home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Tech Arsenal 1
/
Tech Arsenal (Arsenal Computer).ISO
/
tek-04
/
qinst16.zip
/
QUIKINST.DOC
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1992-12-23
|
24KB
|
661 lines
Q U I K - I N S T A L L v1.6
Copyright 1992 Michael L. Wester. All rights reserved.
QUIK-INSTALL v1.6
Copyright 1992 Michael L. Wester All rights reserved.
Michael L. Wester
Route #6 Box 34
Fuquay-Varina, N.C. 27526
(919)-552-0767
QUIK-INSTALL is an easy to use, easy to set up installation
program. It is designed to install applications from floppy disks to
hard disk. Combines the most commonly required features but remains
very small and very easy to use.
FEATURES
* QUIK-INSTALL requires no set-up or configuration files to be
used. Copy it to your disk and you have a "ready made" install
program. You have the option of taking advantage of it's many
features or using it in it's simplest form.
* Supports multiple disk programs. It can prompt for an unlimited
number of disks.
* Automatically creates the sub-directory then copies the files
for the program it is installing.
* Optionally tests for available disk space to make sure the user
has enough space to install. If space is not available it
aborts with a warning message informing the user of how much
space is necessary for installation.
* Installs programs using a straight file copy or will install
from executable archives.
* The entire program is around 8k in size and stores all setup
information internally. (It is a self-modifying executable.)
It has no configuration files yet can be modified at any time.
After it has been configured it's size can be reduced to 6.5k by
using a compression program such as LZEXE or PKLITE.
* Has the option to exit in the directory the program has been
copied to allowing the user to start up immediately.
* Displays a customized example prompt and a line of text after
installation completes.
* QUIK-INSTALL can optionally "stuff" the keyboard buffer with the
command users should enter to start your application. Has the
option to execute the command stuffed in the buffer allowing you
to start your program automatically or display a banner,
greeting, warning or anything else.
* Color attributes can be set to make the installation program
more like your own application.
* Registered users receive a copy of the program with their
program name and/or message embedded in the QUIK-INSTALL program.
SHAREWARE
The QUIK-INSTALL program is being marketed using the
shareware method. This means you are encouraged to share copies
of the unregistered version for evaluation purposes. If you
wish to use QUIK-INSTALL as an installation program for your
applications you must register with the author. Please read the
fuller explanation of shareware and the copyright notice near
the end of this document.
VENDOR DESCRIPTION
LONG: QUIK-INSTALL v1.6 - An easy to setup and use application
installation program. Installs applications from floppy
disks to hard disks. Supports multiple disk installations,
copies files or installs from EXE archives, checks
available disk space, creates subdirectories, auto executes
application after installation, configurable colors, prompt
and message, stores setup internally (self modifying code),
only 8k in size. Runs on any PC compatible computer.
SHORT: QUIK-INSTALL v1.6 - Application installation program. Many
features.
USING QUIK-INSTALL
Because QUIK-INSTALL modifies it's own code it is imperative
that you make a copy of your original disk then use your copy to
create your installation setup.
To use the program you start it by typing INSTALL then press
ENTER. At this point you may enter a drive and directory name to
copy all the files in the currently logged disk to. You can use
QUIK-INSTALL without doing any setup. QUIK-INSTALL installation or
setup can be canceled at any time by pressing CTRL-C or CTRL-BREAK.
If you do not configure QUIK-INSTALL it will default to doing a
straight file copy, no message, 1 disk, will not exit in the
installed directory, will not check for enough disk space to install
to and will not stuff the keyboard buffer.
You may rename QUIK-INSTALL to anything you like after it has
been set up. In order for it to be able to modify itself it must be
named INSTALL.COM.
CONFIGURING QUIK-INSTALL (setup)
To configure QUIK-INSTALL you start the program by typing
INSTALL then press ENTER. At the first prompt that ask you to enter
a drive and sub-directory name you must enter the word SETUP then
press the ENTER key. It is not case sensitive. After pressing ENTER
you will be prompted to answer ten questions. If you do not wish to
use an option just press ENTER to skip it.
Option 1. Enter install completion message:
At this prompt you may enter a message that will be displayed at
the end of the installation. Most likely this would be a
message on how to start or configure your program. It could be
a greeting or warning. It can be anything you like up to 80
characters.
Option 2. Enter default prompt:
When the program runs it prompts the user to press ENTER to
accept the default drive and subdirectory name to install to.
You should use an example that will be suitable for your
program. Example: If your program is named QUIKWORK your might
want the user to install the program to a directory named
QUIKWORK. In this case enter C:\QUIKWORK.
Option 3. Number of disks:
Here you should enter the number of disks you would like QUIK-
INSTALL to prompt for and copy. This number is unlimited.
Option 4. Exit in installation directory? <Y/N>
After the installation is completed you will most likely want
your user to start your program. If this is the case you should
answer Y to this question. Answering Y will cause the user to
be in the installed directory after installation has completed.
It is not case sensitive.
Option 5. Stuff keyboard buffer with:
If you like QUIK-INSTALL will stuff the keyboard buffer with a
command of your choice. This allows the user to start the
program without doing a directory to find the right file. This
could be a batch file to type a README or it could start your
program. You may leave this option blank.
Option 6. Execute Buffer? <Y/N>
This option appears only if you use option 5. If you stuff a
command into the keyboard buffer after installation it can be
very useful to have it execute immediately. You might wish your
user to read a text file or start a configuration program. If
you stuff the buffer with a batch file you can have the install
program do a number of things. You may leave this option blank
if you like.
Option 7. If executable archive enter filename:
This option has some important features. First, when QUIK-
INSTALL is run it will copy files or try to run an executable
archive. If you enter a filename at this prompt the program
will try to run an executable archive by the name you enter. If
your program is being installed from a single disk this is all
you need to do.
If you are using executable archives and installing an
application that requires more than 1 disk there are some
special considerations. In order to keep the QUIK-INSTALL
program at it's minimum size I opted not to store individual
filenames for multiple disk archive installations. Instead I
use a simple system that requires you to name your executable
archives using a number as the last letter of the filename.
Example: If your program uses three disks to install and your
program's name is MYWORK you would have to name your three
executable archives MYWORK1.EXE, MYWORK2.EXE and MYWORK3.EXE.
When the QUIK-INSTALL program asks you for an archive name you
would enter MYWORK. This method allows me to concatenate a
number to the MYWORK filename based on the number of disks you
are installing. It also allows an unlimited number of disks and
requires no extra space inside the QUIK-INSTALL program. (Note:
Make sure your file name does not exceed 7 characters (6
characters if you install 10 or more disks) so the disk number
can be concatenated.)
The QUIK-INSTALL program will work with any executable archive.
It is not dependant on the command syntax of any of the known
EXE archive compressors.
Option 8. Disk space needed to install:
To have the program test for available disk space before
installing, enter the amount of space your program requires in
bytes. If the user tries to install your application to a drive
that does not have enough space QUIK-INSTALL will abort the
installation. It will also display a message explaining that
your application requires the amount of space you enter here.
Like all options you may leave this blank to have the program
skip disk space checking.
Option 9. Background color & Hi-lite color:
You can set the color attributes for the background color and
background text and you can set a separate color attribute for
the boxed in text. Colors are set by entering an attribute
number in response to color questions.
Colors are determined by using the following color codes to set
the screens background and foreground colors. You can even set
flashing colors although it is not recommended. (Most people
find continuously flashing text annoying.)
To select a color you must first choose the background color
code then add the foreground color code to it. For example: The
color code for a blue background ranges from 16 to 31. To
create a blue back-ground with white text you would add 15 (The
foreground code for white) to 16 (The background code for blue)
making a color code of 31. If you wanted a blue background with
yellow text you would add 16 (The color code for blue.) and 14
(The color code for yellow.) for a total of 30.
BACKGROUND COLOR with FOREGROUND... FOREGROUND COLOR...
CODE COLOR ATTRIBUTE CODE COLOR
---- ----- --------- ---- -----
0 ---------- Black ------ Normal 0 ---------- Black
16 ---------- Blue ------- Normal 1 ---------- Blue
32 ---------- Green ------ Normal 2 ---------- Green
48 ---------- Cyan ------- Normal 3 ---------- Cyan
64 ---------- Red -------- Normal 4 ---------- Red
80 ---------- Magenta ---- Normal 5 ---------- Magenta
96 ---------- Brown ------ Normal 6 ---------- Brown
112 ---------- Light Grey - Normal 7 ---------- Light Grey
128 ---------- Black ------ Flashing 8 ---------- Dark Grey
144 ---------- Blue ------- Flashing 9 ---------- Light Blue
160 ---------- Green ------ Flashing 10 ---------- Light Green
176 ---------- Cyan ------- Flashing 11 ---------- Light Cyan
192 ---------- Red -------- Flashing 12 ---------- Light Red
208 ---------- Magenta ---- Flashing 13 ---------- Light Magenta
224 ---------- Brown ------ Flashing 14 ---------- Yellow
240 ---------- Light Grey - Flashing 15 ---------- White
The best way to determine which colors will be affected by your
color changes is to change a few and look at the effects.
The program colors default to 31 (White on blue) for the
background and 7 (White on black) for the hi-lite color.
QUIK-INSTALL NOTES & CONSIDERATIONS
The QUIK-INSTALL program must be named INSTALL.COM to be able to
modify it own code. It can however be renamed after setup is
completed. This is even recommended as it will make more difficult
the chances of anyone else modifying your setup.
QUIK-INSTALL can be further reduced in size by using an EXE
compressor program such as LZEXE or PKLITE. This will reduce it's
size to approximately 6500 bytes. Be warned, once compressed the
setup cannot be modified. Make a backup copy!
All of the QUIK-INSTALL features are optional. You can leave
any or all blank to have them skipped.
You can abort the QUIK-INSTALL program at any time by pressing
the CTRL-C or CTRL-BREAK key combination.
When running the QUIK-INSTALL program to change the setup you
must be logged to the drive and directory the QUIK-INSTALL program is
residing in. If you do not it will not be able to modify it's code.
QUIK-INSTALL does minimal error checking for user input. It
tries to make sure a valid drive and directory name is entered. To
minimize the size of the program the QUIK-INSTALL program does no
error checking when entering setup data. This means if you enter an
invalid response to a setup question the results may be
unpredictable. Ex: If you enter yes when the program ask for number
of disks to copy it will definitely not work and could possible lock
up your computer.
You can reset the QUIK-INSTALL program back to it's defaults by
starting the program, typing SETUP then pressing ENTER for all of the
setup questions.
Every field within QUIK-INSTALL that allows user input uses the
built in DOS command processor's line editor. This was done to
reduce program size and still have a full function line editing
ability. If you use a utility like the DOS 5's DOSKEY program or the
shareware CED program all of their features will be functional within
the QUIK-INSTALL program.
The QUIK-INSTALL program contains internal copyright notices.
SHAREWARE
Shareware is software marketed on a "Try before you buy" basis.
The price per disk that Shareware distributors charge is a
distribution fee and not the price of the software. Shareware
authors have agreed to allow vendors to recover expenses for copying,
packaging, and maintaining a shareware library. This allows you to
obtain software programs at incredibly low prices to try, then pay
the registration price for them only if they suit your needs. The
idea is that after a reasonable trial period, if you find the
programs to be of use, you are expected to send the author the
registration fee.
Registration entitles you to various rights and benefits. These
range from the legal (and moral) right to continue using the
software. In addition many shareware authors offer printed
documentation and/or higher levels of service and support. Unlike
Public Domain software, which is free to everyone with no fees asked
for or expected, shareware programs exist because the authors expect
and deserve the registration support from people who use their
programs.
So that's Shareware. If you like it, support it !
REGISTRATION
The shareware message will be removed on any registered version
of QUIK-INSTALL. Registered users of QUIK-INSTALL will receive a
customized copy of the program and a printed copy of the manual.
(Laser printed booklet.)
Registration for a single program entitles you to distribute
QUIK-INSTALL with as many copies of a single application as you
produce. You may not use QUIK-INSTALL with any program other than the
one listed on the registration form. There are no royalties for
distribution. You must register a copy of QUIK-INSTALL for each
program you intend to distribute it with or purchase an Author
license.
With a Author's license you may distribute as many copies of
QUIK-INSTALL with as many different programs as you have produced as
long as every program is produced under the same copyright notice.
With both a single program and Author's registration you will
receive a copy of QUIK-INSTALL that has a customized header. The
second of the top two lines may contain any text you specify as long
as you do not indicate or imply that you have copyrighted the QUIK-
INSTALL program. The following are example headings. You may
however choose anything you like for the heading.
For a single program license the header must be specific,
pertaining to the program it will be installing. Example:
QUIK-INSTALL v1.6 Copyright 1992 Michael L. Wester
Install program for YOURPROGRAM v2.5
For an author's license it should be generic so it can be used
with any program. Example:
QUIK-INSTALL v1.6 Copyright 1992 Michael L. Wester
Licensed to: WHOEVERYOUARE SOFTWARE COMPANY
Registration for Shareware disk vendors entitles you to
distribute the QUIK-INSTALL program on every disk you sell as an easy
installation program for your customers. The second line of the top
two lines the program displays will be customized with a message of
your choice. The QUIK-INSTALL copyright notice must remain intact.
You may not use QUIK-INSTALL under any corporate name other than the
name listed on the registration form.
Being a registered user of the QUIK-INSTALL program does not
mean you own QUIK-INSTALL. Registered users are licensed to use and
distribute QUIK-INSTALL with specific applications or with
applications produced under their company or author name. You may
not sell QUIK-INSTALL as an individual product. It must accompany
the application it will be installing.
DISCLAIMER
Under no circumstances shall Michael L. Wester be liable for
any damages, including lost profits, savings, or any other
incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use of or
inability to use this program even if Michael L. Wester has
been notified of the possibility of such damages, or for any claims
by any other party.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
QUIK-INSTALL is copyrighted 1992 by Michael L. Wester. All
rights reserved. The QUIK-INSTALL program may not be sold under any
circumstances. Registered users are licensed to use and distribute
QUIK-INSTALL with programs and applications they produce. Registered
users of QUIK-INSTALL may not sell or distribute the registered
version unless it accompanies an application or program of their own
creation. Unregistered versions of the QUIK-INSTALL program may be
distributed for evaluation purposes only. The QUIK-INSTALL program
may not be distributed on CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory)
without express written permission from Michael L. Wester.
REGISTRATION - QUIK-INSTALL.EXE Copyright 1992 Michael L. Wester
Michael L. Wester (919)-552-0767
Route #6 Box 34
Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
Name_______________________________________________
Address____________________________________________
City/State__________________________ZIP____________
Phone #____________________________________________
*******************************************************************
Registration for Single Program: $15.00
For unlimited copies distributed with a single application.
Enter the name of the program QUIK-INSTALL will be distributed with.
1._________________________________________________________________
*******************************************************************
Registration for a Author or Vendor license: $45.00
Unlimited copies for any programs copyrighted or distributed under
the same company name.
Enter your Company or Author name.
1._________________________________________________________________
Enter the text you wish to be displayed on the second of the top two
lines after the program starts. (This is the line beneath the QUIK-
INSTALL copyright notice.) (YOU MAY NOT IMPLY A COPYRIGHT OF THE
QUIK-INSTALL PROGRAM ON THIS LINE.)
1._________________________________________________________________
*******************************************************************
Please sign and date your order form:
*******************************************************************
Date:_________________ Signature:__________________________________
Single program license - single copy ....................... $15.00
Author's license - single copy ............................. $45.00
6% N.C. tax ............................................ $_________
Mailing and handling cost ................................... Free
TOTAL .................................................. $_________
[ ] Check enclosed [ ] Money order enclosed [ ] VISA/MC [ ] C.O.D
Foreign user, please send Check or Money order in U.S. dollars only.
Call 919-552-0767 for credit card and C.O.D phone orders or mail to
the address at the top of the order form. You may also register by
credit card and receive your registered copy of QUIK-INSTALL via
modem within 24 hours (Sometimes quicker). Call the preceding number
to register.