Bloodhound v2.2 Help Index

Basic operation

Searching for specific text within files

Selecting what drives and directories to search

Optimize for speed vs. Optimize for background use

DOS file attributes

Copying and Deleting files

Executing programs

Registering Bloodhound


Basic operation

Bloodhound is a program designed to help you locate DOS files.  Most likely, you will use Bloodhound to find a specific file on your hard disk(s).  The easiest way to begin a search is to enter a file specification and press <Return> or the "Go" button  (streetlight).  Bloodhound will begin searching for the requested file.

When Bloodhound is initially started, all of your hard disks are selected to be fully searched.  In the example below, the smiley face below the C: drive icon means that Bloodhound will search  the C: drive and not A: or B:.  See the topic called "Selecting what drives and directories to search" for instructions on how change these drive settings.

The file specification is the name of the DOS file which you wish to find, such as "WIN.COM" or "MEETING.DOC."  You may also use wildcards in your search specification.  Examples:

*.DOC 	find all of the files with the extension ".DOC"

AUTOEXEC.??? 	find all files beginning with "AUTOEXEC"

*.?OC	find all files ending with "OC"

*.*	find all files

Note:  These examples assume the user has not entered a "search string".  See the next topic for more information about searching for text within files.


Searching for specific text within files

Bloodhound can also look within files to find a string.  To use this feature, enter both a search specification and a search string into their respective edit boxes.

In this example, Bloodhound will search for files with the extension ".DOC".  When these files are found, Bloodhound will read the files and look for the text string "Windows".

Only those files that have the extension ".DOC" and contain the string "Windows" will be reported in the list box.


Selecting what drives and directories to search

Bloodhound will search those drives that have either a complete or partial smiley face underneath the drive icon.  In this example,  Bloodhound will search every directory on C: and I: (full smiley) and only selected directories on D: and K: (partial smiley).  All remaining drives will not be searched.

To change which drives and directories are searched, single click on the drive icon you wish to change.  A pop-up menu will allow you to search the entire drive, search only part of the drive, or to choose not to search the drive at all.

Key to drive symbols:

  Removable media (i.e. floppy drives)

  Non-removable media (i.e. hard disks)

  RAM drives

 Network drives

 CD-ROM drive


Optimize for speed vs. Optimize for background use

You may instruct Bloodhound to either optimize itself for speed or background use by clicking on the "Change search options" button.  If you select "Optimize for speed", you will not be able to stop a search in progress.  Additionally, you will not be able to see files being added to the list box as they are found.  These features are crippled to minimize the search time.  When "Optimize for background use" is selected, you may stop the search by pressing <Return> or clicking on the "Stop" icon.  Also, you can minimize the Bloodhound application and continue working with other Windows programs while Bloodhound is searching.

Tech note:

When "optimize for background use" is enabled, Bloodhound will use a PeekMessage() loop to allow other Windows applications to run.  Bloodhound will search a directory completely before allowing other applications to execute.  When the remaining Windows applications become idle, Bloodhound will search the next directory completely before releasing control again.  The start-stop nature of this algorithm will be noticeable on slow drives, such as network drives.


DOS file attributes

File attributes are used to help describe files.  The four attributes that DOS uses are (A)rchive, (R)ead Only, (S)ystem, and (H)idden.  For each of the DOS attributes, Bloodhound will either display the first letter of the attribute or a '-' character.  For example:

Displayed by	Meaning

Bloodhound

--------------------	------------------------------------------------------

A---	Archive

-H-S	Hidden and System

AHRS	Archive, Hidden, Read Only, and System

These attributes have the following definitions:

Archive:

The archive attribute is typically used to control which files are backed-up using DOS's backup and restore feature.

Read Only:

The read-only attribute prevents a file from being changed or deleted.  You can open and read files with the read-only attribute, but you can't make changes.

Hidden:

Prevents MS-DOS and programs such as File Manager from displaying the file in a directory list.  The file remains in the directory, but you can't see or use the file (unless you know it exists).

System:

The system attribute designates a file as part of the operating system.  Files with the system attribute are not shown in directory listings.  Normally, it is not a good idea to delete, change, or move system files or your system may not function.


Copying and Deleting files

Copying and deleting files is relatively easy with Bloodhound.  To copy or delete files you must first perform a search. After your search is complete and at least one file was added to the list box, hold down the <CTRL> key and click on those files you wish to copy or delete.  Using the <CTRL> key will allow you to select more that one file at a time.  When you have made your selection(s) press either the "Copy" or "Delete" button.


Executing Programs

Bloodhound uses several methods for executing a program.  First, you may perform a search for the file you wish to edit or the program you wish to run.  Once the file is located, you may either double-click on the file name in the list box, or single-click on the file name and then press the "Execute..." button.  If no file name is selected and you press the "Execute..." button, Bloodhound will display the "File Open" dialog so that you may browse your disk(s) to find the program you wish to run.

Tech Note:

If a file with an extension other than ".EXE", ".COM", or ".BAT" is chosen, Bloodhound will try to determine which executable to run by examining the associations for the selected file.  For example, if the file "README.TXT" is selected, Bloodhound will most likely start Windows Notepad and read the above file.  To add or modify associations, use File Manager's "Associate" menu option under the "File" menu.


Registering Bloodhound

You are welcome to evaluate Bloodhound for 30 days.  Continued use of this program requires registration by sending $15 U.S. payable to:

Diane Coty

10803 Washington Bay Dr.

Fishers, IN  46038

Please include your home address or e-mail address so that I can send you a registration number to eliminate the "nag" screen. Questions or comments may be addressed via Internet e-mail to:  curtcoty@indy.net

Thank you for trying Bloodhound.

Curt Coty