WinSys(TM) Version 1.0 (build v1.03) Copyright © 1994 Jeffrey Polansky. All Rights Reserved. The following information supersedes all program and help file documentation: 1. Getting Started 2. Definition of Shareware 3. Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP) 4. Ombudsman Statement 5. Using WinSys 6. Uninstalling WinSys 7. Programming Notes 8. Contacting the Author *---------------------------------------------------------------* 1. Getting Started Standard Installation: If you received this version of WinSys in an archive (e.g. winsys10.zip or winsys.zip), first extract the files to a blank floppy. Activate the Program Manager, choose Run from the File menu, type A:SETUP, and press the Enter key. Requirements: WinSys requires Windows 3.1 or higher running in enhanced mode. A version of WinSys for Windows 3.0 is available. Contact the author for more details. Documentation: For full documentation, including context sensitive help, press the F1 key at any time while running WinSys. List of Files: The WinSys 1.0 package consists of the following files: README.TXT introductory information and product overview WINSYS.HLP complete documentation in windows help format WINSYS.EXE required executable WINSYS.INI initialization file WINSYS.LIC required license file MUSCLE.VBX required visual basic extension SPIN.VBX required visual basic extension MSGHOOK.VBX required visual basic extension VBRUN300.DLL required dynamic link library VER.DLL required dynamic link library DDEML.DLL required dynamic link library SETUPKIT.DLL required dynamic link library SETUP.EXE required setup program bootstrap executable SETUP1.EXE required setup program executable SETUP.LST required by setup program LICENSE.TXT license agreement/warranty disclaimer ORDER.TXT order form VENDOR.TXT information for Shareware Distributors FILE_ID.DIZ brief description for bulletin boards If you did not receive all these files please contact Jeffrey Polansky via electronic mail to 73114,2754 on CompuServe, winsys@aol.com on Internet, or by sending postal mail to P.O. Box 5485, Albany, NY 12205 USA *---------------------------------------------------------------* 2. 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 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 commercial authors, and the programs are of comparable quality. (In both cases, there are 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. *---------------------------------------------------------------* 3. Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP) The ASP is an association for shareware authors with the general goals of educating shareware authors and distributors and the public, setting standards and sharing resources and information among members. *---------------------------------------------------------------* 4. Ombudsman Statement Jeffrey Polansky is a member of the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the shareware principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve a shareware-related problem with an ASP member by contacting the member directly, ASP may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but does not provide technical support for members' products. Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI 49442 or send a CompuServe message via CompuServe Mail to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536. *---------------------------------------------------------------* 5. Using WinSys Information on using WinSys can be found in the program and on-line documentation. Use the help system at any time WinSys is active by pressing F1 or selecting a Help command button. When WinSys is started or minimized, it appears as an icon on the icon line and displays information such as free system resources, free windows memory, and free disk space. In order to view the WinSys icon, or any minimized running windows program, the windows Program Manager must be running in either restored or minimized window. Consult your Microsoft Windows(TM) User Manual for further information. You can not view the icon line if Program Manager is maximized. If you are running Windows 3.1 or higher, you may check the Always on Top option, and the WinSys icon will appear on top of all other windows. WinSys will modify win.ini if you select or deselect the Load with Windows option. WinSys will always make a backup of win.ini named win.ws1 first. If WinSys can not copy win.ini, it will not modify it. All other WinSys configuration information is kept in winsys.ini located in the directory WinSys was installed. *---------------------------------------------------------------* 6. Uninstalling WinSys You can uninstall WinSys by deleting the subdirectory it is installed to. First, run WinSys and select Options. Uncheck the Load with Windows checkbox if it is checked. Choose OK and then exit WinSys. You can then delete the files and directory WinSys was installed to. *---------------------------------------------------------------* 7. Programming Notes This program has gone through extensive beta and usability testing before you have received this version. You should not encounter bugs. Nonetheless, because of the various hardware and software environments into which WinSys may be put, an occasional bug may be encountered. Known problems: 1. This version of WinSys will not run under windows 3.0. A separate version is available from the author. See the section "Contacting The Author". 2. There was a DDE timeout problem reported during installation on a 16mhz 386SX running Norton Desktop for Windows 2.0. This causes no system problems. If you encounter this problem, just reply ignore or close to the dialog message. 3. If you are using a shell other than Program Manager, such as Norton Desktop for Windows, or are using a program that is using DDE (Dynamic Data Exchange), you may get the warning "Can not copy file A:\DDEML.DL_ since the destination file is already in use" when you run the WinSys install program. This message is self explanatory. To continue WinSys Setup, press the OK button. 4. There is currently no function that will safely detect the Pentium(TM) processor in windows. Although Pentium can be detected from DOS real mode, general protection faults (GPFs) can occur when these functions are called from a windows protected mode program. Therefore, if you have a Pentium processor in your system, WinSys will report it as "80486 or higher". 5. The effective speed that WinSys reports is not necessarily the same as the rated CPU speed. What WinSys does is to set up a block of memory containing instructions whose cycle length is known, times the execution of the block several times, sorts the results, and averages the central values. Under DOS the timing can be precise, but in protected mode the timing can vary greatly for reasons not under our control. So what you get is "effective processor speed", which in many ways is a more realistic measure of performance. Some DX2/DX4 systems may report a speed lower than the rated speed while Pentium systems will report higher. Most other systems should report effective processor speed within 1% of rated CPU speed. 6. WinSys disables the screen saver that ships with windows. There is no problem with After Dark(TM) or Norton Sleeper(TM). Also, you can run the screen saver modules that come with windows using the other screen saver engines. If you use the MS screen saver engine, and still want the screen saver to become enabled, set the WinSys options to show no more than one type of system information when WinSys is an icon. *---------------------------------------------------------------* 8. Contacting the Author If you find any bugs, can suggest enhancements, or have any comments, please contact me: Jeffrey Polansky P.O. Box 5485 Albany, NY 12205 USA Compuserve: 73114,2754 AOL: winsys Internet: winsys@aol.com Again, thank You for using WinSys.