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Text File | 1991-02-26 | 20KB | 361 lines

          Product: OPSYS                   mcTRONic Systems
             Date: February 26, 1991       7426 Cornwall Bridge Ln.
         Document: Product Information     Houston, TX  77041-1709
          Version: OPSYS.EXE R2.04         [phone] 5-10pm M-F CST
                   BOOT.COM R1.31          CIS # : 74365,1716

        OPSYS will maintain up to 100 different operating system configu-
        rations, each with its own separate AUTOEXEC and CONFIG files and
        an optional user defined batch file to be run at boot time.  Each
        configuration  is given a unique three letter I.D. which is  used
        as the file name extension of your configuration files. All files
        are  maintained together in the OPSYS directory.  OPSYS  provides
        the  ability  to create, maintain and  remove  the  configuration
        descriptions  and support files.  OPSYS will use your ASCII  file
        editor  to edit your AUTOEXEC, CONFIG and USER files while  main-
        taining the file names, locations, and usage.

        The  advantages of OPSYS over other such programs is its  ability
        to make the operating system configuration selections before  you
        boot  your  computer.  Each time thereafter, when the  system  is
        booting,  your selection will be used without  further  interven-
        tion.  When you are ready to change selections again, start OPSYS
        and  make your new selection.  OPSYS does not get in the  way  of
        using your selected configurations, no matter how many times your
        may  restart your computer.  Another advantage for OPSYS  is  the
        fact  that  the copy of your AUTOEXEC.BAT  and  CONFIG.SYS  files
        located in your root directory of your boot drive are only tempo-
        rary.   Your  primary copy is maintained by OPSYS  in  the  OPSYS
        directory.  You can now elect to have new programs, which you are
        installing,  modify  your configuration files without  fear  that
        your  main  copy will be modified.  In addition, if you  want  to
        maintain the changes made, you can have OPSYS get them for you as
        yet another configuration.  And finally, if you are not using any
        other  multi-configuration program, OPSYS is much easier  to  use
        that any manual method that you might try to use.

        The OPSYS files are:

        OPSYS.EXE      -    The OPSYS Main program (*)
        OPSYS.DOC      -    The OPSYS Document file
        OPSYS.CFG      -    Maintains OPSYS setup, Created when first run
        OPSYS.FIL      -    Configuration Names, Created when first run
        INSTALL.BAT    -    OPSYS Hard Disk Install Program
        BH.COM         -    BATHELP Install program file
        DOCUTIL.BAT    -    Utility to print and display document files
        ORDER.DOC      -    OPSYS program order form
        PROBLEM.DOC    -    OPSYS problem report form

        The BOOT files are:

        BOOT.COM       -    Batch file computer boot utility (*)
        BOOT.DOC       -    The BOOT Document file
        COLDBOOT.BAT   -    Use to replace COM file of same name
        WARMBOOT.BAT   -    Use to replace COM file of same name
        RESTART.BAT    -    Use to replace COM file of same name


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        OPSYS INSTALLATION:

        OPSYS  includes  a hard disk installation program.   To  use  the
        install program, place all OPSYS files in your default directory.
        If on a floppy disk, place them in either the A: or B: drive  and
        then  make it your default drive.  OPSYS will also  install  from
        one hard disk directory to another directory.  Make sure OPSYS is
        in  the  default directory and elect to install it  in  either  a
        different  directory or a different disk from the default.   Then
        enter:

        INSTALL d:[\path]

        Where d: is the hard disk you want OPSYS installed on.  The  path
        is optional.  If you give no path, OPSYS will create a  directory
        called  \OPSYS  on the target drive.  If you do give a  path,  it
        must  already exist.  OPSYS will create a directory in  the  path
        you  entered.  For instance, INSTALL C: will create and copy  all
        OPSYS  files to the C:\OPSYS directory.  If you  entered  INSTALL
        C:\UTIL   then  OPSYS  would  be  installed  in   the   directory
        C:\UTIL\OPSYS.   If you enter just INSTALL you will  prompted  to
        select  a hard drive between C-G with the directory default  name
        of  \OPSYS.   After installation, the INSTALL  program  will  run
        OPSYS.  When you exit OPSYS, you will be asked if you want to run
        DOCUTIL  so you can either print or reread the documentation  for
        all  document  files.

        At any time you can elect to run DOCUTIL.  DOCUTIL will allow you
        to  either  print  or display OPSYS.DOC, BOOT.DOC  or  any  other
        included DOC file.  Both DOCUTIL and INSTALL use the file  BH.COM
        to  run, and neither will run if this program is not in  the  de-
        fault drive or in your path.  If DOCUTIL is run prior to  instal-
        lation  of  OPSYS, you will have a menu option  to  run  install.
        After installation this option will not be present.

        The  two  files (*) OPSYS.EXE and BOOT.COM are  required  to  use
        OPSYS.  If you do not have BOOT.COM, but do have another computer
        reboot  program,  rename  it to BOOT and place it  in  the  OPSYS
        directory.  Put both files together in a directory by  themselves
        and then run OPSYS.  See starting OPSYS the first time.

        STARTING OPSYS the first time:

        The first time OPSYS is run several questions will be asked.  You
        should be prepared to enter your name, which is required, and  an
        optional  company name.  You can edit your name or  company  name
        later.  You must select your boot drive, normally C:, whether you
        want  color or not (use Alt-C from main menu to select your  col-
        ors),  the OPSYS directory name (use the default the  first  time
        run),  the name of your ASCII editor (EDLIN is the default),  the
        editor  path  and editor options, if any,  whether  you  want  to
        execute a warm or cold boot each time your computer is  restarted
        (plus  the <space>B option) and finally whether you want to use a
        mouse and if so at what sensitivity.



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        After you finish answering the OPSYS setup questions, OPSYS  goes
        into action.  OPSYS will create two configurations for you.   The
        first is called MIN for minimum DOS configuration.  The second is
        your present AUTOEXEC and CONFIG located in the root directory of
        your  selected  boot drive.  Your present configuration  will  be
        copied  to the OPSYS directory and renamed AUTOEXEC.ORG and  CON-
        FIG.ORG.  You can elect to rename and describe them later.   Your
        original  files will be untouched until you elect to use  one  of
        the  OPSYS configurations.  After it is done OPSYS will send  you
        to the main menu.

        HOW DOES OPSYS WORK:

        OPSYS  maintains a separate CONFIG and AUTOEXEC file for each  of
        your  configurations.   The  file extension is the  same  as  the
        unique 3-letter I.D. given to each configuration.  In addition  a
        TAG  batch file, if requested, will be run just before boot  time
        should  you  have other duties you must perform  before  the  new
        configuration  can take effect.  OPSYS literally copies  and  re-
        names your CONFIG and AUTOEXEC file to the root directory of your
        boot drive then runs the boot program, with either a warm or cold
        boot as you requested.

        STARTING OPSYS after installation:

        When OPSYS is started it must locate the OPSYS.CFG file which was
        created  the first time OPSYS was run.  OPSYS does recognize  the
        DOS  environment  variable  OPSYSCONFIG.   If  you  use  the  SET
        OPSYSCONFIG=d:\path  where d:\path is set to the location of  the
        OPSYS.CFG  file,  OPSYS will look there and  load  the  OPSYS.CFG
        file.   If  OPSYSCONFIG  is not set, then OPSYS  will  check  the
        default directory for OPSYS.CFG.  If it is not there, OPSYS  will
        determine  from  where it is being run and  check  for  OPSYS.CFG
        there.  If the OPSYSCONFIG variable is set, but OPSYS.CFG is  not
        present,  then  OPSYS.CFG will be created where  the  OPSYSCONFIG
        says  it should be.  If OPSYSCONFIG is not set and  OPSYS.CFG  is
        neither  in the default drive or in the directory with  OPSYS.EXE
        is, it will be created in the default directory.

        I  suggest that you do set the OPSYSCONFIG variable to the  OPSYS
        directory. In addition , either place the OPSYS directory in your
        path,  put  OPSYS.EXE in a directory that is in  your  path  (but
        separate from the OPSYS file directory) or create a batch file in
        a directory that is located in your path (to call OPSYS.EXE  when
        not  in  path).   Then you can run OPSYS from  anywhere  in  your
        system.

        OPSYS allows 1 command line parameter.  If you enter OPSYS  [???]
        where ??? represents the three letter I.D. for a valid configura-
        tion,  OPSYS will restart your computer with that  configuration.
        If the entry is invalid, OPSYS will send you to the main menu.

        If  you start OPSYS with no command line options, you will go  to
        the main menu.  From the main menu you will see a complete memory
        rundown of your system,  up to 10  configuration selections  (you


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        can have up to 10 pages for a total of 100 configurations), and 8
        function  key selections.  You may use the up or down arrow  keys
        to  highlight  your configuration selection and  then  press  the
        enter key, space bar,  or just enter the letter or number that is
        next  to each configuration.  After you select the required  con-
        figuration, you will be given the option to reboot or escape from
        the function.

        Function key F1 gives a very short program description for OPSYS.
        Press any key to return to the main menu.

        F2 allows you to create a new configuration.  You must give it  a
        unique 3-character I.D. and up to a 43 character description.  Do
        not  enter a ?,*,\, or any invalid DOS file name  character  into
        the unique three-character I.D..  After the I.D. and  description
        is entered, you will be asked if you want a TAG batch file creat-
        ed (Yes/No).  After the above information is entered you will  be
        asked  if you want to copy the files from another  configuration,
        or use the one in the root directory of your boot drive.  Enter X
        if  you do not want to create the files automatically.  When  you
        are done, OPSYS will carry out your instructions.

        F3 allows you to delete a configuration.  You may also optionally
        delete all files associated with this configuration.

        F4 allows you to edit a configuration.  If you change the  unique
        3-character I.D. the files will also be renamed.

        F5 allows you to edit any of the files associated with a configu-
        ration.   After you select the configuration, you must select  to
        edit  either  the AUTOEXEC, CONFIG, or optional  USER  TAG  batch
        file,  if  present.  You will use the editor which  you  selected
        from  the  OPSYS setup menu.  You can change  your  selection  if
        needed.

        F6 allows you to change any part of your setup.  The user name is
        required while the company name is not.  The OPSYS directory  you
        enter  must  already exist.  The ASCII editor you enter  must  be
        present  as  you enter it or you will not be able  to  edit  your
        files.   The  default editor is EDLIN.COM.  To use  Wordstar  you
        could  enter: WS.EXE for name, C:\WS6 for path and /N/X  for  op-
        tions.  Many other editors such as TED or ED could be used.   The
        EDLIN commands are:

        -------------------------EDLIN COMMANDS-------------------------
        F1  =  Copies one character from the template to the new line.
        F2  =  Copies  all characters from the template to the new  line,
        up to the character specified.
        F3  =  Copies  all remaining characters in the  template  to  the
        screen.
        DEL =  Does not copy (skips over) a character.
        F4  =  Does not copy (skips over) the specified characters in the
        template, up to the character specified.
        ESC = Clears the current input and leaves the template unchanged.
        INS = Enter/exists the insert mode.


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        F5  = Makes the new line the new template.
        BKSP=  Deletes a character from the command line and  places  the
        cursor back one character in the template

        A   =  Appends lines from disk to memory.
        C   =  Copies lines.
        D   =  Deletes lines.
        line=  Edits  a line or lines, 1-65534, . equals current lint,  #
        replaces line after the line you specify
        E   =  Ends editing session and saves edits.
        I   =  Inserts lines of text.
        L   =  Lists a range of lines.
        M   =  Moves a range of text to a specified line.
        P   =  Pages through a file 23 lines at a time.
        Q   =  Quits the editing session without saving the file.
        R   =  Replaces text.
        S   =  Searches for text.
        T   =  Transfers the contents of another file into the file being
        edited.
        W   =  Writes specified lines from memory to disk.
        -----------------------------------------------------------------

        EDLIN is not supplied with OPSYS but is included with every  copy
        of  DOS  that I have seen.  Use EDLIN only if you have  no  other
        ASCII file editor on your computer.

        F9  allows you to shell to DOS to perform any duties not  covered
        by OPSYS.  You do not need to change back to the OPSYS  directory
        or drive as OPSYS will handle this for you.  The DOS prompt  will
        include a double >> when shelled to DOS.  Please remember to type
        EXIT when done.

        F10 or ESC will return you to DOS.  OPSYS will always return  you
        to  the  directory you started from if different from  the  OPSYS
        directory.   In addition, if the default directory of  the  drive
        that contains the OPSYS directory, is other than the OPSYS direc-
        tory, it will be returned to normal when you exit from OPSYS.  If
        you  change  the default path, while shelled from OPSYS,  of  any
        other drive, it will not be returned to the original, pre-startup
        location.

        MOUSE CONFIGURATION:

        If  you have a Microsoft Compatible mouse driver loaded  you  can
        use a mouse with OPSYS.  Press button 1 when the mouse cursor  is
        located over the required option.  Pressing Mouse Button 2 is the
        same thing as pressing the escape key.  To use the mouse you must
        select a sensitivity (Low, Med or High) from the OPSYS configura-
        tion menu (F6).  Enter "None" if you do not have a mouse.

        OPSYS COLOR DISPLAY, EDITING KEYS, FILE SAFEGUARDS:

        If  you select to use color with OPSYS from the OPSYS  configura-
        tion  menu, you may change the program colors by  entering  Alt-C
        from  the  main menu.  Use the Left and Right  arrows  to  select


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        which  of  the four major fields foreground or  Background  color
        that  you want to change.  Use the Plus and Minus to  change  the
        colors  of  the selected field.  Enter Alt-C again  to  save  the
        selected  colors.  To restore the original colors or  to  compare
        your  new  colors to the original colors, use the arrow  keys  to
        select the option "Plus=Standard Minus=Custom".  If you entered a
        Plus  then  Alt-C at this field you would  restore  the  original
        colors.   Any  custom colors set would be lost if  you  do  this.
        Enter  the  Minus  key before you enter Alt-C  to  maintain  your
        custom colors.

        Many  editing  keys are used in OPSYS.  If you elect to  enter  a
        new configuration, edit an old configuration, or change the OPSYS
        setup, you will be able to use full field editing.  This includes
        the  insert key, home and end keys, delete key, page up and  page
        down keys as well as others.  From the main menu you can use  the
        arrow  keys, up or down, the home and end keys, and the  page  up
        and page down keys.

        As a safeguard to the loss of changes to your AUTOEXEC and CONFIG
        files,  your previous  AUTOEXEC and  CONFIG file  is saved in the
        OPSYS  directory with  the extension $&$.   Should you forget and
        make changes to these files  in your root directory, you have one
        more chance to recover them.  Should you use OPSYS to change your
        configuration  again,  before  you  rename  the  $&$  file, those
        changes  would be  lost.   As long as you use  OPSYS to make your
        changes, you will not have a problem.

        HARDWARE/SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS:

        I recommend a minimum of 384K standard memory.   OPSYS will run on
        a  8088,  8086,  80286,  80386, and 80486 machine.   OPSYS is best
        suited for hard  disk applications,  but should  work on  a floppy
        disk if it has  the required space.   If you use a  floppy disk it
        can not be write protected.  I recommend DOS 3.3 or higher.  OPSYS
        has been tested with  IBM  DOS  3.3,  IBM and  MS DOS 4.01 with no
        problems.  You need at least three entries in your CONFIG.SYS file
        before OPSYS will load/run correctly.  They are the FILES, BUFFERS
        and  SHELL command.  I should set  the values for each as follows,
        you can use a higher setting, if you like, for each numeric field.

        FILES=20
        BUFFERS=20
        SHELL=d:\path\COMMAND.COM /P/E:256 <---- Very Important Line>

        The d:\path for  COMMAND.COM  is optional but  if included  should
        point to the location of your COMMAND.COM.

        HOW TO ORDER OPSYS:

        The  OPSYS  and BOOT package is a Shareware product  of  mcTRONic
        Systems.   It cost just $19.95 + $3.00 shipping sent first  class
        mail  to you.  Order your copy today! (FYI:  Orders  outside  the
        USA  must pay by money order and include an additional  $5.00  to
        cover increased handling, in USA funds only, Please!  Thank You!)


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