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1990-08-09
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StartGem, May 1990 Revision
---------------------------
Description:
-----------
StartGem is a public domain utility for automatically loading any
program at bootup on machines with TOS 1.0 (original ROMs) and TOS 1.2
(blitter/Mega ROMs).
If your machine has TOS 1.4 (or greater) you have no need for this
program. Those ROM versions already have built in their own type of
program autoloading, you will find it under "Install Application" in the
built-in desktop.
Installation:
------------
Using StartGem is simple, just place the STARTGEM.PRG file in your AUTO
folder. The AUTO folder is a special folder that goes on your boot drive
(usually drive 'A' if you are using floppy drives and drive 'C' if you
are using a hard disk). Preferably, it should be the last file in that
folder.
StartGem needs to know what program you want it to autoload. For it to
know this you need to create a file called STARTGEM.INF which will go in
the ROOT DIRECTORY of your boot drive (outside of the AUTO folder).
The first line of this file should contain a line that reads the drive,
path, and filename of the program that you wish to have automatically
loaded. For example, the file might contain a line that reads:
"C:\WWRITER\WWRITER.PRG".
Once you have created this file, StartGem is ready to go. Reboot your
computer and watch it autoload the file you have chosen.
New Features:
------------
This version of StartGem will simply not do anything if you try running
it from TOS 1.4 or greater (other than print a fast error message).
This allows you to create a boot disk that uses StartGem for lower ROM
versions and the new built-in autobooting for TOS 1.4 or greater.
If no STARTGEM.INF is found this new version will check the DESKTOP.INF
file to see if it was created with TOS 1.4 or above. If it was, it will
check it for a possible file to autoboot. If it finds one, it will
autoboot that file.
Troubleshooting:
---------------
Problem: It doesn't load anything.
Solutions: Is STARTGEM.PRG in the AUTO folder?
Is STARTGEM.INF is the ROOT directory of the same drive?
Does STARTGEM.INF contain the correct path and filename of the
program to autoload?
Is that information in ASCII/text format?
Is STARTGEM.PRG the last file in the AUTO folder?
Problem: I get crashes after autobooting a program if using a desk
accessory ramdisk or a multiple accessory manager like
MultiDesk.
Solution: These types of accessories require a short pause at bootup
prevent problems. StartGem (just like the TOS 1.4 autoloading
feature) does not offer this pause.
You can achieve this pause by using the sister program to
StartGem, "StartPrg". StartPrg works in addition to StartGem
to create this required pause. Please check the documentation
to StartPrg for additional information.
Some programs, like NeoDesk 3, will automatically insert this
pause if booted with StartGem. StartPrg is not needed.
Credits:
-------
This program has evolved through a series of different authors, most
located on USENET. This latest version is the result of the work of
mostly unknown authors, who are thanked.
Since the program is "public domain", it is owned by none and all. Feel
free to do whatever you want with it.