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README.DOC
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1992-07-31
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F A S T A C C E S S
Version 4.01
README.DOC File
1) Setup of FAST ACCESS on your system
======================================================================
If you have used a previous version of FAST ACCESS, you MUST use the
Install program to install FAST ACCESS. The program will NOT run
unless you do so.
**********************************************************************
You MUST install FAST ACCESS with the Install program !!
**********************************************************************
The Install program will install FAST ACCESS in it's own directory
(\FA), make a \BAT directory for your batch files, and move all your
batch files in that directory. Install will also check your
AUTOEXEC.BAT file, to make sure that your path= statement includes
\BAT and the directory FAST ACCESS was installed in. Install will
also create a AUTOEXEC.BAT and a CONFIG.SYS file if they do not exist.
If your using a DOS version less than 3.0, Install will not install
FAST ACCESS. Upgrade to DOS version 5.00, it beats ALL other versions
of DOS (uses less memory).
When you start FAST ACCESS for the first time, it will display the
main help screen. You should browse this help screen to understand
how to operate the program. You should also view the help in the
Setup Configuration.
For FAST ACCESS to run your programs, batch files must be created to
execute them. The batch files to run your programs can be created by
FAST ACCESS when you use the Add command to add a new program. Just
follow the questions FAST ACCESS gives you, and the batch files will
be saved to your disk. The program will show you exactly what the
batch file looks like while your going through the steps.
Batch files can be located in the ROOT directory or in a \BAT
directory ONLY. Any other directory name is NOT supported.
NOTE: If your using J.P. Software's 4DOS, you MUST rename your batch
files to BTM files with the .BTM extension (excluding
AUTOEXEC.BAT) BEFORE running Install. Install will ONLY
recognize .BTM files because it senses that 4DOS is loaded.
Install will do everything stated in the above paragraph, except
substitute BAT with BTM.
**********************************************************************
Be sure to edit all your existing batch files, including AUTOEXEC.BAT
to load FAST ACCESS, by including FA as the last line of each batch
file. See batch file examples below. Use FAEDITOR.EXE to edit your
batch files, either while in the FAST ACCESS enviornment or as a stand
alone program (See Miscellaneous Information: *FAEDITOR.EXE*).
**********************************************************************
2) Batch files
======================================================================
All your batch files should have the basic design as you see below.
You can add items after the 'echo off' command, or before the FA
command as necessary to customize your batch files to run your programs.
Comments Batch File
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Supress display to screen echo off
Clear screen cls
Change drive that program is on (optional) D:
Change to program directory (optional) cd\123R2
Program name .\123
Change to root directory (optional) cd\
Change drive back to original (optional) C:
Reload FAST ACCESS FA
NOTE: The ".\" in the program name is put in to make sure that this
file will be executed in this directory only. If the program
file cannot be found, then you will get an error message, and
FAST ACCESS will reload. If the ".\" were not included, and the
program file cannot be found, DOS searches it's path to find a
file with that name. If you had a batch file with the same
name, the computer might go into a loop that you cannot get out
of.
NOTE: The 'echo off' will read '@echo off' when using DOS 3.30 or
later.
3) For Floppy Disc Users
======================================================================
If you have two floppy drives, make sure the "A" drive always contains
the following programs:
FA.EXE
FA.INI
FA.APP
FA1.HLP
FA2.HLP
FA3.HLP
FAEDITOR.EXE
FAEDITOR.INI
COMMAND.COM
CHKDSK.COM or CHKDSK.EXE
All your batch files to execute your programs
If you have one floppy drive, make sure EACH disc contains the FAST
ACCESS files above, EXCEPT only those batch files that will execute
those programs on that disc. If your running out of disc space, you
can delete the *.HLP files and the FAEDITOR.* files. You won't be able
to use the Help and Edit commands though.
4) How FAST ACCESS works
======================================================================
When you execute a program by pressing the <Enter> key, FAST ACCESS
loads the keyboard buffer with the batch file name to run that
program. FAST ACCESS then unloads itself from memory (letting you use
ALL your system memory to run your programs), the batch file name in
the keyboard buffer is executed, and your program is automatically
loaded by the commands in the batch file. When you exit from the
program you were running, FAST ACCESS is reloaded by the batch file.
5) Miscellaneous Information
======================================================================
*Esc Key*
At any time FAST ACCESS asks you a question, you can always use the
<Esc> key to exit/backout of that item.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
*Batch names*
When entering batch file names, you don't have to include the [.BAT]
extension, FAST ACCESS will do that for you.
Example: LOTUS.BAT would be entered as LOTUS
----------------------------------------------------------------------
*Directory names*
Example: C:\123R2 is a directory
Example: C:\123R2\WORKSHTS is a subdirectory of C:\123R2
When entering directory names, just enter the name without drive
extensions or colons.
Example: C:\123R2 would be entered as 123R2
C:\123R2\WORKSHTS would be entered as 123R2\WORKSHTS
The <F2> function key will only list directories. If your program is
in a sub-directory, you must type in that name.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
*Password Protection*
If your using the password Enabled command (in the Setup window), you
MUST ALWAYS shut down your computer by first quitting FAST ACCESS. If
you don't do this, the password function will NOT be enabled. FAST
ACCESS updates it's configuration file (FA.INI) on the Quit command.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
*Mouse users*
To execute programs, double-click the program name. Any item that is
highlighted in a different color such as Arrow and Enter symbols,
etc., can usually be clicked on with the mouse. To see the version
number of FAST ACCESS click the (≡) symbol on the left side of the
command line. The mouse can be used on ALL commands. Just experiment
with it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
*FAST ACCESS files*
FA .EXE - FAST ACCESS program
FA .INI - Configuration file
FA .APP - Program data file
FA1 .HLP - Help file for main screen
FA2 .HLP - Help file for setup screen
FA3 .HLP - Help file for Add, Edit & View commands
FAEDITOR.EXE - Editor used to edit batch files
FAEDITOR.INI - Configuration file
README .DOC - This file
ORDER .FRM - To register FAST ACCESS
LICENSE .DOC - Site license form
UPDATE .DOC - Lists the latest revisions to FAST ACCESS
----------------------------------------------------------------------
*FAEDITOR.EXE*
You can also use FAEDITOR.EXE as a stand-alone program. At the DOS
prompt type FAEDITOR <filename>, where filename is any valid DOS ASCII
text file. Make sure to include the full pathname.
Example: FAEDITOR C:\BAT\123R2.BAT or FAEDITOR C:\CONFIG.SYS
FAEDITOR will work as a replacement text editor in XTreeGold, or
XTreePro Gold.
NOTE: FAEDITOR can only edit pure ASCII text files smaller than 23K in
size.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
6) Command-line switches
======================================================================
There are two command-line switches that can be used as optional
start-up parameters to start FAST ACCESS.
/M = Monochrome mode. Force screen to display in monochrome mode.
/NE = No Extended screen. Restricts FAST ACCESS to 25 line display
mode.
You can use one or all switches to run FAST ACCESS.
Example: FA /M = Monochrome display
FA /M/NE = Monochrome display with no extended screen
NOTE: If you start FAST ACCESS with any switch, when you Add a batch
file, the batch file will automatically add whatever switches
you have included.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
7) Technical information
======================================================================
FAST ACCESS, FAEDITOR and INSTALL were written for Microsoft's BASIC
7.1 PDS compiler by Peter R. Muhlhauser. Crescent Software
(203) 438-5300 provided QuickPak Professional v4.xx (contains assembly
language routines) and P.D.Q. v2.01 (a replacement linking library
used by INSTALL), which FAST ACCESS uses extensively. Also, Crescent
provided the majority of the code for FAEDITOR.EXE. MicroHelp Inc.
(800) 922-3383 provided additional assembly routines (it's library
is much more extensive than Crescent's).
FAST ACCESS and all associated files are (C) Copyrighted 1987-1992
with all rights reserved by MSI-Muhlhauser Steel Inc. and
Peter R. Muhlhauser.
If you distribute FAST ACCESS to friends, associates, or to a computer
bulletin board system (BBS), please distribute the file FAMENU.ZIP
rather than the individual files for FAST ACCESS.
Also, if you like FAST ACCESS, have found some bug(s) in the program,
have any feasible suggestions/improvements for the program, you can
contact me at one of the following.
Muhlhauser Steel Inc.
2437 S. Willow Ave.
Bloomington, CA 92316
Phone (714) 877-2792 PST
Fax (714) 877-1649
CompuServe mail: CIS 70143,501
8) Problems when running FAST ACCESS
======================================================================
If your using a mouse, be sure to upgrade to the latest mouse driver
for your mouse. Older mouse drivers may crash/hang your system.
Unloading TSR's with batch files may not always work. DOS loads it's
batch processor first, and the TSR may not be able to unload.
If FAST ACCESS will not start on your computer, your system may be
infected with a virus. The virus called 'Stoned' is known to crash
FAST ACCESS. Purchase an Anti-Virus program to clean your system.
**********************************************************************
To print this file, type at the DOS prompt: TYPE README.DOC>PRN
----------------------------------------------------------------------
END