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*** CONMAX Ver 1.50 Environmental Editor (C) DXP Computer Services LTD 1992 *** This program is Shareware. It is expected that you will try this product over a thirty day period. If at that time you decide to continue to use it, you are required to send me a check for $15.00. ALL files should be in a the same directory. This directory can be called anything you wish. But C:\CONMAX does have a pleasant ring to it. The Editor and Reset programs can be anywhere at all as long as they're in your PATH. Since I'd rather sit in the driveway and watch my car rust than write documentation, I'll keep this as short and sweet as possible. Besides if I give you TOO many clues, it won't be much of a challenge. For those of you who never read documentation, please disregard the following. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (0) Features -------- 1) Invoking ConMAX with ANY switch will set a boot timer to work. This time is for those of you who may wish to install ConMax in their AUTOEXEC.BAT file. If you strike ENTER before the timer hits 0, you'll be able to access ConMax during a boot or re-boot. The timer screen tells you which configuration you currently have loaded, and how many seconds before it drops out. For instance: CONMAX D CONMAX F CONMAX 1 ANY parameter will cause ConMax to go into timer mode. If you don't strike ENTER before the timer hits 0, you'll simply continue on through your current boot cycle. If you DO hit enter, the program will drop out of the counter loop and pop up for your viewing pleasure. 2) ConMax self-senses Color or Mono graphics and deals with it accordingly. Just to make sure you don't have some really wild looking screens on your TTL monitor... 3) ConMax allows you to send your specific Cache "Flush String" as well as set a Cache Write-back timer to insure that the cache is fully flushed. The disk cache MUST be in your path... 4) CONMAX.KEY is supplied with the Unregistered Evaluation copy of the software. Even though it's not a registered key, it MUST be in place in the ConMax directory, or this baby just plain won't work. By copying a new CONMAX.KEY that can be obtained by sending me your registration fee (nudge, nudge... wink, wink...) the nuisance screens will be defeated, your name and registration number will appear on your copy of ConMax, you'll feel better and I'll be able to buy that Dodge Stealth I've always lusted after... 5) LightBar menus that support WRAP mode. (When you get to the bottom rung of the light bar, it doesn't just leave you there, it pops you right back up to the first item.) Hitting the <ESC> key at almost any spot in the program will toss you right back to the Main Menu. Hitting <ESC> at the main menu, throws you out of the program. 6) The ability to quickly Edit any configuration and select either just the CONFIG file, just the AUTOEXEC file or both... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bug Fixes --------- 04/12/92 .............. Corrected some picky little problems with cursor handling in a few of the modules. 04/12/92 .............. Fixed problem with the Color Configurator. Program was not reading in colors properly due to a corrupted MEM file. 04/17/92 ............... Fixed bug regarding third lightbar. Progam would see number three as number 1. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Revisions and additions ------------------------ 04/18/92 ............... Added the Cache Flush parameter to allow flushing of write-back caches such as Smartdrv.exe from Windows 3.1... 04/19/92 ............... Added the ability to store AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG. SYS that were modified by the installation of an application. Be AWARE that when you DO have these files modified by an application program that you WILL lose both the AUTOEXEC and CONFIG files on the second time that you use CONMAX after the modification of those files. After the first use of CONMAX, those files are saved in your root directory as AUTOEXEC.MAX and CONFIG.MAX. 04/19/92 ............... Added a user exit to allow you to pop out to DOS and do whatever you wish, really. This should be reserved for informational type screens, however. 05/03/92 ............... Re-worked the front end to make it a bit more intuitive regarding exactly which main menu selection you've made. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) A few years ago I fell in love with a program called CONED (configuration editor). Well, either with the program or the concept. This nifty little program allowed you to store multiple AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files on disk and boot into any of them at will. With the specific demands of today's software, it's become ludicrous to attempt creating an environment that satisfies them all. It's either multiple machines, multiple environments or multiple MAALOX(tm). Not being a rich kid nor particularly fond of the taste of chalk, I was really happy to find CONED.ZIP out here in BBSland. Recently, with one of the newer versions of CONED, I was faced with some rather erratic programmic behaviour. It appeared to reflect a vast assortment of undocumented features. (We really don't like the word "BUG" in these parts.) Needless to say that after relying heavily on this little software tidbit I was in a bit of a snit. (It IS possible to drop-kick a cat over forty yards if wearing the proper footware.) Following much gnashing of teeth and rending of documentation I decided to create my own program. In the middle of this venture I made an extremely vexing, not to mention embarassing, discovery. CONED was working just fine. The problem was that my write back cache wasn't writing the information to disk before the program re-booted the machine. I've attempted to remedy that as well as incorporate some of the nicer features of Ira Ashkenes' CONED program. Programs tend to stand as building blocks for the next generation of software of a similar nature. With this in mind, I humbly (and very gently), step on Ira's CONED program in an attempt to reach the next plateau. Thanx, Ira. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (2) Files included in this archive... CONMAX.EXE ................... The Main Program AUTOEXEC.CLN ................... Sample Autoexec file CONFIG.CLN ................... Sample Config file AUTOEXEC.WIN ................... Sample Autoexec file CONFIG.WIN ................... Sample Config file * AUTOEXEC.STD ................... YOUR Autoexec file * CONFIG.STD ................... YOUR Config file CONMAX11.DOC ................... This documentation RECORD.MAX ................... The program database BEXT.IND ................... An index of the database PARMS.MAX ................... The Parameter database HOLD.MAX ................... database to hold previous boot info COLORS.MEM ................... Memory Variable file for color info MONO.MEM ................... Memory Variable file for mono info CONMAX.KEY ................... Key file for registration RESET.COM ................... PD Program that reboots machine Q.COM ................... Shareware QEDIT program Q.HLP ................... QEDIT help program QCONFIG.COM ................... Custom Configurator for QEDIT QKEY.DEF ................... Allows custom key definition in QEDIT DOSERVE.BAT ................... Batch file that's called from within program. * If you install ConMax with the INSTALLATION.EXE program found on the ShareWare disk, The STD configurations will be copied over for you. If you are loading ConMax from your hard drive and DID NOT install from the ConMax installation program, you should do the following... While in the ConMax directory: Type: Copy C:\AUTOEXEC.BAT AUTOEXEC.STD <Return> Copy C:\CONFIG.SYS CONFIG.STD <Return> This will save your current configuration to the STD record in the database. It is VERY wise to do so to insure that you don't lose your current configuration. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (3) ***** Main Menu ***** This program is now utilizing Light Bar Menus. These menus allow you to use the down/up/left/right arrow keys to get around. Most of what you have to do within this program can be accomplished by using the arrow keys, the Enter key and the Esc key. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maximizer Program ----------------- This is the crux of the matter... The LightBar will highlight the listed configurations and will boot you into the one that you've selected. If you choose the configuration that is currently loaded in your ROOT directory, ConMax will allow you to change your mind. If you still wish to boot into the current config, for instance if you've made changes from within ConMax, then you can do so by toggling down to "Yes". Your existing AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS in the ROOT directory are saved in that directory to AUTOEXEC.MAX and CONFIG.MAX. Just in case you inadvertantly blow away a custom configuration. We give you the ability to recapture it if you happen to wake up in time. (Before the NEXT switch of environments from within ConMax.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Add Records ------------ This routine allows you to add a description and extension to the database. Once you've completed this task, the program asks if you'd like to copy an existing environment to the new one you've just added. If you're adventurous enough to toggle "Y" at this prompt, the program will then ask you which existing environment you wish to copy from. By toggling the light bar to the configuration you wish to copy FROM, We'll mysteriously copy both AUTOEXEC.(EXT) and CONFIG.(EXT) files over to the new extension. At this point a rather old, yet simplistic, editor will pop up with your new AUTOEXEC file. By using this nifty little program, you'll be able to make any modifications that are needed. If the AUTOEXEC.(EXT) and CONFIG.(EXT) files that you're adding to the database already exist in the directory, you'll want to be SURE to say no at this prompt, as you WILL over-write them. If you DO select an EXT that already exists, ConMax will give you a message to that effect, and bounce right back to the main menu. The DOCS for this editor can be found a bit further along in this file (if I can keep from nodding off long enough.) I'll say this much about the editor at this point, though. F1 saves the file. F10 gets you out of the editor. When you've gotten out of the AUTOEXEC edit function, you'll be faced with a rather cryptic screen. Just hit return and you'll be in the CONFIG edit portion of the agenda. After CONFIG edit you'll find the same screen popping up. Ignore it. Just slam the Enter key. Piece of cake so far, eh? At least I know what I'm talking about. If you can't follow along.... Sorry. There are two existing environments that are included with the program. One is WIN and the other CLN. CLN will boot you into a clean boot, very similar to booting from a floppy. WIN is a fairly generic WINDOWS 3.1 boot set. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Delete Records -------------- This self-descriptive routine simply deletes any environment you select after selecting Delete Records. Be aware, however, that it also deletes the appropriate files down at the DOS level as well. It gives you a bail out toggle for those of you who really aren't too sure of your footing. If you toggle "Y" at that prompt, it's Hasta La Vista Baby. An "N" will save your stuff just like you never got into Delete Records in the first place. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Edit Boot Files --------------- The edit module will allow you to edit any environment that is installed in the database. This routine uses the same editor as the Add Records routine and works exactly the same way. When you select Edit Boot Files from the main menu, a second LightBar menu pops up to ask if you'd like to edit the CONFIG file, The AUTOEXEC file, or both. Whichever you select at this point will determine which files will be edited. After making this selection, you'll be thrown back to the environment LightBar. Selecting the appropriate existing environment will invoke the editor. If you chose CONFIG, you'll only invoke the editor for the CONFIG file. The same goes for the AUTOEXEC selection. If you choose both... You get both. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Change Description ------------------ This allows you to change any description that you have in the database. By selecting this menu option, the program throws you into the description field. Striking <Enter> on the description you wish to modify will clear that description and allow you to type in a new one. Striking <Enter> when you're satisfied with the results will replace the old description with the new. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Xtension Edit ------------- This allows you to change any extension that you have in the database. By selecting this menu option, the program throws you into the extension field. Striking <Enter> on the extension you wish to modify will clear that extension and allow you to type in a new one. Striking <Enter> when you're satisfied with the results will replace the old extension with the new. The program will then prompt you on whether or not you wish to rename any existing file extensions of the OLD name to a file extension of the NEW name. In other words, if you have changed extension CLN to AAA, the program would change AUTOEXEC.CLN and CONFIG.CLN to AUTOEXEC.AAA and CONFIG.AAA. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- New Installation ---------------- This selection allows you to copy AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS after they're modified by the installation of an application program. You really may want to save this configuration to a new database record if it's specific for any particular use. Such as the installation of a sound card. You may want a configuration that is optimized for that sound card and not want to have its drivers interfere with other configurations. In this case, you would select YES when asked "New Entry?". This would allow you to place an entirely new configuration on file and in the database that is SPECIFIC to the needs of the newly installed sound card. If you wish to over-write an existing database record, as may well be the case, you would select NO when asked "New Entry?". The program would then prompt you as to which existing record you would like to attach the newly modified AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files to. The new AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files would over-write the AUTOEXEC and CONFIG files that were previously attached to that existing database record. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Set Parms --------- ConMax first asks for your Editor's name. Simply type in the name without the extension and strike Enter. The Editor you choose must be in the path. The second question asks you for the time (in seconds) that you'd like ConMax to wait for you to type ENTER during the boot up sequence. This is for those of you who wish to place ConMax in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file and who want the ability to see what environment you have loaded, as well as the ability to change to a new environment, before the machine fully boots up. Invoking ConMAX with ANY switch will set this timer to work For instance: CONMAX D CONMAX F CONMAX 1 ANY parameter will cause ConMax to go into timer mode. If you don't strike ENTER before the timer hits 0, you'll simply continue on through your current boot cycle. If you DO hit enter, the program will drop out of the counter loop and pop up for your viewing pleasure. The third question asks for a time in seconds that you'd like ConMax to wait, after it does all of it's disk writes, and flushes your cache buffer, before re-booting your machine. There are some Write-back Cache's out there that simply will not be dumped. MANY of them will write all info to disk within 5 seconds. You can experiment with this switch, and if you have no problems with 0, then by all means, use 0. I suggest a range between 2 and 5, however. Especially if you can't flush the cache. The fourth question asks you for the STRING that will flush your Write-back cache buffer. For Windows 3.1 SMARTDRV.EXE, for example, the string is SMARTDRV /C. This causes your cache program to flush out the write back cache buffer and write all of the results to disk. Check the documentation for your specific cache regarding the write-back buffer flush string. The default is SMARTDRV /C. You may leave this parameter blank. The fifth question asks which listing program you wish to use with ConMax. LIST is the default. You may use any other listing utility, such as BROWSE.COM, if you wish. This program MUST be in the ConMax directory or in your path. <<<<< NOTICE >>>>> Your Disk Cache MUST be in your path... ---- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Information ----------- This is the screen that you'll be sick of looking at if you don't register this software. Toggling to Information from within the main menu will allow you enough time to actually read it and, hopefully, react to it. If you decide to register this software, you'll be able to use any and all future updates without having to see the nuisance screen. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- View Dos Info ------------- This selection allows you to run a batch file called DOSERVE.BAT that exists in the CONMAX directory, or in the current path. The batch file was meant to allow the user to access certain DOS information only. Such as SET, or PATH, or VER. Even MEM from DOS 5.0 could be run from there as long as you realize that CONMAX is loaded while you're viewing MEM's results. The default contents of the file simply bring up VER and SET. Be cautious when having this program invoke another application. There may not be much RAM available out there, as CONMAX is still FULLY loaded. This is NOT a shell. I see no reason to provide a shell with this program. Shelling from this type of application can have some rather unsettling results. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- List Docs --------- This selection allows you to use Vern Buerg's wonderful LIST.COM program to browse through the documentation. Just one program from LIST 7.5f is included with ConMax. PLEASE register LIST.COM as well as CONMAX. If you USE shareware, please help us to keep shareware alive. No one likes to spend hours debugging a program and putting it out for public use for free. We know we'll never get rich. We just want to keep shareware a viable concept. One of the nicer features of LIST is that it allows you to do a very quick TEXT search. By typing F when in the LIST program, you're prompted for the text you wish to find. This is very helpful when looking for specific help about any aspect of this program. LIST will find the first instance of this TEXT string if it exists. Pressing F3 will find the next instance. F9 will find the previous instance. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Quit to DOS ----------- Sends you back to DOS. (Escape works just as well) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (4) The Editor ----------- This is one of the earliest versions of QEDIT. I chose it, because I still use it. It does exactly what I need it to do. It's quick and dirty and has no windows, fancy light bars, pretty screens. It works. Every time. I may be a little out of line here, but I'll choose functionality over pretty almost every time. (With the exception of women, that is. They have to be both, or I just send out for pizza.) It does much more than I'll outline below, but if you're a true adventurer, you'll take a peek at the pseudo documentation and find out more for yourself. For the purposes that are needed by this program.... F1 Saves the program F3 Creates a blank line F4 Deletes a line F5 Clones the line you're on F6 Blocks the line for copy, etc. F10 Gets you out of the editor <Ctrl> B puts you into a situation that allows you to copy any lines you have blocked with the F6 key. If you strike F6 on a line, then strike it again on a line that is four or five lines below it, you'll have four or five lines that are blocked. By Striking <Ctrl>B then S for store, these lines will be stored in a buffer. The program will ask you to name the buffer. Use something clever like B. Put your cursor where you want these lines copied to, and hit <Ctrl>B again. If you now hit L for load and type in the buffer name.... Taa daaa... The insert key toggles you in and out of insert mode. If you're in insert mode, at the end of a line, the editor will give you a carriage return and line feed. If you're NOT in insert mode, you'll only get the line feed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (5) Disclaimor ---------- This software does not promise to do anything, though it probably will. It also doesn't promise not to damage anything expensive or intricate, though it probably won't. There are no warranties expressed or implied in this documentation. If it doesn't work, trash it. If you don't like it, trash it. If you DO like it, please register it. Gil Gomes SysOp "The Data Express BBS" (DXP) (508)336-3868 International Fido Address 1:323/108 Seriously. If you have anything good to say about the program, or any ideas you'd like to see in future versions, give me a yell. If you have a problem and want to yell at me, keep it to yourself. <G> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LIST Ver 7.5f is Copyright Vernon D. Buerg 1983-1990 This is a fairly current version of the program. Please support shareware and register LIST. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- QEDIT Ver 1.30 is Copyright SEMWARE 1986 (All rights reserved) This is an older version and, I believe, is no longer supported. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- RESET.COM is Public Domain. ANY RESET program will also work with this software. Just rename it to RESET.EXE or RESET.COM as the case may be... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Thanx, once again to Ira Ashkenes and CONED for making my life easier and giving me the blocks to build on. For those of you who STILL like CONED better than ConMax.... Drop me a line and tell me why. Hope to hear from you soon, Ira... <G> Gil Gomes