===================================================================== Link Check Version 5.1 August 1996 Copyright (C) Karri Software Ltd 1994-1996 ===================================================================== ------------ Introduction ------------ Link Check is a suite of three (3) diagnostic programs which allows the user to examine different areas of the system. These are useful not only on solving system problems but also for learning about the system. All three programs show version and file information on any of the modules (files) for identification purposes as well as interacting with each other. Armed with these three, you should be able to solve most of your software tantrums: --------------------------- 1) Link Check (WLCHECK.EXE) --------------------------- Link Check enables the user to view the links between an executable file and the modules it requires to run on the system. This tool is useful for analyzing those "Cannot find (filename) or one of its components" system error messages. You may also use Link Check to view which versions of modules (DLLs, VBXs) the program will actually use in the system as there are duplicate DLLs frequently lying about the network or the machine. Link Check mimics the system when a program is finally executed by the operating system (Windows). This will help in determining beforehand whether a program will run or not, or which particular copy of a .DLL it is going to use if there are multiple copies lying around the system. Any file(s) required by the program that are missing from the system will be highlighted with a red cross. It could be that the file(s) are actually present on the system but will not get picked up by the system during run time. This could be because the system environment variable PATH has been changed. Link Check is also useful for analyzing software installation problems as well as indicating which support modules should be backed-up with a particular program. ----------------------------- 2) Memory Check (WMCHECK.EXE) ----------------------------- Memory Check allows the user to view, load and unload modules currently in memory. You may also view the current status of memory, including the amount of free memory left. Important version information about each module can be displayed and you may create and print a summary report of the state of the system. Memory Check really comes into play when some program has ended abnormally and has left modules lying around in memory. The system might behave irratically but more to the point, those modules take up valuable memory. In these situations you can use Memory Check to unload those modules and save a reboot of Windows. Warning: Sometimes a clean unload is not possible and you may find yourself unceremoniously dumped back on to the C: prompt, so please do use care when unloading. You may also verify exactly which version of a module is currently loaded in memory. Sometimes some programs will not run because a wrong version of a particular module (.DLL) has already been loaded into memory by some other application. Windows does not load a new copy of a file with the same file name but will simply increase the "usage count" of the module already in memory. These "usage counts" are displayed by Memory Check as a number in parenthesis () next to the file name. WINSOCK.DLL is a very good example of a module which shares very many different versions. Most communications programs require their own particular version of WINSOCK.DLL to be loaded, but if another application has put their version in first, it is highly likely that the second one will fail or behave in manner not designed by the programmers. Use Memory Check to solve these type of problems. ------------------------------- 3) Function Check (WFCHECK.EXE) ------------------------------- Function Check allows the user to view actual function calls inside modules. This program is useful for analyzing those "Call to Undefined Dynalink" system error messages. When a program calls a module (.DLL) to execute a function (piece of code) inside the .DLL and that particular function does not exist in the .DLL, a "Call to Undefined Dynalink" error is raised by the system. These can occur when a newer version of a .DLL is accidentally replaced by an older version of the same .DLL. A program is compiled to use the new functionality of the .DLL but can come unstuck when that .DLL is replaced by an older version which does not contain the new functionality. Some installation programs are prone to do this "accidental" replacement. Function Check cross-checks all function calls in an executable with the ones in all of the .DLLs (modules) that it uses, to verify that all of the functions all present. Should your program throw up one of those "Call to Undefined Dynalink" messages, Function Check will show you which module is at fault. --------------------- How to Register/Order --------------------- Link Check now includes online registration facilities. Please click on the "Register" pushbutton in the About dialog and follow the dialog boxes. Once finished, the registration process will create an order form (WLCHECK.ORD) for you based on the details given. This order form will be created in your Windows directory and Notepad will be launched for you to view it. VERY IMPORTANT: We will create an electronic key from the order form so please follow the instructions on the form and send/fax/email it to us. The order form includes details of our fax number, postal address and email id. Once we receive the order form we will send/fax/email/phone you the key along with details on how to unlock Link Check for the full retail version. We will get the key to you as soon as possible (usually within 24 hours). --------------- Payment Details --------------- Price: 29 US Dollars or 18 Pounds Sterling To have your registration added to your CompuServe bill, GO SWREG and follow the instructions. Please use the registration ID 7160, unless... IMPORTANT: If you are a VAT registered company residing in the European Union (EU) (and NOT in the UK), please use the registration ID 10094. You will see details on all other forms of payment through the registration process/dialogs. -------------------------- Registered Version Details -------------------------- Link Check is shareware and not available for free. You are allowed a 21-day evaluation period free of charge for this program and then you should either register it with the author or remove it from your disk(s). Should you use it after the 21-day evaluation period, you are violating US and international copyright laws and treaties. The registered version of this Link Check 16-bit package includes: 1. Full versions of all three components 2. All references to "Unregistered Shareware" removed 3. Your name in the "About" dialog box As a registered user of Link Check, you will receive the following benefits: 1. Free technical support over the telephone and Email 2. Free upgrades via the electronic key The 32-bit versions of Link Check (WLCHK95.ZIP and WLCHKNT.ZIP) are also available. Currently (Aug 96) we have no plans to charge for upgrades. Once registered with the electronic key, any upgrades will be seamless. All you need to do is to obtain/download a new copy and install over the old version. The key will unlock the retail version automatically so you need to register only once. -------------------------- Current Registered Users!! (from Version 0.00 to 5.00 inclusive) -------------------------- Please go through the registration process starting in the "About" dialog box and send/fax/email the order form WLCHECK.ORD to us for your key. Do not enter anything in the "Payment" dialog box as this upgrade is free. ----- Other ----- Link Check for Windows 3.x, Windows 95 and Windows NT are now three separate products due to the new registration and distribution process. Current registered users can upgrade for free to all three products. ----------------- Technical Support ----------------- Please report any problems and/or questions to 100422.3521@compuserve.com. Thanks, Karri Software Ltd, August 1996