P R O G R A M M A S T E R T h e H a r d d i s k M a n a g e m e n t S y s t e m Written for the IBM*-PC Computer (and most PC Compatibles) Version 2.10 June 25, 1986 by Kerry L. Vogt 4017 South 1500 East Holladay, Utah 84124 (801) 272-0568 USER'S MANUAL * IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation PROGRAM MASTER USER'S MANUAL - VERSION 2.10 PAGE -1- TABLE OF CONTENTS: Introduction to PROGRAM MASTER 3 Installation : Hard Disk Systems 4 Floppy Disk Systems 5 Using PROGRAM MASTER: Program Start up 6 Menu Menu Screen 7 Modifying or Viewing Menu Settings 8 Using A Typical Menu Setting 10 Customizing PROGRAM MASTER: Setting Screen Colors (For Color Monitors) 11 Changing Menu Title 11 Reference: Modifying Settings 12 Deleting Settings 12 Deleting Entire Menu Settings 12 Maximum Setting Lengths 12 Changing Screen Colors 13 Changing Menu Title 13 Clock & Date 13 DOS Commands 13 Batch Files 14 Automatic Start up 14 Program Improvements 15 Payment Information 15 Invoice 16 PROGRAM MASTER USER'S MANUAL - VERSION 2.10 PAGE -2- _I_N_T_R_O_D_U_C_T_I_O_N PROGRAM MASTER allows you to create a Customized Screen Menu for use with your various application programs and frequently used DOS routines. These Applications and DOS routines can be run at the touch of a single key instead of typing in long and confusing commands. No more forgetting DOS commands or Sub-Directory names or routines needed to start your application program. All these commands are entered one time only and PROGRAM MASTER remembers them for you, ready to run them for you at the touch of a single key. This feature frees you from the burden of remembering commands and lets you concentrate on getting your work done. PROGRAM MASTER'S features include: - Simple to use and Easy to learn. - Up to 21 Menu Items with user defined Menu Prompts, Directory Paths, and Commands. - MENU.DAT Path, to allow the use of PROGRAM MASTER in several different sub-directories. With PMPROG.EXE in the root-directory only. - Customize your own Screen Colors. - Month, Day and Date Display. - Time Display in 12 Hour am/pm Format. - Clock chimes on the hour. - Menu Screen Blanks after approximately 3.5 minutes and Date and Time Display relocates to bottom of screen to prevent Screen Burn in. - Can be run in multiple sub-directories with PMPROG.EXE installed in the root directory only. - Automatically Creates all the needed Data files and Batch files to run PROGRAM MASTER. It was designed for use on a Hard Disk System, but can be used with a Floppy Disk System as well. If you have not yet run PMPROG.EXE, then please take a few minutes to try it on your system. PROGRAM MASTER was written using GW Basic and compiled using Microsoft's Quick Basic Compilier. PROGRAM MASTER USER'S MANUAL - VERSION 2.10 PAGE -3- _I_N_S_T_A_L_L_A_T_I_O_N_ _-_ _H_a_r_d_ _D_i_s_k_ _S_y_s_t_e_m_s Note: If you are NOT using a Hard Disk, skip this section and read "INSTALLATION - Floppy Disk Systems". In order for PROGRAM MASTER to work, the file PMPROG.EXE should reside in the root directory. Use the command PATH=C:\ in your autoexec.bat file. This way PROGRAM MASTER will always find the program PMPROG.EXE. The program self generates the following four files which will be used as follows: - MENU.DAT - this is the file where all Menu Commands are stored. - SCREEN.DAT - the is the file where Screen Color and Menu Title data is stored. - PM.BAT - this is the batch file that will always be used to run PROGRAM MASTER this batch file is rewritten each time PROGRAM MASTER is run to insure it's correctly written. - GO.BAT - this is a replaceable parameters batch file and is rewritten each time a menu item is selected to run. To run PROGRAM MASTER, for the first time, at the "C>" prompt: Type _P_M_P_R_O_G and press After you get past the Introduction Screen, you will see the two data files being created. The batch files are also being created however there is NO screen message to tell you so. Once you are at the MENU press the key to return to DOS. To restart PROGRAM MASTER and to run it from this time forward: Type _P_M and press PROGRAM MASTER USER'S MANUAL - VERSION 2.10 PAGE -4- _I_N_S_T_A_L_L_A_T_I_O_N_ _ _-_ _ _F_l_o_p_p_y_ _D_i_s_k_ _S_y_s_t_e_m_s Note: If you ARE using a Hard Disk, skip this section and refer to "INSTALLATION - Hard Disk Systems". When using PROGRAM MASTER with a Floppy Disk System, it is important that the disk containing PROGRAM MASTER'S files is a 'bootable' Disk. In other words, that disk must contain the DOS (Disk Operating System) in addition to PROGRAM MASTER files. The best way to accomplish this is to do the following: 1. Format a New Diskette, containing the DOS (Disk Operating System). - Place your DOS diskette in Drive A and turn on the computer. - If required Enter the Date and Time and obtain the 'A>' prompt. - Insert a New Blank Diskette in Drive B. - Type FORMAT B:/S and press 2. Copy the file PMPROG.EXE to the Floppy in Drive B. - Remove your DOS diskette from Drive A and insert the diskette containing PMPROG.EXE. - Leave the newly formatted diskette in Drive B. - Type COPY A:PMPROG.EXE B: and press 3. Running PROGRAM MASTER for the first time. - With the PROGRAM MASTER diskette you have just created inserted in Drive A, Type PMPROG and Press . - After the Introduction Screen you will see PROGRAM MASTER creating the two Data files. The batch files are also being created however there is NO screen message to tell you so. - Once you are at the MENU press the key to return to DOS. To restart PROGRAM MASTER and run it from the time forward: - Type _P_M and Press . PROGRAM MASTER USER'S MANUAL - VERSION 2.10 PAGE -5- _U_S_I_N_G_ _P_R_O_G_R_A_M_ _M_A_S_T_E_R Before using PROGRAM MASTER, you should have installed it either on your Hard Disk or a "bootable" Floppy Disk. If you haven't done so, complete the steps outlined in the "INSTALLATION" section of this manual. If you haven't already done so, begin running PROGRAM MASTER by doing the following: Type _P_M_P_R_O_G and press . The following screen should appear: +====================================================================+ | | | P R O G R A M M A S T E R | | T h e H a r d D i s k M a n a g e r | | Version 2.10 - June 25, 1986 | | | | Written By: Kerry L. Vogt | | (C) Copyright - 1986 All Rights Reserved. | | | | If you find this program useful to you, | | a payment of $15 per system is requested. | | | | | | Kerry L. Vogt | | 4017 South 1500 East | | Holladay, Utah 84124 | | | | | | | | Please copy this program and share it with others. | | | +====================================================================+ Press Return to Continue This INTRODUCTION SCREEN appears only once per day, so as not to interfere with PROGRAM MASTER'S ease of use. Just press RETURN to Continue. NOTE: The INTRODUCTION SCREEN will also appear if either of the two Data files, MENU.DAT or SCREEN.DAT, _C_A_N_N_O_T be found when PROGRAM MASTER is run. PROGRAM MASTER USER'S MANUAL - VERSION 2.10 PAGE -6- The next screen, MAIN MENU, is the one you will normally see when using PROGRAM MASTER. It is from this screen that you will select your Applications at the touch of a single key. +====================================================================+ | | | PROGRAM MASTER | +====================================================================+ | Wednesday June 25, 1986 6:35:09 pm | +====================================================================+ | | | A - B - C - | | | | D - E - F - | | | | G - H - I - | | | | J - K - L - | | | | M - N - O - | | | | P - Q - R - | | | | S - T - U - | | | +====================================================================+ | Esc = Exit to DOS | ALT-Letter = Program | F10 = Change Color | +====================================================================+ About the MAIN MENU: The MAIN MENU displays the current Month, Day of Week, and Date. As well as the current time in the 12 hour am/pm format. The clock chimes every hour when the menu is on or during screen save. Up to 21 Menu Selections can be entered into PROGRAM MASTER, with their prompts appearing on this screen. Whenever you finish running a program, PROGRAM MASTER returns you to this screen so you can quickly move on to a different Application or DOS command. To prevent "Screen Burn in", the screen will go blank after about 3.5 minutes of no keyboard activity. The Time and Date will continue to be displayed and up dated. To re-draw the Main Menu Screen, press any key. _N_O_T_E_: The screen save feature is not active while running Applications or DOS commands. PROGRAM MASTER USER'S MANUAL - VERSION 2.10 PAGE -7- _M_E_N_U_ _S_E_T_T_I_N_G_S To Modify or View a Menu Setting, hold down the "ALT" key and press a letter (A to U) of the item you wish to modify. As an example, let's enter a menu setting for Diskcopying from A to B. This will allow you to copy a backup disk at the touch of a single key from PROGRAM MASTER'S Main Menu. We need to know the following: - We want "Diskcopy A to B" to be Menu Item A. - The DOS DISKCOPY program is located in the sub-directory \DOS. - The DOS Diskcopy command, "Diskcopy A: B:" copies all the files on disk A onto disk B. - The PROGRAM MASTER data file MENU.DAT is located in the "root-directory". To enter these settings in Menu Item A, hold down the ALT key and press "A". - Press ALT-A The MODIFY Screen will appear. This MODIFY screen is used to enter new or modify existing menu settings. You can also use it to view settings which have already been entered. There are _f_i_v_e fields to enter for the menu setting. Enter them now under "New Settings" as described below: _C_u_r_r_e_n_t_ _S_e_t_t_i_n_g_s _N_e_w_ _S_e_t_t_i_n_g_s Menu Prompt : Diskcopy A to B Directory Path : \DOS Command : Diskcopy A: B: Command : MENU.DAT Path : \ You will note that we entered \DOS to have PROGRAM MASTER change directories to \DOS where we have located our DOS commands. We then entered the DOS Diskcopy command for a diskcopy from A to B. We did not use the second "Command" entry as it was not needed for this Menu Item. The second command setting field is optional for use if a second command is necessary. Many settings will not use this field. We did however use the MENU.DAT Path and entered "\" this redirects the exit from diskcopy back to the root-directory so the current menu we we're in is return to. If the "\" had not been entered PROGRAM MASTER would have entered it for you. PROGRAM MASTER USER'S MANUAL - VERSION 2.10 PAGE -8- _M_E_N_U_ _S_E_T_T_I_N_G_S_ _C_O_N_T_I_N_U_E_D After Entering the Menu.Dat Path the program gives you the options of press to edit your entry or press to save your settings and return to the Main Menu. ** NOTE: The use of MENU.DAT Path allows the user to put PMPROG.EXE in their root-directory and create a menu in as many sub-directories as the user requires. The command Path = C:\ should be in your autoexec.bat file. Then when in any sub-directory if you enter at the prompt C:\COMM> (for example) : - C:\COMM>PMPROG Program master would then generate the two data files and the two batch files needed to create and run a seperate menu in the sub-directory \COMM. The actual file PMPROG.EXE is not in the sub-directory \COMM but the two Data and two Batch files needed to have a Secondary Menu in the sub-directory \COMM are there, and act independently of the two Data files and the Two Batch files in the root directory which support the Main Directory. PROGRAM MASTER USER'S MANUAL - VERSION 2.10 PAGE -9- +====================================================================+ | | | PROGRAM MASTER | +====================================================================+ | Wednesday June 26, 1986 6:35:09 pm | +====================================================================+ | | | A - Diskcopy A to B B - C - | | | | D - E - F - | | | | G - H - I - | | | | J - K - L - | | | | M - N - O - | | | | P - Q - R - | | | | S - T - U - | | | +====================================================================+ | Esc = Exit to DOS | ALT-Letter = Program | F10 = Change Color | +====================================================================+ Go Ahead and "Copy a Disk" now! - Put a Disk with a program on it in Drive A - Put a Blank formatted disk in Drive B - Press A When the Diskcopy is complete answer "n" to the question copy another (y/n)? - Type n and press . You should now be back to your MAIN MENU. If you are returned to your prompt instead of PROGRAM MASTER, you probable did not run PROGRAM MASTER using the PM.bat file. Restart PROGRAM MASTER using PM and try again. **NOTE: The PROGRAM MASTER File name MUST ALWAYS be PMPROG.EXE for PROGRAM MASTER to work. When you have reached this point you can now try entering Menu Settings of your own. PROGRAM MASTER USER'S MANUAL - VERSION 2.10 PAGE -10- _C_U_S_T_O_M_I_Z_I_N_G_ _Y_O_U_R_ _P_R_O_G_R_A_M_ _M_A_S_T_E_R You already know how to enter Menu Settings, allowing you to Custom- Design you own Menu. There are three other ways you can further Customize your PROGRAM MASTER: 1. Change the Screen Colors (for Color Monitor Systems). 2. Write your own Main Menu Title. 3. By-Pass the INTRODUCTION SCREEN. To Modify item 1 or 2 above, simply press Function Key F10: Press F10 This takes you to a screen that will allow you to try out various screen color combinations by selecting Foreground, Background, and Menu Border colors. When you have set your colors, you will automatically proceed to a screen where you can set your own Menu Title. The Menu Title you enter will appear at the top of the MAIN MENU and replaces the "PROGRAM MASTER" logo. Once your Title has been entered press until you reach the MAIN MENU. These changes are saved in the SCREEN.DAT file until you desire to change them again. Item 3: When you run PROGRAM MASTER for the first time each day, a INTRODUCTION SCREEN appears (see page 6 for illustration). This feature has been ommitted in the Registered User Version. A copy of which you can obtain by sending a blank formatted floppy disk along with your payment and a self-addressed, self-stamped envelope. PROGRAM MASTER USER'S MANUAL - VERSION 2.10 PAGE -11- _R_E_F_E_R_E_N_C_E PROGRAM MASTER'S features are very easy to learn and you already know most of them if you went though the "USING PROGRAM MASTER" section of this manual. For reference purposes, here are a few items that may be of use. MODIFYING - To modify Menu Settings, go to the Modify screen of SETTINGS the Menu Item you wish to modify by pressing ALT and the letter of the Item. At the MODIFY screen, enter the changes for your settings. Press if there are no changes to a particular setting. DELETING - To delete Menu Settings, go to the MODIFY screen of SETTINGS the Menu Item you wish to delete by pressing ALT and the letter of the Item. At the MODIFY screen, enter a Minus (-) into each of the 5 settings you wish to delete. DELETING - All Menu Settings are stored on the file called ALL SETTINGS MENU.DAT. In case you ever want to delete every setting on a Menu and start over from scratch, this can easily be accomplished by Deleting this file. - Return to DOS by pressing the ESC key. - Type: DEL d:\p\MENU.DAT where d:=Drive, p=path The next time you run PROGRAM MASTER, an empty MENU.DAT file will be automatically generated. NOTE: This feature will note erase the SCREEN.DAT which is a seperate file. So Screen Color and Menu Tiles will not have to be redone. MAXIMUM - Menu prompts must be 20 characters or less in order SETTING to fit onto the MAIN MENU screen. Directory Paths and Commands can also be up to 20 characters. Title length must be no greater then 40 characters. PROGRAM MASTER USER'S MANUAL - VERSION 2.10 PAGE -12- CHANGING - To Change Screen Colors (Color Monitors Only): SCREEN COLORS - Press F10 to active Change Colors Routine. - Select your colors from the Color Settings Screen. - Press to get back to the MAIN MENU CHANGING - To change the title that appears at the top of MENU TITLE the MAIN MENU screen, from the MAIN MENU: - Press F10 to active Change Colors Routine. - Press to skip the Colors Settings Screen. - Type y and Press - Enter your New Title. - Press to save Menu Title and return back to the Main Menu. CLOCK & DATE - The Clock and Date which appear on your MAIN MENU screen are controlled by the computer's System Clock. PROGRAM MASTER uses this system clock to display the Date and Time and to Chime every hour on the hour when the MAIN MENU is displayed, or during the Screen Save feature. You may wish to include a "Reset Clock" item on your main menu in case the system clock ever needs to be reset. The DOS commands "DATE" and "TIME" can be used as Menu command settings to accomplish this as follows - Menu Prompt Reset Clock - Path \ - Command DATE - Command TIME - MENU.DAT Path \(directory where MENU.DAT is located.)* * "\" alone = root directory DOS COMMANDS - Frequently used DOS commands can be executed easily by PROGRAM MASTER. You should find this to be an extremely useful feature. To be used for such things as BACKUP routines, Diskcopy routines, Formatting disks, etc. These commands can be found in you DOS Operating Manuals and can be entered in the Menu Command Settings. (As the above example shows). PROGRAM MASTER USER'S MANUAL - VERSION 2.10 PAGE -13- NEED MORE - PROGRAM MASTER supports a maximum of 2 commands THAN 2 for a single Menu Item. For a series of more than COMMANDS ? 2 commands, a Batch file can be created. This is relatively easy and is explained in your DOS manual. Be sure to include the command "CD\" as the second to the last command and "PM" as the last command so that it will return you to PROGRAM MASTER. NOTE: The command "CD\" changes you back to the root-directory. If your MENU.DAT file is in a Sub-Directory use the command "CD\{Sub-Directory}" Where {Sub-Directory}=Name of the Sub-Directory. Use PROGRAM MASTER to execute your Batch File by including the Batch File (without the .bat) as one of your Command Settings. PROGRAM MASTER - PROGRAM MASTER can be run automatically whenever AUTOMATICALLY you turn on your computer. This is done by AT START UP including the command "PM" as the last item in your AUTOEXEC.BAT File. Your DOS Manual has a sections which covers the AUTOEXEC.BAT File. PROGRAM MASTER USER'S MANUAL - VERSION 2.10 PAGE -14- _P_R_O_G_R_A_M_ _I_M_P_R_O_V_E_M_E_N_T_S PROGRAM MASTER is new and any input for improvement is welcome. Chances are that these improvements are incorporated in newer versions and if your ideas are used I will send you and updated version with that incorporation if you are a Registered User. I will notify you by return mail of the update and request that you send a floppy disk or $5 to cover the cost of a new disk and will return a disk to you at that time with an updated version of PROGRAM MASTER on it. Registered Users will be entitled to All Upgrades most of which will be free of charge except for any postage and handling fee. Upgrades can be obtained by Registered Users by sending a blank diskette to: Kerry Vogt 4017 South 1500 East Holladay, Utah 84124 (801) 272-0568 Be sure to indicate your Current Version Number. So that I will not return your diskette with the same Version you are currently using. I will return the upgrade by return mail. _P_A_Y_M_E_N_T_ _I_N_F_O_R_M_A_T_I_O_N PROGRAM MASTER is distributed under the consideration that people enjoy sharing software with each other. It takes some experimenting with software to determine if it is a useful program. If after evaluating PROGRAM MASTER, you find it to be useful, you are Trusted to send $15.00 payment. Corporations using PROGRAM MASTER are expected to pay $15.00 for EACH SYSTEM using the program. Please let me know what Version of PROGRAM MASTER you are using so I'll know to inform you of any upgrades. Once payment is received, you will be registered as a user of PROGRAM MASTER. Registration is important so you can be put on are mailing list to receive upgrades to PROGRAM MASTER or other reasonable priced software offerings. Corporations be sure and include the name of the person in charge of your PC and Software Applications for mailing list and upgrade information. Under this concept, you are ENCOURAGED to copy and share this program with your friends and associates. This approach helps keep distribution costs to a minimum and these savings are passed on to you in the form of a very low price. Enjoy and Thanks from Kerry PROGRAM MASTER USER'S MANUAL - VERSION 2.10 PAGE -15- I N V O I C E Purchased From: KERRY VOGT SS# 529-74-3537 4017 SOUTH 1500 EAST HOLLADAY, UTAH 84124 DATE:___ _ _ _ _ _/_ _ _ _ _ _ _/_ _ _ _ __ INVOICE NUMBER: 062586 ====================================================================== Unit Extended _Q_n_t_y _P_r_i_c_e _P_r_i_c_e_ _ __ "PROGRAM MASTER" Software Version 2.10 ___ _ __ _1_5_._0_0 ___ _ _ _ _ _ __ Add 5.75% State Sales Tax (Utah Residence Only) ___ _ _ _ _ _ __ TOTAL AMOUNT ___ _ _ _ _ _ __ ====================================================================== Please make check payable to: Kerry Vogt PROGRAM MASTER USER'S MANUAL - VERSION 2.10 PAGE -16-