00h through FFh allowed).
/GETx - Set captured device (1 - 7)
/PUTx - Set destination device (0 - 9)
The device numbers used with /GET and /PUT are:
1 = LPT1, 2 = LPT2, 3 = LPT3
4 = COM1, 5 = COM2, 6 = COM3, 7 = COM4
8 = SCREEN, 9 = FILE, 0 = INVISIBLE
/PATH-... - Set the redirection file path
- Page 7 -
JMAC PRINDIR Version 8.60 Users Guide and Reference Manual
/NAME-... - Set the redirection file name
/DUMP - Write remaining bytes in buffer to file
/NCOLxxx - Change the standard text color
/HCOLxxx - Change the highlight text color
/KEYxxx - Change the hotkey
/DISPx[0,1] - Turn the byte count display off or on
/ECHOx[0,1] - Turn the echo mode off or on
/WAITxxx - Set the delay for writing remaining bytes
/SIZExxx - Set the minimum bytes required for writing
/POP - Show the popup parameter menu
The PRINCOL program will display a table of available colors and
numbers that can be used with the /NCOL and /HCOL arguments. The
PRINKEY program can be used to determine the value of a keystroke to
be used with the /KEY argument.
If you give an invalid argument, or PRINDIR is not installed, the
program will display a message indicating the situation. Also
remember that PRINMOD only changes the parameters in the resident copy
of PRINDIR. Each time PRINDIR is installed, it starts out its
resident life with the defaults. Many users who install PRINDIR in
their autoexec.bat file run the PRINMOD program immediately after the
PRINDIR program to set the desired parameters.
--------------------------- PRINKEY PROGRAM ------------------------
PROGRAM OVERVIEW:
The PRINKEY program will allow you to press the key you wish to
use to popup the PRINDIR Popup Parameter Menu. The program will then
print the number you must use with the PRINMOD program using the /KEY
option. Remember that this does not change the keystroke permanently,
only while PRINDIR is installed, or until it is changed again with
PRINMOD. While you must use the ALT key in conjunction with the
hotkey to popup PRINDIR, you should NOT use the ALT key when running
this program.
--------------------------- PRINCOL PROGRAM ------------------------
PROGRAM OVERVIEW:
The PRINCOL program will display all of the possible values for
the /NCOL and /HCOL options of the PRINMOD program. Remember that
this does not change the color permanently, only while PRINDIR is
installed, or until it is changed again with PRINMOD.
------------------------- TECHNICAL SUPPORT ------------------------
NOTES FOR PROGRAMMERS:
You may easily incorporate support for changing resident PRINDIR
settings in your own software through multiplex interrupt 2Fh. You
simply put valid numbers in the correct registers, and issue software
interrupt 2Fh.
- Page 8 -
JMAC PRINDIR Version 8.60 Users Guide and Reference Manual
For all calls, the AH register should contain the ID number of the
resident copy you wish to communicate with. The AL register should
contain one of the values from the table below. Return values are
generally passed in the DX register. The AX register will return 0 if
the call is successful, or -1 if it fails. If a call fails, it is
usually because you requested an invalid function number, or provided
an invalid argument.
AL = 00h - Determine if PRINDIR is installed.
Upon return, the AH register will contain the ID number and the
AL register will contain 0xFF. If these values aren't returned, then
PRINDIR is not installed. If these values are returned, you then need
to check the string located at the far address returned in the CX:DX
registers to make PRINDIR is the program installed on the ID number
you are using. You should find "PRINDIR" at this address as a null
terminated string. Finally, once you have determined PRINDIR is
installed, check the version number returned in the BX register. The
BH register will contain the major version number, and the BL register
will contain the minor version number.
AL = 01h - Set Capture Device
DX = A valid capture device as defined above
AX returns 0 for success, -1 for an invalid device number
AL = 02h - Set Destination Device
DX = A valid destination device number as defined above
AX returns 0 for success, -1 for an invalid device number
AL = 03h - Set Path Name
CX = Segment to a null terminated path name
DX = Offset to a null terminated path name
AX returns 0 for success, -1 if the string is to long
AL = 04h - Set File Name
CX = Segment to a null terminated file name
DX = Offset to a null terminated file name
AX returns 0 for success, -1 if the string is to long
AL = 05h - Dump Capture Buffer
AX always returns zero
AL = 06h - Set Normal Text Color
DH = New text color
AX always returns zero
AL = 07h - Set Highlight Text Color
DH = New highlight color
AX always returns zero
AL = 08h - Set Popup Hotkey
DH = Scancode for new hotkey
AX always returns zero
- Page 9 -
JMAC PRINDIR Version 8.60 Users Guide and Reference Manual
AL = 09h - Set state of byte counter display
DX = 0 to turn off, 1 to turn on
AX always returns zero
AL = 0Ah - Set Flush Delay
DX = Number of clock ticks for delay
AX always returns zero
AL = 0Bh - Set Minimum Dump Size
DX = Number of bytes before dumping
AX always returns zero
AL = 0Ch - Set echo state
DX = 0 to turn off, 1 to turn on
AL = 0Dh - Show Popup Parameter Menu
AX returns 0 if successful, any other value indicates failure
AL = 0Eh - Submit byte to current destination device
DL = Byte to submit.
AX returns 0 if successful, any other value indicates failure
FINAL NOTES AND WHERE TO GET HELP:
We have put a great deal of work into this system, and believe
PRINDIR is one of the best, safest, most versatile, and most reliable
programs of this nature that is available. If, however, you are
experiencing any problems, please don't hesitate to contact us. We
deal with all technical support questions promptly, and we would be
glad to help with any problem you may be having.
You may contact Michael A. Hotz from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m Monday
through Friday at (419) 334-5203. After hours and on weekends, you
may call (419) 262-0779. This is a cell phone, and if it is not
answered, will forward to a voice mailbox which we check as often as
possible. If you leave a message on here, we will usually call you
back the same day. You may also send Compuserve Mail to 74160,3111,
GEnie Mail to MAHOTZ, or Internet Mail to mahjmac@delphi.com.
Many of the features in PRINDIR have been added at the request of
other users. If you have ideas, suggestions, questions, comments, or
criticism, please contact us so a solution can be worked out.
If you have trouble and can't get things going, be sure you have
some basic info before you call, such as what type of system you are
using, what type of memory buffer you are using, what types of
programs you have resident, what programs you are using, and when the
problems occur. With this information we can generally determine what
the problem is, and find a way to get PRINDIR to work for you!
KNOWN CONFLICTS AND OTHER INFORMATION:
PRINDIR cannot redirect programs which bypass the BIOS and access
hardware directly. PRINDIR intercepts all devices at the BIOS level,
- Page 10 -
JMAC PRINDIR Version 8.60 Users Guide and Reference Manual
but there is no easy way to intercept direct hardware writes on all
processors.
PRINDIR has been tested under MS-DOS Versions 3.30, 4.01, 5.00, and
6.00, IBM OS/2 2.0 in a DOS window, and under Microsoft Windows 3.0
and 3.1.
PRINDIR should have no problem with the loadhigh statement available
under MS-DOS 5.0, and similar statements provided by other memory
managers such as QEMM. PRINDIR requires 8784 bytes of conventional
memory when installed using EMS or XMS for the disk redirection
buffer, and 40528 bytes of conventional memory when installed using
conventional memory for the disk redirection buffer. These are the
exact number of bytes for this version, and do NOT include the
environment space allocated to all programs by DOS which changes from
machine to machine.
SITE LICENSE INFORMATION:
PRINDIR can be site licensed by using the following guidelines.
The minimum registration cost is $20.00. This allows the use of
PRINDIR on up to 20 machines at any single location. The charge for
each additional machine is $1.00 in increments of $10.00
1 - 20 Machine = $20.00
21 - 30 Machines = $30.00
31 - 40 Machines = $40.00
41 - 50 Machines = $50.00
etc... etc... etc...
Site license upgrades follow the same logic of single license
upgrades, including the same logic as above.
1 - 20 Machines = $5.00
21 - 30 Machines = $7.50
31 - 40 Machines = $10.00
41 - 50 Machines = $12.50
etc... etc... etc...
- Page 11 -
JMAC PRINDIR Version 8.60 Users Guide and Reference Manual
PRINDIR Version 8.60 Official Registration Form
Please mail this form to:
J.M. Allen Creations
P.O Box 387
Lindsey, Ohio 43442-0387
Please make any check or money orders payable to J.M. Allen Creations.
First time registration is $20.00. Registered users of versions prior
to 8.00 may upgrade to version 8.60 for only $5.00. Users of version
8.00 and higher are invited to upgrade at no cost.
Name _________________________________________________________________
Title ________________________________________________________________
Company Name _________________________________________________________
Address ______________________________________________________________
City _____________________ State ___________ Zip _____________
Daytime Phone _______________________ Fax ________________________
E-Mail (Compuserve, GEnie, Delphi, Internet)
______________________________________________________________________
_____ New Registrations at $20.00 Each = $__________
_____ Upgrade Registrations at $5.00 Each = $__________
New Site License for use on _____ machines = $__________
Upgrade Site License for use on _____ machines = $__________
Total Cost = $__________
[ ] I have enclosed a check or money order for the total
[ ] Charge the credit card below for the total (signature required)
[ ] I registered by phone with a credit card (signature required)
CREDIT CARD NUMBER (13 or 16 digits) EXPIRES
VISA/MASTERCARD ONLY!
__ __ __ __ - __ __ __ __ - __ __ __ __ - __ __ __ __ __ __ / __ __
AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE _________________________________________________
- Page 12 -
