          
          Introduction                                      Page 1
          
          
          Introduction
          PC Magazine Utilities Disk Volume 2
          -------------------------------------------------------
          
          Volume 2 of the PC Magazine Utilities contains 34
          utilities ready-to-run plus comprehensive on-disk
          documentation and an install program.
          
          Installing the programs
          -----------------------
          If your PC has a hard disk, you can use the install
          program (started by typing GO) to copy the programs
          onto it. You can then change to the new directory
          containing the programs and try them out. After
          installing the software, you can come back to this
          documentation by changing to the relevant drive
          and directory and entering the command DOC.
          
          If you have a floppy-only PC or you don't want to
          put all of the programs straight onto your hard disk,
          you can run them directly from this floppy. In this
          case, we suggest that you make a working copy of
          your original disk with the DOS DISKCOPY command and
          keep your original somewhere safe as a back-up.
          
          For more information about setting up and starting
          the programs, see the "Tech Notes" document.
          
          Program summary
          ---------------
          The utilities on this disk cover a wide variety of
          tasks... you may not need them all but you're sure
          to find some useful ones. This summary lists the
          programs in general categories so that you can quickly
          see what facilities are available and which programs
          are of most interest to you. Remember even if you
          don't need a particular program now, you may find
          it's just what need in future so it's worth getting
          familiar with the programs.
          
          --- General utilities ---
          APPBK             Pop-up appointment book
          ASC               Pop-up ASCII chart
          BROWSE            Text file viewer
          DRAW              Create graphics with batch files
          FREEZE            Lock keyboard for security
          PARSE             Count lines, words, sentences & more
          PLAY              Play tunes with batch files
          SCHEDULE          Pop-up diary
          SUGGEST           Flash messages on-screen at intervals
          
          
          Introduction                                      Page 2
          
          
          --- Disk & File utilities ---
          2FILE & 2FLOPPY   Floppy disk image copying
          CHANGE            Search and replace text
          DIRCOMP           List two directories for comparison
          DIRMATCH          Full-screen compare of 2 directories
          FILECTRL          Multi-format file viewer
          REPEATS           Helps find duplicate files
          SEARCH            Disk-wide search for word or phrase
          XDIR              Pop-up a DIR listing at any time
          
          --- DOS command and batch file utilities ---
          BATCHMAN          Powerful batch file enhancer
          COPYSAFE          Prevent accidents with COPY commands
          MAKEBAR           Create menus for SLASHBAR
          SLASHBAR          Add Lotus-style menus to any program
          
          --- Keyboard utilities ---
          TIMEKEY           Enter time and date with a single key
          VISITYPE          Extend keyboard buffer
          
          --- Video utilities ---
          BLOAD & BSAVE     Save & recall screens (use with DRAW)
          CS                Clear screen for 43/50 line EGA/VGA
          EGA12             Set 12 line display
          EGA25             Set 25 line display
          EGA35             Set 35 line display
          EGA43             Set 43 line display
          EGA50             Set 50 line display
          EGA512            Allow use of two fonts on EGA/VGA
          EGACOLOR          Remap colors on EGA/VGA
          EGAITAL           Create an italic font on EGA/VGA
          EGAPALET          See all 64 EGA colors at once
          EGAPRTSC          Enable 43/50 line PrintScreen key
          FONTEDIT          Text screen font editor
          SPECTRUM          Pop-up color selector
          VIDMODE           Set current video mode
          VIDPAGE           Set current video page
          
          Tech notes                                        Page 1
          
          
          Tech Notes
          PC Magazine Utilities Disk Volume 2
          -------------------------------------------------------
          
          This document provides general advice for using and
          setting up the PC Magazine utilities on this disk.
          It is divided into these sections...
          
            1. Disk contents
          
            2. Installing the programs
          
                   Installing the programs from DOS
          
                   Saving hard disk space
          
                   Working on a floppy-only PC
          
                   Putting the programs in your DOS command PATH
          
                   Loading programs from AUTOEXEC.BAT
          
                   Using TSR (memory-resident) programs
          
            3. Viewing and printing the documentation
          
            4. Customizing the utilities
          
                   Tables of scan codes  (SS)
                             shift masks (MM)
                             color values
                             sound values
          
          1. Disk contents
          ================
          This disk contains the following files. These are
          stored in the root directory as normal and are
          ready to use. Files marked * are part of the
          installation and documentation programs rather
          than the utilities themselves.
          
           2FILE    EXE  2FILE program (part of 2FILE/2FLOPPY)
           2FLOPPY  EXE  2FLOPPY program (part of 2FILE/2FLOPPY)
           APPBK    COM  APPBK program
           ASC      COM  ASC program
           BATCHMAN COM  BATCHMAN program
           BLOAD    COM  BLOAD program (part of BLOAD/BSAVE)
           BROWSE   COM  BROWSE program
           BSAVE    COM  BSAVE program (part of BLOAD/BSAVE)
           CHANGE   COM  CHANGE program
           COPYSAFE COM  COPYSAFE program
           CS       COM  CS program
           DIRCOMP  COM  DIRCOMP program
           DIRMATCH COM  DIRMATCH program
          *DOC      EXE  Documentation viewer
           DOS      BAR  Sample file for SLASHBAR
           DOS      BDF  Source file of above for MAKEBAR
           DRAW     COM  DRAW program
           DRAW     DAT  Sample DRAW drawing file
           EGA12    COM  EGA12 program
          
          Tech notes                                        Page 2
          
          
           EGA25    COM  EGA25 program
           EGA35    COM  EGA35 program
           EGA43    COM  EGA43 program
           EGA50    COM  EGA50 program
           EGA512   COM  EGA512 program
           EGACOLOR COM  EGACOLOR program
           EGAITAL  COM  EGAITAL program
           EGAPALET COM  EGAPALET program
           EGAPRTSC COM  EGAPRTSC program
           FILECTRL COM  FILECTRL program
           FONTEDIT COM  FONTEDIT program
           FREEZE   COM  FREEZE program
          *GO       EXE  Install program
           MAKEBAR  COM  MAKEBAR program
          *MANUALS2 TXT  Documentation for this disk
           MOVIE    DAT  Sample file for use with DRAW
           PARSE    COM  PARSE program
          *PCLOGO   EXE  PC Magazine logo display
           PLAY     COM  PLAY program
           PLAY     DAT  Sample tune for PLAY
           REPEATS  COM  REPEATS program
           SCHEDULE COM  SCHEDULE program
           SEARCH   COM  SEARCH program
           SLASHBAR COM  SLASHBAR program
           SPECTRUM COM  SPECTRUM program
           STING    DAT  Sample tune for PLAY
           SUGGEST  COM  SUGGEST program
           TIMEKEY  COM  TIMEKEY program
           VIDMODE  COM  VIDMODE program
           VIDPAGE  COM  VIDPAGE program
           VISITYPE COM  VISITYPE program
           XDIR     COM  XDIR program
          
          2. Installing the programs
          ==========================
          To install these programs to a hard disk, use the
          install program provided (started by typing GO).
          Around 360K of free space is required for all of
          the programs and documentation... this will be
          checked for you automatically.
          
          The install program initially offers to install the
          programs to a new directory on drive C called PCVOL2.
          (C:\PCVOL2).
          
          If you wish to use a different directory or a
          different hard disk, simply type in a new name. For
          example, enter D:\PCMAG to put the programs into a
          PCMAG directory on your D drive.
          
          You can name an existing directory if you prefer in
          which case the install program will add the new
          programs to any files already there.
          
          Once you've entered the directory name, disk space is
          checked and then the files are copied across.
          
          
          Tech notes                                        Page 3
          
          
          After installation is complete, you can return to the
          opening menu (for example, to view the documentation)
          or go straight to the new directory.
          
          Installing the programs from DOS
          --------------------------------
          You can install all of the programs or just selected
          ones using the DOS COPY command in the normal way.
          For example, to add the file FILECTRL.COM to your
          normal C:\UTILS directory, enter a command such as
          
             COPY A:\FILECTRL.COM C:\UTILS
          
          If you do this, you might also want to copy the
          files DOC.EXE and MANUALS2.TXT to a suitable
          directory so that you have the documentation to hand.
          
          Saving hard disk space
          ----------------------
          If you are short of hard disk space, you can remove
          those utilities you are not using from your hard
          disk with the DOS DEL command in the normal way.
          You may also want to delete the documentation files
          (DOC.EXE and MANUALS2.TXT) as you can always print
          out those parts you need or use the original floppy
          when you need to refer to it.
          
          Working on a floppy-only PC
          ---------------------------
          If you do not have a hard disk, we suggest that you
          make a working copy of this disk using the DOS
          DISKCOPY command. You can work directly from this
          copy or use the COPY command to copy those programs
          you require onto your startup disk or other working
          disks as necessary. For example:
          
            COPY B:PARSE.COM A:
          
            ...copies PARSE.COM from this disk to a disk in
            drive A
          
            A:VIDMODE 3
          
            ...runs the VIDMODE program from this disk in drive A
          
            B:
            SCHEDULE
          
            ... starts the SCHEDULE program from this disk in
            drive B by first changing to drive B.
          
          Putting the programs in your DOS command PATH
          ---------------------------------------------
          You can start the utility programs by either:
          
             Changing to the drive and directory they are
             in and then entering the relevant command.
             For example:
          
          
          Tech notes                                        Page 4
          
          
             C:
             CD \PCVOL2
             FILECTRL
          
          or
          
             Giving the relevant drive and directory
             before the command name (DOS 3.xx and
             later only). For example:
          
             C:\PCVOL2\FILECTRL
          
          However, it's easier if you make the programs
          available from any disk and directory by
          ensuring that they are in your DOS command
          search path, set with the PATH command.
          
          You can do this by either:
          
             Adding the directory the utilities are
             in to your normal PATH command in AUTOEXEC.BAT.
             For example, if the PATH command in your
             AUTOEXEC.BAT file reads
          
             C:\DOS;C:\UTILS;C:\WINDOWS
          
             you might change it to read
          
             C:\DOS;C:\UTILS;C:\WINDOWS;C:\PCVOL2
          
             You should be careful when making changes to
             AUTOEXEC.BAT not to disturb other commands
             already in it. See your DOS manual for full
             instructions.
          
          or
          
             Copying those programs you use often to a
             directory already in your PATH command. Many
             PCs already have a directory called C:\BIN or
             C:\UTILS for small utility programs like these.
             For example, if you have a C:\BIN directory on
             drive C and use the FILECTRL program often,
             copy it across with a command like this:
          
             COPY C:\PCVOL2\FILECTRL.COM C:\BIN
          
          Loading programs from AUTOEXEC.BAT
          ----------------------------------
          Many of these utilities are designed to be loaded or
          run whenever your PC is working by placing the
          relevant command in the AUTOEXEC.BAT startup file.
          Before doing this, we recommend that you test the
          utilities out by loading them from the command line
          as normal to ensure that they operate correctly
          with your other software.
          
          Please bear in mind:
          
          
          Tech notes                                        Page 5
          
          
          * The program file must be available for
            AUTOEXEC.BAT to load it. If it is not
            in a directory already named in a PATH
            command earlier in AUTOEXEC.BAT, you
            must give the drive and directory where
            it is stored (e.g. C:\PCVOL2\XDIR)
            or copy the file to the root directory
            of the hard disk.
          
          * The order in which resident programs are
            loaded can be significant. If there appears
            to be a conflict, try re-ordering the lines
            in AUTOEXEC.BAT.
          
          * Always keep a startup floppy to hand and
            a back-up copy of your AUTOEXEC.BAT file
            so that if problems arise you can restore
            things to normal.
          
          Using TSR (memory-resident) programs
          ------------------------------------
          Many of these utilities are 'TSRs' or memory-resident
          programs. These load into memory when first started
          and remain there, either operating invisibly or
          waiting to be called up.
          
          TSR programs are very popular. However, the design of
          DOS means that there is always a chance of conflict
          between different TSR programs or between a TSR and
          your main software.
          
          To avoid problems, please note:
          
          1. You should carefully test any new TSR program
             on your system before using it while doing
             your normal work.
          
          2. Each TSR uses up memory. If you load too many
             at once, your normal software may not be
             able to run.
          
          3. If you discover a conflict, loading the TSRs
             in a different order may resolve it.
          
          4. You can change the 'hotkey' used to call up
             many of the TSRs on this disk to avoid a conflict
             with your other programs. See the manual
             for the program in question and the notes and
             tables below.
          
          3. Viewing and printing the documentation
          -----------------------------------------
          The documentation for these programs is supplied in a
          plain ASCII text file called MANUALS2.TXT. You can
          view or print this file using normal DOS facilities
          (such as TYPE, MORE and PRINT) or most word processor
          or text editor programs.
          
          
          Tech notes                                        Page 6
          
          
          However, since MANUALS2.TXT contains multiple documents
          you will probably find it most convenient to view or
          print it using the DOC.EXE program supplied.
          
          To start DOC after installation, change to the
          drive and directory where you installed the disk to
          (e.g. enter C: then CD \PCVOL2) and then enter DOC.
          
          See the document entitled DOC for more information.
          
          4. Customizing the utilities
          ----------------------------
          Most of these utilities are compact assembly language
          .COM programs to make them small, fast and efficient.
          This means that many of the programs do not include
          built-in configuration options.
          
          However, if you're experienced with DEBUG, you can
          'patch' the programs to customize their operation.
          The manual for each program will describe the ways
          in which it can be customized but typically you
          can do so to:
          
          *  Customize the screen colors the program uses
             (if the display is hard to read on your screen).
          
          *  Change the 'hotkey' used by one of the TSR
             programs to avoid a conflict with your other
             software.
          
          *  Change defaults such as sorting order, size of
             records and so on.
          
          To customize a utility, follow this general procedure
          in conjunction with the manual for the program. (You
          SHOULD NOT ATTEMPT this if you are not confident about
          using DEBUG as a mistake may stop the program from
          working or crash your PC.)
          
          1. Always MAKE A COPY of the .COM file for the program
             in question as a back-up. For example, enter
          
             COPY POP-CAL.COM ORIGCAL.COM
          
          2. Start DEBUG with the name of the program to modify.
             You must have the DOS DEBUG program available for
             this to work. For example, enter
          
             DEBUG POP-CAL.COM
          
             DEBUG loads the file and presents a - prompt.
          
          3. Use the DEBUG E command to modify the areas of
             the program as described in its documentation.
          
          
          Tech notes                                        Page 7
          
          
             For example, the hotkey for POP-CAL can be
             changed by entering a new keyboard scan code at
             location 174. If we wanted to use Alt-P rather
             than Alt-C we can see from the scan code (SS) table
             below that we need to change this to code 19.
          
             This can then be entered in DEBUG with:
          
             E174 19
          
          4. After making all the necessary changes, save the
             file back onto disk with the W command. Enter
          
             W
          
          5. Now leave DEBUG. Enter
          
             Q
          
          6. Now load and test out the new program. If it no
             longer works, delete it, restore your back-up
             copy (e.g. COPY ORIGCAL.COM POP-CAL.COM)
             and then try again.
          
          The tables below list the values necessary for
          customizing colors and hotkeys.
          
          Keyboard scan codes
          for alternative hotkeys
          (Values for SS)
          -----------------------
          
                   Scan                    Scan
          Key      Code (hex)    Key       Code (hex)
          -------- ----------    --------- ----------
          Esc       01           Z          2C
          1 !       02           X          2D
          @ 2       03           C          2E
          # 3       04           V          2F
          $ 4       05           B          30
          % 5       06           N          31
          ^ 6       07           M          32
          & 7       08           < ,        33
          * 8       09           > .        34
          ( 9       0A           ? /        35
          ) 0       0B           R Shift    36
          _ -       0C           PrtSc *    37
          + =       0D           Alt        38
          Bkspace   0E           Spacebar   39
          Tab       0F           CapsLk     3A
          Q         10           F1         3B
          W         11           F2         3C
          E         12           F3         3D
          R         13           F4         3E
          T         14           F5         3F
          Y         15           F6         40
          U         16           F7         41
          I         17           F8         42
          O         18           F9         43
          P         19           F10        44
          
          Tech notes                                        Page 8
          
          
          { [       1A           NumLock    45
          } ]       1B           ScrlLk     46
          Enter     1C           7 Home     47
          Ctrl      1D           8 UpArr    48
          A         1E           9 PgUp     49
          S         1F           -          4A
          D         20           4 LArrow   4B
          F         21           5          4C
          G         22           6 RArrow   4D
          H         23           +          4E
          J         24           1 End      4F
          K         25           2 DnArr    50
          L         26           3 PgDn     51
          : ;       27           0 Ins      52
          " '       28           . Del      53
          `         29           SysReq     54
          L Shift   2A           F11        57
          | \       2B           F12        58
          
          Shift Mask codes
          for alternative hotkeys
          (Values for MM)
          -----------------------
          
          Value  Alt  Ctrl  L-Shift  R-Shift
          -----  ---  ----  -------  -------
            0
            1                           X
            2                  X
            3                  X        X
            4           X
            5           X               X
            6           X      X
            7           X      X        X
            8     X
            9     X                     X
            A     X            X
            B     X            X        X
            C     X     X
            D     X     X               X
            E     X     X      X
            F     X     X      X        X
          
          X signifies that this key must pressed. For example,
          to use Left Shift and Right Shift for the hotkey,
          the value to use for MM would be 3.
          
          Color values
          ---------------
          Black     0
          Blue      1
          Green     2
          Cyan      3
          Red       4
          Magenta   5
          Brown     6
          
          Tech notes                                        Page 9
          
          
          Lt Gray   7
          Dark Gray 8
          Lt Blue   9
          Lt Green  A
          Lt Cyan   B
          Orange    C
          Violet    D
          Yellow    E
          White     F
          
          A full color value is two hex digits, the first
          for the background color and the second for the
          foreground. For example, bright white on a dark
          blue background is 1F. Do not choose light colors
          (values larger than 7) for the background as it
          will produce a blinking display in most of the
          programs.
