ллллл The Arsenal Browser Program This program has been created to provide Arsenal Computer's Customers with an easy-to-use CD-ROM "Browser" that will not only allow a person to find programs of interest on a CD-ROM, but to examine them in depth and to copy and/or extract the archives to their hard drives with as little fuss as possible. To this end, the Arsenal Browser strives. Here are some of the advantages of the Arsenal Browser Program: [1] The Arsenal Browser runs directly from the CD-ROM drive, conserving your hard drive real estate! [2] The Arsenal Browser needs very little memory to work. This means that even on a "maxxed out" machine (lots of drivers and TSRs loaded) that you should still be able to get around with no problems. [3] All Commands are available with a simple hit of the F1 Key! [4] The Arsenal Browser program can be "customized" easily by the end user to allow them to use this front-end on OTHER CD-ROMs! [5] The Arsenal Browser program can be easily modified to allow you to use your favorite text viewer! ----- Questions and Answers: Q: Do I have to copy this to my hard drive to make it work? A: No. The Arsenal Browser was specifically designed to work from the CD-ROM drive. You may, however, copy it to your hard drive if you wish to. If you want to use the Arsenal Browser on other discs, then you will need to copy it to your hard drive, or if you wish to use your personal favorite text viewer, you will need to copy it to your hard drive. Otherwise, don't bother, and keep that hard drive space for something more covetous of your drive platter than we are, such as the latest version of WinDoze. Q: What other CD-ROMs will be usable with the Arsenal Browser? A: All older Arsenal titles will be usable with the Browser, as will titles put out by other publishers. We will be providing downloadable configuration files for many titles on our BBS. In general, if a title has a file listing (of nearly ANY format!) on the CD-ROM in the same directory as the files are kept, then that title can be used with the Arsenal Browser! Q: How do I make another Title work with the Arsenal Browser? A: First, check our BBS to find out if we have already made up a configuration file for the title you wish to use the Browser with. If we do not already have a title preconfigured, simply copy the entire contents of the \ARSENAL sub-directory to your hard drive, preferabily in your own \ARSENAL sub-directory, and get out your favorite text editor. Here is an example of the configuration file for this disc: Title OS/2 Arsenal Disk 1 of 2 Copyright Portions Copyright (c) 1995, Arsenal Computer Printed Mastered 3rd Quarter 1995 FileListName WILDCAT.BBS You are going to want to change the FileListName from WILDCAT.BBS to whatever the name of the file listings are on the disc that you wish to support. Save the file, and get ready to roll! (Grin!) It's as simple as that. You can, if you so desire, change the other lines, such as the Title, but this is not necessary to make it work. Now, to fire up the program from your hard drive, simply type in ARSENAL D Assuming that your CD-ROM is your Drive D:. If it is another letter, then type in that letter instead of the D . That's easy enough to use, isn't it? I thought so... (smile!) Q: How do I use my own text viewer with the Arsenal Browser? A: As in the procedure to use the Arsenal Browser with another disc, you will need to copy the contents of the \ARSENAL sub-directory to your hard drive, into their own sub-directory. Then, simply copy your favorite viewing program into that sub-directory under the name VIEW.EXE. It's that simple! Using this, you can easily use whatever program you most like to view the text files available on this disc. Q: I can't get some of the files to read or extract, especially if they have strange characters (such as $ or !) at the beginning of the name of the file. What do I do? A: This problem is the result of too many CD-ROM manufacturers assuming that they know what version of DOS you are running. They provide you with a copy of the MSCDEX program as part of their installation procedure. What happens is that they end up loading your System with a copy of MSCDEX that is for an older version of DOS than the one you are running, and the SETVER program that DOS comes with fools the system into accepting this. This "fooled" version runs most of the time, but when it hits something bizarre, it just up and dies. The answer to this problem is simple: Get out your text editor, and edit the line in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file that calls your MSCDEX.EXE. Change the path from whatever it was to \DOS\MSCDEX.EXE, or wherever your DOS files are kept. In that directory, you should find a copy of the driver that is MADE for your version of DOS, rather than one that is "faking it" for your version. Q: I'm getting a CD101 "Drive Not Ready" or similar Error when attempting to read the CD-ROM. What's happening? A: Well, for one thing, if this happens on this disc, chances are you will never read this message, right? (grin!) Seriously, this error usually means that the disc is NOT readable for some reason. The most common reasons are very simple and very correctable: A fingerprint, dust mote, hair, or other obstruction is on the data side of the disc. Simply clean off the offending particle(s) and go on about your business. A more serious problem occurs when the disc is scratched or pitted. This can cause a CD101 error, and if this occurs, the disc that you have is basically ruined. If you can't find any obvious reason why it's not working, take the disc to a friend's computer, and try it there. If it still doesn't work, then you should contact the place you purchased the disc from to arrange for a return. Q: I was cleaning my Crossbow, and I accidentally shot myself in the foot. What should I do now? A: Take up a less stressful hobby, like whitewater rafting, or SysOping. Seriously though, if you have any further questions regarding the Arsenal Browser and it's uses, or Arsenal CD-ROMs in general, feel free to contact us at (913) 267-7667 during regular business hours. We will be more than glad to help!