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- ▀\ ▀\ V3.10 ▀▀\ ▀▀\
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- ▀\ ▀\rchive ▀▀▀▀▀▀\onverter
-
-
- Donald M. Langhorne
- South 5241 Columbia Ave.
- Hamburg, NY 14075
-
-
- Registration only $10
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- -i-
-
-
- Contents
- --------
-
-
- Introduction---------------------- 1
- Special Features------------------ 1
- Installation---------------------- 1
- Archive programs------------------ 2
- Usage----------------------------- 3
- Options--------------------------- 4
- Using ACSETUP--------------------- 5
- Command Line---------------------- 6
- Command Line Options-------------- 7
- Command Line Examples------------- 8
- Command Line Error Levels--------- 9
- Logging----------------------------10
- Limitations----------------------- 11
- Disclaimer------------------------ 13
- Registration---------------------- 13
-
-
-
-
- -1-
-
-
-
- INTRODUCTION:
- =============
-
- AC converters to/from almost all archive types. AC can be used
- in two possible mode of operation: UI(User Interface) Mode
- and command line mode. Both modes are available with just one
- EXE file. To effectively use this program you must have at
- least a basic understanding of how archivers work, and what they
- are. To begin using AC, you will need to place the EXE files,
- .HLP files, and AC.DB in a directory accessible from your DOS
- path.
-
-
-
- SPECIAL FEATURES:
- =================
-
- - Virtually ANY known or future archiver can be defined to work
- with AC, so long as it follows a few basic rules.
- - AC has the ability to report conversion to a log file
- - AC works in conjunction with a configuration file AC.DB. This allows
- for customization
- - AC supports recursive archives. To convert an archive recursively
- the archive being converted to MUST support recursion.
- - AC can SCAN archives during conversion to check for viruses
- - AC supports nested archives upto 1 level deep.
- - AC can also automate the process of updating an archive, or
- converting an archive to a newer version of the same type.
- - Can customize the colors that AC uses, and change the VGA
- pallette.
- - Can now convert files on floppy diskettes. For this feature to
- work, you must have your TEMP environment variable set to a
- valid directory.
-
- Installation:
- =============
-
- Installation can be completed by following these simple steps:
-
- 1) Copy the files AC.EXE, AC.DB and ACS.EXE to a directory
- in your path. If you already have an older version of AC,
- and would like to use your older copy of AC.DB, check the
- file UPDATE.TXT to see what is needed if anything to upgrade
- the file to the newer release.
-
- 2) If you want On-Line help in UI mode, the copy the files
- AC.HLP and ACS.HLP to the same location as above.(AC will
- operate without these files, but you will be on your own!)
-
- 3) Wherever you place AC.EXE, AC.DB and ACSETUP.EXE they MUST
- be in the SAME location for AC to operate properly.
-
- 4) Run ACS.EXE(ACSetup) and modify the archivers, dearchivers,
- defaults, and the registration number, where applicable.
-
- 5) Run AC.
-
- That's It!! Enjoy.
-
-
- -2-
-
- Archive Programs:
-
- The following is a list of all known archivers that are defined
- by default with the shareware version of AC, and some alternates
- that can be used instead.
-
-
-
- Type: Files Supported Vendor Versions(tested & supported)
- =============================================================================
-
- ARC programs:
- pkarc.exe & pkxarc.exe {PKWARE, Inc.} 3.61
- pkpak.exe & pkunpak.exe {PKWARE, Inc.} 3.61
- arc.exe {Sea, Inc.} 6.02
-
- ARJ programs:
- arj.exe {Robert Jung} 2.00-2.30
-
- LZH programs:
- lha.exe {Haruyasu Yoshizaki} 2.11-13
- lharc.exe {Haruyasu Yoshizaki} 1.13c
-
- ZIP programs:
- pkzip.exe & pkunzip.exe {PKWARE, Inc.} 1.10-2.04g
-
- DWC programs:
- dwc.exe {Dean W. Cooper} A5.01
-
- HYP programs: (P. Sawatzki K.P. Nischke}
- hyper.exe 2.5
-
- ZOO programs:
- zoo.exe {Rahul Dhesi} 2.01-2.10
-
- MD programs:
- mdcd.exe {Mike Davenport} 1.00
-
- PAK programs:
- pak.exe {NOGATE Consulting} 2.51
-
- LZS programs: {K.MIKI H.OKUMURA K.MASUYAMA}
- larc.exe &larc7e.ovr 3.33
-
- SQZ programs: {Jonas I Hammarberg}
- sqz.exe 1.08.2-1.08.3
-
-
- -3-
-
-
-
- USAGE:
- AC has been designed to be as easy and quick to use as possible.
- All that is necessary to convert an archive is to follow these
- simple rules:
-
- 1) After running AC, you will see a window that shows all
- the available directories(including '..' to allow you
- to navigate your entire directory structure by moving
- one directory back toward the root directory). This
- window will also show any archives that reside in your
- current directory. AC will ONLY show valid archive
- files that match the archivers defined in ACSetup.
-
- 2) By moving the cursor, either highlight the file you want to
- convert or Tag files for conversion.
-
- 3) Before you convert the archives, you should check to see
- that AC is configured for your needs. Hitting the F3
- key will bring up a window with all the current toggles
- and their settings. Make any adjustments necessary.
- ***It is possible to save the desired settings of the***
- ***Toggles as defaults only if AC has been registered***
-
- 4) after you have selected what archive type and what settings
- to use, Press <ENTER> to convert the highlighted file only,
- <F2> to convert multiple files.
-
- 5) AC will then proceed with the conversion, and when done
- return you to the main program, with the file list
- updated.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- -4-
- OPTIONS:
- =========
- All options can be changed by highlighting the desired toggle and
- pressing the <return> key to go through the available selections.
- To the left of each option, an alternate hot key is shown where
- applicable.
-
- N/A Convert to: ARC/ARJ/DWC/LZH/LZS/MD/PAK/ZIP/ZOO
- This setting allows the user to change what type of archive
- that AC should convert to.
- <ALT-R> Recursion: ON/OFF
- This will either turn on support for recursion or turn it off.
- Recursion means to recognize archives that have directories with
- files converted without losing it's structure.
- If you are converting a recursed archive to another type that
- does not support recursion, it is important to turn this switch
- off.
- <ALT-I> Timestamp: ON/OFF
- This toggle when turned on causes AC to alter the date of
- the new archive file to the latest date of the actual files
- that are inside the archive. Turning this feature off causes
- AC to use today's date for the date of the archive.
- <ALT-L> Logging: ON/OFF
- This toggle when on, will cause AC to send a one line report to
- a text file AC.LOG that shows the name and size of both the
- old archive and new archive, and the difference in size after
- conversion. Each time a file is converted with this on, AC.LOG
- will be appended to. Turning this feature off will cause no
- report to be sent.
- <ALT-C> Scan: ON/OFF
- This toggle when ON, will enable SCAN.EXE to check for viruses
- inside the archive. This will increase the conversion time, so
- it can usually be turned off, unless you are converting a file
- you have just downloaded.
- <ALT-K> Keep Originals: ON/OFF
- This toggle when ON, prevents AC from deleting the original
- archive after conversion.
- <ALT-V> Video Mode: 25/28/43/50
- This will toggle the screen size. Be aware that 43/50 line
- support is not available for CGA monitors and 50 line support
- is not available to EGA monitors. Changing this value on a
- monitor that does not support these modes, could cause the
- screen to look very odd, since AC does not check before it
- switches modes, whether the monitor supports the higher modes.
- <ALT-U> Update Mode: ON/OFF
- This toggle when ON will allow AC to support updating of
- archives. For example you may want to update all your existing
- ZIP files to the new version. With this set to ON, AC will not
- check to see if it is overwriting a file, which it normally does.
- This should only be set to ON when you want to update archives to
- the same type.
- <ALT-N> Nested Archives: ON/OFF
- This toggle when ON will provide support for converting archives
- within archives.
-
- -5-
-
- Using ACS(Previously ACSETUP)
- =============================
-
-
- -ACS is a menu driven program that allows the user to
- configure the AC.DB file for use with AC.EXE.
- Once AC.DB is configured it is not necessary to keep ACS
- installed, but any future changes that need to be made must
- be done using ACS.
-
- -Assuming ACS is in your path and AC.DB is in THE SAME
- DIRECTORY as ACS, ACS can be run from any directory.
-
- -When using ACS, use the up and down arrow keys to highlight
- the item you wish to change. Then hit the enter key to choose
- your choice. ESC will return you to the previous menu options.
- and if you hit ESC at the main menu, it will exit the program.
-
- -For specific help run ACS and press F1 for help, then select the
- topic you wish help on.
-
- -In order to define an archiver or dearchiver that is not already
- defined in ACS, you should print out the command line help if
- possible to help you enter the required information.
-
- -If you do not want to add a switch, simply leave it blank. For
- example, PKArc does NOT support recursion. Simply leave the fields
- for recursion blank.
-
- NOTE: The menu choice 'Default toggles' is only applicable to the
- registered version. While you can enter and make changes
- to these values, they will not be recognized by AC unless
- a valid registration number has been entered.
-
-
- -6-
-
-
- Command Line:
- =============
-
- AC will accept command line options. This allows for faster operation
- since AC is told what to do when it executes, acts on the switches and
- exits. If you modify the command line switches, then obviously they
- will not match those presented below. The switches below describe
- the default switches and archiver definitions that are shipped with AC.
-
- ***Registered users can change the defaults for these options, and
- therefore when using the commands: /k, /n, /u, /v, and /w would
- actually toggle these features OFF if they were defined as being
- ON.
-
- Commands:
- =========
-
- /a Convert to .ARC{Default}
- This will convert the specified file(s) to an archive(s) of type ARC
-
- /j Convert to .ARJ
- This will convert the specified file(s) to an archive(s) of type ARJ
-
- /d Convert to .DWC
- This will convert the specified file(s) to an archive(s) of type DWC
-
- /h Convert to .HYP
- This will convert the specified file(s) to an archive(s) of type HYP
-
- /l Convert to .LZH
- This will convert the specified file(s) to an archive(s) of type LZH
-
- /p Convert to .PAK
- This will convert the specified file(s) to an archive(s) of type PAK
-
- /q Convert to .SQZ
- This will convert the specified file(s) to an archive(s) of type SQZ
-
- /s Convert to .LZS
- This will convert the specified file(s) to an archive(s) of type LZS
-
- /o Convert to .ZOO
- This will convert the specified file(s) to an archive(s) of type ZOO
-
- /z Convert to .ZIP
- This will convert the specified file(s) to an archive(s) of type ZIP
-
- /<x> Convert to .<EXT>
- This would be any custom archivers that you define where
- <x> would be the switch character chosen, and
- <EXT> would be the extension chosen.
-
- /k Keep originals
- This command will prevent AC from deleting the original archive after
- conversion.
-
- /n Nested Archives
- This command will provide support for automatic conversion of any
- archives found inside of the main archives being converted.
-
-
- -7-
-
- Command Line(Cont.)
- ===================
-
- /v Scan for Viruses.
- This command will invoke McAffee's SCAN after extraction and before
- re-compression. If a virus is detected, AC will notify the user.
-
- /w Write report to LOG file
- This command will cause AC to append/create to the file AC.LOG which
- would be located in the same directory as AC.EXE. The log file will
- keep information on the names and filesizes before and after
- conversion, plus the difference in size and if it was scanned.
-
- /u Update archive
- this command will prevent AC from checking if there is already a file
- with the name that the archive will become after conversion.
- This command is most useful when simply updating an archive without
- changing it's type. IE update files from pkzip 1.10 to 2.04
-
- Other options from the command line:
- ====================================
- -S Display defaults
- This command will output the defaults preferences for AC.
- ***This feature is only useful for registered users.***
-
-
-
- OPTIONS:
- ========
- Options should follow the command that specifies the type to convert
- to and should not have any spaces between the two.
- IE 'AC /jr filename.zip' is the correct syntax.
-
- r convert file with recursion.
- This option will allow for nested directories inside of archive files.
-
- t Update to latest member
- This option will cause AC to locate the newest file inside of the
- current archive and change to date of the new archive to that date.
-
-
- -8-
-
- Examples: Command Line
- =======================
-
- Example 1: To convert the file AC210.ZIP to an ARJ.
-
- 'AC /j AC210.ZIP' or 'AC AC210'
-
-
- Example 2: To convert the file WP51.ZIP to an ARJ file with recursion
- and timestamping without deleting the original archive.
-
- 'AC /jrt /k WP51.ZIP'
-
- Example 3: To convert the file MYFILE.LZH to a ZIP file with recursion
- timestamping, not deleting the original, scan for viruses
- and report to a log file.
-
- 'AC /zrt /k /v /w MYFILE.ZIP'
-
- Example 4: To update the file ZIPFILE.ZIP which is currently compressed
- with PKZIP 1.10 to the newer PKZIP 2.00
-
- 'AC /z /u ZIPFILE.ZIP'
-
-
- Note on defaults:
- =========================
-
- **Only Registered versions allow for the defaults to be modified.**
-
- The pre-defined default for Archive type is ARC.
- It is possible to not include a switch specifying what archive type
- to convert to. IE 'AC MYFILE.ARJ' would automatically convert the
- file from type .ARJ to type .ARC. Registered users can change this
- default to any other for faster execution.
-
- As of this release it is NOT possible to toggle the recursion or timestamp
- options from the command line if NO archive switch is supplied.
-
- -9-
-
- Command Line Error Levels:
- ==========================
-
- When AC is run in Command Line mode, it will return error level values
- for use in batch files. If you are unfamiliar with batch files or with
- DOS error levels, please consult your DOS manual.
-
- The following error levels with their descriptions are returned by AC:
-
- ERROR-LEVEL DESCRIPTION
- ---------------------------
- 0 Conversion Complete
- 1 User Abort. Conversion stopped
- 2 Error during extraction
- 3 Error during compression
- 4 New Archive was not created/does not exist
- 5 Temporary directory could NOT be created
- 6 Error changing directory
-
- AC does NOT return different errorlevel values in UI mode. It will
- always return 0.
-
- -10-
-
- Logging:
- ========
-
- AC can optionally log information to a text file for each archive that it
- converts. The text file is in text fixed length columns which would
- allow for easy conversion to a database or spreadsheet if desired.
-
- The basic convention of the log is as follows:
-
- <Original Name>:<Original Size> ==> <New Name>:<New Size> <Difference> <Scan>
-
- <Original Name>: The original name the archive had before conversion.
- <Original Size>: Original size of archive in K {E.G. 50k}
- <New Name>: The name of the archive after conversion.
- <New Size>: The new size of the archive after conversion.
- <Difference>: The difference between the new size and original size
- plus whether the new size is larger or smaller than the
- original size.
- <Scan>: The condition of a virus scan. Can be one of three values.
- 1) unscanned : a scan was not performed during conversion.
- 2) scanned : archive was scanned. No viruses found.
- 3) scanned/cleaned : archive was scanned, a virus was found
- but was cleaned by clean.exe.
-
- **NOTE:
- if a virus is detected during a scan when using AC. The
- user must enter the virus ID to clean the infected files.
-
- -11-
-
- LIMITATIONS:
- ============
-
- The following items describe known limitations of AC at the time it was
- released. Should you encounter any problems/difficulties/confusion, you
- should look here and be sure that you try using the On-Line help.
- If you cannot find any help, then please feel free to contact me,
- registered user or not! I always appreciate comments on my programs.
- I have tried to make this latest release as robust as possible, and feel
- personally that it is much, much better than the previous version of AC,
- but since I have almost completely rewritten AC in C++, and due to the
- long amount of time involved, I felt it was more important to release AC
- as is, rather than spend 3-4 more months ironing out what I feel are
- minor limitations, that CAN be avoided. I will of course be addressing
- these issues and will add/fix them in future releases.
-
-
- -- ACSetup uses quite a bit of memory at times. It uses memory dynamically,
- which means that it takes what it needs as it goes along, and then
- discards it when finished. At some points in ACSetup, I have verified
- that is uses at least 332KB of RAM. Due to this large number, you may
- experience difficulties when running ACSetup from AC(which uses ~150K).
- If you encounter problems with lock-ups or receive the message:
- 'Not Enough Memory' in a RED BOX, then you have probably run out of free
- RAM. I usually run my machine with about 625K of RAM and have had no
- problems, but I realize that some users do not work with that much free
- RAM. The easiest solution would be to run ACSetup itself from DOS, instead
- of running it through AC. I plan on working on ACSetup to reduce the
- memory overhead in future releases and pursue the possibility of using
- some sort of memory swapping routines to give ACSetup more RAM when run
- from AC.
-
- -- If you convert an archive and the new archive name is being used by another
- archive, then AC will overwrite the old archive with the new one.
- For example:
- You have the following files in your directory:
- MYFILE.ARC
- MYFILE.ZIP
- MYFILE.ARJ
-
- If you convert MYFILE.ARC to ARJ, then the original file that existed
- before you started the conversion will be replaced by the new file
- that is created during conversion. Older versions of AC would ask you
- to confirm overwrite, and optionally allow you to type a new name.
- I will be re-implementing this feature ASAP.
-
- -- In ACSETUP, it is possible to delete ALL the archivers or ALL the
- dearchivers. While this is probably something that will never happen,
- if you do this, then you will not be able to add any more archives. You
- would then have to recreate the Database with the menu option in ACSetup.
- Remember: If you do recreate the database, you will have to re-set your
- preferences, and define the archivers/dearchivers and re-register the
- product if applicable. This issue will be addressed.
-
- -12-
-
- Limitations(cont.)
- ==================
-
- -- During the conversion process, you can press the <ESC> key to cancel
- the conversion process. When you press <ESC>, AC will finish what it
- is doing, THEN ask you if you wish to continue or not. If you select
- NO and you are converting multiple archives, AC will stop ALL conversions.
- I myself would like to see the option to skip the current archive, and
- will address this issue.
-
- -- As of this release, if you wish to scan for viruses, you must have
- McAffee's SCAN.EXE and optionally CLEAN.EXE. It has been brought
- to my attention that some users prefer other virus checking programs.
- I had intended to add the ability to customize the virus programs,
- but after looking into the issue, I realized that it was a rather
- complex problem due to the fact that most all other scanners do NOT
- have 2 separate programs to scan and clean, and none seem to need you
- to type in the name of the virus when cleaning. I will be visiting
- this issue and I feel it is an important one to implement.
-
- -- The following issue is one that I feel could/perhaps/maybe/who knows!
- be an issue: If you find that the amount of information in the dialog
- box input screens is not enough to adequately define an archiver or
- dearchiver, then please let me know. I can easily increase the length
- of characters that are allowed(within reason!). I have not because
- I could not find any archivers that had command line switches longer
- than 6 characters for any individual switch. And the smaller the
- fields are, the less memory they use. I will only address this issue
- if it is brought to my attention that it is a problem for someone.
-
-
- --As of this release AC no longer supports SFX archives.
- This will be re-implemented in a future releases
-
- --AC does not work with hercules video cards to the best of my
- knowledge.
-
- --Do not Add Recursive switch settings to DWC or ZOO, while they
- both support recursion, they both use the full path with the
- drive, and will not work with AC at this time.
-
- --While AC does support the option to scan archives for viruses,
- I have not been able to test this feature properly in a
- real-time situation. I would appreciate hearing from ANYONE
- who experience a virus detection with AC, and can let me know
- if it executed properly or not.
-
- --DWC uses the environment variable TEMP if it exists to point
- to the directory for it to create temporary files in. If this
- value is set to a directory that does not exist DWC will not
- function.
-
-
- -13-
-
- DISCLAIMER:
- ===========
-
- I assume no liability or responsibility for any damages that may occur
- from the use or misuse of this program. A user operates this program
- without any guarantees as to the accuracy of the information included.
- All use is at the user's risk.
-
-
- A note on registration:
- =======================
-
- I am releasing this program as shareware. Using this program for a
- NON-COMMERCIAL PURPOSE is allowed. AC is NOT Public Domain Software
- nor is it Freeware. It is copyrighted by myself and I retain the
- rights to all files included in this release. Using this program
- for personal use is allowed for a trial period of up to 30 days.
- Thereafter you should either register this product, or discontinue
- use. I firmly believe that $10 will not break any ones piggy bank
- and is a very reasonable price for what you get.
-
- Please make payment in US funds to:
-
- Donald M. Langhorne
- South 5241 Columbia Ave.
- Hamburg, NY 14075
-
- Thank you for your interest in AC.
-
-
- Why register:
- =============
-
- Registering this program gives you a license to use AC and enjoy
- free upgrades for the life of the program. The registered
- version will enable defaults for all options to be set
- either on or off in the AC.DB file.
- For more information or to register write to the above address.
-
- problems or suggestions:
- ========================
-
- If you encounter a problem or have any suggestions in reference to this
- program, please send your comments to the above address or to the
- following boards. I am interested in you problems/suggestion
- with/for AC. Please contact me with any questions or problems. I
- will try to help anyone, registered or not who takes the time to get
- in touch with me as best as I can.
-
-
- US Mail: Donald M. Langhorne
- South 5241 Columbia Ave.
- Hamburg, NY 14075
-
- Compuserve ID:71031,3113
-
-
-
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