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1991-02-10
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DMPNEW.DOC - revision 2.05 - This file updated 10-Feb-1991.
The newest changes are at the end of this file.
The new registration cost of DMP is $29. The old price will be
honored until 15 April, 1991. A newer version of DMP is planned for
about that time. Anyone registering between 15 Jan and 15 April 1991
at the old price will receive the new version when it is available.
Anyone registering after 15 April 1991 must use the new price. The
old price will not be honored after 15 April, 1991. More details are
available with the registration form in the file "REGINFO.DOC" on
the distribution disk.
CONTENTS OF THE ARCHIVE FILE
This list supercedes the list on page 2 of the main documentation.
The DMP program incudes these files:
1.) DMP.COM; The main program.
2.) PF.COM; 'Print Files' utility, described in the documentation.
3.) XMBLOCK.COM; Utility program to allow use of DMP with an XMM
driver and an extended memory ramdisk.
4.) DMP.DOC; Main documentation file.
5.) DMPNEW.DOC; This update info file.
6.) REGINFO.DOC; Information on registration, ordering, site
licenses, and distribution of DMP.
7.) OMBUDSMN.ASP; Procedure for contacting the ASP Ombudsman.
The distribution disk also includes the XMS driver HIMEM.SYS,
Copyright Microsoft Corp., and the documentation HIMEM.TXT.
-----New features for versions 2.03 and 2.04-----
1. Parallel port output speed adjustment.
The parallel port output speed has been increased to allow faster
output for laser printers and output to print buffers. Also, DMP will
now adjust it's output speed to match your printer while it is sending
data to the printer. The maximum output speed is selectable.
The commands associated with the output speed are described in the
parallel printer output section of the documentation.
2. New options for the PF "Print File" utility.
The PF utility normally sends a form-feed character to the printer
after each file printed. This function can now be turned off and back
on in the command line. The commands are "/F-" and "/F+" for off and
on, respectively. Do not type the quotes.
These commands and examples of their use are in the documentation
section on the PF utility.
DMPNEW.DOC Page 2
3. Printer status checks.
The status checking for the printer has been enhanced slightly in
two areas. If the spool buffers are filled and the printer is stopped,
the spooler will return an error immediately if a program tries to
print.
The second change includes a new pair of commands: "DMP /ST+" to
use the true printer status for errors and DMP "/ST-" to use the
spooler status. The default is to use the spooler status, as in earlier
versions. The "/ST+" option is for special applications where you
want to make sure that the printer is ready before starting to spool.
These commands are described in the documentation section on Spooler
Control commands.
-----Notes about DMP-----
1. MODE Command:
You should NEVER use the MODE command for the printer with DMP.
About half of the startup problems reported on DMP are related to
the use of the DOS MODE command for sending output to a serial port.
DMP does it's own serial port output, completely replacing all func-
tions of MODE for the printer. You can use MODE for selecting a
display, or setting up a serial port that doesn't have a printer on
it, but not for the printer. Please check your Autoexec.Bat file if
you are not sure.
2. Using DMP with Himem.Sys or other XMM extended memory driver.
Several inquiries have been received concerning the operation of
DMP with XMM drivers, including use of the HMA. Popular XMM drivers
include Himem.Sys, Qemm, and 386Max. The latest versions of these
programs provide considerable control over the memory in 286 and
especially 386 computers in addition to the XMM driver functions.
DMP will use only the XMM compatible functions of these drivers.
Himem.Sys version 2.06 is included with the distribution disk for DMP.
If you have a newer version of Himem or any version of another driver
that supports XMM, use your own driver instead.
If you want DMP to use extended memory with the XMM driver, refer
to the section in the manual on extended memory spooling. The
technical section near the end of the manual also gives some details
about spooling to extended memory and use of the HMA.
DMPNEW.DOC Page 3
---Changes new to DMP 2.04---
---This information is not in the documentation---
1. Spooler flush command - "Hot Key".
There is now an option for flushing the spooler from within an
application program, without the need to return to the DOS prompt
to issue a command. In order to activate this option, you must enter
one of the two commands below when DMP is first installed.
The combination can be changed after installation if desired.
If you don't enter either command, the hot-key function is not
included in the program, and can't be activated without un-installing
and re-installing DMP. The selected combination is shown on the
status display when the program is run.
The spooler is flushed when you touch the key combination TWICE
within 3 seconds. The default combination is Ctrl-Alt-F. A beep
sounds when you hit the keys the second time, and again when the
spooler has been flushed.
The two commands are "/KSxx" and "/KFy" for selection of the shift
keys and flush hot-key. The "xx" and "y" parameters are optional.
The shift keys are Ctrl, Alt, Left Shift and Right Shift. Any combin-
ation of two keys can be used. The keys are selected by entering the
first letter in the command.
Examples: DMP /KS - The flush key option is loaded with the
default selection Ctrl-Alt-F
DMP /KSCR /KFK - The flush key combination
Ctrl-RightShift-K is selected.
The /KF command allows selection of any of the letter or number
keys on the normal keyboard. You can use the special quote character
' (reverse single quote) to select one of the function keys or a num-
ber key on the numeric keypad. A non-quoted number uses the normal
keyboard number.
Examples: DMP /KF`7 - The flush key option is loaded with key
combination Ctrl-Alt-7 (Ctrl-Alt-Home).
DMP /KSAL /KF'F2 - The flush key option is loaded with
key combination Alt-LeftShift-F2.
The special quote character itself can be used by entering it twice
in the command (/KF``). To use the punctuation keys, enter the lower
of the two marks on the key, like ; or /, not : or ?.
Remember: You MUST enter at least one of the commands /KF or /KS when
DMP is first installed to have the flush option. If you
can use the default Ctrl-Alt-F, enter a command with no
other letters selected.
DMPNEW.DOC Page 4
The flush option can be de-activated with the command DMP /KF-
(minus sign), without un-installing DMP. To select the minus sign
as part of the key combination, use the quote character: DMP /KF`-
The selected key combination is saved in the configuration file
if you use it. See the "/WCF" command in the manual. The option
must still be loaded with one of the commands when installing DMP in
order for it to work.
2. Enhanced serial port selection. New to revision 2.04.
DMP now permits selection of COM3, COM4, or a custom serial port
and serial port interrupt for output to a serial printer. The full
syntax for the serial port command is as follows:
DMP /COMn [IRQi] [Rxxx] [DPS] [Wyyy].
This replaces the syntax on page 7 in the documentation. The [IRQi]
is new. Items in brackets are optional. Do not type the brackets.
'n' is the port number from 1 to 4. 'i' is the IRQ (interrupt) number
from 3 to 5. xxx is the bit rate from 300 to 19200. DPS are the data,
parity, stop parameters. 'yyy' is the handshake signal, selected from
CTS, DCD, DSR, or RI. The descriptions for all the options are in the
manual. It is usually only necessary to select a COM port number (1-4)
and a bit rate (300-19200).
Example: DMP /COM2 IRQ3 R9600 8N2 WDSR
Selects output to COM port 2, using IRQ3 (the default for COM2)
9600 bps, 8 data, no parity, 2 stop bits, DSR busy signal.
The selection of a custom port number for serial output uses a
similar syntax: /COMxHHH IRQi. The IRQ number is required for a
custom port number. HHH is the 3 digit hexadecimal port number.
The information on which port and IRQ to use is usually supplied with
an option board for your computer that includes a serial port.
The other options for bps, data, parity, stops and handshake signal
are the same as for the basic command, above. A custom port number
is recommended for serious hardware tinkerers only.
================Version 2.05=======================
This version corrects a bug in the configuration file write/read
functions only. There are no other changes from version 2.04.