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LACE: Led's Autoexec and Configuration Editor v1.4
Released June 9, 1992
A PC-DOS / MS-DOS Multiple Configuration Utility
_______
____|__ | (tm)
--| | |-------------------
| ____|__ | Association of
| | |_| Shareware
|__| o | Professionals
-----| | |---------------------
|___|___| MEMBER
Written by Keith Ledbetter
4240 Ketcham Drive
Chesterfield, VA 23832
(804) 674-0780
(6:00pm - 10:00pm Eastern Time)
Tech Support BBS: Blue Ridge Express
804-790-1675
30 Phone Lines (2400 bd)
Sub-board KEITHL
("J KEITHL")
Electronic mail on GEnie: ORION.MICRO
Compuserve: 72240,1221
AOL: KLedbetter
Program and Documentation are
Copyright (c) 1992 by Keith Ledbetter. All rights reserved.
Portions Copyright Borland, International.
Written with Borland C/C++ 3.0 and Borland Turbo Assembler.
This program is produced by a member of the Association of
Shareware Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the
shareware principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve a
shareware-related problem with an ASP member by contacting the
member directly, ASP may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can
help you resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but
does not provide technical support for members' products. Please
write to the ASP Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI 49442
or send a Compuserve message via easyplex to ASP Ombudsman
70007,3536.
LACE Registration Form Keith Ledbetter
4240 Ketcham Drive
Chesterfield, VA 23832
LACE Version 1.x Quantity Price
Disk with branding utility ($15/copy): _______ _________
Total enclosed: _________
Please make payment by check or money order (in US funds) payable
to "Keith Ledbetter".
Please specify the diskette size(s) that are acceptable for you:
___ 5.25" 360KB ___ 3.50" 720KB
Name _____________________________________________________
Company _____________________________________________________
Address _____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Phone _____________________________________________________
Where did you get LACE? _____________________________________
Multi-System and Reseller Licenses:
Site, corporate, network, and reseller licenses are available for
LACE. Check the line on the order form or contact me for more
information. The following schedule provides some examples of
multi-system license fees. The fee includes one master diskette
which you may then copy and use on the number of machines listed
below:
# Users Price
------- -------
5 $ 70.00 ($14 / copy)
10 130.00 ($13 / copy)
25 300.00 ($12 / copy)
50 550.00 ($11 / copy)
100 1,000.00 ($10 / copy)
Unlimited 1,500.00
Table of Contents
Definition of Shareware..................................1
Disclaimer - Agreement...................................2
An Introduction to LACE..................................3
How LACE works...........................................5
The Command Syntax.......................................6
Getting started with LACE................................13
Using the Passive Option.................................14
Using LACE with DOS 3.3..................................15
Using LACE with DOS 5.0..................................16
The ASK.SYS Device Driver................................17
The PAUSE.SYS Device Driver..............................17
The ECHO.SYS Device Driver...............................18
Conclusion...............................................19
Shareware Catalog........................................20
Shareware Distributors...................................23
Definition of Shareware
Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software
before buying it. If you try a Shareware program and continue
using it, you are expected to register. Individual programs
differ on details -- some request registration while others
require it, some specify a maximum trial period. With
registration, you get anything from the simple right to continue
using the software to an updated program with printed manual.
Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial software,
and the copyright holder retains all rights, with a few specific
exceptions as stated below. Shareware authors are accomplished
programmers, just like commercial authors, and the programs are
of comparable quality. (In both cases, there are good programs
and bad ones!) The main difference is in the method of
distribution. The author specifically grants the right to copy
and distribute the software, either to all and sundry or to a
specific group. For example, some authors require written
permission before a commercial disk vendor may copy their
Shareware.
Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. You
should find software that suits your needs and pocketbook,
whether it's commercial or Shareware. The Shareware system makes
fitting your needs easier, because you can try before you buy.
And because the overhead is low, prices are low also. Shareware
has the ultimate money-back guarantee -- if you don't use the
product, you don't pay for it.
LACE: the Multi-Configuration Utility Page 1
Disclaimer - Agreement
Users of LACE must accept this disclaimer of warranty: "LACE is
supplied as is. The author disclaims all warranties, expressed
or implied, including, without limitation, the warranties of
merchantability and of fitness for any purpose. The author
assumes no liability for damages, direct or consequential, which
may result from the use of LACE."
LACE is a "shareware program" and is provided at no charge to the
user for evaluation. Feel free to share it with your friends,
but please do not give it away altered or as part of another
system. The essence of "user-supported" software is to provide
personal computer users with quality software without high
prices, and yet to provide incentive for programmers to continue
to develop new products. If you find this program useful and
find that you are using LACE and continue to use LACE after a
reasonable trial period, you must make a registration payment of
$15 to Keith Ledbetter. The $15 registration fee will license
one copy for use on any one computer at any one time. You must
treat this software just like a book. An example is that this
software may be used by any number of people and may be freely
moved from one computer location to another, so long as there is
no possibility of it being used at one location while it's being
used at another. Just as a book cannot be read by two different
persons at the same time.
Commercial users of LACE must register and pay for their copies
of LACE within 30 days of first use or their license is
withdrawn. Site-License arrangements may be made by contacting
the author.
You are encouraged to pass a copy of LACE along to your friends
for evaluation. One easy way to do this is by placing LACE on
your favorite Bulletin Board System. Please encourage users to
register their copy if they find that they can use it. All
registered users will receive a copy of the latest version of the
LACE program.
LACE: the Multi-Configuration Utility Page 2
Introduction
Welcome to LACE, the multi-configuration utility for MS-DOS
and PC-DOS versions 3.3 through 5.0. Do you ever have the need
to boot your machine with multiple configurations? For example,
sometimes with a disk cache and another time with a RAM disk? Do
you find yourself keeping multiple CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT
files on your hard drive, and then copying the one you need to
C:\ and then re-booting? Or, even worse, making special floppy
boot disks so that your system boots in a "minimum configuration"
state? If the answer to any of these is yes, then LACE.SYS will
help make your life easier.
LACE allows you to keep up to 14 different configuration
setups inside of your single CONFIG.SYS file. At machine boot-up
time, LACE will present you with a menu comprised of each
configuration that you have specified. After selecting a
configuration, LACE modifies the in-memory copy of CONFIG.SYS so
that only the commands for that specific configuration are
executed during the CONFIG.SYS processing. You can use either a
single AUTOEXEC file or multiple AUTOEXEC files, depending upon
your personal preference. LACE does not remain memory-resident,
so it doesn't take up any of your precious low memory.
The LACE package also includes three additional device
drivers. The ASK device driver allows you to ask simple YES/NO
questions from within your CONFIG.SYS file, and then load (or not
load) device drivers depending upon the answer from the user.
The ECHO device driver allows you to display a comment on the
screen (just like the ECHO command in batch files). The PAUSE
driver allows you to pause the CONFIG.SYS processing (again,
identical to the PAUSE statement within batch files).
The LACE package is made up of the following program files:
LACE.SYS: this is the main device driver that you invoke at
boot-up time in your CONFIG.SYS file.
LACE_ERR.COM: this program can be called from your AUTOEXEC.BAT
file to set the ERRORLEVEL to the boot-up
selection that you made. In other words, if you
selected menu entry one from the boot-up menu,
then ERRORLEVEL would equal 1.
LACE_SET.EXE: this program is much like LACE_ERR except that it
sets the ERRORLEVEL condition and also creates an
environment variable named LACE. Again, if you
chose option one, then in your AUTOEXEC.BAT
"%lace%" would return a 1.
LACE: the Multi-Configuration Utility Page 3
Introduction
ASK.SYS: a device driver that allows you to ask simple
YES/NO questions, and act accordingly upon the
answer.
ECHO.SYS: a device driver that allows you to display
comments to the screen during CONFIG.SYS
processing.
PAUSE.SYS: a device driver that allows you to pause the
CONFIG.SYS processing and wait for a keypress from
the user.
LACE: the Multi-Configuration Utility Page 4
How LACE Works
The idea behind LACE is that you place what are called
"selection blocks" within your CONFIG.SYS file (following the
LACE.SYS invocation line). These blocks specify (a) the text
entry that you want displayed on LACE's menu and (b) the CONFIG
lines to execute if that option is selected by the user. A
simple, two selection CONFIG.SYS might look something like this:
---------------------+------------------------------------------
COMMENTS | CONFIG.SYS Contents
---------------------+------------------------------------------
invoke LACE program | device = c:\lace\lace.sys
|
option 1 on the menu | device = LACE "M\enu entry number one"
| ........
| ........
| statements to execute if selected
| ........
| ........
|
option 2 on the menu | device = LACE "M\enu entry number two"
| ........
| ........
| statements to execute if selected
| ........
| ........
|
mark the end of LACE | device = LACE End
|
these lines, since | DOS = High, UMB
they are outside of | Files = 30
the selection blocks,| Stacks = 0,0
are COMMON across | Buffers = 10
all selections. | Break = OFF
---------------------+-------------------------------------------
Using the above CONFIG.SYS file, you will be presented at
boot-up time with a menu that will look something like this:
+------------------------------------------------+
| |
| Menu entry number one |
| Menu entry number two |
| |
+------------------------------------------------+
with the first entry highlighted by the "selection bar". If you
choose option one, the statements immediately following that
selection block will be executed, and statements within the other
selection blocks will be ignored by the system.
LACE: the Multi-Configuration Utility Page 5
The Command Syntax
LACE will normally, but not always, be the first line in
your CONFIG.SYS file. It reads the remainder of your CONFIG.SYS
file and presents a menu of the entries that you have specified.
After you choose a boot-up option, it removes the other
CONFIG.SYS lines from the copy of CONFIG.SYS that is in memory
(DOS only loads the CONFIG.SYS file once, so these changes will
not actually modify the copy of CONFIG.SYS on your disk).
The actual LACE invocation line has the following syntax:
device = c:\path\lace.sys [optional parameters]
The optional parameters are as follows:
Center tells LACE to center the selection lines in the
dialog window. By default, all of the menu lines
will be left justified.
NoHighVideo by default, LACE uses the "high video" attributes
allowable on EGA and VGA monitors. If you don't
have an EGA or VGA monitor, you should specify the
NoHighVideo parameter. If you're not sure if your
monitor can support this option, it probably won't
take long for you to find out. If text on your
screen is blinking, then you need the NoHighVideo
option.
NumOff tells LACE to turn off the NUMLOCK setting at
invocation time.
Default=n tells LACE to use menu selection "n" as the
default menu selection.
Timeout=s used in conjunction with the "Default=" parameter
above, this keyword sets the timeout period to "s"
seconds, after which time LACE will assume that
you chose the default option specified.
Passive this option puts LACE into a "passive" mode, which
means that it will always execute the first menu
selection unless you force it to pop up its menu.
See the section "Using the Passive Option" below.
LACE: the Multi-Configuration Utility Page 6
The Command Syntax
After LACE has been invoked, it starts looking through the
CONFIG.SYS file for two specific types of lines. These are "menu
selection" lines and "option modification" lines.
Menu Selection Lines
--------------------
Menu selection lines tell LACE to insert the specified text as
a selection on your boot-up menu. The syntax for a selection
line is as follows:
device = LACE "A \double quoted \S\tring" [optional parameters]
As soon as LACE sees the double quote immediately following
the word LACE, it adds the entry to the pop-up menu. Note that
you DO NOT specify a path on the subsequent LACE lines; you
simply use the word "LACE". Since everything in the CONFIG.SYS
file is folded to UPPER CASE by the operating system, the "\"
character allows you to toggle lower case on and off. The above
example would show on the screen as:
"A double quoted String".
There are only two optional parameters, which are:
Default tells LACE to use this menu entry as the default
menu selection. The selection bar will initially
be placed on this entry, and it will be chosen
automatically if no key is pressed within the
specified timeout period. It only makes sense to
place this keyword on one menu selection line. If
you do specify it on multiple menu lines, the last
one will become the default.
Timeout=s used in conjunction with the "Default" parameter
above, this keyword sets the timeout period to "s"
seconds, after which time LACE will assume that
you chose this selection.
LACE: the Multi-Configuration Utility Page 7
The Command Syntax
Option Modification Lines
-------------------------
An "option modification" line allows you to change or set
options for LACE (this would be analogous to "switches" on a
command line program). You can have none or many option
modification lines in your CONFIG.SYS file. These lines have
the following syntax:
device = LACE KeyWord[=Value] KeyWord[=Value]...
The valid keywords are as follows:
End this keyword marks the end of where LACE should
stop processing. You must have one of these in
your CONFIG.SYS!
ColorType= this keyword allows you to modify LACE's default
color set.
where "ColorType" keywords are:
BannerBorder the top and bottom lines of the
screen.
BannerBackground the background color of the
copyright messages.
BannerForeground the foreground color of the
copyright messages.
BackgroundFill the color used to fill the
background of the screen.
DialogBorder the border color around the menu
selection dialog box.
DialogBackground the background color of the menu
selection dialog box.
DialogForeground the foreground color of the menu
selection dialog box.
OwnerBackground the background color of the
"registered owner" area.
OwnerForeground the foreground color of the
"registered owner" area.
LACE: the Multi-Configuration Utility Page 8
The Command Syntax
SelectionBarBackground the background color used when
displaying the moveable
selection bar.
SelectionBarForeground the background color used when
displaying the moveable
selection bar.
and where the possible "color" values are:
Blue
Green
Cyan
Red
Magenta
Brown
LightGray (BrightGray)
DarkGray
LightBlue (BrightBlue)
LightGreen (BrightGreen)
LightCyan (BrightCyan)
LightRed (BrightRed)
LightMagenta (BrightMagenta)
Yellow
White
NOTE: If you are using a monochrome monitor, LACE will
automatically detect this and set all of the colors accordingly.
If all of these options at first overwhelm you, don't be
concerned. LACE is extremely easy to set up and use. At this
point, we will look at an actual CONFIG.SYS file that uses LACE
to allow three different configuration setups. These three boot-
up options are:
1. No network drivers loaded
2. LAN Manager network
3. Novell network
The CONFIG.SYS file and two AUTOEXEC.BAT examples follow.
LACE: the Multi-Configuration Utility Page 9
CONFIG.SYS
REM Since these first four lines are outside of the
REM "device=c:\utils\lace.sys" and "LACE End" lines,
REM they are COMMON across all selections. In other
REM words, they will ALWAYS be executed.
DOS = High,UMB
device = e:\windows\himem.sys
device = e:\windows\emm386.exe ram noems i=b000-b7ff
shell = c:\4dos\4dos.com /p @c:\4dos\4dos.ini
device = c:\utils\lace.sys Center NumOff
device = LACE SelectionBarBackground=RED
device = LACE "N\o network" Default Timeout=30
devicehigh = d:\ms_mouse\mouse.sys /y /s30
device = d:\hyper\hyperdkx.exe c:4096:4096 xs xt:- s t:2
devicehigh = c:\dos50\ansi.sys
devicehigh = c:\dos50\setver.exe
devicehigh = d:\hyper\hyperscr.exe k:p
device = c:\lace\Ask.Sys "L\oad the \MOUSE\ driver?"
device = YES
devicehigh = d:\ms_mouse\mouse.sys /y /s30
device = END
device = LACE "LAN M\anager \N\etwork"
devicehigh = d:\netlib\dxma0mod.sys 001
devicehigh = d:\netlib\dxmc0mod.sys
devicehigh = d:\netlib\dxmt0mod.sys s=32 c=32
device = d:\hyper\hyperdkx.exe c:4096:4096 xs xt:- s t:2
devicehigh = c:\dos50\ansi.sys
devicehigh = c:\dos50\setver.exe
device = LACE "N\ovell \N\etwork"
devicehigh = d:\ms_mouse\mouse.sys /y /s30
devicehigh = d:\netlib\dxma0mod.sys 001
devicehigh = d:\netlib\dxmc0mod.sys
devicehigh = d:\netlib\dxmt0mod.sys s=32 c=32
devicehigh = c:\dos50\ansi.sys
devicehigh = c:\dos50\setver.exe
device = LACE End
REM Since these last five lines are also outside of the
REM "device=c:\utils\lace.sys" and "LACE End" lines,
REM they are also COMMON across all selections.
buffers = 5
files = 60
break = on
STACKS = 0,0
lastdrive = E
LACE: the Multi-Configuration Utility Page 10
AUTOEXEC.BAT Example 1
REM ----------------------------------------------------
REM This example shows how to use the LACE environment
REM variable to do everything in a single AUTOEXEC file.
REM ----------------------------------------------------
REM First, we call the LACE_SET program to set the
REM environment variable "LACE" to the selection that
REM we made from the menu.
C:\Lace\Lace_Set
verify off
set comspec=c:\4dos\4dos.com
path d:\batch;c:\utils;c:\dos50;c:\4dos
set prompt=$e[1;37;44m[$p]-[$g $h
mode con rate=30 delay=1
if NOT "%lace%" == "3" goto no_novell
c:\netware\wsgen\ipx
c:\netware\wsgen\route
c:\netware\wsgen\netx
f:
login novell_server/kledbetter
path %path;c:\netware
:no_novell
LACE: the Multi-Configuration Utility Page 11
AUTOEXEC.BAT Example 2
REM ------------------------------------------------------
REM This example shows how to use the LACE environment
REM variable to have 3 seperate AUTOEXEC files. Depending
REM upon the selection made from the LACE menu, we will
REM either execute AUTO-1.BAT, AUTO-2.BAT, or AUTO-3.BAT.
REM ------------------------------------------------------
REM First, we call the LACE_SET program to set the
REM environment variable "LACE" to the selection that
REM we made from the menu. We then call the matching
REM AUTO-n.BAT file.
C:\Lace\Lace_Set
C:\Auto-%Lace%.Bat
File AUTO-1.BAT:
----------------------------------------------------------------
verify off
set comspec=c:\4dos\4dos.com
path d:\batch;c:\utils;c:\dos50;c:\4dos
set prompt=$e[1;37;44m[$p]-[$g $h
mode con rate=30 delay=1
File AUTO-2.BAT:
----------------------------------------------------------------
verify off
set comspec=c:\4dos\4dos.com
path d:\batch;c:\utils;c:\dos50;c:\4dos
set prompt=$e[1;37;44m[$p]-[$g $h
mode con rate=30 delay=1
File AUTO-3.BAT:
----------------------------------------------------------------
verify off
set comspec=c:\4dos\4dos.com
path d:\batch;c:\utils;c:\dos50;c:\4dos;c:\netware
set prompt=$e[1;37;44m[$p]-[$g $h
mode con rate=30 delay=1
c:\netware\wsgen\ipx
c:\netware\wsgen\route
c:\netware\wsgen\netx
f:
login novell_server/kledbetter
LACE: the Multi-Configuration Utility Page 12
Getting Started
At this point, probably the easiest way to get started with
LACE is to create a two-selection CONFIG.SYS file. Option one in
our example will be your existing CONFIG.SYS file and option two
will be a "bare-bones" configuration.
Load up your favorite text editor and let's edit your
current CONFIG.SYS file. Make the following changes:
Add the following two lines at the TOP of your current CONFIG.SYS
file (change the path name if you put LACE in a different
directory name):
device=c:\lace\lace.sys Center
device=LACE "S\tandard configuration" Default Timeout=30
Next, go to the very bottom of your CONFIG.SYS file and add these
lines:
device=LACE "B\are-bones configuration"
files = 20
buffers = 30
device=LACE End
Now, save your CONFIG.SYS file and re-boot your system.
Unless you made a typing error, you should now see LACE's menu
screen with your two configuration options on it. Selecting
option one will boot your machine in the exact configuration as
before you installed LACE. Selecting option two will boot your
machine with no drivers at all loaded.
Congratulations! You have just created your first LACE
multiple configuration. As you can see, using LACE is very
simple and intuitive. It should be easy for you to now build
onto this CONFIG.SYS file to create as many different boot-up
configurations as you need.
A Shortcut
----------
There is a shortcut built into LACE that you might want to
try out now. LACE assumes that your first two menu entries are
going to be ones that you will choose the most. LACE makes it
easy for you to do this. Before LACE displays its menu screen,
it checks the keyboard to see if you are holding down either
shift key. If you are holding down the left shift key, LACE
bypasses the menu screen and proceeds as if you had selected
option one from the menu. If you are holding down the right
shift key, LACE proceeds as if you had selected option two from
the menu.
LACE: the Multi-Configuration Utility Page 13
Using the Passive Option
LACE has an optional mode known as "passive" operation (see
"The Command Syntax" section). Passive mode is most useful when
you execute your first menu selection block most of the time.
When in passive mode, LACE always executes the first menu
selection unless you specifically tell it to pop up its menu by
holding down the Left Shift key at invocation time (when LACE
loads from disk, not when you "boot" your machine).
When you are in passive mode, you can still execute the
second menu item automatically by holding down the right shift
key. The following chart shows what the various Shift Key states
do depending on your current mode:
In "Active" mode In "Passive" mode
---------------- -----------------
No Shift LACE menu is always Executes the first
pressed displayed to you. config block without
displaying the menu.
Left Shift Executes the first Forces the LACE
pressed config block without menu to appear.
displaying the menu.
Right Shift Executes the second Executes the second
pressed config block without config block without
displaying the menu. displaying the menu.
LACE: the Multi-Configuration Utility Page 14
Using LACE with DOS 3.3
LACE was created to work seamlessly with DOS versions 4.x
and higher. It will work with DOS 3.3 just fine except for a few
differences that are caused by DOS 3.3's processing of the
CONFIG.SYS file.
First of all, there is no "REMark" statement allowed in DOS
3.3's CONFIG.SYS lines. Since the way LACE removes unwanted
lines from your CONFIG.SYS file is by changing them to "remark"
lines, this causes a big problem. The only way to cleanly
remove lines in a DOS 3.3 config file (without getting an
avalanche of "Invalid command" lines printed to the screen) is to
change the unwanted lines to "BREAK=OFF" statements. This is
what LACE does if it senses that you are running DOS 3.3. Of
course, this means that if you want to set "BREAK=ON", you MUST
do it AFTER the "device = LACE End" statement.
Another problem comes in to play if you have a line in a
selection block that has less than 3 characters to the right of
the "=" sign. For example, a line such as "buffers = 5" is not
long enough for LACE to change to a "BREAK=OFF" statement should
it need to remove this line. If this occurs, you will get an
"invalid command" error message, but the processing of the
CONFIG.SYS file will have occurred just as you wanted it to (in
other words, only the lines in the selected area of CONFIG.SYS
will have been executed). One way around this is to "pad" with
spaces to the right of any short lines. Using the above example,
changing "buffers = 5" to "buffers = 5 *" will now allow LACE
to change the line to a "BREAK=OFF" command, thereby eliminating
the bogus "invalid command" message at boot-up time.
LACE: the Multi-Configuration Utility Page 15
Using LACE with DOS 5.0
The only thing you can't do under DOS 5.0 right now is to
have multiple settings for your "DOS=" entry. This is caused by
the fact that DOS 5.0 pre-scans the entire CONFIG.SYS file,
before executing any device drivers, to see if it needs to set
itself up to load high. What this means is that you can't do
this:
LACE "S\election one"
DOS=Low
...lines...
LACE "S\election two"
DOS=High,UMB
...lines...
LACE End
In this example, "DOS=High,UMB" will always be used since
DOS sees this as the last "DOS=" setting in the CONFIG.SYS file.
DOS will then set itself up to load high before LACE.SYS ever
gets executed. This problem will be addressed in a future
version of LACE. I didn't want to hold up the release of an
otherwise complete product until I could find a way around this
problem.
LACE: the Multi-Configuration Utility Page 16
The Additional Device Drivers
The ASK.SYS Device Driver
-------------------------
The ASK.SYS device driver is a totally stand-alone device
driver that can be used to ask simple, one-line Yes/No questions
at boot-up time, and then load or not load any number of device
drivers depending upon the answer. The questions can fall within
a LACE "selection block". The format for the ASK driver is as
follows:
Device=c:\Ask.Sys "The Y/N question" [default=Y|N] [Timeout=nn]
Device=YES
... the lines you want executed if they answer YES ...
... the lines you want executed if they answer YES ...
Device=NO
... optional lines you want executed if they answer NO ...
... optional lines you want executed if they answer NO ...
Device=END
For example:
------------
device=c:\Ask.Sys "L\oad the mouse driver? " default=Y timeout=10
device=YES
device=c:\windows\mouse.sys
device=END
The same caveats exist for the ASK driver under DOS 3.3 and DOS
5.0 as for LACE (see the "Using LACE under DOS 3.3" and "Using
LACE under DOS 5.0" sections above).
The PAUSE.SYS Device Drivers
----------------------------
The PAUSE driver does exactly what the DOS "Pause" batch
file command does -- it displays an optional message to the user
and waits for any key to be pressed. The syntax is:
device = c:\lace\Pause.Sys
which would result in:
Press any key when ready...
LACE: the Multi-Configuration Utility Page 17
The Additional Device Drivers
device = c:\lace\Pause.Sys P\ress a key to continue \CONFIG.SYS
would result in:
Press a key to continue CONFIG.SYS
The ECHO.SYS Device Drivers
---------------------------
The ECHO driver simply echoes a message to the screen, which
can be handy when debugging your CONFIG.SYS file. An example:
device = c:\Echo.Sys I'\m now loading the \MOUSE\ driver
device = c:\mouse.sys
device = c:\pause.sys
would display the message "I'm now loading the MOUSE driver"
immediately before the mouse driver is loaded into memory.
LACE: the Multi-Configuration Utility Page 18
In Conclusion
I hope that you will enjoy using LACE. Please remember that
this is a Shareware program; if you continue to use the program
after a reasonable amount of time, show your support for
Shareware by registering your copy of the program.
When you register LACE, you will receive a diskette with the
latest version of LACE and a "branding" utility that will allow
you to place your name and serial number into all future versions
of LACE. No future upgrade costs; you pay only one time! The
diskette you receive will also contain the Shareware versions of
all of the products listed in the "Product Catalog" found at the
end of this document.
As with most products, there are those who donate their time
to BETA testing, and LACE is no exception. I'd like to
personally thank the following BETA testers for giving freely of
their time to ensure a solid product:
Hal Hudler, Linnie Martin, Larry Cary, Dick Dunn, Pat Ford,
Robert Norman, Roy Tucker, Mike Phillips, Bob Arnson, Ray
Tackett, Peter Schulz, Joern Wettern, Edward Phillips, Jeff
Garbers, Charles Wajciechowski, and Sharlyn Williams. Also, a
big thanks to Webb Blackman, Sysop of the Blue Ridge Express, for
continuing to allow me to use his BBS as a message center, file
distribution point, and over-all remote disk drive!
Once again, enjoy the program and be sure to contact me with
any ideas you may have for future enhancements. And, last but
surely not least, thanks to all of you who continue to support my
Shareware products!
Keith Ledbetter
LACE: the Multi-Configuration Utility Page 19
Keith Ledbetter's Shareware Catalog
Listed below is a chart of my other shareware and freeware
utilities, along with the current version number of each. Also
listed is the filename that you will find them under on BBS
systems (please note that they may be different on your favorite
BBS's, but it should help you at least get close to locating
them). When you register one of my Shareware programs, you will
receive a disk with all of these utilities on it.
Filename Version Description
----------- ------- ----------------------------------
SST_53a.ZIP 5.3a The ultimate file-finder program.
PC/Computing magazine called SST
"the Concorde of all file finders".
SST can search inside of all
popular archive formats and also
supports date searching, file size
searching, and command execution on
found files. Far too many other
options to list here!
Shareware: $15
LCD_40b.ZIP 4.0b "Led's Change Directory" is an
intelligent directory changing
program. This program was voted
one of "the 10 best utilities of
1990" by the "Public (software)
Library" magazine.
Shareware: $15
LACE_14.ZIP 1.1 LACE ("Led's Autoexec and
Configuration Editor") is a device
driver that allows you to maintain
up to 14 different boot-up
configurations from within a single
CONFIG.SYS file. LACE is very easy
to set up and use - you no longer
have to be a "power user" to
support multiple configurations!
Shareware: $15
AV_12.ZIP 1.2 "Archive Viewer" is used to display
the names of members of all of the
popular archiving programs (ZIP,
ARC, LHARC, PKARC, ZOO, PAK). No
longer do you have to struggle
remembering the syntax to 6
different archiving programs.
Freeware: $0
LACE: the Multi-Configuration Utility Page 20
Keith Ledbetter's Shareware Catalog
X_30.ZIP 3.0 "X: The Executioner" can save you a
lot of disk space. X allows you to
ZIP down those seldom-used-but
hard-to-delete .COM, .EXE, and .BAT
files into one system "Command
Library". You can then execute
them easily by simply typing an "x"
in front of the command line (eg:
"x chkdsk c:").
Freeware: $0
ADMENU30.ZIP 3.0 If you own an Adlib Music card, you
need this program. It allows you
to ZIP down all of those .ROL song
files you've accumulated, yet still
play them with no extra effort!
Uses a mouse-able, easy-on-the-eyes
window system.
Freeware: $0
DELDIR12.ZIP 1.2 "Delete Directory" allows you to
delete an entire directory (and all
directories under it) with one
quick command. You will be shown
totals of what you are about to
delete and then be asked to confirm
(the confirm process can be over-
ridden from the command line).
Freeware: $0
DIRSIZ11.ZIP 1.1 "Directory Size Information" allows
you to easily determine the total
size (in both files and bytes) of
any directory.
Freeware: $0
LSDIR_20.ZIP 2.0 "Led's Stacker Directory" is a
replacement for Stacker's SDIR
command. The main advantage of
LSDIR is that it shows the
compression ratio in "PKZIP-type"
notation (50% instead of 2.0:1).
Freeware: $0
DUPICO10.ZIP 1.0 "Duplicate Icon Deleter" is for any
Windows 3.0 user who has
accumulated tons of icons. It will
go through a directory and delete
all duplicate icon images,
regardless of what they are named.
Freeware: $0
LACE: the Multi-Configuration Utility Page 21
Keith Ledbetter's Shareware Catalog
MSDRBT10.ZIP 1.0 MS-DOS / DR-DOS Dual Boot. This
utility allows you to keep both MS-
DOS 5.0 and DR-DOS 6.0 on your hard
drive at the same time and easily
switch between the two operating
systems.
Freeware: $0
TIMER10.ZIP 1.0 This program allows you to easily
time the execution of any program.
Simply use TIMER to invoke the
command (eg: "timer chkdsk C:") and
you will be shown, at the
completion of the command, the
elapsed time.
Freeware: $0
UNTAB10.ZIP 1.0 One of the fastest "un-tab"
programs you will find. It takes
the specified input file and copies
it to the specified output file,
replacing all tab characters with
hard blanks (you specify the "tab
size").
Freeware: $0
LACE: the Multi-Configuration Utility Page 22
Software Distributors
You can download all of my programs from the Blue Ridge
Express BBS in Richmond, VA. This is the official technical
support board for all of my software, and there's a special
"Keith Ledbetter" message section where you can quickly get your
questions answered. Once you log on, just do a "J KEITHL" to
join my sub-board. First-time callers have access to both my
message base and all of my download files. Please note that you
must do a "J MAIN" command before downloading any files.
The Blue Ridge Express is a first-class BBS, with 30 phone
lines; no need to worry about getting a busy signal! The number
is:
The Blue Ridge Express BBS
804-790-1675
All of my software can also be obtained from the following
shareware vendors:
Alternative Personal Software
269 Springside Drive Suite C
Hamilton, Ontario
Canada L9B 1P8
Tel: (416) 577-4068
PC Assist Limited
4 Carruber's Close
135 High Street
Edinburgh, EH1 1SJ
Scotland
Tel: 031-557-6432
BroCo Software
P. O. Box 446
3760 AK SOEST
Holland
Tel: 31-2155-26650
EURO BOARD
John Warren
Postfach
3920 ZERMATT, VS
Switzerland
BBS: (0228) / 476-111-06 (Swiss Telepac)
LACE: the Multi-Configuration Utility Page 23
Index
additional device drivers, 3
ASK.SYS, 4, 17
Blue Ridge Express BBS, 23
BREAK=, 15
common selections, 5
CONFIG.SYS sample shell, 5
DOS 3.3, 15, 17
DOS 5.0, 16, 17
ECHO.SYS, 18
environment variable, 3, 11, 12
ERRORLEVEL, 3
getting started, 13
LACE invocation, 6
LACE.SYS, 3
LACE.SYS Parameters, 6
Center, 6
Default=, 6
NoHighVideo, 6
NumOff, 6
Passive, 6
Timeout=, 6
LACE_ERR.COM, 3
LACE_SET.EXE, 3
left shift key, 13
menu entry lines, 7
menu entry parameters
Default, 7
Timeout=, 7
multiple AUTOEXEC.BAT files, 12
option line parameters
BackgroundFill, 8
BannerBackground, 8
BannerBorder, 8
BannerForeground, 8
color values, 9
ColorType, 8
DialogBackground, 8
DialogBorder, 8
DialogForeground, 8
End, 8
OwnerBackground, 8
OwnerForeground, 8
SelectionBarBackground, 9
SelectionBarForeground, 9
option lines, 8
passive, 14
PAUSE.SYS, 17
product catalog, 20
remark, 15
right shift key, 13
selection blocks, 5
LACE: the Multi-Configuration Utility Page 24
Index
Shift Key states, 14
shortcut keys, 13
software distributors, 23
technical support, 23
welcome, 3
YES/NO questions, 4
LACE: the Multi-Configuration Utility Page 25