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C O N f i g u r a t i o n E D i t o r VER 2.5 June 23, 1991 Copyright (c) 1990 - 91 Ira T. Ashkenes 10288 Abbott Rd Manassas, VA 22110 ConEd.DOC June 23, 1991 Page 2 Purpose: CONfiguration EDitor allows a user to boot their PC/MS-DOS Computer with any AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS that they have predefined, or interrupt the boot process and create a new one. Up to 200 different configurations can be stored and utilized. WHY? Some history. As a Software Engineer, I have the need to use many different language compilers. Each compiler has its own set of commands in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file, such as: @echo off prompt $p$g PATH=C:\MSC\BIN;C:\;C:\DOS;C:\EDT;C:\ARC;C:\QMODEM;C:\MASM\BIN SET LIB=C:\MSC\LIB SET INCLUDE=C:\MSC\INCLUDE SET TEMP=G:\ and for another compiler I use: @echo off prompt $p$g PATH=C:\TC\;C:\TD;C:\TASM;C:\;C:\DOS;C:\EDT;C:\ARC;C:\QMODEM SET LIB=C:\TC\LIB SET INCLUDE=C:\TC\INCLUDE SET TEMP=G:\ To really complicate matters, when I am on a PC connected to a network, I need to incorporate the network configuration files into both my AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files. Things were really becoming cumbersome there for a while. I had a number of batch files I wrote which would copy a temporary AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS file to my root directory, then I would issue the famous <CTRL>-<ALT>-<DEL> command to reboot my PC. Searching through the local bulletin boards, I was able to find two good programs that allow a user to select a predefined boot configuration, however, each program boasted an internal editor. I had to learn a new set of editor commands if I wanted revise an AUTOEXEC.BAT or CONFIG.SYS from within the program. This was not acceptable, as when I needed an 'on - the - fly' configuration, I usually needed it in a hurry. Additionally, I found the user interface to be a little clumsy for the novice end-user. Thus, the development of ConEd. With ConEd, you have the ability to boot up a machine and select from several different configurations. You can choose to invoke a Network/LAN, or choose a particular library to use, or free up as much memory for DOS as possible by NOT loading some TSRs'. The options are almost endless. If you are in need of more than one configuration, ConEd is for you. ConEd.DOC June 23, 1991 Page 3 SHAREWARE ConEd is distributed under the "shareware" concept, also known as "user-supported software". Under this concept, you save the high cost of packaging and distribution while still receiving high quality software. You are free, and in fact encouraged, to distribute this software to your friends, to BBS's and to user groups. Companies that provide software duplication services may include ConEd in their catalog and provide copies for a reasonable duplication fee. All copies must include the files "CONED.EXE", and "CONED.DOC". You are not allowed to modify the files in any way, and this shareware notice must be kept intact. The author, Ira T. Ashkenes retains all other rights to the program. Non-registered users of this software are granted a limited license to make an evaluation copy for trial use on a private, non-commercial basis, for the express purpose of determining whether ConEd is suitable for their needs. At the end of this trial period, you should either register your copy or discontinue using ConEd. Why register? If you use this program, then you should pay for your copy. That way I will be able to provide you support and updates. Plus, registered users receive update notices and technical support. You will also recieve a seriel number which will allow you to input your name into the 'REGISTERED TO' space on the main menu. I'd be happy to hear of any improvements you'd like to see, as well as any bug reports. When registering, or writing for any reason, please include the following: 1. ConEd version number 2. where you obtained your copy from 3. a description of your system 4. your full name and address If you are experiencing problems, in addition to the above requested information, please send me a copy of your CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files. This may help in identifying what ConEd my be in conflict with. If you have any suggestions or discover any problems with the program you can reach me thru the Elusive Diamond BBS system (300/1200/2400, 8N1) at 703-323-6423. The Elusive Diamond (DGS ALPHA) is part of a consortium of BBS sysops dedicated to providing the best in BBS support. You can direct mail to me thru RIME, using the ->DIAMOND mail addresss. The latest version of ConEd is always available for downloading there. If you have an account on CompuServe, my mail address is 72560,3553, or if you have an account on GEnie, I can be reached there as IASHKENES, and I usually call both services every 2 - 3 days to check on mail. I also monitor the RelayNet International Message Exchange C programming, Programming, ShareWare, and Software Review Conferences, and will respond to all questions from there as well. Support Shareware To register this product send $10.00 to: IJ Software 10288 Abbott Road Manassas, Virginia 22110 ConEd.DOC June 23, 1991 Page 4 INSTALLATION Please read these instruction prior to actual installation, as you may think of an easier method to suit your particular environment, and perhaps get some idea of how you want your configuration naming convention to be. Anywhere you see <RTN>, this is my way of telling you to please strike the return or enter key. 1. From the root directory of your boot disk, create a subdirectory named CONED (i.e. MD CONED <RTN>). Change to that directory (i.e. CD\CONED <RTN>). Copy CONED.EXE into that directory using the DOS COPY command. 2. Simply execute ConEd by typing CONED <RTN> from the DOS prompt. 3. The first screen to appear on the initial use of ConEd is the configuration menu. You are first prompted for your boot drive. Enter that letter here. 4. Next, you are prompted for the path of your editor. C:\DOS\ is the default. If you do not own a full screen editor, or cannot use a product which saves files in ASCII format, there is always EDLIN which comes supplied with DOS. If your editor is stored in another subdirectory, type in that path (i.e. C:\EDITOR\ <RTN>). 5. You are now prompted for your editors name and extension. For those users who do not have a full screen editor, EDLIN (yuk!) is the default. If you do own another editor, simply type the editors name and extension in here. (i.e. Q.EXE <RTN>) 6. The next item you are asked to enter is the drive and directory in which ConEd resides. The default is the directory in which you have called ConEd from. (i.e. C:\CONED\ <RTN>). 7. Next, you are asked if you use a cache program in any of your configurations. If you use a cache in ANY of your configs, answer Y to this question. 8. You are now asked to enter the command that your cache program requires to 'flush' its buffers. Enter that command here, along with any parameters your cache program may require. If you do not use a cache program, just press return, and do not bother to fill this paramter in. 9. Some machines require a 'cold' reboot (a reboot where a memory check is performed) because of various reasons such as an old bios, or use of hardware that conflict with a software 'warm' reboot. You now have the ability to define if you want a warm or cold reboot in the setup menu. If you want/need your machine to have a cold reboot, answer Y to this option. 10. Next, you are asked if you would like to use an alternate reboot program. This may be necessary if your computer has an add in board that requires a specific machine instruction passed to it in order to reset properly prior to the actual reboot, or perhaps the internal ConEd reset is not compatible with your machine, and you have an alternate program that does work. 11. If you opt to use an alternate reboot program, enter the path and program name (with parameters if any) here. If you do not need this option, leave it blank. ConEd.DOC June 23, 1991 Page 5 INSTALLATION (continued) 12. After completing steps 1 thru 9 above, you are presented with ConEds main menu. This is where you choose, edit, add, delete or otherwise manipulate your configuration selections from. As you will see, the default for the first time installation is: "Your Current Configuration " 13. By striking the <ALT>E key combination, you can edit the description of the highlited configuration. You have up to 50 characters per description field. 14. Next, you must assign an extension for each description entered. Personally, I use text extensions such as NET for network, or LAN for Local Area Network. You can, however, use extensions such as 001, 002, etc. The idea is to make it as convenient as possible for you to associate the textual description with the associated extension. Simply type in the extension you desire to be assigned to the corresponding AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files (which will be renamed AUTOEXEC.xxx and CONFIG.xxx, where xxx represents the extension you have assigned). 15. After you have completed step nine, press the F10 function key to save this configuration. ConEd will create an AUTOEXEC.xxx and CONFIG.xxx for the configuration you have entered in the setup menu. The configuration that is created is very small and basic, you will need to edit it to suit your needs. The very first time you do this, ConEd will create an AUTOEXEC.CUR and CONFIG.CUR in the subdirectory where ConEd resides. 16. To add more configurations to your menu (up to 200 configurations are available) simply strike the <ALT>A key combination. After striking <ALT>A, you are brought to the Edit Configuration menu (Step 8). After repeating this step for each configuration you have entered, you can simply edit each configuration to suit your needs. 17. You have completed the installation instructions. Now that you have read the installation instructions, here are some suggestions/ideas to think about prior to actually running the program for the first time: A. Think about what configurations you want to have predefined, and what extensions you will assign them. B. If you dont want to edit the AUTOEXEC and CONFIG files that ConEd creates for you from the Configuration menu, by using the DOS COPY command, copy your current AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS to your CONED subdirectory, redirecting the file extension to an extension you will predefine. i.e. copy c:\autoexec.bat c:\coned\autoexec.xxx copy c:\config.sys c:\coned\config.xxx where xxx represents the extesion you assign it. Do this for each configuration you are going to select during the installation process. After installation, you can use ConEd to edit each configuration to do what you want it to do. Remember to remember the extensions you have chosen for use. ConEd.DOC June 23, 1991 Page 6 INSTALLATION (continued) The first configuration you choose should be the CURRENT configuration (i.e. Your current AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS). It is recommended that you invoke ConEd at the beginning of EACH and every AUTOEXEC file so that ConEd will be called prior to any other calls from the AUTOEXEC. This allows you to select immediately upon system boot which configuration you wish to invoke for the particular PC session. Additionally, add the ConEd subdirectory to your path, this will allow you to call ConEd from any drive/directory. Using ConEd To invoke ConEd, simply type CONED, or in your AUTOEXEC.BAT, have the following: cd\coned coned cd\ This will allow your AUTOEXEC.BAT file to invoke ConEd every time you boot up so you will be able to choose which configuration you want to use. The following command line parameters can be used as well: -c for CGA Video cards and monitors -m to force MONO mode -b for bios video support -dx to start the current configuration after x seconds has elapsed. This is useful for operations such as running a BBS. If the power fails, and then restarts, ConEd will select the current configuration after an x second duration. If the cursor bar is moved, the delay will be canceled. -sxxx to start configuration xxx WITHOUT going thru the ConEd menu. This allows you to quickly select a new configuration from the DOS prompt. ConEd will REBOOT your computer with the configuration you have selected. Examples: CONED -m This will force mono mode CONED -b -d7 Uses bios video support for ConEd and will start the current configuration after 7 seconds have elapsed. CONED -sNET ConEd will reboot your computer with the .NET configurations installed. When you execute ConEd you will be in the main menu. By using your arrow keys (UP and DOWN) you will move from one selection to the next. ConEd always starts with the cursor bar on the CURRENT configuration. If you wish to choose this configuration, simply press the <RTN> key. If you opt for another configuration, use your arrow keys to highlight the particular configuration you want, strike the <RTN> key, and your computer will reboot your machine with the selected configuration. When selecting the current configuration, ConEd compares the file length of the current AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files with the AUTOEXEC.xxx and CONFIG.xxx files to ensure they are the same file. If your AUTOEXEC or CONFIG files have been modified, ConEd will present a menu that will allow you to continue to exit, implementing the current configuration; copy the AUTOEXEC.xxx and/or CONFIG.xxx file to the boot directory; or copy the boot directory AUTOEXEC.BAT and/or CONFIG.SYS to the ConEd directory with an extension that matches the current configurations extension. This is useful when installation of a new program modifies the existing CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files, and you wish to either retain those files with the current extension already in use, or assign a new extension to them. ConEd.DOC June 23, 1991 Page 7 FUNCTION KEYS: F1 - Brief online help to instruct the user of the functionality of the program, and present available command keys. F2 - Gives the user the opportunity to view the DOS text screen as it was before ConEd was invoked. This is useful when attempting to ensure that all of the drivers that the CONFIG.SYS calls were correctly installed. F3 - Invokes the editor you have selected to edit the highlighted configurations' AUTOEXEC.BAT file. As you move your cursor bar up and down, the extensions of the AUTOEXEC. will change to correspond to whatever textual description you are on. To return to ConEd, simply exit your editor as you would at any other time. F4 - Invokes the editor you have selected to edit the highlighted configurations' CONFIG.SYS file. As you move your cursor bar up and down, the extensions of the CONFIG. will change to correspond to whatever textual description you are on. To return to ConEd, simply exit your editor as you would at any other time. F5 - Invokes the Configuration Menu. This allows you to change, any of the setup options that had been previously selected. When altering the setup, press the F10 function key to save the changes or the ESC key to abort changes. In either case, you are returned to the ConEd main menu. F6 - Presents you with an information screen which tells and how to get in touch with the author. F7 - Allows the user to reboot their computer without exiting to DOS or issuing a <CTRL>-<ALT>-<DEL> command. A user may wish to perform this operation if they realize that a particular function in the CONFIG.SYS file was not invoked properly. An example would be if you are connected to a LAN, and one of the drivers that the CONFIG.SYS calls was not correctly installed or failed. F8 - Environment Viewer. This allow you to view the current environment from within ConEd. This is the same as typing 'SET' from the DOS prompt. F9 - Ends the ConEd program, resumes the configuration in process. <ALT>A - Allows a user to ADD a configuration (up to 200 of them). <ALT>C - Copy a configuration. This allows you to copy the highlighted configuration to the boot drives root directory WITHOUT rebooting at this time. This allows you plan ahead for an upcoming system reboot. <ALT>D - Deletes the highlighted configuration AND the associated AUTOEXEC.xxx and CONFIG.xxx files. <ALT>E - Edit the highlighted configuration description. <ALT>U - Update a configuration. This allows you to copy the root directory configuration to the highlighted configuration WITHOUT rebooting at this time. This allows you update a configuration that has been altered outside of ConEd. PGUP, PGDN, UPARROW, DNARROW, HOME and END keys move the ighlited cursor bar around the screen. ConEd.DOC June 23, 1991 Page 8 DISCLAIMER Unfortunately, these are necessary, so I will make this as short and to the point as possible. Ira T. Ashkenes 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. Ira T. Ashkenes will not be liable for any special, incidental, consequential, indirect or similar damages due to loss of data or any other reason, even if Ira T. Ashkenes or an agent of Ira T. Ashkenes has been advised of the possibility of such damages. In no event shall Ira T. Ashkenes's liability for any damages ever exceed the price paid for the license to use software, regardless of the form of the claim. The person using the software bears all risk as to the quality and performance of the software. ConEd.DOC June 23, 1991 Page 9 ConEd version 2.5 Registration Form ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Make checks payable to: IJ Software 10288 Abbott Road Manassas, Virginia 22110 ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Quan Item Price Total ___ CONfiguration EDitor Ver 2.5 .... @ $10 $________ (see below for Site License) Subtotal $________ Virginia State residents add 4.5% sales tax. Tax $________ If you would like a diskette shipped to you add 3.00 $________ 5¼ [ ] 3½ [ ] Total $________ Checks or money orders accepted. ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Name_______________________________________________________ Company_______________________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ Phone_________________________ Bus.________________________ Name you would like to appear in REGISTRED TO space: (25 character MAX) __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ Where did you obtain ConEd? _______________________________________________________ Comments/Suggestions : _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ SITE LICENSE Pricing: 1 to 10 computers ..... at $10 each # computers ___x 10.00 ______ 11 to 20 computers ..... at $9.00 each # computers ___x 9.00 ______ 21 to 49 computers ..... at $7.00 each # computers ___x 7.00 ______ 50 to 99 computers ..... at $6.00 each # computers ___x 6.00 ______ 100 or more computers .. $500 one time fee ______ Personalized Copies (with Corporate and Personal Logos, etc) available, please send information along with licensing fee.