  Advanced Task Manager Help Table of Contents

How To ...

Advanced Task provides Configurable System Level Memory (CSLM) Information and Microsoft ODBC Configuration Information.

The power of Advanced Task (AdvTask), comes in three forms: The first form provides you with a way of displaying only the applications you want to see apart from all others which are resident within the Windows module and task databases.

The second provides a means for comparing saved Master and Slave system files, i.e., comparing one system with another system, thereby preventing long hours of troubleshooting and configuration problems. These saved system files are created by AdvTask.

The third provides a means of investingating your system ODBC database. Again, you can compare this with other systems with may have configuration problems causing system/application down time.

This information can also be displayed/printed into Microsofts NOTEPAD.EXE or Microsofts WRITE.EXE where it can be printed, saved, or worked into company memos providing problem solutions.

Commands

Task

System

Config

Options

Compare

Version

ADVTASK.EXE Version 1.0

Includes

ADVTASK.EXE,	Advanced Task Manager
ADVTASK.HLP	Help File

Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Microsoft, ODBC, Notepad, Write, MS-DOS, Visual Basic, Windows, and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

License

See the License Agreement License, see Registration form, print the form and send it in., see Ordering. which covers Payment options and other information.

Contacts

Advanced Applications	Compuserve	72713,2106
	Internet	72713,2106@compuserve.com
6700 North Tryon Street Box 560991.	Voice	(704) 597-3948
Charlotte, NC 28256-0991  USA

Copyright notice

Copyright notice.

Copyright © 1994 - 1995 Advanced Application, All rights reserved.

Portions Copyright by Microsoft Corporation.

Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corp.

Various other product names mentioned in passing are trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.


Windows Module and Tasking Database
 Task

Selecting the Task Tab activates the following system information, see Figure 1 - Windows Module and Tasking Database, below.

Figure 1 - Windows Module and Tasking Database.

Module and Tasking information is displayed according to two items, the first being the Config Tab. This allows you to select only those modules and applications which you want to see, They will be displayed if and only if they are loaded into memory.

You may also desire to see file configuration information about that module and/or task. This is selectable from the Options Tab, by checking the Task Checkbox and then selecting the desired item from the combobox. The default is with out this information, but this information can be very important as it can provide you more information about what is actually loaded into memory. The example above shows File Version, other selectable items are:

Date Display,

Time Display,

Version Signature,

Version Structure,

File Version, and

Product Version.

Not only can you display selectable modules and tasks, but you can delete them if, for example, you are performing application/control development. You would then use AdvTask to configure those tasks and modules which may remain in memory if you experienced a GPF. And if your development effort then caused a GPF, (or a sun-spot caused your application to to bomb), which would caused other tasks and/or modules to remain in memory. Then AdvTask can and will unload those configured modules and tasks from memory. You might then be able to restart you application without restarting windows, thereby continuing your development effort.

The configurable list is important because it will display those items which are important to you. If you use other task/module lists, you must wade throught the whole list just to find only those item which are important to you. AdvTask allows you to have control of this list. Then if you need to clear an task/module, you will be assured not to clear the wrong item making it necessary to reboot or restart windows.

Clearing those items left in memory may cause system problems with would require you to restart windows. AdvTask is NOT responsible for any problems which this may cause.

You should be careful because you could remove an item when you did not want too. AdvTask is NOT responsible for any problems which this may cause.

You can also use AdvTask to restart Windows, reboot you system or to go to the DOS Prompt.

With a listbox item selected, you may clear that module/task from memory.

Press this button to go to the DOS Prompt, type exit to return to Windows and AdvTask.

Press this button to Reboot your system.

Press this button to Restart Windows.

(Future button control).


Windows Module and Tasking; ODBC Information
 System

Selecting the System Tab activates the following Windows module and task databases, see Figure 2A - Windows Module and Tasking, below, this module/task list displays those item according to the File type Filter .

Figure 2A - Windows Module and Tasking.

By using the filter, you can categorize your list into one of the following items:

*.*	All file types,

*.cpl	file types

*.dll	Dynamic Linked Library (DLL) files,

*.drv	Driver files,

*.exe	Executable files,

*.exe;*.dll	Executable files and DLL files,

*.fon;*.fot	Font type files,

*.ocx	OLE Custom control files,

*.scr	Screen Savers,

*.vbx	Visual Basic Custom control files, and

*.odbc	(This is not a file type), this loads the ODBC Configuration Database.

To print selected modules/tasks in the list, first select from one to all of the module/task items in the extended multi-select listbox and then press the Print Selected Task button, this will then put those selected items into either Notepad or Write as you have selected in the Options Tab. With the data in either Notepad or Write, you can then save the data, print the data, and/or include the data in a company memo which can be shared with other personnel.

AdvTask also provides ODBC configuration information, see Figure 2B - ODBC Information, below, depicts a systems ODBC configuration. This is selected by selecting the *.odbc item from the Filter combobox.

Figure 2B - Windows ODBC Information.

The items displayed in the ODBC Listbox are the ODBC Data Source names and the associated drivers. This information is important, but it is not all of the information contained within your ODBC System. To display this information, select from one to all of the ODBC items in the extended multi-select listbox and the press the Print Selected ODBC button, this will then put those selected items into either Notepad or Write. With this, all ODBC Data Source information is displayed, see Figure 2C - ODBC Data Source Information below.

Figure 2C - ODBC Data Source Information.

Press this button to run the Control Panel ODBC Control from AdvTask.


AdvTask Configuration
 Config

Selecting the Configuration Tab activates the  Windows module and task databases information worksheet, see Figure 3 - AdvTask Configuration, below. The worksheet provides a the way to select those tasks/modules which you deem as necessary for the Task Tab when activated. Those specified tasks will be displayed if and only if they are being utilized by the Windows System. There are two ways of entering desired module/tasks into the Existing Files listbox.

Figure 3 - AdvTask Configuration.

You can type process names into the Module Name edit box. The other way of entering processes into the Existing Files listbox is by using the selecting files from the Memory Files listbox. This listbox is filled from the system memory files.

When entering processes into the Module Name, you must enter the files extension, if applicable.

You can filter only those files you want to see in the Memory Files listbox by using the Filter combobox.

 Module Name

The Configuration Module Name Editbox provides a method for user keyboard input of the process name into the Configuration Existing Files multi-select listbox. There are two buttons associated with keyboard entry which are the Add button and the Update button.

Edit Add button (left button), Edit Update button (right button).

The Add button will add the Module Name Editbox entry into the Existing Files listbox. If after you have entered an item and you discover that you have miss typed your entry, you must besure that that item is selected in the Existing Files listbox and then correct your entry by re-typing that entry then press the Update button  which will update your entry.

 Existing Files

The Configuration Existing Files Multi-select Listbox displays those files you have selected which will be displayed in the Task Tab. Enteries into this listbox may be made by either the Module Name Editbox or by the Memory Files Multi-select Listbox.

As your needs change you can Add, Delete (from one to many) or Delete All of the items in this listbox by using the Listbox Add, Delete, or Delete All buttons. These are the three buttons placed between the two listboxes.

Once you have add all necessary processing into this listbox, you must press the SaveAs button. This will save your list as determined by the Options Configure SaveAs combobox.

To save the Existing Files as a configuration list, be sure that the Options Configure SaveAs combobox has the Configuration File selected.

Add processes from the Memory Files Listbox into the Existing Files Listbox.

Delete selected items from the Existing Files Listbox.

Delete All items within the Existing Files Listbox.

Save the current items from the Existing Files Listbox as your configuration.

With the Options combobox set to Configuration File, you will save the items within the Existing Files lisbox. But if you have selected either Master Files or Slave Files in the Options Combobox you will save the processes in the Memory Files Listbox. Master Files and Slave Files are utilized by the Compare Tab.

 Memory Files

The Configuration Memory Files Multi-select Listbox displays those processes which are now resident within your systems memory. You may select from one to all of these files and then Add them to the Existing Files listbox by using the Existing Files Add button.


AdvTask Options
 Options

Selecting the Options Tab activates the following AdvTask executable options, see Figure 4 - AdvTask Options, below.

Figure 4 - AdvTask Options.

The Configure Action Tasking prior to execution check box, if checked, is used whenever you clear an item from the Task Tab, you will be receive a confirmation message box prior to clearing the item. With this box unchecked, you will not receive the confirmation message box.

The Task: Display File Details check box is used in conjuction with the Details Combobox located to the right of this check box. If the box is unchecked, only the process without the file details will be displayed in the Task Tab. If the box is checked, the process with show the detail as per your selection within the detail combobox.

The Files Detail combobox will display one of the following file details (if this checkbox is selected):

Date Display,

Time Display,

Version Signature,

Version Structure,

File Version, and

Product Version.

The Compare: Display only those files which are different checkbox is used with the Compare Tab. By checking this box, The Compared Listbox (on the Compare Tab), will display only those files which are different. The comparision is made by the Compare Master listbox being compared to the Compare Slave listbox. If this is unchecked, then the comparison shows those files which are the same.

The Configure SaveAs combobox is used by the Config Tab and by the Compare Tab.

With the Options combobox set to Configuration File, you will save the items within the Existing Files lisbox. But if you have selected either Master Files or Slave Files in the Options Combobox you will save the processes in the Memory Files Listbox. Master Files and Slave Files are utilized by the Compare Tab.

The term Master denotes that system which all other system will be compared to. The term Slave denotes those systems which need to be compared to a known system, i.e., the Master.

The Print Compared to combobox selects which Microsoft file, either Notepad or Write which will be used to hold the Compared List. This is also used by the System Tab for holding system processes or system ODBC configuration lists.

All options when set are saved to the AdvTask.ini file so that when you restart AdvTask, you will use these as your default options.


Comparing System Configurations
 Compare

Selecting the Compare Tab activates the following Windows module and task databases information, see Figure 5 - Comparing System Configurations, below. This data may then be compared with other systems for evaluation and troubleshooting.

Figure 5 - Comparing System Configurations.

The main listbox will display one of three data sources, Compared, Master, or Slave configuration data. This is determined by the Type Combobox. The Type items are:

Compared Files,

Master Memory Files, and

Slave Memory Files.

The term Master denotes that system which all other system will be compared to. The term Slave denotes those systems which need to be compared to a known system, i.e., the Master.

If you have nothing to compare, then The Compared listbox will show either None. or nothing at all. Within this system, you will either be that Master system or the Slave system. With this in mind. You will select the Options Tab selecting either the Master or the Slave Configure SaveAs combobox and making your selection. Then goto the Config Tab and select press the SaveAs button. This will save and move your configuration into the applicable comparison listbox.

Assumming that you are the Master system, and that you have already saved your configuration. You are then ready to Load the Slave system by Selecting the Load button with the Type combobox displaying the Slave File System. The following dialog will be displayed:

Figure 6 - Loading the Comparison Data.

Enter the filename including drive and path. Then enter the section and entry where the comparison data resides. By doing this, you can have multiple sections and entries within the save file. The file format is the standard Windows *.ini file. This also allows easy browing of data within any text editor or word processor.

If you were having multiple system problems then you could save those configurations to the same file in different sections naming them with meaningful long names.

With both the Master and the Slave listboxes loaded, then select the Compared Files from the Type combobox and you will have your comparison as per the Options Compare: Display only those files which are different checkbox.

The comparison Tab gives you the ability to save and load either/and/or the Master and/or the Slave listboxes. So it is possible that your master data and your slave data come from different systems.

Printing is determined by the Type combobox. You can select each listbox, Compared, Master and Slave and Print each by pressing the Print button with your selection.

The Compared Filter combobox, selects those files you want to see for the Compared Listbox ONLY. The count displays the displayed listbox number of processes.


No Help Available

No help is available for this area of the window.


Regristing the software
 Software Ordering

AdvTask is distributed as for evaluation for thirty days (License). Please remember that using unlicensed shareware past the evaluation period is unethical and illegal. To register and receive the latest version of AdvTask, please complete the order form and include US$30.00. Foreign orders add US$5.00 for international postage and handling.

Any questions about the status of shipment, refunds, registration options, product details, technical support, volume discounts, dealer pricing, site licenses, etc., must be directed to Advanced Applications directly (see below). Multiple, network and site licenses are available. Contact Advanced Applications for terms and conditions. Prices subject to change without notice.

Contacts

Advanced Applications	Compuserve	72713,2106
6700 North Tryon Street Box 560991.	Voice	(704) 597-3948
Charlotte, NC 28256-0991  USA

Ordering Information

Select Registration form, and then after printing the form, send it in.


License
 License Agreement

This software is licensed shareware. Select Registration form, and then after printing the form, send it in. Or you may register this software on CompuServe  GO SWREG, ID 6105.

AdvTask is supplied "as is". The author disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including, without limitation, the warranties of merchant ability and of fitness for any purpose. The author assumes no liability for damages, direct or consequential, which may result from the use of AdvTask. You also agree to not hold Advanced Applications liable for any damages, direct or consequential which may result from the use of AdvTask. By purchasing, using, distributing AdvTask, you are agreeing to all of these conditions.

AdvTask is provided free of charge for a thirty day evaluation period. Any use beyond this period requires that AdvTask be registered with the author, Advanced Applications. This registration fee will license one copy of AdvTask for use on a single computer. Multi-user, network and site licenses are available; contact Advanced Applications for terms.

Government users: This software and documentation are subject to restrictions set forth in The Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software clause at 252.227-7013 and elsewhere.

If you believe AdvTask is valuable and useful, please give it to anyone else you think would be interested, and encourage them to register their copy. Copy registration also provides notification of Revision Updates, these upgrades will be supplied at a upgrade price.


Copyright warning
 Copyright

This computer software package is protected by copyright law and international treaties. Unauthorized distribution of this package, or any portion of it, may result in severe civil and criminal penalties, and will be prosecuted to the maximum extent possible under the law.


 Registration Form

To:	Advanced Applications

6700 North Tryon Street

Box 560991

Charlotte, NC  28256-0991

Attn.: AdvTask.exe, Revision 1.0

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(Software)	AdvTask System Information

Price	$30.00

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Subtotal	$	 ($30.00 x Copies).

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(Do not write below this line)

Receive Date:

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About Box
 AdvTask.exe About Box

AdvTask.exe is supplied as a system tool providing system utilities not normally found with then Microsoft Operating System.

Thank you for choosing AdvTask as one of your system tools. If you have any questions, comments, suggestions or otherwise opinions, please feel free to contact us here at Advanced Applications.

Thank you.