Copyright: 1999 by HB Software


PTS PowerUp  Modules
 PowerUp 98 DELUXE Modules

 Description:

PowerUp 98 includes a number of separate configuration and utility modules for performing special tasks and editing system options. These modules are fully integrated in the program can be started directly from the PowerUp application.

This modular design approach enables us to make new and update modules available to you even after the release of PowerUp 98.

Information on new and updated modules is available at our website or directly from us.

 Registering New Modules:

Since we are continually improving PowerUp 98 and adding new modules we have created a mechanism called "Module Registration" for the integration of new modules in PowerUp 98.

 The Standard PowerUp Modules:

Auto Login	Modem Settings	Registry Editor	Quick Access
Display Resolution	System Icons	System Information	Taskbar
© Copyright 1999 by HB Software


AutoLogin
 AutoLogin  (PowerUp module)

  Description:

When you start Windows NT or 95 in a network the system always asks you to log in with your user name and password.

This login prompt can be annoying on single-user configurations or on systems normally only used by one user.

This useful little module disables the prompt by logging you in automatically every time you restart the computer.

To activate the auto login function just click in the check box, then enter your user name and password and confirm.

 Important: If you didn't enter a password when you installed NT you must do so now. Start the NT User Manager and enter a password before activating auto login with this function.


Modem Settings
  Modem Settings (PowerUp module)

 Description:

Although Windows allows you to install different modem types it always only uses the standard default settings for accessing the modem.

This module enables individual configuration of every modem installed under Windows, and it also enables you to store several different sets of parameters for each option, so that you can change all your settings quickly for different needs.

The currently installed modems are shown in the upper section of the dialog box. Clicking on a modem name displays the current modem parameters in the lower section.

These parameters are organized in four groups:

Settings > 	General settings

Init >	Initialization strings to send to the modem before dialing

Answer > 	Parameter strings for answering incoming calls

Hangup > 	Parameter strings for disconnecting and hanging up the line

To change an option first click on the name in the "Set Name" column to show the current setting in the entry field at the bottom. Then edit the values in the entry field and click on "Change" to accept the new value.

 WARNING: Don't change these settings if you don't know what you're doing – study your modem manual first! If you enter incorrect values or parameters your modem may stop functioning or responding properly. It's thus always a good idea to make a note of the original settings to that you can restore them if necessary!


Module Registration
  Module Registration (PowerUp module)

 Description:

PowerUp 98 includes a number of integrated modules for performing special tasks and modifying system functions. These modules can be accessed in the PowerUp 98 Modules group (see the icon in the TaskBar).

We are continually improving PowerUp 98 and developing new modules. The "Module Registration" module enables you to install new modules in the program.

 Installing a new module:

- Copy the new module file (MODXXXDE.EXE) into the PowerUp's module directory (e.g. C:\Program Files\PowerUp\Modules).

- Start "Module Registration" and click on "Initialize".

The Module Registration program then searches for new modules and initializes them, integrating them in the PowerUp user interface.

During initialization the program displays the module name, its description and the operating system the module is designed for in the list box.

NOTE: Only modules designed for your operating system will actually be displayed in the PowerUp 98 Modules group when you restart. For example, if you are using Windows 95/98 you will not see the special modules that only run under Windows NT, even though the names of these modules may appear briefly during the initialization process. This is normal – it simply means that the system is checking through the entire list of available modules.


Quick Access
  Quick Access (PowerUp module)

 Description:

This module enables you to configure your system folders (Network, Printers etc.) for quick access.

The module generates genuine, independent objects, NOT shortcuts to the system folders!

Select the system folder you want to configure for quick access in the list box at the top.

Then specify where you want to install quick access in the lower section of the dialog box. If you wish you can also change the default name.


System Icons
  System Icons  (PowerUp module)

 Description:

One of the minor annoyances of Windows is that it's normally not possible to change the standard system icons.

This restriction doesn't apply for users of PowerUp 98 – you can change your Desktop and Start Menu icons to suit your personal preferences whenever you feel like it. Use different icons, your own icons, designer icons – anything you like! And you don't have to use Themes or the Plus! package either!

The dialog also includes buttons for saving entire system icon setups as "profiles". You can then change all the icons in one simple operation by loading the profile file.

(You must restart the computer to display the new icons after changing these settings.)

 My Computer tab

Shows all the Desktop and Explorer icons that you can change.

To change an icon just double-click on its image, or select it and then click on "Change Icon".

 Start Menu tab

Shows all the Start Menu icons that you can change.

To change an icon just double-click on its image, or select it and then click on "Change Icon".

You can then choose the file containing the icon you want to use with the file selection box displayed. If the file contains more than one icon the module displays a numbered list of all the icons.

Select the icon you wish to use and confirm with "OK".


Registry Editor
  Registry Editor  (PowerUp module)

 Description:

This module enables you to view and edit all the configuration information for your system stored in the Windows Registry database.

 About the Windows Registry:

The Windows Registry is a hierarchical database that Windows uses to store its basic system settings and parameters – for example user settings and system configuration parameters. With very few exceptions, all the configuration information for all the devices installed in your system is stored in the registry. Windows literally can't function without this information.

The Registry replaces the initialization files (e.g. WIN.INI, SYSTEM.INI) that former versions of Windows used to use to store system and application settings.

 CAUTION: Important Warning!!!

Editing the Registry calls for very detailed knowledge of the way Windows works and familiarity with the functions and syntax of the individual registry keys (parameters).

Please DON'T try to edit the Registry unless you're really sure you know what you're doing!

Incorrect entries and deletions can cause Windows to malfunction or stop working entirely. Serious Registry editing errors can make it necessary to reinstall Windows entirely.

Even if you do know what you're doing it's still always a good idea to make backups of the registry files before making any changes.

No detailed instructions are included here because this module should only be used by experienced users with intimate knowledge of the registry and how it works.


Display Resolution
  Display Resolution (PowerUp module)

 Description:

With some graphics adapter drivers Windows 95/98 & NT support direct switching of the screen display resolution and colors without restarting the system.

This module displays a full list of all possible resolution variants arranged in ascending order by resolution, color depth and refresh rate.

To switch to a new resolution simply select the mode you want in the list and confirm with "Change Resolution".

 IMPORTANT: Make absolutely sure that your monitor supports the resolution and refresh rate you want to use before switching. It's possible to cause serious damage to monitors with high refresh rates that are not supported by the hardware!


System Information
  System Information  (PowerUp module)

 Description:

Provides a wealth of useful and interesting information about your operating system, your computer configuration and your hardware.


Taskbar
  Taskbar  (PowerUp module)

 Description:

This useful little program enables you to place programs and PowerUp modules in the SysTray of your Taskbar so that you can start them directly from there. (The SysTray is the little box at the right-hand end of the Taskbar – normally it just contains the speaker icon for starting the Volume Control dialog and sometimes also the system time display.)

The "Programs" tab shows all the current SysTray programs, modules and spacers in the order in which they appear in the SysTray.

You can add and delete programs, "spacers" and PowerUp modules with the buttons on the right.

Spacers are used to separate entries and organize programs in the SysTray.

To change the position of an entry or spacer select it with the mouse and then use the arrow buttons to move it up or down.

When an entry is selected the "Properties" tab is displayed automatically.

Clicking on this tab displays the fields for editing the program properties of the selected item.

You can choose the name, the icon and a number of other parameters.

 Working Directory

By default, programs normally start in the directory in which the program file is stored – i.e. when you use the "Open" or "Save" commands they will access the program's own directory.

You can change this to another directory by entering a path here, so that the path automatically points to the directory where you normally store the files edited with this application.

For example, if you do this for Winword then "Open" and "Save" commands in Winword will automatically use this directory as the default.

 Program Parameters

This field enables you to enter parameters to be used when starting the program, which can include commands, filenames, paths and other options supported by the program.

For example, if you enter "C:\CONFIG.SYS"  as the program parameter for NOTEPAD.EXE then the CONFIG.SYS file will automatically be opened and loaded for editing when you start Notepad from the Taskbar.

Of course, you can only enter parameters that are actually supported by the individual applications.

 Window Text

PowerUp 98 provides some additional features for programs started from the SysTray. Once you have started a program you can right-click on its icon in the SysTray to display a little pop-up menu with which you can exit, restore or start a new instance of the program. For this feature to work it must be possible to reference the name of the program's window – this is the name that appears in the colored bar at the top of the program window. Enter this name or the first part of it in this field. The text must be entered exactly as it appears in the window name bar – if it doesn't work start the program and check to see exactly how the window text is written.