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- RighTime v2.58 Copyright 1991-93, GTBecker
- Released August 16, 1993 All Rights Reserved
-
- Shareware Notice
-
- The following files are contained in the evaluation distribution file:
-
- RIGHTIME.COM TESTINCR.COM
- RIGHTIME.TXT (this file) TESTTIME.COM
- RIGHTLOG.COM VIEWCMOS.COM
- SETUPRT2.COM WHATSNEW.TXT
-
- If any of these files are missing, you do not have a complete evaluation
- package. A fresh distribution file of the latest version of RighTime and its
- associated programs and documentation is always available on the Air System
- Technologies BBS, 214/869-2780 (1200-14400 N81).
-
- These commercial program and other files are the copyrighted property of
- G.T. Becker and Air System Technologies, Inc., of Dallas, Texas, USA.
-
- You may use these evaluation programs for up to one month, and you may -
- and are encouraged to - pass the unmodified evaluation distribution file along
- to others, but no one may modify, rename or sell the programs or files to
- anyone under any circumstances (except shareware distributors, who may charge
- a reasonable distribution fee). Although they will continue to function, the
- programs will notify you when the evaluation period has elapsed.
-
- If you choose to continue to use RighTime you must register your use.
- Registered RighTime users receive a diskette containing the current version of
- the registered programs and additional utilities, a printed user manual and
- license agreement, automatic notification of new releases, and enthusiastic
- support from the author whenever needed. The registered version of RighTime
- is functionally identical to the shareware distributed evaluation version,
- except that it lacks registration reminders, it is smaller in size, it can
- operate in a non-verbose and silent mode, and it is serial-numbered to the
- individual or business registrant.
-
- To register, fill in the form at the end of this document and send it
- with US $40 for each machine that is to run RighTime to Air System
- Technologies, Inc., 14232 Marsh Lane, Suite 339, Dallas, Texas 75234-3899,
- USA.
-
-
-
- What is RighTime Version 2.5?
-
- RighTime is a resident real time clock correcting program for MS-DOS,
- PC-DOS and DRDOS running on PC/AT-class machines. It corrects both DOS and
- CMOS Real Time Clock (RTC) clock rate error as large as 5.5 minutes per day,
- and it increases the DOS clock resolution from about 0.055 second to 0.01
- second. It occupies only about 7K of system RAM and can normally be loaded
- high. If RighTime is installed as suggested, the system clock will behave as
- properly and accurately as the system clock of a computer should.
-
- RighTime brings exceptional system time-of-day clock performance to the
- machine with no additional hardware. With RighTime installed, the standard
- real time clock system becomes an Adaptive Mathematically Compensated Crystal-
- controlled Oscillator based clock. Under stable conditions, RighTime can
- produce a system clock that keeps time within 0.5 second per week or better
- (some users have reported consistent rate accuracy of 0.07 second per week).
- An error rate of 0.5 second per week is about 0.8 part per million, or more
- than 100 times better than an unconditioned crystal time base alone, or about
- 30 times better than a moderately conditioned one like a modern watch of
- quality. A technical paper about CMOS RTC and DOS clock problems and
- RighTime's approach to solving them can be found on the BBS (RT2@PTTI.ZIP).
-
- RighTime Version 2.5 exhibits many new features, but retains version 1.1
- compatibility (except /H). In addition to numerous invisible internal
- improvements, RighTime Version 2.5 sports the following changes:
-
- * True 0.01 second DOS clock resolution: the 55-millisecond barrier
- is broken! The DOS clock increments in 0.01 second steps while
- maintaining the standard "tick" rate. [See /TH below.]
-
- * File mode correction storage can be directed to either
- RighTime.COM or to a separate data file (RighTime.COR), which will
- prevent anti-virus watchdog utilities from flagging RighTime.
- [/FR, /FM]
-
- * Correction storage can be directed to any valid CMOS RAM address
- that is available in the machine, including extended RTC CMOS and
- MCA-type (PS/2 and -SL) CMOS RAM. [/R, /RM]
-
- * Four levels of function disabling. [/TH, /TD, /TA, /K]
-
- *** * New serial port monitoring techniques eliminate problems with data
- communications. [/M, /MI]
-
- *** * Automatic disabling of 0.01 second DOS clock mode while Microsoft
- Windows in 386 Enhanced mode is resident.
-
- * Disabled cool correction and improved warm correction application.
- [/D, /U, /X]
-
- *** * Options are provided that allow learning disabling and ignoring
- time and date sets. [/L, /I]
-
- *** * Learning is now disabled by default for time sets from within
- Microsoft Windows in 386 Enhanced mode and the time set that
- follows any time set from within Windows in 386 Enhanced mode.
- [/LW]
-
- *** * Simple but effective security makes unauthorized time sets
- virtually impossible. [/#]
-
- * Automatic Daylight/Standard time change in the USA. [/A]
-
- * Fixed offset values may now range from -90.00 to +90.00 seconds.
- [/O]
-
- * Logging of all time-related activity. [/G]
-
- * Highlighting of significant data and ANSI color screens. [/Y]
-
- * On screen memory-jogging help. [/?]
-
- * Silent and defeatable self test. [/Q]
-
- * Non-verbose mode (registered version only). [/V]
-
- * /W, /C and /O values may be expressed as either integers
- (hundredthseconds) or as fractional seconds (i.e. /W-1234 =
- /W-12.34), consistent with a new displayed data format.
-
- * RighTime's status report includes duration since last time set,
- duration since last applied DOS correction, duration since last
- applied CMOS adjustment and percentage of warm system operation
- (any /F and extended CMOS /R only).
-
- * Intelligent application of warm and cool corrections, weighted
- observed error and distributed modification of correction values
- (both warm and cool corrections will be modified based on observed
- error at time set and percentage of warm system operation) (any /F
- and extended CMOS /R only). Although the practice remains the
- ideal, it is no longer necessary to set the clock immediately
- after booting and just prior to shutting the system down to learn
- the cool and warm corrections; you may set the time at any time,
- and RighTime will do its best to adjust the corrections
- appropriately.
-
- * Tools are provided to visualize and verify RighTime's actions.
- [TestTime, TestIncr, RighTLog, ViewCMOS]
-
- *** + An improved TestTime is able to resolve clock error to four
- decimal places (to tenths of milliseconds), reports the DOS-
- CMOS offset immediately, and displays the DOS time to
- hundredths.
-
- *** + TestIncr measures and displays the DOS clock resolution and
- counts time-related system interrupts over a prescribed test
- period.
-
- + RighTLog displays the record of all time-related activity on
- the system. It identifies the source of each time set and
- dateset by program name, making hidden time set
- troubleshooting easy.
-
- + ViewCMOS can now display the first 128 bytes of MCA-type
- CMOS on those machines equipped with it.
-
- * SETUPRT2, a full-screen install program, eases first-time
- installation and startup as well as reinstallation when changing
- options.
-
- * Professional TimeSet v7.1 or later (on August 8, 1993 the current
- version was 7.21) by Pete Petrakis (Life Sciences Software,
- Stanwood, Washington USA) can directly control several RighTime
- functions and provides a RighTime status screen. These two
- programs were developed in concert and work exceptionally well
- together. TimeSet uses a modem to call any of five atomic clock
- time standards (in the USA, Austria, Italy and Sweden) or a
- secondary local time source (TimeGen) to set the system clock to
- millisecond accuracy. It is highly recommended. Its shareware
- evaluation file is available on the Air System Technologies BBS
- and on BBSs worldwide.
-
-
-
- What Does RighTime Do?
-
- First, here is what RighTime cannot do:
-
- - RighTime cannot correct clock boards or computer motherboard
- clocks that do not emulate the PC/AT CMOS RTC hardware clock and
- its BIOS support precisely. The large majority of current 80286-,
- 80386- and 80486-based machines (termed PC/AT-class) are
- compatible.
-
- - RighTime cannot properly correct an unstable clock; most clocks
- are slow or fast and they are essentially unvarying. If your
- clock wanders aimlessly or has suddenly changed behavior, your
- hardware might need repair (perhaps simple battery or CMOS RTC
- module replacement).
-
- *** - RighTime will not run under OS/2. An OS/2 version is in
- development. Check the BBS for information.
-
-
- RighTime exploits the better qualities of each of the two clocks in the
- system and improves upon them by doing four fundamental things:
-
- 1) RighTime slaves the DOS system clock (which has higher resolution)
- to the CMOS RTC (which has higher stability).
-
- 2) RighTime augments the DOS clock driver routines with its own
- routines, which provide resolution in excess of 0.01 second.
-
- 3) RighTime monitors time set commands (and the equivalent system
- calls from any program) to learn the CMOS RTC clock error rate.
-
- 4) RighTime improves and maintains accuracy by regularly calculating
- and applying corrections or adjustments to each clock. The DOS
- clock is normally corrected every four seconds. The CMOS RTC is
- adjusted as required.
-
-
- RighTime intrinsically sets the CMOS RTC and solves the midnight
- rollover date error that exists in most DOS/BIOS combinations,
- eliminating the need for other utility programs or drivers that perform
- these functions. Unlike DOS alone, the CMOS RTC seconds transition will
- be properly set by RighTime and the time will be set to 0.01 second
- resolution, and these qualities will survive through rebooting. If the
- machine is powered off, the clocks will be appropriately adjusted for
- the off period at the next boot, and a separate correction is learned
- and maintained for that cool period.
-
- Each time you set the time, RighTime will improve the accuracy of the
- corrections, which will subsequently improve the accuracy of the clocks.
- It should be easy to achieve a worst-case error of less than 0.5 second
- per day (usually quickly improving to less than 0.5 second per week).
- Numerous options are provided that allow fine tuning the correction
- process to your system and application.
-
- An option is provided which assists in automatic time setting by
- directing RighTime to notify a batch file when a specified number of
- days has elapsed since the last time set or if the program's correction
- capabilities have been exceeded. This feature is available both at boot
- and when RighTime is resident.
-
- Large time changes will not affect the corrections. This permits
- seasonal time changes; these bi-annual changes can also be automated in
- the USA.
-
- RighTime usually runs fine with Microsoft Windows (although Windows in
- 386 Enhanced mode lags DOS by a second or two, so the system time should
- normally not be set from within Windows) and with most task switchers
- and DOS-based LANs.
-
-
-
- Knowledge Saves Time - Contraindications
-
- Just as with medicine that cures ills, RighTime needs to involve itself
- in several areas of the operating system to do its work, and there can be
- side-effects. Side-effects of RighTime are usually minor and easily
- correctable. While the following list might appear daunting, it is the
- compilation of all reported problems that users have encountered with
- RighTime. In all probability none of these items will apply to you, but be
- aware of the following so you'll know what you can do if you need to.
-
-
- * If your system issues messages that you've never seen before
- installing RighTime, or mysteriously locks up or outright crashes,
- you should either increase the STACKS parameters in your
- CONFIG.SYS file or replace them with STACKS=0,0. There are no
- steadfast rules, but if you currently have no STACKS statement or
- if you use STACKS=9,128, first try STACKS=0,0 (unless other
- software on your system requires an explicit STACK statement; in
- that case, try STACKS=16,256). Sophisticated installations might
- need even larger values.
-
- * If Microsoft Windows fails to properly load or issues surprising
- messages while loading, you might need to increase the FILES
- specification in your CONFIG.SYS file. If you have no FILES
- statement, add FILES=15 to it. Even if you have plenty of FILES
- in UMBs, Windows needs a minimum number in conventional RAM.
- After you make any changes to CONFIG.SYS, reboot the machine.
-
- * Some programs (usually games) reprogram the 8254 timer-counter to
- improve the video screen update rate or to produce sounds. Since
- the 8254 is part of the DOS clock mechanism, RighTime will
- normally immediately sense and correct the mode change - and slow
- the game or sound. This protection can be relaxed without
- compromising the clock by selectively disabling RighTime [usually
- /TD, sometimes /TA] for the duration of the affected program and
- reenabling it afterward.
-
- * Programs that bypass the operating system and control the hardware
- directly can cause odd symptoms. Tape backup utilities seem to be
- the most common offenders, potentially causing DMA errors with
- RighTime's /F options. Most of these programs offer an option
- that uses the DOS and BIOS function calls instead; use it, or
- disable RighTime [/TA] for the duration of the backup if
- necessary.
-
- *** * Communication sessions can sometimes be disturbed by RighTime.
- Two options [/M, /MI] yield automatic disabling during
- communication activity on selected ports. The methods used in
- this version are new and appear to be very effective.
-
- *** * Disk defragmenters (DEFRAG, PCCOMPRESS, SPEEDDISK, DOG, etc.) can
- produce cross-linked files resulting in loss of data if RighTime
- is active (with any /F option). DOS is not aware that these
- utilities are moving files around, so RighTime isn't either.
- USUALLY, RIGHTIME (WITH ANY /F OPTION) MUST NOT BE RUNNING [/K]
- WHEN DEFRAGMENTING THE DISK DRIVE ON WHICH IT RESIDES. Late
- versions of SPEEDDISK will sense that RighTime's files are in use
- and will not attempt to move them, allowing RighTime to safely
- continue functioning during the defragmentation.
-
- *** * Some screen savers and program schedulers misfire prematurely and
- some on-screen clocks run fast due to RighTime's high resolution
- DOS clock mode. Screen savers can also issue unexpected time sets
- that will disturb RighTime's learning unless ignored [/I-1].
- Disabling the 0.01 second DOS clock mode [/TH] usually allows
- these programs to coexist with RighTime.
-
- *** * Berkeley Systems' popular screen saver, After Dark for Windows,
- usually also installs a DOS screen blanker which loads in
- AUTOEXEC.BAT. Some users have found that this module, AD-DOS.EXE,
- locks the system at the moment of a time set when RighTime is
- running. We suggest that you remove AD-DOS.EXE from the
- AUTOEXEC.BAT file.
-
- *** * RighTime can be run in high memory. Be aware that the program
- uses several anti-virus and anti-hacking techniques to protect
- itself. This requires a large (about 80K), but brief, use of
- memory, so load RighTime early when there is sufficient space; all
- but the resident portion will be released for subsequent modules.
-
- *** * PC Tools' RAMBoost has been reported to cause a RighTime selftest
- failure, as has SofNet's FaxWorks scheduler if loaded before
- RighTime. Defeat the selftest [/Q] in these instances.
-
- In most cases, a program conflict can be resolved by temporarily
- disabling RighTime. This can be accomplished manually at the DOS
- prompt, with a batch file, or via a multiple-command alias in 4DOS or
- NDOS. RighTime functions can be easily reenabled afterward.
-
-
-
- Standard Installation
-
- *** RighTime is now provided with a simple installation process that will
- assure successful startup. We strongly suggest that you follow this
- procedure. After you have some experience with the program you can manipulate
- options at the command line level if you wish, but even for these changes the
- supplied installer program, SETUPRT2, is recommended. 4DOS users: SETUPRT2
- sometimes fails under 4DOS, yielding an erroneous "Out Of Memory" message.
- For the installation, change your COMSPEC to a copy of COMMAND.COM, then
- resume using 4DOS once RighTime is installed.
-
- 1) If you are currently running RighTime, kill it (RighTime /K).
-
- 2) Make a work directory and get in it, for example:
- MD \TEMP
- CD \TEMP
-
- 3) Copy the shareware distribution file into the new directory and
- unzip it. Verify that all of the files listed above are present.
-
- 4) Run from a pure DOS prompt (not a shell or DOS session):
- SETUPRT2
-
- 5) SETUPRT2 will allow you to select many options, but you can
- initially accept the defaults by simply selecting "Install"; you
- can change them anytime later.
-
- 6) When asked to do so, set the time accurately (preferably with
- TimeSet), and THEN TYPE EXIT to continue the installation process.
- Your AUTOEXEC.BAT and, if required, CONFIG.SYS files will then be
- modified, having a line or two added to them. The existing files
- will be renamed with an .RT2 extension.
-
- 7) You will normally be directed to reboot by pressing Ctrl-Alt-Del.
-
- 8) You may delete the contents of the work directory.
-
- 8) Set the time accurately for a few days, ideally immediately before
- you shutdown your system for the night and immediately after
- booting in the morning. If you never shutdown your system, set
- the time accurately a few times each day, well spaced.
-
- You should find that your system clocks rapidly become more accurate.
- If they do not, check RighTLog for invisible, unexpected time sets (which will
- confuse RighTime's learning). The name of the program that set the time is
- identified in the log. You might be surprised to find that some programs -
- that have no apparent business doing so - set the clock, usually incorrectly
- and always disturbing RighTime. You will need to consider an option [/I] that
- can deal with these rogue programs; read on.
-
-
- You will normally not need to proceed beyond this point, but if you have
- trouble with the standard installation, the following sections discuss
- RighTime in greater detail.
-
-
-
- Starting RighTime
-
- Part of the RighTime process requires storage of some correction data.
- The amount of data is small and it must be stored in a place that will survive
- rebooting and power failures. To use RighTime, first decide where to store
- the corrections. There are two options: disk file and unused CMOS RAM. In
- general, try the disk file option first if you can. If you have a hard disk,
- you can use the disk file or possibly the CMOS RAM option. If you have only
- floppies the disk file option is impractical, so consider the CMOS RAM option.
- A diskless machine cannot use the disk option, unless it is equipped with a
- non-volatile RAM disk which appears to the system as any other disk would.
-
- The CMOS RAM option will involve some initial bravado: although only the
- first 52 bytes of a 64-byte CMOS RAM are defined by the original IBM PC
- standard (presumably leaving the last 12 bytes available), most modern BIOSs
- use these 12 bytes for other functions. If you have adopted a user-specified
- hard disk format, for example, your specification might be stored there.
- Sometimes the area is used for the power-on password in machines so equipped.
- Many modern machines contain 128-byte CMOS RAM areas, and others (some PS/2
- models and SL-based machines) contain 256 bytes of CMOS RAM. SETUPRT2 will
- only allow selection of CMOS RAM addresses that allow for the proper storage
- of RighTime's correction data, but there is no guarantee that the address you
- select is unused in your machine configuration. You can run ViewCMOS to look
- at the CMOS RAM contents, but again, there is no guarantee that even a large
- block of zeros is free and safe to use. Before attempting to use the CMOS RAM
- option, be forewarned that CMOS RAM contains system setup data that RighTime
- might inadvertently disturb; be prepared to reset the setup data if the CMOS
- RAM option is unsuccessful on your system. If this dissuades you or if you
- are otherwise reluctant, use the disk file option if you can.
-
- If you choose the disk file option, RighTime will attempt to write to a
- disk file (its own program file or a separate data file) from time to time, so
- write access must be allowed. If the "disk" is actually a non-volatile RAM
- disk card, the card must remain in the machine if this option is to work
- properly. If you use the disk file option on a battery powered hard disk
- laptop, you might want to decrease the update frequency to allow your hard
- disk to spin down after periods of inactivity to increase the battery life
- (see the /U option, Command Line Syntax, below). The disk file option causes
- RighTime to maintain an open handle to a file which will present a problem
- when running a file-defragmenting utility on the same disk drive that RighTime
- is updating, but RighTime can be killed during defragmentation and restarted
- afterwards (see the /K option, Killing, Disabling and Reenabling Resident
- RighTime, below).
-
- RighTime can also be configured with no correction storage, with
- consequential loss of some of its utility (see No Correction Storage Option,
- below).
-
- If you know how fast or slow your clock appears to run per day, you can
- optionally speed the learning process of RighTime by suggesting a correction
- to the program as a signed number in hundredths of seconds - positive for a
- slow clock, negative for a fast clock. For example, if your clock runs about
- two minutes fast per day, the suggested correction should be -120.00 (120
- seconds). There are actually two corrections that RighTime normally applies,
- one while the system is running and warm, and another when the system is
- turned off and cool. If you know the cool correction, you can suggest it
- also. If you don't know one or either correction, RighTime will determine
- them anyway; it'll just take a little longer for the corrections to mature to
- good accuracy.
-
- If you need to restart RighTime and it is currently resident and
- running, you must first kill the resident program (see Disabling and
- Reenabling Resident RighTime, below). If appropriate, the corrections that
- RighTime has already learned can be suggested to the new program copy.
-
- If you have been using another resident driver or TSR to correct the
- weaknesses of your clock, remove all references to it from your CONFIG.SYS and
- AUTOEXEC.BAT files and, once you are confident that RighTime is all it
- purports to be, remove the other driver or TSR from your system.
-
-
-
- Setting the Time
-
- If you have access to a time standard, use it. For best accuracy, use a
- telephone service time-setting program such as TimeSet. Alternatively, you
- can listen to WWV, CHU or another shortwave time signal, or a radio network
- news broadcast, and be prepared to set your clock when you hear the beep on
- the minute or hour. Don't use a radio station that is airing a call-in talk
- show; the audio is usually delayed six to ten seconds on such programs to
- allow for profanity dumping, and so the beep will be equally late. An all-
- news format station is probably not delayed. To be certain, call the radio
- station and ask for engineering; they will know. Local telephone time
- services are usually poor; don't trust that they are correct. What is
- important is accuracy.
-
- RighTime will monitor each time set occurrence, learning from your
- adjustments. Whenever you notice or suspect that the indicated DOS system
- time is insufficiently correct to satisfy you, reset it accurately. You will
- find that the clocks will become more and more accurate and the need for
- adjustment will decrease, becoming infrequent; however, you must set the time
- accurately at least once per month (an option is provided to assist in
- automating this [/S] (see Errorlevels, below).
-
- Allow sufficient time to elapse between time sets so that enough error
- exists for RighTime to use in its correction calculations; the more time that
- you allow, the better the correction factors that are determined. Careless
- time sets will result in poor correction or even wild clock behavior; remember
- that you are "training" the program, so do it well. If you are eager, four
- hours will probably be an adequate initial wait; of course, you can use your
- system as you normally would during this time. Each time the time is set,
- RighTime will make appropriate adjustments to the cool and warm correction
- values.
-
-
-
- The Results
-
- After a few days of your diligent time setting, the corrections should
- settle to fairly constant numbers which will be true indications of the
- uncorrected performance of your CMOS RTC. Once RighTime is installed, you can
- display the current corrections by simply running RighTime again at a DOS
- prompt (no parameters are required). The correction values and other current
- status will be displayed and a functional self test will normally be
- performed, verifying that RighTime is currently running properly on your
- system.
-
- When running RighTime, whether at installation or when resident, the
- program will normally be silent. If RighTime beeps, pay close attention to
- its report; it is reminding or warning you of an unusual mode, condition or
- failure. If ANSI.SYS is present and data highlighting is not disabled [/Y0],
- the warning lines will be highlighted.
-
- As long as RighTime is in use and you've been diligent in your
- adjustments, and the corrections have matured, the CMOS RTC error will not be
- more than 0.5 second, and the DOS clock will be much more accurate than that.
-
- RighTime has limits of one week of inactivity, and one month between
- time sets, that can be corrected to a maximum of 5 minutes, 27.67 seconds per
- occasion; beyond that, all bets are off. In that case, unpredictable, and
- probably incorrect, clock changes can occur, but RighTime will advise you of
- its difficulty if it can. For example, if your clock runs two minutes slow
- per day and you don't use the system for three full days, when you boot up you
- will receive a message warning that the clock needs to be adjusted manually
- (or automatically; see Errorlevels, below). The subsequent adjustment will
- not affect the corrections.
-
-
-
- No Correction Storage Option
-
- If you have difficulty with both the CMOS RAM and disk file options or
- you need or wish to use neither option, RighTime can still correct the clocks
- for as long as the system runs continuously. What RighTime has learned will
- be lost when you reboot or power down, and there can be no cool correction.
- Otherwise, all of the comments above apply. If you suggest a good warm
- correction and you set the clock after you boot, RighTime will serve well.
-
-
-
- Killing, Disabling and Reenabling Resident RighTime
-
- There will normally be few, if any, occasions that will require you to
- disable RighTime, but some instances exist that can only be resolved by
- temporarily removing RighTime from contention. There are four levels of
- disabling; each level is more restrictive in what RighTime is permitted to do.
- From least restriction to most, the disabling options are /TH, /TD, /TA, and
- /K.
-
- Once RighTime is resident, it can be disabled by running at a DOS
- prompt:
-
- drv:\path\RighTime /TH [disables 0.01 second DOS clock]
- or
- drv:\path\RighTime /TD [disables DOS clock maintenance]
- or
- drv:\path\RighTime /TA [disables all functions (including
- logging)]
-
- Resident RighTime can then be reenabled by running:
-
- drv:\path\RighTime /E [enables all functions]
-
- Programs that defragment or reorganize the hard disk must always be run
- with no open files. When using RighTime's disk file option [any /F], an
- open handle is maintained to a file, so BEFORE RUNNING A DISK
- REORGANIZING UTILITY, RighTime MUST BE KILLED (except with late
- SPEEDDISK versions). After the utility completes, RighTime can be
- restarted with the same command line used in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file.
- However, most defragmenting utilities suggest rebooting afterward; in
- that case, AUTOEXEC.BAT will restart RighTime. This precaution is not
- required when using the CMOS RAM option.
-
- RighTime can be irreversibly disabled (or "killed") by running:
-
- drv:\path\RighTime /K [entire resident program terminated]
-
- The /K switch will cause the function of RighTime to terminate, but the
- memory that was allocated to RighTime will remain allocated and
- unavailable. If you wish, another copy of RighTime can be started with
- different options; in that case, a memory map will indicate multiple
- RighTime allocations, but only one will be active.
-
- If it is your intent to permanently remove RighTime from your system,
- you can do so by killing the resident program and removing or REMing the
- RighTime invocation in your AUTOEXEC.BAT. Rebooting is not immediately
- necessary.
-
- *** RighTime provides other methods to temporarily disable its function in
- instances where the program interferes with serial communication. An
- option will continually test for the presence of Data Carrier Detect
- (DCD) from each specified serial port, or communication activity can be
- sensed by counting IRQ interrupts.
-
- Option /Mport looks for DCD. When DCD is active, RighTime will be
- disabled similar to /TA. Normal function will resume when DCD
- becomes inactive. Multiple ports can be specified; if any of the
- specified ports indicates DCD active, RighTime will be disabled.
- This option will work with Microsoft Windows, but 386-Enhanced
- mode users will need to prevent a false contention report by
- clicking on Control Panel, 386-Enhanced, then select Never Warn
- for each affected port, then OK.
-
- To activate DCD monitoring, use the /M switch as follows:
-
- drv:\path\RighTime /M1 [for COM1]
- or
- drv:\path\RighTime /M2 [for COM2]
- or
- drv:\path\RighTime /M3 [for COM3]
- or
- drv:\path\RighTime /M4 [for COM4]
-
- Several ports can be simultaneously monitored, for example:
-
- drv:\path\RighTime /M1 /M2
-
- DCD monitoring can be disabled with
-
- drv:\path\RighTime /M0
-
- For DCD monitoring to function properly, the active modem
- control string must contain &C1 for Hayes-compatible modems.
- This will cause DCD to properly reflect the presence of
- carrier. If DCD is stuck on and a /M switch specifies that
- port, RighTime will never be permitted to function. If you
- run RighTime to display a status report, the current DCD
- state will be reported. It should normally report "... DCD
- monitoring is enabled", not "... DCD active; RighTime
- function disabled".
-
-
- *** Option /MIport determines serial port activity by counting IRQ3
- and/or IRQ4 interrupts over a short period of time (approximately
- 0.5 second), regardless of the DCD state. If activity is
- indicated, RighTime will be disabled until activity ceases. This
- method will not work with Microsoft Windows in 386 Enhanced mode.
-
- To activate IRQ monitoring, use the /MI switch as follows:
-
- drv:\path\RighTime /MI1 [for COM1/IRQ4]
- or
- drv:\path\RighTime /MI2 [for COM2/IRQ3]
- or
- drv:\path\RighTime /MI3 [for COM3/IRQ4]
- or
- drv:\path\RighTime /MI4 [for COM4/IRQ3]
-
- Several ports can be simultaneously monitored, for example:
-
- drv:\path\RighTime /MI1 /MI2
-
- IRQ monitoring can be disabled with
-
- drv:\path\RighTime /M0
-
- The COM port, IRQ and I/O address assignments are standard:
-
- Port IRQ Address
-
- COM1 IRQ4 3F8
- COM2 IRQ3 2F8
- COM3 IRQ4 3E8
- COM4 IRQ3 2E8
-
- Specify the port number, not the IRQ. For example, IRQ3
- will be monitored if either /MI2 or /MI4 is specified.
-
- Option /M and /MI should not be mixed. If they are, the IRQ
- method will be applied to all of the specified ports. For
- example, /M1/MI2 is equivalent to /MI1/MI2.
-
- Normally, RighTime learns from each time set. Some programs invisibly
- set the clock - in most cases for no apparently good reason - which
- disturbs RighTime's learning. If RighTime is run with logging enabled
- [/G], all time and date sets will be logged, and each log entry,
- displayed by running RighTLog, identifies the program name of the source
- of the time or date set. Once the sources of the offending time or date
- sets are identified, RighTime can be selectively controlled to ignore
- those errant sets. There are four approaches that work equally well,
- although the last of the four might be the easiest.
-
- 1) As when temporarily disabling RighTime in the examples
- above, the offending program can be preceded by a RighTime
- command which will cause the time sets to be ignored as if
- the program never issued them. If the program always issues
- a pair of sets, one for the date and one for the time,
- RighTime can be directed to ignore the following two sets
- with
-
- drv:\path\RighTime /I2 [ignore next two sets]
- OffendingProgramHere
-
- If the program issues only a time set, it can be ignored
- with
-
- drv:\path\RighTime /I1 [ignore following set]
- OffendingProgramHere
-
- In each case, once the specified number of sets to be
- ignored has been issued by the offending program, RighTime
- will resume normal function, accepting and processing time
- and date sets. If there are several offending programs,
- each will need to be treated similarly.
-
- 2) Another method, useful if the offending program issues a
- variable number of sets, is to precede the program with a
- RighTime command which causes all time and date sets to be
- ignored until further notice. The program can then be
- followed by a Rightime command which discontinues ignoring
- time and date sets. A small batch file might look like
-
- drv:\path\RighTime /I-1 [ignore all sets]
- OffendingProgramHere
- drv:\path\RighTime /I0 [resume allowing sets]
-
- 3) A logical extension of that method is to issue the /I-1 in
- the AUTOEXEC.BAT invocation of RighTime. This method (and
- the next one) will deal with time sets that are produced by
- a resident module like a screen saver. Including /I-1 in
- the AUTOEXEC.BAT invocation of RighTime will cause all time
- and date sets to be ignored, regardless of the source - even
- the DOS prompt TIME and DATE commands - until otherwise
- directed. Legitimate time sets - like from TimeSet - can be
- permitted by surrounding the TimeSet invocation with the
- inverse of the commands above, i.e.
-
- drv:\path\RighTime /I0 [allow sets]
- TimeSet
- drv:\path\RighTime /I-1 [resume ignoring all sets]
-
- TimeSet v7.10 or later, however, provides for this ability
- through its RighTime Control Panel. No additional RighTime
- commands are required, but you need to remember to use the
- RighTime Control Panel each time you use TimeSet to set the
- time.
-
- *** 4) If you will normally be using only one program to set the
- time and date, a special form of the /I switch will cause
- all time and date sets except those from the specified
- program to be ignored; time or date sets from the specified
- program will be allowed. For example, if you use TimeSet
- and issue a /I"TimeSet" in the AUTOEXEC.BAT invocation of
- RighTime, only TimeSet will be allowed to set the time or
- date; all other sets will be ignored as if /I-1 had been
- issued. If you want to allow the DOS prompt TIME and DATE
- commands, you must specify /I"COMMAND" since COMMAND.COM is
- the setting program (if you use 4DOS, use /I"4DOS"). If a
- network workstation is to be set to a server's time, the
- connection processor should be named (under LANtastic, NET
- CLOCK \\SERVERNAME will set the date and time to those of
- SERVER; if RighTime /I"NET" is invoked, no other time sets
- will be allowed).
-
- *** When combined with the /# switch, these ignore options cannot be
- changed by subsequent RighTime executions. This makes it possible
- to prevent unauthorized time or date changes. If, for example,
- AUTOEXEC.BAT invokes RighTime .../I"NET"/#, logs in and sets the
- time to a server, the workstation user will be unable to change
- the date and time - unless he uses extraordinary means like
- renaming a copy of COMMAND.COM to NET.COM to use its TIME or DATE
- command. If absolute security is required, a second RighTime
- line, RighTime /I-1/#, should be issued after the time and date is
- set in AUTOEXEC.BAT; in this case, the first RighTime invocation
- must not express /#, since that would disallow the second RighTime
- command line.
-
- Learning can also be disabled. This allows for time sets that will not
- affect the current corrections. The corrections are essentially fixed
- while learning is disabled. Learning can be disabled in the
- AUTOEXEC.BAT RighTime invocation and it can be temporarily controlled by
- TimeSet v7.10 or later. It cannot be disabled at any other time. To
- disable learning, add the /L0 switch to the AUTOEXEC.BAT RighTime
- invocation.
-
- In the registered version only, an additional option is allowed:
-
- drv:\path\RighTime /V0 [non-verbose mode produces no screen
- output (including errors), is completely
- silent, and disables self-testing]
-
-
-
- TestTime
-
- Included with RighTime is a program tool that can provide some
- interesting insight into the relationship of the clocks in your system and the
- function of RighTime. TestTime takes no command line parameters. It will
- determine and express whether or not RighTime is running in the system, tests
- and reports on some critical modes, and it provides a continuous single line
- display of the clock system status.
-
- The status line is straightforward:
-
- CMOS=date:hh:mm:ss DOS=date:hh:mm:ss.hh !Appl=+0.00 Meas=+00.0000
-
- where:
-
- *** CMOS is the CMOS RTC clock data. An indicator following the CMOS
- seconds data will flash each second if the CMOS RTC interrupts are
- normal.
-
- DOS is the DOS system clock data, including hundredths. The hundredths
- digit might appear to be less than a blur due to your video vertical
- scan rate. It should be possible to see the difference between 0.01
- second DOS clock mode and the standard 0.055 second mode [/TH].
-
- Appl is the current correction being applied to the DOS clock in
- hundredths, if RighTime is resident. The exclamation mark (!) before it
- indicates the moment that the DOS clock is corrected. This normally
- occurs every four seconds, but can be skipped occasionally if internal
- resources don't allow it.
-
- Meas is the signed time difference between the CMOS RTC and DOS clock in
- seconds, resolved to four decimal places (tenths of milliseconds). A
- positive difference indicates that the DOS clock leads the CMOS RTC (it
- displays a higher, later, advanced time). Under normal conditions, this
- value should be well within a few milliseconds of the "Appl" value; how
- close it will be will depend upon the machine architecture and - to a
- lesser extent - on machine speed. It is usually possible to directly
- view the clock drift at this resolution; the difference might increase
- for awhile, then suddenly revert back to a value close to the "Appl"
- value each time the DOS clock is corrected.
-
- You can use TestTime to learn much about the behavior of the two clocks
- in your system. Try running it without RighTime installed and notice that the
- DOS clock is never the same as the CMOS RTC. Set the time and run TestTime
- again. If your DOS sets the CMOS RTC, check to see if the seconds are
- synchronized, which is indicated by a Meas value of essentially zero. They
- probably are not. Run TestTime some time later and see if the relationship
- between the clocks has changed; there's a good chance that it will have.
- Which, if either, is correct? Notice also that the Meas value flops around
- several hundredths of a second; this is due to the 0.055 second standard DOS
- clock resolution. Try these things with RighTime installed and see the
- difference for yourself. If RighTime is doing its job, you should see that
- Appl and Meas are essentially the same value - the former is the cause, and
- the latter is the effect.
-
-
-
- TestIncr
-
- *** TestIncr measures and displays the difference between one unique DOS
- clock time and the next. With RighTime running normally, this value should
- always be 0.01 second. Without Rightime running or when the 0.01 DOS clock
- mode is disabled [/TD or /TH], the value will average about 0.0549 second.
- TestIncr also counts interrupts 8, 1Ch, 4Ah and 70h, and it displays the
- difference in the DOS clock tick count after the test period.
-
- The test will normally run for five seconds, but this can be changed
- with a command-line parameter; the display can also be blanked to help
- avoid false results on slower machines.
-
- For example,
-
- TestIncr 15 Blanked
-
- will run the test for 15 seconds without a real time display.
-
-
-
- ViewCMOS
-
- ViewCMOS displays the content of the CMOS RAM. It can be useful to the
- adventurous RighTime user who is searching for an available area in which to
- store the corrections. Be warned once again, though, that it is not easy to
- identify such a space. Even if many zeros appear to suggest that an area is
- unused, remember that zero is a perfectly valid number that might be
- significant to the BIOS, and that, even if some space is available, the entire
- CMOS RAM might be checksummed. A bad checksum will result from any changes
- that are not brought about by the BIOS itself, so the next boot might fail,
- forcing you into Setup.
-
- On systems that contain additional CMOS RAM that is addressed like PS/2
- MCA CMOS (the 386SL, for example), its presence is indicated. The full-screen
- display can be switched from conventional CMOS RAM to the MCA-type CMOS RAM
- contents. A message will announce that there is no MCA CMOS available if that
- is the case; this is not normally an error message but if you expect that your
- machine should have MCA-type CMOS RAM available this message could indicate a
- problem with your machine or its setup.
-
-
-
- RighTLog
-
- If RighTime is run with logging enabled [/G], file RighTime.Log will be
- present in the directory from which RighTime is run. RighTLog will display
- this binary file. Each time-related activity will be logged.
-
- The most important of the log's indications is the source of each time
- and date set. If a time or date set is present whose source you do not
- recognize, it is likely that the time is being set by a program that has no
- business doing so. Some program names might contain non-displayable
- characters which RighTLog replaces with an underscore; these programs are more
- difficult to identify, but are often resident modules like screen savers.
- These time and date sets will disturb RighTime's learning and can compromise
- the accuracy of the system clocks. As discussed above, these errant time and
- date sets must be ignored with RighTime's /I switch.
-
- Each time set log entry also notes the percentage of time since the last
- time set that the system was warm. If this value is much smaller than you
- think it should be, RighTime might not have been active when you thought it
- should have been. The most common cause of this is using a /M switch that
- monitors a communication port whose DCD is stuck active. You might need to
- make &C1 a default for your Hayes-compatible modem by doing the following:
-
- from within a communications program (ProComm, Telix, etc.),
-
- Type ATZ and press Enter [you should get an OK]
- Type AT&C1&W and press Enter [you should get an OK]
-
- This will initialize your modem to the required DCD mode at power up
- and, unless changed, each time ATZ is sent to the modem. Communication
- programs can change it, though; if you continue to have this problem,
- you'll need to do some more study.
-
- /GA will also log each CMOS RTC adjustment. These entries can become
- annoyingly numerous if the warm correction value is large. /GA is not
- normally required.
-
- RighTLog is intended to produce a screen display. If you try to
- redirect the output to a printer, you will get unexpected results. RighTLog
- writes to the screen in either bottom-to-top or top-to-bottom order, so the
- printout could be backwards.
-
-
-
- Microsoft Windows
-
- *** Microsoft Windows opens a number of files when it loads. If the FILES
- specification is CONFIG.SYS is too small, Windows will issue a misleading
- error message like "Incorrect DOS version" or something similar. Since
- RighTime also opens files and might keep some open continuously, the FILES
- specification that has always worked for you might no longer. Increasing the
- FILES parameter (in CONFIG.SYS) by five and rebooting will cure this problem.
-
- When Windows runs in 386 Enhanced mode, Microsoft acknowledges that its
- clock is usually a second or two behind the DOS clock. This is due to the
- multitasking mechanism that Windows uses and is unavoidable. Attempts to
- accurately set the system clock from within Windows in 386 Enhanced mode will
- also prove frustrating. This is true even when running a program like
- TimeSet, either full screen or in a DOS window. For the same reason,
- RighTime's 0.01 DOS clock mode will produce odd results when a program asks
- for the time from within Windows. RighTime now automatically senses the
- presence of Windows in 386 Enhanced mode and disables 0.01 DOS clock mode
- while this is true.
-
- RighTime also normally will not learn from time sets that are issued
- while in Windows 386 Enhanced mode, nor from the first time set after any time
- set that is issued from within Windows in 386 Enhanced mode. This prevents
- erroneous correction values from resulting from the false error that Windows
- produces. If you wish, you can defeat this protection with a switch (/LW) in
- the AUTOEXEC.BAT RighTime invocation; if this switch is used, all time sets -
- in Windows or not - will be eligible for learning, but the learned correction
- values and the resulting clock correction will likely be poor.
-
- RighTime's /MIport switch will not work with Windows in 386 Enhanced
- mode. The /Mport method works fine, but Windows might erroneously report that
- a communications port is in contention when a /Mport switch is used; this can
- be avoided by clicking on Control Panel, then 386-Enhanced, selecting the
- Never Warn button for each affected port, then OK.
-
-
-
- Command Line Syntax
-
- RighTime must be executed in the AUTOEXEC.BAT (or a batch file called by
- it) so that it becomes a resident extension of DOS. Most of the 29 options
- available can be expressed at this initial resident invocation. RighTime can
- also be run as a transient program at the DOS prompt to change modes or to
- report on its current status. A smaller number of options are effective in
- the transient execution. Each option listed below indicates when - resident
- or transient or both - it can be used. The options are not case sensitive
- (either /f or /F will work) and space between options is not required. There
- must be no space between an option switch and its associated parameter.
-
- *** RighTime [/F[M|R]|/R[[M]n]|/N] [/Un] [/W[n]] [/C[n]] [/Dn] [/L[0|W]]
- [/In] [/G[A]] [/K|/T[H|D|A]|/E] [/M[I]n] [/A] [/Sn] [/Yn]
- [/On] [/Xn] [/Hn] [/Pn] [/Q] [/V0]
-
- Storage: /F=File[coM|coR] /R=cmosRam[[Mca]addr] /N=None /Umin=Update
- Correction: /W[Warm] /C[Cool] /Dmin=warmupDelay /L[0|Win]=Learn
- State: /Inum|"name"=Ignore /K=Kill /T=Tempdisable[Hund|Dos|All]
- /E=Enable
- Other: /M[I]port=coMport /A=autoseAsonchange /Sdays=autotimeSet
- /G=log[All] /Ohunds=Offset /Xhours=eXtrapweight
- /V0=notVerbose /Ycolor=forceansi.Sys /Hbytes=stacklengtH
- /Pint=interruPt /Q=Quiet,noselftest
-
- where:
-
- /A Automatic Daylight/Standard time change. Implements the American
- standard biannual one hour adjustments at 0200 local time on the
- first April and the last October Sundays whether the machine is
- running or not. If RighTime is running, there will be no
- detrimental effects caused by the time change. If the machine is
- not running, the time change will shift the time-since-last-time-
- set by one hour which will, in turn, have an effect upon the next
- time set's learning. The error will normally be small and will
- diminish with subsequent time sets. The Dallas Semiconductor
- DS1287 and DS12887 and Motorola's MCCS146818B1M properly implement
- the time change rule as do most modern brand name chipset-based
- machines, but many machines are supplied with the Motorola
- MC146818P or its equivalent even today. Although they might have
- been manufactured as late as mid-1991, these parts will misbehave
- in April, advancing the clock on the last Sunday (which was the
- convention prior to 1986). Some modern chipset-based machines
- will not change at all.
- [Applicable at resident invocation only.]
-
- /Cn Sets the initial cool correction rate in seconds per day
- (default 0, maximum +327.67 or -327.68).
- [Resident only]
-
- /Dn Changes the cool adjust period allowance (after boot) from the 30
- minute default. The valid range is 0 to 60. Consider this option
- if your system exhibits a large difference in warm and cool
- corrections and cabinet temperature is suspect, or if you need to
- disable cool correction.
-
- /D0 Disabled cool correction. Applies the warm correction value
- at all times and learns only a warm correction value from
- observed error. This is useful to users who never shut down
- their systems or who switch to and from other operating
- systems that cannot run RighTime.
-
- [Resident only]
-
- /E Reenables all temporarily disabled RighTime functions. If /TA has
- been in effect for less than the maximum period allowed (this
- duration depends on the warm correction value and is displayed
- when /TA is invoked) the clocks will be properly adjusted to
- correct for the disabled period.
- [Transient only]
-
- /F (or /FM) Directs RighTime to store corrections in and retrieve
- corrections from its own program file.
-
- /FR Directs RighTime to store correction factors in
- RIGHTIME.COR, a data file that will be created in RighTime's
- directory.
-
- [Resident only]
-
- /G Activity logging. Creates and maintains a comprehensive file of
- all user and program time-related activities. It produces a
- binary file, RighTime.Log, which is displayable with program
- RighTLog. This is an informative and valuable diagnostic tool.
-
- /GA Includes routine one-second CMOS clock adjustments. On a
- machine whose warm correction is large, these will be
- frequent and will clutter the log.
-
- [Resident only]
-
- /Hn Internal stack length. The default is 160 bytes; valid range is
- 64 to 1024 bytes. Since RighTime is an operating system
- extension, its stacks might be used by other programs for brief
- periods. RighTime reports on current internal stack usage.
- Following a system crash, when RighTime is restarted it will
- report on the stack usage prior to the crash (/F and extended CMOS
- /R, only). If the crash was due to insufficient stack space, this
- parameter value must be increased. There is no relationship
- between this option and the STACKS command in Config.Sys. [The /H
- switch of RighTime version 1.1 (for DR DOS 5.0) is no longer
- available, but a similar effect can be achieved by using /O-3.]
- [Resident only]
-
- *** /In Ignore time and date sets, semi-permanently (/I-1, restored via
- /I0), for a specific count (e.g. /I2), or from all but a single
- specified program (e.g. /I"TimeSet") to prevent the spurious time
- and date sets of several utilities, screen savers, games and other
- facilities from confusing RighTime's learning and to allow time
- comparison without setting.
-
- When used with /#, system time sets can be altogether disallowed
- or restricted to a specific source. /#/I"NET", for example, would
- assure that the time cannot be set from any source other than NET.
- The workstation system time could be set no other way, assuring
- that the time could be not falsely set. See /#.
- [Resident or transient]
-
- /K Terminates (kills) RighTime function. The memory that is occupied
- by RighTime remains allocated and unavailable.
- [Transient only]
-
- *** /Ln Controls learning.
-
- /L0 RighTime ignores errors at any time set and applies fixed
- corrections at all times.
-
- /LW All time sets will be eligible for learning whether issued
- from within Microsoft Windows or not.
-
- [Resident only]
-
- *** /Mn Directs RighTime to suspend all functions (except time and date
- set and read processes) while the specified communications port
- indicates that DCD (Carrier Detect) is active. n may be any of 1
- through 4, corresponding to COM1 through COM4. This option
- prevents RighTime from potentially interfering with communications
- functions. Normal function will resume when communications
- activity ceases. PROPER DCD CONTROL REQUIRES THAT &C1 BE PART OF
- THE ACTIVE HAYES-COMPATIBLE MODEM CONTROL STRING. Several /M
- switches may be specified; for example, a system with both COM1
- and COM2 serial ports monitored would have /M1 /M2 specified in
- RighTime's invocation. /M0 disables DCD monitoring until the next
- /M invocation. Microsoft Windows might erroneously report that a
- communications port is in contention when a /M switch is used;
- this can be avoided by clicking on Control Panel, then 386-
- Enhanced, selecting the Never Warn button for each affected port,
- then OK.
-
- *** /MIn will count IRQ activity rather than watch DCD level. If the
- IRQ that corresponds to the specified COM port is active
- (determined by a non-zero count over a 0.5 second period),
- RighTime functions will be suspended as above. Normal
- function will resume after a similar period of no IRQ
- activity. The /MI method will not work when communicating
- from within Microsoft Windows.
-
- [Resident or transient]
-
- /N Disables correction storage. Learned corrections will be lost at
- shutdown and there will be no cool correction possible.
- [Resident only]
-
- /On Offset allows DOS clock trim in seconds. Default is 0; the
- valid range is -90.00 to +90.00. This can be used to anticipate
- relay and contactor actuation delays and motor start times in
- process control system applications;
- [Resident only]
-
- *** /Pn Interrupt monitoring for use in special applications. If the
- specified interrupt (expressed in decimal) is active (as in /MIn,
- above), RighTime functions will be disabled until interrupt
- activity ceases. /P0 disables interrupt monitoring until the next
- /P invocation.
- [Resident or transient]
-
- /Q Defeats self testing and quiets minor status messages.
- [Resident or transient]
-
- /Rn Directs RighTime to store corrections in CMOS RAM.
-
- /Raddr directs RighTime to store corrections in CMOS RAM. The
- default address is 63, but it is increasingly unlikely that this
- will be a usable address; the address can range to 127. The
- specified location is that of the last of 12 bytes for the default
- address, or the last of 22 bytes for any other location. Using
- the default will not provide full features and is maintained for
- compatibility with earlier RighTime versions. This option is
- potentially harmful, since a careless value might allow RighTime
- to overwrite setup data. Inadvertently changing a hard disk type,
- for example, can lead to sadness. Be careful.
-
- /RMaddr will place the corrections in MCA-type CMOS RAM. There is
- no default: an address must be specified. The specified location
- is that of the last of 22 bytes. The valid address range is 22 to
- 127 for 82360SL-type CMOS RAM and 274 to 2047 for PS/2 MCA-type
- CMOS RAM.
-
- [Resident only]
-
- /Sn Changes the period that must elapse since the last time set before
- RighTime will set the corresponding program termination code. The
- termination code can be tested with the IF ERRORLEVEL command in a
- batch file. If this switch is not expressed, the default period
- is 28 days. If more than the specified period has elapsed since
- the last time set, RighTime will terminate with an ERRORLEVEL of
- 1.
- [Resident or transient]
-
- /T Temporarily disables RighTime functions.
-
- /TH disables 0.01 second DOS clock maintenance.
- /TD or /T disables DOS clock maintenance. CMOS clock
- maintenance continues. This mode can persist
- indefinitely.
- /TA disables all RighTime functions (including logging)
- and reports the maximum allowable disabled duration.
- If the disabled period is expected to exceed this
- duration, use /K instead, then restart RighTime as in
- the AUTOEXEC.BAT invocation with /D0 to force warm
- correction.
-
- These disabled modes can be reenabled with /E.
-
- [Resident or transient]
-
- /Un Changes the CMOS RAM or disk file update period from the two
- minute default. The valid range is 2 to 60, and the value must be
- even. If you think the default is unnecessarily frequent, you can
- decrease it by increasing this value. Remember that this is part
- of the cool correction process, and less frequency might affect
- correction accuracy in severe situations.
- [Resident only]
-
- /V0 Non-verbose. No screen output will be generated (including error
- messages). This option is available to registered users only.
- [Resident or transient]
-
- /Wn Sets the initial warm correction rate in seconds per day
- (default 0, maximum +327.67 or -327.68)
- [Resident only]
-
- /Xn Sets the error extrapolation weighting threshold. This can
- desensitize RighTime's learning by decreasing the significance of
- the observed error from any time set whose previous time set was
- less than n hours ago by a linear factor (e.g. for the 4-hour
- default, the observed error from the second of two time sets that
- are one hour apart is considered only 0.25 significant), range 1
- to 72 hours.
- [Resident only]
-
- /Yn Forces data highlighting if a non-standard ANSI.SYS is
- undetectable or if colors other than the white-on-black default
- are desired. n is normally a two-digit value whose first digit
- represents the background color, while the second digit determines
- the foreground color. Standard ANSI color numbers are expected:
-
- 0=Black 4=Blue
- 1=Red 5=Magenta
- 2=Green 6=Cyan
- 3=Yellow 7=White
-
- White-on-red, for example, results from /Y17. To force the
- default on a non-standard ANSI driver, use /Y07 or simply /Y7.
-
- /Y0 Automatic significant data highlighting (if ANSI.SYS is
- present) is defeated with /Y0. To produce a text file of
- RighTime's report without ANSI sequences, use /Y0,
- redirected to disk.
-
- [Resident or transient]
-
- *** /# Lock RighTime command line interface. Placed on the AUTOEXEC.BAT
- invocation, this switch will prevent any transient RighTime
- execution from having effect. Although RighTime command lines
- will continue to be checked for validity, no action will be taken
- on any command, making it impossible to change RighTime's mode.
-
- If /I-1 is also used in the AUTOEXEC.BAT, it will normally not be
- possible for the system time or date to be changed except via the
- system BIOS setup screen. See /I.
- [Resident or transient]
-
- /? On screen help memory jogger. This is automatically produced if
- the command line contains a syntax error.
- [Transient only]
-
-
-
- A sophisticated AUTOEXEC.BAT invocation of RighTime might be:
-
- C:\RT2\RighTime /G /FR /D0 /U20 /S7 /A /I"TimeSet" > C:\RT2\RIGHTIME.RPT
- IF ERRORLEVEL 255 ECHO "** Trouble with RighTime load **"
- IF ERRORLEVEL 1 TIMESET [in automatic configuration]
- .
- .
- .
- TYPE C:\RT2\RIGHTIME.RPT
-
- *** IF you have SHARE loaded, this TYPE statement might yield an
- "Access denied" error. This message results from a COMMAND.COM
- bug which leaves RIGHTIME.RPT open after RighTime's startup. If
- you experience this, do not redirect the first invocation to a
- file (you may redirect to NUL); instead, a second RighTime
- invocation with no switches (except perhaps /Y), placed after the
- IF ERRORLEVEL commands, can be redirected to a file.
-
-
-
- Errorlevels
-
- RighTime provides four unique termination ERRORLEVELs. The ERRORLEVEL
- value can be tested in a batch file to guide subsequent operations.
-
- Code value Indication
-
- 0 Installed normally, cool correction within range, last time
- set within specified elapsed period.
-
- 1 Installed, cool correction within range, but more than the
- specified period has elapsed since a time set.
-
- 2 Installed, but cool correction was out of range (the system
- has been inactive too long), so a time set is externally
- required.
-
- 255 Not installed due to syntax error, insufficient memory,
- incompatible hardware, etc.
-
- These codes can be tested in a batch file with the IF ERRORLEVEL
- command. For example, if the ERRORLEVEL value code is 1, then more than 28
- days have elapsed since the last time set (this duration can be changed with
- the /S option). It would be wise to have a NIST telephone service time
- setting program such as TimeSet automatically set the time in this situation
- to prevent RighTime from exceeding its one month limit, or you could cause
- execution of the system DATE and TIME commands to urge the user to set them
- manually.
-
-
-
- If You Have Trouble
-
- Please note the symptoms and circumstances as thoroughly as is
- reasonably possible and contact
-
- Tom Becker
- Air System Technologies, Inc.
- 14232 Marsh Lane, Suite 339
- Dallas, Texas 75234-3899 USA
-
- BBS: 214/869-2780
- Fax: 214/869-1166
- CompuServe: 76436,3210
- Telephone: 214/402-9660
-
-
-
-
- RighTime Software License Agreement
-
- When you register, this will be the agreement between you (the user) and Air
- System Technologies to which both parties are bound upon the payment and
- acceptance of the license fee, which is part of the registration fee for
- RighTime and its associated programs.
-
- Grant of License
- In consideration of the payment of each license fee by the user to Air System
- Technologies, Air System Technologies will license to the user a nonexclusive
- right to use one copy of each of the software programs in the RighTime package
- on one computer at a time. The license is expressly for program use only, per
- the terms of the license. No other rights are implied.
-
- Ownership of Software
- Air System Technologies is the owner of the software programs and holds full
- title to them. The user may own the physical media on which the software
- programs are recorded, including the original disk which is provided by Air
- System Technologies to the user, but the user does not own the software
- programs nor any copy of the software programs.
-
- Copies
- The software programs and the documentation are copyrighted and therefore may
- not be copied without permission. Permission is granted to the licensed user
- to make copies of the software programs and the documentation as required in
- the conventional course of computer system data backup. Permission is granted
- to copy the shareware distribution file in its complete, unmodified form. No
- other permission to copy is granted.
-
- Use and Transfer
- The Grant of License applies only to one copy of each of the software
- programs. Simultaneously functional resident copies of the software programs
- each require licensing. You may not transfer any copy (except the shareware
- evaluation distribution file) of the software programs to a computer which is
- not under your control, nor may you rent, lease, sell or otherwise assign
- control of the software programs to anyone without the consent of Air System
- Technologies.
-
- Termination
- The license is in effect until it is terminated. When the license is
- terminated, the user's rights that are granted by the license are revoked.
- The license is automatically terminated without notice upon violation of any
- of its terms.
-
- Disclaimer of Warranty
- No warranty of performance or suitability is expressed or implied. Every
- effort has been made to make the software programs deliver as the
- documentation describes, but the correctness for your application or
- environment cannot be assured. Air System Technologies cannot assume
- responsibility for the failure of the software programs, nor for any
- consequence of their use.
-
-
-
- RighTime Use Registration Form RighTime Evaluation Version 2.58
-
- Fill out this form, enclose the required funds and mail to:
-
- Air System Technologies, Inc.
- 14232 Marsh Lane, Suite 339
- Dallas, Texas 75234-3899 USA
-
- I would like to register the use of RighTime v2.58.
-
-
- Name: ________________________________________________________________
-
- Business name: _______________________________________________________
-
- Address: _____________________________________________________________
-
- _____________________________________________________________
-
- City:______________________________ State:_________ Zip: _____________
-
- Telephone:_________________________
-
-
- Where did you get RighTime? __________________________________________
-
- Registration is required for each copy of RighTime that is
- simultaneously machine resident.
-
- The registration fee is US$ 40.00 each up to 10 copies. Call for larger
- quantity pricing.
-
- How many copies of the RighTime package do you want?_______________________
-
- On what media? 5.25"/1.2MB______ 3.5"/1.44MB______
-
-
- Total enclosed: US$____________
-
- Make your check or money order payable to Air System Technologies.
-
-
- Thank You!
-