The 640 MEG Shareware Studio 7/shareware studio volume 7.iso/helpme.txt

Text File | 1995-08-03 | 12KB | 245 lines

DOS Instructions
────────────────
1.  Insert the Shareware Studio into your CD-ROM drive.
2.  Change to the root directory of your CD-ROM drive by typing X: <enter>
    (where X: is your CD-ROM drive letter.)
3.  Change to the ACCESS directory by typing CD\ACCESS <enter>.
4.  Run the program by typing ACCESS.EXE <enter>.
5.  For on-line help, press F1. Additional information can be found in the
    \ACCESS directory.


Windows Instructions
────────────────────
1.  Insert the Shareware Studio into your CD-ROM drive.
2.  Start Windows by typing WIN <enter>.
3.  From the Program Manager, Run X:\ACCESS\ACCESSW.EXE (where X: is your
    CD-ROM drive letter).
4.  For additional help, refer to the help file.  Additional information can
    be found in the \ACCESS directory.


Common Questions and Answers
───────────────────────────-
Question: Do I have to do anything fancy like installing or configuring
          the Shareware Studio prior to use?
Answer  : No. ACCESS.EXE and ACCESSW.EXE both run direct from the CD-ROM.
          Just follow the instructions listed above.


Question: I don't like your DOS interface program.  And don't tell me to
          use the Windows program either, because I don't do Windows.
          Before I call you up and begin screaming, is there anything
          else I can try?
Answer  : Yes. We've also included the famous CREAM interface.  This is
          a very lean and mean program that some people prefer. To use
          this program, change to the root directory of the CD-ROM and
          type STUDIO <enter>. It runs direct from the disc and is very
          fast.


Question: When I try to use the disc I get an error that says something
          about being unable to open files. Is there a solution to this
          problem or should I just go ahead and end it all?
Answer  : Don't do that. Most of the time, errors such as this result from
          having an inadequate number of FILES specified in your CONFIG.SYS
          file. Your computer can only open a finite number of files at
          any given time.  If our program (or any program) attempts to
          open more files than you have specified, you'll get these "unable
          to open file" messages.  Unless you have a good reason to do
          otherwise, edit your CONFIG.SYS file and change the FILES line
          to read, "FILES=60".  Bigger is better, but at the expense of
          memory. Each additional 20 files will use about 1k of memory -
          which is small enough not to worry about.


Question: I want to register one of the shareware programs. What do I need
          to do.
Answer  : Contact the author listed in the program's documentation.


Question: What is all this ZIP stuff?
Answer  : ZIP is the industry standard method for compressing data. ZIP
          compression allows you to take multiple files and compress them
          into a single file - the .ZIP file.


Question: How do I install ZIP compression on my computer?
Answer  : You need to install it on your hard drive. Here's how:
          1.   Copy \COMPRESS\PKZ204G.EXE from the CD ROM player to a
               unique directory on your hard drive.
          2.   Change to this new directory.
          3.   Type PKZ204G <enter>.
          4.   Add this new directory to your path by editing your
               AUTOEXEC.BAT file and rebooting your computer.


Question: How do you create/uncreate .ZIP files?
Answer  : PKZIP.EXE creates .ZIP files. PKUNZIP.EXE uncreates .ZIP files.
          For example, if you type PKZIP NEWZIP.ZIP C:\FILES\*.TXT <enter>,
          all of the .TXT files in the C:\FILES directory would be
          compressed and stored in the file called NEWZIP.ZIP. Typing
          PKUNZIP NEWZIP.ZIP E:\ would extract all of the files contained
          in NEWZIP.ZIP to E:\.

          Hint: Typing PKZIP /? or PKUNZIP /? will display help for using
                either of these programs. Read the documentation that comes
                with PKZ204G.EXE for complete information.


Question: How do I add the Shareware Studio to my BBS?
Answer  : The requirements for adding the Shareware Studio to a BBS is a
          function of what the BBS requires, with each having unique
          requirements.  Consult your BBS documentation.  If you're a
          pro at this, look on the root directory of the CD-ROM and
          you'll find the complete CREAM utilities that make this job
          a breeze.


Question: When I added the Shareware Studio to my BBS, it did not include
          the \SUNRISE or \CDSALE directories. Why is this?
Answer  : These 2 areas were last minute additions.  Read \SYSOP.TXT for
          additional information.


Question: My CD ROM player won't access the disc. Is the disc defective?
Answer  : It might be. Check to see if your CD ROM player will read other
          discs that are over 650 megabytes. Check the surface of the disc
          for scratches or debris. Check the CD caddy, if you're using one.
          Check the disc on other CD ROM players.


Question: I buy lots of CD-ROM discs.  Can the Shareware Studio save me
          money the next time I purchase?
Answer  : Yep.  Read/Search the \CDSALE directory for the information you
          need.  There are thousands of messages from dealers and end
          users peddling CD-ROM discs.  You're sure to find what you need.

          Example: Assume you want information of the VISUAL MAN CD-ROM
                   and that you don't have access to a file searching
                   utility.  A crude way to accomplish this is to type:

                   FIND /i "visual man" X:\CDSALE\CDSALE.TXT <enter>
                   (where X is your CD-ROM drive letter).


Question: How do I add something to my "path"?
Answer  : You can add a directory to your path by editing the PATH line
          in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. This file should be located on the
          root directory of your C: drive.  To add a directory to your
          path:
          1.   Load your AUTOEXEC.BAT file into an ASCII editor. If you're
               using DOS, type EDIT C:\AUTOEXEC.BAT <enter>.
          2.   Look for the line that begins with "PATH". At the end of this
               line add your directory.

               BEFORE:  PATH=C:\;C:\DOS;C:\WINDOWS
               AFTER :  PATH=C:\;C:\DOS;C:\WINDOWS;C:\NEWDIR

          3.   Save the file, exit from the editor, and reboot your computer.
               C:\NEWDIR is now in your path.


Question: When I try to manually unzip a file on my hard drive, I get an
          error saying, "WARNING! I Don't Know How to Handle: filename(s)".
          What's going on?
Answer  : You're using an old version of PKUNZIP. To remedy the problem,
          replace your existing PKZIP.EXE & PKUNZIP.EXE with the newer and
          more efficient ones found in \COMPRESS\PKZ204G.EXE.


Question: When I try to run ACCESSW.EXE, I get an error message that says
          ACCESSW.EXE caused a general protection fault with CWRUN10.DLL.
          The program terminates, then returns me to Windows. What's the
          deal?
Answer  : You probably don't have enough available memory to run the program.
          You can increase the amount of conventional memory available to
          programs by loading TSRs and drivers into upper memory. You can
          increase the amount of XMS or EMS memory available by eliminating
          RAM drives or by decreasing the amount of memory used by disk
          caching software. You can also alter the parameters of other
          drivers that make use of this memory. See your software
          documentation for instructions on changing these settings.


Question: I'm a speed demon and I want the Shareware Studio to run faster.
          Is there anything I can do with ACCESS to speed things up?
Answer  : Yes. By default, the program reads the databases direct from the
          CD-ROM.  It's possible to transfer these databases to your
          hard drive for faster access. Do this:
          1.   Start ACCESS.
          2.   From the main menu, select "Configuration".
          3.   In the "Path to Databases" field, specify an existing path
               on your hard drive such as C:\FAST.
          4.   Copy the \ACCESS\FILEDATA.* and \ACCESS\DIRECTRY.* files
               from the CD-ROM to your specified hard drive directory.


Question: I recently bought a new car that has a sunroof. Since I don't
          know how to drive, I called the sunroof manufacturer and asked
          him to teach me.  He said that I was nuts and that it was not
          his responsibility. To this I screamed, "If I can't drive, I
          can't enjoy your sunroof! You're not supporting your product!!".
          I then slammed down the phone and drove to his house where I
          shot out his porch light with a BB gun. Why won't the sunroof
          manufacturer teach me how to drive?
Answer  : It's not his responsibility to teach you how to drive. He's only
          responsible for the sunroof. You must teach yourself how to
          drive.


Question: I have the most complicated computer in the world. I've got
          7 different operating systems. I've got multi-tasking. I've got
          proprietary data compression. I've got a LAN. I've got a dozen
          GUI interfaces. My computer weighs 147 pounds and at night looks
          like New York City's skyline. I'm Mr. Complicated. Do I need
          to do anything special to my computer in order to use the
          Shareware Studio?
Answer  : I don't know. It's impossible for us to understand your computer
          as well as you do. If you do experience problems and need our
          help, please fax us your CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files prior
          to calling technical support and we'll do what we can.


Question: I need to call technical support, but I'm ashamed of the fact that
          I know so little about computers. So, when I call I'll try to hide
          this fact by trying to convince you that I know everything a person
          can know about computers.  Is this a wise thing to do?
Answer  : No. It's no sin to be a novice with computers - we all were at
          some point. If you try to deceive technical support with respect
          to your computer skills, it will only make diagnosing your problem
          more difficult. Also, the tech support guy may get angry if he
          senses you doing this.


Question: What do I need to do prior to calling technical support?
Answer  : You should do this prior to calling technical support:

          1.   Print out and read this file (HELPME.TXT).
          2.   While running the program, hit the F1 key for context
               sensitive help.
          3.   Read the documentation in the \ACCESS directory.
          4.   Determine the specific problem you have and write it down.
               If possible, fax the problem you're having to us prior to
               calling.
          5.   Determine who is responsible for correcting your problem.
               For example, your problem may be hardware related and not
               even related to our disc.
          6.   Reinstall the software. This includes deleting any
               directories created by the software (like \STUDIO7). Start
               from the beginning and try everything again.

Question: What percentage of your tech support calls deal with problems
          that are not specifically addressed in this file?
Answer  : Less than 5 percent.


Question: How do I reach technical support?
Answer  : Data Express, Inc.
          908 S. Powerline Road
          Pompano Beach, FL 33069

          TEL: [phone], M-F, 9am-5pm EST.
          FAX: [phone], 24 hrs/day.
          FidoNet: 1:369/41, 24 hrs/day.