OS/2 Shareware BBS: 8 Other/08-Other.zip/vpart.zip/vpart.eng

Text File | 1999-02-03 | 6KB | 205 lines

user documentation            VPART                       Veit Kannegieser
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VPart gives the graphical choice of up to 10 operating systems.


program requirements
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   VGA 640*480*16
   hard disk
   operating systems


program charakteristics
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 ■ can protect your system with a password

 ■ can let sleep hard disks

 ■ boot virus protection : test of memory size

 ■ automaticly select an operating system after an specified amout of time

 ■ possibility to boot from floppy also if boot sequence is c:/a:

 ■ can start DOS, Linux, OS/2 from floppy drive B:

 ■ can integrate up to 4 OS in 1 primary FAT-Partition


For VPART you must not reserve disk space like OS/2 bootman.
VPART may be installed in track 0 of your harddisk or in an bootsektor
and an file in the root directory of any FAT-formated partition or floppy.


program installation
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run VPARTEIN.EXE :

 0.  uninstall an old VPART

 1.  VPARTEIN.EXE T CON INSTALL.LOG

     Now answer the questions carefuly

     VPARTEIN will produce an under DOS runable program COM.

 2.  start Test.COM .

     ■ if you do not like TEST.COM reduce INSTALL.LOG

       and rerun VPARTEIN T INSTALL.LOG INSTALL2.LOG.

     ■ if TEST.COM look good you can use the config file to

       install VPART realy :

       VPARTEIN.EXE I INSTALL7.LOG CON

       (adapt the name of install7.log)

 3.  Check if you own an bootable floppy and copy vpart on it.
     Then reboot the PC.


usage of VPART
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   You can change the selection bar with cursor keys.
   and then press Enter or Space.
   Or press directly numer/function keys to select an OS.

   If you press any other key ( e.g. a letter key )
   VPART will not automaticly start the standard OS after the
   wait time.


hints
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 ≡ Use undokumented Switch:  SYS [Source] [Target] /DR:EXT

   DRDOS:            SYS A: C: /DR:600
   Novell Dos 7      SYS A: C: /DR:700
   Caldera OpenDos   SYS A: C: /DR:701


 ≡ use C:\(O)DConfig.{600/700/701/702} instead of C:\Config.SYS


 ≡ If you use an IDE-enhancer ( like SPExports ) i recommend installation
   to an FAT partition/boot sector to not destroy these software
   ( most IDE-enhancers reside at track 0 )


 ≡ To speed up loading of VPART.FAT from an floppy drive you can
   compress the file with the command ( if you have diet.exe )

   DIET -XC VPART.FAT


 ≡ To let live OS/2, Novell Dos und MS DOS simultanously i recommed:

   ■ install MS DOS first - it would delete IBMBIO.COM / IBMDOS.COM ,
     must have ist system file in the begining of the root directory
      and other jokes.

     ( VPart can load it also on other places ,
       bus the may not be defragmented !
      use Diskopt/Defrag/Speedisk/Optimizr/...)


   ■ DR/Novell/Caldera DOS :
     use "SHELL=C:\(Path)\COMMAND.COM (Path) /P:Auto_{600/700/701}.BAT /E:1024"
     in your DConfig.*
     Path = {DRDOS/NWDOS/OPENDOS}

   ■ OS/2: copy OS2BOOT, OS2LDR, .. to C:\

 ≡ patch the system files with ERSETZE.EXE ("REPLACE") for an
   separate CONFIG.SYS/AUTOEXEC.BAT for eatch OS

   example:

     PC Dos will use C:\AUTO_630.BAT and CON630.BAT

     ersetze.exe c:\ibmbio.com  config.sys   con630.sys
     ersetze.exe c:\ibmbio.com  autoexec.bat auto_630.bat
     ersetze.exe c:\command.com autoexec.bat auto_630.bat

 ≡ if you have an newer Award Bios that has "D/A" boot sequence and
   you frequntly reinstall an operating system that overwrites Vpart
   there is an way to cheat:
     ■ select C/A in BIOS Setup
     ■ install Vpart: instead of selecting "1)" install to first harddisk
       select "3)" that means to harddisk 1 & 2
     ■ then select D/A in BIOS Setup. and boot
       Vpart will restore the correct driver order and all is like
       before but the MasterBootRecord of disk 1 is never executed

 ≡ Yes! it is possible to have an bootable floppy disk with more than one OS:
   select an target 2).. bootsector of an FAT-partition,
   then A: and be sure to press "?" if you are prompted to include
   drive A: in the menu.


Plugins
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 ≡ If you want execute an small piece of code every time the computer starts
   (like sound card init, reorder or hide com ports, .. )
   In this version you have 1024 byte free for  your own purposes:
   simply write an small .com style program, name it VPART.EXT
   and reinstall Vpart: it will executed 2 times: just when vpart
   starts and after you have selected an entry in the menu.
   An sample with source is included in the plugin.arj.

Palettes
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You can edit the colors...

 ■ uses predefined palettes "Standard" und "Ehm"

 ■ enter own colors (13 single colors in range 0..9abcdef)

   9ff01efee108f
   ││││││││││││└── icon background
   │││││││││││└─── time letters
   ││││││││││└──── time background
   │││││││││└───── password background
   ││││││││└────── password background
   │││││││└─────── password prompt
   ││││││└──────── slot letters activ
   │││││└───────── slot letters inactiv
   ││││└────────── slot background
   │││└─────────── title letters
   ││└──────────── title background
   │└───────────── frame
   └────────────── background


load user icons
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Save your icons to PCX 32*32 in 16 colors.
they must use VGA-defaultpalette for 640*480*16.
for conversion use the included vga16.bat/.pal.



warranty,liability
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   If you use this program, i am not responsible for the damages
   you cause. I have tryed to make my programs error-free...
   VPART can used free of charge.


solved problems  ... see VPART.DEU chapter "gelöste Probleme"
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