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Windows NT Super Tune-Up Kit
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PIE-WindowsNTSuperTuneUpKit-1997.iso
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LKSTART
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README.TXT
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1994-05-26
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Start program V 1.0 by Larry Kahn (C) 1994 all rights reserved.
---------------------------------------------------------------
This program is designed to be used in place of the stock
Windows NT start command. It will start up a process HIDDEN
that is in an invisible window that you will not see.
It works for win32 gui and console apps, dos apps and some win16
applications that are well behaved (i.e. do not ignore the initial
SHOW WINDOW settings).
SYNTAX: lkstart [-w] appname [parameters]
WHERE: appname is the application name to run, and parameters are optional
-w specified wait or do not return until the application terminates.
the default is to NOT wait and return immediately after starting the
application.
EXAMPLES:
lkstart pkzip test.zip *.*
lkstart -w notepad
NOTES:
DOS commands like redirection '>' or dir will not work as the with the
regular start command. Also some apps such as word do not *behave*
correctly and will not start hidden.
If the command is not found in the path a complete path can be specified.
If the startup command fails a window will pop-up to display an error message.
This application only works under NT version 3.5 (Daytona) or later since it
starts up each appliation in a separate NTVDM (if win16 or dos apps).
You will see an intial flash as the console window is created and then hidden.
If the app opens up other windows on its own they will not be hidden.
A console window will pop up and an error message will appear if the app does
not start up correctly. This window will show the command string and the
error message from GetLastError. If you have vc++ you can look up
this error number in the winerror.h file.
BACKGROUND:
This program was created because there were complaints of no create
and detach command i.e. run in the background like unix (i.e. prog &)
WARNINGS:
1. As with the start command redirection i.e. > does not work correctly.
ie "start type name.c > save." does not work.
2. If your application creates an error message that is written to stdout,
stderror or the apps main gui window you will never see it since the
windows are hidden. In fact if the app outputs an error message and
leaves the window up the process will never terminate since the window
handlers are still running.
3. Processes do not appear in the task manager list of NT. The only way
to see the process created is to look in qslice or process viewer both
available in the windows NT resource kit, or the NT sdk. Also the only
way to terminate a process created with lkstart is to use the
process viewer "kill task" option.
4. Dos commands such as dir do not work, only commands that are executables
such as .com or .exe programs. Also do not specify the .com or .exe
as the program will figure this out.
5. This program only works with NT 3.5 (Daytona) or later as it starts
each win16 or dos app in a separate NTVDM.
Good luck
If anyone wants the source code for other platforms or wishes to
discuss this program or report problems I can be reached at
910-630-0412 or 71534,600, or kahn@drcoffsite.com
Note: I am not affiliated with microsoft in any way.
Donations will be accepted at
L. Kahn
6550 Countryside Drive
Fayetteville, NC 28311