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MANUAL.DOC
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RUN-QUICK 1.50
COPYRIGHT 1992
by
Vernon L. Brinkley
All Rights Reserved
RUN-QUICK is provided as shareware. Under the shareware concept,
you can test a program before you buy it. If you find it suitable
for your needs and make use of this program, you are expected to
send a $25.00 registration fee.
Feel free to distribute this software to others. However, you may
not charge for the distribution of this software to others
except for normal computer access charges or subscription fees
etc.,nor may you alter the software or documentation.
Registered users of RUN-QUICK will receive a diskette containing
the current version of RUN-QUICK, plus may purchase future
updates at half of the normal registration price. A laser printed
manual is available to registered users for an additional $5.00.
For further ordering information, please see the file ORDER.FRM
included with RUN-QUICK.
YOUR COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS ARE WELCOME!
Vernon Brinkley
258 Cape Royale
Coldspring,Tx. 77331
Please mention the version of RUN-QUICK in any correspondence.
The current version in this file is 1.50
...DISCLAIMER..DISCLAIMER..DISCLAIMER..DISCLAIMER..DISCLAIMER...
----------------------------------------------------------------
THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND.
IN NO EVENT SHALL I BE HELD LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER
ARISING FROM THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THIS PRODUCT.
YOUR REGISTRATION FEE ENTITLES YOU TO USE THIS SOFTWARE ON A
SINGLE COMPUTER. SITE LICENSES ARE AVAILABLE, PLEASE WRITE TO THE
ABOVE ADDRESS FOR DETAILS.
Page 1
RUN-QUICK
Table of contents
Chapter Title
1. Getting Started Page 3
2. Configuration Page 4
3. Tutorial Page 6
4. Acknowledgements Page 10
Page 2
RUN-QUICK
Chapter 1
Getting Started
RUN-QUICK is a DOS menu program to simplify selecting, and
running your programs on your hard disk. After configuring RUN-
QUICK, you can start a program with just one keystroke. You don't
have to remember what particular command starts what program and
this is especially helpful if you work with many programs.
Additionally you can exit to DOS for other purposes.
RUN-QUICK is easily configured and can be changed at any time
even while the program is running.
Basic equipment to get started;
1.) RUN-QUICK diskette
2.) IBM PC or compatible
3.) DOS 2.00 or higher
3.) One floppy disk drive 5 1/4" or 3 1/2"
The first step is to install RUN-QUICK as described below. After
installation, refer to Chapter 2 for details on configuring RUN-
QUICK to your particular program applications. If you are a
novice PC user, refer to Chapter 3 for a tutorial containing even
easier instructions.
INSTALLATION
1. TYPE; C: <enter>
2. Type; MD C:\RUNQ <enter>
The next step is to copy the RUN-QUICK program files to the RUNQ
directory
To install RUN-QUICK on your hard drive insert the program disk
into your floppy drive and from the DOS prompt type :
COPY A:*.* C:\RUNQ <ENTER>
Note; RUN-QUICK will not run properly unless it is installed on a
hard drive in the directory - RUNQ. RUN-QUICK will not run
effectively on a floppy only system.
Page 3
RUN-QUICK
Chapter 2
Configuration
RUN-QUICK is easily configured to run most applications. After
installation is completed, configuration can begin.
RUN-QUICK is recommended to run automatically via the
AUTOEXEC.BAT file in your root directory. By modifying this file
RUN-QUICK will start and run first each time you power on your
PC. To modify this file find it in your root directory under the
filename AUTOEXEC.BAT. Using a suitable text file editor add the
statement RUNQ\ to the end of your path line. Then after the last
statement in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file add the statements;
CD\RUNQ
RUNQ
Note; Make sure that your AUTOEXEC.BAT file does not load other
application programs before RUN-QUICK.
Next be sure to save the modified file and then reboot your PC.
After rebooting RUN-QUICK will automatically start.
The first screen that you see is the main menu. Notice the empty
spaces available for your programs. RUN-QUICK ver.1.50 has the
capability to load and run your choice of up to 14 programs.
Configuring RUN-QUICK to load your programs is simply
accomplished.
The first step to configuration is to remember to add 100 to any
number selection to initially add a program or to later change a
program if you choose. Thus to add or change a program to slot#1
you would type 101 <enter>. RUN-QUICK will then go into the
configuration mode and ask what is the name of the program that
you would like to add. The next statement asks the path and
directory that the program is in. Last of all RUN-QUICK asks the
drive, path, & executable file to start the application,eg.-
C:\RUNQ\RUNQ.EXE Usually the executable file has a suffix .EXE or
.COM (refer to your program documentation for more information.)
A word about Microsoft Windows is in order. You can run Windows
from slot #1 only. The software is set up so that in order to run
Windows select 101 <enter>, to go into the configuration mode.
Type Windows (uppercase) at the program name prompt. You can
just leave the other two questions blank (press <enter> twice).
Windows will automatically load into slot #1. This is all that's
necessary to load and run Windows.
Page 4
After entering the required information the main menu will appear
now showing your newly added or changed program in the
corresponding slot. That's all there is to configuring RUN-QUICK!
Note; if you do not have the need to load programs into all 14
slots then just leave them blank for future additions as your
program library grows.
RUN-QUICK stores program data information in data files
automatically as they are added by the user. These files are
stored in the RUNQ directory as DAT1.DAT, DAT2.DAT etc... Some
experienced users may wish to edit these files using a text file
editor. This is somewhat quicker than the program configuration
mode process. Care must be taken to not erase a data file as RUN-
QUICK will then show an empty slot where the application program
used to be. If this occurs, then the user must re-configure RUN-
QUICK using the configuration mode to re-install the application
program.
Additional configuration tips include using all capitol letters
when specifying program names inside RUN-QUICK. While not
absolutely necessary for proper operation, having all capitol
letters in all the program names adds a uniform and professional
appearance to the menu screens.
RUN-QUICK may be incompatible with some programs due to the
nature of the program itself. In this case the software once
configured into RUN-QUICK, simply refuses to run. Sometimes it
may be beneficial to experiment with different executable file
commands inside RUN-QUICK. The addition of various switches to
the executable command line may be the answer. Before doing
anything be sure to consult your application documentation for
proper instructions for your particular software. Unfortunately
due to the wide variation of software on the market, RUN-QUICK
cannot claim to be able to run absolutely every software package
available. Future versions of RUN-QUICK will attempt to keep pace
with the fast growing software industry.
Page 5
RUN-QUICK
Chapter 3
Tutorial
Using RUN-QUICK is safe and simple. Unlike alot of the current
DOS shell programs available today, RUN-QUICK cannot damage or
erase important files in an application. This is especially
useful for users who do not fully understand file editing, or for
computers that have many users, as a means of controlling file
access.
The basic premise of RUN-QUICK is to quickly and easily load and
run software using just a few keystrokes. Once RUN-QUICK is
configured, a software program can be started with just two
keystrokes.
Learning to use RUN-QUICK is easily accomplished in just a few
minutes. This tutorial is designed to help the beginning computer
user install RUN-QUICK onto a hard drive and configure RUN-QUICK
to load and run various applications. In this lesson the user is
assumed to have a basic working knowledge of DOS commands and is
proficient in making/modifying batch files. For more information
on these subjects refer to your DOS manual before attempting to
use RUN-QUICK.
RUN-QUICK comes ready to install on either a 5 1/4" or 3 1/2"
floppy diskette. The floppy contains all the necessary files to
run the program in addition to order form documents and this
instruction manual.
A description of RUN-QUICK files is as follows;
RUNQ.COM..... RUN-QUICK program file.
MAIN1.BSD.... Main menu page 1.
MAIN2.BSD.... Main menu page 2.
ORDER.FRM.... RUN-QUICK order form.
MANUAL.DOC... This instruction manual.
README.1ST... Last minute notes for RUN-QUICK.
WIN.BAT...... Windows batch file.
Now that you know what your new program disk contains, let's get
started. The first step before installation of the program files
is to create a separate directory for RUN-QUICK to operate in.
This is easily done by using the DOS command...MD.
Page 6
1. From your root directory at the DOS prompt type;
MD C:\RUNQ <enter>
2. Then you copy your program files to this new directory:
COPY A:*.* C:\RUNQ <enter>
The next step after installation is to modify your AUTOEXEC.BAT
file to automatically load and run RUN-QUICK each time you turn
on your PC. If you have no AUTOEXEC.BAT file in your root
directory then refer to your DOS manual on how to create one.
For example; your AUTOEXEC.BAT file may contain the following
statements;
@ECHO OFF
PROMPT $P $G
PATH C:\DOS\
RUN-QUICK needs a few additions to this file to load and work
properly. First you need to add RUNQ to the end of the path
statement. In the above example the new path statement would
read;
PATH C:\DOS;C:\RUNQ\
By using a suitable text file editor modify your particular path
statement to include RUNQ as in the above example.
The next step is to add to the AUTOEXEC.BAT file the command to
automatically load and run RUN-QUICK. It is important that your
AUTOEXEC.BAT file does not load other application programs before
loading RUN-QUICK. In the above example you would add the
statements;
C:
CD\RUNQ
RUNQ
Now that your AUTOEXEC.BAT file is fully modified it should
resemble the following;
@ECHO OFF
PROMPT $P$G
PATH C:\DOS;C:\RUNQ\
C:
CD\RUNQ
RUNQ
Note that not all AUTOEXEC.BAT files will look exactly as the
above but they should contain the RUN-QUICK modifications exactly
as described.
The next steps will describe how to configure RUN-QUICK to load
and run your particular applications.
Page 7
Now reboot your PC and RUN-QUICK will load and the main menu
screen will appear.
The first thing that you see after RUN-QUICK loads is the main
menu. Take note of the nine empty slots. These slots are where
your application program names will be after configuration. Press
10 <enter> and the second page of the main menu will appear.
There are 5 more empty slots for a total of 14 application slots.
Now press 0 <enter> to get back to the first page and let's start
the configuration process.
When adding or changing a program for any particular slot you
need to remember to add 100 to the slot number. For instance, to
add or change an application for slot #1, you would type
101 <enter>.
RUN-QUICK then goes into the configuration mode and asks a series
of questions about the application that you want to add or
change. The first question that RUN-QUICK asks is the application
program name. You then type the name. Then the next question is
the path to the application program. This means to enter the
drive and directory where the application program resides. Lastly
RUN-QUICK asks the name of the drive, path, & executable file.
All this means is the path that you would normally type at a DOS
prompt to start your application program. Usually these files
have an extension .EXE or .COM etc... Refer to your particular
application program documentation for more detail. Sometimes you
may need to add switches to an execution statement to get the
program to load or run a certain way. RUN-QUICK allows you to do
this too. The main point to remember about the execution
statement is to just type it exactly as you would do if you were
loading the program normally from a standard DOS prompt.
After RUN-QUICK asks these questions it displays your answers to
all three questions and gives you a chance to go back and correct
any typing mistakes. If there are no mistakes type Y <enter> to
return to the main menu. It's that easy!
Now you will see your application program name appear in it's
corresponding slot. To run the program simply type the number of
the slot and press enter. The application will load and run as
normal. When you exit your application you will return to RUN-
QUICK for another program choice or to turn off your PC etc...
Page 8
If you make an entry mistake or otherwise press the wrong key no
damage will occur. RUN-QUICK will just sit and wait for the
correct entry. If you need to exit the RUN-QUICK program itself
to get the standard DOS prompt press 0 <enter> from the main menu
page 1 display. RUN-QUICK will be turned off. To load RUN-QUICK
again, either reboot your PC or go to the RUNQ directory from the
DOS prompt and then type RUNQ <enter> and RUN-QUICK will load and
run again.
Page 9
RUN-QUICK
Chapter 4
Acknowledgements
I would like to take a moment to thank the people below who have
helped RUN-QUICK become a success;
My Wife
DONYA M. BRINKLEY
ASIC 3.02
Author
DAVID A. VISTI
THEDRAW 4.51
Author
IAN DAVIS
Page 10