
WinStart v1.0
=============

Contents
--------
I.    Introduction
II.   WinStart's Options
III.  Configuring WinStart
IV.   Known conflicts
V.   Technical support
VI.   How to register
VII.  Definition of shareware
VIII. Disclaimer
IX.   Tips and tricks

File list
---------
WINSTART.EXE - WinStart v1.0 executable file
WINSTART.TXT - Manual and registration information for WinStart
RUNME.EXE    - Viewer/printer for WinStart's documentation
RUNME.TXT    - How to use RUNME.EXE
README.TXT   - A quick introduction and quick-start instructions
INSTALL.EXE  - Installation program for WinStart
ORDERFRM.TXT - Order form for registering WinStart

Introduction 
------------ 
WinStart is a utility that will allow you to decide whether you want to go to 
DOS or to Windows when you start your computer.

WinStart is designed to be placed in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file so it is run every 
time you start your computer. It is not a TSR, so it will not use any of your 
computer's memory once it is finished.

It is assumed that your current configuration always goes directly into 
Windows when you start your computer. If you are like me, you don't always 
want to start Windows. Sometimes you want to do something in DOS first or 
would rather do something in DOS rather than Windows (such as a game that 
can't be run from Windows). In these cases, its either awkward to try to stop 
the process yourself, or you go through the hassle of waiting until Windows 
starts and then exiting.

This is where WinStart steps in. It gives you the option of stopping the 
start-up process and going directly to DOS by pressing a key on your keyboard. 
If you don't in the specified amount of time, WinStart will go ahead and start 
Windows.

Winstart has two display modes. The first is in text-mode and leaves your 
screen visible and is called single-line mode. The second is in graphics mode 
and covers the entire screen and is called full-screen mode. Winstart's basic 
display is a short message giving you instructions on what you can do and a 
timer that shows how much time you have left. The following is an example in 
single-line mode:

If you do not press a key, WINDOWS will start in 5 seconds (Press [CTRL]-[O] 
to change WinStart's options or [ESC] to go directly to Windows)

If WinStart has not been registered, a short reminder of that fact will also 
be shown.

As shown above, you have four options:

(1) Do nothing. Once the time is up, Windows will be started.

(2) Press a key on your keyboard. Winstart will stop the countdown and exit to 
DOS.

(3) Press [ESC]. WinStart will skip the countdown and go directly to Windows.

(4) Press [CTRL]-[O]. WinStart will pause the countdown and show a dialog box 
where you can set WinStart's options, restart the timer, etc. These functions 
are explained further below.

(5) A fifth option is available if you have not registered WinStart. You can 
press [CTRL-R] to print an order form.

WinStart's Options
------------------
WinStart has the following options. The next section explains how to change 
these options:

Audio warning - An audible tone can be played to warn you that the countdown 
                is starting.

Full screen   - WinStart can be in full-screen mode or single-line mode, as 
                explained above.

Timer sound   - An audible click can be played for each second on the timer 
                (like the ticking of a clock)

Time          - The number of seconds that WinStart will wait before starting 
                Windows

Windows path  - The exact location of Windows on your computer

The following is how the options are set initially - unless you make any 
changes (also known as the default settings):

Audio warning - On
Full screen   - Off
Timer sound   - On
Time          - 5 seconds
Windows path  - C:\WINDOWS\WIN.COM

Configuring WinStart 
-------------------- 
There are two ways to configure WinStart - using the command line, or using 
the Options dialog box and saving your options to a file.

First, WinStart recognizes the following on the command line:

Setting              Description
-------              -----------
AW=ON or OFF         Turn audible warning on or off
FS=ON or OFF         Show message over entire screen or sing line
TS=ON or OFF         Turn audible clock ticks on or off
TIME=# of seconds    The number of seconds to count down
WIN=path             The path to WINDOWS on your hard disk 
                     (must include the filename)
?                    Shows a screen explaining how to use the command-line 
                     parameters
                     
All five parameters must be followed with an equal sign and their setting. 
For AW, FS, TS, the setting is the word ON or OFF. TIME's setting is the 
actual number of seconds, and WIN is the full pathname for Windows on your 
computer.

Examples:

(1) Turn the audible warning off and set where WINDOWS is located

    WINSTART AW=OFF WIN=C:\WIN\WIN.COM

(2) Set the timer for 10 seconds and no audible clock ticks

    WINSTART TS=OFF TIME=10

Second, and the easiest method, is to press [CTRL]-[O] during the countdown. 
WinStart will show whats called a dialog box where you can easily set the 
options to your preferences. The Options dialog box is shown below:

+-[ ]-------------------------- Options ------------------------------+
|                                                                     |
|  Options                    Read from file  |          Ok        |  |
|   [ ] Audible warning       ----------------     ----------------   |
|   [ ] Full screen            Save to disk   |        Cancel      |  |
|   [X] Timer sound           ----------------     ----------------   |
|                             Restart timer   |        About       |  |
|  Time                       ----------------     ----------------   |
|   5                                                                 |
|                                                                     |
|  Windows path                                                       |
|   C:\WIN\WIN.COM                Browse      |                       |
|                             ----------------                        |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------+

The options are shown as they are currently set. In this case, audible warning 
and full screen are off and timer sound is on. Time is set to 5 seconds and 
Windows path is set to C:\WIN\WIN.COM. If you were to set this using the 
command-line, it would look like this:

     WINSTART AW=OFF FS=OFF TS=ON TIME=5 WIN=C:\WIN\WIN.COM      
     
This dialog box is for the most part self-explanatory. Use the [TAB] key to 
move around in the dialog box. Under Options, click with the mouse or use the 
[UP] and [DOWN] keys to pick an option and press the SPACEBAR to turn an 
option on or off. Under Time or Windows Path, type the setting you want. 
Neither one will allow you to enter an incorrect setting, and Windows Path 
will make sure the location you entered is correct.

On the right side of the dialog box you see what are called buttons. Either 
click on them once with the mouse or press [TAB] until the one you want is 
highlighted and press [ENTER]. The button's functions are explained below:

(1) Read from file - You can create more than one configuration file if you 
want. Use this to read a configuration file if you do so.

(2) Save to disk - This will save all options to disk. Next time WinStart 
starts up, it will look for this file and use the settings that are in it. You 
can use this method instead of the command-line to configure Winstart.

(3) Restart timer - This will close the dialog box and restart the timer. If 
you change the number of seconds, it will ask if you want to restart with the 
new time. If any other settings are changed, the new settings will also be 
used.

(4) Ok - This will close the dialog box. The timer will continue where it left 
off and any options that have been changed will use their new settings.

(5) Cancel - This will close the dialog box. The timer will continue where it 
left off, and all changes will be ignored.

(6) About - This will show a dialog box with WinStart's name, version, and 
copyright information. If WinStart has been registered, your name will be 
shown here.

(7) Browse - This will allow you to search your hard drive for where 
Windows is located and automatically update Windows Path if you find 
it.

It is recommended, but not required, that you use the Options dialog box to 
set the options to your tastes and then save the options to disk for next 
time. You can also experiment with WinStart by turning the options on you want 
to see and restarting the timer to see their affect.

Known conflicts
---------------

WinStart writes to itself (WINSTART.EXE) for several functions - such as saving 
the order form. If you have a virus scanner active on your system, it may detect
these writes and warn you of a possible virus. Occasionally, this may also cause
WinStart to crash. Don't panic; it's not a virus. You can either exclude 
WINSTART.EXE from scanning for writes to an EXE file or turn off that function on
your virus scanner.

Technical support
-----------------
Technical support is offered for all users - registered and non-registered. 
Eagle Software can be contacted using the following methods:

(1) Compuserve - Send e-mail to Eagle Software at [72603,3616].

(2) Telephone - (614) 743-2164

(3) Mail to the following address:

    Eagle Software
    PO Box 399
    Somerset, OH  43783
    
Comments and ideas are welcome and appreciated. Also, custom versions are 
available upon request.
     
How to register
---------------
WinStart is not free. After a trial period of thirty days and if you decide 
you want to keep WinStart, it is requested that you register WinStart. 
WinStart's registration fee is $15.00. There are three ways you can register 
Winstart:

(1) Compuserve - GO SWREG, follow the prompts, and use ID

(2) In the Options dialog box, press the Order Form Button. Once the order 
form is printed, mail with your payment to the address above.

(3) Print ORDERFRM.TXT, fill out, and mail with your payment to the address 
given above.

Registration gets you the following benefits:

(1) The latest version of WinStart
(2) The ability to customize colors in WinStart
(3) A free Compuserve membership kit
(4) Notification and discounts of all upgrades
(5) Discounts on future Eagle Software products
(6) A warm, fuzzy feeling!

Tips and tricks
---------------
As mentioned above, the easiest way to configure WinStart is by using the 
Options dialog box and saving your options to a file.

You may also be interested in the fact that WinStart does *not* have to start 
Windows. Any executable program can be specified. All WinStart does is check 
that the program you specify actually exists where you said it does. It does 
not - and technically cannot - verify that it is Windows.

Custom versions are available. One idea that I can think of is having Winstart 
start an alternate program instead of going to DOS. Another would be having 
WinStart display a menu of programs to choose from and automatically choosing 
one after a specific time limit.

Any ideas? Something you have always wanted but can't find it anywhere - or 
find it but don't really like the way some one else does  it? Contact Eagle 
Software - if its possible, we'll try it, and if its not - we'll still try!

Definition of shareware 
----------------------- 
Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software before buying it. 
If you try a Shareware program and continue using it, you are expected to 
register. Individual programs differ on details - some request registration 
while others require it, some specify a maximum trial period. With 
registration, you get anything from the simple right to continue using the 
software to an updated program with a printed manual.

Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial software, and the 
copyright holder retains all rights, with a few specific exceptions as stated 
below. Shareware authors are accomplished programmers just like comercial 
authors, and the programs are of comparable quality. (In both cases, there as 
good programs and bad ones!) The main difference is in the method of 
distribution. The author specifically grants the right to copy and distribute 
the software, either to all and sundry or to a specific group. For example, 
some authors require written permission before a commercial disk vendor may 
copy their shareware.

Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. You should find 
software that suits your needs and pocketbook, whether it's commercial or 
Shareware. The Shareware system makes fitting your needs easier, because you 
can try before you buy. And because the overhead is low, prices are low also. 
Shareware has the ultimate money-back guarantee -- if you don't use the 
product, you don't pay for it.

Disclaimer
----------
Users of WinStart must accept this disclaimer of warranty: "WinStart is 
supplied as is. The author disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, 
including, without limitation, the warranties of merchantability and of 
fitnesss for any purpose. The author assumes no liability for damages, direct 
or consequential, which may result from the use of WinStart."

WinStart is a "shareware program" and is provided at no charge to the user for 
evaluation. Feel free to share it with your friends, but please do not give it 
away altered or as part of another system. The essence of  "user-supported" 
software is to provide personal computer users with quality software without 
high prices, and yet to provide incentive for programmers to continue to 
develop new products. If you find this program useful and find that you are 
using WinStart and continue to use WinStart after a trial period of thirty 
days, it is requested that you make a registration payment of $15.00 to Eagle 
Software. The $15.00 registration fee will license one copy for use on any one 
computer at any one time. You must treat this software just like a book. An 
example is that this software may be used by any number of peole and may be 
freely moved from one computer location to another, so long as there is no 
possibility of it being used at one location while it's being used at another, 
just as a book cannot be read by two different persons at the same time.

Commercial users of WinStart must register and pay for their copies of 
WinStart within 30 days of first use or their license is withdrawn. 
Site-license arrangements are avaiable by contacting Eagle Software.

Anyone distributing WinStart for any kind of remuneration must first contact 
Eagle Software for authorization.

You are encourage to pass a copy of WinStart along to your friends for 
evaluation. Plesae encourage them to register their copy if they find that 
they can use it. All registered users will receive a copy of the latest 
version of WinStart and other benefits as listed above.


Eagle Software
PO Box 399
Somerset, OH  43783
(614) 743-2706

November 28, 1994

