Copyright: 1.0


Shut Down To DOS v1.0

For Windows 95

©1998 Digital Objects Software

http://www.mrdo.com

Description

Shut Down To DOS (the executable file SD2D.EXE) is a configuration manager.  Running this program will allow you to enable, disable and customize the events that take place when you shut down your computer.

Features

•	Shut Down To DOS leaves your computer at the DOS prompt when you shut down Windows 95.  You may safely shut off your computer at any time.

•	Shut down and run a DOS program you choose.

•	Shut down to a "simulated" auto-destruct countdown.  Have fun with your friends.

How To Use

Simply run SD2D.EXE from Windows, and when you save your configuration there is no need to run the program again until you wish to make changes or return to the original shut down method.

With the Shut Down To DOS configuration manager you have three options for events that take place when the computer is shut down.  The first option is the default, and simply leaves your computer at the DOS prompt.  You may safely turn off your computer whenever it is at the DOS prompt.  The second option is "Auto-Destruct Sequence".  This is a DOS program, AUTOD.EXE, that "pretends" the computer will self-destruct when the countdown reaches zero;  somewhat reminiscent of a Star Trek TOS (the original series) situation.  The computer can be safely turned off while the countdown is running.  See "Auto-Destruct Sequence" below for more information on this program.  The third and last option allows you to specify the DOS program to run when Windows shuts down.

The only file you really need is SD2D.EXE.  The setup program is just a formal way of distributing the software and allows a clean removal (see "Uninstalling The Software" below).  The file may simply be copied to another Windows 95 system.  AUTOD.EXE does not need to be copied either, since an image of the program is kept in SD2D.EXE and is created if it does not exist.  AUTOD.EXE is always created in and executed from the same directory as SD2D.EXE.  The only files that will not be available when SD2D.EXE is used alone is the help file and the BMP and WAV files distributed in the archive.

How It Works

There are two files that need to be changed to allow your computer to return to the DOS prompt when you shut down your computer, MSDOS.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT.  The method described here was made possible by an article posted by Jesse Slicer, "Shutdown Windows 95 To A DOS Prompt", on the Easter Egg Archive, http://www.eeggs.com (see credits below).

The BootGUI option in MSDOS.SYS is set to 0 to keep Windows from launching after AUTOEXEC.BAT is processed.

At the end of the file AUTOEXEC.BAT are four lines managed by SD2D.EXE that launches Windows after the first part of the file's commands are processed.  After Windows is shut down, batch processing returns to AUTOEXEC.BAT after the line that started Windows, and the remaining two lines are processed.  The first line, "C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND\MODE.COM CO80" switches the VGA graphics display that displays "It's now safe to turn off your computer" to 80 x 25 text mode.  The last line starts the DOS program specified, if any.  Otherwise, the system is left at the DOS prompt.

Auto-Destruct Sequence

When the "Auto-Destruct Sequence" option is chosen, AUTOD.EXE is the DOS program that is started when Windows shuts down.  The timer will count down to 0, then simulate a computer hardware failure.  It is perfectly safe to shut down the computer at any point in this program.  DO NOT shut off the computer UNTIL the countdown begins, which is immediately after it starts.  Before then Windows is still closing the files it has open.  If you wish to return to the DOS prompt from this program, just enter the password.  When you choose the "Auto-Destruct Sequence" option, AUTOD.EXE will be created in the same directory as SD2D.EXE if it doesn't already exist.  An image of AUTOD.EXE is kept within SD2D.EXE so the file may be copied from computer to computer.  There are three command line options to AUTOD.EXE, -?, -NS, and -T=###.  -NS turns off the potentially embarrassing auto-destruct sound effects.  The no-sound option can be set via a check box in the configuration manager.  -T=### specifies the starting countdown value.  If you wish to cancel AUTOD.EXE altogether, hold down CTRL-ALT as it starts up and you will be left at the DOS prompt.  That's about it for AUTOD.EXE.  What's that?  The password?  Oh yeah!  Well, I'll just give you a hint.  Try typing a senior officer's last name and the color of his shirt.  You have to be a genuine Trekkie (or know one) to get out of this one ;)

Extra Files

Several files that ship with the archive are BMP and WAV files to be used in conjunction with the Auto-Destruct Sequence, to enhance its effect.  The configuration manager does not manipulate these files, they are to be used manually.  SD2Dx.WAV can be used as the Exit Windows sound.  They are the Enterprise computer voice stating "Auto-Destruct Sequence armed", etc.  SD2D.BMP is used to replace C:\WINDOWS\LOGOW.SYS and C:\WINDOWS\LOGOS.SYS.  The two files are simply bitmaps that are used to display "Please wait while your computer shuts down" and "It's now safe to turn off your computer".  Copy and rename SD2D.BMP to the Windows directory with these names to display "Standby... Initiating Auto-Destruct Sequence" as the computer shuts down.  BE CAREFUL, it is NOT safe to turn off the computer UNTIL the countdown begins.  Remember to backup LOGOW.SYS and LOGOS.SYS if you wish to restore them later.

Uninstalling The Software

Before using the Control Panel's "Add/Remove Program", run the configuration manager and disable Shut Down To DOS.  This ensures the configuration files AUTOEXEC.BAT and MSDOS.SYS are returned to normal before the software is removed.

Manual Configuration

To quickly disable Shut Down To DOS manually, delete the four SD2D lines from AUTOEXEC.BAT and change BootGUI=0 in MSDOS.SYS to BootGUI=1 as described below.

The four lines in AUTOEXEC.BAT managed by SD2D.EXE can be edited outside of the configuration manager, as long as all four lines remain together at the end of AUTOEXEC.BAT, and the first line is not altered at all.  You can place other lines after these four lines, but be aware that these other lines will not be processed before Windows starts.  Running SD2D.EXE and selecting OK when Shut Down To DOS is enabled will move the four lines to the end of AUTOEXEC.BAT.

All four lines can be manually removed from AUTOEXEC.BAT to disable Shut Down To DOS completely.  If you do this, remember that you will also have to modify the BootGUI option in MSDOS.SYS in order to have Windows start automatically again.  If BootGUI is left with a value of 0, the computer will start up at the DOS prompt, where you can enter WIN to start Windows.

Altering BootGUI in MSDOS.SYS

•	Enter ATTRIB -S -H -R C:\MSDOS.SYS

•	Enter EDIT C:\MSDOS.SYS

•	Find the line that reads BootGUI=0 and change to BootGUI=1*

•	Save the file and exit the editor

•	Enter ATTRIB +R +H +S C:\MSDOS.SYS

*When BootGUI is 0, Windows will not start automatically when the computer is booted.  Type WIN to start Windows from the DOS prompt.

Special Considerations

You may safely shut off your computer at any time after the DOS prompt appears.  The only time you should be careful is if you run a DOS program other than AUTOD.EXE and it opens files while running.  You should exit such programs using its specific shut down process before you turn off your computer.

When enabled, make sure that the four lines in AUTOEXEC.BAT managed by SD2D remain together at the end of the file AUTOEXEC.BAT.  It is possible for other software installers to edit AUTOEXEC.BAT and you must ensure that the SD2D lines are moved to the end of the file if necessary.  You can simply run SD2D and select OK to have it ensure the lines are located at the end of AUTOEXEC.BAT.

There are some utilities that may change the value of BootGUI in MSDOS.SYS, as for example, Microsoft's Power Toys' TweakUI.  The "Start GUI Automatically" option can change the value of BootGUI.  Again, simply run SD2D and select OK to ensure that this value is properly set.

The startup option, "Command Prompt Only", accessed by pressing F8 when "Starting Windows 95..." appears will no longer work when Shut Down To DOS is enabled.  In order to re-enable this option manually remove the four lines from the end of AUTOEXEC.BAT beginning with the line "REM SD2D...".

When you specify a DOS program to be launched when Windows shuts down, make sure it is a DOS program.  Otherwise, Windows will restart itself to run a Windows-only program.

It is not recommended that SD2D be executed from a floppy drive, read-only disk, or network drive.  The program should be copied to a local hard disk before it is used.  This is to ensure that the disk will be present when Windows is shut down, and that AUTOD.EXE is created on a local hard disk if it is used.

Tip

Shut Down To DOS will only work when "Shut down the computer" is chosen from the Start/Shut Down... menu.  "Restart the computer" is not affected by Shut Down To DOS, but here's a tip.  To restart windows without going through the typical warm boot of the "Restart the computer" item, hold down the LEFT SHIFT key as you click OK and Windows will restart without warm booting the computer.  This is a time saver and cleanly shuts down and restarts Windows.

Disclaimer

Digital Objects Software assumes no responsibility for any damage or losses incurred when using this software.  This software has been rigorously tested and implements error handling for all possible error situations.

License

Shut Down To DOS v1.0 is Freeware.  It is to be distributed only at no charge for the software itself.  For continued use of this software, registration is appreciated.  Registration provides information on the program's usage, and will enter your e-mail address in the mailing list should the software be revised.  E-mail your name and return e-mail address to donath@mrdo.com.  If you wish for your name not to be included in the mailing list, please indicate so.  Your e-mail address will never be given to any other party.  I hate spam as much as you.  Do a search on Infoseek for Spam Hater.  It's a great way to get back at the no-return-address spammers, and helps everyone.

Credits

Shut Down To DOS v1.0 was created and is distributed by:

Clarence Donath

Digital Objects Software, Wyoming, Rhode Island, USA

http://www.mrdo.com

donath@mrdo.com

Shut Down To DOS configuration manager was written in Visual C++ 5.0 (SP3).  Auto-Destruct Sequence was written in Turbo Pascal 7.0.

Special thanks to Jesse C. Slicer (http://www.tfs.net/~jslicer) (jslicer@tfs.net) for providing the information that allows shutting down Windows 95 to the DOS prompt.  This information was posted in an article by Jesse in The Easter Egg Archive at http://www.eeggs.com.