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A U T O M A X X (R) The Ultimate DOS Environment Version 3.31 __________________________________________________________ (C) Copyright 1986-1990 by The Computer Enhancement Group. Licensed Material. All rights reserved Worldwide. Program property of The Computer Enhancement Group 11711 Whittier Rd., Mitchellville, MD 20721 Call: (301) 464-8895 FAX: (301) 464-2789 AUTOMAXX v3.3 (c) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS Installation .......................................... 1 Introduction .......................................... 2 AUTOMAXX Description ................................... 4 Files Belonging to AUTOMAXX ........................... 5 Hardware and Software Requirments ..................... 6 What AUTOMAXX Does .................................... 7 The Menu System ........................................ 8 Getting Started ....................................... 10 Menu Characteristics .................................. 11 Menu System Commands .................................. 12 The ALT-Menu .......................................... 14 Using the graphical Tree .............................. 16 Shell Characteristics ................................. 17 Configuring AUTOMAXX .................................. 18 The DOS Shell ......................................... 22 DOS Utilities ......................................... 26 Keystroke Macros ...................................... 29 Companion Software .................................... 31 Mouse Support ......................................... 34 Error Messages ........................................ 35 Tips, Questions & Answers ............................. 37 Technical Support ...................................... 39 Trademarks and Copyrights .............................. 39 Ordering Information .................................. 40 AUTOMAXX License ...................................... 41 Other Fine Software .................................... 42 Order & Registration Form ............................. 43 AUTOMAXX v3.3 (c) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group PAGE 1 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS Step 1 Place the program disk in drive A:, then log to drive A: by typing A: followed by a return. Step 2 Now enter the following: A>install drive:directory where drive:directory is the path where AUTOMAXX is to be installed. For example, A>install c:\maxx would install AUTOMAXX in the maxx subdirectory of drive C:. Step 3 After the installation is complete you can start AUTOMAXX at any time by entering MENU at the DOS prompt. To quit you just hold down the <alt> key and press Q. After becoming familiar with AUTOMAXX you may want customize it to your tastes. Please review the section Configuring AUTOMAXX to learn about the command line parameters. To change the colors of AUTOMAXX run the program SETUP.EXE. If you have a question about a program feature it may be helpful to turn to the section Tips, Questions & Answers. This section covers the most commonly asked questions. If you're still having problems you may call (301) 464-8895 for support. Thanks very much for purchasing the software. I think you will enjoy using AUTOMAXX and find it to be The Ultimate DOS Environment. AUTOMAXX v3.3 (c) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group PAGE 2 INTRODUCTION AUTOMAXX (R) is copyright (C) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group. The software is written in the C language with extensive assembler routines for optimal speed. This software was not developed free, it is the result of many hours devoted to writing handcrafted C and assembler routines and linking them together to make software that allows you to get maximum performance from your computer with a minimum of effort. You are granted a limited license to use AUTOMAXX and install it on more than one computer for a 30 day period for the sole purpose of evaluating the software for its suitability to your needs. Use of the software beyond this period requires that a license fee be paid; use of non-licensed copies of AUTOMAXX beyond this period by any person, corporation, governmental agency or other business entity is STRICTLY FORBIDDEN. Site licenses are available. See the order form in the back of this manual for more details. Registered users receive a Custom Install program for customizing the AUTOMAXX color screens and other features, the latest version of the program, and a printed documentation book. Upon registration the licensee is granted a limited license to use AUTOMAXX on the number of computers allowable according to the license fee paid. See the license information section for more information regarding license fees and limitations. Operators of electronic bulletin board systems may post the BBS zip archive of AUTOMAXX (AMAXX331.ZIP) for downloading by their users subject to the following conditions: o You may NOT modify the program or charge a fee for copying or distributing the program. o The ZIP file must remain in tact with all files enclosed and only those files. o AUTOMAXX may NOT be distributed in conjunction with any other product unless written permission is granted by The Computer Enhancement Group. BBS Sysops may request the latest BBS version from us to be sure of file integrity. We will send a disk free of charge. Users and Companies may request the latest BBS version from us to be assured of file integrity for $5.00 to cover duplication and handling costs. Users may upload the AMAXX331.ZIP file to any BBS subject also to the above conditions. User groups may distribute copies of this file for evaluation by its members. AUTOMAXX v3.3 (c) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group PAGE 3 Distributors of public domain or user supported software may distribute copies of AMAXX331.ZIP subject to the above conditions. A distribution fee of no more than $5.00 is allowed. Please address all enquiries to: The Computer Enhancement Group 11711 Whittier Rd. Mitchellville, MD 20716 Call (301) 464-8895 FAX: (301) 464-2789 AUTOMAXX v3.3 (c) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group PAGE 4 AUTOMAXX DESCRIPTION The program AUTOMAXX will manage your computer with a powerful DOS shell and a simple system of menus which you create yourself. AUTOMAXX is both an application manager and a full featured File Manager and DOS Shell. This program was built for SPEED and ease of use! AUTOMAXX makes the computer work hard, not you. Complete Fixed Disk Manager DISPLAYS all files & directories RENAMES files & directories CREATES & Removes directories WIPES files for security QUICK file UNERASE UNREMOVES directories EDITS file Attribute, date, and time stamp POINT & SHOOT feature for running programs in Dos Shell LINKS with any editor to view/edit files LINKS with PKZIP programs for file compression FAST mass delete, copy, and move facility TREE graphical display for disk access and directory management WHEREIS feature to find files fast anywhere on disk shows file time, date, size and full path INCREMENTAL SEARCH within files display SUPER fast file sorts name, ext, date&time, size, attribute ascending or descending unsort for original DOS order PRINTER setup for any printer FILE SECURITY encryption/decryption DOS command editor Scroll and recall DOS output POPUP Calendar and Calculator FAST screens updates Extensive online HELP Supports Monochrome, Hercules, CGA, EGA, PGA, and VGA adapters CUSTOM Printer menus DESK TOP MENU WINDOWS MULTIPLE MENUS - Supports up to 50 menu screens PASSWORDS NESTED menus TIMED EXECUTION of menu options SCREEN SAVE - adjustable with DIGITAL CLOCK SWITCH between Mono and Color Monitors CUSTOM Color Installation for color displays (for registered users) SYSTEM INFORMATION screen KEYBOARD speed control - fully adjustable MACROS - keyboard defineable Current day, date, and time displayed while in menu Multiple keys perform the same functions for logical selection Updates available upon registration AUTOMAXX v3.3 (c) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group PAGE 5 FILES BELONGING TO AUTOMAXX AUTOMAXX.EXE <-- AUTOMAXX program SAMPLE.DAT <-- Example Menu Definition file rename to AUTOMAXX.DAT to use AUTOMAXX.HLP <-- AUTOMAXX online Help MACRO.DOC <-- Some useful macros LICENSE.DOC <-- AUTOMAXX license AUTOMAXX.PDF <-- Default Printer Setup file EPSON-FX.PDF <-- Epson FX printer setup file HP-LASER.PDF <-- HP-Laser " INSTALL.EXE <-- Installs AUTOMAXX MENU.BAT <-- Example menu.bat * XDIR.EXE <-- Extended directory program * SETUP.EXE <-- Define AUTOMAXX Colors * CALC.COM <-- pop-up Calculator ED.EXE <-- A simple text editor * DR.EXE <-- Disk recovery software -- use it to unformat a fixed disk. See section COMPANION SOFTWARE for more info. ________________________________________________________________ * This file included only in the registered version of AUTOMAXX. Please refer to the order form for more information. AUTOMAXX v3.3 (c) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group PAGE 6 HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS These are the minimum requirements of AUTOMAXX: * IBM PC, XT, AT, and PS/2 series (or 100% compatibles) * DOS 2.0 and up * Minimum of 256KB of free memory * Monochrome, Hercules, CGA, EGA, PGA, or VGA adapter AUTOMAXX v3.3 (c) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group PAGE 7 WHAT AUTOMAXX DOES AUTOMAXX is a complete PC Manager, that is, it provides an extremely powerful DOS system interface that gives the user access to all DOS commands through single keystrokes that unleash the powerful facilities of AUTOMAXX for file and directory management, quickly finding files, rapid and effortless maneuvering around the disk and all the other DOS chores. AUTOMAXX also provides a simple and efficient menu system to run your applications. The menu system requires that you create a data file called AUTOMAXX.DAT that contains the DOS commands needed to run your applications. The sample.dat file supplied with the package is self documenting and can be easily customized to manage the applications on your particular computer. If you don't already have an AUTOMAXX.DAT file you can rename the sample.dat and use it, then later customize the DAT file to your particular needs. AUTOMAXX provides the user with easy to read and stunningly colored menu windows on a desk top display. Each window contains options from which to choose. When an option is selected AUTOMAXX automatically executes the commands required to run that option for the user. AUTOMAXX provides the user with the capability to set up their own customized menu systems. The user can define the menu titles, the menu options displayed, and DOS commands required to carry out each of these menu options. In addition, any DOS command, application program, or user program can be executed interactively from within the AUTOMAXX shell. AUTOMAXX provides the ultimate DOS environment to take care of all your file and application program management chores. AUTOMAXX uses the point and shoot facility for quick execution of programs and editing of text files. Any text file can be read/edited interactively within AUTOMAXX by linking to your favorite editor to the View option. Macros can be defined to extend the versatility of AUTOMAXX by allowing the user to link favorite utilities and programs to the point and shoot facility. AUTOMAXX also provides a pop-up calendar and calculator that can be invoked at any time within the program. Each one is a full featured option that is available to registered users. Also available is an install program to customize the screen colors as well as fine tune other features of the program. To ensure file security a fast and secure file encryption facility is available in the file manager. AUTOMAXX v3.3 (c) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group PAGE 8 HOW AUTOMAXX MENU SYSTEM WORKS The menu system consists of a collection of DOS commands that you would normally enter at the DOS prompt to run a program or perform any DOS function to manage the applications and files on your PC. The difference is that with AUTOMAXX you only enter these DOS commands once into the AUTOMAXX.DAT file. AUTOMAXX presents the user with application WINDOWs from which the user selects options by pressing a single key. The user may quickly page from window to window. All that is required to create a DAT file for your system is a general knowledge of DOS and a text editor. The SAMPLE.DAT file is self documenting dat file that contains all the information needed to create your own menus. All you must know is that the leading character of each line in the DAT file determines how AUTOMAXX will use the line to build the menus. These special characters with respective functions are listed below: %title The percent (%) character precedes a menu title. The menu title is limited to 50 characters. *Menu option description The asterisk (*) character precedes the name of a menu option. The option description is limited to 50 characters. +DOS command The plus sign (+) precedes a DOS command. The command is any command the operating system can execute. Limited to 128 characters imposed by DOS. >Title of Menu to display The greater-than (>) character precedes a string which will be compared to all menu titles; if a match is found that menu will be displayed. This will allow the creation of nested menus, i.e., menus whose options are other menus. See the sample.dat file for examples. ?Password The (?) character precedes a password needed to continue the menu option. If the correct password is not inputted by the user, the option will not be processed and the user is returned to the menu. @hh:mm Used for execution of timed events. You would use this to make the computer perform some unattended task at a predesignated time, hh:mm. For example, the following lines @06:00 +optimize +menu would make the computer begin optimizing its hard disk at AUTOMAXX v3.3 (c) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group PAGE 9 6 AM with enough time to finish before you arrive at work. Other useful things can be done such as electronic mail, communication, or anything that can be done unattended. The following lines would send a messages to the screen at 1:15pm and 1:25pm as a reminder for a 1:30pm meeting: @13:15 @13:25 +beep +echo --------- Staff Meeting --------- +echo time: 1:30 - 2:30 +echo location: room 2001 +echo bring briefing papers +echo --------------------------------- +pause +menu The time is expressed as 24 hour time, that is, midnite is 00:00, 6am is 06:00, 5:30pm is 17:30, etc. ;Comment The semicolon (;) precedes a comment line which tells AUTOMAXX not to process this line. &input parameter The (&) character precedes a text prompt requesting user input. Successive input strings can be used like batch file parameters &1, &2, ... to build batch files. $load auxiliary dat file The ($) character loads an auxiliary dat file which is primarily for a network environment where each user's automaxx.dat file must contain a common set of commands that reside in a master file, say master.net. When AUTOMAXX is loading automaxx.dat it will load auxiliary dat files whenever it encounters the '$' as a leading character of a line. A pathname must follow '$'. ^macro binding The (^) character followed by a letter A, B,... , Z and a string enclosed in quotes is a keystroke macro that is bound to that key. Read the section on KEYSTROKE MACROS for more information. !macro string The (!) character followed by a macro string is used as a command in a menu option. The string is played back by AUTOMAXX just as if it was entered at the keyboard. These leading characters may be preceded by spaces or tabs to improve the readability of the dat file. Please review the SAMPLE.DAT file for an example using each character. The maximum length for each line preceded by '%', '*', '^' and '>' is 50 characters, otherwise the maximum length is 128 as set by DOS. There is a maximum of eight options per menu. AUTOMAXX v3.3 (c) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group PAGE 10 GETTING STARTED INSTALLATION: Place the program disk in drive A:. Enter the following at the A> prompt: A>INSTALL DRIVE:DIRECTORY where DRIVE:DIRECTORY is the location where AUTOMAXX is to be installed. Later at your leisure read the configure procedure in the manual for fine tuning. Place DRIVE:DIRECTORY in your DOS path. Do this by altering your autoexec.bat file as described in the DOS manual. From the DOS prompt, enter the following command: MENU You can enter this command to start AUTOMAXX from any drive, or subdirectory because the path will enable DOS to find menu.bat. The menu screen should then appear, ready for you to choose an option. These menu options are purely for example. Later at your convenience edit the file AUTOMAXX.DAT with your text editor to customize the menus and options to your system. There is room for many more menus in the DAT file, so don't hesitate to add menus. To have AUTOMAXX begin at boot-up make sure MENU is the last command in your autoexec.bat file. AUTOMAXX v3.3 (c) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group PAGE 11 MENU CHARACTERISTICS The menu options or menu items can be selected in various ways. You may press <alt>H at any time for help on the function of these keys or any other feature. Press <alt>Q to quit AUTOMAXX. The particular menu option with the arrow pointing to it can be selected by pressing the return key. The arrow pointer can be moved to another menu option by using the up and down arrow keys, or the space bar. A menu option can also be selected by using a number key on the top row, or a function key, corresponding to the number of the menu option. If more than one menu has been defined, the user can change to the other menus by pressing the left and right arrow cursor keys or the PgUp and PgDn keys. When a menu option is run AUTOMAXX is exited and DOS runs autotemp.bat. To save time you may want to run the option without leaving AUTOMAXX -- do this by pressing the grey keypad '+' key. An automatic screen blanking feature is built into AUTOMAXX. If the keyboard has not been touched for more than three minutes while AUTOMAXX is running the screen will be turned off. The screen will stay blanked for 30 seconds then a digital clock will appear on the screen and stay there until the user presses any key on the keyboard. The clock will move down the screen at one minute intervals to prevent screen burn. The screen save feature is completely safe because it merely clears the screen and does NOT disable the video card as do other screen save programs. The blanking feature is active only while AUTOMAXX is running; the feature is NOT available when AUTOMAXX is terminated by exiting to DOS, or when a menu option was selected, or when AUTOMAXX has executed a child process. To prevent the screen save from interfering with one of the memory resident screen save utilities, you can disable AUTOMAXX's -- see CONFIGURING AUTOMAXX section. Valid keys while in the AUTOMAXX MENU System: <alt>H Help <alt>Q Quit AUTOMAXX /,C,F,L,X Command selection <alt> alt-command menu Up arrow Move arrow pointer up Down arrow, space Move arrow pointer down <return> Run menu option 1..8 Run option by number F1..F8 Run option by function key keypad '+' Run option without exiting AUTOMAXX PgDn,right arrow,F10 Go to next menu PgUp,left arrow, F9 Go to previous menu Home First Menu End Last Menu ^A .. ^Z Invoke keyboard macros AUTOMAXX v3.3 (c) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group PAGE 12 MENU SYSTEM COMMANDS Available commands in the AUTOMAXX MENU System -- Acessories invoke Accessory programs BW/CO change colors on color display ChDir Change directory Dos shell invoke Dos interpreter Files File manager Help Help facility Logged Change Drive Quit terminate AUTOMAXX Rebuild tree rebuild tree data file Sysinf System Information Version Display Copyright & License Info. Whereis file finder eXecute execute command line The most frequently used commands (Chdir, eXecute, Files, and Log) can be accessed by pressing the first letter of that command. The other commands are accessed by pressing the '/' key to bring up the commands menu and then using the cursor keys to select the command. The message line at the bottom of screen describes the function of each command. The / key is best for new users because of this help feature. Experienced users will primarly use the first first letter method. Access This presents the user with a menu of desk accessory programs. BW/CO This feature is a toggle between the Black&White mode and the color mode (the colors in the color mode are set by the color install program). This mode is initially set according to the /c configuration switch. Press to invoke this toggle. ChDir Press <C> to select this feature.This feature displays a full featured tree for maneuvering around the disk. Select destination by using cursor keys or press first letter of destination subdirectory, then press <return> to confirm. Other key functions are discussed in the section "Using the Graphical TREE. Dos shell See the ALT MENU section for a description of this. Files Press <F> to enter the file manager and DOS shell. Please refer to the description of features in the DOS Shell section. AUTOMAXX v3.3 (c) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group PAGE 13 Help The help facility loads the file AUTOMAXX.HLP and invokes the online manual. Press </><H> or <alt><H>. Logged This feature allows you to change to another logical drive in the system. Quit Terminate AUTOMAXX and return to DOS. You can also quit by pressing <alt>q. Rebuild Press <R> or <alt><R> to rebuild the tree. See the ALT MENU section for more information. Sysinf This feature provides information about the computer system and the AUTOMAXX configuration parameters. The top window shows the system information, such as the operating system in use, the ROM BIOS creation date, the microprocessor type, available/total kilobytes of system memory and expanded memory, available ports, logical drives, and presence of the math coprocessor. The bottom window shows the current configuration of AUTOMAXX. The configuration parameters and switches can be changed by modifying menu.bat. Press <S> to invoke this feature. Version Display the copyright screen, version number and software licensing information. Whereis Press <W> or <alt>W to invoke the file finder. eXecute After hitting <X> the screen clears and the prompt ">" appears at the bottom of the screen. This is the DOS interface where you may enter any DOS executable command. For example, you can list a directory or execute any program. This is interface is more than just DOS. It will remember not only your DOS commands, but it remembers the DOS output and provides full editing and recall of your DOS session. Don't worry if the output scrolls off the screen. You can scroll and recall it with the cursor keys like an ordinary file. Make a typo in the command? Just use the cursor keys to correct it. If DOS says "bad file name" just scroll back and edit the command, then re-execute it. A copy of all DOS output is saved in a special buffer whose size you can configure with the /b switch. Each time you re-enter the DOS interface you will see the previous DOS output on the screen. The key bindings within the interface are: <return> execute current command grey <-> recall previous command grey <+> recall next command cursor keys scroll DOS output <home><home> top of buffer <end><end> end of buffer <alt>w write buffer to the file SAVE-DOS.TXT <Esc> exit the interface WARNING: Do not load memory resident programs from the DOS interface. AUTOMAXX v3.3 (c) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group PAGE 14 The ALT-Menu Pressing the <alt> key enables the ALT-Menu. This menu of commands are omnipresent because they are available at any time within AUTOMAXX. Press and hold down the <alt> key, then press the corresponding letter to invoke one of the following commands: ---------------------------- | <alt> Commands | |--------------------------| | | | <C>alculator | | <D>os gateway | | <H>elp | | ca<L>endar | | <R>ebuild tree | | <W>here is file finder | | e<X>tended Dir | | <Q>uit automaxx | | | ---------------------------- C runs the calculator. Press <Esc> to quit. D This drops you into the AUTOMAXX command interpreter where you may run any executable DOS command. This is a convenient facility to access DOS or run programs because it remembers the commands as you enter them. You can use the up and down cursor keys to recall previous commands, edit them and run them again. To EXIT the interpreter press return on a blank line. You will then return to AUTOMAXX at the place you were when you left. Note: The DOS command interpreter can be accessed by ececuting "command", but remember to type "exit" to resume with the AUTOMAXX. When in the interpreter facility AUTOMAXX is still in memory taking up about 130k. To recover all of available memory for large applications you should run the application from the menu, i.e., make it a menu option via AUTOMAXX.DAT. L A full screen calendar for the current year is displayed. Pressing --> once will display the next year. Press --> to display the previous year. AUTOMAXX v3.3 (c) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group PAGE 15 R This erases the <drive>_tree.dat file which contains the tree information that AUTOMAXX writes to disk and subsequently uses to quickly construct the tree. This erasing makes AUTOMAXX read the disk to construct a new tree and write a new tree file to disk. The way the tree works is that AUTOMAXX will first look for the tree file and use it to draw the tree, if it does not exist on the current drive, the tree will be rebuilt. The <alt>R feature forces a new tree to be built; this will be necessary only if you have removed or added directories outside of AUTOMAXX, for example, during installation of some software packages. W invokes the where is file finder. For example to find all occurrences of the file named 'ed.exe' on the current disk you would input this at the prompt. All directories of the disk will be searched and all paths to this file will be listed. You may use DOS wild card searches too, i.e., '*.com' would list all paths to files with 'com' extension. X invokes the extended directory program, XDIR.EXE v1A, created by the Computer Enhancement Group for AUTOMAXX. It can be also used as a stand alone program. This program presents the user with a full screen editor that can be used to write a note about each directory entry. Press <F1> within XDIR for help. Call XDIR at any time to update or change your notes. Q quits AUTOMAXX. Type menu at any time to return to AUTOMAXX. This is the preferred method of leaving AUTOMAXX. Another way is the use a 'Dos operating system' choice in the menu. AUTOMAXX v3.3 (c) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group PAGE 16 USING THE GRAPHICAL TREE The tree is accessed by pressing <c> for Change Directory When you first run AUTOMAXX after installation it will build the tree on the fixed disk when the tree is accessed for the first time (via a Chdir or thru the cOpy or Move operations) and write the tree information to the <drive>_tree.dat file placed in the root directory of the disk. When a subsequent tree access occurs AUTOMAXX will load the tree file for instant tree access. The tree rebuild feature <alt>R (accessed from the alt-menu not from the tree screen) is used to force AUTOMAXX to read the disk and build the tree data file. On a fixed disk you would want to rebuild the tree when directories have been added or removed while not in AUTOMAXX such as after installing software packages. Note: AUTOMAXX will write the tree information data file to a disk only if that disk contains subdirectories. This mean that a tree.dat file will NOT be written to a floppy disk unless the disk contains a directory structure. When the tree is displayed you will see a graphical display of the directory structure of the current drive. All directory manage- ment, including making and removing directories, is done from the tree. When the tree is first displayed the current directory is marked by the block selector. Move the block selector with the cursor keys to the desired destination path and press <return> to select. Valid keys in the tree feature are: cursor keys maneuver up and down the tree, jump to its top, jump to its bottom, page up, or page down the tree. A..Z,a..z jump to the next node on the tree whose name begins with that letter. This is a quick way to jump to search for a particular path. Press the letter again to jump to the next match the destination is matched. <space> move down the tree. <return> select destination and leave the tree. ^<return> select destination without leaving the tree. ^M make subdirectory. To make a subdirectory move the block marker to the parent and press ^M, then input the name of the new directory at the prompt. ^R remove subdirectory. Note that you cannot remove a directory if it contains files or subdirectories. You cannot remove the current directory. If you wish to remove the current directory use ^enter to change directory to another path and then move the block marker to the desired directory and remove it. ^N rename directory. <Esc> leave the tree. AUTOMAXX v3.3 (c) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group PAGE 17 SHELL CHARACTERISTICS The DOS SHELL features is accessed from the files command of the menu system. Valid keys while in the AUTOMAXX SHELL: B Make a backup copy within current directory. C Change directory / access tree <Del> wipe/erase files E edit file F alter file search mask H Hex Editor M Move tagged files L change Logged drive N Name search O cOpy tagged files P Print file R Rename file or directory S Sort files T Tag options space bar tag individual file(s) cursor keys display directory of files U File attribute, date & time editor and file encryption/decryption. V View file X eXecute command interpreter Z compress files using PKZIP <return> run executable file <Tab> unerase file, unremove directory <Esc> return to menu system or abort commands ^A .. ^Z invoke keyboard macros AUTOMAXX v3.3 (c) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group PAGE 18 CONFIGURING AUTOMAXX This section describes the command line switches that are used to configure the features of AUTOMAXX. The file MENU.BAT calls AUTOMAXX with optional command line switches. The following logic will be followed: 1. The switches may be specified in any order. A switch must begin with one of the characters defined below. If more than one switch is used they must be separated by one or more spaces or tabs. 2. AUTOMAXX by default has all features enabled. Some features can be disabled using switches. See below. 3. menu.bat as before will contain the following three lines with optional switches: echo off automaxx [] [] ... autotemp 4. menu.bat and automaxx.exe may be stored anywhere on the DOS path. 5. The DOS path must include a path to the AUTOMAXX environment discussed below so that DOS can execute the bat file, autotemp.bat, that AUTOMAXX writes to its environment. c- disable color. Hercules Incolor card users must use the switch c+ to force color. d- disable the file erase facility in the file manager. f- disable access to the file manager, make AUTOMAXX menu only. m- disable the menu, make AUTOMAXX behave as a file manager. To use AUTOMAXX as a file manager you might use a bat file, fm.bat, to execute "automaxx m-". You can have access to macros by loading a DAT file with macros only. q- disable the quit feature, prevent user from exiting to DOS. t- disable the clock during screen blank. x- disable the DOS gateway. This switch does not affect access to DOS through the quit feature. The quit feature is disabled by q-. AUTOMAXX v3.3 (c) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group PAGE 19 !macro macro is a sequence of characters that will be invoked as a macro when AUTOMAXX starts up. This startup macro facility has many practical uses. The typical use is to use invoke AUTOMAXX by MENU !macro. For example depending on a user's response you may want to present the user with menu number 2 the next time AUTOMAXX starts by using MENU !\0 where \0 is macro language for <F10> for next menu. This allows one to build complex menu systems for training, etc. Note: To use a startup macro you must use %1 as a command line parameter, i.e., automaxx %1 [] [] ... in the menu.bat file. %n %1, %2, etc. are the familiar DOS command line parameters that may be used to receive parameters and switches from menu.bat. For example, MENU m=training.dat !\0\0 would start AUTOMAXX using the dat file training.dat and display the second menu. You would need to use the switches %1 %2 to pick up the two parameters passed by menu.bat. a=n n is the file search attribute. Only those files in the current directory whose attribute matches this search criteria will be listed in the files display. The setting a=0 searches for normal files and excludes hidden, system, and read-only files. Add 1 to include read-only files, 2 to include hidden files, and add 4 to include system files. DEFAULT: a=7 b=n n is the number of kilobyte memory blocks allocated for the buffer which holds DOS output in the command interpreter facility. The buffer operates on the first-in first-out principle, that is, when the buffer is full the oldest output will be thrown away to allow new output to be saved. The maximum buffer size is 63k (n=63). DEFAULT: b=10 (buffer size 10k). e=envstr The path envstr is the AUTOMAXX environment, usually a subdirectory where the AUTOMAXX files are installed. AUTOMAXX will write the autotemp.bat file there and look there for the automaxx.hlp and the printer definition files. The envstr path must be on the DOS path so DOS can find autotemp.bat. Actually menu.bat and automaxx.exe do not have to be in the environment, they can be anywhere on the DOS path. If the e switch is not specified the default environment c:\ will be used. AUTOMAXX v3.3 (c) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group PAGE 20 k=n n keys/sec is the keyboard typematic rate. The value of n is 2 to 31. DEFAULT: k=11 (factory setting). i=n n is the keyboard initial delay before the key repeats when held down. The value of n is 1,2,3, or 4. The initial delay is n/4 second. DEFAULT: i=2 (500 ms factory setting). m=pathname The pathname is the full path to the dat file. This is the data file in which the menu definition and keyboard macros are put. The default is automaxx.dat in the AUTOMAXX environment. For example if the environment c:\automaxx is used, the pathname for the dat file will assumed to be c:\automaxx\automaxx.dat if the m switch is not used. To use a name other than automaxx.dat, or a different path, use the m switch. o=nm Mouse sensitivity: n - horizontal, m - vertical. The numbers m and n must be in the range 1 to 9. Higher number means greater sensitivity. DEFAULT: o=24 s=n The screen save feature uses a delay of n minutes before blanking the screen. Use s=60 to disable the screen save feature. DEFAULT: s=3 v=pathname pathname is the full path to the editor that will be called when you View a file in the file manager. If you do not use this switch the default is to use an internal view facility within AUTOMAXX that allows you to look but not edit. You may prefer to use an editor that you are already accustomed. You may use any other editor or word processor you prefer. w=pathname pathname is the full path to the editor that will be called when you Edit a file in the file manager. The w and v switches are both included so you can either edit a file or just view it without making changes. The default is to use the built-in viewer as described above. t=string String is a sequence of characters defining the default sort keys to be used in the file manager. DEFAULT: t=spnaseag The sequence spnaseag translates to <s>ort rimary key <n>ame <a>scending <s>econdary key <e>xt <a>scending <g>o. AUTOMAXX v3.3 (c) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group PAGE 21 *** EXAMPLES *** 1. A menu.bat consisting of +------------------------+ will call AUTOMAXX with switch | echo off | settings and parameters set to | automaxx | the defaults. | autotemp | +------------------------+ 2. A typical configuration: automaxx k=31 v=c:\ed.exe t=spddg The keyboard repeat speed will be set at maximum. The View feature will use the editor program, ed.exe, assumed to be stored in the root directory of drive C. The files will be sorted latest files first. Other parameters are set to the defaults. You define the configuration that meets your specific needs. 3. automaxx !f k=31 this uses a startup macro to make automaxx startup as a file manager with repeat speed set at maximum. 4. automaxx %1 k=31 v=c:\ed.exe t=spddg this will enable AUTOMAXX to be called by menu.bat with a startup parameter. For example, calling AUTOMAXX with MENU !f achieves the same result as above, but %1 will allow any macro to be used whereas in (3) !f will always be invoked. *** BOOTING UP with AUTOMAXX *** An AUTOEXEC.BAT good for fixed disk systems with AUTOMAXX.EXE and MENU.BAT located on the root directory of drive C: might be +---------------------------+ |ECHO OFF | <- Don't display commands |PROMPT $P$G | <- Prompt to show present sub-directory |PATH=C:\ | <- Path to root directory of drive C: |MENU | <- Execute AUTOMAXX batch file +---------------------------+ The path statement should include a path to AUTOMAXX.EXE and MENU.BAT so DOS can find them. This will enable AUTOMAXX to be started at boot time, and also at the DOS prompt by typing 'menu' <return> from any logical drive drive within your system. AUTOMAXX v3.3 (c) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group PAGE 22 INTRODUCTION TO THE DOS SHELL The Filer option contains the commands that comprise a very powerful DOS Shell. When this option is selected a sorted list of all files on the current directory appears, the total number of files and the total bytes free on the drive are displayed. The file name, extension, date&time, and size are displayed for each file. You may then sort on name, extension, date/time, or file size in ascending or descending order. The PgUp, PgDn, Home, End, up-arrow, and down-arrow keys will allow you to page thru the files. The file marker on the screen points to the current file. A range of DOS options may be selected : Bak Press to invoke the backup feature to make a copy of the highlighted file within the current directory. A different name must be used or the error message 'a file cannot be copied onto itself' will be given. You are prompted for the file name. cOpy The tagged files are copied to the drive and subdirectory specified. Use the cursor keys to select the target subdirectory in the tree and confirm with a return; the selection of a subdirectory is achieved in the same manner as Chdir. Your response to the prompt "Copy files to destination (ynp)? [y]" will determine the result. Press <y> or <return> for normal copying, or press to protect against overwriting matching files in the destination, or press <n> to abort. After copying has begun you may press <esc> to interrupt. Edit Press <E> to display a text file for browsing or editing. The filename will be passed to the editor you have defined by the parameter /w=pathname in command line configuration of AUTOMAXX. You may configure AUTOMAXX to load your word processor automatically for editing and browsing text files. <Del> The <Del> key activates this option. Your response to the prompt "Erase files (ynw)? [n]" determines the result. The response <n> or <return> will abort. The tagged files are ERASED if you respond with 'y', or the tagged files will be WIPED before being erased if you respond with <w>. A file is wiped by changing each byte of its data to zero, thereby removing all traces of the file from the disk. Remember when DOS erases a file it merely frees the disk space used by the file, but the file's data is still intact ready to be unerased or reviewed by any of the disk access utilities. For total security wipe the file, but once wiped the file cannot be unerased. Only read/write files can be deleted/wiped. AUTOMAXX v3.3 (c) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group PAGE 23 Filter Press <F> to alter the file mask which will be used for file searches. The Filter option then prompts for the mask. All DOS masks are supported. The files will then be listed that satisfy the mask. Note that all subsequent file management will use this mask until another one is specified with the Filter option. The default mask at start-up is *.*. To have the file manager display, for example, only EXE files you would input the mask *.exe. All DOS wild-card characters are allowed in a mask specification. (1) If you specify a mask, say '*.exe', and you have no 'EXE' files on the current directory then "no files matching current mask" message will appear. This may alarm some users that think all of their files have disappeared. All subsequent use of the File manager will use this mask until it is changed with the 'Filter' option. (2) If a mask is specified that lists files in a directory other than the current one, the move, copy and erase features will become confused because they expect the tagged files to be in the current directory. Caution is therefore advised when using masks that search for files not in the current directory. Hexed Press <H> to invoke the file hex editor. Press <F1> within the editor for help. Searches are performed by <F2> and repeat last search is done with <F3>. The search string is entered as hex digits separated by spaces. To include an ascii part enclose it within quotes for example: 1a df 3 "yellow" 0d 0a. The editor has a hex (left) window and an ascii (right) window to allow editing in either mode. Press <Tab> to change windows. Press <return> to exit and save changes to the current page, or press <Esc> to exit without saving changes. Pressing <F10> will prompt you with "save changes (yn)?" before exiting. The <return> method of exiting, while dangerous, will allow you to leave with haste after making a quick file edit. Move Press <M> to move the tagged files to the selected destination. The distination can be any path on your system other that the current directory. Files with the System, Hidden, or Directory attributes set cannot be moved, a beep will be sounded instead. Files can now be moved files from one drive to another. Name Press <N> to quickly locate file(s) within the files display. This is an incremental search facility, that is, it searches after each character input and waits for the next input. The prompt 'Name search _' appears at which you enter a character at a time. The file search will begin after each character input; a matching file will be highlighted or a beep will be sounded indicating no match to the string. If a match is found you may press <space> for the next match to the string input so far, or enter AUTOMAXX v3.3 (c) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group PAGE 24 another character to initiate another search for the expanded string. Press <return> or the arrow keys to reset. Print The rint menu is displayed. This option will allow you to access the full range of features that today's printers provide. If the file is a text file it can be sent to the printer device. The printer can be set-up using the options in the print menu that is loaded automatically if the file AUTOMAXX.PDF, is in the environment. The setup file is a text file that contains printer setup options, each followed by the printer control codes for that option. You may create printer setup files for any printer. Included are printer setup files for Okidata, Epson, Gemini, Citizen, and HP series printers. The first five function keys provide standard options common to all printers: F1 - Begin/resume Print F2 - Suspend Print F3 - Cancel Print F4 - Reset to power-up F5 - Load Setup File These five commands will always be available, so your setup files need never contain commands for them; the only exception would be for a printer that requires special RESET control codes such as the HP Laserjet. The F5 key prompts you for the name of a setup file which must be in the AUTOMAXX environment; the extension PDF need not be entered. The setup file will be loaded and the new menus will be displayed. You should name your most frequently used setup file AUTOMAXX.PDF so that it will automatically be loaded when the printer option is selected. If AUTOMAXX.PDF, or a requested PDF file, is not in the environment you will here a beep when the printer option is selected and the message "could not open file" will appear. The cursor keys are used to select a file to print. When the appropriate printer control commands have been sent to the printer by pressing the function keys, pressing F1 will send the file to the printer. You may interrupt print at any time by pressing F2-suspend print and then send the printer other set up codes, then press F1 to resume printing. The other control features are: age length - set number of lines per page <L>eft margin - set left margin <T>ab width - set spaces for expanding tabs <D>evice - switch parallel printers The page length parameter will control the number of printed lines on the page before the page is ejected. The standard matrix printer set to 1/6" line spacing fits 56 lines per page with a top and bottom margin of five lines. AUTOMAXX v3.3 (c) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group PAGE 25 This configuration can be achieved by setting the page length parameter to 56. The page length feature is useful for printers that do not automatically skip over the perforation, or to force the printer to print less than its default lines per page. Automaxx sets the page length parameter to 0 by default which effectively disables this option, that is, the page will be ejected when the number of lines that the printer can physically write on the page is reached, or when a form feed character is encountered in the file being printed. The tab width parameter controls the number of spaces to which the tabs will be expanded. The default width is 8, but you can specify any width of one or more spaces. The printer output can be sent to any of the parallel printers ports attached to the system. Currently, DOS recognizes up to 3 parallel ports (Lpt1, Lpt2, and Lpt3). The <D>evice selection will allow the output to be directed to any one of the parallel printers available to the system. Ren Press <R> to rename a file. (Rename directories from the tree). Sort Press <S> to invoke the sort option for sorting files. Both a primary and secondary sort key can be selected for file sorts. The initial sort keys can be specified with the /t switch (see configuring AUTOMAXX). The unsort key will display the files in the original DOS order. The reset key will sort files using the default sort keys. Tag Press <T> to invoke a menu of tag options, then select one of the following options for tagging files: <a>ll | tag all files ackwards | tag files up to the current file <c>omplement | untagged files are tagged and vice-versa <f>orwards | tag files beginning with current file <m>ask | input a mask for tagging <n>one | untag all files The cOpy, <Del>, Encrypt, Move, and Util options require file(s) to be tagged. <space> Press <space> key to tag or untag files. View Press <V> to display a text file for browsing or editing. The filename will be passed to the editor you have defined by the parameter /v=pathname in command line configuration of AUTOMAXX. You may configure AUTOMAXX to load your word processor automatically for editing and browsing text files. If the file has zip extension the filename will be passed to the PKZIP program for a verbose listing. AUTOMAXX v3.3 (c) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group PAGE 26 MISCELLANEOUS UTILITIES Zip This is the file compression facility. It uses the PKZIP file compression utility (Note: The user is required to have the PKZIP program and it must reside somewhere on the DOS path for AUTOMAXX to access it). The user is prompted for the PKZIP command line including any optional parameters. The command line with tagged files are then passed to the PKZIP program for file compression. During compression the "WAIT" signal will flash in the upper right corner of the AUTOMAXX screen. When the archive is created the tagged files can be erased if desired, otherwise to see the newly created ZIP file you must refresh the directory list by <L>ogging to the current drive again. Encry Press <E> from the Util menu to encrypt/decrypt tagged file(s). This option will encrypt each of the tagged file(s) using the key you input at the prompt "Enter key>". The key is a phrase of up to 56 characters that can be entered from the keyboard, for example, "yellow rose of Texas" or anything else you can dream up. The encryption algorithm used is both fast and provides a high level of security. Encrypting a file(s) twice with the same key restores the file(s) to its original state, so the encryption algorithm can be used for both encryption and decryption. A typical use for this feature is when you have one or more confidential files on disk whose contents must remain secure from the eyes of all other persons. First, tag the file(s) you want to encrypt then press <E> and enter a key that will be used to encrypt the file(s). That same key is used later to decrypt the file(s) by encrypting them again with the that key. DO NOT FORGET THE KEY because THAT KEY and ONLY THAT KEY can be used to decrypt the file(s). After you encrypt file(s) you may want to make them READ ONLY to prevent them from being encrypted again with a different key. The encrypt feature works only on files with READ/WRITE status. Chdir Press <C> to access the graphical directory tree to change directories or to select a destination directory for the cOpy or Move operations. Please see the description of this command in the menu system section. Log Press <L> to change drives. The files residing on the default directory of the selected drive are displayed in the sort order currently selected for files. AUTOMAXX v3.3 (c) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group PAGE 27 Util Press to access the file utility menu for editing the the Attribute, Date, and Time of files. There is also a file TOUCH utility to Stamp files with the current system time & Date. Press <E> to encrypt/decrypt files. Press <A> to enter a four character string consisting of the characters 'rhsa.'; for example, to make the files read-only, hidden, and set the archive bit, you would enter the string 'rh.a'. To change the date enter <D> and input a string 'mm-dd-yy'. To change the time enter <T> and input a time string in the format 'hh:mm:ss'. When done with the A, D, T, or S options, select Go to record the changes. To quit and ignore the changes press <ESC>. Where Press <alt>W to invoke the file finder. For example to find all occurrences of the file named 'ed.exe' on the current disk you would input this at the prompt. All directories of the disk will be searched and all paths to this file will be listed. You may use DOS wild card searches too, i.e., '*.com' would list all paths to files with 'com' extension. eXec After hitting <X> the screen clears and the prompt ">" appears at the bottom of the screen. You are in the DOS interface where you may enter any DOS executable command. For example, you can list a directory or execute a program. Don't worry if the output scrolls off the screen. You can scroll and recall it with the cursor keys like an ordinary file. A copy of all DOS output is saved in a special buffer whose size you can configure with the /b switch. Each time you re-enter the DOS interface you will see the previous DOS output on the screen. The DOS command line can be edited, and previous commands can be recalled by the grey keypad <-> and <+> keys. To exit hit <Esc>. WARNING: Do not load memory resident programs from the DOS interface. <return> This is the point and shoot feature of AUTOMAXX. Pressing <return> produces a result dependent on the type of file which is currently hilited: 'EXE', 'COM' and 'BAT' files -- LOADS AND EXECUTE the file as a child process of AUTOMAXX. The file must be an executable file (one with 'exe', 'com', or 'bat' extension). The command line will prompt you for optional parameter input for executable files. Press Esc if you desire to abort at the command line. AUTOMAXX v3.3 (c) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group PAGE 28 'BAS' files -- Runs a basic program (one with 'bas' extension). The basic interpreter, BASICA, will be automatically loaded to run a basic program. A path must be set so the basic interpreter can be found if it is not in ROM. If you are using GWBASIC.EXE you must rename it to BASICA.EXE because basica.exe is hard coded into AUTOMAXX. When the process terminates you will be returned to the same place you were when you left AUTOMAXX. <Esc> Press this key to leave the Files option and return to the main menu of AUTOMAXX. <alt> The ALT-Menu of commands are omnipresent because they are available at any time within AUTOMAXX. Press and hold down <alt> key, then press the corresponding letter to invoke one of the following commands: ---------------------------- | <alt> Commands | |--------------------------| | | | <C>alculator | | <D>os gateway | | <H>elp | | ca<L>endar | | <R>ebuild tree | | <W>here is file finder | | e<X>tended Dir | | <Q>uit automaxx | | | ---------------------------- Refer to the section "ALT-Menu" for a description of each option. AUTOMAXX v3.3 (c) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group PAGE 29 KEYBOARD MACROS It is easy to build and invoke keyboard macros. A macro is a string of characters enclosed within double quotes for example, "string". The characters are ones that you would normally type at the keyboard to access the features of AUTOMAXX. The macros are defined in the DAT file and use the '^' character prefix. A macro is assigned to one of the ctrl keys ^A, ^B, ..., ^Z in its definition. There are therefore 26 different macros that can be accessed by AUTOMAXX at a given time. A macro string is restricted to 50 characters. The following macro listing is taken from the sample dat file: ^A "" ^B "xGWBASIC \%\|" ^C "" ^D "spddg" ^E "speasnag" ^F "" ^G "" ^H "" ^I "" ^J "" ^K "" ^L "xLIST \%\|\[" ^M "" ^N "spnaseag" ^O "" ^P "" ^Q "xQ \%\|\[" ^R "" ^S "" ^T "" ^U "" ^V "" ^W "xWP \%\|\[" ^X "xPKXARC \%\|" ^Y "" ^Z "xPKUNZIP \%\|" Example: ^D "spddg" The macro "spddg" is invoked by pressing ctrl D at the keyboard. This macro sorts the files by date&time in descending order. Wken ctrl D is pressed the characters SPDDG will be echoed to AUTOMAXX just as if someone had typed them at the keyboard. This particular macro would select Sort, then select Primary sort key, then Date, Descending, and finally select Go to perform the sort. This macro assumes you are in the file manager when it is invoked. If it is invoked from the menu screen the System information screen would be displayed, p would clear that screen, and 'ddg' would be ignored. The other sort macros ^N and ^E sort on name and extension, respectively. AUTOMAXX v3.3 (c) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group PAGE 30 Example: ^Z "xPKUNZIP \%\|" The macro for ^Z as defined above is "xpkunzip \%\|" . It is invoked by pressing ctrl Z. AUTOMAXX interprets this as someone pressing X for access to the exec command line, then typing 'pkunzip ', then the sequence \% tells AUTOMAXX to insert the file name pointed to in the file manager, and the sequence \| means <return>. The result is a macro to unzip the current file. One could append the sequence \[ to form "xpkunzip \%\|\[" which would return you to the file manager when the macro is completed as if you had pressed <Esc> to leave the DOS command interface. Example: ^B "xGWBASIC \%\|" The macro for ^B as defined above is "xGWBASIC \%\|" . It is invoked by pressing ctrl B. AUTOMAXX interprets this as someone pressing X for access to the exec command line, then typing 'GWBASIC ', followed by '\%' which tells AUTOMAXX to insert the file name pointed to in the file manager, and the sequence \| means <return>. The result is a macro to load the BASIC interpreter and run a BASIC program. Any sequence of characters (except ctrl or alt key sequences) can be used in macros. The nonprintable ascii characters are entered by using a sequence of two characters beginning with back slash '\' followed by a special character listed below. The ascii sequences to put nonprintable characters in strings that can be played back such as <Esc>, <Home>, <F1>, <return>, cursor keys, etc. use the following sequences. A sequence begins with '\' to tell AUTOMAXX that an ascii character with a special meaning follows: Table of Ascii Sequences + ------------------------------------------------------+ | sequence | key | sequence | key | |-----------|---------------|-----------|---------------+ | \[ | <Esc> | \z | <End> | | \i | <Ins> | \r | <PgUp> | | \g | <Del> | \c | <PgDn> | | \b | <Back Space> | \1 | <F1> | | \t | <Tab> | \2 | <F2> | | \a | bell | \3 | <F3> | | \| | <return> | \4 | <F4> | | \% | filespec | \5 | <F5> | | \\ | back slash | \6 | <F6> | | \e | cursor up | \7 | <F7> | | \s | cursor left | \8 | <F8> | | \d | cursor right | \9 | <F9> | | \x | cursor down | \0 | <F10> | | \w | <Home> | | | +-------------------------------------------------------+ The possibilities for your choice of macros are endless and are only limited by your imagination and creativity. You could for example use several editors or utilities within AUTOMAXX by macros. AUTOMAXX v3.3 (c) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group PAGE 31 COMPANION SOFTWARE (GOODIES) SETUP.EXE A custom install program to customize the screen write speed and the colors of AUTOMAXX. When AUTOMAXX is invoked it determines whether the active video card is operating in color or monochrome mode. The default is to display color if a color mode is detected, otherwise Black&white displays are used. To force color when a monochrome video mode is detected (Hercules Incolor Card) you must use the 'c+' switch -- see the section configuring AUTOMAXX. The program SETUP.EXE is used to customize the screen colors. Some stunning color displays can be quickly and easily created. The left and right cursor keys select the foreground color while the up and down cursor keys select background colors. The return key confirms the color selection and moves to the next area of the screen. The blinking white block marks the currently selected area of the screen. Press ESC to return to the setup menu where you may save the changes. XDIR.EXE The program XDIR.EXE is a an extended directory program. This program combines a built in editor with an eXtended DIRectory that you can use to write a 66 character description of each file in the current directory. It supports all the usual editor commands including undo. Use XtenDIR instead of the DOS DIR command or any other extended directory product. Access XDIR from AUTOMAXX with <alt> X, then press F1 for help. DR.EXE The program DR.EXE is a disk recovery program that will unformat a fixed disk, or recover a damaged fat. Syntax is "DR d:[/bak]". Place the command "dr d:/bak" in your autoexec.bat file to save recovery information. When a disk catastrophe occurs run "dr d:" to recover drive d:. A disk recovery is possible when a "Trogan horse" program or "virus" destroys the disk file allocation table, or when someone accidently reformats your hard disk. Note that COMPAQ DOS 3.0 and above are lethal in that a format will totally wipe the disk clean, making unformat impossible. WPKEY.COM A memory resident utility to popup WordPerfect keyboard templates. This is a handy program that makes learning and using WordPerfect a snap. A complete library of templates for most popular software packages is available. Run WPKEY for more information. ED.EXE This is a stand-alone text editor with wordstar-like commands. Hook this up to AUTOMAXX by using the switch w=ed.exe. The editor will edit files up to 65,504 bytes long. The editor commands are described on the following page. AUTOMAXX v3.3 (c) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group PAGE 32 EDITOR COMMANDS FUNCTION PRIMARY KEY BINDING ALTERNATE KEY BINDING ====================================================================== Character left <CtrlS> <Lft> Character right <CtrlD> <Rgt> Word left <CtrlA> <CtrlLft> Word right <CtrlF> <CtrlRgt> Line up <CtrlE> <Up> Line down <CtrlX> <Dn> Scroll up <CtrlW> Scroll down <CtrlZ> Page up <CtrlR> <PgUp> Page down <CtrlC> <PgDn> ------------------------------------------------------------------ Cursor to left side <CtrlQ><CtrlS> <Home> Cursor to right side <CtrlQ><CtrlD> <End> Top of screen <CtrlQ><CtrlE> <CtrlHome> Bottom of screen <CtrlQ><CtrlX> <CtrlEnd> Top of window <CtrlQ><CtrlR> <CtrlPgUp> Bottom of window <CtrlQ><CtrlC> <CtrlPgDn> Top of block <CtrlQ><CtrlB> Bottom of block <CtrlQ><CtrlK> Previous cursor position <CtrlQ><CtrlP> ------------------------------------------------------------------ New line <CtrlM> Insert line <CtrlN> Toggle insert mode <CtrlV> <Ins> Delete line <CtrlY> <AltD> Delete line right <CtrlQ><CtrlY> <AltK> Delete right word <CtrlT> Delete current character <CtrlG> <Del> Delete left character <CtrlBks> <CtrlH> ------------------------------------------------------------------ Begin block <CtrlK><CtrlB> <F7> End block <CtrlK><CtrlK> <F8> Mark current word <CtrlK><CtrlT> Toggle block display <CtrlK><CtrlH> Copy block <CtrlK><CtrlC> <F2> Move block <CtrlK><CtrlV> <F3> Delete block <CtrlK><CtrlY> Read file into window <CtrlK><CtrlR> Write block to file <CtrlK><CtrlW> Print marked block <CtrlK><CtrlP> ------------------------------------------------------------------ Set marker 0 <CtrlK>0 Set marker 1 <CtrlK>1 Set marker 2 <CtrlK>2 Set marker 3 <CtrlK>3 Jump to marker 0 <CtrlQ>0 Jump to marker 1 <CtrlQ>1 Jump to marker 2 <CtrlQ>2 Jump to marker 3 <CtrlQ>3 AUTOMAXX v3.3 (c) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group PAGE 33 FUNCTION PRIMARY KEY BINDING ALTERNATE KEY BINDING ====================================================================== Find pattern <CtrlQ><CtrlF> <F5> Find and replace <CtrlQ><CtrlA> <F6> Find next <CtrlL> <F4> ------------------------------------------------------------------ Tab <CtrlI> Toggle autoindent mode <CtrlQ><CtrlI> Toggle fixed tabs <CtrlO><CtrlT> ------------------------------------------------------------------ Restore line <CtrlQ><CtrlL> <F9> Exit editor & save <CtrlK><CtrlD> <F1> Exit editor (no save) <AltQ> <F10> AUTOMAXX v3.3 (c) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group PAGE 34 MOUSE SUPPORT AUTOMAXX v3.3 supports a mouse. The mouse interface uses the left and right mouse buttons. RIGHT MOUSE BUTTON Clicking the right mouse button opens a popup menu and is used to escape from it. This button is used otherwise as an escape device much as the <Esc> key is used. LEFT MOUSE BUTTON Main Menu -- click this button to select a menu option. File Manager -- click this button once to tag a file, or click it twice to execute a file, or press this button while moving the mouse up or down to tag several files at once. When a popup menu is opened (by clicking the right mouse button) clicking the left button selects a choice. In the tree clicking this button selects a subdirectory. Viewer -- click the left button to scroll forward, or click the right button to scroll backward, or click both to return to the file manager. That's all there is to the mouse. Just remember the right button opens a popup menu in which case the left button selects a choice or the right button closes the popup menu. Outside of popup menus the left button is used to select an option from the main menu screen, or to tag or execute files in the file manager. Otherwise the left button is used to confirm operations much as the <return> key, and the right button is used to abort operations like the <Esc> key. MOUSE SENSITIVITY To adjust sensitivity use the command line switch O=nm where: n is horizontal, and m is vertical sensitivity. The numbers m and n must be in the range 1 to 9. The higher number the greater the sensitivity. DEFAULT: o=24 AUTOMAXX v3.3 (c) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group PAGE 35 ERROR MESSAGES The following errors may occur while using AUTOMAXX: (1) Can't find "AUTOMAXX.DAT" file This error occurs when the program cannot find or read that file. To remedy this make sure this file is in the environment -- see the Parameters & Environment sections. (2) Undefined line -- This occurs if a line in the automaxx.dat begins with a character other than @ $ % & ^ * + ; > #. Automaxx will warn you with a beep and list the offending line when the DAT file is loaded. The undefined line will be ignored and Automaxx continues. To use a DAT file from another menu system rename the DAT file to AUTOMAXX.DAT and then remove the undefined line(s) with a text editor. You may leave undefined lines in the DAT file but the beeps may become bothersome. (3) AUTOMAXX not configured -- This means you have not defined the editor or viewer to be used. See the section on Configuring AUTOMAXX and then revise MENU.BAT. (4) Access denied -- this could arise for a number of reasons. What it means is that AUTOMAXX will not let you do what you've asked it to do because DOS permit that operation or because a feature has been disabled with a switch. (5) Cannot remove directory -- If you get this error from the tree it means that the directory you are trying to remove contains files and/or subdirectories, or is the current directory; DOS will not allow this. First check to see if this directory contains files and erase/remove them. Finally, to successfully remove the directory make sure it is not the current directory (if so change directory to its parent) then remove the directory. (6) DOS Errors -- AUTOMAXX will handle all critical and noncritical DOS errors. AUTOMAXX v3.3 (c) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group PAGE 36 Critical DOS Errors: A blah sound will be emitted when a Critical DOS error has occurred. One of the following messages will apply: -------------------------------- | DOS CRITICAL ERRORS | |==============================| | Disk is write-protected | | Unknown Unit | | Drive not ready | | Unknown command | | Seek error | | Unknown media type | | Sector not found | | Printer out of paper | | Write fault | | Read fault | | General failure | -------------------------------- Noncritical DOS Errors: A beep will be emitted when a noncritical DOS error has occurred. One of the following messages will apply: -------------------------------- | NONCRITICAL DOS ERRORS | |==============================| | Invalid function number | | File not found | | Path not found | | Too many files open | | Access denied | | Invalid handle | | Memory Destroyed | | Insufficient memory | | Invalid format | | Invalid data | | Invalid drive specified | | Cannot remove current Dir | | Not same device | | No more files | | I/O error | -------------------------------- AUTOMAXX v3.3 (c) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group PAGE 37 TIPS, QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 1. The menu does not work -- You probably forgot to put the line AUTOTEMP in menu.bat. This line executes the autotemp.bat file that contains the dos commands necessary to run the selected menu option. If a menu option different from the one you've selected gets run it is because you have multiple autotemp.bat files on your disk. If you reinstall AUTOMAXX in another location be sure to delete the autotemp.bat file from the old environment. 2. After running a menu option you do not return to the menu -- It is most probably because somewhere among the DOS commands in automaxx.dat used to execute that option a BAT file was called. Unfortunately DOS will allow a BAT file (in our case AUTOTEMP.BAT) to call a second BAT file but DOS will not return to AUTOTEMP and therefore MENU will not be executed. Solution: Extract the DOS commands from the BAT file and insert them into AUTOMAXX.DAT. 3. Can I make AUTOMAXX execute a sequence of operations at startup or display a menu other than the first one? Yes, by using a startup macro. See the sections Configuring AUTOMAXX and Keystroke Macros. 4. You try to invoke the rint option and the message "could not open file" appears -- It is because the automaxx.pdf file was not in the environment. Place the file there. 5. You try to invoke the Calculator or Xtended directory program and the screen just blinks -- It is probably because XDIR.EXE or CALC.COM was not on the DOS path. Place these programs on the DOS path. 6. You try to the remove a directory from the tree and get the message "cannot remove current directory." -- This directory may be the current directory (DOS will not allow the current to be removed); you may need to change to another directory then hilite the directory again and press ^R to remove the directory. You may also get this message if the current directory contains any files; delete the files and attempt to remove the directory. 7. Is there a way to tag a range of files? You can rapidly tag or (untag) files sequentially by pressing and holding down the <space> bar. A tag menu with several choices can also be invoked by <T>. 8. You can select a directory by touching the first letter of its name. To select a path from the tree for the cOpy or Move operations, or to change directory, you can hilite the desired path by touching the first letter of that directory's name. This is much faster than using the cursor keys. The <Home> and <End> keys also speed selection. AUTOMAXX v3.3 (c) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group PAGE 38 9. If the calculator gives overflow you can retrieve the number by changing the number of decimal places -- hit D then select 0..9. 10. You can quit AUTOMAXX by pressing <alt>q. This means that you do not need an 'Exit to DOS' option in your menus. 11. If the message "Null Assignment detected" is given after quiting AUTOMAXX it is because there is an error in your dat file. 12. The <Alt> commands menu is available for the omnipresent features of AUTOMAXX. Press <alt> at any time then select the desired command. 13. A file attribute, date, and time stamp editor feature was added. The print feature was enhanced to allow page formatting and port control. File encryption/decryption was added. Use with care. 14. An incremental Name search was added to the file manager for quickly locating files in the files display. The menu definition file, AUTOMAXX.DAT was expanded to allow for parameter input and loading of other DAT files for networks capability. Leading Tabs and spaces can now be used in the DAT file to increase readability and give a structured look. (The semicolon is now used to begin a comment for consistency with programming languages.) Read the self-documenting sample.dat file on disk for a summary of the DAT file capabilities. 15. Timed execution of menu options was added. AUTOMAXX can now be configured in menu.bat using switches. Keyboard speedup is a configuration switch. 16. Keystroke macros were added. Refer to that section. File wipe was added. This feature converts all file data to zeroes before deleting the file. The quick unerase is now invoked from the ALT-files display with the <Tab> key. 17. A Hex editor was added. Support was added for the PKZIP file compression programs. 18. The eXec function is now part of an enhanced command interpreter. It now provides full DOS editing of commands, command recall, and DOS output capture. Capturing DOS capture means that the output of any program that writes to the screen thru DOS (including DOS) will be buffered for scroll and recall. 19. Full Mouse support was added with v3.3. AUTOMAXX v3.3 (c) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group PAGE 39 TECHNICAL SUPPORT If you are having a problem with AUTOMAXX, please read the section TIPS, QUESTIONS & ANSWERS first. That section covers the most common problems new users encounter. If the problem is an installation problem please read the section CONFIGURING AUTOMAXX. I have tried to provide a bug-free product but it is not possible to anticipate all possible circumstances. If you think you have found a bug, document it, and call (301) 464-8895 for technical help. Make sure that you note the following information to help me evaluate the problem: 1. Version of AUTOMAXX used 2. Machine type, memory, monitors, etc. 3. Any application run before AUTOMAXX 4. Operating System used 5. Where and how you obtained AUTOMAXX Call (301) 464-8895 for help during the hours of 9AM to 8PM every day of the week. ______________________________________ TRADEMARKS AND COPYRIGHTS AUTOMAXX (R) The Ultimate DOS Environment is a registered trademark of The Computer Enhancement Group. IBM (R) is a registered trademark of the International Business Machines Corporation. Microsoft (R) is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. PKZIP (tm) and PKUNZIP (tm) are trademarks of PKWARE Inc. AUTOMAXX v3.3 (c) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group PAGE 40 ORDERING INFORMATION An AUTOMAXX registration licenses you to use the product on a regular basis. Registration includes: o A Custom Setup program for customizing the AUTOMAXX color screens and other features. o The latest version of the program. o A printed bound reference manual. o Mailed notification of updates. o Priority telephone support. Upon registration the licensee is granted a limited license to use AUTOMAXX on the number of computers allowable according to the license fee paid. To order call the Computer Enhancement Group at (301) 464-8895 for COD and P.O. orders, or mail the enclosed order form with your payment. For orders outside the U.S., please add an additional $5. Payment is either by check drawn on a U.S. bank or an international money order payable in U.S. currency. PURCHASE ORDERS accepted for orders of at least $100; quantities less than $100 must be prepaid. COD orders accepted. Please add $5.00. Maryland residents please add 5% state sales tax. For commercial site license orders, please enclose a signed copy of the site license agreement. Please address all enquiries to: The Computer Enhancement Group 11711 Whittier Rd. Mitchellville, MD 20716 Call (301) 464-8895 FAX: (301) 464-2789 AUTOMAXX v3.3 (c) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group PAGE 41 AUTOMAXX LICENSE The use of AUTOMAXX by an individual, a business, corporation, or government entity is granted under the following terms: 1. Payment of the license fee must be made to The Computer Enhancement Group. The fee is based on the number of computers on which AUTOMAXX will be installed, as follows: 1 - 10 copies $45 each 11 - 50 copies $40 each 51 - 150 copies $35 each 151 - 250 copies $30 each 251 - 500 copies $25 each 501 - copies $17 each 2. You may use AUTOMAXX on the number of computers included in the license fee. 3. You may make archival copies of the program, in its original, unmodified form, without restriction. 4. You may use future versions of AUTOMAXX under this license. The latest version is available from The Computer Enhancement Group for a reasonable upgrade fee. 5. You may NOT modify the program or charge a fee for copying or distributing the program. The licensed software is licensed to you "as is" with any faults and defects that may exist. However, should the user find a defect in the software and report it, the Computer Enhancement Group will make every effort to correct the software. The Computer Enhancement Group hereby disclaims all warranties relating to this software, whether express or implied, including without limitation any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. The Computer Enhancement Group will not be liable for any special, incidental, consequential, indirect or similar damages due to loss of data or any other reason, even if The Computer Enhancement Group or an agent of The Computer Enhancement Group has been advised of the possibility of such damages. In no event shall The Computer Enhancement Group's liability for any damages ever exceed the price paid for the license to use the software, regardless of the form of the claim. The person using this software bears all risk as to the quality and performance of the software. AUTOMAXX v3.3 (c) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group PAGE 42 **** OTHER FINE SOFTWARE **** VGA Saver * Dims screen to black after 1-60 minutes * Allows manual dimming from keyboard Holding an image on your monitor screen for extended periods of time can actually burn the image into the screen permanently and ruin your monitor. VGA Saver prevents that by blanking your display after a time delay you set - from 1 to 60 minutes after your last keystroke. You can automatically dim your screen from the keyboard too. So when visitors drop by, you can conceal any sensitive on-screen information instantly without having to leave your application program. VGA Saver is completely safe and easy to install and operate. PRICE $29.95 ------------------------------------------- Supports MCGA, EGA, CGA, Compaq, and Hercules graphics cards. Uses less than 1k of memory. WPKEY Templates * Pop up Wordperfect Function key templates * Increases productivity If your on the road with your laptop using WordPerfect and discover that you've forgotten the keyboard template, you need WPKEY. WPKEY also reduces template overload problems which occur when you use several software packages, each with its own template. To use WPKEY you just press the left and right shift keys and PRESTO that template pops up. You find what you wanted to know, release the shift keys, and the WordPerfect screen reappears. Templates are provided for function keys on the side as well as one for keys on the top, in color or black & white. Wordperfect versions 4.x to 5.1 are supported PRICE $29.95 ----------------------- Uses less than 4k memory AUTOMAXX v3.3 (c) 1986-90 by The Computer Enhancement Group PAGE 43 ORDER & REGISTRATION FORM Check which items you wish to purchase: (_) Noncommercial license for the use of AUTOMAXX. ( $45 includes latest program disk & printed manual) (_) Commercial license for the use of AUTOMAXX on _____ computers (see price schedule and terms on preceding page). Includes latest program disk(s) & printed manual(s). (_) Update service $20 per machine (includes 2 updates). (_) VGA Saver $29.95 (_) WPKEY Template $29.95 Total payment: $ _________ Payment by: ( ) Check ( ) PO# ______________ (COD) Call (301) 464-8895 FAX: (301) 464-2789 Specify disk media: (_) 5-1/4" disk (_) 3-1/2" disk Shipping address: ________________________________________________ Name ________________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________ ______________________ ________ _____________ City State Zip Send this completed form with payment to: The Computer Enhancement Group 11711 Whittier Rd. Mitchellville, MD 20716 Call (301) 464-8895 FAX: (301) 464-2789 End of AUTOMAXX v3.31 Documentation