Copyright: Copyright (C) 1998 RobWare
Citation: Copyright (C) 1998 RobWare


TABLE OF CONTENTS

How to Use File Investigator

Introduction

File Investigator Programs

File Find

Properties

Text Previewer

Multimedia Previewer

Pattern Database Updates

Upgrade File Investigator

Adding/Improving File Types

Troubleshooting


Introduction

The File Investigator Engine is the core program that identifies a file by its contents rather than filename extension.  You might assume that it has to be slow if it opens every file, but it is almost as fast as any other program that just reads the disk directory.  Most applications only look at a file's extension when identifying or loading it.  If the file has the wrong extension or the application just doesn't recognize the extension, then you are out of luck.  Unless you have an application that uses the File Investigator Engine.

This engine also extracts valuable information out of many different types of files.  Information like: image resolutions, sound file sampling rates, document titles, and much more.  It then provides general information about that particular file type/format.

The MS Windows version of this engine is a Dynamic Link Library (DLL).  File Find and Properties applications are bundled with the current version of the engine.  Future upgrade versions of the engine will include more file type patterns to recognize more file formats.

A couple of File Investigator Preview DLLs are also included with the engine.  When you select the Preview tab in the Properties dialog, one of these DLLs will display a preview of the file.  For Microsoft multimedia files (.AVI, .WAV, .MID, .RMI), the Multimedia Previewer DLL will give you the ability to play the file.  For all other files, the Text Previewer DLL will display the text that is imbedded in the file, or the Hexadecimal Previewer DLL will display the beginning of the file with hexadecimal values.  Additional preview DLLs will be available soon.  These DLLs are similar to the plug-in programs provided for Internet browsers.  They process a file in the background, while you are viewing other details in the dialog.  The file data, image, etc. is gradually displayed in a preview window, as the file is being processed.

There are many uses for this kind of software.  One is to identify a file that a friend or colleague gave you that Windows doesn't recognize.  The Properties dialog can help you correct a wrong file extension (on the Details tab) or tell you where to find software to view, edit and/or convert the file (on the Background tab).

A second use is to quickly look at a file's details when searching for a specific file, without having to wait for an edit program to open and load the entire file.


How To
How to use File Investigator

The File Investigator programs run on MS Windows 95/98 & NT 4.0.

Context menu:	Right click on any file or folder.  File Investigator will appear on the local menu.

Desktop:	Drag and drop any file onto the File Investigator (Drag & Drop) icon on your desktop.

or	Double click on ,or drag and drop any folder onto, the File Investigator File Find icon.

DOS prompt:	Run FIPROP [path]filename [/Q]

or	Run FIFIND [path]

The FIPROP.EXE program returns an error level that indicates which type of file it identified.  This same index value is provided in the last column of the file types list on the Setup tab of Properties, and the last column of the File Find list view.

Adding the /Q parameter tells FIPROP.EXE not to display anything on the screen and quit/exit as soon as the file has been identified.


File Investigator Programs

File Find and Properties dialog user interface (UI) programs and a couple of file viewer Dynamic Link Librarys (DLL) are bundled with the File Investigator engine. The File Investigator File Find program is used to identify many files at a time, and search for files by their contents.  The File Investigator Properties program is used to provide background information on a selected file.  Which should eliminate hours wasted trying to find files or finding a way to read a mysterious file that is required before they can go on with their work.  Future upgrade versions of the engine will include more file type patterns to recognize more file formats.

The File Investigator Text Preview DLL is provided to help people find text embedded in a file.  This can help to identify a file’s format type when the engine doesn’t recognize it yet.  It can also help to see the content of a document without waiting for a word processor to start up then open the file.

The File Investigator Hexadecimal Preview DLL is provided to help programmers view the raw header of files as hexadecimal values.

The File Investigator Multimedia Preview DLL is provided to play Microsoft multimedia files (.AVI, .WAV, .MID, .RMI).


File Investigator Properties for Windows

This program was designed to exercise the File Investigator Engine on a single file, and provide a familiar user interface (UI).  The UI is similar to the Properties Dialog that MS Windows 95/98/NT 4.0 uses.

It provides four tabs:

Details

Background

Preview

Setup


Details Tab

This tab displays all of the changeable attributes of the file and the information that the File Investigator Engine was able to extract from the file.

Filename	Displays the long (Windows) filename, as well as the DOS filename in parenthesis if it is different.
Location	Displays the Path/Directory/Folder that the file is in.
Size	Displays the size of the file in Kilo Bytes and bytes in parenthesis.
Modified	Displays the date that the file was last updated/written to.
Attributes	Displays the Archive, Hidden, Read Only, Directory and System attributes.
Description	Displays the name of the file’s format/type.
Details	Displays the number values that were extracted from the file along with their respective units.
Extensions	Displays the file extensions that File Investigator recommends to use with that file format.
Accuracy	Displays a rating of how accurate File Investigator was at identifying that file.
Other information	Displays a list of text strings that File Investigator found in the file.


File Attributes
Attributes

Archive	Indicates whether the file needs to be backed up. Can be toggled on/off.
Hidden	Indicates whether to hide the file from most software. Can be toggled on/off.
Read Only	Indicates whether to protect the file from being modified or deleted. Can be toggled on/off.
Directory	Indicates whether the file is really a folder/directory.
System	Indicates whether the file belongs to the operating system.


File Extensions
Extensions

Displays the file extensions that File Investigator recommends to use with the file being investigated.

A file extension is an abbreviated word added to the end of a file's name to identify its format or type on IBM PC Compatible operating systems (MS DOS, MS Windows, OS/2, etc.).  Most software requires a file to have the correct extension before it can be opened.  Files often loose their correct extension when they are copied over the Internet, from one operating system to another (ex: Mac to PC), or over modems.  When you select an extension that the file is not using, then the file is immediately renamed to use the new extension.


Accuracy

Displays a rating of how accurate File Investigator was at identifying a file. 100% certainty is impossible, because text files and headerless binary files can mimic any file format.

High	The file was identified from the pattern database, then scanned deeper to confirm the result.  (99% certainty)
Medium	The file was scanned once and identified from the pattern database.  (75% certainty)
Low	Only the file extension was matched.  (25-50% certainty, depending on the number of file types that use the extension)
None	The file was not identified.


Platforms

Lists the computers/operating systems that this file is associated with.

Amiga	Commodore 32 bit computer system that uses GEM Desktop for a graphical user interface.
Atari	Atari 8 bit computer system (models: 400, 800, xxxx XL) with a command line user interface or a 32 bit computer system (models: xxx ST) that uses GEM Desktop for a graphical user interface.
IBM OS/2	International Business Machines Operating System.  The 32 bit successor to IBM PC DOS.  Originated by a joint venture with Microsoft.
IBM PC Compatible	A computer that is designed to work with the same software as the original IBM PC computer.
Macintosh	Apple 32 bit computer system with a graphical user interface.
MS Windows 3.x	Microsoft 16 bit graphical user interface, designed to run on top of a MS/PC DOS operating system.  Runs on IBM PC Compatibles.  Versions 1.x and 2.x are too old to be supported.
MS Windows 95/98/NT	The 32 bit (95/98 is 16/32 bit) successor to MS Windows 3.x.  Windows 95/98 still runs over a version of MS DOS that it includes.  Windows NT is an operating system that includes the 3.x (NT v3.xx) or 95/98 (NT v4.xx) graphical user interface.
MS/PC DOS	Microsoft/Personal Computer Disk Operating System.  The successor to the CP/M operating system.  Command line based system similar to UNIX operating systems.
Sun OS	An operating system designed to run on UNIX computer systems.  Uses a Command line and/or Motif graphical user interface.
UNIX	A type of command line operating system that is available from many different companies to run on specific types of computers.  They are not necessarily compatible with each other.
Unknown	Either the file was not identified or it is unknown where the file format comes from.


Storage

Lists the method(s) used to store the data in the file format.

Archive	One or more files stored, and possibly compressed, in a single new file.
Binary	Data is stored in patterns of ones and zeros, unrecognizable to text editors or viewers.
BitMap/Raster	An image stored as colored dots.
Digital Audio	A sound stored as numbers sampled from an analog wave form in very small time increments.
Music Notes	A musical segment stored as numbers or commands that represent standard musical notation.
Text	Data is stored using common letters and numbers to represent words and/or values.
Translated	Data is converted to a different format for a different computer system, language or for transporting the file.
Unknown	Either the file was not identified or details about its format are not totally known to the File Investigator Engine.
Vector	An image stored as commands for drawing colored lines and geometric shapes.


Content

Lists the type(s) of data that are normally stored in a file of that format/type.

Animation	Series of images meant to be displayed as a movie.
Database	Organized list of data.
Database Hybrid	Database that contains more types of data than just letters and numbers.
Document	Text file that includes formatting information.
Font	Instructions for displaying and/or printing letters in a specific style.
Game Data	Saved game or game demo file.
Graphic Image	Picture.
Graphic Metafile	Picture that includes text.
Hypertext	Text file that contains links to jump around in the file easily.
Hypermedia	Multimedia file that contains links to jump around in the file easily.
Icon	Small picture meant to represent a specific type of file or a program option.
Library of Functions	Collection of compiled program parts meant to be used by a separate program.
Macro	Series of commands/mouse movements/keyboard keys collected to automate an often performed task.
Program Data	Data required for a specific program to function properly.
Program Executable	Program that can be executed/run.
Raw Printer Data	Print job that was saved to a file, rather than sent directly to a printer.
ROM/RAM Image	Program or data segment that was captured from a ROM chip or a computer’s RAM.  Often saved to a file to flash to other EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) or EEPROM (Electronic EPROM) chips.
Shortcut/Link	File that points to a different area on a computer disk, and performs a specific action.
Sound	Set of commands or digital samples that can be used to produce sound from a computer.
Sound Metafile	Sound file that includes other type of information, like text, images, etc..
Source Code	Text file that contains commands that perform a specific task, when compiled and linked or interpreted.
Spreadsheet	Matrix of cells that hold text or number values.
Template	File that guides a program in creating and formatting a specific type of document.
Text	File that contains letters and numbers with enough formatting to indicate where lines end, tabs are placed and pages end.
Text Hybrid	Text file that contains more types of data than just letters and numbers.
Unknown	The content of the file is unknown, because it is an archive, directory/folder or could not be identified.
Virtual Environment	Instructions for constructing a moving image that mimics a real world setting.
Virus	File that has been infected with a virus.


Other Information

Displays a list of text strings that File Investigator found in the file.  On the left, there is a scrollable list of string titles.  When a title is highlighted, the text string is displayed on the right.

Common titles:

Artist
Author
Comments
Company
Compiler
Compressor
Copyright
Date Created
Description
Display Name
File Name
File Version
Instrument
Internal Name
Keywords
Lyric
Mac Creator
Mac Type ID
Miscellaneous
Name
Product
Product Version
Program Name
Software
Source
Subject
Text
Title


Background Tab

This tab displays all of the information that the File Investigator Engine has on the file format/type.

File extension(s)	File extensions commonly used for that file type/format.
Platform(s)	A list of computer and operating systems that the file type/format is known to work on.
Storage	A list of the methods used to store data in that file type/format.
Content	A list of the types of data that are usually stored in a file of that file type/format.
MIME	One or more Internet identification text strings commonly used with that file type/format.
Originator	The name of the company and/or individual who created the format.  Sometimes an originating date is also displayed, in parenthesis.
Notes	Description of the type(s) of information that the format is capable of storing.  Occasionally includes other background information.
View Software	List of programs that you can use to view this type of file. "(Shareware)" indicates that the program is free, and "(Purchase)" means that the software must be paid for.  A URL (Internet web site) is provided for most software.
Edit Software	List of programs that you can use to edit or open this type of file. "(Shareware)" indicates that the program is free, and "(Purchase)" means that the software must be paid for.  A URL (Internet web site) is provided for most software.
Convert Software	List of programs that you can use to convert this type of file to a different file format. "(Shareware)" indicates that the program is free, and "(Purchase)" means that the software must be paid for.  A URL (Internet web site) is provided for most software.
Reference(s)	A list of books and documents that were used in researching the format or file type.  They should be helpful to a programmer who needs to write software that uses the format.


MIME

A Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension (text string) that is used in Internet email messages and HTML web pages to identify a specific type of file as an attachment or embedded object.  Also known as a Multimedia Internet Message Extension.

The MIME structure <type/subtype>*[attribute1=value1;attribute2=value2;...] describes what type of data and what subtype or format it is stored in.  The attributes and values act as optional parameters describing how to handle the file.  Often type and subtype names begin with 'x-' to indicate that they are not yet a part of the MIME standard.


Preview Tab

File Investigator Multimedia Previewer

File Investigator Text Previewer

This tab uses a preview program to display the contents of the file. The File Investigator Multimedia Previewer provides a player for Microsoft multimedia files (.AVI, .WAV, .MID, .RMI).  FI Text Previewer provides all other types of files with a scrollable window that displays any text strings found in the file.  More preview programs will soon be available from the RobWare Internet web site.  Click the Web Site button in the File Investigator Properties About box to visit the web site.


Setup Tab

This tab provides configuration settings and displays a scrollable list of the file formats/types that the File Investigator Engine recognizes.

Settings

Default Tab	Details	The Details tab will be the first to appear. (default)
	Background	The Background tab will be the first to appear.
	Preview	The Preview tab will be the first to appear.
	Setup	The Setup tab will be the first to appear.
	last used	The last tab that you used will be the first to appear.
Screen Position	Center	The dialog box will appear in the center of the screen.
	Default	The dialog box will appear where Windows decides to place it.
	last used	The dialog box will appear in the same screen location that it was last used at.
Place “Investigate” option on	Desktop	A “File Investigator (Drag & Drop)” icon will be placed on the Windows desktop.  When you drag a file from a Windows application and drop it on this icon, File Investigator will investigate it.
	File context menu	An “Investigate” option will appear on the context menu when you aim the mouse pointer at a file and click the right mouse button.
	Folder context menu	An “Investigate” option will appear on the context menu when you aim the mouse pointer at a folder/directory and click the right mouse button.

Context menu example:

File Formats List

Description	The name of the format.
Ext	Up to five of the most common extensions used for the format.
#	The File Investigator Engine index number used for the format.  This can be used as a reference for the error level that FIPROP.EXE returns when it quits/exits.
Note:	If you double click the left mouse button on a format description, then you will be switched to the Background tab to view more information about that format.

Search text

Type in part of a format description name, and the list will jump to the closest match.  If you add a period in front of the text, only the file extensions will be included in the search.  Adding a # symbol in front of the text will limit the search to only the Index # column at the right.  The search text is not case sensitive.


File Investigator File Find for Windows

This program was designed to exercise the File Investigator Engine on a large number of files, and provide a familiar user interface (UI) to filter the list with.  The UI is similar to the File Find Dialog that MS Windows 95/98/NT 4.0 uses.

It provides four tabs:

Name & Location

Content

Date Modified

Text & Attributes

The List view provides details for each file found in the search.

At the bottom, the preview window uses the preview DLLs to display the file that is currently selected in the list view.

Menus

Save As…	Displays a Save As dialog, to create a Comma delimited, Formatted Text (Space delimited) or Tab delimited file with the information in the list view.  List columns that have been resized to zero width will not be saved.
Close	Exits from the application.
Add Directory Sizes	A check mark indicates that each directory entry in the list will add the total size of all of the files and directories inside it.
Auto Play Previewers	A check mark indicates that previewers that include a play button will automatically start playing once a file is selected in the list view.  So far, the Multimedia Previewer is the only one that uses this setting.
Default Previewer: Hex	A check mark indicates that the Hexadecimal Previewer will be used for files that don’t have a previewer associated with their file format.
Default Previewer: Text	A check mark indicates that the Text Previewer will be used for files that don’t have a previewer associated with their file format.
Reset Column Widths	Resets the list columns to the factory default widths.
Reset Search Settings	Resets the tab pages to the factory default settings.
Save Column Widths	Saves the current list column widths, to be used each time the application is started.
Save Search Settings	Saves the current settings in the tab pages, to be used each time the application is started and when the New Search button is pressed.
Use Extensions	A check mark indicates that the engine will identify a file by it’s extension as a last resort, if the file can’t be identified.
About File Investigator	Displays the versions of the files used with this application.
Help Topics	Displays help for File Investigator.
Buttons

Find Now	Starts the search with the settings on the tab pages.
Stop	Stops the search as soon as the current file is finished being identified.
New Search	Erases the list of files found, and resets the tab pages to the settings saved with the Setup / Save Search Settings menu option.  If that menu option was not used, the tab pages will be set to factory defaults.

The columns in the list view are resizable.  If columns get hidden, then they can be pulled back apart or select the Setup / Reset Column Widths to reset them to the factory defaults.

Double clicking the left mouse button on a file tells Windows to open the file.  Double clicking the right mouse button on a file brings up the File Investigator Properties dialog, with more information about the file.


Name & Location Tab

This tab provides fields to select the filenames to search for and the directories to search in.

Named	Enter the file specification / wild cards that you want to use for the file search.  If left empty, then ‘*.*’ is used.
Look in	Enter the folder / directory to search in.
Browse…	Click this button for a list of directories to choose from.
Include subfolders	Place a check in this box if you want to recursively search for files inside each directory.


Content Tab

This tab provides drop down lists to select the contents to filter the file search with.

Of type	Filters by the description that File Investigator uses to describe a file’s format/type.
Platform	Filters by computer and operating systems that the file type/format is known to work on.
Storage	Filters by the method used to store data in that file type/format.
Content	Filters by the type of data that is stored in each file.
Accuracy	Filters by the rating of how accurate File Investigator was at identifying each file.
Has wrong file extension	Place a check in this box if you only want to see files that have the wrong file extension.


Date Modified Tab

This tab provides radio buttons and fields to select the date range to filter the file search with.

All files	Select this option to turn off date filtering.
between	This option allows you to enter the exact dates to include files in.
month(s)	This range is between x months ago and today.
day(s)	This range is between x days ago and today.


Text & Attributes Tab

This tab provides fields to select a phrase to look for and a size to filter the file search with.  Then, there are a series of check boxes to select what attributes each file must or must not have.

Containing text	Enter a phrase that each file must contain inside.  Warning: this can slow the search down substantially.
Case sensitive	Place a check in this box if you want to require each file to contain the exact phrase that you type, with each character in the same case.
Size is	Select At least or At most in the list box, then change the size to the limit that you want all files to be filtered by.
Attributes	Place a check in each box that you want to require of each file.  Ex: Archive means that every file must have the archive bit turned on.  Not Archive means that every file must have the archive bit off.  No check mark means that the archive bit won’t be used in the filtering process.


Pattern Database Updates

When there are new file formats added to the File Investigator Engine or new preview programs available, you will be able to find the updates on the RobWare Internet web site.  Click the Web Site button in the File Investigator Properties or File Find About box to visit the web site.


Upgrade File Investigator

You are free to use and distribute the shareware version as long as you include all of the original files packaged in the original FI141SW.EXE archive.  The shareware version is for personal use only.  Companies must upgrade it immediately.  By upgrading, you will receive the latest MS Windows 95/98/NT version of File Investigator and notifications of future releases.

To upgrade over the Internet, visit HTTP://www.RobWare.com, by pressing the Web Site button in the Help/About box.

If you prefer to send a check by mail:

If possible, visit the RobWare web site for the latest versions and shipping options.

Make the check payable to RobWare.

The prices are in US dollars.

Print and fill out this order form.

Mail to:	RobWare

40 Massier Lane

Foothill Ranch, CA 92610-2300

USA

Site license:  Entitles the company to receive one copy of the distribution package and duplicate it for the specified number of licenses.

File Investigator File Find for Windows	___ copies x	$20 =______

Includes File Find and Properties for Windows

File Investigator File Find Upgrade for Windows	___ copies x	$10 =______

Requires File Investigator Properties (non-shareware)

for Windows to be installed first.

Includes File Find and Properties for Windows

File Investigator Properties for Windows	___ copies x	$10 =______

Only includes Properties for Windows

File Investigator Properties & Directory for DOS	___ copies x	$10 =______

Includes Directory and Properties programs.

(DOS DIR command with the abilities of File Find.)

Mail the 3½” floppy disk (optional)	add $5 =______

Total payment =______

Instructions for downloading the new version from the web site will be emailed to you, once your payment is received.

PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY

Date:	___/___/___

Name:	___________________________________

Company:	___________________________________

Address:	___________________________________

___________________________________

City, State, Zip:	___________________________________

Country:	___________________________________

EMail address:	___________________________________

How did you hear about File Investigator?

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Comments:

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________


Upgrade File Investigator
Adding/Improving File Types

If you discover that the File Investigator Engine can not identify, incorrectly identifies, or leaves out details for a type of file that you use, then feel free to notify RobWare.  There is an email link on the RobWare Internet web site.  Click the Web Site button in the File Investigator Properties About box to visit the web site.

While some of the file formats that the FI Engine recognizes were added using reference materials, most had to be reverse engineered.  In order to be reverse engineered, the format has to be analyzed for recognizable information related to what is already known about a specific test file.  For example, another program may reveal that the file has 800x600 dots, 5 pages or was created for Letter size paper.  The file has to be searched, with a hexadecimal viewer, for values that may represent this information.  Many test/example files are needed, so that new algorithms can be tested for accuracy.

If you would like a file type/format to be added to File Investigator, or improved, here is a list of what you can provide to help:

Version of your File Investigator (from About box)

Name of software that creates, edits, converts and/or views the format

Address and/or web site for the software company

Specification document for the format

Name of reference book that describes the format

Example files

Details for each file (ex: number of pages, resolution, etc.)

Create each file with just one setting changed (ex: page size, etc.)

While you probably won’t be able to provide everything on the list, the more the better.  When possible, please send the information/files by email.


Troubleshooting

If you do not find a solution to your problem below, then feel free to contact RobWare by email.  An email link is provided on the web site.  Please include the version numbers of the software (provided in the About box.)

Click the Web Site button in the File Investigator Properties About box to visit the web site.

The Technical Support email address is Support@RobWare.com.

File Investigator Icon/Investigate option

Problem:	I need to remove the ‘Investigate’ option from the context menu, without uninstalling File Investigator.
Solution:	Run File Investigator Properties and select the Setup tab.  You will find check boxes for the Desktop icon, File and Folder context menus.  Removing the check from each box will remove that option from the desktop or context menu.
Problem:	After installing File Investigator, I can no longer use my DOS version of File Investigator.
Cause:	File Investigator for Windows replaces the MS Windows Registry entries that the DOS version used.  They were just temporary, until the Windows version was finished.  FIPROP.EXE was also replaced by the Windows version, if you installed it to the disk directory that the DOS version was in.
Solution:	Install the DOS version to a different directory than the Windows version, or download an update of the DOS version that does not effect the MS Windows Registry.

MS Windows Shortcut/Link

Problem:	When I right click my mouse on a MS Windows Shortcut/Link file, the ‘Investigate’ option does not appear on the file context menu.
Cause:	If the ‘Investigate’ option were used on a .LNK file from the context menu, then the operating system sends the original file name to File Investigator rather than the shortcut’s filename.  For this reason, the ‘Investigate’ option is removed from the context when used on .LNK files.
Solution:	Drag and drop the shortcut icon to the File Investigator icon on the desktop.

Screen size

Problem:	The File Investigator File Find dialog is larger than my screen.
Cause:	Applications grow in size when you use a large screen font.  The FI File Find dialog is designed to work on screens using 800x600 or larger resolutions.
Solution:	Use the Start/Settings/Control Panel/Display/Settings tab to change the Font size to Small Fonts or set the Desktop area to a larger resolution.

Uninstall

Problem:	After uninstalling, the disk directory and FISETUP.EXE file are still there.
Cause:	MS Windows will not allow a program to delete itself while it is running.  The FISETUP.EXE program is used to uninstall the software.  MS Windows also will not allow a disk directory to be removed when there is still a file in it.
Solution:	The File Investigator uninstaller notifies MS Windows that the disk directory and FISETUP.EXE file still need to be removed.  The next time you reboot your computer, MS Windows will try to remove both of them
Note:	MS Windows 95/98 is not able to remove the disk directory after rebooting.