Programmer 7500/MAX_PROGRAMMERS.iso/PROGRAMS/UTILS/TECLADO/KEYBUF1.ZIP/KEYBUF00.DOC

Text File | 1990-04-17 | 5.3 KB | 109 lines

YOUR LOST DATA PROBLEMS

Most people have never been able to find the cause of lost data.
Many programs, especially database and networking types, lose
input data when using bar code, mag stripe, OCR, MICR, etc. input
via keyboard wedge hardware, or from serial devices which wedge
input data via software onto the keyboard buffer.  Even fast
keyboard input can cause lost data.  Partial lost input data can
cause some expensive database correction losses in money and
time, especially when the programmer did not allow for the
automatic correction of the lost data.  The problem is that the
keyboard buffer is too small.  When it gets full, it will lose
part of the input data until the calling program takes some data
from the buffer, making room for new input data.  If you use
KEYBUF, our keyboard buffer expander software, this problem goes
away.  The normal keyboard buffer only holds 14 characters.  We
can expand it to any length, but we suggest 510 characters long.
If you have many input devices sending data via the keyboard
buffer at the same time, it is best to use a larger buffer.  This
version is for PC's and Compatibles.  Single machine use license
fee is $45.  Other use by quotation.

Contact Gordie Shoholm, Mkt'g. Mgr.
Unikey Systems, 20210 Laceyland, Katy,
TX 77449, 713-578-5522, fax [phone]

PROGRAM DOCUMENTATION

KEYBUF00.SYS is a DEMO program that has all the features of the
KEYBUFxx.SYS commercial versions, except it only doubles your PC
or Compatible computer's normal keyboard buffer length.  It is
only to be used for one time brief testing unless you have a
valid license from Unikey Systems.  It is expected that you will
license a version of the proper size from Unikey Systems if you
are able to understand the value.

You can copy and distribute KEYBUF00.SYS, the documentation and
the program DISPBUF1.EXE to other interested persons or entities
without a license.  Get acquainted, we have many useful products.

You may have found out by now that most of the previous keyboard
buffer expander software does not work since the arrival of the
latest DOS versions, networking programs, expanded buffer and
file requirements, etc.  Also most other competitive software has
limitations as to buffer size.  For simplicity, we send out only
the buffer size software that you want.  This simplifies the use
by most people who are not experienced PC programmers.

The program is implemented as a device driver.  Memory resident
and Terminate and Stay Resident versions will not work with
todays expanded requirements.

The demo disk is bootable with IBM DOS 2.1 to eliminate setup
problems for new users.  Just put it in A: drive and re-boot with
a reset key, CTRL + ALT + DEL, or turn your computer off for 30
seconds and then on.  A word to the wise, do not turn a computer
on while the read/write head lever is engaged.  Engage it after
turning on the power switch.

For testing with your operating system, you should copy the lines
DEVICE=KEYBUF00.SYS and BREAK=ON to your normal CONFIG.SYS file
and re-boot your computer.  Kindly give us a call if we can be of
any help.

The CONFIG.SYS file on the disk can be used as a pattern for
minimal use, but we suggest you spend some time with your DOS
manual.  The files= and the buffers= are only for reference.
Most programs will state the minimum requirements for these.  Any
numbers greater than required will eliminate some memory
availability.

KEYBUF00.SYS is implemented with the line DEVICE=KEYBUF00.SYS.
This will load it into a proper area and activate the routine.
It will help if it is on the first line of the CONFIG.SYS file.
If the program gets loaded into a bad area, it will not load and
activate an expanded keyboard buffer.  It will notify the
operator of this no-load action and request a key poke to
continue operation after this load attempt.

Most people have to re-boot when their running program gets into
trouble, so we include the BREAK=ON line to enable you to use
CONTROL + BREAK to get back to DOS in more instances.  If your
program requires excessive speed, you might want to eliminate
this line and put up with the re-boot situation.

DISPBUF1.EXE is a highly sophisticated hardware and software
development utility program.  It will display where the keyboard
buffer is in memory, and it will display actual keyboard data
that is input.  The keyboard data can come from key input or from
hardware or software that is capable of sending data directly to
the keyboard buffer.

When the program starts, it first will display in hex and decimal
the actual location of the keyboard buffer.  Thereafter, for each
character or control code input, the first displayed line is the
input character, and the next is the scan code.  The address in
memory where the character and scan code reside will be displayed
in hex and decimal.  The character and scan code will also be
displayed in hex and decimal.  If the character is printable, it
will also be displayed in normal ASCII character form.

When you see a first line of true binary zero, this input will be
an extended keyboard function.  The next line will be the
function.  Technical explanations are available from many
sources.  If you need some help, give us a call.  This program
requires a $10 license fee from Unikey Systems for each machine
it is used on.