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1991-09-02
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294 lines
System Monitor Version 2.1
Copyright 1991 all rights reserved
Rosenthal Engineering, 3737 Sequoia
San Luis Obispo, CA USA 93401
--------------------------------------------------------------------
System Monitor - Monitor and report problems early.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
What is System Monitor?
System Monitor is a program that installs in your IBM PC/XT/AT 386 or
486 Compatible computer to test and extensively monitor a number of
performance indicators. Each time you use your computer, System Monitor
re-evaluates the system and alerts you to any discrepancies it finds
with an announcement that is hard to ignore.
You install System Monitor as soon as you're confident that your
computer is configured and operational. From then on System Monitor will
intervene immediately upon detecting problems, usually long before a
user even suspects any difficulty. This early monitoring and detection
is essential in avoiding and correcting problems before they can
compound.
System Monitor also supports the optional Rosenthal Engineering Hardware
circuit board. This circuit card installs directly within the computer
and affords System Monitor access to a number of additional monitoring,
security and anti-virus functions.
- - - - - - - - - - -
What Does System Monitor Do?
The first time you run System Monitor it will guide you through a simple
installation procedure and then generate extensive reports
(REPORTSM.EXE) unique to your computer a report (CONFIGSM.EXE)
containing information about your system configuration file (CONFIG.SYS)
and AUTOEXEC.BAT file (AUTOSM.EXE).
The REPORTSM.EXE, AUTOSM.EXE and CONFIGSM.EXE are referred to by System
Monitor from then on.
The information contained in these files is very valuable when
attempting to resolve conflicts especially when you request customer
support assistance for products supplied by a number different vendors.
Much of the information in these files is encrypted to protect them
against corruption (whether accidental or intentional) and deals with
System Monitors formidable anti-virus protection, however you can view
much of the more public information by simply entering their name as
these file are also directly executable.
If you have the optional Rosenthal Engineering hardware circuit board,
System Monitor will add direct hardware security control to your system,
including formidable password protection limiting access to your of
computer and sensitive data.
- - - - - - - - - - -
How Does System Monitor Work?
Because you install System Monitor prior to developing problems, the
report files (REPORTSM.EXE, CONFIGSM.EXE and AUTOSM.EXE) generated at
that time provide a detailed base line for comparison. Abnormal
deviations from the established base line cause System Monitor to issue
a warning message. In most cases both the current monitored value and
the original base line information are displayed for comparison. For an
example of some of these warning messages refer to the /D demonstration
mode section.
Many of the current viruses have mechanisms to help them avoid infection
detection and prevention schemes so System Monitors anti-virus and
security methods are encrypted and will not be disclosed. When System
Monitor discovers a virus contamination or its effect, a warning will be
issued. Again refer to the /D demonstration mode for examples.
Because the optional Rosenthal Engineering hardware board directly
accesses the computer hardware through the single short card slot it
occupies within your computer, System Monitor can provide direct
hardware monitoring which is otherwise inaccessible. System Monitor
works with or without the hardware board. The hardware board is only
needed if you require it's additional security and restricted password
protected access, or your data is of a sensitive nature, or you have
reason to believe your computer to be vulnerable to a hostile software
or operator environment.
- - - - - - - - - - -
How will System Monitor support other protection schemes?
There are a number of excellent anti-virus programs that interface well
with System Monitor including (but certainly not limited to) those
available from Microcom (919) 490-1277 or McAfee Associates (408)-988-
0411. These programs can be installed ahead of System Monitor. With this
configuration a virus that attempts to disable either of these programs
will have the very Herculean task of disabling or circumventing them
both or risk detection by the other.
In addition to the optional Rosenthal Engineering hardware board which
intervenes between the computers ROM bios and DOS, even before the boot
sector is read. There are a number of password security cards available
from other sources that System Monitor will support. If an attempt is
been made to bypass a computers access restriction by removing one of
these security cards, System Monitor reports its absence.
- - - - - - - - - - -
Installation
System Monitor should be installed after your system is configured and
completely operational. System Monitor is designed to be installed
before you develop problems. Your CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files
should already be configured for your system.
If your system has a clock (most do) make sure the time and date are set
correctly before continuing. Erratic clock behavior is often a sign of
other problems (such as impending death your configuration ram battery)
and it's one of the things System Monitor evaluates. It's all right to
use DOS TIME and DATE functions to check the time and date, but not to
set them. Use your SETUP program to set the correct time and date,
otherwise your system may not retain the correct settings when you turn
off the power.
Copy System Monitor to the ROOT directory of your BOOT drive where your
AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files are.
Enter SysMon at the DOS prompt and System Monitors built in editor will
allow you to install SysMon.EXE into your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. You should
add SysMon.EXE near the end of your AUTOEXEC.BAT file after any TSR's
and before applications or Windows.
System Monitor will then "WARM BOOT" the system and conduct an extensive
series of tests before generating several report files. The report files
are displayed confirming installation. These report files are only
displayed automatically when they are first created. From then on you
can recall them by entering REPORTSM, AUTOSM or CONFIGSM at the DOS
prompt.
Installation is now complete and System Monitor will operate
automatically each time the system is turned on or BOOTed.
- - - - - - - - - - -
Demonstration Mode /D
System Monitor will normally operate a few seconds when you first turn
on the system without finding anything wrong. To demonstrate a few of
the tests being monitored enter SYSMON /D at the DOS prompt.
- - - - - - - - - - -
Warning Messages
When System Monitor discovers a discrepancy, it will issue a Warning
announcement (try the /D demonstration mode for an example). Remember
these are only warnings. Often these warnings can easily be accounted
for. For example, installing a new device driver or version of DOS etc.
When this happens just erase the report file REPORTSM.EXE and reBOOT the
system. System Monitor will then re-evaluate the system and create a new
REPORTSM.EXE unique to your system and its new configuration.
Some warning messages will not require any attention to correct. For
example, a warning message caused by setting the clock back for daylight
savings time. System Monitor will figure out that the problem has
corrected itself when the clock advances normally again.
Optional Service Referral Message
System administrators, service organizations and consultants can include
an optional text message. When an ascii text file (SYSMON.TXT) is
included in the root directory, it will be displayed at installation and
when ever System Monitor issues a warning message.
The SYSMON.TXT file is optional and allows users to receive a referral
message when assistance may be required. A SYSMON.TXT file is included
as an example. This file can be deleted, or edited with a ("non-
document") text editor to display your own personalized announcement.
Scheduled Preventive maintenance
The best way to minimize computer down time is with a periodic
preventative maintenance schedule. Inspection checks, cleanings,
lubrication etc. must be performed regularly to be effective. Every six
months is generally acceptable for most offices with some adjustments
made for hostile environments or where systems are more heavily relied
upon. System Monitor will issue a reminder warning when maintenance is
scheduled if that option is selected.
Monitoring TSR's
System Monitor returns all the memory it uses back to the system when
it's finished. It leaves nothing behind as a TSR program (terminate and
and stay resident). Since System Monitor runs at power up (from your
AUTOEXEC.BAT) after your authorized TSR's where installed it will report
any that where unauthorized or installed since then, whether by an
application or a virus. You can re-evaluate the system at any time by
entering SysMon once again at the DOS prompt.
- - - - - - - - - - -
Printing Warning Messages
To toggle the printer ON or Off enter <CTRL> P . Check your DOS
reference for Details. Then enter SysMon at the DOS prompt.
- - - - - - - - - - -
Speech or Beep Mode /S
System Monitor evaluates a number of performance indicators that
directly access the computers hardware. Some (a very few) systems may
have compatibility problems in this area. If you have one of these
comparatively rare systems you may have noticed other problems,
especially with programs that produce sounds. If at all possible, you
should not disable the speech and additional hardware tests unless the
system just won't run any other way. Before disabling the speech, try to
run System Monitor normally first. To disable the additional hardware
performance tests and replace the speech with a beep, reBOOT the system
and press <CTRL> <BREAK> to abort the AUTOEXEC.BAT routine before SysMon
is called. Use your (Non-Document) editor to add /S to the command line
following the SysMon.EXE.
- - - - - - - - - - -
DOS Version
System Monitor requires DOS version 2.0 or higher.
- - - - - - - - - - -
Shareware Announcement
Please feel free to use and evaluate this software without charge for 30
days. You are encouraged to copy and distribute it freely provided it
remains unmodified, complete in it's original form and no fee (other
than a nominal copy charge) is required. This software is provided "as
is" without warranty either expressed or implied.
System Monitor is fully functional and not copy protected or crippled
(other than the shareware announcement). If you determine System
Monitor to be useful, you must register it before the end of the 30 day
evaluation period.
Once the required registration fee are received, the latest registered
version of System Monitor (without shareware announcement) will be sent
by priority first class mail.
Software License agreement
This Software is copyrighted material. It is not sold, but licensed. The
registration fee must be paid before the free 30 day evaluation period
expires or its use discontinued.
You are encouraged to copy and distribute only the unregisterd version
freely provided it remains unmodified, complete in it's original form
and no fee (other than a nominal copy charge) is required. This software
is provided "as is" without warranty either expressed or implied.
You may not make any changes or modifications to the software and you
may not decompile, disassemble or in anyway reverse engineer the
software.
This constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between the
parties and supersedes any prior agreement or understanding whether oral
or written and may only be modified in writing.
This software is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind.
Responsibility rests entirely with the user to determine its fitness for
a particular purpose. ROSENTHAL ENGINEERING SHALL NOT IN ANY CASE BE
LIABLE FOR SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT OR OTHER SIMILAR
DAMAGES ARISING FROM ANY USE OF THIS SOFTWARE. Some states may not allow
these limits on warranties, so they may not apply to you. In no case
shall Rosenthal Engineering's liability exceed the license fees paid by
you to Rosenthal Engineering for the right to use the Licensed Software.
The single users license is obtained by sending your check for $25 (US)
to:
Rosenthal Engineering, 3737 Sequoia, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 USA