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DT.DOC
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1990-02-23
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5KB
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126 lines
SET DATE AND TIME
Copyright 1987 - Robert L. Brown
If you use this program, please send $3.50 to:
BROWN ENTERPRISES
322 Davis Drive
Kingston, TN 37763
DESCRIPTION
For computers that do not have a built in clock and calendar,
the date and time is usually set manually when the computer is
first turned on. This program can replace that operation. It
offers a measure of convenience by eliminating awkward
keystrokes (like<-> and <:>). The time is also set using the
conventional am and pm thus avoiding the nuisance of trying to
figure the pm hours. This program will be especially attractive
for the beginning computer person who very often is not good at
typing.
The source code, written in BASIC (DT.BAS), is included and may
be easily merged into your favorite BASIC programs. It is then
easy to alter to suit specific needs. It also has been compiled
using QuickBASIC to make a stand alone file (DT.EXE) that does
not require loading BASIC in order to run.
INSTALLATION
The following instructions assume that your computer has two
disk drives (A and B).
First, format a bootable disk. This is done by placing your
DOS disk in drive A and a new blank disk in drive B. Then type:
FORMAT B:/S <RETURN>
Remove the DOS disk from drive A and place SET TIME AND DATE disk
in drive A (Files may be in the directory "DT"). Leave the
newly formatted disk in drive B and type:
COPY *.* B: <RETURN>
All the files in drive A have now been duplicated in drive
B. Remove the original SET TIME AND DATE disk and store it in a
safeplace. The disk in drive B will be your working SET DATE
AND TIME disk. Your working disk should contain the following
files:
AUTOEXEC.BAT
DT.EXE
DT.BAS
DT.DOC
To check your program, place your working disk in drive A and
reboot by pressing Ctrl-Alt-Del. The first thing that will be
displayed will be SET DATE AND TIME. The program will return
you to DOS when finished. The RAM memory space it uses will
also be returned to DOS for the use of other programs. SET DATE
AND TIME can be run at any time, without rebooting, by typing:
DT <RETURN>
To run SET DATE AND TIME using BASIC place a disk with your
BASIC file (BASIC, BASICA,etc.) in drive A and your working disk
in drive B and type:
COPY A:(your BASIC) B:DT <RETURN>
CREATING AN AUTOEXEC.BAT FILE
When you turn on the power to your computer it will search for
an AUTOEXEC.BAT file. If this file exist on the disk in the A
drive the computer will skip the DOS parts that ask for you to
set the time and date. CAUTION! Before proceeding make sure
that an AUTOEXEC.BAT file does not already exist. You may list
the files on a disk by typing:
DIR/W <RETURN>
If AUTOEXEC.BAT does not exist and you want SET DATE AND TIME to
come up automatically when you turn the power on, create an
AUTOEXEC.BAT file by typing:
COPY CON B:AUTOEXEC.BAT <RETURN>
COPY CON directs the computer to copy the keystrokes that
you type to the console. After pressing <RETURN> your cursor
will appear on the next line with the prompt A> missing. You are
now ready to type the contents of your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. Type:
DT <RETURN>
Finish this file and save it by pressing the special function key
<F6> and <RETURN>. Check by rebooting and see if SET DATE
AND TIME appears on your screen.
If an AUTOEXEC.BAT file already exist, SET DATE AND TIME can be
added to it in the same way as above. First find out what is in
the existing AUTOEXEC.BAT file by typing:
TYPE AUTOEXEC.BAT <RETURN>
If the contents are short and you have a printer, then
press <PRT><SC> to record it for retyping. If you do not have a
printer write it down exactly as it is written with spaces and
punctuation. Now type:
COPY CON AUTOEXEC.BAT <RETURN>
On the first line type in SET DATE AND TIME instructions
as described above (DT). Then retype the rest of the
instructions exactly as they were originally. If the
existing instructions are long you can save a lot of typing by
consulting your DOS books on how to edit AUTOEXEC.BAT files and
other batch files. Some (but not all) word processors may also
be used to edit existing files.
Note that the extension BAT (xxxxxxxx.BAT) stands for BATch.
Only AUTOEXEC.BAT is used when booting up. Any other name with
a BAT extension may be used for setting up and running an
application program. SET DATE AND TIME may be added to any
BATch program in the same way as described above.