ComparEx Version 1.4.5 >> CmpEx145.zip

ComparEx detects system changes during installation and starts of
a program. It optionally logs changes in the registry, ini files
config.sys, autoexec.bat, the windows and windows system directory,
in an 'internet' directory collection, in an additional user
definable directory collection, optionally with subdirectories, and
in the partition and boot sectors of the system drive.
The 'program' may also be an internet browser session. So sent cookies
and other files the user got during the session can be detected.
This prevents from uncontrolled getting viruses and other unwanted
data.
ComparEx is helpful for a complete uninstall of a program (most 
uninstallers let remain fragments of security, time limitation etc.
in the registry or the windows directories), or just to see 'What
happens with my system?'.
Changed data in registry and files can be deleted, rolled back,
edited and rewritten using an built-in editor.
Results can be stored in files for later use or sent to a line printer
with various print options to hold the output small and print just the
results one wants to see.
The user interface language can be switched between German and English.
The program runs on WIN95 and NT40.

To install ComparEx, just unzip CompEx???.zip into a new directory and then
run setup, or run setup directly from WinZip.

ComparEx is Shareware and may be freely distibuted as the complete
CmpEx???.zip file.

Program author: Peter Schlang, EXEC Software-Entwicklung GmbH
E-mail pschlang@korschenbroich.com

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ComparEx is intentionally without a help function, because the program
is thought to be used by programmers who should understand the
program logic.
For the same reason these hints appear in English language only.

Some things to mention here:

ComparEx is not primarily an uninstaller. It is thought to track all 
changes in the system. Secondary you can use it to remove registry 
entries, ini changes etc. which are not removed by the uninstaller.
The normal way to use ComparEx is.
- check only the necessary "What To Retrieve". As more as you check, 
  as more data are taken and as more time is taken for all actions. 
  Theoretically you can check in "User Directory" the complete 
  C:, D:, ... drives. But nearly never that makes sence.
- Hit the BEFORE button
- do not end Comparex, do not make to many changes in the explorer
  or your deskto, because all of this causes changes which are recorded.
- install the new program, perhaps start it for the first time (some
  programs make registry changes on their first start)
- uninstall the program by its native uninstaller
- hit the AFTER button
- hit the COMPARE button. You now have all the changes left between 
  before install and after uninstall.
- store the data as an .epx file
- check the various differences and try to understand what is really 
  left from your program. That may be: files in any directory, registry
  entries, shared files use count not decreased etc.
- hit the BUILD UNINSTALL button. That starts a recording period.
  As you are told, all actions are not really performed but recorded only.
- in the lower textbox, click an item remaining from your installation.
- hit the EDIT icon ( the notebook in the center of the window)
- do the necessary changes, either delete or roll back to the old value.
- repeat the last two steps as often as necessary.
- hit the BUILD UNISTALL button again (It now has the caption 
  END UNINSTALL), Save the uninstall procedures as an .epu file.
- hit the EXECUTE UNINSTALL button. You can do this, whenever you want.
  It is also possible at another date after again installing and 
  uninstalling the program. Then you only have to start ComparEx, 
  then start the .epu

Other:

- If you use the shareware version of the program the international
  valid rules for using shareware are in effect. Mainly that means
  that it is legally forbidden to use the program commercionally or
  regulary without beeing registered.
  More about shareware can be read in SHAREWAR.TXT 
  To register, one can use the file REGFORM.TXT included with the
  shareware version.

- Whenever the cursor switches to a hand, you can get more information
  by waiting for the tooltips.

- In both the 'Custom Directory' and 'Internet' options more than one
  directory can be defined. The directories have to be separated by
  a semicolon (professional version only).

- In the 'Internet' option directories can be defined with
  subdirectories adding the /s switch to the directory name.
  e.g. C:\win95\cookies;C:\win95\Temporary Internet Files /s

- In the compare lists you can synchronise lines by a mouse click.
  A double click shows the actual section in *.ini files, key in
  registry files and the subdirectory when examining the custom
  directory or internet result.

- If one checks the TEST checkmark, the internal copy flow is
  switched off, no logical checks are active and most security checks
  are bypassed. So depending on user actions the program in this case
  may malfunction or eventually crash and destroy data.
  If it is checked, you can change the status of the program manually,
  by clicking the according status radio button. You can also uncheck
  the 'Compared' checkmark in the 'What to compare' frame. 
  This makes it possible, to start a compare again. 
  Additionally in version 1.44 you can change INI setup and User directory
  in the PREFERENCES window. Usually you will never use the test 
  checkmark. I use it for developement purpuses. But I decided to let
  remain this visible in the program. Perhaps ther will be a usage for
  this by the end user. (Same for the COMPARE ASCII function, the frame
  between TEST checkmark and EXEC logo).

- Inspite the program can be easily used to find and bypass e.g. time
  limitations of a program demo version, a serious programmer should
  always remember to work legally.

If you find a problem or a bug, please send an e-mail including the
version number and an *.epx file which causes the problem.

Suggestions for improving the program are also welcome.

During run of ComparEx, you can find our e-mail adress by clicking the
EXEC logo in the main form and then in the about box again.

To uninstall ComparEx completely, first check the 'Prepare Uninstall'
checkmark in the 'Preferences' dialog and end preferences and ComparEx.
Then run uninstall from the system control panel.



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