STRT_VDM.EXE a command line utility for starting Virtual Dos Machines(VDM)
from a native DOS image or OS/2 DOS command processor.

This program is FreeWare.  It is provided as is and the author accepts
no liability from the use of this program or any damages resulting from
said use.

This small executable allows you to start DOS images from the command line
for backups and other applications needing a particular version of DOS.
This allows you to start them from .CMD files or at an OS/2 prompt.  The
program requires the presence of PM so it CANNOT be started from a RUN
statement in CONFIG.SYS.

Parameters:
    /Iimage Give the name of the image file here. Include the complete
            path to the file and complete file name.  The image file
            is created using VMDISK.EXE.  See OS/2 help on creating the
            image.  Maximum of 254 characters. Use * to start a normal
            OS/2 DOS session.

    /Ttitle The title for the windowed DOS box. Maximum 78 characters.

    /Ssetup Any additional DOS settings needed for the VDM to operate.
            See the DOS settings for various parameters.  The parameters
            must be listed as SET PARM=setting;.  Each parameter
            statement must end with a semicolon ";".  Because of the
            required SET before the parameter enclose the complete statement
            in double quotes "" so it will be treated as one command line
            option.  Maximum 510 characters.

    /W window option - Follow with W for windowed or F for fullscreen.
                       The default is windowed.

EXAMPLES:
    to start an image on E drive and title the window DOS
    STRT_VDM /ie:\dos5.img /tDOS

    to start the same image and title it DOS 5
    STRT_VDM /Ie:\dos5.img "/TDOS 5"

    Start the same image and set the IDLE_SECONDS to zero.
    STRT_VDM /IE:\DOS5.IMG "/TDOS 5" "/sSET IDLE_SECONDS=0;"

CAUTION:  The program does not check your parameters.  If you make an error
          with the settings you could lock your machine.  Especially if you
          leave the colon and slash out of the STARTUPDIR string.

NOTE:
    Do not place spaces between the switches and the command.  Be
    sure all additional parameters are ended with semicolons.  The
    image name and title are required.  Be consistant with the name if
    you plan to use this regularly.  The program creates an object in
    the hidden folder.  It replaces any prior object with the same
    title.  If you keep changing the title you will create multiple
    hidden objects taking up disk space for their parameters.

One note on DOS batch files.  Often when a program is run from a batch
file DOS will not return control to the batch file.  In this case any
lines after the program will not be run.  To overcome this use the DOS
batch command CALL.  Just place CALL infront of the program name (i.e.
CALL myprog).  Now DOS will know to return to the batch file when the
program exits.

Special thanks to Michael Lamb and Rick McGuire for their examples in
CRTOBJ.TXT for using REXX to create system objects.

Brought to you by
Bryan Walker
WalkerWerks
Memphis, Tn.
CS ID 70304,2705