SYSMENU REFERENCE MANUAL v3.19y : Copyright 1992 DCA, all rights reserved.
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Section - I                  Section - II           Section - III
General Information          System Reference       Appendices
--------------------------   --------------------   ----------------------
Introduction                 Modes of Operation     Troubleshooting
License & Registration       Program Operation      Where to Use SysMenu
File Package                 System Limitations     Warranty & Disclaimer
Recommended Learning Curve   File Reference         
Installation                 Help Mode Functions    
                             Sub-Menu Reference
                             Timed File Reference

SECTION I - GENERAL INFORMATION

INTRODUCTION  :  SysMenu is a menu program for MS-DOS computer systems.  
SysMenu works on hard disk systems such as desktops, on floppy drive 
systems like laptops and on palmtop systems that use flash memory cards.  
SysMenu requires a total of 64kb RAM for execution, is not RAM resident 
and can be configured for monochrome and color video systems.  SysMenu is 
designed to be customized by the user for a professional looking finish to 
any PC system, and allows many user defined parameters such as light bar 
menus, sub-menu levels, screen burnout, screen text, screen colors and 
timed file execution.  SysMenu also has a built-in help and maintenance 
mode with special attention paid to the details required by the business 
world.  One such detail is a unique licensing system which allows you to 
register and personalize your copy of SysMenu, thereby meeting the
requirements set forth by your auditing and legal departments.  

LICENSE & REGISTRATION  :  SysMenu is distributed as shareware software.  
Shareware distribution allows you to use this program for a reasonable 
amount of time at no cost.  If you wish to continue using this program a 
licensing fee is requested.  Licensing allows you to continue using this  
program as a valid licensee.  If you do not wish to purchase a license 
following a reasonable period of evaluation, you must discontinue using 
this program.  This program may not be used in an organization, corporate, 
government, agency, club or business environment without a negotiated site 
license.  This program may be distributed at no cost for the evaluation of 
license, provided the complete SysMenu file package is distributed intact 
and uncorrupted.  It is the author's intention that you license your copy
of this program.  

Licensing your copy of SysMenu earns you a unique license number which is
easily "branded" into your copy of this program.  Your unique license
number replaces the default label "License #000000" displayed on line 25 
of the installation mode screen, on line 25 of the help mode screen and in 
the footer text of this printed manual.  A certificate of license 
accompanies your license number, authenticating to all who need to know 
that you are using properly licensed software.  SysMenu licensing 
standards require one license for every PC the software will be installed 
on or, in the case of network usage, an aggregate license total 
representative of the maximum number of users allowed access to SysMenu 
during any concurrent session.  Based on the total license count for your 
PC environment, the cost per license is prorated per the following 
schedule:                                                                

              Total # Licenses     Cost Per License
              ----------------     ----------------
                         1               $25
                  2 ..   5               $24         
                  6 ..  10               $23
                 11 ..  20               $22
                 21 ..  30               $21
                 31 ..  40               $20
                 41 ..  50               $19
                 51 .. 100               $18
                101 +                    $15

In exchange for your check or money order, you will receive the following:

1.  Certificate of license representative of your total license count.
2.  License number unique to your organization.
3.  Instructions on how to "brand" your license number into SysMenu.
4.  Notification of future upgrades and a discounted upgrade cost.
5.  Technical support for this program via the U.S. Postal Service for 
    ninety (90) days following your paid registration.

Master diskettes containing the complete SysMenu file package can also be 
ordered at a cost of $5.00 per diskette; please specifiy diskette size of 
3.5" or 5.25".  Note that purchase of a master diskette does not 
constitute license or registration of this program; purchase of a master 
diskette serves as a transfer of software media only.  

Ohio residents should include sales tax of 5.5% on the total cost of their
registration and order.  All correspondence regarding SysMenu should be 
sent to: 

                       Wedge Software
                       P.O. Box #1746
                       Findlay, OH  45839-1746

FILE PACKAGE  :  There are 18 files included in the SysMenu file 
package, indicated below by those files having a blank file tag, and all 
are required for the proper operation of SysMenu.   Files listed below 
having a non-blank file tag are not included on the SysMenu distribution 
diskette but are created at various times during the operation of SysMenu.  
Files tagged with '*' are created automatically as default files during 
installation; files tagged with '#' are created as needed; files tagged 
with '@' are created by the user.  All files should be stored together in 
the same sub-directory in which SysMenu is orginally installed.  
 
T File Name     Description
- ------------  ---------------------------------------------------------
  SysMenu.0xx   SysMenu overlay program files; .0xx = .000 thru .012
  SysMenu.COM   Main SysMenu program file
  Install.COM   Installation information
  License.COM   Registration program used to license SysMenu
  Manual.TXT    SysMenu user documentation, the file you are now reading
  Version.TXT   Text describing upgrades and version releases
* Mnu.BAT       Master file used to invoke SysMenu from DOS
* System.DAT    Data file holding system control parameters
* Menu.DAT      Data file holding main menu selections
* RunFiles.TMR  Default file used to queue timed file execution options
* UserText.TXT  User modified file for inserting text into a help panel
* Option1.BAT   Example batch file for illustration
* Option2.BAT   Example batch file for illustration
* SubOpt1.BAT   Example batch file for illustration
* SubOpt2.BAT   Example batch file for illustration
* Option3.DAT   Example sub-menu data file for illustration
* Option4.DAT   Intentionally not created to illustrate missing .DAT file 
# DosCom.BAT    Dynamically created by SysMenu during execution
# Choice.BAT    Dynamically created by SysMenu during execution
# LastLine.DAT  Dynamically created by SysMenu during execution
# Timer.LOG     Created dynamically; used to log timed file activity
# Scratch.LOG   Dynamically created by SysMenu during execution
@ ffffffff.BAT  User created batch files for use as menu options
@ ffffffff.DAT  User created data files for use as sub-menu's
@ ffffffff.TMR  User created text files used to queue timed file activity

File extensions used by SysMenu have specific meanings as indicated below: 

    .DAT : DATa file - SYSTEM.DAT, MENU.DAT and sub-menu files are .DAT 
           files used to hold system parameters and menu options. .DAT
           files are non-executable files.  
    .BAT : BATch file - only batch files can be included in a .DAT file as 
           executable options.  
    .TXT : TeXT file - plain ascii files intended to be read by user.
    .TMR : TiMeR file - indicates a sequence of .BAT files to be queued  
           for timed execution.  
    .LOG : LOG file - used to record timed file activity.

RECOMMENDED LEARNING CURVE : Expertise in learning and using SysMenu can 
best be had by following the schedule outlined below.  After reading each 
step, check your understanding by testing that feature of SysMenu before 
proceeding to the next step.  

1.  Read this manual in it's entirety; a little time spent here will give 
    you a better overall feel for how this program operates.  
2.  Install the software as described in the next section, answering YES 
    to all default file prompts (ie: install all default files) 
    ADVANCED USER NOTE: Before proceeding to the next step, exit SysMenu 
    and examine all default .BAT, .DAT, .TXT and .TMR files for a very 
    basic understanding of how this program operates.  You can use the DOS 
    TYPE command to list these files.  Pay particular attention to the 
    MNU.BAT, SYSTEM.DAT and MENU.DAT files.  
3.  Edit the SYSTEM.DAT file using help mode function F3 to customize the 
    text, colors & video features of this program.  Enter a single 
    character for the burnout feature on line 8 and blank out any 
    reference to a timer file on line 10.  
4.  Edit the MENU.DAT file using your favorite editor or word processor to 
    include only .BAT (batch) file names; leave out any references to sub-
    menus and option comments.  
    ADVANCED USER NOTE: At this point it should be understood that editing 
    the SYSTEM.DAT and MENU.DAT files provides the user complete control 
    of this program.  
5.  Edit the MENU.DAT file to include comments with your options.
6.  Add a sub-menu option to MENU.DAT using a .DAT ">" record entry.
7.  Test and select a chimes octave using help mode function ALT-F2, then 
    set the chimes in SYSTEM.DAT by editing column 3 of line 9 using the 
    edit features of help mode function F3.  
8.  Add a burnout batch file name to SYSTEM.DAT line 8, using the help 
    mode function F3.
9.  Add the default timer file RUNFILES.TMR to SYSTEM.DAT line 10 using 
    the help mode function F3.
10. Force timer file execution by advancing the clock in help mode 
    function F10.
11. Use help mode function F8 to read the TIMER.LOG file after forcing 
    timed file execution.  
12. Create a .TMR timer file of your own using help mode function F4 and 
    reset SYSTEM.DAT line 10 to your new .TMR file name; test functions by 
    advancing the clock in help mode function F10.  
13. Review timed file activity using help mode function F8.
14. Although your initial review of this manual and the files associated 
    with this package may seem bewildering, there really is a method to 
    the madness and with a little practice you will find that this system 
    is easy to use and can be molded to fit any application you throw at 
    it.  Experiment!  

Upon completion of this learning outline, you should be familiar with the 
basic features of SysMenu.  Note that using .BAT file entries as menu 
options, file burnout options and timed file options gives you complete 
freedom to "program" your menu system to do what you want it to do. 

INSTALLATION  :  SysMenu is installed per the following instructions.  

1.  Make a sub-directory where SysMenu will reside.
2.  Add/update the PATH statement in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file to include the 
    sub-directory where SysMenu will reside.
3.  The last statement in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file should be MNU.
4.  Goto the sub-directory on your system where SysMenu will reside.
5.  Copy all files from the distribution diskette to the SysMenu sub-
    directory; all SysMenu files must be kept in this sub-directory.  
6.  While in the SysMenu sub-directory, type SYSMENU d:\pathname and press 
    the RETURN key, where: 
      d = drive that SysMenu resides on (ie: a,b,c,d,etc)
      :\pathname = full DOS pathname of sub-directory where SysMenu 
                   resides.  Some examples are:
      SYSMENU c:\             run from the root directory of the c: drive
      SYSMENU a:\work         run from the a: drive work sub-directory
      SYSMENU d:\menu\abc\xyz run from the xyz sub-dir of the d: drive
    ADVANCED USER NOTE: The drive and pathname parameters specified during 
    this step are used in the subsequent creation of the MNU.BAT file.
7.  During installation, SysMenu will ask you if it should install several 
    default files.  If this is your first installation, answer 'Y' (YES) 
    to all prompts.  If you are receiving these prompts during the regular 
    execution of SysMenu, answering 'Y' will create default versions of 
    missing files.  
8.  After the last default file has been installed, SysMenu will start 
    with default versions of all required files.  Press ESC twice to exit 
    SysMenu and return to DOS.  
9.  If this is the first time you are starting SysMenu following 
    installation, reboot your system and SysMenu will start automatically.  
    If this is not the first time you are installing SysMenu, type MNU at 
    the DOS prompt and press RETURN to start SysMenu.  
10. Always type MNU to start SysMenu.  If MNU.BAT is lost or missing, 
    repeat the above installation procedures to recreate a default version 
    of this file.  Read the remainder of this text to learn how to 
    customize your copy of SysMenu.

Earlier versions of SysMenu required a peculiar sub-directory structure 
be used for installation.  This version of SysMenu does not require a 
specific sub-directory structure but instead allows the user to define the 
desired drive and sub-directory.  For ease of upgrade however, the old 
sub-directory structure is still supported by SysMenu as a default 
structure.  With regard to the instructions in step 6 outlined above, 
typing SYSMENU with no additional drive or path parameters defaults 
program installation to the following sub-directory structure: 

     C:\SYSTEM\BATCH         for MNU.BAT file and all BATCH files
     C:\SYSTEM\DOS           for all DOS files
     C:\SYSTEM\UTILITY       for all SysMenu files and utilities

Note that this structure can only be used on the C: hard-disk drive.  With 
regard to the above instructions, all installation commands must be issued 
from the C:\SYSTEM\UTILITY sub-directory.  In addition, the entire sub-
directory structure must be referenced in the PATH statement in your 
AUTOEXEC.BAT file.  While this structure is no longer required for SysMenu 
operation, it can be used if desired.  Careful study of the inter-
relationship between DOS commands and the general philosophy of menu 
systems will reveal several advantages to using this structure.  This 
structure was discontinued in an effort to make the system more flexible 
to the end user.  Along this same line of thought, the old MENU.BAT file 
was changed to MNU.BAT to avoid conflict with other programs using MENU as 
a command name.

SECTION II - SYSTEM REFERENCE 

MODES OF OPERATION : SysMenu operates in different modes when executing, 
some of them obvious to the user and some not.  In addition, some features 
work in some modes and some do not.  Following is a list of program modes 
and feature availability.  

1.  Installation Mode : invoked at initial program startup.  If files are
    missing, you are prompted to install defaults; if no files are 
    missing, this screen dissappears after a brief pause.  
2.  Main Menu Mode : the main listing of your menu options.  Terminate and 
    exit SysMenu by pressing ESC twice from main menu mode.  
3.  Sub-Menu Mode : the appearance of a pop-up sub-menu on the main menu 
    panel.  Help mode can't be invoked when a sub-menu is open.
4.  Error Mode : an error or warning has occurred; a horizontal error bar 
    appears on the screen.  Burnout will not occur in error mode nor can 
    help mode be entered while an error condition exists.  
5.  Burnout Mode : within main menu or sub-menu mode, no keypress has been 
    detected for approximately one minute; burnout action depends upon the 
    parameter indicated on line 8 of SYSTEM.DAT.
6.  Timed File Execution Mode : invoked by the presence of a valid .TMR 
    file name on line 10 of System.DAT.  Timer mode is valid in main menu, 
    sub-menu and error modes.  Timer mode can be toggled ON and OFF by 
    using the F7 key within help mode.  Timer mode is also valid in screen 
    burnout mode as long as control is not passed to a burnout batch file 
    (ie: a batch file name on line 8 of SYSTEM.DAT).  
7.  Help Mode : invoked from main menu by pressing F1.  Within help mode, 
    burnout does not occur, clock display is not updated, chimes do not 
    play on the hour, timer files are not executed.  There are 12 help 
    functions, sometimes referred to within this text as F1/nn where F1 
    indicates help mode and nn indicates the particular function.  All 
    help functions can be terminated by pressing ESC.  Help mode is exited 
    by pressing ESC twice.  

PROGRAM OPERATION  :  In main menu and sub-menu modes, use the arrow 
cursor keys, the Home, End, PgUp and PgDn keys to navigate around the 
selections presented on the main menu.  Items prefixed by a dash indicate 
applications that can be started by pressing RETURN or by pressing the 
character key prefixing that selection.  Items prefixed by a small cube 
indicate sub-menu options.  Selecting sub-menu options opens a small pop-
up menu that lists options available under that sub-menu, each of which 
can be either an application or another sub-menu.  Sub-Menu's can be 
nested up to 10 levels deep, each sub-menu having up to 10 menu options.  
Pressing ESC within a sub-menu level exits to the previous level.  
Pressing ESC twice from the main menu exits to DOS.  

Help mode is entered by pressing F1 from the main menu screen.  Help mode 
is inactive when a sub-menu is open or an error message is displayed on 
the screen.  Help mode has twelve maintenance functions, all of which are 
invoked by the keys indicated at the bottom of the screen.  When a     
function is invoked, the keys shown in the bottom help box are changed to 
the same color as the border to indicate that those keys are now inactive 
and the keys shown on the top line of the help section are now activated.   
available for your use. Pressing ESC twice from within help mode exits 
back to main menu mode.  

Error and warning messages are self-explanatory and are exited by pressing 
SPACE or ESC as indicated within the message.  

Screen burnout mode is invoked from main menu and sub-menu modes, after 
one minute has elapsed from the last detected keypress.  The action 
performed during screen burnout is controlled by line 8 of the SYSTEM.DAT 
file.  If a blank or single character is specified as the burnout option 
in SYSTEM.DAT, then screen burnout is terminated and control is returned 
to main menu mode by pressing a single key.  If a batch file name is 
specified as the burnout option within SYSTEM.DAT, then whatever actions 
are required to terminate that batch file must be performed to return 
control to main menu mode.

SYSTEM LIMITATIONS : Program and file limitations are as follows: 

1.  The main menu can display a maximum of 50 menu items at one time; any 
    combination of .BAT batch files (executable options) or .DAT files 
    (sub-menu options).  Translated, this means that MENU.DAT can hold 50 
    records maximum.  
2.  Each .DAT sub-menu file can hold a maximum of 10 items; any 
    combination of .BAT batch files (executable options) or .DAT files 
    (sub-menu options).  Translated, this means that each .DAT sub-menu 
    can hold 10 records.  
3.  Sub-menu's can be nested up to 10 levels deep.
4.  The TIMER.LOG file holds the history of the last 100 timed file 
    executions in descending order; entries over 100 are deleted.  
5.  Each .TMR timed execution file can hold a maximum of 50 file entries.
    Translated, each .TMR file can have 50 records maximum.
6.  The delay for screen burnout is fixed at one-minute following the last 
    detected keystroke and can't be changed.  

FILE REFERENCE  :  This section contains file reference information 
essential for the proper operation of SysMenu.  Note that all files listed 
below are ascii files and can be edited in one way or another with the 
maintenance functions available in SysMenu help mode.  However, you can 
also use a text editor or word processor to edit these files provided they 
produce a plain ascii file with no embedded formatting codes.  In 
addition, note that some files have line length and file size restrictions 
which need to be considered when using a text editor or word processor.  

1.  SYSTEM.DAT file : This file holds parameters and values used to 
    control and customize SysMenu.  Help function F3 provides the best way 
    to edit this file.  There are ten lines in this file, each described 
    below; examine the default SYSTEM.DAT file to see how data carried 
    within this file is displayed/implemented on the SysMenu display 
    screen.  

    Line 1 - Main Menu Top Title Line : up to 38 characters long, lower 
             case letters are forced to upper case letters by the program.  
             Blanks in this line default to a line of little squares.  To 
             force a blank line, enter an ASCII character 255 (ALT 255) in 
             column 1 as the only value on this line.  
    Line 2 - Main Menu Bottom Title Line : up to 74 characters long, lower 
             case letters are forced to upper case letters by the program.  
             Blanks in this line default to a line of little squares.  To 
             force a blank line, enter an ASCII character 255 (ALT 255) in 
             column 1 as the only value on this line.  
    Line 3 - Main Menu Sub-Legend Text : up to 74 characters long, lower 
             case and upper case letters are allowed in this line.  Blanks 
             in this line default to a line of little squares.  To force a 
             blank line, enter an ASCII character 255 (ALT 255) in column 
             1 as the only value on this line.  
    Line 4 - Video system used by your computer.  Parameter must be one of 
             the four following values:  MONO, CGA, EGA or EGM.  VGA 
             systems should use EGA.  EGM is used for IBM PS/2 monochrome 
             EGA displays.  
    Line 5 - Specify color to be used by main menu frame and border 
             graphics.  Use one of the colors specified below.  
    Line 6 - Specify color to be used by main menu text screen components.  
             Use one of the colors specified below.  
    Line 7 - Specify color to be used by the main menu tag and title 
             components.  Use one of the colors specified below.  
    Line 8 - Used to control screen burnout options.  Select one of the 
             following three options; 1) Leave blank for a blank burnout 
             screen, 2) enter one ascii character for a randomly moving 
             character during screen burnout or, 3) enter a valid .BAT 
             file name to be executed at the time of screen burnout.  
             Burnout is invoked approximately one minute after the last 
             keypress is detected when in main menu or sub-menu modes.  
    Line 9 - Columns 1-2 of this line are coded as 12 or 24 to indicate 
             whether a 12 or 24 hour clock is displayed.  Column 3 of this 
             line indicates whether or not chimes are played on the hour.  
             A value of 1-7 in column 3 turns the chimes on and determines 
             the octave in which the chimes are played (1=low, 7=high).  A 
             blank in column 3 indicates that chimes are not to be played 
             on the hour (no sound).  
    Line10 - Either blank or used to hold the name of a valid .TMR file 
             used in setting the timed file execution function.  If blank 
             then the timer feature is set to off; if non-blank then the 
             .TMR file indicated is read for input into the timed file 
             feature.  

    Valid colors accepted on lines 5,6 and 7 are:  Black, Blue, Green, 
    Cyan, Red, Magenta, Brown, LightGray, DarkGray, LightBlue, LightGreen, 
    LightCyan, LightRed, LightMagenta, Yellow, White (upper or lower case)

2.  MENU.DAT file : This file holds the options displayed on the main 
    menu.  Up to 50 options can be stored in this file.  Each record in 
    this file takes one of two forms, either as an executable menu option 
    or as a sub-menu option.  Executable options exist in the SysMenu sub-
    directory as .BAT files and sub-menu options exist in the SysMenu sub-
    directory as .DAT files.  It is very important to understand that each 
    record in the MENU.DAT file must correspond to an existing .BAT file 
    or .DAT file in the SysMenu sub-directory.  

    The MENU.DAT record format for a menu option (.BAT file) is:
      ffffffff,ccccccccccccccccccc..................ccccccccccccccccccc 
    While the MENU.DAT record format for a sub-menu option (.DAT file) is:
      >ffffffff,cccccccccccccccccc..................ccccccccccccccccccc 
    Where the record format is interpreted as follows:
      > - in column 1 indicates a sub-menu option and a corresponding 
            .DAT file.  If the record starts without the ">" marker, then 
            it is a .BAT entry
      ffffffff - indicates the corresponding .DAT file name for a sub-menu 
            entry or the corresponding .BAT file name for an executable 
            option entry.  File name starts in column 1 for .BAT files and 
            in in column 2 for .DAT files.
      ccc..ccc - indicates comment line text, up to 78 characters, which 
            will be scrolled on line 25 of the main menu screen when that 
            option is highlighted.  
    Note that a ffffffff.DAT file must exist for each sub-menu option 
    listed in MENU.DAT.  Each of these files may contain additional 
    references to sub-menu .DAT files or references to executable .BAT 
    files.  Along this same line of thought, a ffffffff.BAT file must 
    exist for each executable .BAT option listed in MENU.DAT.
  
3.  USERTEXT.TXT : This file provides the user a way to insert several 
    lines of customized text into the help mode section of this program.  
    You can use help mode function F4 or your favorite editor or word 
    processor to edit this file and insert whatever text you wish to 
    display.  Help mode function F6 function displays this text.  This 
    file is limited in size to 14 rows of 74 columns each; rows greater 
    than 14 are not displayed and record text beyond column 74 is 
    truncated.  

4.  RUNFILES.TMR : This is a default .TMR file used to illustrate the 
    format of a .TMR timed activity file.  You can create as many .TMR 
    files as you like, each file having a maximum of 50 records.  Only one 
    file at a time can be listed on line 10 of the SYSTEM.DAT file.  

    Each .TMR file requires the following record format:
      mm/dd/yy,hh:mm:ss,ffffffff,ccccccccccc.................cccccccccccc
    Where 
      mm/dd/yy - refers to the date file ffffffff will execute
      hh:mm:ss - refers to the time file ffffffff will execute (24 hour)
      ffffffff - refers to a valid .BAT batch file name 
      ccc..ccc - refers to a comment string up to 47 characters long
    If desired, mm/dd/yy can be replaced with ******** (8 asterisks) to 
    indicate wildcard operation; ie: execute this option every day at the 
    specified time.  The timed file queue is automatically reset at 
    midnight.  

5.  MNU.BAT : This is the master file used to invoke SysMenu from the DOS 
    command line.  This file is created during installation mode.  This 
    file should not be edited unless you intend to change the drive and or 
    sub-directory location of SysMenu.  The format for this file is: 
      
      ECHO OFF      
      CLS
      SYSMENU d:\pathname      
      DOSCOM
     
    Where:
      d = drive that SysMenu resides on (ie: a,b,c,d,etc)
      :\pathname = full DOS pathname of sub-directory where SysMenu 
                   resides.  Some examples are:
      SYSMENU c:\             run from the root directory of the c: drive
      SYSMENU a:\work         run from the a: drive work sub-directory
      SYSMENU d:\menu\abc\xyz run from the xyz sub-dir of the d: drive
    If this file is missing or corrupted, it should be recreated using the 
    installation procedures described above.  This file must first be 
    deleted using the DOS DEL command before it is recreated.

HELP MODE FUNCTIONS : Each of the twelve functions featured within help 
mode is described below.  Each of the help functions is sometimes referred 
to within this text as F1/nn, where F1 refers to help mode and nn refers 
to Function key F1 through F10.  When help mode is initially started, all 
valid key combinations are shown on the bottom of the help screen in a 
menu box.  Some help functions have key combinations specific to that 
function, and these are toggled on when a help function is selected.  The 
function specific key combinations are illustrated by deactivating the key 
combinations shown in the bottom help menu and activating new key 
combinations shown at the top middle area of the help screen, below the 
top text border.  With the exception of one-panel help displays (ie: 
F1/F5) all help functions can be exited by pressing ESC, thereby 
reactivating the menu box at the bottom of the screen.  Help mode is 
exited by pressing ESC twice.  

F1  Browse System Documentation OnLine : Browse this manual on screen.  
    Use the UP/DOWN arrows, PGUP, PGDN, CTRL-PGUP (top of document) and 
    CTRL-PGDN (bottom of document) keystrokes to navigate through this 
    manual.  Use TAB to jump forward between section headings in this 
    text.  Press ESC to exit.    
F2  Print System Documentation : Print this document.  Be sure a printer 
    is attached and online.  Press ESC to halt printing prior to reaching 
    the end of document.  
F3  Edit SYSTEM.DAT File : You can use any editor or word processor to 
    edit the SYSTEM.DAT file, but help function F3 provides the best way.  
    Select the line (1 through 10) to be edited by pressing CTRL-F1 
    through CTRL-F10.  Text lines can be edited using standard keyboard 
    editing keys such as INSERT, DELETE, BACKSPACE or regular character 
    entry.  End and save your changes by pressing RETURN or, quit without 
    saving your changes by pressing ESC.  Some parameters in this editing 
    feature do not allow keystroke entry but instead are limited to 
    certain values being toggled or cycled with the UP/DOWN and LEFT/RIGHT 
    arrow keys.  When you are done editing, save your changes to disk by 
    pressing CTRL-W.  If you don't want to save your changes to disk, 
    press ESC when prompted.  Color changes made during editing are shown 
    on screen after exiting this function.  Press ESC to exit.
F4  Tiny Edit : This is a primitive line editor intended for creating and 
    editing tiny .BAT batch, .DAT data and .TMR timer files.  File size is 
    limited to 100 rows of 80 columns each; any more and it's lost so be 
    careful what you read and write with this routine!  Tiny Edit is not 
    fancy but it works and it comes gratis with this package.  Tiny Edit 
    has two modes, cursor navigation mode and line edit mode.  In cursor 
    navigation mode, select a line for editing by using the UP/DOWN arrow 
    keys and activate the chosen line by pressing SPACE; once activated it 
    should show as a highlighted line indicating you are now in line edit 
    mode.  When in line edit mode text can be entered and edited using 
    INSERT, DELETE, BACKSPACE and regular keyboard character entry.  To 
    end and save your line changes press RETURN.  To quit without saving 
    your changes press ESC.  Regardless of whether you pressed RETURN or 
    ESC, you are returned to cursor navigation mode.  Save your changes to 
    disk by pressing CTRL-W from cursor navigation mode.  To exit without 
    saving, press ESC.  

    The following keys are valid in Cursor Navigation Mode: 

    UP arrow       : move cursor up one line
    DOWN arrow     : move cursor down one line 
    PGUP           : move one page up in file 
    PGDN           : move one page down in file 
    CTRL-PGUP      : goto top of file 
    CTRL-PGDN      : goto bottom of file 
    SPACE          : activate line for editing 
    ESC            : exit Tiny Edit 
    CTRL-N (New)   : fill work space with blanks (100 row x 80 col) 
    CTRL-R (Read)  : read a file; give full drive, path and file name
    CTRL-W (Write) : write work area to disk; provide file path/name 
    CTRL-I (Insert): insert a blank line at the cursor 
    CTRL-L (deLete): delete the line at the cursor 
    CTRL-T (Timer) : print a .TMR record template at the current line
    CTRL-D (Data)  : print a .DAT record template at the current line

    The following keys are valid in Line Edit Mode: 

    HOME           : goto start of text line
    END            : goto end of text line
    BACKSPACE      : backup one space and delete character 
    INSERT         : toggle character insert on/off
    DELETE         : delete character above cursor 
    RETURN         : end line edit and save text  
    ESC            : quit line edit without saving text
 
F5  License Information : One screen displaying license information.  This 
    function is a one panel display only and requires no special key 
    press to exit.  
F6  List USERTEXT.TXT File : One screen displaying the USERTEXT.TXT file.  
    This file can be edited in order to customize this panel.  This 
    function is a one panel display only and requires no special key press 
    to exit.  
F7  Toggle TIMER Mode ON/OFF : If a valid .TMR file is present on line 10 
    of SYSTEM.DAT, the timer can be toggled ON/OFF using this key.  If a
    valid .TMR file is not present, timer mode can't be toggled ON.  Timer 
    mode is acknowledged on the main menu screen by a timer entry on line 
    1 of the main menu screen.  This function is a one panel display only 
    and requires no special key press to exit.  
F8  Browse TIMER.LOG file : On-line viewing of the timed file activity 
    log; uses the same keystrokes as the help mode F1 browse feature.  The 
    TIMER.LOG file does not exist until the first timed file execution 
    takes place at which time SysMenu creates it.  After that, the file is 
    updated with each subsequent timed file execution.  The last 100 file 
    executions are kept here in descending order.  Press ESC to exit.  
F9  Set Date : Set the system date from within help mode.  Press ESC to 
    exit.  Note that the date is automatically updated at midnight.  If 
    burnout mode is active at 23:59:30, SysMenu toggles itself into menu 
    mode, waits until midnight, and then resets the time, date and timed 
    file queue, the latter only if TIMER is ON.  Burnout mode is then 
    reactivated.  
F10 Set Clock : Set the system clock from within help mode.  Press ESC to 
    exit.  
    ADVANCED USER NOTE: F1/F9 & F1/F10 are particularly useful for 
    experimenting with timer files; you can easily change the date and 
    time to force timed files to execute instead of waiting for a certain 
    amount of time to transpire.  Note however, that timed files only 
    execute from main menu mode and not from help mode; therefore, after 
    setting the date and time to force an execution, you must quickly exit 
    back to menu mode to invoke the timed activity.  Help function F8 can 
    be used to verify the file execution took place and was logged.  
ALT-F1 Clear Screen : Clear the middle area of the help screen.
ALT-F2 Chimes Test : Test the various octaves in which the chimes can be 
    played.  Use this feature to find the octave that best suits you.  The 
    octave you like best should be entered in column 3 of line 8 of the 
    SYSTEM.DAT file.  If chimes are not wanted, leave SYSTEM.DAT line 8 
    column 3 blank.  

SUB-MENU REFERENCE  :  Some general information regarding the application
of sub-menus follows.  

1.  All menu options start from the MENU.DAT file.
2.  MENU.DAT can hold up to 50 records, each record being either an 
    executable batch file name or a non-executable sub-menu .DAT file 
    name.  It is important to understand that each file name in MENU.DAT 
    must have a corresponding DOS file name ending in either .BAT or .DAT 
    in the SysMenu sub-directory.

    The MENU.DAT record format for a menu option (.BAT file) is:
      ffffffff,ccccccccccccccccccc..................ccccccccccccccccccc 
    While the MENU.DAT record format for a sub-menu option (.DAT file) is:
      >ffffffff,cccccccccccccccccc..................ccccccccccccccccccc 
    Where the record format is interpreted as follows:
      > - in column 1 indicates a sub-menu option and a corresponding 
            .DAT file.  If the record starts without the ">" marker, then 
            it is a .BAT entry
      ffffffff - indicates the corresponding .DAT file name for a sub-menu 
            entry or the corresponding .BAT file name for an executable 
            option entry.  File name starts in column 1 for .BAT files and 
            in in column 2 for .DAT files.
      ccc..ccc - indicates comment line text, up to 78 characters, which 
            will be scrolled on line 25 of the main menu screen when that 
            option is highlighted.  

3.  Batch file names in MENU.DAT are entered without the .BAT file 
    extension.  Batch file entries in MENU.DAT are shown on the main menu 
    with a dash prefix.  Selecting a batch entry from the main menu 
    results in that batch file being executed.  Batch file names start in 
    column 1 of the MENU.DAT file.  
4.  Sub-menu .DAT file names in MENU.DAT are entered without the .DAT file 
    extension.  Sub-menu entries in MENU.DAT are shown on the main menu 
    prefixed by a small cube.  Selecting a sub-menu entry from the main 
    menu results in that .DAT file being opened for presentation.  Each 
    .DAT file is essentially a small MENU.DAT file, the only difference 
    being that each sub-menu .DAT file is limited to 10 records.  .DAT 
    file names start in column 2 of the MENU.DAT file, the "> " character 
    being required in column 1.  
5.  A maximum of 10 sub-menu's can be open at one time.
6.  The default files created when installing SysMenu can be examined to 
    illustrate just how this works.  It sounds more complicated than it 
    really is.

TIMED FILE REFERENCE  :  Some general information regarding the 
application and use of the timed file execution feature follows.  

1.  For timed file execution to work, you need to have the filename of an 
    existing .TMR file on line 10 of the SYSTEM.DAT file.  Use F1/F3 to 
    edit SYSTEM.DAT.  Use F1/F4 or your favorite editor or word processor 
    to create/edit .TMR files.  
2.  A .TMR file has the following record format:
      mm/dd/yy,hh:mm:ss,ffffffff,ccccccccccc.................cccccccccccc
    Where 
      mm/dd/yy - refers to the date file ffffffff will execute
      hh:mm:ss - refers to the time file ffffffff will execute (24 hour)
      ffffffff - refers to a valid .BAT batch file name 
      ccc..ccc - refers to a comment string up to 47 characters long
    You can optionally substitute ******** (8 asterisks) for the date 
    value to indicate that this file should execute everyday at the 
    specified time.  The timed file queue is automatically reset at 
    midnight.
3.  Once a .TMR file has been created and entered on line 10 of 
    SYSTEM.DAT, use F1/F7 to toggle timer mode ON and return to main menu 
    mode by pressing ESC twice.  
4.  Now you can use F1/F7 to toggle the timer ON/OFF in case you want to 
    temporarily suspend timer operations.  Note however, that the timer is 
    always set to ON when you enter SysMenu from DOS, meaning that if you 
    toggle the timer OFF and then execute a main menu option, upon 
    reentering SysMenu the timer is turned back ON.  
5.  Timer ON status is indicated on the main menu screen by text entries 
    on line 1 of the screen border, directly above the date and time 
    indicators.  
6.  Upon execution of a timed file, an entry is logged in the TIMER.LOG 
    file, which can then be browsed using help mode function F1/F8.  Note 
    that the last 100 timed file executions are kept in TIMER.LOG in 
    descending order.  
7.  You can force timed execution of a file by resetting the date and time 
    using help mode functions F1/F9 & F1/F10.  Set the clock to about 20 
    seconds prior to execution time and then return to main menu mode by 
    pressing ESC twice.  Timed execution works in main menu mode but not 
    in help mode; remember to reset the date and time back to their 
    correct values after testing.  
 
SECTION III - APPENDICES

TROUBLESHOOTING : Following are some problems users might experience when 
using SysMenu.  

1.  PROBLEM: The screen is blank whenever I start SysMenu.  
    SOLUTION: You have the wrong video parameter on line 4 of SYSTEM.DAT.  
    Use F1/F3 or another editor or word processor to change the value on 
    this line until you find the value that works best for your system 
    (ie: MONO, CGA, EGA or EGM).  Color VGA systems should specify EGA, 
    and EGA monochrome systems (multiple shades of gray) should specify 
    EGM.  
2.  PROBLEM: There are no contrasting colors on the screen when I am in 
    main menu mode; I can't tell which menu option the cursor is on.  
    SOLUTION: Two possible problems.  First, use F1/F3 to edit the color 
    selections on lines 5,6 & 7 of SYSTEM.DAT until you get colors that 
    provide a nice contrast.  Second, use F1/F3 to change the video system 
    parameter on line 4 of SYSTEM.DAT until you get one that shows 
    contrasting colors.  
3.  PROBLEM: The main menu screen won't come back after screen burnout 
    takes place.  
    SOLUTION: You have the wrong video parameter on line 4 of SYSTEM.DAT.  
    Use F1/F3 or another editor or word processor to change the value on 
    this line until you get one that works (ie: MONO, CGA, EGA or EGM).  
4.  PROBLEM: Whenever I press a key to select an option, the program exits 
    to DOS but nothing happens other than I am returned to SysMenu.  
    SOLUTION: Make sure that a .BAT batch file exists in the SysMenu sub-
    directory with the exact same name as the corresponding entry shown on 
    the main menu screen.  That is, the batch file name must match exactly 
    with the file name carried in the MENU.DAT file.  A DIR listing of 
    your SysMenu sub-directory should show a ffffffff.BAT file entry, 
    while TYPEing the MENU.DAT file should show the same ffffffff file 
    name without the .BAT extension.  Also make sure that the PATH 
    statement in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file includes the SysMenu sub-
    directory.  
5.  PROBLEM: Whenever I press a key to select an option, the option 
    executes but I am returned to DOS and not SysMenu.  
    SOLUTION:  You probably started SysMenu by typing SYSMENU from the DOS 
    command line.  You can only use SYSMENU as a DOS command when you are 
    installing SysMenu for the first time.  Each time thereafter you must 
    start SysMenu by typing MNU from the DOS command line.  If the MNU.BAT 
    file does not exist, you can recreate it by following the installation 
    instructions provided within this manual.  
6.  PROBLEM: SysMenu doesn't start automatically whenever I boot my 
    computer.  
    SOLUTION: To start SysMenu every time you boot your computer, make 
    sure the last command of your AUTOEXEC.BAT file is MNU.  Also verify 
    that the PATH statement in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file includes the sub-
    directory in which SysMenu is installed.  
7.  PROBLEM: The MNU command does not work correctly; typing MNU does not 
    start SysMenu.
    SOLUTION: Ensure that 1) your AUTOEXEC.BAT file uses the PATH command 
    and that the PATH command includes the name of the sub-directory in 
    which SysMenu resides; 2) make sure that MNU.BAT exists in the SysMenu 
    sub-directory; 3) if MNU.BAT is missing, use the installation 
    procedures described above to recreate the file; 4) you will need to 
    reboot your computer after editing AUTOEXEC.BAT.
8.  PROBLEM: Some/none of my sub-menu options work.  
    SOLUTION: Each sub-menu entry in the MENU.DAT file must be prefixed 
    by a ">" character in column one of that record.  In addition, each 
    sub-menu file name in MENU.DAT must exist as a .DAT file in the 
    SysMenu sub-directory.  Chances are you don't have a corresponding 
    .DAT file in the SysMenu sub-directory.  
9.  PROBLEM: My timed file entries don't show on line 1 of the main menu 
    screen even after I place a .TMR file name on line 10 of SYSTEM.DAT.  
    SOLUTION: Make sure that your .TMR file exists in the SysMenu sub-
    directory.  Also make sure that you have at least one record entry in 
    that file and that timer mode is toggled ON using F1/F7.  If the timer 
    feature still won't work, make sure that you have entered your .TMR 
    records using the proper format.  The best way to do this is to use 
    the F1/F4 Tiny Edit function and create .TMR files using the CTRL-T 
    record template.  Chances are that the record entries in your .TMR 
    file are not in the proper format or the date and time specified for 
    timed file execution are in the past.  
10. PROBLEM: My timed files show on line 1 of the main menu and they 
    execute on time, but nothing happens when they execute other than I am 
    returned to SysMenu.  
    SOLUTION: If your timed files show on line 1 of the main menu screen 
    and they execute on time but nothing happens when they do execute, 
    then SysMenu couldn't find the corresponding .BAT file in the SysMenu 
    sub-directory for execution.  Make sure that file ffffffff queued for 
    execution has a valid ffffffff.BAT counterpart in the SysMenu sub-
    directory.  The queued file name and the .BAT file name must match 
    exactly.  Also make sure that your batch files are working correctly 
    and that they "do something" when they are invoked.  
11. PROBLEM: When installing SysMenu, I get a message that sub-directory 
    structures C:\SYSTEM\BATCH and C:\SYSTEM\UTILITY are required.
    SOLUTION: Older versions of SysMenu required a specific hard-disk sub-
    directory structure.  Newer versions of SysMenu do not require this 
    structure but the structure is supported as a default mode for those 
    users upgrading to the newer version.  If you don't want to use the 
    old sub-directory structure, you need to install SysMenu with the 
    optional drive and pathname parameters as defined in the Installation 
    section of this manual.  
 
WHERE TO USE SYSMENU : Following are some ideas to consider when using 
this software.  

1.  On a single-user pc -
    Configure the system to what suits you best; automate all of your 
    applications software and those utilities you use most often into main 
    menu options.  Use SysMenu to organize your daily work routine.  
2.  On a multi-user pc; in an office setting -
    Edit MENU.DAT to hold only .DAT sub-menu options, creating one .DAT 
    file for each user in the department.  Use each individuals name or ID 
    code as the name of the .DAT sub-menu entry.  Then edit each .DAT file 
    to hold the application options that each person will need to use.  
3.  On a laptop -
    This is a really nice program for laptop use because it runs in 64kb 
    of RAM and allows you to select those colors that show up best on your 
    laptop screen.  Laptops are notorious for having video screens that 
    range from hard-to-read to impossible-to-read.  
4.  On a LAN -
    SysMenu will work on a LAN but is probably not well suited to many LAN 
    requirements.  However, SysMenu is an excellent front-end menu for use 
    on LAN work stations and can be used as a ground level entry point 
    into a LAN menu.  This allows you to give your users two levels of 
    menu support, a PC stand-alone menu in the form of SysMenu and then 
    your regular LAN menu.  Create a LAN logon batch file as one of the 
    entries in the MENU.DAT file.  
5.  Burnout applications -
    In addition to helping prevent screen burn on your expensive monitor, 
    you can use the screen burnout feature to customize your SysMenu 
    application.  Use a graphics editor to create a one-screen display 
    panel of your company logo or any other picture and then incorporate 
    this graphic picture into a high-level program using C or Pascal or 
    BASIC as follows: 

       begin
         clear screen
         display graphic picture
         do nothing loop until keypressed
         clear screen
       end

    Build a batch file that calls this program, enter the batch file name 
    on line 8 of the SYSTEM.DAT file and you have a custom burnout screen 
    that looks pretty sharp.  You can also use this same approach to 
    incorporate many of the shareware applications that display fancy 
    images while looping until a key is pressed.  There are many graphic 
    imaging shareware programs available at reasonable prices and many 
    of them perform impressive routines.  Note however, that if you use 
    the above logic to display a static screen image that you might just 
    burn that image into the screen over a period of time.  It is best if 
    your graphic image "moves" or changes position while it is being 
    displayed on the screen.  
6.  Timed file applications -
    Use the timed file capabilities of SysMenu to make your PC work after 
    hours!  Some examples of possible applications are using a telecom 
    package and corresponding script language to access E-Mail and BBS 
    services late at night when the networks are less busy.  Or, build 
    autoexecuting macros in your favorite worksheet program to manipulate 
    and print large worksheets right before you show up at work.  Remember 
    that you can stack up to 50 timed file requests in one .TMR file, 
    allowing you to build timer applications that cascade one after 
    another.  Note that in all cases your timed file application must 
    terminate itself in order for control to be returned to SysMenu.  If 
    your applications don't terminate themselves, then control is never 
    returned to SysMenu and the subsequent timed file entry is not 
    executed until after you manually terminate the offending application.  
    Be creative; build custom batch programs that sweep your hard disks 
    deleting old backup files or scan for viruses or whatever!  You can 
    write C or Pascal or BASIC programs that perform basic PC housekeeping 
    chores on a regular basis, printing reports as they go, freeing you 
    from mundane tasks during your busy work day.  

WARRANTY AND DISCLAIMER  :  There are no warranties covering the 
evaluation or use of this product.  There are no warranties covering the 
issue of license either, other than the guarantee that your license number 
will be unique and that it can be branded into your copy of SysMenu.  If
you purchase a master diskette from Wedge Software, a warranty is extended 
to you that the software media will be delivered intact whereas if it is 
not, you have the right to a replacement diskette.  

Continued use of SysMenu in a non-evaluatory manner requires the purchase 
of a license from Wedge Software.  As the very nature of shareware 
distribution dictates that the user evaluate the worthiness of this 
product prior to purchasing a license, request for such a license 
constitutes user acceptance of SysMenu as is, inclusive of all errors and 
omissions.  Wedge software is not liable for any or all damages and or 
losses, material, financial or otherwise, resulting from but not excluded 
to the evaluatory and or non-evaluatory use of this product.  

All legal matters regarding SysMenu shall be interpreted by the courts and 
laws of the state of Ohio.  

