README for CONVERT Version 2.0 for Windows TM CONTENTS OUTLINE INTRODUCTION SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS MEMORY REQUIREMENTS OTHER REQUIREMENTS FILES INCLUDED INSTALLING CONVERT 2.0 TROUBLESHOOTING CONVERT 2.0 VERSION LOG THE SHAREWARE CONCEPT CUSTOMER SUPPORT REGISTRATION SHAREWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT TRADEMARK ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ******** INTRODUCTION **************** CONVERT 2.0 for the Windows TM operating system is a program designed to make your life a little easier. Now, you no longer have to dig out that book with all those formulas and spend time looking up that particular conversion factor that applies to your particular application. Most, if not all, of your conversions can now be done in a fraction of the time it takes to look them up in a book. ******** SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS ********* Microsoft Windows Version 3.1 or later running in 386 Enhanced Mode. CONVERT 2.0 will run with version 3.0, but the WinHelp.EXE version 3.0 will not support the CVT.HLP file. Convert will not run if you are running Windows in the Standard Mode. Windows is running in Standard Mode if it was loaded using the /S switch. 386SX/DX, 486SX/DX. At least 1.1 MBytes available on hard drive. SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS If you have a previous version of Convert, it is NOT RECOMMENDED that you retain these files. It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you go to the directory where the previous version of Convert resides and delete all the files before installing Convert 2.1. If you are a registered user of either version 1.0 or 2.0 then this will be a free upgrade for you. The registration number for the previous versions will also work with Convert 2.1. If this copy of Convert 2.1 came on a disk then the Setup program will check your WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory for the presence of the VBRUN300.DLL and THREED.VBX files and replace them with the later version of the files if needed. If this copy of Convert 2.1 was downloaded from Compuserve or the Internet then the VBRUN300.DLL was not included in the package. You will also have to create your own directory and install the program files yourself. See INSTALLING CONVERT 2.1 elsewhere in this text. MEMORY REQUIREMENTS At least 4 Meg of RAM. Program may generate an "Out of Memory" error. If this happens, try to run CONVERT again. Windows should re-allocate the available memory to run CONVERT. If not, see "Customer Support" in the file CVT.HLP. Also, check your Windows - Control Panel - 386 Enhanced setting for swap-file size. It is generally recommended to have a permanent swap file in your system. See you Windows documentation for instructions on how to change the Windows Swap File settings. OTHER REQUIREMENTS Although you can effectively run CONVERT without a Mouse, CONVERT was written to optimally take full advantage if you have a Mouse. See the help file for instructions. Hercules Monochrome, CGA/EGA, VGA/SVGA. NOTE: I have run Convert on a bare bones 286 with a Hercules Monochrome monitor, 2 Meg RAM, Windows version 3.0 with WINHELP.EXE Version 3.1 with the following results: 1. The program took a long time to load. 2. The Windows graphics were cut off at the bottom. Otherwise, the program seemed to run OK. If you experience other problems, please let us know. FILES INCLUDED: CVT.EXE The main program CVT.HLP Help file for Convert README.TXT This File STATUS.DLL Convert's status bar THREED.VBX Various controls VBRUN300.DLL Visual Basic Runtime libraries (The Convert 2.1 version that can be downloaded from CompuServe, the Internet, and various BBS's, CVT21.ZIP, does not include this file due to reducing file size for downloading. Including this file would increase the file size by more than 200 KB). No manual is included since the extensive Help file has all the instructions necessary to run Convert. This is a Shareware Product. You are authorized to freely use it for a period not to exceed 30 days. You are then REQUIRED to register it. See the Help file for registration procedures. ********** INSTALLING Convert 2.1 ************* If you received Convert 2.1 on a disk then: Simply type A:SETUP or if your 3« drive your B drive then simply type B:SETUP and follow the prompts. If you downloaded Convert 2.1 from Compuserve or the Internet then: Create a directory where the Convert 2.1 program will reside. We recommend the name of the directory, "C:\CONVERT", but you can name it anything you want. Copy the cvt12.zip file into this directory and run the pkunzip program to extract the Convert 2.1 files. Run cvt.exe and follow the prompts. ***************************************************************************** * IMPORTANT NOTE: Information containing the location of the program files, * * user info, registration info are all contained in the file, "CONVERT.INI" * * located in your WINDOWS directory. It doesn't really hurt to delete this * * file as the Convert 2.1 program will regenerate it if it doesn't exist. * * You will, however, lose all registration info and will have to re-enter * * it. If you ever move the Convert 2.1 files to another drive or directory, * * the easiest way to let Convert know where it's files are is to simply * * delete the CONVERT.INI file and run the Convert 2.1 program. * ***************************************************************************** **************** VERSION LOG ****************** First Released in Fall 1993 as Version 1.0. Version 2.0 Released January 1995: Added toolbar. Improved help. Removed Tables. Added 3D effects. Fixed assorted minor bugs. Steamlined code to make program run faster. Added nag screens. Version 2.1 Released May 1995: Fixed bug in Velocity - Feet per Second to... Fixed bug in Dry Measure - Pints to... In Dry Measure, replaced Chaldrons with Cubic Feet. The reasoning for this is that the value Chaldrons is a value than can vary between 24 to 36 bushels. Extended timer of the nag screens to appear every 5 minutes instead of every 40 seconds. Added Rounding Errors selection to Help Menu. Added System Resource information to the Registered version About Box. Fixed other assorted minor bugs. ******** TROUBLESHOOTING CONVERT 2.1 ********** Problem 1: "Unable to find file" When loading Convert 2.1 Cause 1: The program files were moved to a different directory or drive after Convert 2.1 was initially installed and the setup was ran. Solution: Go to the \Windows directory and delete the file "CONVERT.INI" then run CVT.EXE again. The Convert setup should prompt you for the directory where Convert is to reside. Cause 2: You have deleted one or more of the files that are distributed with Convert 2.1. Solution: If you received the Convert 2.1 software on a disk then run the SETUP program again. If you downloaded the software from Compuserve or the Internet then, put the cvt21.zip file into the directory where the convert files were first installed then simply unzip the file. ***** Problem 2: "Out of Memory" When loading Convert 2.1 Cause 1: You might be running Windows in Standard Mode. Solution: Exit Windows then re-start Windows WITHOUT the /S switch, i.e., C:>WIN Cause 2: You might have several applications running that take up too much of the memory resources on your machine. Solution: Close some of the other applications and try to run Convert 2.1. Cause 3: There is not physically enough memory to run Convert 2.1. Solution: You might try going into the Windows Control Panel, 386 Enhanced and create a Permanent Swap File on your machine. See your Windows documentation for instructions on how to do this. ***** Problem 3: At resolutions of Super VGA 1024 X 768 and greater, the program gets rearranged on the screen, i.e., the program window is bigger than the Convert 2.1 graphic picture, some of the icons might not appear correctly, etc. Cause: This program is designed to run in resolution modes of Super VGA 800 X 640 and lower. Solution: Go to Win Setup and select a video driver that is compatible with Convert 2.1, i.e., Super VGA 800 X 640, etc. See you Windows documentation for instructions on how to do this. ***** Problem 4: When loading Convert 2.1 you get the following message: "The file 'C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\THREED.VBX' is out of date. This program requires a newer version" Cause: There are numerous versions of the THREED.VBX file. Many Windows load and use routines found in Danamic Link Libraries(DLL) and Visual Basic Controls(VBX) and keep these routines in memory. These routines are unique in that they can be shared by more than one program. If a program is running that is using a different version of the THREED.VBX file than is resident in the directory where the Convert program resides then there may be conflicts. Solution: If you received this copy of Convert 2.1 on a disk, close all Windows applications then run the SETUP program again. The SETUP program should go into your WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory and compare the version of the THREED.VBX with the one supplied with the Convert 2.1 software and automatically update it if needed. If this copy of Convert 2.1 was downloaded from Compuserve or the Internet then, first close all Windows applications and check the file dates of the two THREED.VBX files. You should find this file in your WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory. Replace the one in your WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory with the latest of the two files. If you are having any other problems with Convert 2.1 then see CUSTOMER SUPPORT below. ***** Problem 5: Error generated when attempting to print conversion results to a printer. Cause: Convert 2.1 was written to take advantage of the Print Manager that comes with Windows 3.1. The print routines may not work properly with other third party print managers. Solution: You may wish to re-install your Windows 3.1 Print Manager. Consult your Windows 3.1 user's guide for instructions on how to do this. ********* THE SHAREWARE CONCEPT ********** Shareware is copyrighted software that is distributed by authors through bulletin boards, on-line services and disk vendors. Shareware allows you to try the software for a reasonable limited period. If you decide not to continue using it, you throw it away, (remove it from your hard drive), and forget about it. You only pay for it if you continue to use it. Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. You benefit because you get to use the software to determine whether it meets your needs, before you pay for it. The shareware system and the continued availability of quality shareware products depend on your willingness to register and pay for the shareware you use. It's the the registration fees you pay which allow authors to support and continue to develope our products. Please show your support for shareware by registering those programs you actually use. ************* CUSTOMER SUPPORT ************* CompuServe : Michael Robertson, 71024,1562 Internet : mjrsoft@ix.netcom.com Voice Phone : In USA only (714) 858-1843, leave name & number and brief description of problem, someone will contact you as soon as possible. Snail Mail : MJR Software 22 Buckthorn Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688 ************** REGISTRATION **************** CompuServe: GO SWREG Product #1829 Snail Mail: Send Check or Money Order in the amount of $10.00 to: MJR Software 22 Buckthorn Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688 If you wish to have a copy of Convert 2.1 on a 3« disk then, send an extra $3.00, total $13.00. $10.00 will get you a Registration Number that will eliminate those bothersome NAG SCREENS. Free Unlimited Customer Support. Notification of new releases. Later upgrades offered at reduced prices. If you are already a registered user of an earlier version of Convert then this is a free upgrade for you since the registration numbers for the previous versions will also work with version 2.1. ************ SHAREWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT ************** This is an agreement between you (either an individual or an entity) and MJR SOFTWARE. By using or distributing copies of the shareware evaluation version of the Convert 2.1 package in any way, you are agreeing to be bound by the terms of this agreement. If you do not agree to the terms of this agreement, you must cease using or distributing this software immediately. 1) LICENSE TO USE: You may use the shareware evaluation version of Convert 2.1 for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days. If you wish to use it beyond this period, you MUST REGISTER by making the necessary payment to MJR SOFTWARE as outlined elsewhere in this package. 2) COPYRIGHT: Convert 2.1 is Copyright (c) 1993-1995 by MJR SOFTWARE and is protected by United States copyright laws and international treaty provisions. MJR SOFTWARE, as exclusive publisher, is an authorized representative of the copyright holder. Except to the extent expressly licensed, the copyright holder has and reserves the exclusive copyright and other right, title, and interest to copy and distribute this software, and the right to use the Trademark "CONVERT" in connection with it. 3) NON-COMMERCIAL DISTRIBUTION: You are granted a license to copy and distribute the shareware evaluation version of Convert 2.1 in a non-commercial manner. Distribution is non-commercial if it is for free, or by a hobby, user or computer interest group to its members, or by any BBS, provided the Convert 2.1 package is not modified or abridged in any way. MJR SOFTWARE reserves the right to revoke this license at any time for any reason on 90 days advance written notice. Commercial distributors should contact MJR Software for information concerning distribution of Convert 2.1. See Customer Support in this file or the CVT.HLP file for information on contacting MJR Software. 4) THIS PACKAGE (CONSISTING OF THE CONVERT 2.1 SOFTWARE AND ASSOCIATED FILES AND DOCUMENTATION) IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR ENDORSEMENTS REGARDING THE USE OF, THE RESULTS OF, OR PERFORMANCE OF; ITS APPROPRIATENESS, ACCURACY, RELIABILITY, OR CURRENTNESS. THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE USE OF THIS PACKAGE IS ASSUMED BY THE USER. IN NO EVENT WILL MJR SOFTWARE BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL, RESULTING FROM ANY DEFECT IN THE PACKAGE, EVEN IF MJR SOFTWARE HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. ANY AND ALL USE OF THIS PACKAGE, FOR ANY PURPOSE, WITH NO REGARD TO THE LEGALITY OF SUCH USE OR PURPOSE, IS THE COMPLETE AND SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE USER. Some states do not allow disclaimers of implied warranties or the exclusion of consequential damages, so the above disclaimers and exclusions may not apply to you. 5) GOVERNING LAW: This agreement is governed by the laws of the State of California. Should any part or parts of this agreement be deemed unlawful, the remainder shall continue to apply. ***** TRADEMARK ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ***** -------------------------- "CONVERT" is a trademark of MJR SOFTWARE. "MJR Software" is a trademark of MJR Software. "Microsoft" is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation "Windows" is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation All other trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective companies. No infringement is intended. Thanks!