<A HREF="#FULL">What do you get in the Full version?</A><BR>
<A HREF="#ASSIST">Using the AutoRun Assistant</A><BR>
<A HREF="#STARTED">Getting Started with AutoRun Assistant</A><BR>
<A HREF="#TROUBLE">Troubleshooting</A><BR>
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<P CLASS="heading">Overview</P>
<P>The CD-ROM has provided a useful medium for delivering content. Under Windows, the CD-ROM supports the autorun.inf script, which allows programs to automatically start when a CD is inserted. But what happens when you want something other than an executable to load when a CD is inserted?</P>
<P>Enter AutoRun, a very useful program for loading up any file when a CD is inserted.</P>
<A NAME="DESC"></A>
<P CLASS="heading">What does AutoRun do?</P>
<P>AutoRun simply makes things easy for your customers and clients. AutoRun will load any file (GIF, JPEG, HTML Document, PDF file, you name it!) on your CD-ROM into your user's computer when they insert your CD. This removes the hassle of users trying to figure out how to view your product. If your customer doesn't have a viewer to view your project you can include one as a Failsafe Program. AutoRun will detect if your customer cannot open your file and install the Failsafe Program. You can also display a splash screen of your company/product!</P>
<P>The AutoRun Assistant helps you to configure your projects quickly and easily through an intuitive, and easy-to-use interface.</P>
<P>The Assistant guides you through each step and helps you to get the most of all of AutoRun's features and options. The Assistant generates your setting files and copies them to your working folders! The Assistant features a help system that gives you access to detailed explanations of everything that AutoRun offers as well as the ability to test your autorun functionality without having to burn a CD.</P>
<P CLASS="heading">What else can AutoRun do for me?</P>
<P>Are you including any files or documents that your user may not have to proper software to view? For example you may want a PDF (Adobe Acrobat) file to open when your CD is inserted. If your user does not have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed AutoRun can detect this and install the viewer automatically.</P>
<P>AutoRun can open any file of any type. If you have an HTML based product AutoRun will load up the web page in your customer's browser automatically when your CD is inserted. Is your HTML project optimized for Internet Explorer? No problem, AutoRun can be set to automatically try loading your page in IE even if your customer has Netscape as their default browser!</P>
<P CLASS="heading">What is a registered file?</P>
<P>If you have ever double-clicked a file and had it load into its default program, you are using a registered file. It's actually the extension of the file (.gif, .htm, etc) stored in your windows registry, that points to the program that will be used to open the file.</P>
<P>AutoRun simply matches up the file, and it's default program. AutoRun takes very little memory, and the Full version will likely never be noticed.</P>
<A NAME="NEW"></A>
<P CLASS="heading">What's new in version 2.3?</P>
<P>Version 2.3 of AutoRun now allows you to set a Failsafe Program for each file you are opening, as well giving you more flexibility and control over how your projects are run.</P>
<P>AutoRun is driven by customer feedback and suggestions, and version 2.3 is proof of that, as each of our new features were suggested by our customer base.</P>
<A NAME="FULL"></A>
<P CLASS="heading">What do you get in the Full version?</P>
<P>The Full version gives you access to all the options (Splash Screen, Failsafe Program, Hide, Try and Force), removes nag screens from AutoRun and the AutoRun Assistant, and AutoRun automatically closes itself after launch. For a complete list of prices and licensing options please see the <A HREF='AutoRunPrices.htm'>AutoRun Price List</A>.</P>
<A NAME="ASSIST"></A>
<P CLASS="heading">Using the AutoRun Assistant</P>
<P>Before you begin your first project with AutoRun, take some time to read the <A HREF="#TROUBLE">Troubleshooting</A> section to avoid some of the common problems experienced by first-time users.</P>
<P>When you load up AutoRun Assistant you will be greeted with a screen like this:</P>
<P>The Help Area (right side of the window) will walk you through all operations.</P>
<P>The Help Buttons <IMG SRC="helpOff.gif" WIDTH="29" HEIGHT="26"> change color when your mouse moves over them <IMG SRC="helpOn.gif" WIDTH="29" HEIGHT="26">. Click on the Help Button to gain a detailed explanation of the adjacent topic.</P>
<P>Use these buttons <IMG SRC="browse.gif" WIDTH="26" HEIGHT="20"> to bring up a search window that will help you locate folders and files.</P>
<P>Remember to follow the Help Area directions as they guide you through the entire process. By pressing the 'Create' button, the autorun.inf script, autorun.dat file and the AutoRun.exe program will be created in your CD-ROM Base Folder. You can then Test the AutoRun settings by pressing the 'Test' button. That's all there is to it, your CD is ready to be burnt!</P>
<A NAME="STARTED"></A>
<P CLASS="heading">Getting Started with AutoRun Assistant</P>
<P>The following list of items will get you started on creating your first project with AutoRun Assistant. The Assistant also walks you through these steps with the Help Area, but they are here for reference.</P>
<TD>Create a temporary folder to store all of your project files. For example create the folder 'CD_Temp' on your C: drive. This folder ('C:\CD_Temp' in this example) will be referred to as your Base Folder from now on.</TD>
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<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="TOP"><B>Step #2</B></TD>
<TD>Place all of your project files and folders inside this Base Folder. This includes any .BMP's, AVI's, WAV's, etc that you plan on using for your Splash Screen or .ICO files for your CD-ROM icon. Also include any Failsafe Programs, if you plan on using them. Basically any file that will be included in your project should be in this Base Folder. The Base Folder is used as a place to collect everything to do with your project. AutoRun Assistant will also add three files to this folder.</TD>
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<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="TOP"><B>Step #3</B></TD>
<TD>Start AutoRun Assistant. If you accepted the default settings when installing AutoRun this should be found through Start -> Programs -> Typhoon Software -> AutoRun.</TD>
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<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="TOP"><B>Step #4</B></TD>
<TD>Press the <IMG SRC="browse.gif" WIDTH="26" HEIGHT="20"> button across from the 'CD-ROM Base Folder' text and select the Base Folder you created in Step #1</TD>
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<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="TOP"><B>Step #5</B></TD>
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<P>Press the <IMG SRC="browse.gif" WIDTH="26" HEIGHT="20"> button across from 'Target Filename' and this window will appear.</P>
<IMG SRC="target1.JPG" WIDTH="510" HEIGHT="413">
<P>A Target Filename is the file or files that you wish to have opened when your user inserts your CD into their drive. You can open up to 10 of these files.</P>
<P>You will notice that there are 10 slots, which means AutoRun can open up to 10 files for you. By clicking on the <IMG SRC="browse.gif" WIDTH="26" HEIGHT="20"> button you can select your Target Filename. You will notice that after you select you first Target Filename the <IMG SRC="browse.gif" WIDTH="26" HEIGHT="20"> button for the next will be enabled. Additionally you can specify any command line parameters that you would like for each Target after it has been selected.</P>
<P>After selecting your Target Filename you can press the <IMG SRC="advSetting.gif" WIDTH="26" HEIGHT="20"> button to set the advanced settings for this Target. If you do not need to set the Advanced Settings, go on to <A HREF="#STEP6">Step #6</A></P>
<P>After you are done, press the 'OK' button to return to the Assistant. NOTE: You must select at least 1 Target Filename.</P>
<P><B>Advanced Settings</B><P>
<IMG SRC="settings.jpg" WIDTH="602" HEIGHT="487">
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<IMG SRC="dot.gif">Viewer Settings<BR><BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
Choose this option to Maximize the viewer that your Target Filename is loaded into. By default, the viewer will open in its previous state, but this can be overridden with this option. This option should only be selected if you absolutely need it, as most users prefer their own settings. Note: Maximized should not be confused with Full Screen. If you want the viewer to load in Full Screen mode you can try adding a Parameter to the previous screen (check the documentation for you viewer first).
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<IMG SRC="dot.gif">Failsafe Program<BR><BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
The Failsafe Program option is useful if you wish to open a Target Filename that your users may not have a viewer for. Select a program by pressing the <IMG SRC="browse.gif" WIDTH="26" HEIGHT="20"> button. For example, you might want to open a PDF file as your Target Filename. In case your customers do not have Adobe Acrobat installed, you can include the setup file for Acrobat in your Base Directory and point to it as the Failsafe Program. Now, if the user already has Acrobat installed, your PDF file will launch normally. If they do not, the setup program for Acrobat will launch and the next time the user inserts the CD, your PDF file will launch normally. You may use any Program or Setup file as your Failsafe Program.
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The Failsafe program may be run under the circumstances you choose:<BR><BR><B>If Viewer does not exist</B> - This is the most common option and is the default. AutoRun will try and find a program to open your Target Filename, if it cannot, it will install the Failsafe Program and then try the Target again.<BR><BR><B>Viewer Version</B> - Choose this option if the user may already have a viewer installed, but it may not be the version you need for your Target. As an example, your Target may be a PDF file. The user may have Adobe Acrobat 4.0 install but your document needs version 5.0 to view all its features. You would then select this option and put the lowest version that your document needs (in this case 5.0) in the box next to the option.<BR><BR><B>Always</B> - If you select this option the others cannot also be selected. AutoRun will always try to install the Failsafe Program. A good use of this is if you are using an unusual file format for the Target, or if you want to make sure the latest version is always installed.
<BR><BR>
A Confirmation Box may be used if you would like to give the user information about the Failsafe Program that is about to be installed. Note: This box will only be displayed based upon the settings under 'Run Failsafe Program ...'. You may enter a message up to 500 characters, and you can break your message into paragraphs by pressing the <ENTER> key. When the program is run, AutoRun will display your message along with the choice to either install the product or not to. The user will also have the choice to disable the confirmation box so it won't pop up every time they insert the CD (useful if they choose not to install).
<BR><BR>
If you require the computer to be rebooted, AutoRun can prompt the user to reboot if the 'Ask User to Reboot' option is selected.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<IMG SRC="dot.gif">Try and Force<BR><BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
This option tries to force the user's computer to open the Target Filename in a specified application. If the specified application cannot be launched, AutoRun will revert to the default application for the file type. For example if your Target Filename is an HTML file and you would like the user's browser to open in kiosk mode you would enter:<BR><BR>Program 1: 'iexplore.exe -k'<BR><BR>Program 2: 'netscape.exe -sk'
<IMG SRC="dot.gif">Setting the CD-ROM icon<BR><BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
This is the icon that will be displayed for the CD-ROM when using windows explorer or 'My Computer'.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<IMG SRC="dot.gif">Adding your company or product logo (.BMP) or video (.AVI) as a Splash Screen<BR><BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
You can specify the amount of time that your splash screen is displayed for. You may also select a .wav file to be played during the splash screen. This can be done by pressing the <IMG SRC="waveOff.gif"> button. If you have correctly set the .wav, the button will change to <IMG SRC="waveOn.gif">. Make sure that the length of the .wav is not longer than the duration the splash screen is displayed.<BR><BR>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<IMG SRC="dot.gif">Hide AutoRun Dialog<BR><BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
If you have not set a Splash Screen you can select this option to hide the AutoRun dialog. This will keep the user from seeing anything AutoRun does, except for opening your Target Filename(s).<BR><BR>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<IMG SRC="dot.gif">Verbose Output<BR><BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
This option should only be used during testing and creation of your project, and not in your final product. This will display any errors that happened with a brief description.<BR><BR>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<IMG SRC="dot.gif">Just click on the <IMG SRC="helpOn.gif" WIDTH="29" HEIGHT="26"> button across from each option for a description on how to use and configure that option.
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<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="TOP"><B>Step #7</B></TD>
<TD>Now press the 'Create' button. This will copy the needed files into your Base Folder and configure them. If you change any of the settings you will have to press this button again in order to make sure that your files are up to date.</TD>
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<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="TOP"><B>Step #8</B></TD>
<TD>Now press the 'Test' button to test out the functionality. Pressing this button will mimic what will happen when your finished CD is inserted. This very important feature should be used to fine tune your project and save you many CD-R's in the process!</TD>
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<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="TOP"><B>Step #9</B></TD>
<TD>Once you are happy with everything use your favorite CD-ROM burning software to burn the contents of your Base Folder to a CD. Remember to burn only the contents of the Base Folder and not the Base Folder itself! This is the #1 source of problems with first time users so be sure to only burn the contents of the Base Folder and not the Base Folder itself. Be sure to test your CD on as many different computers and Operating Systems as possible. That's it!</TD>
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<A NAME="TROUBLE"></A>
<P CLASS="heading">Troubleshooting</P>
<P>1) If you are having problems running your CD's or the AutoRun functionality isn't working check your CD's. Most problems like this stem from using cheap CD-R's. Cheap CD-R's are great for backing up data and music but lousy for reliability. The extra 20 cents per CD you spend on buying premium CD-R's is well worth the money. A good quality CD-R like Kodak CD-R Ultima should work flawlessly.</P>
<P>2) <B>Will AutoRun work on all versions of Windows?</B><BR><BR>Yes. AutoRun works on all Win32 platforms including Windows 95, 98, NT, ME, 2K.</P>
<P>3) <B>Does AutoRun require any runtime files or DLLs?</B><BR><BR>No. AutoRun is a stand-alone application that requires neither.</P>
<P>4) <B>How do I know AutoRun will work for me?</B><BR><BR>AutoRun is used by thousands of developers around the world. There have been no bug reports or complaints whatsoever. The only problems ever encountered where a result of using cheap CD-R's, which is explained in point #1 above.</P>
<A NAME="SIMPLE_AVI"></A><P>5) <B>Why doesn't my AVI play in the Splash Screen?</B><BR><BR>AutoRun only plays simple AVI files which meet the following requirements:<BLOCKQUOTE>A) There must be exactly one video stream and it must have at least one frame<BR><BR>B) There can be at most two streams in the file (typically the other stream, if present, is an audio stream, although the animation control ignores audio information)<BR><BR>C) The clip must either be uncompressed or compressed with RLE8 compression<BR><BR>D) No palette changes are allowed in the video stream</BLOCKQUOTE></P>
<P>6) <B>My .wav file does not sync with the Splash Screen!</B><BR><BR>Make sure that your .wav file is not too large. Anything over 1 MB will take time to lead into memory and play. Also make sure that you have allowed sufficient time for the Splash Screen to be displayed or the .wav will get cut off.</P>
<P>7) <B>I used my C:\ drive as my Base Folder, and now when I double click on my C:\ strange things happen?</B><BR><BR>It is not a good idea to use your C:\ drive or the root folder on any drive as your Base Folder. If you did this by mistake, you can fix this problem with the following steps: <BLOCKQUOTE>Double click on the 'My Computer' icon on your desktop.<BR>Right click on the affected drive and select 'Explore'.<BR>Delete the AutoRun.exe and autorun.inf files.<BR>Reboot your computer.</BLOCKQUOTE></P>
<P>8) <B>Everything works fine when I test the CD, but when I burn to CD it doesn't?</B><BR><BR>There are three cases that would most likely explain this.<BR><BR><BLOCKQUOTE><B>1) </B>You burnt the Base Folder to the CD-ROM. Make sure you only burn the CONTENTS of the Base Folder and not the base folder itself.<BR><BR><B>2) </B>You are using long filenames for your files and a CD-ROM file format that does not support long filenames. Some older (Win95) computer don't recognize filenames longer than the 8,3 notation (8 characters before the '.', 3 after - e.g. 'thisfile.txt'). Also some CD-ROM file formats don't support long filenames. It is always a good idea to use the 8,3 notation to insure a maximum audience for your project.<BR><BR><B>3) </B>AutoPlay may be disabled on your machine, to enable it follow these steps:
<BLOCKQUOTE>Right click on the My Computer icon on your Windows desktop<BR>
Click on Properties<BR>
Click on Device Manager<BR>
Click on the "+" sign next to "CD-ROM"<BR><BR>
Double click on the icon for your drive<BR>
Click the Settings tab<BR>
Click on the box next to "Auto Insert Notification"<BR>
A check mark should appear indicating that you have turned this feature on.<BR>
Click OK to close this window<BR>
Click OK again to close the device manager<BR>
Click on YES to restart your computer.<BR><BR>
Even if the box is checked, I suggest you uncheck, then check again and reboot your computer.</BLOCKQUOTE>
