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ZIP'R Pro For DOS
Version 2.27
Copyright c 1993-1996 by
Stevenson Technical Services, Incorporated
108 Second Avenue West
PO Box 297
Bertha MN 56437-0297 USA
Phone/FAX: 218-924-2050
The STSI BBS: 218-924-2060
Internet: http://www.stevetech.com
E-Mail: support@stevetech.com
Welcome!
ZIP'R Pro is a hard drive utility designed to automatically
decompress an entire program before it is executed, and compress
it after it is exited. This process saves valuable hard drive
space by storing programs in compressed form when they are not in
use. ZIP'R Pro is unique because it not only compresses and
decompresses entire programs, but it launches them as well! This
feature makes it possible to fully integrate ZIP'R Pro into most,
if not all menuing systems. ZIP'R Pro can use an existing
compression program such as PKZIP / PKUNZIP, ARJ, or LHA, or it
can use internal compression routines that are compatible with
PKZIP 2.0!
If you appreciate ZIP'R Pro For DOS, you are encouraged to call
The STSI BBS at (218) 924-2060, and let us know! Comments,
suggestions, and enhancement requests are always welcome!
Requirements
To run ZIP'R Pro reliably, you will need the following:
· DOS 3.3 or Higher
· IBM PC, PC-Compatible or MS-DOS Computer
· Hard Drive and 640K RAM
Quick-Start Instructions
To get ZIP'R Pro up and running in a hurry, follow these Quick-
Start instructions:
1. Run the Install program by typing "INSTALL" at the DOS
prompt.
2. Reboot your machine to ensure that any changes made by the
Install program to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file have taken effect.
3. Execute the ZIF Editor Pro from the \ZIPRPRO sub-directory
(or wherever you installed ZIP'R Pro) by typing "ZIFPRO", and
create a new .ZPD file for the program you want to compress and
launch through ZIP'R Pro.
4. once you have created a .ZPD file, exit the ZIF Editor Pro,
make sure you are still located in the ZIP'R Pro program
directory, and type "ZIPRPRO PROGRAM".
Examples of potential command lines could be:
ZIPRPRO PCSHELL
ZIPRPRO PSDELUXE
5. If the fields of the .ZPD file have been entered correctly,
ZIP'R Pro will display the prelog screen, and then execute the
program you designated in the .ZPD file. When you exit the
program, ZIP'R Pro will use the compression type you selected to
compress the program directory (including all sub-directories).
When it is completed, unregistered users will see a shareware nag
screen before ZIP'R Pro returns to a DOS prompt or the menu
system being used.
6. The next time you want to run this program, use the same
command line. ZIP'R Pro will display the prelog screen,
decompress the program, and execute it normally. Once again,
after exiting the program, ZIP'R Pro will compress the program
and exit.
7. To calculate how much disk space you are gaining by using
ZIP'R Pro, check the free hard drive space prior to compressing a
program, and again after compressing the program. Subtract the
two numbers, and the total will be the disk space saved through
using ZIP'R Pro. The more programs you choose to compress, the
greater the savings will be!
Disclaimer / License Agreement
What is shareware?
Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software
before buying it. If you try a Shareware program and continue
using it, you are expected to register. Individual programs
differ on details - some request registration while others
require it, some specify a maximum trial period. With
registration, you get anything from the simple right to continue
using the software to an updated program with printed manual.
Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial software,
and the copyright holder retains all rights, with a few specific
exceptions as stated below. Shareware authors are accomplished
programmers, just like commercial authors, and the programs are
of comparable quality. (In both cases, there are good programs
and bad ones!) The main difference is in the method of
distribution. The author specifically grants the right to copy
and distribute the software, either to all or to a specific
group. For example, some authors require written permission
before a commercial disk vendor may copy their Shareware.
Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. You
should find software that suits your needs and pocketbook,
whether it's commercial or Shareware. The Shareware system makes
fitting your needs easier, because you can try before you buy.
And because the overhead is low, prices are low also. Shareware
has the ultimate money-back guarantee - if you don't use the
product, you don't pay for it.
Disclaimer - Agreement
By using ZIP'R Professional For DOS, users indicate their
acceptance of the following terms:
"ZIP'R Professional For DOS is supplied as is. The author
disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including,
without limitation, the warranties of merchantability and of
fitness for any purpose. Neither STSI, The STSI BBS, or any
STSI employees will be held responsible for any damages, direct
or consequential, which may result from the use of ZIP'R
Professional For DOS."
"Information in this documentation is subject to change without
notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of STSI.
STSI may make improvements and/or changes in this documentation
or in the products and/or programs described in this
documentation at any time."
ZIP'R Professional For DOS is a "shareware program" and is
provided at no charge to the user for evaluation. Feel free to
share it with your friends, but please do not give it away
altered or as part of another system. The essence of "user-
supported" software is to provide personal computer users with
quality software without high prices, and yet to provide
incentive for programmers to continue to develop new products.
If you find this program useful and find that you are using ZIP'R
Pro and continue to use ZIP'R Pro after a reasonable trial
period, you must make a registration payment of $49.95 (+S&H) to
Stevenson Technical Services, Inc. (STSI). This registration fee
will license one copy for use on any one computer at any one
time. You must treat this software just like a book. An example
is that this software may be used by any number of people and may
be freely moved from one computer location to another, so long as
there is no possibility of it being used at one location while
it's being used at another. Just as a book cannot be read by two
different persons at the same time, ZIP'R Pro should not be used
on two different computers at the same time.
Commercial users of ZIP'R Professional For DOS must register and
pay for their copies of ZIP'R Professional For DOS within 30 days
of first use or their license is withdrawn. Site-License
arrangements may be made by contacting STSI at (218) 924-2050.
Anyone distributing ZIP'R Pro for any kind of remuneration must
first contact STSI for authorization. This authorization will be
automatically granted to distributors recognized by the (ASP) as
adhering to its guidelines for shareware distributors, and such
distributors may begin offering ZIP'R Pro immediately. (However
STSI must still be advised so that the distributor can be kept up-
to-date with the latest version of ZIP'R Pro.)
You are encouraged to pass a copy of ZIP'R Pro along to your
friends for evaluation. Please encourage them to register their
copy if they find that they can use it. All registered users
will receive a copy of the latest version of the ZIP'R Pro, along
with a printed manual and bonus disks.
ASP Notice:
STSI is a member of the Association of Shareware Professionals
(ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the shareware principle works
for you. If you are unable to resolve a shareware-related
problem with an ASP member by contacting the member directly, ASP
may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a
dispute or problem with an ASP member, but does not provide
technical support for members' products. Please write to the ASP
Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI 49442-9427 USA, FAX
616-788-2765 or send a CompuServe message via CompuServe Mail to
ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536.
Registration
ZIP'R Pro is distributed under the shareware concept. You may
try ZIP'R Pro for a period of two weeks. After this period, you
must either discontinue using it, or register it. A single-user
license is only $49.95 (+$5.00 S&H in the U.S., or $12.50 S&H on
Foreign Orders). This price includes a printed manual, 3 1/2"
and 5 1/4" diskettes, along with a Registration Name and Number
allowing you to register your copy of ZIP'R Pro.
To receive a temporary registration number over the telephone,
call STSI at (218) 924-2050, and charge it to your Visa,
MasterCard, American Express, or Discover credit card. Upon
request, you will receive a temporary registration name and
number over the telephone. This will allow the modification
and/or removal of the prelog delay time, along with any nag
screens.
Note: For registered users of the original ZIP'R For DOS, there
is an upgrade path available. A $20.00 upgrade fee will cover
the difference in price between the two products, as well as the
cost to produce a new manual and ship the complete package to
you. For further registration information and pricing, please
read the REGISTER.DOC file included with ZIP'R Pro. There is
also a registration form contained at the end of this
documentation file.
If you have already registered ZIP'R Pro, information is
contained in this manual about how to register your copy of ZIP'R
Pro to remove any delay or information screens.
How To Order
To register, do ONE of the following (whichever you prefer):
1. Call The STSI BBS at 218-924-2060 and order online. We
accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover credit
cards. This method of ordering can be performed 24-hours a day,
7-days a week. (Ordering this way is fast and easy, allowing us
to process your request quickly.)
2. To order using our voice line, call 218-924-2050. Please
have your credit card handy.
3. You can FAX your order to 218-924-2050. Simply fill out the
registration form provided with the program (REGISTER.DOC),
include your credit card information on the bottom of the form,
and sign it. (Most FAX transmissions will be automatically
routed to the FAX machine. If you have problems reaching our FAX
machine, wait until after the first ring, press 11, and then
begin transmitting.)
4. Send PRIVATE CompuServe mail to 76300,3066, stating that you
would like to register this program. Please include your name,
address, telephone number, credit card number, and credit card
expiration date. Also include the name you want the program
registered to, such as your company's name, etc. If you want to
receive a temporary registration code that can be used until you
receive your order in the mail, simply request this, as well.
(Comments and questions are also welcome when you place your
order.)
5. Mail the registration form along with your payment to:
Stevenson Technical Services, Inc. (STSI)
108 2nd Avenue West, PO Box 297
Bertha, MN 56437-0297 USA.
Technical Support:
Technical support is available through the following means:
Internet:
Access STSI's internet home page at http://www.stevetech.com.
Check the bulletins for information on the latest versions of
our software. Software updates can be downloaded through our
web site or via anonymous ftp to stevetech.com (files are
located in the \pub directory).
Internet Mail:
STSI will respond to messages sent via the Internet. Send any
tech support related questions, comments, or suggestions to
support@stevetech.com.
The STSI BBS:
New versions of this program will be posted here as soon as
they are available. The STSI BBS uses a U.S. Robotics
V.Everything modem, which is capable of V.FAST, V.32bis, V.32,
and 2400 baud connect speeds. The access number for The STSI
BBS is 218-924-2060. Technical support questions posted on the
bulletin board system should be addressed to Craig Stevenson.
STSI FAX:
STSI has a FAX machine on-line 24 hours-a-day to accept FAX
transmissions. Technical support questions / problems may be
faxed to 218-924-2050. Most FAX transmissions will be
automatically routed to the FAX machine. If you have problems
reaching our FAX machine, wait until after the first ring,
press 11, and then begin transmitting.
Telephone:
Technical support calls may be placed at (218) 924-2050. Office
hours are from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm, Monday thru Friday, Central
Standard Time (CST).
Please read the following before placing a technical support call
to STSI:
1. Read the documentation files (and the help screens, if
available). Most questions can be answered by simply reading the
docs.
2. If you have a modem, call The STSI BBS and download the
latest version. (Read Bulletin #1 on our BBS to find out the
latest version and release date of this program. When
downloading a file, keep in mind that STSI's programs are always
posted in area 27.) After you download the latest version, try
it and see if you are still experiencing the same problem. We
attempt to fix problems as soon as we become aware of them, and
post the updated versions on the bulletin board system. (Check
the .REV revision file for information on feature enhancements
and bug-fixes.)
3. If you still cannot find an answer, contact us through one of
the means outlined above. We will do our best to assist you and
answer any questions you may have.
4. When calling or leaving a message, please be prepared to
answer the following questions: What version of this program are
you using? What problem(s) are you having, if any? What type of
computer CPU do you have (486DX2-66, etc.)? What version of DOS
are you using? Please be as specific as possible. The more
specific you are, the faster we will be able to assist you.
5. When placing a technical support call via telephone, please
be seated behind your computer. We may ask you to perform a
couple of simple tasks in order to help us narrow down any
potential problems.
6. When speaking with any of our employees, please be
considerate. Speak clearly, explaining your problem as carefully
as possible. Please do not use any harsh or inappropriate
(profane) language.
7. If one of our employees is able to help you, and you continue
to use this program, register it! We cannot continue to produce
quality programs without the continuing support of our users.
What Is ZIP'R Pro?
ZIP'R (pronounced "zipper") Pro is a hard drive utility designed
to automatically decompress an entire program before it is
executed, and compress it after it is exited. This process saves
valuable hard drive space by storing programs in compressed form
when they are not in use. ZIP'R Pro even achieves a substantial
amount of compression on hard drives that already use an on-the-
fly compression program, such as Stacker, SuperStor, or
DoubleSpace! ZIP'R Pro is unique because it not only compresses
and decompresses entire programs, but it launches them as well!
This feature makes it possible to fully integrate ZIP'R Pro into
most, if not all menuing systems. ZIP'R Pro can use an existing
compression program such as PKZIP / PKUNZIP, ARJ, or LHA, or it
can use internal compression routines that are compatible with
PKZIP 2.0!
ZIP'R Pro Feature List
ZIP'R Pro is a spin-off of the popular ZIP'R For DOS
product. ZIP'R Pro contains most or all of the features found in
ZIP'R, and adds other powerful features as well. If you like all
the extra bells and whistles, you'll love ZIP'R Pro! The
following list shows a comparison of the two products, and
details some of the highlights of ZIP'R Pro:
Feature ZIP'R ZIP'R Pro
Automatic Compression Yes Yes
Automatic Decompression Yes Yes
Automatic Program Launching Yes Yes
Query Option (Optional Compression) Yes Yes
Update Option (Fast Recompression) Yes Yes
Sorted Extraction (PKUNZIP Only) Yes Yes
Built-In Compression Routines No Yes
Compression to Floppy Disks (PKZIP Only) No Yes
Store Compressed Files On Any No Yes
Drive/Directory
Compress/Decompress Only Option No Yes
Automatic Cluster Size Detection No Yes
Automatic Network/Multitasker Detection No Yes
Atomic Lock Files Used (To Avoid Network No Yes
Conflicts)
Windowed Compression/Decompression No Yes
Heap Compaction (Eliminates Unnecessary No Yes
Swapping)
On-Line Context-Sensitive Help Available No Yes
In ZIF Editor
IN/OUT Commands Handled In ZIF Files No Yes
Special Area To Handle TSR's In ZIF Files No Yes
Swap To EMS Or Disk Only When Necessary No Yes
Option To Test Archive Integrity No Yes
Selective Extraction / Exclusion No Yes
Improvements From ZIP'R To ZIP'R Pro:
· Significant speed enhancements in Update mode
· ZIP'R Pro is smaller and faster than ZIP'R
· Improved (more extensive) error trapping in ZIP'R Pro
10 Reasons To Use ZIP'R Pro
1. Saves Valuable Hard Drive Space!
Even though hard drive prices have dropped substantially in the
past year, the prices are still out of range for many computer
users. In addition, computer programs have become much larger,
requiring far more space than they used to. ZIP'R Pro can
double, and in some cases triple, the amount of data that can
be stored on a hard drive. Programs like SuperStor, Stacker,
and DoubleSpace typically achieve compression ratios around 30
- 35%. Even hard drives that use these on-the-fly compression
programs can usuallly save an extra 20% or more.
2. Does Not Require 40 - 50K Of Valuable Memory!
Programs like SuperStor, Stacker, and DoubleSpace require that
you surrender 40 - 50K of valuable conventional memory to use
their services. ZIP'R Pro does not! For users who are already
cramped for conventional memory, ZIP'R Pro is clearly the way
to go.
3. Automatically Executes Programs After Decompressing Them.
ZIP'R Pro automatically launches programs after they are
decompressed. This allows you to continue with your work while
ZIP'R Pro takes care of the rest. Rather than manually
decompressing, launching, and recompressing your program, ZIP'R
Pro makes the entire process automatic.
4. Works On Networks And Under Multitaskers.
ZIP'R Pro has the built-in ability to detect when program
execution is occurring in a network environment and under a
multitasker. ZIP'R Pro takes extra steps to protect your data,
such as making sure that no one else can access your program at
the same time you are using it. Potentially dangerous
situations are monitored and handled elegantly by ZIP'R Pro.
5. Safe and Reliable!
One comment we receive regularly from our users is that ZIP'R
is "safe and reliable". We have carried that same reliability
into ZIP'R Pro!
6. Store Compressed Programs On Any Drive And In Any
Subdirectory.
One new feature of ZIP'R Pro is the ability to store compressed
files on any drive and in any subdirectory. This is a powerful
feature, giving you complete control of the compression and
decompression processes.
7. Compress Programs To Floppy Diskettes (PKZIP only)
Having the ability to store compressed files on floppy
diskettes gives you more flexibility, allowing you to
completely remove programs from your hard drive, if necessary.
A special switch within the ZIF Editor Pro allows you to turn
on DOS Verify, ensuring the integrity of your data.
8. Much Cheaper Than Buying A New Hard Drive!
ZIP'R Pro is a great way to double your hard drive capacity
without breaking your budget. Priced at just $49.95, ZIP'R Pro
gives you the extra space you need to delay the purchase of
that next hard drive.
9. Compress programs at will using Query option.
Using ZIP'R Pro's Query option, users can decide on-the-fly
whether or not to compress a program. With a simple keypress,
ZIP'R Pro either recompresses the program, or leaves it
uncompressed during times when you're in-and-out more than
usual.
10. Update option makes program recompression fast and easy!
Using the Update option, (available only with PKZIP), ZIP'R Pro
can significantly speed up the recompression process. Rather
than waiting for a completely new compressed file to be
created, the old file is updated with any changes that have
occurred since the file was decompressed. You'll be amazed at
the dramatic difference in speed!
How Does ZIP'R Pro Work?
ZIP'R Pro works in combination with existing compression programs
to compress directories, sub-directories, and the files they
contain into one smaller, compressed file on the hard drive.
This allows an entire directory filled with files to be stored in
compressed form when not in use, saving a substantial amount of
hard drive space.
When a program is executed, ZIP'R Pro invokes the proper
compression program to decompress the desired directory, and
executes the requested program. During this time ZIP'R Pro swaps
itself to disk or EMS memory, leaving behind only about 2.5K plus
the size of the command processor and its environment. This
usually is less than 10K. When the program is exited, ZIP'R Pro
invokes the chosen compression program to compress the entire
directory.
Installing ZIP'R Pro
The first step in testing a new piece of software is to perform a
backup and test its integrity. Since ZIP'R Pro will compress
entire directories into a single file, your potential losses are
much greater if this file becomes lost or corrupted.
Log to the drive where you are installing ZIP'R Pro from, and
type "INSTALL". The ZIP'R Pro For DOS installation program will
ask you where you are installing ZIP'R Pro from (usually, the
current directory), and the location where the program files
should be stored. (The default destination directory is
C:\ZIPRPRO.) If you are upgrading from a previous version, ZIP'R
Pro will issue a warning before overwriting the ZIPRPRO.INI file.
If you have already set up your registration information and user
preferences in the ZIPRPRO.INI file, answer "N" (No) to instruct
ZIP'R Pro not to overwrite this file. When the installation is
complete, ZIP'R Pro will display a completion message and return
to the operating system.
ZIP'R Pro can be installed on any drive in your system, including
network drives.
Important! Be sure to include a SET ZIPRPRO=N:\ZIPRPRO
statement (or wherever you put ZIP'R Pro), in your AUTOEXEC.BAT
file. If this environment variable is not found, ZIP'R Pro
defaults to using the C:\ZIPRPRO sub-directory. (If either of
those directories cannot be found on your system, the current
directory is used.)
Using The ZIF Editor Pro
The ZIF (ZIP'R Information File) Editor Pro is a user-friendly
interface that was created to assist ZIP'R Pro users in the
maintenance of .ZPD files, and ZIP'R Pro configuration files.
The ZIF Editor Pro allows the direct editing of the following
files:
.ZPD Files
ZIP'R Pro For DOS Information Files (.ZPD Files) contain
program specific information that instruct ZIP'R Pro how to
execute a particular program, and what archiving utility should
be used. This information is used to decompress, execute, and
re-compress program files and their sub- directories. These
.ZPD files are referenced from the ZIP'R Pro command line, and
make ZIP'R Pro an easy-to-use utility for novice and
experienced users alike.
ZIPRPRO.INI File
This file contains program defaults for ZIP'R Pro. From within
the ZIF Editor Pro, users can enter their registration name and
number, and alter several program settings described later in
this documentation.
The following are a few technical notes about specific editing
features within the ZIF Editor Pro.
Editing Keys: The following keys are available to edit or type
new text into most text fields.
HOME Move to beginning of field
CTRL+HOME Move to beginning of field
END Move to end of field
CTRL+END Move to end of field
INSERT Insert Mode / Overstrike Mode
DELETE Remove character over the cursor
BACKSPACE Remove character left of the cursor
LEFT ARROW Move cursor one character to the left
RIGHT ARROW Move cursor one character to the right
TAB Move cursor to next field
SHIFT+TAB Move cursor to previous field
ENTER Move cursor to next field
SPACE BAR Highlight file in file list box
Upper Case Characters:
When new field entries are added to the ZIF Editor Pro's
editing screens, the ZIF Editor Pro will automatically convert
them to UPPER CASE characters. This speeds up the typing
process and provides consistency within the ZIF Editor Pro.
The only field that serves as an exception to this rule is the
"Parameters:" field. Some programs are case sensitive when
accepting passed parameters, so the ZIF Editor Pro does not
convert the characters in this field to upper case.
Executing The ZIF Editor Pro
To invoke the ZIF Editor Pro, type "ZIFPRO" from the \ZIPRPRO sub-
directory (or wherever you store ZIP'R Pro), and press [ENTER].
The ZIF Editor Pro's desktop space will display a logo containing
version and copyright information.
Editing .ZPD Files
The main menu allows users to create, open, and delete .ZPD
files, modify ZIP'R Pro default settings, register, and view
information about the ZIF Editor Pro. By creating or opening a
file from the main menu, users have access to the fields
described below.
Special note about the user interface:
Depending on which user interface is being used (Beginner,
Intermediate, or Advanced), certain fields may not be
available. For example, the Beginner interface will only
display the ZIF Filename, Executable Filename, and Parameters
fields listed below. When Beginner is selected, the default
compression to be used will always be Internal ZIP, making
ZIP'R Pro extremely easy to use.)
ZIF (ZIP'R Information File) Filename
The entry typed in this field will be the name of the .ZPD file
used to contain the program preferences entered on this screen.
This file will be referenced on the ZIP'R Pro command line to
execute this program. This filename should reflect the name of
the program being executed. A full path is required.
Executable File:
This field should contain the full path and filename of the
file to be executed. You must add the correct extension of the
file you wish to execute. If you specify an incorrect
extension, ZIP'R Pro will not be able to find the correct file.
Parameters:
This field can optionally contain any necessary parameters that
should be passed to the program being executed. These
parameters are passed as one variable, and since some programs
require case sensitive program parameters, ZIP'R Pro does not
automatically convert the text in this field to upper case.
Maximum Users
If you are using ZIP'R Pro in a network environment or under a
multitasker such as Windows or DESQview, specify the maximum
number of concurrent users (or accesses) that should be allowed
for this program. For example, if a network program is only
licensed for five users, you will want to enter 5 in this
field. This tells ZIP'R Pro not to allow more than 5 users
into this particular program at the same time. If you are
running a multitasker, you may run the risk of opening multiple
sessions of the same program at the same time. It would be to
your benefit to enter 1 in this field. That way, ZIP'R Pro
will only allow you to execute one copy of this program at a
time. The default for this field is 1. (Special Note: The
unregistered version of ZIP'R Pro only supports a maximum of 2
concurrent users in one program at the same time. In order to
have access for more than 2 users, you must register ZIP'R
Pro.)
Compressed File
Enter the full path and filename of the compressed file that
will be created and used by ZIP'R Pro in this field. After you
exit from the chosen program, ZIP'R Pro creates the compressed
file in the location specified in this field, along with the
filename you specify. Do not add an extension to the filename
you type. When ZIP'R Pro creates the compressed file, it will
append a .ZIP extension for files created with PKZIP or
Internal ZIP compression, a .ARJ extension for files created
with ARJ, or a .LZH extension for files created with LHA.
Note: The compressed file can be created on any drive and in
any sub-directory, including floppy diskettes. Common
locations for the compressed file include the directory where
the program is executed from, a special archive directory on
your hard drive, a floppy diskette (only available with PKZIP),
or a network drive.
Compression Type
This field should contain the name of the compression program
you want to use to compress the specified program and its sub-
directories. The following table shows the compression
utilities currently supported by ZIP'R Pro, and the
corresponding entry for this field.
Compression Utility Field Entry
ARJ ARJ
Internal (Built-In) Compression Internal ZIP
LHA LHA
No Compression NONE
PKZip Version 1.10 ZIP
PKZip Versions 2.04c, 2.04e, and 2.04g ZIP
The default entry for this field is "PKZIP" when using the
Intermediate or Advanced user interface. If the Beginner
interface is used, the default entry is "Internal ZIP". To
change this entry, use the mouse to click on the corresponding
control, or use the up and down arrow keys to highlight it.
Test Integrity
When Test Integrity is checked, ZIP'R Pro will tell the
compression program being used to perform an integrity check on
the archived files.
Query Option
The "Query" option is a ZIP'R Pro feature that allows users to
choose, after the program is exited, whether or not it should
be compressed.
If this box is checked, ZIP'R Pro will query (ask) the user
whether or not the program should be compressed each time it is
exited. This allows the user to have more control over the
compression process, instead of having to decide in advance
whether a program should be compressed.
Update Option (PKZIP and Internal ZIP Compression Only)
The "Update" option is a ZIP'R Pro feature which can
significantly reduce the time required to recompress a program.
Normally, when ZIP'R Pro decompresses a program, it extracts
all of the program files and sub- directories, and deletes the
old compressed file. During the compression process, ZIP'R Pro
creates a new compressed file, and moves all of the program
files and sub-directories into it. This method makes the most
efficient use of hard disk space, but can require a significant
amount of time to recompress the program, depending on the
number and size of files that need to be compressed.
The "Update" option of ZIP'R Pro can save a tremendous amount
of time in this process. Instead of deleting the old
compressed file when the program files and sub-directories are
extracted, ZIP'R Pro leaves it in its original location. When
the compression process starts, ZIP'R Pro uses PKZIP (or the
Internal ZIP compression) to update any files and/or sub-
directories that have been added or changed, and deletes any
files and/or sub-directories that have been deleted since the
program was extracted. In essence, if no files or sub-
directories were added, changed, or deleted since the program
was decompressed, ZIP'R Pro does not need to update any files.
The old compressed file is left in the directory and the
program's files and sub-directories are deleted.
Placing a check mark in this box instructs ZIP'R Pro to use the
"Update" method when compressing this program. (Note: The
"Update" option is only available for PKZIP / PKUNZIP or the
Internal ZIP compression.)
The amount of time that can be saved when using the "Update"
option varies between programs. I encourage you to try this
option on a few of your own programs. Here are a few hints
that I've figured out from experimenting with this option.
1. The greatest difference in speed will be noticed on programs
that have large files and/or files that have not changed. It
takes a very long time to compress large files using the normal
compression method. With the update method, if ZIP'R Pro detects
that these large files are identical to the ones already
maintained in the compressed file, all it needs to do is delete
these files out of the directory, and the recompression process
is complete!
2. You may notice that any lower-level sub-directories within
the program are always updated when the update option is enabled.
Since directories are deleted when a program is compressed, PKZIP
must create these directories before decompressing the program.
When PKZIP attempts to update the compressed file, it detects
that the directories have "changed", and therefore, is forced to
update them in the compressed file.
3. This option is useful to speed up the recompression process
on most programs, but it may actually increase the time of
compression on others. The programs that may not compress as
quickly with the update method are ones that have large numbers
of small files and/or ones that have many files added, changed,
or deleted during each session. If you're not sure, use a watch
and time each method to see which way would save the most time.
Advanced Options (Advanced ZIF Options)
Compress / Decompress Program Only (Do Not Execute)
This advanced feature of ZIP'R Pro allows you to specify
whether or not ZIP'R Pro should attempt to execute the
program file once the program has been decompressed. If this
box is checked, ZIP'R Pro will only decompress the program if
it is in compressed format, and only compress the program if
it is in non-compressed format. This option is potentially
dangerous to the novice user. Caution is advised.
Use Command Processor To Execute Program
This option allows users to specify whether or not ZIP'R Pro
will load a secondary command processor before executing the
selected program. If this is disabled, a command processor
will not be loaded, resulting in an extra 3 - 5K of free
memory. The default is on, indicating that ZIP'R Pro will
load a secondary command processor before executing the
program. (Files with a .BAT extension (or .BTM extension for
4DOS) MUST be executed with this switch turned on. ZIP'R Pro
contains fail-safe code to ensure that this happens.)
Use Alternate Directory as Program Parent Directory
When this box is checked, the Program Parent Directory field
is enabled for entering the parent directory for the program
being compressed.
Program Parent Directory
Advanced users will want to use this optional field for
programs with unique requirements. While most programs
locate their primary executable file in the parent program
directory, some programs locate their primary executable file
in a lower-level sub-directory. A good example of this
problem is found with Borland Pascal 7.0.
Borland Pascal uses a master directory called C:\BP.
Underneath this directory are several more lower-level sub-
directories. Instead of placing the executable file BP.EXE
in the C:\BP sub-directory, as most programs would do,
Borland Pascal places this executable file in the C:\BP\BIN
(one of the lower-level sub-directories mentioned above).
In order to compensate for situations like this, ZIP'R Pro
allows users to specify a parent directory for the program.
In the case of Borland Pascal, the Executable File field
given on the front screen would contain "C:\BP\BIN\BP.EXE".
To compress all files and directories from the main
subdirectory (C:\BP and below), the Program Parent Directory
field would contain "C:\BP".
Use Alternate Directory To Launch Executable Program
When this box is checked, the Launch Directory field is
enabled for entering the directory where the program will be
launched, or executed, from.
Launch Directory
This field allows users to optionally enter the directory
where the selected program will be executed from, if it is a
directory other than the one where the program resides. For
example, the program Microsoft Works (C:\WORKS\WORKS.EXE)
could be executed from a directory such as C:\DOCS. This
would allow Microsoft Works to edit files in the C:\DOCS sub-
directory without the need to change to that directory from
within the program.
Swapping
The three fields, labeled "Program Swapping", "IN File
Swapping", and "OUT File Swapping" allow you to specify when
ZIP'R Pro should swap itself to EMS, XMS, or disk. If ZIP'R
Pro does not have to swap, execution of the Program, IN
Commands, and/or OUT Commands occurs much more rapidly than
if swapping is necessary. There are four options available
for these fields.
Default Swap
This instructs ZIP'R Pro to use built-in trip points for
swapping. To view these built-in trip points, select the
"View Trip Point Values" command button.
Automatic Swap
This instructs ZIP'R Pro to swap itself to EMS, XMS, or
disk ONLY if there is not enough memory available, as
specified by the corresponding Trip Point.
Always Swap
This option instructs ZIP'R Pro to always swap itself to
EMS, XMS, or disk, no matter how much memory is available.
This is the safest method for executing programs and/or DOS
commands, although it can consume more time.
Never Swap
This instructs ZIP'R Pro that it should never swap to EMS,
XMS, or disk, no matter how much (or how little) memory is
actually available. Use this option carefully, as it could
cause programs and DOS commands to issue out of memory
error messages.
Trip Point
This option allows users to specify the trip point (or memory
availability requirement) that should be used for ZIP'R Pro
to decide when it should swap itself to EMS, XMS, or disk.
The trip point only works when "Automatic Swap" is selected
as the swapping type.
Compression Options
These PKZIP / PKUNZIP options may be used to choose less
compression in exchange for more speed, or more compression in
exchange for less speed.
Advanced ZIP Options:
ZIP -e0 switch. (PKZIP 2.0 Only)
ZIP -es switch. (PKZIP 1.1 or 2.0)
ZIP -ef switch. (PKZIP 2.0 Only)
ZIP -en switch. (PKZIP 2.0 Only)
ZIP -ex switch. (PKZIP 1.1 or 2.0)
These figures were generated using PKZIP 2.04c.
No ZIP Results Compression
Compression
PKZIP -e0 2,980,853 2,985,751 0%
PKZIP -es 2,980,853 1,535,935 48%
PKZIP -ef 2,980,853 1,432,248 52%
PKZIP -en 2,980,853 1,401,026 53%
PKZIP -ex 2,980,853 1,392,625 53%
In addition to these options, additional parameters may be
added to the PKZIP 2.04c, 2.04e, and 2.04g command lines to
solve specific hardware and software compatibility problems.
These extra parameters are as follows:
3 Disable 32-bit Instruction Usage.
) Disable DPMI Support.
( Use "Slow" MemCopy.
+ Disable EMS Usage.
- Disable UMB Usage.
~ Disable Network Detection.
Each of these parameters is explained in the troubleshooting
section of the PKZIP documentation. To use any of these
options, place a check mark beside the corresponding entry on
the Compression Options screen.
The following compression options are available for people
using ARJ.EXE to compress / decompress programs. The default
ARJ compression setting is to use the -m1 switch.
Advanced ARJ Options
ARJ -m0 switch.
ARJ -m1 switch.
ARJ -m2 switch.
ARJ -m3 switch.
ARJ -m4 switch.
ARJ -m1 -jm switches.
ARJ -m2 -jm switches.
ARJ -m1 -jm1 switches.
ARJ -m2 -jm1 switches.
These figures were generated with ARJ 2.30.
No ARJ Compression
Compression Results
ARJ -m0 2,980,853 2,983,500 0%
ARJ -m1 2,980,853 1,406,625 53%
ARJ -m2 2,980,853 1,414,245 53%
ARJ -m3 2,980,853 1,444,400 52%
ARJ -m4 2,980,853 1,593,074 47%
ARJ -m1 -jm 2,980,853 1,403,524 53%
ARJ -m2 -jm 2,980,853 1,403,524 53%
ARJ -m1 -jm1 2,980,853 1,404,949 53%
ARJ -m2 -jm1 2,980,853 1,404,949 53%
Test Temporary Archive
In addition to these options, ARJ allows users to test the
temporary archive that is created when compressing files. To
do this, place a check mark in the "Test Temporary Archive"
check box.
The following compression options are available when using
Internal ZIP compression:
Compression Method
When using Internal ZIP, you can specify if files should be
compressed using the Deflate, Implode, Shrink, or Store
methods, or you can let ZIP'R Pro use the Best method,
depending on each file. The best compression ratios can be
achieved using the Deflate method, while the least effective
is Store, which simply stores the program file inside the
.ZIP file without compressing it.
Deflate Level
When the deflate compression method is being used by the
Internal ZIP compression routines, a deflate level can be
specified to improve the overall compression. The range of
values is from 1 to 9, with 1 being the least compression,
and 9 being the most. The higher this value is set, the more
time will be required to compress the program.
Implode Match Length & Implode Repetitions
The implode match length and repetitions settings can be
adjusted to improve compression or speed on files that are
imploded. The match length must be in the range of 4 to 288,
and the repetitions much be in the range of 4 to 960. The
default value for both fields is 4. The higher the numbers,
the greater the compression will be on imploded files.
Special Features
Use Selective Extraction (PKUNZIP Only)
When this box is checked, Selective Extraction is turned on,
and only the files listed in the Selective Extraction File
List will be extracted from the .ZIP file when this program
is decompressed. The original .ZIP file is preserved
(similar to the process used when Update Option is enabled).
After the program is exited, the original .ZIP file is
updated with any changes that were made during the current
session. When Selective Extraction is enabled, Query Option
is ignored, and the Update Option is always used. All
multiple-user access features are disabled when using
Selective Extraction. Only one user is allowed into a
program at a time when Selective Extraction is enabled.
To edit the Selective Extraction Files, select the
corresponding Edit button.
Selective Extraction File List
This box contains a list of the files that should be
extracted from the .ZIP archive when the program is
decompressed. Rather than extracting an entire archive, you
can choose to decompress only the files that are needed for
program execution. This can dramatically speed up the
compression and decompression process. For example, to run
the Norton Utilities SFORMAT.EXE, the only files needed are
SFORMAT.EXE and NORTON.INI. By entering these two files,
PKUNZIP will only extract the two files specified before
executing SFORMAT.EXE.
When entering filenames into this file list, wild cards may
be used, such as *.EXE, *.DOC, ???.CFG, etc. If a filename
is entered that does not exist in the .ZIP file, PKUNZIP.EXE
will not attempt to extract it, and it will not issue an
error message.
Be very careful when using this option! If you forget to
extract a file necessary for proper program execution, your
program could terminate unexpectedly or issue error messages.
Use Selective Exclusion (PKUNZIP Only)
When this box is checked, Selective Exclusion is turned on,
and all files listed in the Selective Extraction File List
will be excluded from the extraction process when the .ZIP
file is decompressed. When Selective Exclusion is enabled,
Query Option is ignored, and the Update Option is always
used. All multiple-user access features are disabled when
using Selective Exclusion. Only one user is allowed into a
program at a time when Selective Exclusion is enabled.
To edit the Selective Extraction Files, select the
corresponding Edit button.
Selective Exclusion File List
This box contains a list of the files that should be excluded
from the extraction process when the .ZIP archive is
decompressed. Rather than extracting an entire archive, you
can choose to exclude certain files that are not needed for
program execution or operation. This can dramatically speed
up the compression and decompression process. For example,
most programs do not require *.DOC files to be present in
order to run successfully. By entering "*.DOC" into the
Selective Exclusion File List, PKUNZIP will not extract these
files, saving time during the compression and decompression
processes, and disk space while the program is running.
When entering filenames into this file list, wild cards may
be used, such as *.EXE, *.DOC, ???.CFG, etc.
Be very careful when using this option! Excluding a file
that is necessary for proper program execution could cause
your program to terminate unexpectedly or issue error
messages. Also remember that if Selective Extraction AND
Selective Exclusion are both enabled, Selective Exclusion
files take precedence. That means that if PROGRAM.EXE is
listed in both file lists, it will always be excluded.
Use IN Commands
When this box is checked, IN Commands are enabled, and any
DOS commands listed in the IN Commands memo field will be
executed prior to executing the selected program.
To edit the IN Commands, select the corresponding Edit
button.
IN Commands
IN Commands are DOS commands that are executed prior to
running the selected program. An example of this would be to
swap a printer port prior to executing the program. Another
example would be to flush and disable write caching before
running a disk utility program.
To use this feature, enter any necessary DOS commands that
should be executed prior to going "IN" to the program in the
corresponding memo field.
Important! Do NOT attempt to invoke or remove TSR (Terminate
and Stay-Resident) programs from memory with IN or OUT DOS
commands. This is virtually guaranteed to cause conflicts
with ZIP'R Pro. If you need to invoke a TSR before running a
program, or remove one after exiting a program, see the
section on TSR's.
Use OUT Commands
When this box is checked, OUT Commands are enabled, and any
DOS commands listed in the OUT Commands memo field will be
executed after the selected program has been exited or
terminated.
To edit the OUT Commands, select the corresponding Edit
button.
OUT Commands
OUT Commands are DOS commands that are executed after exiting
the selected program. An example of this would be to swap a
printer port back to its original state after exiting from
the program. Another example would be to re-enable write
caching, if it had been previously disabled using the IN
Commands, after exiting from a disk utility program.
To use this feature, enter any necessary DOS commands that
should be executed after going "OUT" of the program in the
corresponding memo field.
Important! Do NOT attempt to invoke or remove TSR (Terminate
and Stay-Resident) programs from memory with IN or OUT DOS
commands. This is virtually guaranteed to cause conflicts
with ZIP'R Pro. If you need to invoke a TSR before running a
program, or remove one after exiting a program, see the
section on TSR's.
Use TSR Pre Commands
When this box is checked, TSR Pre-Program Commands are
enabled, and any DOS commands listed in the TSR Pre-Program
Commands memo field will be executed prior to executing the
selected program.
To edit the TSR Pre-Program Commands, select the
corresponding Edit
TSR Pre-Program Commands
Just like IN Commands, TSR Pre-Program Commands are DOS
commands that executed prior to executing the selected
program. The main difference is that TSR Pre-Program
Commands invoke one or more TSR (Terminate-and-Stay-Resident)
programs. TSR's can be a bit tricky to handle due to the
fact that ZIP'R Professional cannot tell what memory has been
used by any TSR's that load later. But ZIP'R Professional
makes TSR's easier to manage by creating a "TSR Container
File". This file is simply a temporary batch file that
contains commands that surround the command line used to
execute the program with the TSR (Pre) and TSR (Post)
commands. When the program is executed, this batch file is
executed instead of the program, allowing TSR's to load and
unload while ZIP'R Professional is dormant. No user
intervention is required. ZIP'R Professional automatically
creates, and then deletes this temporary batch file. TSR's
that can be loaded and unloaded via command line parameters
can usually be invoked successfully with this method. The
key point to remember is to unload TSR's in the REVERSE order
that they were loaded. The following example illustrates
this concept more clearly.
TSR (Pre) Commands :
TSR1 (Load)
TSR2 (Load)
TSR (Post) Commands:
TSR2 (Unload)
TSR1 (Unload)
TSR2 must be unloaded first, since it was the last TSR
loaded, and is loaded last in memory. Once TSR2 is unloaded,
TSR1 may be safely unloaded, because it is now the last TSR
in memory.
The important point to remember is that if you load a TSR
before executing the program, you MUST unload it after
exiting the program. Otherwise, control will not be returned
to ZIP'R Pro. When this happens, ZIP'R Pro will not perform
the compression process, resulting in several problems. If
the Update option was enabled, the compressed file will still
be in the compressed file directory, and the program files
will still be in the program directory. This could be
dangerous, if you don't know what you're doing. It is
recommended that you delete the compressed file before
attempting to execute the program again. You may also find
some files in the \ZIPRPRO sub-directory with a .U00 or .P00
extension. If no one else is accessing the program at the
time, you should delete them. To avoid such problems as
these, either don't load TSR's at all, or make sure that you
unload them using the TSR (Post) Commands.
Use TSR Post Commands
When this box is checked, TSR Post-Program Commands are
enabled, and any DOS commands listed in the TSR Post-Program
Commands memo field will be executed after exiting from, or
terminating, the selected program.
To edit the TSR Post-Program Commands, select the
corresponding Edit button.
TSR Post-Program Commands
Just like OUT Commands, TSR Post-Program Commands are DOS
commands that executed after exiting from, or terminating,
the selected program. The main difference is that TSR Post-
Program Commands remove one or more TSR (Terminate-and-Stay-
Resident) programs from memory. TSR's can be a bit tricky to
handle due to the fact that ZIP'R Professional cannot tell
what memory has been used by any TSR's that load later. But
ZIP'R Professional makes TSR's easier to manage by creating a
"TSR Container File". This file is simply a temporary batch
file that contains commands that surround the command line
used to execute the program with the TSR (Pre) and TSR (Post)
commands. When the program is executed, this batch file is
executed instead of the program, allowing TSR's to load and
unload while ZIP'R Professional is dormant. No user
intervention is required. ZIP'R Professional automatically
creates, and then deletes this temporary batch file. TSR's
that can be loaded and unloaded via command line parameters
can usually be invoked successfully with this method. The
key point to remember is to unload TSR's in the REVERSE order
that they were loaded. The following example illustrates
this concept more clearly.
TSR (Pre) Commands:
TSR1 (Load)
TSR2 (Load)
TSR (Post) Commands:
TSR2 (Unload)
TSR1 (Unload)
TSR2 must be unloaded first, since it was the last TSR
loaded, and is loaded last in memory. Once TSR2 is unloaded,
TSR1 may be safely unloaded, because it is now the last TSR
in memory.
The important point to remember is that if you load a TSR
before executing the program, you MUST unload it after
exiting the program. Otherwise, control will not be returned
to ZIP'R Pro. When this happens, ZIP'R Pro will not perform
the compression process, resulting in several problems. If
the Update option was enabled, the compressed file will still
be in the compressed file directory, and the program files
will still be in the program directory. This could be
dangerous, if you don't know what you're doing. It is
recommended that you delete the compressed file before
attempting to execute the program again. You may also find
some files in the \ZIPRPRO sub-directory with a .U00 or .P00
extension. If no one else is accessing the program at the
time, you should delete them. To avoid such problems as
these, either don't load TSR's at all, or make sure that you
unload them using the TSR (Post) Commands.
Floppy Options
This screen contains allows users to select options to be
invoked when creating a compressed file on a floppy diskette.
Important Note: Options for floppy diskette compression will
only work when PKZIP / PKUNZIP is used as the compression
program. Also note that the Update option can NOT be used when
compression is occurring to floppy diskettes.
One of the following options can be selected as the default
when creating a compressed file on a floppy diskette.
No Action (Do Not Erase Files and Directories)
Erase All Files and Sub-Directories
Format Destination Diskette (Quick Format)
Format Destination Diskette (Full Format)
Format Low-Density Disk in High-Density Drive (Quick Format)
Format Low-Density Disk in High-Density Drive (Full Format)
For an explanation of these options, see the Backup Guide
supplied with PKZIP 2.0.
Use DOS Verify
If you want DOS Verify to be turned on when compressing files
to a floppy diskette, place a check mark in the "Use DOS
Verify" check box. This adds an extra level of security to
make sure that files are created error-free.
Browse (Browse for Executable File)
One powerful feature of the ZIF Editor Pro is the ability to
browse for files using file and directory list boxes.
Selecting the "Browse" button will display a file browsing
screen to allow you to search for the executable file for the
designated program. Once a file is selected from this
screen, the drive, directory, and executable file will be
automatically pasted into the "Executable File" field.
Opening And Deleting Files
Also available from the main menu is the ability to open or
delete a previously created .ZPD file. Use the "Open An Existing
File" screen to search through available drives and directories
for the .ZPD file you want to edit. Once you've located the file
you want to open, click on it with the mouse, or press [ENTER]
when it is selected with the highlight bar, and the ZIF Editor
Pro will read the information and import it into the editing
screen to be viewed or modified.
If you choose "Delete An Existing File" from the main menu, a
similar dialog box will appear, allowing you to search through
available drives and directories for the .ZPD file you want to
delete. When you find it, click on it, or press [ENTER] when it
is selected with the highlight bar. A confirmation dialog box
will be displayed to confirm that you want to delete the selected
file.
ZIP'R Pro Settings
From the ZIP'R Pro Settings menu, users can have access to the
default settings for ZIP'R Pro.
Advanced Options
Network/Multitasker Execution (Yes, No, Auto)
For users who intend on using ZIP'R Pro under a multitasker
or in a network environment, ZIP'R Pro has automatic
network/multitasker detection. (For a list of current
networks/multitaskers supported, see Question #2 at the end
of this documentation.) When this option is set to Yes,
ZIP'R Pro always assumes that the advanced
network/multitasker features should be used. If this option
is set to No, ZIP'R Pro will never use the advanced network
multitasker features. The default setting is Auto, which
instructs ZIP'R Pro to automatically detect whether or not
execution is occurring in a network environment or under a
multitasker.
Manually Create Sub-Directories Under OS/2
Users who are running ZIP'R Pro under OS/2 in combination
with Novell NetWare will want to enable this option.
Problems have been reported when using PKUNZIP in a global
network session, where PKUNZIP cannot create the sub-
directories properly during the decompression process. (This
problem has been reported to PKWare.) When this option is
enabled, ZIP'R Pro will manually created the needed sub-
directories before instructing PKUNZIP to decompress the
compressed file.
Use Atomic Lock Files
When the network/multitasker features of ZIP'R Pro are being
used, users can specify whether or not atomic lock files are
used. For a discussion on atomic lock files, see the
"Networks / Multitaskers" section of this documentation.
Sorted Extraction (PKUNZIP Only)
When Sorted Extraction is set to "Yes", ZIP'R Pro will
extract files from the .ZIP archive in alphabetical order.
This feature is especially useful on network drives that
generally prevent utilities of this nature from working. If
this option is set to "No", files are extracted in the order
in which they appear in the file.
Sub-Directory Deletion (PKZIP 2.04g Only)
Disabling sub-directory deletion will instruct PKZIP 2.04g
not to delete any of the program's sub-directories (located
under the parent directory) when compressing a program. The
default is On, which means that PKZIP will automatically
delete the lower level sub-directories once the compression
process is complete.
Windowed Compression (Yes, No)
When Windowed Compression is set to on, ZIP'R Pro will
attempt to execute the program compression process within the
limits of a window. Otherwise, program compression will
occur on a full DOS screen.
Windowed Decompression (Yes, No)
When Windowed Decompression is set to on, ZIP'R Pro will
attempt to execute the program decompression process within
the limits of a window. Otherwise, program decompression
will occur on a full DOS screen.
Cleanup Password
Menu Item Is Protected!
Before modifying the cleanup password for ZIP'R Pro, you must
enter the cleanup password for verification that you have
authorization to perform this action. If the cleanup
password is blank, or has not been set up, this dialog box
will not appear.
Cleanup Password
Enter the new password that must be entered before a user can
execute the Cleanup Files option.
Cleanup Files
Menu Item Is Protected!
Before executing the Cleanup Files option, you must enter the
cleanup password for verification that you have authorization
to perform this action. If the cleanup password is blank, or
has not been set up, this dialog box will not appear.
Signal File Cleanup
This dialog box warns you that all signal files created by
ZIP'R Pro during normal network or multitasker operation will
be deleted, or cleaned up, from the ZIP'R Pro sub-directory.
If your machine has ever hung while running a program through
ZIP'R Pro, or if unusual errors have taken place during the
compression or decompression processes, you probably have old
signal files left over in the ZIP'R Pro sub-directory. It is
a good idea to perform this operation occasionally. Make
sure ZIP'R Pro is not being used by any other programs or
network workstations before performing this operation!
Compression Paths
ARJ Path
Enter the appropriate path to the file ARJ.EXE in the format
"C:\ARJ\". Do not add the actual filename or extension. If
this field is left blank, or if ZIP'R Pro cannot find ARJ.EXE
in the path entered, it will search the ZIP'R Pro sub-
directory. If it is still unable to locate ARJ.EXE, it will
search the DOS Path. If ARJ.EXE is not located, an error
message will be issued.
ARJ Version
Enter the version of ARJ that you will be using. Currently,
ZIP'R Pro supports version 2.41 of ARJ.
LHA Path
Enter the appropriate path to the file LHA.EXE in the format
"C:\LHA\". Do not add the actual filename or extension. If
this field is left blank, or if ZIP'R Pro cannot find LHA.EXE
in the path entered, it will search the ZIP'R Pro sub-
directory. If it is still unable to locate LHA.EXE, it will
search the DOS Path. If LHA.EXE is not located, an error
message will be issued.
LHA Version
Enter the version of LHA that you will be using. Currently,
ZIP'R Pro supports version 2.13 of LHA.
ZIP Path
Enter the appropriate path to the files PKZIP.EXE and
PKUNZIP.EXE in the format "C:\PKZIP\". Do not add the actual
filename or extension. Both of these files must be located
in the same sub-directory. If this field is left blank, or
if ZIP'R Pro cannot find either of these two files in the
path entered, it will search the ZIP'R Pro sub-directory. If
it is still unable to locate them, it will search the DOS
Path. If PKZIP.EXE or PKUNZIP.EXE is not located, an error
message will be issued.
ZIP Version
Enter the version of PKZIP/PKUNZIP that you will be using.
Currently, ZIP'R Pro supports versions 1.1 and 2.04G.
Delays
Non-registered copies of ZIP'R Pro will ignore any changes on
this screen and use the default settings. Registering ZIP'R
Pro with the author will allow you to completely remove the
prelog pause and delay.
Pause during Prelog
Place a check mark in this box if you want ZIP'R Pro to pause
with a "Press Any Key" message when the prelog screen is
displayed.
Delay during Prelog
Place a check mark in this box if you want ZIP'R Pro to delay
when the prelog screen is displayed. Enter the amount of the
delay in the Prelog Delay field.
Prelog Delay
Enter the number of seconds ZIP'R Pro should pause on the
prelog screen before ZIP'R Pro attempts to execute the
selected program. This field is only valid if the "Delay
during Prelog" box has a check mark in it. Experienced ZIP'R
Pro users can set this field to 0, which will prevent ZIP'R
Pro from displaying the prelog screen. Novice users may want
to set this field to 4, to allow a short time to view the
information displayed on the prelog screen.
Swapping
Compression / Decompression Swap (Default, Automatic, Always,
Never)
This option allows you to specify whether or not ZIP'R Pro
swaps to EMS, XMS, or disk when it attempts to compress a
program. There are four options available for this field:
Default Swap
This instructs ZIP'R Pro to use built-in trip points for
swapping. To view these built-in trip points, select the
"View Trip Point Values" command button.
Automatic Swap
This instructs ZIP'R Pro to swap itself to EMS, XMS, or
disk ONLY if there is not enough memory available, as
specified by the corresponding Trip Point.
Always Swap
This option instructs ZIP'R Pro to always swap itself to
EMS, XMS, or disk, no matter how much memory is available.
This is the safest method for executing programs and/or DOS
commands, although it can consume more time.
Never Swap
This instructs ZIP'R Pro that it should never swap to EMS,
XMS, or disk, no matter how much (or how little) memory is
actually available. Use this option carefully, as it could
cause programs and DOS commands to issue out of memory
error messages.
Since swapping generally slows a program down, it is best to
let ZIP'R Pro decide when to swap by using the "Automatic
Swap" or "Default Swap" options.
Compression / Decompression Trip Point:
This option allows users to specify the trip point (or memory
availability requirement) that should be used for ZIP'R Pro
to decide when it should swap itself to EMS, XMS, or disk.
The trip point only works when "Automatic Swap" is selected
as the swapping type.
Swapping Preferences
Use EMS For Swapping
This check box allows you to specify whether or not ZIP'R
Pro should attempt to use EMS for swapping on your
computer.
Use XMS For Swapping
This check box allows you to specify whether or not ZIP'R
Pro should attempt to use XMS for swapping on your
computer.
Swapping Priority
Use EMS First
If both EMS and XMS are enabled under Swapping Preferences,
you can specify whether ZIP'R Pro should attempt to swap to
EMS or XMS first. If this option is selected, ZIP'R Pro
will try to swap to EMS before it swaps to XMS.
Use XMS First
If both EMS and XMS are enabled under Swapping Preferences,
you can specify whether ZIP'R Pro should attempt to swap to
EMS or XMS first. If this option is selected, ZIP'R Pro
will try to swap to XMS before it swaps to EMS.
View Trip Point Values
When this command button is selected, a dialog box will be
displayed showing the internal trip points that will be used
for compression and decompression swapping when "Default
Swap" is selected as the swapping type.
TAME Options
Use Custom TAME Batch File
If this option is selected, ZIP'R Pro allows you to create a
customized ZPROTAME.BAT batch file that can be used under
Windows, OS/2, or DESQview to invoke TAME prior to running a
program.
TAME Path
This field should contain the drive and path where TAME is
located on your hard drive. This path you enter here will be
hard-coded into the ZPROTAME.BAT batch file.
Create Custom ZPROTAME.BAT Batch File
When this button is pressed, ZIP'R Pro creates a ZPROTAME.BAT
batch file in the ZIP'R Pro subdirectory. This can be used
to execute programs under Windows, OS/2, and DESQview.
Video Options
Screen Writes (BIOS, Direct, Auto Detect)
This option allows you to specify whether ZIP'R Pro should
write information to the screen using BIOS or Direct. The
default is Auto Detect.
Scan Activity Indicator (File Count, Twirling Bars, None)
The scan activity indicator is a small display that occurs on
the top of the compression screen when ZIP'R Pro is scanning
for added or deleted files. If File Count is selected, ZIP'R
Pro will display the number of the current file that it is
checking as it proceeds through the file list. If Twirling
Bars is selected, a pair of twirling bars will spin, letting
you know that there is continued activity on the part of
ZIP'R Pro. Select None if you do not want either of these two
options displayed. (Note: This process has been speeded up
significantly from the original ZIP'R, and in most cases, you
probably won't notice this indicator. It is most useful on
extremely large archives with many files.)
Register ZIP'R Pro
Register
Registration Name
If you are a registered user of ZIP'R Pro, enter your
registration name in the Registration Name field. The
Registration Name cannot be longer than 36 characters. If
you are not a registered user, please read the "Registration
Terms" section below.
Registration Number
If you are a registered user of ZIP'R Pro, enter your
registration number in the Registration Number field. If you
are not a registered user, please read the "Registration
Terms" section below.
Network Users
When you register ZIP'R Pro for a network license, you will
receive a registration code that supports a specific number
of network users. In order for your registration code to
work properly, you must enter the exact number of stations
your network license is registered for. If you are not using
ZIP'R Pro on a network, simply leave this field blank.
User Interface
One of the most useful features of the ZIF Editor Pro is the
ability to specify a user interface. The user interface level
determines what features will be available when editing a .ZPD
file and modifying the default settings for ZIP'R Pro.
Here's a general overview of the benefits of each of the user
interface levels:
Beginner
The Beginner interface is for novice users who want to be
sheltered from all of the complexities of ZIP'R Pro. With
the Beginner level, users can simply enter the name of the
.ZPD file being created, the executable program, and any
needed parameters. All advanced options are hidden from
view, making ZIP'R Pro less intimidating. When Beginner is
selected, Internal ZIP compression is used on programs,
meaning that no outside programs are needed to operate ZIP'R
Pro.
To modify default ZIP'R Pro settings, Beginner level users
have access to the Delays screen, as well as the Registration
screens.
Intermediate
The Intermediate interface is for users who want to use an
external compression program, such as ARJ, LHA, or PKZIP, or
who want to specify the settings for the Test Integrity,
Query Option, or Update Option fields. While these options
are hidden from view on the Beginner level interface, these
options are accessible to intermediate users.
To modify default ZIP'R Pro settings, Intermediate level
users have access to the Compression Paths screen, in
addition to the screens mentioned under the Beginner
interface level described above.
Advanced
The Advanced interface is for users who want to have access
to all of the features available in ZIP'R Pro. All of the
desired "bells and whistles" can be accessed when using the
Advanced interface. This includes Selective Extraction and
Exclusion, IN and OUT commands, TSR commands, Advanced
Options, Compression Options, and Floppy Compression Options.
Advanced users can specify the name and location of the
compressed file, storing it on any available drive and
directory.
Advanced level users also have access to all of the available
ZIP'R Pro settings. The settings available to Advanced users
should only be modified after reading this documentation and
understanding their impact on ZIP'R Pro.
The user interface level can be changed at any time. Beginner
users can step up to an intermediate or advanced interface, and
advanced users can step down to an intermediate or beginner
interface. Files created within one interface can be opened
using another interface. This will not affect the integrity of
the .ZPD file being edited.
Using ZIP'R Pro
Once ZIP'R Pro system preferences have been set up in the ZIF
Editor Pro, and .ZPD files have been created for each program,
you are ready to use ZIP'R Pro. Log to the ZIP'R Pro program sub-
directory, type "ZIPRPRO", append a space, and add the name of
the .ZPD file to be referenced. The command line structure
should look similar to the following examples:
ZIP'R Pro Examples:
ZIPRPRO PCSHELL
ZIPRPRO PW
ZIPRPRO PSDELUXE
ZIPRPRO LOTUS123
ZIPRPRO THEDRAW
Compressing To Floppy Disks
There are several items to consider carefully before compressing
any program(s) to a floppy diskette.
PKZIP Only
Compression to floppy diskettes is only available when
PKZIP/PKUNZIP is used as the compression program. Compressing
programs to a floppy diskette using ARJ, LHA, or Internal ZIP
is not supported at this time.
Store ZIP Files In The Root Directory
Compressed files must be stored in the root directory of the
floppy diskette. Creating files in compressed form in a sub-
directory on a floppy drive is NOT supported.
Beware Of Bad Floppies
Keep in mind that floppy disks can fail frequently. We
recommend that you do not store any mission-critical programs
on floppy disks. Use them only for non-essential programs.
Danger Areas
When compressing a file to a floppy diskette, the default
"Floppy Option" is to "Erase All Files and Sub-Directories".
When this option is turned on, you cannot use one disk to store
multiple compressed programs. If you attempt to do this, PKZIP
will erase any existing files on the disk before creating the
new file, causing you to lose any other compressed files you
stored on that same disk. If this is confusing to you, simply
follow this rule: Only compress one program on a floppy disk
(or set of disks, if your compressed file consumes more than 1
disk).
Version 2.21 of ZIP'R Pro added another option to the "Floppy
Options" screen. This option, called "No Action (Do Not Erase
Files and Directories)", does not allow PKZIP to erase the
contents of a disk before creating the new compressed file.
This option may be desired in cases where you want to store
several compressed programs on the same diskette (as long as
all of the programs can fit on one disk). However, this
feature can also be dangerous if you don't fully understand
what takes place. Consider the following example:
Program 1 is very large, and requires a 2-disk set in order for
PKZIP to successfully create the compressed file. As PKZIP
creates the compressed file, it places a volume label on the
first disk with the text "PKBACK# 001" and a volume label on
the second disk with the text "PKBACK# 002". Program 2 is then
compressed onto the end of disk 2 in the previous set.
However, since this is a new compressed file, PKZIP re-labels
the volume on the disk as "PKBACK# 001". When you attempt to
decompress Program 1 back onto your hard drive for execution,
PKZIP will not be able to recognize the second disk in the set,
because its volume label has been changed!
As you can see, this could cause some very sticky problems. If
you decide to use the "No Action" feature, we recommend that
you only place programs on the same disk if they all use the
same volume label. In essence, if you have three compressed
files that would all fit on one disk, you should be able to use
this feature without a problem.
Using ZIP'R Pro With A Menuing System
To use ZIP'R Pro with a menuing system, you must modify the
location and program name specified for each program that will be
run through ZIP'R Pro.
QuikMenu Example
OLD Location: C:\PFS
Command: PW
NEW Location: C:\ZIPRPRO
Command: ZIPRPRO PW
AutoMenu Example
OLD C:
CD\PFS
PW
CD\
AUTO
NEW C:
CD\ZIPRPRO
ZIPRPRO PW
CD\
AUTO
All programs that are executed through ZIP'R Pro must have
C:\ZIPRPRO (or the actual location of the ZIP'R Pro files)
specified as the path. The location of the program to be
executed is specified in the .ZPD file that was created with the
ZIF Editor. ZIP'R Pro automatically changes to the proper
directory before executing the desired program.
What Happens When I Execute ZIP'R Pro?
Several things take place through the course of using ZIP'R Pro.
Here is a brief summary of what ZIP'R Pro does, and what you can
expect to see on the screen:
When using the following variable on the ZIF Editor's .ZPD
editing screen:
ZIF Filename: C:\ZIPRPRO\PCSHELL.ZPD
Executable File: C:\PCTOOLS\PCSHELL.EXE
Parameters:
Maximum Users: 1
Compressed File: C:\PCTOOLS\PCTOOLS
Compression Type: ZIP
and entering the command line: ZIPRPRO PCSHELL
the following events would take place:
1. ZIP'R Pro checks for the existence of the .ZPD file. If the
.ZPD file cannot be found, ZIP'R Pro issues an error message. If
ZIP'R Pro was able to locate the .ZPD file, ZIP'R Pro proceeds to
step #2.
2. ZIP'R Pro displays the prelog screen. The unregistered
version of ZIP'R Pro will pause for 10 seconds while this screen
displays. Registered users may reduce the delay period, or
remove it entirely by using the ZIP'R Pro Defaults screen within
the ZIF Editor. (For more information, see "ZIP'R Pro Default
Settings".)
This screen contains a wealth of information for users with
different system configurations. The following is a summary of
this information, and what it means.
Conventional
Displays the amount of available conventional memory.
Heap
Display the amount of heap available.
EMS
Displays the amount of available EMS memory.
Virtual
Displays the amount of free disk space on the drive where ZIP'R
Pro is being executed from.
Environment
Displays the amount of available environment space.
Free Space
Displays the amount of free disk space on the drive where the
program is being executed from.
Cluster Size
Detects the Cluster Size being used on the drive where the
program is being executed from.
Update
Displays a check mark if Update mode is enabled in the
specified .ZPD file.
Query
Displays a check mark if Query mode is enabled in the specified
.ZPD file.
Test Archive
Displays a check mark if the Test Archive Integrity feature was
enabled for the current program.
Multitasker
Displays a check mark if ZIP'R Pro detects the presence of a
multitasker.
Network
Displays a check mark if ZIP'R Pro detects the presence of a
network.
Program Path/Name
Displays the program path and executable filename as set up in
the specified .ZPD file.
Parameters
Displays any parameters that will be passed to the program
being executed, as set up in the specified .ZPD file.
Compressed Filename
Displays the path and filename of the compressed file that will
be created when ZIP'R Pro compresses the program. The
extension that appears on this field should reflect the name of
the compression program being used. (PKZIP will use .ZIP, ARJ
will use .ARJ, LHA will use .LZH, and NONE will not display an
extension.)
3. After displaying the prelog screen, ZIP'R Pro checks the
validity of the drive and path that was entered in the .ZPD file.
If ZIP'R Pro cannot find the drive and/or path, it issues an
error message. If ZIP'R Pro is able to locate the drive and path
specified, it then checks for the existence of a compressed file,
bearing the name entered in the "Compressed FileName" field of
the .ZPD editing screen. ZIP'R Pro checks for the existence of
the compressed file, and if it is found, attempts to decompress
it using the corresponding decompression utility (step #4). If
ZIP'R Pro does not find a compressed file, it skips the
decompression process and begins to execute the program (step
#5).
4. ZIP'R Pro begins the decompression process by viewing the
compressed file and calculating the disk space required to
decompress the entire file.
If ZIP'R Pro determines that there is not enough disk space
available to decompress the entire file, a warning message will
be issued. If ZIP'R Pro determines that sufficient disk space is
available to decompress the entire file, it executes the
necessary decompression program to decompress the file.
5. The next step performed by ZIP'R Pro is automatic execution
of the specified program. This step makes ZIP'R Pro unique from
most other compression / decompression utilities. Rather than
forcing users to compress and decompress programs separately,
ZIP'R Pro does it all automatically. If ZIP'R Pro is not able to
locate the executable file, it issues an error message stating
the problem. If ZIP'R Pro is able to locate the executable file,
it executes the program normally, along with any parameters set
up in the .ZPD file.
6. If Query Mode is enabled, ZIP'R Pro pops up a screen
prompting you whether or not you want to compress the program you
just exited. If you answer Yes, ZIP'R Pro continues with step
#7. If you answer No, ZIP'R Pro skips to step #8.
7. Once the program is exited, ZIP'R Pro begins to compress (or-
recompress) the program directory using the compression utility
specified in the .ZPD file. The amount of time this takes
depends on the number and size of the files being compressed. If
Update Mode is enabled, ZIP'R Pro simply updates the archive file
with any changes that have occurred since the file was
decompressed. New files are added to the compressed file,
modified files are updated in the compressed file, and deleted
files are removed from the compressed file.
8. After the compressed file has been successfully created,
ZIP'R Pro displays a delay screen for unregistered users. To
remove this delay, please read the file REGISTER.DOC to find out
how to register ZIP'R Pro. Once this is complete, ZIP'R Pro
returns control of the computer back to a DOS prompt or the
menuing system you are using.
Networks / Multitaskers
ZIP'R Pro has advanced features available to deal with program
execution, compression, and decompression under multitaskers and
in network environments. Currently, ZIP'R Pro recognizes Windows,
DESQview, OS/2, and Novell operating systems / environments.
ZIP'R Pro has an additional feature that the original ZIP'R did
not have. It's called atomic lock files.
When the Network / Multitasker option of ZIP'R Pro is enabled,
ZIP'R Pro creates special token files to make sure that two users
do not attempt to compress or decompress a program at the same
time. Normally, ZIP'R Pro would check for a token file, and
create it only if it did not exist already. However, it is
possible that another user could create the file between the time
that ZIP'R Pro checked for it and the time that it actually
created it. This situation is rare, but could happen, and could
be dangerous. That's where atomic lock files are useful. Atomic
lock files ensure that a file by the same name cannot be in
existence AS IT IS CREATING IT.
If you are using ZIP'R Pro under a multitasker or in a network
environment, make sure that "Network/Multitasker Execution" is
set to "Yes" (or "Auto", for Auto-Detection), under Advanced
Options on the Settings menu of the ZIF Editor. Also make sure
that "Use Atomic Lock Files" is set to "Yes". This will provide
the maximum amount of security against potential problems.
DESQview Tips & Techniques
To set up ZIP'R Pro under DESQview, use the following examples:
DESQview .DVP Example
OLD Program: PW
Parameters:
Directory: C:\PFS
NEW Program: ZIPRPRO
Parameters: PW
Directory: C:\ZIPRPRO
If you are a Tame user, use the ZIF Editor to specify the correct
path for the TAME directory on your hard drive, and create a
custom ZPROTAME.BAT batch file. This file invokes TAME-RES.COM
prior to executing ZIP'R Pro. To run the previous example
program, the .DVP command lines would be changed as shown below:
DESQview .DVP Example (Invoking Tame):
OLD Program: ZIPRPRO
Parameters: PW
Directory: C:\ZIPRPRO
NEW Program: ZPROTAME
Parameters: ZIPRPRO PW
Directory: C:\ZIPRPRO
Since ZPROTAME.BAT is a batch file containing an EXIT statement,
you should also make the following change to your .DVP file:
DESQview Change a Program Advanced Options
OLD Close on exit (Y,N,blank)......: [Y]
NEW Close on exit (Y,N,blank)......: [N]
This change allows control to return to the ZPROTAME.BAT file
after ZIP'R Pro completes its operation.
Allocating about 300K of EMS memory to programs executed through
ZIP'R Pro will allow ZIP'R Pro to swap itself to EMS memory,
rather than disk. This speeds up the swapping process somewhat.
If you are already allocating EMS memory to the program,
increasing the amount by 300K will provide extra room for the
swap file.
The opening ZIP'R Pro screen will indicate how much EMS memory is
available to ZIP'R Pro. If this figure is less than 300K,
increase the amount of EMS memory allocated.
Since PKZIP 2.0 can also use EMS memory, additional memory should
be set aside as swap space for PKZIP.
When using ZIPRPRO (without TAME), you can save about 8K of
memory by specifying the .EXE extension for ZIPRPRO as shown in
the following example:
DESQview .DVP Example (Saves about 8K of memory.)
OLD Program: ZIPRPRO
Parameters: PW
Directory: C:\ZIPRPRO
NEW Program: ZIPRPRO.EXE
Parameters: PW
Directory: C:\ZIPRPRO
This saves about 8K of memory by allowing DESQview to execute
ZIP'R Pro directly, rather than loading a secondary command
processor.
Using ZIP'R Pro With Windows
ZIP'R Pro is only effective when running DOS programs under
Windows. It will NOT work with Windows specific programs!
Windows Program Item Properties Example
OLD Description: PFS Pro-Write
Command Line: PW
Working Directory: C:\PFS
NEW Description: PFS Pro-Write
Command Line: ZIPRPRO PW
Working Directory: C:\ZIPRPRO
Windows .PIF Example
OLD Program Filename: PW.COM
Window Title: PFS Pro-Write
Optional Parameters:
Start-up Directory: C:\PFS
NEW Program Filename: ZIPRPRO.EXE
Window Title: PFS Pro-Write
Optional Parameters: PW
Start-up Directory: C:\ZIPRPRO
TAME may also be used in combination with ZIP'R Pro under
Windows. If you are a Tame user, use the ZIF Editor to specify
the correct path for the TAME directory on your hard drive, and
create a custom ZPROTAME.BAT batch file. This file invokes TAME-
RES.COM prior to executing ZIP'R Pro. To run the previous
example program, the Windows command lines would be changed as
shown below:
Windows Program Item Properties Example (Invoking Tame)
OLD Description: PFS Pro-Write
Command Line: ZIPRPRO PW
Working Directory: C:\ZIPRPRO
NEW Description: PFS Pro-Write
Command Line: ZPROTAME ZIPRPRO PW
Working Directory: C:\ZIPRPRO
Windows .PIF Example (Invoking Tame)
OLD Program Filename: ZIPRPRO.EXE
Window Title: PFS Pro-Write
Optional Parameters: PW
Start-up Directory: C:\ZIPRPRO
NEW Program Filename: ZPROTAME.BAT
Window Title: PFS Pro-Write
Optional Parameters: ZIPRPRO PW
Start-up Directory: C:\ZIPRPRO
How Effective Is ZIP'R Pro?
ZIP'R Pro can save a typical computer user a substantial amount
of hard drive space. Most users have several programs on their
hard drives that are seldom used, but take up a tremendous amount
of hard disk real-estate. Rather than deleting these programs
completely, ZIP'R Pro allows these programs to be accessed when
needed, storing them in a compressed form when they are not in
use. The amount of hard drive space saved depends totally on the
effectiveness of the compression program used by ZIP'R Pro. As
compression programs improve, so will the ratios that ZIP'R Pro
is able to achieve.
The compression programs used by ZIP'R Pro do not provide "on-the-
fly" data compression. As a result, there is a time delay during
the compression and decompression processes. However, ZIP'R Pro
does not require 50K of valuable memory, either. In addition,
ZIP'R Pro does not degrade the performance of the computer system
as the "on-the-fly" data compression programs do.
A performance comparison of the three compression programs
currently supported by ZIP'R Pro is shown in the following table.
The test directory consisted of 33 files, plus a sub-directory
which contained an additional 17 files.
Test Directory Size Using Microsoft MS-DOS 5.0
Compression Type Bytes Compression Overall
Compression
Original Baseline 2,980,853 - -
MS-DOS 2,980,853 0% 0%
New Baseline 2,980,853 - 0%
Additional compression obtained using ZIP'R Pro:
Compression Type Bytes Compression Overall
Compression
No Compression 2,980,853 0% 0%
PKZIP 1.1 (ZIP) 1,536,688 48% 48%
PKZIP 2.0 (ZIP) 1,401,026 53% 53%
LHA Compression 1,428,393 52% 52%
ARJ Compression 1,406,625 53% 53%
Test Directory Size Using DR DOS 6.0 (with SuperStor)
Compression Type Bytes Compression Overall
Compression
Original Baseline 2,980,853 - -
DR DOS w/SuperStor 1,992,704 33% 33%
New Baseline 1,992,704 - 33%
Additional compression obtained using ZIP'R Pro:
Compression Type Bytes Compression Overall
Compression
No Compression 1,992,704 0% 33%
PKZIP 1.1 (ZIP) 1,551,360 22% 48%
PKZIP 2.0 (ZIP) 1,408,512 29% 53%
LHA Compression 1,444,864 27% 52%
ARJ Compression 1,423,872 29% 52%
You can see by this table that SuperStor was only achieving an
overall compression ratio of 33%. Using ZIP'R Pro with PKZIP 2.0
allowed an extra 20% savings on hard drive space!
Cautions When Using ZIP'R Pro
Do NOT attempt to use ZIP'R Pro to compress any directories
containing files that are referenced in your CONFIG.SYS or
AUTOEXEC.BAT. If you wish to compress the DOS sub-directory,
copy any such files to the root directory of the hard drive, and
update the paths in your CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT. Also be
cautious when compressing directories that contain memory
managers, caches, and utilities that may be needed to boot your
machine. These directories may be compressed, but any files
needed for booting the machine must be copied to the root
directory, and the CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT paths updated.
Keep in mind that in order to properly decompress a program,
there must be enough free space on the hard drive to contain all
the extracted files in addition to the original compressed file.
After the files have been successfully extracted, the compressed
file is deleted. Likewise, when compressing a program,
sufficient space must be available for the original program files
and the newly created compressed file. After the compressed file
has been successfully created, the original program files are
deleted.
Multitaskers such as DESQview and Windows put additional stress
on the disk I/O systems of the computer. If you have any doubts
about the stability of your system, use the Test Integrity option
in the .ZPD file to force the compression program to verify the
integrity of the archive. When running on a network or under a
multitasker, make sure that "Network/Multitasker Execution" is
set to "Yes" or "Auto", and "Use Atomic Lock Files" is set to
"Yes".
When upgrading to PKZIP 2.0, test the reliability of the
compression and decompression processes before trusting it with
your data! PKZIP 2.0 has some documented problems with fast
machines (486/25 and up) using external CPU memory caches. Read
the troubleshooting section of the PKZIP 2.0 documentation for
more information.
There is one circumstance where data loss is possible (or even
likely). Be very careful when setting or changing the time on
your computer's internal clock. If you are using the Update
option (for PKZIP) on your programs, setting the time back on
your clock could cause PKZIP not to update files that are newer,
since the date and time may be older than the date/time stamp
stored in the .ZIP file. One of our users reported this problem
on his machine after resetting his computer date to 1-1-80.
Basically, if you set your date and/or time back for any reason,
you are in potential danger. Consider the situation carefully
before making changes!
Troubleshooting / Common Problems
Problem #1:
The most common problem among ZIP'R Pro users is incorrect setup
of the .ZPD file being used. The following list gives some hints
and tips for filling in each field when editing a .ZPD file
through the ZIF Editor.
ZIP'R Pro Filename
Make sure that this field contains only characters that can be
used as part of a filename. To find out which characters may
or may not be used as part of a DOS filename, see your DOS
reference manual.
Executable File
You must place the correct extension of the program to be
executed on the filename. If ZIP'R Pro issues an error message
that it contain find the program, make sure you have check the
extension on this field.
Parameters
Since some programs require case sensitive passed parameters,
the ZIF Editor does not automatically convert this field to
UPPER CASE. Enter any parameters exactly as you would enter
them after the program name, if you were using a DOS command
line.
Maximum Users
Make sure that the maximum number of concurrent users does not
exceed 256. ZIP'R Pro will only allow 256 users in one program
at the same time.
Compressed Filename
Do not place an extension for the compressed file in this
field. ZIP'R Pro automatically adds the correct extension at
run time. If the compression program is PKZIP or Internal ZIP
compression, the extension will be .ZIP. If the compression
program in ARJ, the extension will be .ARJ, and likewise, if
the compression program is LHA, the extension will be .LZH.
Compression Type
If you want to decompress a previously compressed program
without recompressing it, use the Query option.
Test Integrity
Check this box ONLY if you want the compression program to
perform an integrity check on the archived files once they have
been compressed.
Query Option
Check this field when you want ZIP'R Pro to prompt you before
compressing a program. This allows you to specify whether a
program should be compressed "on-the-fly".
Update Option
This option is only available for use when ZIP (PKZIP /
PKUNZIP) is selected as the Compression Type. If any other
option is selected, the Update Option field will be grayed and
disabled.
Problem #2:
If you receive the error message, "Unable to run COMMAND /C ...",
you are probably running DR DOS, and do not have COMMAND.COM
available on your path. For some reason, DR DOS does not copy
COMMAND.COM into the \DRDOS sub- directory at installation time,
making it unavailable on the path. The solution here is simply
to copy COMMAND.COM from the root directory into the \DRDOS sub-
directory. Another alternative is to add the root directory to
the PATH= statement in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file.
ZIP'R Pro is able to detect if COMMAND.COM cannot be found, and
therefore issues a warning message.
Problem #3:
If ZIP'R Pro won't compress the program's files and sub-
directories after it is exited, check the .ZPD file. If the
fields are all correct, check the \ZIPRPRO sub-directory for
files with any of the following extensions:
.U00 through .UFF
.P00 through .PFF
.N00 through .NFF
.CSF
.DSF
.SXF
.SXT
.ZSF
These are token files created by ZIP'R Pro to track concurrent
access to a compressed file on networks and under multitaskers.
Normally, these files are deleted when the program is exited.
However, if the computer hangs, these files will not be deleted,
and will prevent ZIP'R Pro from compressing the program's files
and sub-directories. The filename should match the name of the
compressed file specified in the .ZPD file. ZIP'R Pro provides a
quick and easy solution to the problem of leftover signal files.
Make sure that ZIP'R Pro is not being used on any active
programs, run the ZIF Editor by typing "ZIFPRO", and executing
the Cleanup Files option from the ZIP'R Pro Settings menu.
The Cleanup Files option is used to erase all signal files in the
ZIP'R Pro sub-directory. This option should be used with care to
ensure that no other processes are using ZIP'R Professional.
(Erasing signal files that are in use
by other programs could cause "weird" behavior.)
The most common reason that any of these types of files would be
left behind is usually due to a computer hang. When the computer
hangs, control is not returned to ZIP'R Pro, so ZIP'R Pro cannot
delete them as part of the cleanup process. They can also be
left behind due to a TSR not be unloaded in the TSR (Post)
Command process if it was loaded in the TSR (Pre) Command
process. As mentioned earlier, this can also cause control to
not be returned to ZIP'R Pro, in which case, these files would
not be deleted.
Problem #4
If ZIP'R Pro will not recognize your registration name and number
and continues to issue an "UNREGISTERED" message on the prelog
screen, check the file ZIPRPRO.INI. If you manually edited this
file without using the ZIF Editor, it is possible the text editor
you were using allowed additional spaces to be saved at the end
of both the registration name and number. To solve this problem,
use the ZIF Editor to modify these entries. The ZIF Editor makes
sure that all extra spaces are trimmed before saving these fields
to the .ZPD file. If you cannot use the ZIF Editor, use a text
editor that allows you to view and trim any extra spaces, or use
a text editor that automatically trims extraneous spaces from the
end of a line.
Problem #5
If you are having trouble getting ZIP'R Pro to run properly,
there is a special "/TEST" parameter that can aid you in
diagnosing your problem. When typing the command line to run
ZIP'R Pro, instead of typing "ZIPRPRO FILENAME", you can type
"ZIPRPRO FILENAME /TEST". This extra parameter will allow you to
view several screens of parameters. These parameters contain
information that ZIP'R Pro is reading from the system, the
ZIPRPRO.INI file, and the individual .ZPD file. This can be used
to find out if ZIP'R Pro is reading the necessary files
accurately. If you detect a problem when using the /TEST
parameter, please contact STSI at (218) 924-2050.
Note: The keys (CTRL + Break) can be used on the ZIP'R Pro prelog
screen to exit from ZIP'R Pro. Although this is not recommended,
it will enable users to stop execution in an emergency situation.
Problem #6
When using OS/2 Version 2.1 in combination with Novell NetWare,
PKUNZIP cannot re-create lower-level sub-directories when
decompressing a program. (This problem only appears in a global
session.) If you are experiencing these types of problems,
disable sub-directory deletion on the Advanced Options screen of
the ZIF Editor, or use the Manual Sub-Directory Creation Under
OS/2 switch on the same screen.
Questions & Answers
Question:
Can ZIP'R Pro leave a program uncompressed after it has been
previously compressed with ZIP'R Pro?
Answer:
Yes! Simply use the "Query" option on the program. Before
ZIP'R Pro attempts to recompress the program, it will ask you
if you want to compress it. Answer "No" to the prompt, and the
program will remain uncompressed. Another option is to use the
Compress / Decompress Only option, located on the Advanced ZIF
Options screen. This will quickly compress or decompress your
program (based on its current state), and exit without
attempting to execute or recompress the program.
Question:
What networks / multitaskers does ZIP'R Pro recognize?
Answer:
ZIP'R Pro currently recognizes/supports the following operating
systems / environments:
Windows
OS/2
DESQView / DESQview/X
Novell
LANtastic
10Net
Comments From ZIP'R Users
The following list shows samples of some of the comments we have
received on ZIP'R / ZIP'R Pro:
"ZIP'R Pro (is) an archive automator that adds attractive menus,
hotkeys, and help screens. Best of all, you don't need to know a
thing about batch programming to use it."
- Computer Shopper
April 1994
"Works as advertised. Seamless integration.... I think you have a
superb product."
- Toronto, Ontario
"ZIP'R is going to save you money, and more important hard disk
storage space. It will save you money AND headaches by not
having to purchase a disk compression program such as Stacker or
SuperStor.... Support shareware and give this program a try. I
know you will use it, NO ONE ever has enough hard disk space."
- Throughput (The S.W.I.P.C.C. Inc. Journal)
March 1993
"Really neat program."
- Dresden, Tennessee
"There is an excellent interface for setting up each program
within ZIP'R... Once a program has been set up, it's operation
within ZIP'R is transparent to the user. One advantage to those
who can't afford the 40 to 50 K of RAM required by other
compression programs is that ZIP'R only requires 2.5K RAM when it
has finished loading your program. When you have become familiar
with the program you will wonder how you ever managed without
it."
- read.me (The Personal Computer Club of Toronto)
October 1993
"...thanks for a great product."
- Edgewood, New Mexico
"It's (ZIP'R is) a program of professional quality, worth
registering ... It helps me to avoid Double Space..."
- The Netherlands
Products By STSI
Stevenson Technical Services, Inc.
108 Second Avenue West
Bertha MN 56437-0297
Phone / FAX: (218) 924-2050
The STSI BBS: (218) 924-2060
Internet: http://www.stevetech.com
Internet Mail: support@stevetech.com
(Visa, MasterCard, American Express, & Discover Accepted)
· BBS Informant <ASP> Comprehensive BBS List / Search Door!
BBS Informant is a comprehensive BBS door used for adding,
listing, and searching through BBS names and numbers. BBS
Informant stores over 40 fields of data on each BBS! Store up to
3 phone numbers, software & version, sysop, emphasis, rate,
location, number of lines, storage space, CD-ROMS, date of
origin, services offered, summary, and much more! Network
support is included! BBS Informant works on Wildcat, PCBoard,
and any BBS that supports DOOR.SYS.
Registration Fee: $49.95
· BOOT'R <ASP> -DOS Multiple Configuration Manager
BOOT'R allows the management of multiple configurations on a
single machine. BOOT'R can modify the CONFIG.SYS, AUTOEXEC.BAT,
and more. Modify up to 5 files for each configuration. Useful for
changing files such as NET.CFG too! Ideal for creating custom
configurations for memory-hungry games. Easy to use push-button
interface w/mouse support! Online reference tools!
Registration Fee: $34.95
· CompuSlave For Windows <ASP> Master Your Messages!
CompuSlave imports CompuServe forum messages from a capture file
into a database. Search the entire database for key words or
phrases. Create your own stand-alone, customized technical
support resource using the combined knowledge of the CompuServe
forum members. Ideal tool for tech support personnel,
programmers, network administrators, or any user who routinely
searches the CompuServe forum messages for information. Easy to
use Windows interface! Sample import file is included.
Documentation contains helpful hints on how to create a
CompuServe forum message capture file.
Registration Fee: $49.95
· Infodex <ASP> - Multipurpose Database!
Infodex is a versatile database manager used to keep track of
names and addresses, equipment, computer software, books, and
much more! Includes a FREE-FORM layout. Add, delete, or
rearrange fields EASILY! Search for text in any field. Import
and export to a delimited text file. Quickly browse through a
list of records. Easy push button interface! Both protected-
mode and real-mode versions are included to support various
memory requirements.
Registration Fee: $34.95
· QwkSlave <ASP> - QWK Packet Message Database!
QwkSlave imports QWK mail packets, storing each message as a
database record. Add, edit, delete, print, browse, sort, &
search through messages. Cross referencing makes finding an
original message and its response as easy as a mouse-click.
Ideal as a technical support reference tool. Network support is
included. Easy to use push-button interface!
Registration Fee: $49.95
· Replicator For DOS <ASP> - The Diskette Database / Duplicator!
Replicator is a disk image utility designed to create images of
diskettes and catalog them in a database. Use optional
compression to reduce the image size. Recreate disks as needed.
Store up to 10 lines of descriptive text for each disk image in
the database. Database entries can be modified at any time.
Easy push button interface! (286 or higher)
Registration Fee: $49.95
· Replicator For Windows <ASP> - The Diskette Database / Duplicator!
Replicator is a disk image utility designed to create images of
diskettes and catalog them in a database. Optionally compress
image files and scan disks for viruses. Recreate disks as
needed. Store up to 10 lines of descriptive text for each disk
image in the database. Database entries can be modified at any
time. Network support included. Easy to use Windows interface!
Registration Fee: $49.95
· ZIP'R Pro For DOS <ASP> - Compression Utility For DOS!
ZIP'R Pro stores programs in compressed form when they are not
being used. Use ZIP'R Pro to automatically decompress a program,
execute it, and recompress it again. Uses ARJ, LHA, PKZIP, or
built-in compression. Integrate with a menu system, or use ZIP'R
Pro's button menu. Works with networks & multitaskers. Easy to
use push-button interface with mouse support!
Registration Fee: $49.95
· ZIP'R Pro For Windows <ASP> - Compression Utility For Windows!
ZIP'R Pro stores programs in compressed form when they are not
being used. Use ZIP'R Pro to automatically decompress a program,
execute it, and recompress it again. Uses ARJ, LHA, PKZIP, or
built-in compression. Integrate with a Windows icon, or use
ZIP'R Pro's desktop to launch the program of your choice.
Network/Multi-user support is included.
Registration Fee: $49.95
Programs Mentioned
ARJ is copyrighted by Robert K Jung.
AutoMenu is copyrighted by Magee Enterprises.
DESQview is copyrighted by Quarterdeck Office Systems.
DR DOS is copyrighted by Digital Research Inc.
LANtastic is copyrighted by Artisoft, Inc.
LHA is copyrighted by Haruyasu Yoshizaki.
MS-DOS is copyrighted by Microsoft.
Novell is copyrighted by Novell.
OS/2 is copyrighted by IBM.
PKZIP is copyrighted by PKWARE, Inc.
PKUNZIP is copyrighted by PKWARE, Inc.
QEMM is copyrighted by Quarterdeck Office Systems.
QuikMenu is copyrighted by OSCS Software Development, Inc.
Stacker is copyrighted by Stac Electronics, Inc.
SuperStor is copyrighted by AddStor, Inc.
Tame is copyrighted by PowerSoft, Inc. and David G. Thomas.
Windows is copyrighted by Microsoft Corporation.
ZIP'R is copyrighted by Stevenson Technical Services, Inc.