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DASBOOT.DOC
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1992-02-07
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13KB
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263 lines
DasBOOT.DOC
V.1.3
Copyright 1991-1992 by Russell Mueller
Member of the Association of Shareware Professionals
_______
____|__ | (R)
--| | |-------------------
| ____|__ | Association of
| | |_| Shareware
|__| o | Professionals
-----| | |---------------------
|___|___| MEMBER
INTRODUCTION
DasBOOT! is a reconfiguration/rebooting program written and
compiled in Microsoft QuickBASIC V.4.5. The user may select
a configuration from a set of AUTOEXEC.BAT & CONFIG.SYS files
displayed on the screen. The program then copies these files
to AUTOEXEC.BAT & CONFIG.SYS and does a cold boot of the computer.
DasBoot! can handle up to 7 configurations plus restore last
used configuration.
*******************************************
WARNING, WARNING, WARNING, WARNING, WARNING
*******************************************
Delayed-write disk caches will cause problems with DasBOOT! and
similar reconfiguration programs which copy files to your AUTOEXEC.BAT
and CONFIG.SYS files and then cold boot the computer. You must flush
your cache's buffer and then disable the cache before running DasBOOT!
DasBoot! uses a DOS interrupt call to flush all disk buffers, but this may not work on all disk caches.
DasBOOT! must be run from the root directory of your hard
drive. Copy DasBOOT.EXE, DASBOOT.CFG, and any configuration startup
files (pairs of BAT and SYS files) to the root directory of the hard
drive from which you normally boot (usually C:).
NEVER RUN DasBOOT! FROM WITHIN MICROSOFT WINDOWS 3!!!
Always exit from Windows. Do not run DasBOOT! from within a DOS session
under Windows! If you do so, some data and program files may be left open,
and may be irreversibly damaged. Also, Window's TMP files will be left on
your hard drive and will eventually fill up your hard drive unless you
manually erase them.
DasBOOT! does not check for the existence of files which you specify
in the DasBOOT.CFG file. No damage will be done, but no reconfiguration
will be done either.
SETTING UP DasBOOT!
The user must create or edit a file called DasBOOT.CFG using a word processor
or text editor which can save files in ASCII format. The file contains
three lines for each entry. Do not place any extra carriage returns between entries.
The format is:
Line 1: The name of the configuration set of AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS
files. Example: NORMAL to indicate NORMAL.BAT and NORMAL.SYS.
The example files include FS4MEM.BAT and FS4MEM.SYS, VANILLA.BAT
and VANILLA.SYS.
The user must create the BAT and SYS files and name them and use
this exact name in the first line of each 3-line setup, 8 characters
maximum.
Line 2: A short description, up to 32 characters.
Line 3: A secondary description, up to 80 characters.
.
.
.
There is a limit of 7 configurations or 21 lines in the DASBOOT.CFG file.
You may create longer files, but DasBOOT! will recognize only the first 7
entries. The last option on the screen will be to re-boot using the previous
configuration. If this is your first use of DasBOOT!, the computer
will reboot using the current AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files.
INSTALLING DasBOOT!
After UnZIPing the DASBOOT.ZIP file, copy these files to root directory
of your boot drive.
DasBOOT.ZIP contains:
DASBOOT.DOC (This file)
DASBOOT.EXE The executable file
DASBOOT.CFG The ASCII configuration description
NORMAL.BAT An example AUTOEXEC.BAT type file
NORMAL.SYS An example CONFIG.SYS type file
FS4MEM.BAT An example AUTOEXEC.BAT type file
FS4MEM.SYS An example CONFIG.SYS type file
VANILLA.BAT An example AUTOEXEC.BAT type file
VANILLA.SYS An example CONFIG.SYS type file
IMPORTANT! Before running DasBOOT! for the first time, backup your
AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files. Optionally, copy them to new files
such as AUTOEXEC.XXX and CONFIG.XXX. I recommend also keeping a backup
on floppy disk.
It is recommended that you copy your normal, everyday startup files into
the NORMAL files above, and the bare-bones maximum memory configuration
startup files that you may now be using from a floppy to run Flight Simulator
or other memory hungry game or application into the FS4MEM files.
COPY AUTOEXEC.BAT NORMAL.BAT
COPY CONFIG.SYS NORMAL.SYS
COPY BAREBONE.BAT FS4MEM.BAT ; or AUTOEXEC.BAT instead of
BAREBONE.BAT from your floppy
boot disk.
COPY BAREBONE.SYS FS4MEM.SYS ; or CONFIG.SYS instead of
BAREBONE.SYS from your floppy
boot disk.
The example files are for example only! Do not run them! They may
crash your system and have you scrambling for your DOS floppy, if you did
not copy the files as suggested above.
Since you are unlikely to have the same hardware and software
configuration as I have, you will probably want to (and HAVE to) modify
the BAT and SYS files to suit your system, in order to access any drivers
(mice, scanners, memory managers, hard drive drivers, etc.). You may use any
word processor which can save in ASCII format, or other editor such as EDIT
which comes with DOS 5.0. If you create other configuration setup files, then
edit the DASBOOT.CFG as well, following the DasBOOT.CFG syntax for the
information in each line.
Running DasBOOT!
To run DasBOOT, exit Windows or any other shell type program that you
may be using. Log onto the root directory of the boot drive (usually the
C: drive), and make sure that you are in the root directory. (For beginning
computer users, the DOS command is CD\).
Now run DasBOOT! by typing DasBOOT (and screaming DasBOOT! at the top of
your lungs. Just kidding, although my friends and I do this at work, <smile>
Kind of gives us away that we are using Flight Simulator again.), and pressing
the Enter key. You will be presented with a menu of options. Select one of
the boot configurations by either pressing a number key, or by using the arrow
keys (see note below on arrow keys) to highlight a configuration and pressing
Enter. The screen will clear and you will see the message,
"DasBOOT!ing in Progress...".
DasBOOT! may not complete the file copying before re-booting if you are
using a write delay with a hard drive cache. The AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS
files may become corrupted, or the re-boot may cause a lockup if there are
incompatible drivers, or TSR's in the CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files. If
lockup occurs, you will have to boot off of a floppy disk, and edit your
startup files manually. You must first disable your cache before DasBOOT!ing!
Bug Fixes in DasBOOT!:
V.1.1. Although the program was written to recognize the up and down arrow
keys of 101-key enhanced keyboards, some keyboards may required that
the NUM LOCK and the CapsLock key be off for the arrow keys on
enhanced
keyboards to work. DasBOOT! now turns them both off at the start of
the program.
V.1.2. Highlight was not highlighting whole line in V.1.0 and V.1.1, and
caused unusual screen display.
V.1.3. DOS interrupt call added which dumps the DOS disk buffers.
DEFINITION OF SHAREWARE
Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software
before buying it. If you try a Shareware program and continue
using it, you are expected to register. Individual programs
differ on details -- some request registration while others
require it, some specify a maximum trial period. With
DasBOOT! Version 1.2, registration for individual users
is $5.00 in U.S. funds. Non-U.S. registrants, please use
an International Money Order available from your Post Office
and include an additional $3.00 for shipping.
This pricing may change in future releases, as features are added.
Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial software,
and the copyright holder retains all rights, with a few specific
exceptions as stated below. Shareware authors are accomplished
programmers, just like commercial authors, and the programs are
of comparable quality. (In both cases, there are good programs
and bad ones!) The main difference is in the method of
distribution. The author specifically grants the right to copy
and distribute the software, either to all and sundry or to a
specific group. For example, some authors require written
permission before a commercial disk vendor may copy their
Shareware.
Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. You
should find software that suits your needs and pocketbook,
whether it's commercial or Shareware. The Shareware system makes
fitting your needs easier, because you can try before you buy.
And because the overhead is low, prices are low also. Shareware
has the ultimate money-back guarantee -- if you don't use the
product, you don't need to register/license it.
DISCLAIMER - AGREEMENT
Users of DasBOOT! must accept this disclaimer of warranty:
"DasBOOT! is supplied as is. The author disclaims all
warranties, expressed or implied, including, without limitation,
the warranties of merchantability and of fitness for any purpose.
The author assumes no liability for damages, direct or conse-
quential, which may result from the use of DasBOOT!."
DasBOOT! is a "shareware program" and is provided at no charge
to the user for evaluation. Feel free to share it with your
friends, but please do not give it away altered or as part of
another system. The essence of "user-supported" software is to
provide personal computer users with quality software without
high prices, and yet to provide incentive for programmers to
continue to develop new products. If you find this program
useful and find that you are using DasBOOT! and continue to use
DasBOOT! after a reasonable trial period, you must make a reg-
istration payment of $5.00 to Russell Mueller. The
registration fee will license one copy for use on any one
computer at any one time. You must treat this software just like
a book. An example is that this software may be used by any
number of people and may be freely moved from one computer
location to another, so long as there is no possibility of it
being used at one location while it's being used at another.
Just as a book cannot be read by two different persons at the
same time.
Commercial users of DasBOOT! must register and pay for their
copies of DasBOOT! within 30 days of first use or their license
is withdrawn. Site-License arrangements may be made by con-
tacting Russell Mueller. The registration price for commercial users
is $5.00 per user.
Anyone distributing DasBOOT! for any kind of remuneration must
first contact Russell Mueller at the address below for authorization.
You are encouraged to pass a copy of DasBOOT! along to your
friends for evaluation. Please encourage them to register their
copy if they find that they can use it. All registered users
will receive software support via mail, free upgrades/fixes for 3 months
from date of registration, as upgrades are made available.
***ASP Ombudsman Policy********************************************
"This program is produced by a member of the Association of Shareware
Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the shareware principle
works for you. If you are unable to resolve a shareware-related problem with
an ASP member by contacting the member directly, ASP may be able to help.
The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP
member, but does not provide technical support for members' products.
Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI 49442
or send a Compuserve message via Compuserve Mail to ASP Ombudsman
70007,3536.
The OMB may be contacted by FAX by sending to the ASP FAX number:
(616) 788-2765. In communication with the OMB, please include a
telephone number and/or FAX if available."
*******************************************************************
Thank you for reading this and supporting the shareware marketing method,
where you try before you buy!
DasBOOT! was written and is distributed by:
Russell Mueller
507 Washington Gdns
Washington, NJ 07882-9205
Compuserve [76662,1623]