THIS IS NOT A DEMONSTRATION VERSION! IT IS THE ACTUAL RELEASE VERSION! Released into the public domain under SHAREWARE concept -- July 26, 1986 *** HOT-DOS *** Version 1.18 Copyright (C) 1985 Robert Best The following documentation describes the operation of HOT-DOS, a small but powerful program that, with the press of the CTRL-SHIFT -- LEFT-SHIFT combination, allows any currently executing program to be temporarily suspended so that a second copy of COMMAND.COM can be loaded and run in the background (the aptly named HOT-DOS partition.) NOTE:--USE CTRL-LEFT SHIFT COMBINATION -- NOT LEFT-RIGHT AS IN DEMO! To exit from HOT-DOS and return to the suspended application program, type EXIT at the DOS prompt. The HOT-DOS Version 1.18 package includes 1 program file and this documentation file. The following list describes each of the options available as command line parameters when executing HOT-DOS. 'G' or 'g' -- For use on a system using Color/Graphics display. This program will fully restore any CGA graphics screen at the expense of an additional 12K memory for use as a buffer. It will not restore an EGA graphics display, but is compatible with EGA text modes. 'X' or 'x' -- For use on a system supporting BOTH monochrome and color/graphics displays. This program will activate HOT-DOS on whichever display is NOT active when the HOT-KEY is pressed. From that point on, the user can freely switch displays -- HOT-DOS will properly restore the display that was active prior to escaping to the HOT-DOS partition. This is an indispensable utility for users who require simultaneous viewing of two separate screens of data. As an example, I usually run my editor in the primary DOS partition, then switch to HOT-DOS for compilation. This arrangement spares the nuisance of exiting and reloading the editor, as well as allowing viewing of compilation errors simultaneous with editing the source code. Both the 'x' and 'g' options can be combined when running HOT-DOS. NOTE: -- Using the 'x' option of HOT-DOS on a system without a monochrome adapter will cause a system crash requiring a re-boot. HOT-DOS uses the value of the environment variable COMSPEC to determine the path to the COMMAND.COM command interpreter. It will use the value of COMSPEC that existed just prior to being loaded for the duration of execution. It is therefore suggested that HOT-DOS be run from an AUTOEXEC.BAT file AFTER setting the COMSPEC environment variable. For optimum use, it is suggested the COMSPEC be set to a RAM disk drive. This will cause HOT-DOS to be run instantaneously with each press of the HOT-KEY. There will be no delays waiting for COMMAND.COM to be loaded from floppy or hard disk media. A fragment of code to achieve this from an AUTOEXEC.BAT file follows: (assume drive E: is a ramdisk) copy a:command.com e:\ set COMSPEC=E:\COMMAND.COM hotdos To load this version of HOT-DOS, use the following syntax: HOTDOS [n] [/x] [/g] where n = requested size of HOT-DOS partition (in K) such that 20 < n < 576 NOTE: -- The default value of 'n' for HOT-DOS is n=64K The parameters may be given in any order on the command line. Examples: HOTDOS Loads HOTDOS.COM using n=64K, no graphics, one screen HOTDOS 100 /g Loads HOTDOS.COM using n=100K, CGA graphics restored HOTDOS 250 /x Loads HOTDOS.COM using n=250K, two screens HOTDOS /x /g 100 Loads HOTDOS.COM using n=100K, graphics, two screens TIPS AND PRECAUTIONS USING HOT-DOS 1) Do not load any RESIDENT application in the HOT-DOS partition. Doing so will surely destroy the integrity of the DOS memory allocation chain. All other resident software must be loaded in the primary DOS partition. 2) Do not load any application that will overlay without checking for the top of memory location stored in the Program Segment Prefix. A program that overlays above the top of available memory (in the HOT-DOS partition) will overwrite the memory chain block of the primary application, not to mention the PSP and part of the primary application itself! 3) Do not load BASIC in the HOT-DOS partition if BASIC is currently suspended in the primary partition. 4) If you mistakenly type EXIT at the DOS prompt in the primary partition, immediately run a CHKDSK on any drive configured in your system. For some reason, running a CHKDSK avoids problems that occur if you type EXIT in the primary partition and then immediately escape to HOT-DOS. This problem has not been traced, but seems to be a bug in the DOS EXIT command. 5) Previous versions of HOT-DOS required certain care when pressing the HOT-KEY to avoid crashing the system during critical sections of code execution. This version has provided substantial security to prevent these cases. The HOT-KEY can safely be pressed at anytime. NOTE: -- It is strongly suggested, if not absolutely required, to load HOT-DOS first among resident applications. In particular, to run HOT-DOS and SIDEKICK (tm) simultaneously, you must load SIDEKICK (tm) after loading HOT-DOS. ** HOT-DOS LICENSING AGREEMENT ** The authorized version of HOT-DOS included in this package is copyrighted material intended for use in unaltered form. Distribution of the authorized version of HOT-DOS in any form is a violation of copyright. The program is provided "AS IS" without any warranty of any kind. Should the program prove defective, the user shall assume the entire cost of all necessary servicing, repair or correction. Site licensing of the authorized version of HOT-DOS is available by arrangement with Robert Best. The authorized version of HOT-DOS is intended for use on a single machine. Making copies for use on other machines represents a violation of this licensing agreement. July 26, 1986 HOT-DOS is hereby made available for general public use without any limitations. This version is the actual release, it is NOT a demo. It is being distributed under the SHAREWARE concept. A contribution of $20.00 is requested of satisfied users. Contributions may be sent to: Robert Best 13681 Dall Lane Santa Ana, CA 92705 If anyone is interested in purchasing the source code, as well as the exclusive marketing rights to any derivative thereof, please contact me at the above address to discuss terms.