Copyright: Copyright © 1997-99 Barefoot Productions, Inc.


About Barefoot Productions, Inc.

Barefoot Productions, Inc. is a software development and consulting company located in Louisville, Colorado.  Louisville is located in Boulder County, off of I-36 between Boulder and Denver.  We have worked with many clients, developing both internal and commercial applications for 32-bit Windows and Macintosh.  We have also assisted many companies with their development needs, providing offsite development and consulting services.  We have a successful line of software products, which include AutoShutdown, Twinkle Bulbs, LaunchBar, FlipOver, Joker's Wild Video Poker and others.

For more information, please visit our web site listed below.

Barefoot Productions, Inc.

1101 W. Enclave Circle

Louisville, CO 80027

USA

Phone: (303) 665-7843

Fax: (303) 664-9027

email: barefoot@pobox.com

web site: http://www.barefootinc.com


Command-Line Parameters

AutoShutdown may be run with any of the following command-line parameters.  Note that the parameters are executed in the order they are received, so that running with "-shutdown -logoff" will cause a system to shutdown and the logoff command will be ignored.

The parameters may be specified using either a "-" or "/" prefix and are not case sensitive.

Commands:

/shutdown	Shutdown machine

/restart	Restarts Windows

/reboot	Reboots machine

/logoff	Log off current user

/suspend	Suspend machine

/config	Bring up configuration options

/net shutdown [machine]	shutdown down a remote machine on the network (NT only)

/net restart [machine]	restarts a remote machine on the network (NT only)

/net shutdown [ip address]	shutdown down a remote machine on the network (NT only)

/net restart [ip address]	restarts a remote machine on the network (NT only)

/zap	Erases all passwords

/prompt	Prompts the user to select an option

/help (or /?)	Brings up this help file

/tcpcmd	Brings up the TCP/IP command console from AutoShutdown

You may create a shortcut to AutoShutdown on your desktop and apply one of the command-line parameters above.

For example, do create a desktop shortcut to shutdown the computer:

1.	Right-click on the desktop to bring up the context menu.

2.	Select the New option, and from the popup menu, select Shortcut.

3.	In the text field for the command line, enter the path for AutoShutdown on your machine (or select using the Browse) button.

(i.e. C:\Program Files\AutoShutdown\AutoShutdown.exe)

4.	After the filename in the command line field, append the parameter " -shutdown" (without quotes)

5.	Finish creating information for the shortcut.

Now when you run this shortcut from the desktop, AutoShutdown will automatically shutdown your machine.

NOTE: If AutoShutdown is configured to use security and it set up with passwords, you may need to enter the valid password to continue.


Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions

Here is a list of questions asked about AutoShutdown functionality.

Q: AutoShutdown does not completely shut down my system.  What can I do?

A: This is dependent on the BIOS chip in your computer.  Most computers developed in 1996 or later support full power off shutdown capabilities (as do most laptops).  Unfortunately AutoShutdown is at the mercy of your system and cannot bypass this.  You may either upgrade your BIOS chip (contact your computer manufacturer) or install AutoShutdown on a more recent PC.  There was a problem with previous version of AutoShutdown v1.x not shutting down an APM compatible machine.  However, this has been fixed in v2.0.

Q: I need to have AutoShutdown run completely unattended.

A: When configuring the settings for AutoShutdown, ensure that you do not have any user-confirmations.  For instance, the option to empty the recycle bin at shutdown allows a user to confirm this.  For an unattended system, ensure this option is not selected.  There is also a remote access option to prompt a user if a current dial-up networking session is detected.  For unattended shutdown, another option should be selected in the AutoShutdown Remote Access settings.

Q: I want AutoShutdown to log off a user after a given time.

A: This can be done by setting the options in the Inactivity page in the AutoShutdown configuration.  Ensure this is enabled and select a default timeout period.  Then select Logoff as the action to take when the inacvitity (mouse and/or keyboard) period is reached.

Q: I want to track a specific PC's usage with AutoShutdown over a period of time.  Can I do this?

A: Yes - refer to the Autoshutdown Log configuration settings.

Q: I want to prevent a user from disabling or changing settings in AutoShutdown.

A: 2 things: 1) AutoShutdown has a password feature to prevent access to certain functions without using the password.  Look at the password options in the AutoShutdown configuration. 2) AutoShutdown can be configured to run in the background without access to the configuration.  On the General settings page you can disable the tray icon.  AutoShutdown will continue to run in the background but a user will be unaware of its use.  (To get to the settings again, run AutoShutdown a second time.)

Q: What if a user runs AutoShutdown a second time?

A: AutoShutdown only allows a single instance running at one time on a machine.  If AutoShutdown is run a second time, the configuration settings are brought up.  To prevent this, enable AutoShutdown password protection on configuration so that users cannot access the settings in AutoShutdown.

Q: AutoShutdown is configured to suspend my computer but when it comes time to do so nothing happens.  What do I do?

A: In order for AutoShutdown to be able to suspend a computer (sleep or low power mode), a system has to be capable of doing this.  Typically laptop machines have this ability.  If your system does not have this capability, it is possible that AutoShutdown has attempted to go into suspend mode but failed (and the failure was not detected).  Ensure all suspend settings are turned off, and that on the General page in settings that you are not set to override a shutdown with a suspend.

Q: What files are required for AutoShutdown to run?

A: AutoShutdown comes with a full installer to handle the setup of the program on your machine.  If you are reading this help file, this process has already been completed.  The AutoShutdown installer has installed the following files:

AutoShutdown.exe - main AutoShutdown application program

ASHook.dll - Additional AutoShutdown functionality and callback hooks

asprs9x.dll - additional functions for Win95/Win98 installations

aprsnt.dll - additional functions for WinNT installations

AutoShutdown.hlp - This help file.

If the ASHook.dll file is missing or corrupt, AutoShutdown will still work, EXCEPT for the inactivity detection.  This library is required to ensure that all system keyboard and mouse activity are detected by the AutoShutdown inactivity monitor.

Q: I have decided to remove the AutoShutdown program from my machine.  How do I do this?

A: First, you must make certain AutoShutdown is not running.  Do this by right-clicking on the AutoShutdown tray icon and selecting the Exit option.  If AutoShutdown is password protected, you may need to enter this password to exit AutoShutdown.  Once the program is terminated, you can uninstall it either of 2 ways:

1) Go to the Start Menu and in the AutoShutdown folder there is an Uninstall icon.  Select this to run the uninstall process for AutoShutdown.

2) Go to the Windows Control Panel and select the Add/Remove Program icon.  Select AutoShutdown from the list and click OK to continue.

Q: I do not want to use the inactivity or date and time settings.  Will AutoShutdown still work?

A: Yes - you may disable all of the automatic features of AutoShutdown and use the program manually.  For example, if AutoShutdown is disabled, it will prevent checking for system inactivity and automatic date and time checking for required functions.  However, the hot key will still work, as well and the manual controls from the popup menu on the AutoShutdown system tray icon ( [image]).  If the automatic features of AutoShutdown are enabled, the tray icon will flash every couple of seconds to indicate that AutoShutdown is working in an automatic mode.  If the auto features are disabled, the AutoShutdown tray icon will not flash.

Q: Some programs put up message boxes when they close.  This prevents AutoShutdown from an unattended operation.

A: With v2.5 and greater, you can have AutoShutdown perform AutoRespond clicks in response to message boxes.  For more information, see the AutoRespond page.

Q: I want AutoShutdown to be active only when a user is logged in to the computer.

A: This is now possible - go to General settings tab and check the checkbox in the User State area.

Q: Can AutoShutdown be configured with settings for all users of a machine?

A: Yes - select the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE registry setting to allow AutoShutdown to save its settings globally for a machine.

Q: There was a problem in earlier versions with 1) multiple instances of AutoShutdown creating configuration conflicts or 2) causing conflicts with the AutoShutdown tray icon and/or configuration setttings appearing when the program started.

A: This should all be resolved now.  For best results, ensure that your machine is running Windows with IE 4.0 or greater (which also updates controls and the Windows shell).

Q: I have AutoShutdown setup to run without a tray icon.  However, I cannot get back to the configuration to change anything!

A: Run AutoShutdown from the command-line, using the "-configure" command switch.  Example: C:> AutoShutdown -config (type command in italics at the MS-DOS prompt)

Further questions?  Check our web site for updates first at http://www.barefootinc.com  If you don't find an answer there, send us your question via email to: support@barefootinc.com


Contents
 AutoShutdown v3.8

Copyright © 1997-2000 Barefoot Productions, Inc.

All Rights Reserved.

Updated August 28, 2000

Welcome to AutoShutdown, a 32-bit Windows shutdown manager.

AutoShutdown has many features, including the ability to automatically detect when your system is inactive.  You may disable the auto features and still use the other functionality of AutoShutdown.  Since AutoShutdown installs itself in the background, it can be configured to perform actions at a set date and time, during a period of inactivity or when a hot key is pressed.  Please take a look at this help file, including the Frequently Asked Questions section, which helps define and answer questions related to the functionality and usage of AutoShutdown.

If you require further assistance and are a licensed user (have registered the product with us), you may request technical support by clicking the Technical Support link below.

 Overview

 Cost Savings

 Getting Started

 Setting Preferences

 Shutdown Problems

 Installed Files

 Command-Line Parameters

 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

 Program Updates

 Registering

 Software License

 Technical Support

 About Barefoot Productions, Inc.

 Year 2000 Compliance

 Glossary

NOTE:  To get the full features from AutoShutdown your system must be compatible with the Advanced Power Management (APM) v1.1 specification.  Consult your PC owner's manual or contact your PC manufacturer if you are uncertain.

Please register this copy if you have not already done so.

AutoShutdown received a 5-star award from Ziff-Davis.


Getting Started

After installation, the first time AutoShutdown is run, it will prompt for setup parameters.  You can choose various settings, depending on the type of installation, network and machine configurations you have.  The following dialog shows the initial setup dialog which appears:

Once you have installed AutoShutdown, if you have configured it to run at system startup you will see a small icon in the system tray which looks like:  If you do not see this icon, go to the path where you installed AutoShutdown and double-click on the AutoShudownt.exe program.

Select the preferences option to configure the various AutoShutdown settings.

When AutoShutdown is first run, it is configured with the most common settings by default.  Changing the settings modifies entries in the system registry for the AutoShutdown program.


Registering

Registration

If you are an unlicensed user, this page is included to give you information about ordering/registering your copy of the program.  Please support the efforts that are put into the development of this and our other products by registering this version if you have not already done so.

If you have not yet registered this copy, please do so to receive a license to use it beyond the 14-day trial.

[View the EULA (End User License Agreement)]

[Pricing Information]

There are several ways which you may register (see below):

Purchase Order

Check, Cash, Money Order

Credit Card (by telephone, FAX or Internet)

CompuServe

Purchase Order

We accept purchase orders from qualified businesses or educational institution.  Terms are Net/30.

You may send your PO to us using one of the following methods:

By mail:

Barefoot Productions, Inc.

1101 W. Enclave Circle

Louisville, CO 80027

USA

By email:

barefoot@pobox.com

By FAX:

(561) 325-2647

or (303) 665-8234

Check, Cash or Money Order

All of our products include registration forms, either as text files within the zipped archive, or from one of the "UNREGISTERED" dialogs that come up when you start the program.  Either print and fill out the form, or click on the "Print Form" button (where appropriate) and enter your information.  Send along the proper funds (U.S. dollars, please).  When we received your registration, we will send you a registration code to "unlock" the rest of the product and remove those annoying "PLEASE REGISTER" screens - it's that simple.

While sending cash is risky, we understand that this may be easiest for certain foreign orders.

(Click here for the registration form)

Send your payment and registration form to:

Barefoot Productions, Inc.

1101 W. Enclave Circle

Louisville, CO 80027

Attn: AutoShutdown registration

Credit Card Ordering

We do not take credit card orders directly, but we do have serveal third parties doing this for us:

RegSoft	1-817-REGSOFT (1-817-734-7638) product #7404

DigiBuy	1-800-242-4775 ext. 15399

By FAX: 	1- 713-524-6398

Internet

Click one of the following links to order AutoShutdown on-line with a credit card:

RegSoft: 	http://www.regsoft.com/cgi-bin/reg_it_offsite.pl?3711

DigiBuy:	http://www.digibuy.com/cgi-bin/order.html?234363+92968987258

CompuServe

If you have a CompuServe account, you may GO SWREG and register AutoShutdown as product #15908


Registration Form
AutoShutdown v3.0 Registration Form

Name: 	__________________________________

Company: 	__________________________________

Address: 	__________________________________

__________________________________

Zip:	_________	Country: ___________

Phone:	____________________

EMail:	____________________ @ ___________

Please check the registration type you would like:

[_]	Individual user......................................$24.95

Business:

[_]	Single user..........................................$24.95

[_]	Site License (up to 10 users).......................$129.95

[_]	Site License (up to 20 users).......................$249.95

[_]	Site License (up to 50 users).......................$379.95

[_]	Site License (100 users)............................$699.95

[_]	Site License (200 users)...........................$1099.95

[_]	Site License (300 users)...........................$1499.95

[_]	Site License (400 users)...........................$1799.95

[_]	Site License (500 users)...........................$2499.95

[_]	Site License (750 users)...........................$3499.95

[_]	Site License (1000 users)..........................$4399.95

[_]	Site License (1500 users)..........................$5999.95

[_]	Site License (2000 users)..........................$7499.95

[_]	Site License (2500 users)..........................$9499.95

[_]	Site License (3000 users).........................$10799.95

[_]	Site License (4000 users).........................$12999.95

[_]	Site License (5000 users).........................$14899.95

Educational pricing:

[_]	Single user..........................................$19.95

[_]	Site License (up to 10 users)........................$99.95

[_]	Site License (up to 20 users).......................$179.95

[_]	Site License (up to 50 users).......................$299.95

[_]	Site License (100 users)............................$499.95

[_]	Site License (200 users)............................$749.95

[_]	Site License (300 users)...........................$1099.95

[_]	Site License (400 users)...........................$1279.95

[_]	Site License (500 users)...........................$1499.95

[_]	Site License (750 users)...........................$1999.95

[_]	Site License (1000 users)..........................$2499.95

[_]	Site License (1500 users)..........................$3699.95

[_]	Site License (2000 users)..........................$4799.95

[_]	Site License (2500 users)..........................$5799.95

[_]	Site License (3000 users)..........................$6799.95

[_]	Site License (4000 users)..........................$8499.95

[_]	Site License (5000 users)..........................$9999.95

We do not ship AutoShutdown on media unless requested.  You may order a diskette at an additional $2.00 charge.

[CD-ROMs will be available for version 3.0 - ready in late July 1999  A CD-ROM will ship with all site licenses of 10 and greater.]

Enclose a check or money order for the proper amount (U.S. funds, please) made out to: Barefoot Productions, Inc.

We also accept approved purchase orders from businesses and educational institutions.  Please include your purchase

order with a copy of this order form.  Terms for purchase orders are Net/30.

Send your order with payment to:

Barefoot Productions, Inc.

1101 W. Enclave Circle

Louisville, CO 80027

USA

Attn: AutoShutdown Registration

Questions, comments - send email to barefoot@pobox.com

Update and technical support: http://www.barefootinc.com

Thank you!!


Setting Preferences

Configuration Settings

Preferences in AutoShutdown are presented using a tabbed property sheet.  Each tab category is listed below.

Note that AutoShutdown will not perform its automatic functionality when the configuration property sheet is active.

The configuarion dialog also has a menu with several options.  See the configuration menu for more information.

Click on one of the following options to show details about settings in that category.

 General

 Shutdown

 Daily Event

 Inactivity

 Security

 Sound

 Resources (Win95/98)

 Memory Load (Win NT)

 Remote Access

 AutoRespond

 Save Data

 Network

 TCP/IP

 Log

 Hot Key

 Programs

 File Cleanup

 Suspend

 Toolbar

 Registration


Technical Support

Detailed technical support is available for licensed users only.

Please include the name of the product (AutoShutdown), your name and registration code and send your technical support email request to:

support@barefootinc.com

You may also visit our web site at http://www.barefootinc.com  Click on the AutoShutdown support link and you can submit a tech support request over the web.  We normally respond to technical support requests within 24-48 hours.


Program Updates

Change Log:

04/23/99 - Version 2.81 released

- Force apps closed changed to prevent crashes

- Fixed file washing bug with IE 5

- Enabled "local" log setting

- Fixed NT client shutdown across a network

04/09/99 - Version 2.8 released

- Pricing updated

- Web site updated

- Passwords encrypted

- File deletion and washing options added; file cleanup interface enhanced

04/01/99 - Version 2.7 released

- Removed password from system info/external settings file

- Added changing AS thread priority

- Can now show processes as they are shut down

- Added Ctrl+Click function for system tray icon

- Updated ordering process - now using a comprehensive wizard

03/09/99 - Version 2.6a released

- Increased log buffer sizes

- Added inactive reboot feature

- Made remote access options not mutually-exclusive

02/22/99 - v2.6 released

- Fixed countdown/shutdown problems

02/18/99 - v2.53 released

- Added advanced options for shutdown

- Added command-line options for shutdown EXE

- Fixed hook DLL problems

02/12/99 - v2.52 released

- Fixed shutdown hang on certain system configurations

02/07/99 - v2.51 released

- Fixed logon-status and related items

- Regrouped some of the general/shutdown options

- Added selection of background color when shutdown warning appears

01/22/99 - v2.5 released

- Fixed hook DLL problems

- Added AutoResponder functionality

- Fixed EXE to run at restart, reboot or logoff

- Added -configure command line option

- Added additional log functions to handle system events

- Fixed re-entry problems caused when logging on/off

- Allow setup to start as a service process from the registry

- Allow settings to be imported/exported from external config files

- Registry settings can now be saved to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE or HKEY_CURRENT_USER

- Added system information / settings check feature

11/09/98 - v2.4 released

- Fixed monitor power problem, which was causing an infinite loop

- Added warning notification function to alert user when an automatic event is to occur

- Log file will now be reset if greater than a specified size

- Daily event can suspend a machine at a specific date and time

- Fixed error with hot key modifiers (ctrl/shift) not working properly

09/16/98 - v2.31 released

- Updated log functionality

- Fixed minor bugs

09/09/98 - v2.3a released

- Fixed retry bug that prevented the automatic features from working properly

08/31/98 - v2.3 released

- Fixed reboot problem

- Now allows "try again" feature when cancelling any auto operation

- Added suspend page with suspend functionality

- Updated errors in the on-line help

06/24/98 - v2.2 released

- Fixed system hang caused by password usage

- Removed debugging error messages

- Updated the network shutdown process in Windows NT

06/22/98 - v2.1 released

- Added dynamic linking for functionality to work in Win95/98/NT

- Added support for the following command-line options:

  -restart / -reboot / -shutdown / -logoff / -suspend

06/02/98 - v2.01 released

- Added icons to popup system menus

- Fixed restart/logoff problems

- Changed shutdown notification to reflect the proper operation

- Updated status window to show more appropriate information

05/21/98 - v2.0 released

- Added status window to show current status/activity

- Fixed function key settings

- Added new/updated configuration settings

- Support for suspend functionality for capable desktop and laptop systems

- Ability to run a program until completion before Windows performs an operation

- Support to shutdown, restart or logoff at a specified time each day of the week

- Better support for system inactivity checking

- Password protection for various features

- Remote access dial-up detection to prevent shutdown during a remote session

- Support for network client machine shutdowns in Windows NT

- More thorough logging ability of functionality

- Hot key access for faster shutdowns, restarts, reboots, logoffs and suspends

- Detection of running programs and MS-DOS sessions

- Ability to empty the recycle bin and cleanup temporary files at shutdown, logoff, restart

08/21/97 - v1.2 released

- Allowed the option to shutdown at the same time each day.

06/12/97 - v1.0 released


inactive
system inactivity: no keyboard or mouse activity


Advanced Settings

 Use extenal shutdown process

If you experience problems shutting down applications in Windows, check this checkbox and try again.  This function runs an external program (outside of AutoShutdown) to trigger a system shutdown event.  This prevents a collision on some systems where AutoShutdown does not successfully terminate as it has inititiated a shutdown internally.

 Write debug information to log file

Writes additional information if the log file option is turned on.  This can help track down any problems you may be having with AutoShutdown by writing more detailed information to the log file.

 Show incoming TCP/IP status requests

If the status window is visible and this checkbox is checked, when incoming TCP/IP requests are received, their status will be displayed in the status window.

AutoLogon

Brings up the current Windows AutoLogon settings

APM Settings

Bring up the Advanced Power Management settings control panel.  The features here will vary based on system manufacturer, installed peripherals and drivers.  Some Windows installations will not have APM features in the control panel as these will be a part of the system BIOS settings.

Service Name (Windows NT/2000 - new in v3.8).

Users of AutoShutdown v3.8 or greater who are running Windows NT/2000 can change the internal name of the service.  This is useful if you have other system services which may be named AutoShutdown running on your machine.  (This is known to be the case with certain PC manufacturers.)


General Settings

Startup Options

 Load with Windows

If this is checked, a shortcut for AutoShutdown is placed in the Startup folder, so that when Windows starts, AutoShutdown will also start.

 Display splash screen

Displays the splash screen when AutoShutdown starts.  (Note: If running as a system service in NT, the splash screen will be disabled when AutoShutdown starts.)

 Start as system service

Check this to have a registry entry startup AutoShutdown before a user logs in or any other programs are loaded.  Click here for more information on system services.

 Show status window

Displays the AutoShutdown status window when AutoShutdown starts up (or a user logs on).

Configuration Settings

You may opt to have AutoShutdown store its configuration settings in either the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE or HKEY_CURRENT_USER registry keys.

If stored in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, the AutoShutdown settings will be global for all users of the machine.

If stored in HKEY_CURRENT_USER, each user of the machine can have different settings for AutoShutdown.

Show configuration warning messages

 If this option is turned on, AutoShutdown will display warning messages for potential conflicts in the configuration settings you have chosen.

Tray Icon

 Enable

Allows a tray icon to be used for AutoShutdown.  If this is not checked, no tray icon will appear for AutoShutdown and it will run in the background.

 Animate

If selected, the tray icon is animated to show that AutoShutdown is working.

Left mouse click: Select an option from this combobox to determine the function AutoShutdown will perform when the tray icon is clicked.  By default this

is set to bring up the preferences.

Ctrl + click: Similar to the left mouse click, but you may select different functionality if the Control key is pressed when you click on the tray icon.

 Menu icons

Turn this option on if you want icons displayed in the popup menu when you right-click the system tray icon.

User State

 Activate when a user is logged on

If this checkbox is checked, AutoShutdown will be inactive unless a user is logged on to the machine. This allows unattented systems to remain in control of Windows when at the log-on screen.  Once a user logs on, AutoShutdown will become active and be able to logoff, shutdown, restart or reboot a machine.

Priorty

You may select the CPU thread priority for AutoShutdown.  This changes the priority which AutoShutdown gets when interacting with (ie closing) other applications.  You may set this to Lowest, Below Normal, Normal, Above Normal or Highest.  If set below Normal and you have AutoShutdown configured to show warning messages, you will be notified that AutoShutdown may have trouble shutting down all applications.


Shutdown Settings

Warning

 Display countdown

Displays a warning  notification to the user with option to cancel

One of the following countdown timeouts may be selected:

10 seconds, 15 seconds, 20 seconds, 30 seconds, 60 seconds

2 minutes, 5 minutes or 10 minutes

 Sound Alarm

Beeps each time a second counts down if the Countdown option is turned on.

 Auto only

Displays the countdown/alarm only for automatic events.  Manually triggered events (menu, hot key) do not use the countdown.

 Flash warning message

Flashes the warning message when counting down.

 Mouse move cancels

Allows mouse movement to cancel the warning screen.

 Show early warning notification

If this option is checked, a warning message will appear at intervals prior to an AutoShutdown event taking place (10-minute, 5-minute and 2-minute warnings, each for a 10-second interval).  This will serve to notify an end user to save their work and prepare for a shutdown, logoff, etc.

Background

Allows you to select the background screen color when the AutoShutdown warning/countdown is displayed.

NOTE: The security page also has on option to prevent cancellation of this warning dialog.

Miscellaneous

 Force shutdown

Forces all programs to close on shutdown.  Setting this option could cause some applications to lose data as it would not be saved.

 Power off state

Forces a machine to shut down to a power off state.  NOTE: This is incompatible with some BIOS versions, so if you experience a "blue screen of death" or another error when shutting down, turn this option off.

 Kill persistent processes

Forces processes (applications, drivers, system items) closed.  Use this setting if you are having trouble closing programs at shutdown if the Force Shutdown option above does not work.

 Show processes closing

This shows applications and processes when AutoShutdown performs a shutdown operation.  This is unavailable unless the Kill persistent processes checkbox is selected.

 Disconnect network drives

This settings will ensure that all mapped network drives will be disconnected before attempting a shutdown, restart, reboot or logoff command.

Execute Program:

Browse: Allows a program to be selected.

X: Removes the current shutdown program option.

If a program is selected, it will run before the one or more of the follow options occurs, depending on which options have been selected:

The most common program run at Shutdown is the disk defragmenter utility.  While this may be included as a feature of a future revision of AutoShutdown, you can add it to the Execute Program function.  Search for the DEFRAG.EXE utility in the Windows folder.  You will also need to enter a command-line parameter for the drive you want to defragment (typically C:).  If the drive letter is not entered for the command-line parameter, then the DEFRAG utility will prompt a user for input and could prevent AutoShutdown from working properly.

 Shutdown: The selected program is run before the system is shutdown

 Restart: The selected program is run before the system is restarted

 Reboot: The selected program is run before the system is rebooted

 Logoff: The selected program is run before the current user is logged off

Wait period: You can set a timeout period to prevent the program from running indefinitely

Note: If the selected program filename does not fit in the static field, drag the mouse over the filename field to see the full filename in a tooltip.


Hot Key Settings

AutoShutdown may be configured to use a hot key (or key combination) to invoke a command.  This can be used to expediate a shutdown or system logoff.

 Enable Hot Keys

Enables the use of the hot key settings for AutoShutdown

Key settings

You may set one or more of the following hot keys for various AutoShutdown actions:

Shutdown: hot key causes shutdown

Logoff: hot key causes a logoff to occur

Restart Windows: hot key causes Windows to restart

Reboot: hot key causes the system to reboot

Suspend: hot key causes a suspend to occur

Prompt User: Shows a dialog with the above options when the hot key is pressed

Empty Recycle Bin: Empties the recycle bin of all contents

Delete Temp Files: Clears out the temporary files that are not in use by Windows

 Show confirmation message: If this is checked, a message box is presented to the user to confirm the hot key operation checked above.

 Show hot keys in status window: If this is checked, and the AutoShutdown status window is up, then the hot key definitions will be show in the status window..


Remote Access Settings

This group of options deals with detecting remote access / dial-up connections to other machines or the Internet.

 Check for active Remote Access connections

If this checkbox is enabled, remote access detection will be enabled for AutoShutdown.

Hangup Active Connections

Terminates any active dial-up connections

Prompt user

The user is prompted for a response if a RAS connection is detected.

Abort if active connection

Aborts the shutdown process if any active RAS connections are detected.

If the "Abort is active connection" option is selected, you may also set the "Retry" option to continue checking for an active RAS connection.  As soon as the active RAS connection has terminated, the system will continue with the shutdown procedure.

 Ignore if this machine is an active dial-up server

If this option is checked, any remote access detected will disable AutoShutdown functionality if the current machine is a remote access server.

 Detect reconnect messages and respond

If connected via dial-up networking, AutoShutdown can respond with a Reconnect or Cancel response.

NOTE: This feature may be removed in future versions as it can be handled by the AutoRespond functionality


Security Settings

 Enable

Enables password access to AutoShutdown features.  When checked for the first time, AutoShutdown will prompt for a password.

Set password: If the password option is enabled, use this button to change the AutoShutdown password.

Password options:

Select from one or more of the password options which you want enabled for password access in AutoShutdown

 Configuration: Password controls access to configuration settings

 Disable/Enable: Password controls enabling/disabling from the tray icon menu

 Exit AutoShutdown: Password controls exiting of the AutoShutdown program

 Log File Access: Password controls access to log file functionality

 Reboot: Password is required to reboot the computer with AutoShutdown (via tray icon)

 Restart: Password is required to restart the computer with AutoShutdown (via tray icon)

 Shutdown: Password is required to shutdown the computer with AutoShutdown (via tray icon)

 Cancel countdown: Password is required to cancel the countdown

 Prevent Cancellation or Retry of AutoShutdown countdown:

Selecting this checkbox prevents a user from cancelling or retrying the countdown message once presented.  This prevents a user from disabling AutoShutdown.

 Hide AutoShutdown log file Keeps the AutoShutdown log file from showing up in Windows explorer (or from a directory).

 Allow popup menu from tray icon If the AutoShutdown system tray icon is set (General settings), then this will enable the popup menu from the tray icon.


Daily Event

Daily Event Settings

Select a day of the week and choose the time of day at which you want the computer to shutdown, restart or reboot.  (Note - if the Suspend/Override Shutdown option in the general settings is selected, the system will suspend operation rather than shutting down or restarting).  You may also select the EVERY DAY option and the computer will follow the same schedule every day of the week.

NEW: v2.82 and greater allow you to specify the exact time of day (to the nearest minute rather than nearest half-hour).

 Display Time in AM/PM Format

This checkbox allows the times to be displayed in AM/PM or 24-hour format.


Inactive Settings

Inactivity Settings

Inactivity checking

 Enable

Enabled inactivity checking.  If this is checked the following options are valid:

Time: Select an inactive time period.

Action: Select an action to occur when the inactive time period has been reached.

 Keyboard

Check this box if you want to monitor keyboard inactivity.

 Mouse

Check this box if you want to monitor mouse activity.

Note: One of the above boxes must be checked for the inactivity monitor to function.

Monitor energy saving

These settings are an extension of the desktop control panel, but work regardless of the screen saver settings.

 Low-power standby: Select the timeout in minutes before the display enters low-power standby mode.

 Shut off monitor: Select the timeout in minutes before the display enters a power off state.


AutoRespond Settings

The AutoRespond functionality allows AutoShutdown to automatically respond to system and application message windows.  This can assist with unattended shutdown operations by preventing a system from waiting for a user response when shutting down, logging off or restarting.

Normally, AutoShutdown looks for message box windows from the system and running applications.  However, some applications generate non-standard windows, in which case they would not be detected by the AutoRespond feature.  In this case, you would want to turn on the "Any window type" option to look for any top-level windows.

The following AutoRespond options may be set:

AutoRespond is off: disables the auto-respond functionality.

Respond with default button: AutoShutdown will respond to message boxes using the default button.  Note that the default button is not always the best option for responding to a system or application message.  For instance, if you respond to the default button when NotePad prompts to save data, AutoRespond will press the "Yes" button, which will require further user input.  (For more information, see the Save Data settings.)

Respond according to selections: Autoshutdown will respond to specific message boxes by pressing the specified buttons

 Mouse movement disables AutoRespond

Allow any mouse movement to disable responding to the current message box

Add/Edit/Delete: Buttons used to edit the custom windows in the AutoRespond list

 Delay before responding

You may set a delay from the time a message appears to the time AutoShutdown responds to the message.

 Show visual response

Shows the button being pressed by AutoShutdown

 Any window type

Allows any top-level window to be checked for user-input (versus just message boxes).

 Respond with default if not listed

If a message box is encountered that is not specified in the Window Title list, then AutoShutdown will respond with the default button for the message box.

Test: test the AutoRespond functionality on a sample message box

NEW!  AutoShutdown now makes attempts to save an application program's data to disk.  For more information, see the Save Data settings.


Network Settings

Note: These features only work when running AutoShutdown from Windows NT (and each client is running NT).

Network Client Computers

Notify Connected Users:

When this option is selected, all client computers logged into a server are given a message that the server is shutting down.

Shutdown Clients:

Which this option is selected, client computers connected to this server are shut down.  You can select to shutdown all client machines or just the machines which are specified in the list.  Note that you cannot add the name of the current machine to the shutdown list.  Use the Add, Edit and Delete buttons to change the computer names in the list.

Information at the bottom of this page displays computer and workgroup name (if applicable) as well as comments on the network computer.

 Do not affect this machine - only shutdown client PCs: An automatic shutdown will not affect this PC, only those specified for network shutdown.

 Show client shutdown status: Displays client machine names as they are shut down


Log Settings

Allows you to set the name of the log file and configure which AutoShutdown events get written to the log.

 Enable Log File

Enables the use of a log file to track events in AutoShutdown

Log Events:  Select from one or more of the log events to determine which events get written to the AutoShutdown log file:

 Startup/Shutdown: Logs start up and shutdown events

 Inacvitity: Logs inactivity functionality of AutoShutdown

 Shutdown: Logs shutdown activity of AutoShutdown

 Restart: Logs restart activity

 Suspend: Logs suspend activity

 Network: Logs network shutdown activity

 Dial-Up access: Logs remote dial-up access activity

 Logoff: Logs logoff activity

 Active processes: Logs any detected active processes for AutoShutdown

 System events: logs any other pertinent activity of AutoShutdown

Log File:

Select a log file with the Browse button or view the contents of the current log file with the View button.

The name of the current log file will show up in this area.  If the path name of this file is too large to appear in this field, it will be displayed with ellipses (...).  Drag the mouse over the filename and the full path name will appear in a popup tooltip.

 Keep Local

Keeps the log file named AutoShutdown.log in the same path as the AutoShutdown.exe

Date Format:

You may select a long or short date format which is included in each entry written to the log file.  Click the combobox and select a date format from the popup list.

Backup:

Select a backup option for the log file:

Do not backup log file: No log file back is created

Daily backup: Back up the log file every day

Weekly backup: Back up the log file on a weekly basis (every Sunday)

Monthly backup: Back up the log file on a monthly basis (the 1st of each month)

If the log file is backed up, a copy is made.  In this case the original log file may be deleted to start a fresh AutoShutdown log file.

 Delete log file if greater than

If this checkbox is checked, you may opt to delete a log file if it gets too large.  This will prevent disk overflow for systems with limited hard drive space.


Program Settings

 Enable program detection

If this is checked, any programs in the list are checked.  If any are found active, the AutoShutdown process does not take place.

Program List: List of program files which are checked for being active if the program detection option is enabled.

Add Program: Press this button to select another program to enter into the program detection list.

Remove: Press this button to remove the currently selected program in the list.

Remove All: Remove all programs from the list.

 Disable auto settings if MS-DOS session is active

If this is checked, AutoShutdown checks for any active MS-DOS sessions.


File Cleanup Page

File Cleanup Settings

AutoShutdown can delete files and empty the recycle bin when various operations take place.  Further, AutoShutdown has the ability to wash files.  By doing so, the data in each file is overwritten before the file is deleted.  This prevents any files or data from being recovered or examined even after the file is deleted.  Several washing options may be used as outlined below.

Use the delete file tree to select options for deleting or washing files, based on AutoShutdown events which occur.

Delete files:

Tree which shows the various files which can be deleted.  Under each file type are child tree items with checkboxes for each AutoShutdown event.  Select the files and events which you want to delete those files.

Empty recycle bin

Clears files by emptying the recycle bin (for the current user or machine, depending how the machine is set up).

Delete temporary files

Removes temporary files in the Windows TEMP folder which are no longer in use by Windows.  Temporary files are used by Windows and applications to write temporary data to the hard drive for efficient memory usage.  Once Windows is terminated (either properly or abnormally) or applications are exited, they can leave these temporary files on the hard drive.  As this continues, files build up and take up disk space.  Cleaning these out can enhance system performance, as well as free up hard drive space.  Further, it is possible that temporary files and or fragments of temporary data can cause anomolies in Windows or applications.  These can be alleviated by cleaning out the temporary files.

Remove cookies

Removes stored web browser cookies for the current user.  Cookies are simple text files stored by a web browser when visiting certain web sites.  Contrary to various rumors, cookies are not able to do anything but identify you to a web site which you have previously visited.  They do not store any information or provide any details other than what you have previously entered while visited the web site.  Cookies are stored by domain and cannot be transferred across domains.  What this means is that if you have a cookie stored on your machine for www.yahoo.com, it cannot be read by any other web site besides the one that created it (in this case yahoo.com).

Clear recent documents

Removes items from the Start Menu Recent Documents submenu.  The recent documents menu is a list of document files (.doc, .txt, .htm, etc.) which you have recently had open in various applications.  By clearing the recent documents, you help to prevent anyone else from following a trail of what you have been doing on your system.

Clear Internet Cache

Removes cached HTML and image files.  The internet cache (if set up on your machine) is used to stored information when visiting various web sites.  By having windows cache (stored) this information, it makes return visits faster as the data can be loaded from the cache rather than over the network.  Clearing the files in this cache can free up hard drive space and make web browsing more efficient.

Clear History

Erases the history files which are a means of tracking visited web sites.  Removing history files also frees up hard drive space and erases your tracks so others cannot "see" where you have been with your web browser.

Delete Options

Erase files

Select this option to erase the selected files when an AutoShutdown action occurs.

Wash files

Select this option to wash files instead of simply deleting them.  When files are washed, they are overwritten with data before they are deleted.  This prevents them from being undeleted or their data contents being recovered.

Recycle bin

This option will place the files into the recycle bin.  This is a safe option as files can be recovered (before the recycle bin is emptied).

Wash options

If the wash option is selected, you may also change the wash cycle.  The cycle is the number of times that data is written over a file's physical disk contents before the file is deleted.

The wash method may also be selected.  Various file washing methods handle the way a file is "washed".  You may wash a file using any of the following methods:

Random data

Each file is washed with random bytes of data

0s and 1s

Each file is washed with alternating 0s and 1s

Write nulls

Files and washed by writing nulls (zeros)

 Show Deletion

Shows a status dialog when files are being deleted from the system.

 Confirm File Deletion

If this is checked a confirmation message box is displayed for the current user to confirm emptying the recycle bin.  This does not affect the deletion of temporary files.

Erase/Wash/Recycle Now

Push this button to bring up a popup menu of options.

The top option, Empty Recycle Bin, is independent of the other operations in this menu.  It simply empties all the files in the Windows Recycle Bin.

The other options in this menu, depend on the selected operation above - Erase, Wash or Recycle.  (Note that the system cache items are not sent to the recycle bin).

Temporary Files

Cookies*

Recent Documents

Internet Cache*

History*

* = system cache item


Suspend Settings

Suspend and standby settings are available on machines capable of these operations.  This includes laptops and newer desktops running Windows 98 and Windows NT 5.0 (2000).

Suspend Options

 Low Power Suspend: Suspends the machine automatically if the battery power is running out.

 Override shutdown: Always suspend rather than shutdown the computer

 Notify suspend: Displays a notification when the machine is suspending / resuming

Power Options

These options are for systems that run on battery power - ie laptops.  If these options are disabled on your machine, it means that you do not have a system battery.  (This is not to be confused with a UPS power system, which is different.)

Current Power Level

Shows the current battery level if running from battery power.  Also shows the status of the system power.

 If battery power is less than

Select a percentage to monitor and an action to take (shutdown or suspend) if the power level drops below the selected percentage.


Software License
SOFTWARE LICENSE AND LIMITED WARRANTY

End User License Agreement (EULA)

This is an agreement between you, the end user, and Barefoot Productions, Inc. ("BAREFOOT").  By using this software, you are agreeing to become bound by the terms of this agreement.

IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT, DO NOT USE THIS SOFTWARE.  REMOVE ALL COMPONENTS FROM YOUR SYSTEM AND RETURN THE ENTIRE PACKAGE TO THE PLACE WHERE YOU OBTAINED IT FOR A FULL REFUND.

1.  GRANT OF LICENSE.  BAREFOOT, as Licenser, grants to you, the LICENSEE, a nonexclusive right to use this copy of a BAREFOOT software program (hereinafter the "SOFTWARE") on a single COMPUTER (i.e. with a single CPU) at a single location so long as you comply with the terms of this License.  Each workstation upon which the SOFTWARE is used, whether such workstation is a stand-alone computer, a networked computer or a terminal on a multi-user computer must have a separately licensed copy of the SOFTWARE.

2.  SITE AND CORPORATE LICENSE GRANT.  If you acquired a "SITE LICENSE" or a "CORPORATE LICENSE", BAREFOOT grants to you the right to use the number of copies of the SOFTWARE for which you have paid.  For single-user computers or workstations attached to a network ("Network Stations"), the quantity of the SOFTWARE in use is considered to be the maximum number of Network Stations on which the SOFTWARE is either loaded in memory or virtual memory or stored on a hard disk or other storage device at one time.  For a multi-user computer, a use is counted for every session of the SOFTWARE running on the computer.  If the anticipated number of users of the SOFTWARE will exceed the number of applicable Licenses for which you have paid, you must have a process in force to assure that the number of concurrent users of the SOFTWARE does not exceed the number of Licenses.

3.  OWNERSHIP OF SOFTWARE.  BAREFOOT retains the copyright, title and ownership of the SOFTWARE and the written materials of the form or media in or on which the original and other copies may exist.  You may make one (1) copy of the SOFTWARE solely for backup purposes.  You must reproduce and include the copyright notice on the backup copy.

4.  TRANSFERS.  You may physically transfer the SOFTWARE from one of your computers to another provided that the SOFTWARE is used on only one computer at a time.  You may not distribute copies of the SOFTWARE or accompanying written materials to others.  You may not transfer the SOFTWARE to anyone without the prior written consent of BAREFOOT.  In no event may you transfer, assign, rent, lease, sell or otherwise dispose of the SOFTWARE on a temporary basis.

5.  TERMINATION.  This license is effective until terminated.  This License will terminate automatically without notice from BAREFOOT if you fail to comply with any provision of this License.  Upon termination you shall destroy the written materials and all copies of the SOFTWARE, including modified copies, if any.

6.  U.S. GOVERNMENT RESTRICTED RIGHTS.  The SOFTWARE and any accompanying materials are provided with Restricted Rights.  Use, duplication or disclosure by the Government is subject to restrictions as set forth in subparagraph (c)(1)(ii) of The Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software clause at DFARS 252.227-7013, or subparagraphs (c)(1) and (2) of the Commercial Computer Software - Restricted Rights at 48 CFR 52.227-19, as applicable.  Contractor/manufacturer is Barefoot Productions, 1101 W. Enclave Circle, Louisville, CO 80027.

7.  LIMITED WARRANTY.  BAREFOOT warrants the media on which the SOFTWARE is furnished to be free of defects in material and workmanship, under normal use, for a period of ninety (90) days following the date of delivery to you.  In the event of defects, BAREFOOT's sole liability shall be to replace the defective media which has been returned to BAREFOOT or the supplier with your dated invoice and is shown to be defective.  In the event that BAREFOOT is unable to replace defective media, BAREFOOT shall refund your money upon your termination of this license.

8.  DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES.  BAREFOOT DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

9.  BAREFOOT SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF BUSINESS INFORMATION, AND THE LIKE) ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE PRODUCT EVEN IF BAREFOOT HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

10.  Should any other warranties be found to exist, such warranties shall be limited in duration to ninety (90) days following the date of delivery to you.  In no event will BAREFOOT's liability for any damages to you or any other person exceed the amount paid for the license to use the SOFTWARE.

11.  This license shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado and shall benefit BAREFOOT, its successors and assigns.


Popup Menu

Clicking on the tray icon (if enabled) brings up this context menu for AutoShutdown:

Options for registered users are:

 About AutoShutdown

Shows the program credits

 AutoShutdown Help

Brings up this help file.

 Settings

Brings up the AutoShutdown preferences

 Disable Auto Features

Turns off the inactivity and date and time features - changes the tray icon to a different look to show these features are disabled.  (Select this menu item again to re-enable the features).  Note that this is valid only during the current Windows session.

Show Status

Toggles the status window, which shows the current state of AutoShutdown

Register

If you have not yet purchased a license to use this software and are currently evaluating, you may select this option to register your copy.

Uninstall AutoShutdown

Select this option if you want to terminate AutoShutdown and remove it from this system

 View Log File

If the log file is turned on, you may view the contents

 Delete Log File

Deletes the log file

 Reboot System

Reboots the PC from a warm start state

 Restart Windows

Restarts Windows (not a full reboot)

 Logoff current user

Logs off the current user

 Restart in MS-DOS mode

Restarts without the Windows GUI

 Suspend

Suspends the system (if the system is capable of this functionality)

 Shutdown Now

Shuts down the system

 Shutdown Network Client Computer: Allows a client computer to be specified for shutdown (NT only)

 Empty Recycle Bin

Deletes the recycle bin contents

 Cleanup Temporary Files

Removes unused files from the TEMP path.

System Information

Select this option to show your current system information and AutoShutdown settings.  This is useful for tracking down problems if they occur.

 Exit AutoShutdown

Terminates the AutoShutdown program


Configuration Menu

File

View Log File

Brings up the log file viewer (if the log file is enabled)

Delete Log File

Deletes the contents of the log file

The following menu options allow efficient multi-user/machine configurations.  A single machine to be configured with AutoShutdown, and then the settings can be exported to a file.  If you have a multi-user license, you may then import these settings into other AutoShutdown installations.

Import Configuration Settings

Allows configuration settings to be imported from an AutoShutdown configuration file (*.cfg)

Export Configuration Settings

Allows current configuration settings to be exported to a file.

Save Settings

Same as pressing the OK button

Close Settings

Same as pressing the Cancel button

Edit

Shutdown remote computer

If running NT (and you have NT client machines) you may send commands to the remote NT workstations

Advanced...

Brings up the advanced settings

View

System information

Brings up the system information window.  This shows basic information and all configuration settings for AutoShutdown.  This can be helpful if you are attempting to diagnose conflicts and or errors with AutoShutdown.  This information may also be exported and send to Barefoot Productions Tech Support.

Help

Help contents...

Shows the contents of this help file.

Search

Brings up the help keyword search.

Ordering...

Brings up the AutoShutdown ordering wizard to assist with ordering and/or obtaining a site license for the AutoShutdown software.

Web Pages...

Shows a list of various Barefoot Productions/AutoShutdown web site links.

About...

Displays the program credits and version information.


System Information

This was added to AutoShutdown to show some of your current system settings, as well as the current AutoShutdown settings.

You may save this information, print or copy it to the clipboard.  Having this information is valuable for our tech support team if we are attempting to track down problems with AutoShutdown on your machine configurations.

Information displayed here will include:

- AutoShutdown version information

- copyright and build date

- license information

- system configuration information

- various system directory information

- AutoShutdown configuration settings

If you do not see full information when you bring this up, close this and bring it up again.


Y2K Compliance

Year 2000 Compliance

AutoShutdown is fully compliant with the Y2K date format.  It does not use the year date field for any calculations and simply uses the day of the week for shutdown purposes.

All future releases of AutoShutdown will be tested and guaranteed to be Y2K compliant.

For more information on Barefoot Productions Y2K compliance, please visit http://www.barefootinc.com/y2k.htm


Troubleshooting/Shutdown Problems

If you are having trouble using AutoShutdown to shutdown a machine, here is a list of common remedies which can help.

Remember that AutoShutdown is only capable of shutting down PCs which can be shut down to a power off state from the Start Menu / Shutdown command.

Problem: AutoShutdown waits/hangs at the "It's now safe to turn off your computer now" screen or other programs crash when AutoShutdown attempts to shutdown a machine.

Resolution: Are you able to shut down this machine completely using the Start Menu/Shut Down command?  If not, your machine's BIOS and configuration may not be compatible with placing the machine in a power-off state.  If you are able to do this from the Start Menu, then AutoShutdown is capable of putting the machine in a power-off state.

Possible issue: You are running on a PC or running in Windows NT and the system does not go to a power-off state, but rather to a screen stating "It is okay to shutdown your system" (or something similar).

Go to the AutoShutdown configuration settings and click on the Shutdown tab.  You may need to toggle some of the miscellaneous options in order to get your machine to behave correctly.  The most compatible settings are:

  Force shutdown

  Power off state

If you are having problems with programs NOT closing, also check the Kill persistent processes checkbox.  Note that this may cause other programs to shutdown incorrectly.

If you are still having problems shutting down after trying the above, click on the Advanced button and configure the advanced settings.

Also, check to make sure that you do not have a program being run (see the Execute program settings on the Shutdown tab).  It is possible that this external program is awaiting user input or processing so it may be preventing the system from shutting down.

Problem: AutoShutdown causes a system or application crash when attempting to perform a shutdown/restart/logoff operation..

Resolution: Do you have any network drives mapped?  If so, ensure that the Disconnect network drive setting is checked in the Shutdown settings.  Also - do you have Microsoft Outlook, FAX program or another Windows Messaging client running?  Try terminating this program to see if this is the cause of the problem.  Also check that an open application does not get "stuck" trying to save data or AutoRespond to a message box.  While AutoShutdown does it's best to save data and respond to application and system message boxes, sometimes the sequence of shutting down running applications prevents this from happening as it should.

Which version of Windows are you running?

Windows 98

If using the Windows 98 Second Edition, Microsoft has released information on shutdown problems which may occur.  For more information: http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q238/0/96.asp

Windows NT/2000

Due to the internals of Windows NT, most versions of NT 4.0 cannot shut down to a power off state unless specially equipped with drivers from the PC manufacturer.


Installed Files

After installation, the following files will appear on your hard drive:

AutoShutdown directory

AutoRespond.dat	Additional window list for known application windows and defaults

AutoShutdown.exe	The main AutoShutdown executable program

AutoShutdown.hlp	This help file

changes.txt	Change list

license.txt	AutoShutdown End User License Agreement (EULA)

readme.txt	ReadMe file for information about the program and ordering information

Shutdown.exe	External shutdown controller for AutoShutdown

ASIdle.dll	Hook DLL to track system inactivity

System directory

ASIdle.dll	Hook DLL to track system inactivity

asprs9x.dll	Process detection DLL for Win95/Win98

asprsnt.dll	Process detection DLL for WinNT


TCP/IP Settings

Starting in version 3.0, AutoShutdown can communicate with other machines running AutoShutdown via the TCP/IP protocol.  This is especially useful on an Intranet system.  Notice that AutoShutdown has the ability to check for a valid incoming IP address to prevent security problems from allowing any machine to shutdown other machines.

In order for AutoShutdown to support TCP/IP, you will need to ensure that each machine running AutoShutdown has an appropriate network card and the TCP/IP networking protocol installed for Windows.  You will also need to have Winsock 2 on your system.

There are two parts for the TCP/IP network settings - Server and Client.

Server

If you would like a machine to serve as the AutoShutdown server (meaning that it will send shutdown/restart commands to other machines running AutoShutdown), then check the "Enable server" checkbox.  This will allow this machine to have AutoShutdown send commands to other computers on your network running AutoShutdown.

You may add, edit or remove IP addresses from the server list by using the appropriate buttons.

Client

To enable a machine running AutoShutdown to receive commands from another computer running AutoShutdown, check the "Enable client" checkbox.

You may select which computers are authorized to send commands to this client.  If you would like to be able to receive commands from any other machine running AutoShutdown, check the "Any IP address" radio button.  NOTE: This will expose your machine to allow ANY potential computer running AutoShutdown to have access to your machine (depending on your network and firewall settings, if applicable).

Check the "Specified IP address(es):" radio button if you would like to specify which machine(s) can send AutoShutdown commands to this computer.  You may add additional valid IP addresses (in dot notation) to the list by clicking the Add button.  You may also edit or remove any IP addresses in this list by clicking the appropriate buttons.

Set the receive port to match the send port of the AutoShutdown server in your installation.  These port values must match or AutoShutdown will not be able to communicate across your network.  The default port for AutoShutdown is 1536.


Sound Effects Settings

Version 3.0 of AutoShutdown is configurable to allow sound effects to be set for various AutoShutdown and system events.

You may enable all the sound events by checking the Enable event sounds checkbox.

Each event may have no sound, the default sound or a custom sound effect assigned to it.

As events are selected in the list, the option buttons to the right will change their state.

Button functions:

Default	Sets the selected sound to its default

All Default	Sets all sound events to use their default sounds

Select...	Selects a sound file to be associated with the selected event

Remove	Removes a sound from the selected sound event

Remove All	Removes all sounds from all events

Play	Plays the current selected sound event in the list


Pricing Information
AutoShutdown Pricing Information

(as of May 17, 1999)

Number of Users	Personal User	Business License	Educational License *
1	$24.95	$24.95	$19.95
10		$129.95	$99.95
20		$249.95	$179.95
50		$379.95	$299.95
100		$699.95	$499.95
200		$1,099.95	$749.95
300		$1,499.95	$1,099.95
400		$1,799.95	$1,279.95
500		$2,499.95	$1,499.95
750		$3,499.95	$1,999.95
1000		$4,399.95	$2,499.95
1500		$5,999.95	$3,699.95
2000		$7,499.95	$4,799.95
2500		$9,499.94	$5,799.95
3000		$10,799.95	$6,799.95
4000		$12,999.95	$8,499.95
5000		$14,899.95	$9,999.95

* Available only for qualified educational institutions

All pricing is in U.S. dollars and does not include applicable tax or shipping charges.

Most customers download updates from our web site, so shipping charges do not usually apply.

Prices are subject to change.


Resource Settings

System Resource Settings

NOTE: These settings apply to Win95/Win98 and are not applicable to a Windows NT system.  NT uses a linear address space, which no longer imposes a 64K segment restriction on the GDI/User/System components of Win95/98.

Windows and applications running in the Windows environment use various system resources in their operation.  These resources are divided into three compnents, and are the core of the Windows environment:

System: Handles memory, the global system heap and system page files.

User: Handles the user-interface components - windows, menus, buttons, listboxes, tree controls, etc.

GDI: Graphics Device Interface.  This component is responsible for the graphical output, including drawing, text, icons, bitmaps and other resources.

This functionality has been added to AutoShutdown to allow a machine to detect when system resources are running low.  If this is the case, the machine can be shutdown, restarted (Windows restarts) or rebooted (warm boot).  AutoShutdown may also present an alert to the user to notify them of pending system problems due to low resources.

You may set a notification level (from 10% to 90%) for each system resource type.  If the system resource drops below the set level, the action will be taken.

Note that setting the levels too high may cause a system to constantly process the low-resource action.  Most machines run between 50% and 70% free on the various resources.  To be safe, these levels should be set to ~ 30-35% for having AutoShutdown perform a task.


TCPIP Command Console
TCP/IP Command Console

AutoShutdown has a TCP/IP console for which to send remote commands to other AutoShutdown client machines.  You may add IP addresses of Intranet machines here and also send various commands.

A command may be sent to one or more client machines, depending on which IP addresses are checked in the list.

Command options are:

Shutdown - shuts down an AutoShutdown client machine

Restart - restarts Windows on an AutoShutdown client machine

Reboot - warm boots an AutoShutdown client machine

Logoff - logs the current user off an AutoShutdown client machine

Suspend - suspends an AutoShutdown client machine

Send Message - sends a remote message to an AutoShutdown client machine

Note that in order for an AutoShutdown client machine to recieve and process remote commands, you must have the following enabled:

1) TCP/IP networking protocol set up on the client machine

2) Must be running AutoShutdown v3.0 (or greater)

3) Enable the AutoShutdown TCP/IP client option.

4) Ensure that the machine sending the commands is a valid IP address.

Click here for more information on configuring the TCP/IP options of AutoShutdown


Glossary

autoexec.bat MS-DOS batch file which loads when a PC starts.

AutoRespond Feature in AutoShutdown which allows automatic responses to system and applications messages.

batch file File on a PC with a .bat extension, which is a text file with a series of commands for the operating system.

config.sys MS-DOS based configuration file in the root directory of a hard drive used to load low-level system drivers.

environment variable Variables set in MS-DOS, sometimes by the autoexec.bat file to be used by Windows and other programs to determine global settings, paths, etc.

hot key A key stroke (or combination of key strokes) that can be used to activate AutoShutdown's features.

inactive A system becomes inactive when there is no mouse or keyboard activity

low resources When system resources are consumed and not recovered, Windows may have difficulty in completing operations or running programs.  AutoShutdown can track resource usage and show a warning or perform an action, such as restart a machine

page file A system file used by Windows to handle writing memory to/from disk.  This process allows Windows to have virtual memory above the installed physical memory on a system.  By paging memory to/from disk, Windows best utilizes memory and prioritizes which applications get the memory they request.

physical memory The amount of actual RAM installed in a machine.

reboot Process where a machine does a warm boot, which reloads low-level drivers and also reloads Windows

regedit.exe Utility program that ships with Windows to allows viewing and editing of system parameters.  Use with CAUTION as making changes to the system registry can cause detrimental effects for Windows

restart Process of restarting Windows on a machine.  This only restarts Windows and does not reload the autoexec.bat or config.sys files

system registry Database (multiple files) in Windows which tracks various hardware and software settings.  AutoShutdown (and other applications) stored their settings in the system registry.  To view or edit entries in this, you may use regedit.exe (see above)

temporary files Windows and its application programs create temporary files to hold temporary data.  Some times these files are not deleted, so they can take up disk space.  The temporary path is typically Windows\Temp, but is set to the TEMP environment variable.

virtual memory The total amount of memory available to Windows and its applications.  This is larger than the amount of physical RAM installed on a machine and is managed by Windows.

Windows 2000 Professional The next generation of the Windows NT operating system


Toolbar Settings

You may configure AutoShutdown to display its toolbar.  This is a way to provide quick access to various AutoShutdown features with the click of a button.  You may configure the functions and order of the buttons which appear on the AutoShutdown toolbar.

 Enable Toolbar: Checking this will enable the AutoShutdown toolbar and allow it to be visible when AutoShutdown starts.

Select the buttons for the toolbar by checking the mark next to the list item.  A checked item indicates that it will be placed on the toolbar.  If you enable the toolbar and do not select any buttons, the toolbar will become disabled.

Toolbar button options:

Shutdown - quick shutdown

Restart - quick restart of Windows (does not reload low-level drivers)

Reboot - quick reboot (reloads all drivers)

Logoff - quick logoff

Suspend - puts your PC in suspend/standby (low power) mode

Restart to MS-DOS - allows a quick restart to the DOS prompt

Empty recycle bin - empties the recycle bin

Delete temp files - deletes unused temporary files from your system

Cleanup other files - cleans system cache and related information based on your file cleanup settings

Configure - bring up the AutoShutdown configuration options

View log file - view the AutoShutdown log file (if enabled)

TCP/IP command console - allows you to send remote commands to other AutoShutdown machines on your network

Help - brings up this help information

AutoShutdown web page - points your web browser to the AutoShutdown web page

Exit AutoShutdown - exits AutoShutdown

Set timer - allows setting of a single-shot event timer

Enable/Disable - allows quick access to enable or disable AutoShutdown features

Button style

Standard: Standard pushbuttons

Flat: Buttons appear flat, and are highlighted when pressed

Hover: Buttons will get a 3D look when the mouse is moved over each one

 Large Buttons: Toggles large/small button size

 Tooltips on buttons: Enables tool tips on the buttons

Toolbar Style

 Tool window: Toggles the small caption bar for the toolbar

 Keep on top: Ensures that the toolbar appears on top of other application windows

 Condense buttons: Arranges the toolbar buttons so it takes up less space on your desktop

NOTE: The suspend button will appear with a slash through it if the machine is not capable of suspending.  The recycle bin icon will reflect the status of the recycle bin (full or empty).


Memory Load
Memory Load Settings

NOTE: These settings apply to a Windows NT (or 2000 Professional) system only.

The memory load settings allow an NT system to monitor memory and perform an action based on set thresholds.

Virtual:  Tracks the total number of bytes of memory in the user mode portion of the virtual address space in Windows.

Memory Load: Tracks the current memory utilization.  Zero indicates all memory is being used and100 indicates no memory use.

Page File: The total bytes available that can be stored in the paging file.  This does not represent the physical size of the paging file on disk.

This functionality has been added to AutoShutdown to allow a machine to detect when memory resources are running low.  If this is the case, the machine can be shutdown, restarted (Windows restarts) or rebooted (warm boot).  AutoShutdown may also present an alert to the user to notify them of pending system problems due to low memory.

You may set a notification level (from 10% to 90%) for each memory type.  If the memory drops below the set level, the action will be taken.

Note that setting the levels too high may cause a system to constantly process the low-memory action.  Windows can fluctuate a great deal when various programs start/stop or detect idle time and attempt to utilize as much memory as possible.  There may have to be some trial-and-error when selecting settings to track Memory Load usage on a Windows NT computer.


System Services

A system service in Windows allows a program to run in the background, controlled by Windows and not able to be stopped with the Ctrl+Alt+Delete keys or the Task Manager.

However, a system service works in very different ways in Win95/98 and WinNT (2000 Professional).

Windows 95/98 can simulate a system service by adding a registry entry for any application program (EXE).  This will give the program the ability to run before a user logs in and also to continue running when a user logs out.

In Windows NT, the Service Control Manager handles all services in Windows.  If AutoShutdown is configured as a service and is running in NT, it will start when Windows NT starts (if set to do so), and run in the background.  You will be able to check the status of AutoShutdown by accessing the Service Control Manager, if you are logged in with appropriate administrator rights on the Windows NT machine.  When running as a service in NT, the AutoShutdown system tray icon will not be available.  If you are running in Windows NT and have configured AutoShutdown to run at startup and run as a service, the service will Auto start when Windows boots.  NOTE: You must have a registered copy of AutoShutdown in order to use it as an NT service.

For more information on System Services, refer to the Windows NT User manual.


Save Data Settings

The Save Data settings are similar to the AutoRespond features, but can respond to an application program's prompt to save data to a file.  In fact, they are an extension to the AutoRespond functionality.  In order for the Save Data feature to work properly, you must have the AutoRespond functionality turned on and enabled to respond to the default button (for most applications).  NOTE: The Save Data feature is not guaranteed to save application data, as each application can prompt the user in a different means to save data.

Many applications (upon closing) that have unsaved data, will prompt the user to save.  For instance, if you have made changes to a text file in NotePad, you will be prompted with a similar message box when closing NotePad:

The AutoResponder must be configured to answer with the "Yes" button (in this case, the default).

When this is done, NotePad then prompts the user for a filename, if one has not been provided (ie a new file).  (If the file already exists, then the application simply saves changes to the existing file.)

This is the prompt for a new NotePad text file to be saved to disk:

The Save Data feature will keep track of such user queries and if prompted, will fill int he filename field with a random file name (ie save_001290.txt, but use the default application extension.  The file will also be saved in the path specified by the Save Data options within AutoShutdown.  Also, if enabled, each application's data which is saved in such manner will be logged to the SaveData.txt file (in the same path as the AutoShutdown.exe program file).

Save Data options:

Enable: Turn on the Save Data functionality

Select Folder: Select a folder where data files will be stored (default is the SaveData subfolder from the AutoShutdown installation path).

Please note that while AutoShutdown makes a BEST EFFORT to save data from programs, it does not always work.  It can hang on attempting to save data from some applications, or some data loss can occur in other applications.  The best rememdy is to set program options in Word and Excel (etc.) to have data be AutoSaved from these application programs.


Auto Logon
Auto Logon Settings

 Enable AutoLogon

If this is checked, the settings entered here will be applied to the next Windows startup and use the user name and password to AutoLogon a user to Windows.  If running Windows NT or Windows 2000, a domain name can also be entered for network access.  NOTE: This is a system-wide setting and not configurable for each user.

User:

Enter the name of the user which Windows will use at the next logon.

Password:

Enter the password for the above user name.

Domain: (will be displayed in Windows NT and 2000):

Enter the primary network domain name for user access for the above user ID.


Set Timer
Set Timer Settings

You may set the timer in AutoShutdown to allow a single event to occur at a future time.  Note that this timer is not saved when you exit AutoShutdown, and is only set to be triggered one time.

Function:

Select the timer function: Shutdown, Restart, Logoff or Reboot

Use the radio buttons to select a relative time from the current time or an absolute time to perform the action:

Perform this function in: Set the time duration and unit (hours or minutes) from the current time.

Perform this function at: Set the time of day that the function should occur

Press OK to accept a timer setting or Cancel to cancel the timer (and any previously set timers).

A single timer can be set using this feature.  So, if a timer is set and you want to set another timer, you will be prompted that the existing timer will be cancelled if you proceed.

If you attempt to set a time which has already occurred today, you will get a message stating that this is the case.  You may either change the time or set it for a time in the future on another day.


Configuration Wizard

Coming soon to make AutoShutdown setup much easier!


Winsock 2
WinSock 2 Update

In order for the TCP/IP functionality to work correctly, you must be running Windows 98 or NT 4.0 with at least Service Pack 3 applied.  You may also be running Windows 95 with the Winsock 2 updates in place.

If you need to update your Windows 95 configuration, you may download the Winsock2 updates from the Microsoft web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows95/downloads/contents/WUAdminTools/S_WUNetworkingTools/W95Sockets2/Default.asp

 http://www.microsoft.com/windows95/downloads/contents/WUAdminTools/S_WUNetworkingTools/W95Sockets2/Default.asp


Desktop Shortcuts

You may have AutoShutdown place shortcut links on your Windows desktop for common functions.

This generates shortcut links with the appropriate command-line options to create AutoShutdown to perform certain tasks:

Shutdown - shuts down the machine

Restart - restarts Windows on the machine

Reboot - reboots the machine

Logoff - log off the current user

Suspend (Standby) - puts the machine in Standby mode

Ask User - queries the user which of the above operations should take place

You may manually remove the shortcut links from the desktop or have AutoShutdown do it by removing the check marks by the options you wish to remove.


Overview
Brief Overview

What is AutoShutdown and what can it do for you?

Basically, AutoShutdown is a utility which can automate a system shutdown.  It was originally developed to power down PCs in the evening when we had left the office.  This was designed to cut down power consumption and provide better security for unattended (or forgotten) systems.

However, many features have been added since then to increase its purpose.

Some examples:

- Track Windows memory/resource usage and reboot a machine if a preset level is reached

- Automatically log off a user after a set period of time and/or inactivity

- Wait until a dial-up connection has hung up and then shutdown a machine

- Control the shutdown, restart and user logoff of remote machines (any 32-bit Windows machine) using TCP/IP

- Allow quick access (hot key or single button) to shutdown, restart or logoff

- Provide command-line functionality for shutdown/restart/logoff

- Shutdown an inactive machine

- Shutdown/logoff a user when a machine needs to be secure

Note that AutoShutdown works within Windows and does not replace any Windows system components, DLLs, etc.  AutoShutdown does not use any device drivers of its own, but merely automates Windows.  It cannot make miracles happen.  Meaning, if your Windows installation is unable to put the PC into a power off state through the Start Menu / Shutdown option, then AutoShutdown cannot do so either.


Cost Savings
AutoShutdown Cost Savings

Do you have an office with many PCs in it?  How many of these PCs would be more secure and reduce power consumption if they were not left on all night (or over the weekend).  Actually, even repeatly leaving a single PC on over night can cause a significant increase in a monthly power bill.

Let's look at some examples:

A single PC is left on typically 10 hours a day.  However, let's say a certain PC has to run a process each Friday.  When this process has completed, the PC remains on, in this case throughout the weekend.  Let's say it each weekend that this PC remains on for 60 hours where it should not have to.

So, let's make some assumptions:

Power costs $0.08 per kilowatt-hour (kwh)

The PC uses 300 watts of power

At 60 hours, the PC uses 18 kwh of power, or 18x$0.08 = $1.44

So, turning off the PC instead of leaving it up over the weekend saves $1.44.

Now, multiply that by 52 weekends in a year.  $1.44x52 = $74.88 a year.

AutoShutdown costs a mere $24.95 for a single license.  Spending $24.95 once, will save $74.88 a year on your power bill.

And that's for a single PC in a single year.

But what if you have an office, and there are a hundred (100) PCs.  And not only are they left on over the weekend, but also over each week night.  (A stretch, perhaps, but let's look at the numbers.)

During a week, figure employees work from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm.  That means the computer is not being used for 7+8 = 15 hours (overnight) per day.

From Monday morning through Friday, that is 4 nights.  4x15 = 60 hours, plus the weekend (63 hours) = 123 hours a week that the computers are on but do not need to be.

Using the $0.08/kwh cost above (same computer wattage), that is 36.9 kwh per week = $2.95.  Okay - so it's not even a lousy $3.00 per week.  Okay.  Then multiply by 52 weeks.  That cost is now $153.50 per year for a single PC being left on all the time (used or not).  And at 100 computers for an office, that is roughly $15,300.00 per year of wasted power.  AutoShutdown can reduce that.  And a 100-user license is only $699.95.  To save about $15,300.00

Can you afford not to purchase AutoShutdown?  Probably not.

Can you enforce your employees to always turn off their computers when leaving the office?  Probably not.