WinStart v1.0 ============= Contents -------- I. Introduction II. WinStart's Options III. Configuring WinStart IV. Known conflicts V. Technical support VI. How to register VII. Definition of shareware VIII. Disclaimer IX. Tips and tricks File list --------- WINSTART.EXE - WinStart v1.0 executable file WINSTART.TXT - Manual and registration information for WinStart RUNME.EXE - Viewer/printer for WinStart's documentation RUNME.TXT - How to use RUNME.EXE README.TXT - A quick introduction and quick-start instructions INSTALL.EXE - Installation program for WinStart ORDERFRM.TXT - Order form for registering WinStart Introduction ------------ WinStart is a utility that will allow you to decide whether you want to go to DOS or to Windows when you start your computer. WinStart is designed to be placed in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file so it is run every time you start your computer. It is not a TSR, so it will not use any of your computer's memory once it is finished. It is assumed that your current configuration always goes directly into Windows when you start your computer. If you are like me, you don't always want to start Windows. Sometimes you want to do something in DOS first or would rather do something in DOS rather than Windows (such as a game that can't be run from Windows). In these cases, its either awkward to try to stop the process yourself, or you go through the hassle of waiting until Windows starts and then exiting. This is where WinStart steps in. It gives you the option of stopping the start-up process and going directly to DOS by pressing a key on your keyboard. If you don't in the specified amount of time, WinStart will go ahead and start Windows. Winstart has two display modes. The first is in text-mode and leaves your screen visible and is called single-line mode. The second is in graphics mode and covers the entire screen and is called full-screen mode. Winstart's basic display is a short message giving you instructions on what you can do and a timer that shows how much time you have left. The following is an example in single-line mode: If you do not press a key, WINDOWS will start in 5 seconds (Press [CTRL]-[O] to change WinStart's options or [ESC] to go directly to Windows) If WinStart has not been registered, a short reminder of that fact will also be shown. As shown above, you have four options: (1) Do nothing. Once the time is up, Windows will be started. (2) Press a key on your keyboard. Winstart will stop the countdown and exit to DOS. (3) Press [ESC]. WinStart will skip the countdown and go directly to Windows. (4) Press [CTRL]-[O]. WinStart will pause the countdown and show a dialog box where you can set WinStart's options, restart the timer, etc. These functions are explained further below. (5) A fifth option is available if you have not registered WinStart. You can press [CTRL-R] to print an order form. WinStart's Options ------------------ WinStart has the following options. The next section explains how to change these options: Audio warning - An audible tone can be played to warn you that the countdown is starting. Full screen - WinStart can be in full-screen mode or single-line mode, as explained above. Timer sound - An audible click can be played for each second on the timer (like the ticking of a clock) Time - The number of seconds that WinStart will wait before starting Windows Windows path - The exact location of Windows on your computer The following is how the options are set initially - unless you make any changes (also known as the default settings): Audio warning - On Full screen - Off Timer sound - On Time - 5 seconds Windows path - C:\WINDOWS\WIN.COM Configuring WinStart -------------------- There are two ways to configure WinStart - using the command line, or using the Options dialog box and saving your options to a file. First, WinStart recognizes the following on the command line: Setting Description ------- ----------- AW=ON or OFF Turn audible warning on or off FS=ON or OFF Show message over entire screen or sing line TS=ON or OFF Turn audible clock ticks on or off TIME=# of seconds The number of seconds to count down WIN=path The path to WINDOWS on your hard disk (must include the filename) ? Shows a screen explaining how to use the command-line parameters All five parameters must be followed with an equal sign and their setting. For AW, FS, TS, the setting is the word ON or OFF. TIME's setting is the actual number of seconds, and WIN is the full pathname for Windows on your computer. Examples: (1) Turn the audible warning off and set where WINDOWS is located WINSTART AW=OFF WIN=C:\WIN\WIN.COM (2) Set the timer for 10 seconds and no audible clock ticks WINSTART TS=OFF TIME=10 Second, and the easiest method, is to press [CTRL]-[O] during the countdown. WinStart will show whats called a dialog box where you can easily set the options to your preferences. The Options dialog box is shown below: +-[ ]-------------------------- Options ------------------------------+ | | | Options Read from file | Ok | | | [ ] Audible warning ---------------- ---------------- | | [ ] Full screen Save to disk | Cancel | | | [X] Timer sound ---------------- ---------------- | | Restart timer | About | | | Time ---------------- ---------------- | | 5 | | | | Windows path | | C:\WIN\WIN.COM Browse | | | ---------------- | +---------------------------------------------------------------------+ The options are shown as they are currently set. In this case, audible warning and full screen are off and timer sound is on. Time is set to 5 seconds and Windows path is set to C:\WIN\WIN.COM. If you were to set this using the command-line, it would look like this: WINSTART AW=OFF FS=OFF TS=ON TIME=5 WIN=C:\WIN\WIN.COM This dialog box is for the most part self-explanatory. Use the [TAB] key to move around in the dialog box. Under Options, click with the mouse or use the [UP] and [DOWN] keys to pick an option and press the SPACEBAR to turn an option on or off. Under Time or Windows Path, type the setting you want. Neither one will allow you to enter an incorrect setting, and Windows Path will make sure the location you entered is correct. On the right side of the dialog box you see what are called buttons. Either click on them once with the mouse or press [TAB] until the one you want is highlighted and press [ENTER]. The button's functions are explained below: (1) Read from file - You can create more than one configuration file if you want. Use this to read a configuration file if you do so. (2) Save to disk - This will save all options to disk. Next time WinStart starts up, it will look for this file and use the settings that are in it. You can use this method instead of the command-line to configure Winstart. (3) Restart timer - This will close the dialog box and restart the timer. If you change the number of seconds, it will ask if you want to restart with the new time. If any other settings are changed, the new settings will also be used. (4) Ok - This will close the dialog box. The timer will continue where it left off and any options that have been changed will use their new settings. (5) Cancel - This will close the dialog box. The timer will continue where it left off, and all changes will be ignored. (6) About - This will show a dialog box with WinStart's name, version, and copyright information. If WinStart has been registered, your name will be shown here. (7) Browse - This will allow you to search your hard drive for where Windows is located and automatically update Windows Path if you find it. It is recommended, but not required, that you use the Options dialog box to set the options to your tastes and then save the options to disk for next time. You can also experiment with WinStart by turning the options on you want to see and restarting the timer to see their affect. Known conflicts --------------- WinStart writes to itself (WINSTART.EXE) for several functions - such as saving the order form. If you have a virus scanner active on your system, it may detect these writes and warn you of a possible virus. Occasionally, this may also cause WinStart to crash. Don't panic; it's not a virus. You can either exclude WINSTART.EXE from scanning for writes to an EXE file or turn off that function on your virus scanner. Technical support ----------------- Technical support is offered for all users - registered and non-registered. Eagle Software can be contacted using the following methods: (1) Compuserve - Send e-mail to Eagle Software at [72603,3616]. (2) Telephone - (614) 743-2164 (3) Mail to the following address: Eagle Software PO Box 399 Somerset, OH 43783 Comments and ideas are welcome and appreciated. Also, custom versions are available upon request. How to register --------------- WinStart is not free. After a trial period of thirty days and if you decide you want to keep WinStart, it is requested that you register WinStart. WinStart's registration fee is $15.00. There are three ways you can register Winstart: (1) Compuserve - GO SWREG, follow the prompts, and use ID (2) In the Options dialog box, press the Order Form Button. Once the order form is printed, mail with your payment to the address above. (3) Print ORDERFRM.TXT, fill out, and mail with your payment to the address given above. Registration gets you the following benefits: (1) The latest version of WinStart (2) The ability to customize colors in WinStart (3) A free Compuserve membership kit (4) Notification and discounts of all upgrades (5) Discounts on future Eagle Software products (6) A warm, fuzzy feeling! Tips and tricks --------------- As mentioned above, the easiest way to configure WinStart is by using the Options dialog box and saving your options to a file. You may also be interested in the fact that WinStart does *not* have to start Windows. Any executable program can be specified. All WinStart does is check that the program you specify actually exists where you said it does. It does not - and technically cannot - verify that it is Windows. Custom versions are available. One idea that I can think of is having Winstart start an alternate program instead of going to DOS. Another would be having WinStart display a menu of programs to choose from and automatically choosing one after a specific time limit. Any ideas? Something you have always wanted but can't find it anywhere - or find it but don't really like the way some one else does it? Contact Eagle Software - if its possible, we'll try it, and if its not - we'll still try! Definition of shareware ----------------------- Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software before buying it. If you try a Shareware program and continue using it, you are expected to register. Individual programs differ on details - some request registration while others require it, some specify a maximum trial period. With registration, you get anything from the simple right to continue using the software to an updated program with a printed manual. Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial software, and the copyright holder retains all rights, with a few specific exceptions as stated below. Shareware authors are accomplished programmers just like comercial authors, and the programs are of comparable quality. (In both cases, there as good programs and bad ones!) The main difference is in the method of distribution. The author specifically grants the right to copy and distribute the software, either to all and sundry or to a specific group. For example, some authors require written permission before a commercial disk vendor may copy their shareware. Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. You should find software that suits your needs and pocketbook, whether it's commercial or Shareware. The Shareware system makes fitting your needs easier, because you can try before you buy. And because the overhead is low, prices are low also. Shareware has the ultimate money-back guarantee -- if you don't use the product, you don't pay for it. Disclaimer ---------- Users of WinStart must accept this disclaimer of warranty: "WinStart is supplied as is. The author disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including, without limitation, the warranties of merchantability and of fitnesss for any purpose. The author assumes no liability for damages, direct or consequential, which may result from the use of WinStart." WinStart is a "shareware program" and is provided at no charge to the user for evaluation. Feel free to share it with your friends, but please do not give it away altered or as part of another system. The essence of "user-supported" software is to provide personal computer users with quality software without high prices, and yet to provide incentive for programmers to continue to develop new products. If you find this program useful and find that you are using WinStart and continue to use WinStart after a trial period of thirty days, it is requested that you make a registration payment of $15.00 to Eagle Software. The $15.00 registration fee will license one copy for use on any one computer at any one time. You must treat this software just like a book. An example is that this software may be used by any number of peole and may be freely moved from one computer location to another, so long as there is no possibility of it being used at one location while it's being used at another, just as a book cannot be read by two different persons at the same time. Commercial users of WinStart must register and pay for their copies of WinStart within 30 days of first use or their license is withdrawn. Site-license arrangements are avaiable by contacting Eagle Software. Anyone distributing WinStart for any kind of remuneration must first contact Eagle Software for authorization. You are encourage to pass a copy of WinStart along to your friends for evaluation. Plesae encourage them to register their copy if they find that they can use it. All registered users will receive a copy of the latest version of WinStart and other benefits as listed above. Eagle Software PO Box 399 Somerset, OH 43783 (614) 743-2706 November 28, 1994