home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
The 640 MEG Shareware Studio 2
/
The 640 Meg Shareware Studio CD-ROM Volume II (Data Express)(1993).ISO
/
utility
/
autoboot.zip
/
AUTOBOOT.TXT
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1993-01-28
|
4KB
|
99 lines
Cowan Software, Ltd.
962 Harris Parkway
Cartersville, GA 30120
IMPORTANT NOTICE !!!
It is not always possible to predict how this program or any pro-
gram that alters the disk boot sector will function in a particu-
lar system. Backup important disks and use the program on the
backup copy for maximum safety. See the license and liability
disclaimer at the end of this document. The program requires a
286 or higher IBM Compatible machine.
AutoBoot
During the booting routine, the processor looks at the A: drive
to check for the presence of a diskette. This is both necessary
and useful. For example, if the hard drive malfunctions, or if
the configuration files become corrupted, a system disk can be
inserted in the A: drive and the boot process continued from the
A: drive. Problems with the hard drive can then be corrected or,
if necessary, it can be reformatted. Likewise, some programs re-
quire a special machine configuration, so they interrupt normal
booting and use a special CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT file stored
on the program diskette.
Unfortunately, if a non-system disk is left in the A: drive, the
booting process stops. You must open the A: drive door and press
a key to continue the bootup. This can be a nuisance if for some
reason you want to leave a data disk in the A: drive.
The AUTOBOOT program modifies diskettes so they can be left in
the A: drive during boot up. It does so without using any disk
space and may be used on old disks that already contain data as
well as newly formatted disks. It goes without saying that DOS
system disks and any program disks that need to capture control
during bootup must not be converted or their usefulness may be
lost.
Uses for "Transparent Diskettes"
Many times it is helpful to use a floppy diskette as a backup for
wordprocessor or database files. This is a convenient and inex-
pensive alternative to tape backup for small systems. At the end
of a work session, modified files can be copied over to the
diskette. Once processed, the backup diskette can be
"permanently" left in the drive.
Using AUTOBOOT
The program is started by placing the diskette in the A: or B:
drive, or accessing the directory on the hard drive where it is
stored. Type AUTOBOOT and press <enter>. You now must select
which drive to process (A or B).
The program will tell you what it is about to do and ask you to
press "Y" if you wish to continue. If you started the program
from the floppy, you can remove the program diskette and insert
diskettes to be processed into that drive.
Diskettes to be processed must be formatted and not be write pro-
tected. Existing files will not be affected as only the boot sec-
tor is modified. Once a disk has been processed, it can be re-
moved and others processed during the same session.
Converted diskettes may be left in the A: drive during bootup
without terminating the process. The system will continue booting
using the CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files on the hard drive.
License and Liability Limitations
This program is protected by U.S. Copyright laws. You are li-
censed to use this product in the manner described in this docu-
ment for a trial period of 30 days. The program and the associ-
ated documents may be transferred to Bulletin Boards and to other
users provided they accept the 30 day limitation.
Diskettes processed using this program are for the use of the li-
censee and may not be sold to another.
This program is warranted to be free of known defects at the time
of distribution and to function as described in the supplied lit-
erature.
Due to the complex nature of computer software, the possibility
of unrecognized software errors, and the unpredictable result
this program might have when used in a particular system, Cowan
Software, Ltd. assumes no liability for any adverse result stem-
ming from the use of this product. Such adverse possibilities in-
clude, but are not limited to, the loss of data and program mate-
rial as well as the loss of revenue due to system malfunction.