                    EXTDIR PROGRAM HELP FILE FOR VERSION 4.0
                       from Hank Volpe (c) 1986,1987,1988,1989

         Extdir is a utility for PC-DOS 2.x and up that gives you more
         control over your disk directories than dos provides. Some of
         the features of Extdir include the following;

                   * Available disk space and current directory
                     are displayed for convenience.

                   * Change Disks and directories during execution
                     and return to starting directory on program
                     exit.

                   * Display and Change File attributes

                   * User Selectable Wildcard File Searches

                   * A Disk Status routine reports on the disk
                     parameters of the logged-in disk

                   * A Built in File Find Function << NEW >>

                   * Command Line Mode accepts all of
                     Dos attributes at once        << NEW >>


                           CHANGES IN VERSION 5

     Extdir has been completely rewritten to optimize for speed and
     many new features have been added.

     1) Normal / Command Line options
     ---------------------------------
     Extdir can be envoked two ways. From the Dos prompt, type EXTDIR,
     and the program will work in the full-menu mode. This mode
     displays all of the features of EXTDIR, and automatically detects
     Mono or Color Adaptor hardware. In this mode, EXTDIR uses direct
     screen writes for speed. In this mode, EXTDIR depends on IBM
     Compatibility, and its output is not re-directable,however if you
     can run PC-DOS programs without special drivers, EXTDIR will work
     fine for you.

     The Command line option adds the flexability of redirection and
     total MS-DOS compatibility while it gives up colors and some of
     the special features. However, EXTDIR can do some things in this
     mode that are tedious to perform from the main menu.

     To start in the Command line mode, from the DOS prompt type the
     following;

     extdir [wildcard] [options] [ > filename ]


   ** wildcard = * ? or any combinations of the above, or you can
                enter a filename or part of one.

      ie extdir *.txt  will display the status of all text files in
      the current directory




   ** options = h,s,r,a, + -   Enter  a + to activate, a - to
               deactivate one of the selected options.

      ie  extdir *.txt +r will make all files with the *.txt extension
      in the current directory read-only.

      New in Version 5, extdir will accept multiple command line
      switches to set or reset attributes on files;

      ie..   extdir *.txt +s+r-a-h
                 This will make all text files that match
                 have their system and read-only attributes set, and
                 reset their archive and hidden bits.


   ** /F This switch activates the file find mode in the command line
         version. This is also a new feature for version 5.

         ie  extdir *.com /F  will find all files that have a com
                 extension that are anywhere on the current logged-in
                 drive


   ** > filename = sends the output of extdir to a dos file (which
       could also be a printer, or other dos device. This redirection
       only works if you typed a wildcard after EXTDIR from the dos
       prompt.
          ie  extdir *.* > test  will send the output of extdir's
                   command line search to a text file.

      >> filename = tells dos to append the results of extdir's
                   searches to filename.

       Command Line mode will also work from inside batch files, and
       over communication links using modems or other serial devices.




     2) Mono / Color / EGA cards with B&W Monitors
     ----------------------------------------------
     If you happen to be one of these people and you run extdir
     without any command line prompts, it is possible that the color
     selections that are programmed for EXTDIR may make sections of it
     unreadable on a Color Monitor. In this case you can do two
     things; First, Use Mode.com (DOS command) to reset the screen to
     B&W 80 or 40 before you start extdir, or you can use a command
     line switch that uses only black and white characters. This
     switch is the /M for Mono. This is only necessary on Black/White
     monitors using color adaptors. Using this with Mono Adaptors has
     no effect.


     3) Wildcard Selection
     ----------------------
     The Alphabetical Listing feature has been replaced with a better,
     wildcard search. The default wildcard is *.*. Any combination of
     letters and * or ? can be used for the wildcard. The wildcard
     stays selected until either a change is made to a different disk
     or directory. Entering a return keeps the current wildcard valid


     4) Disk Status / Memory Status
     ------------------------------
     The status of the current disk drive is displayed along with some
     disk parameters, including maximum disk space, free disk space,
     Bytes per sector (256= Single Density ,512 = Double Density, 1024
     equals Quad Density). Also the number of sectors per cluster is
     displayed along with the current System memory (minus any EMS or
     EEMS memory), and the current version of DOS you are using


     5) On-Line Help Information
     ---------------------------
     The help line feature is now contained inside EXTDIR, the need
     for an external help file being with Extdir has been eliminated.


     File Find Mode
     ---------------
     New in Version 5, you can search the currently logged-in drive for
     files. Pressing F8 will prompt you to enter the name (or wildcards).
     All directories are searched no matter how deep or nested for a match.
     This can also be run from the command line mode using the /F switch.


     Registration Information
     ------------------------
     EXTDIR.EXE and this companion helpfile EXTDIR.HLP are distributed
     under the Shareware Concept. EXTDIR is not Public Domain Software
     and is not a free program. You are granted a limited license to
     use EXTDIR as long as you wish and make as many copies as you
     wish, however if you find this program worthwhile, a small
     donation of $20 would be appreciated. For this you will receive
     1 free update of EXTDIR and a special bonus utility package, plus
     user support.

     EXTDIR may be distributed via Bulletin Boards and User Group
     Libraries as long as the following conditions are met; Both
     EXTDIR.EXE and EXTDIR.HLP must be distributed together on disk or
     in archive form, and no fee, except for duplication and disk
     stock, is to be charged for this program.

     EXTDIR is distributed As is, without any warranties expressed or
     implied. To register your copy, please send a check or money
     order to the following address;

                               Hank Volpe
                            108 Broadmoor Dr
                           Tonawanda NY 14150

               The latest copy of Extdir can always be found
                 on the BIBMUG BBS 716-832-1398.


