  VERY IMPORTANT:

  FV (Files Validator) V2.5 is not compatible with any "VALID*.REF" files
created via an earlier version of FV.  I recommend that you create a new
"VALID*.REF" file on each of your computers.

  ATTENTION WINDOWS 3.1/95/98/ME USERS:

  Always execute "MAKELIST.BAT", create a validation reference file
("VALIDx.REF"), and perform validation in real Dos before launching Windows.
Otherwise, you will NOT get a "true" report.  NOTE: Windows changes many files
during it's startup.

  During bootup, when (if) you see the message, "Starting Windows 95/98",
press the F8 key.  Next, select "Command prompt only".  If your PC doesn't
display that message, consult the manual on how to intercept the boot up
sequence for Dos mode (Windows not launched).

  WINDOWS 2000/XP

  I recommend you get a Dos "startup" disk by simply going to a computer with
Windows 95/98, and in Dos mode, with a new blank floppy disk in the drive,
type the command, "FORMAT A: /S" (assuming the floppy drive is A:).

  Put this Dos "startup" disk in your computer's floppy drive before you power
up your computer, turn on your computer, and you will boot up into a "bare
bones" Dos mode (ignore Time and Date setting prompts).

  "DOS FIX":

  "Dos Fix" (free utility) is included (read the "DOS-FIX.TXT" file) so you
can fix "COMMAND.COM" in order to get a complete list (via "MAKELIST.BAT") of
every directory and file in your HD (hard drive).  Otherwise, hidden
directories (and/or directories with the system attribute set) and all files
within those directories will be missed.

  EXAMINING "VALIDx.REF" ("x" = number) WITH A TEXT VIEWER/EDITOR:

  "VALIDx.REF" is NOT flawed.  There is an area in each filename line that
holds the "signature" and byte count in binary code.  Occasionally one of
those bytes is a 13 (decimal) (0D in hex) which is the same number as a
carriage return.  When the text viewer/editor encounters a 13, it will start a
new line, which makes some lines appear as though they ended premature.

  "Files Validator" counts characters (bytes) in filename lines in order to
get past those bytes (signature and byte count), which could give a false
end of Line.

  "CORRUPT FILE ALERT" (flashing "Changed" or "CHANGED" (upper case) in the
report file):

  Whenever a file is changed normally, it is accompanied with a date/time
change as well.  Files that become corrupted do not have their date/time
changed.  Note: Some viruses will infect a file, and restore the original
date/time in an effort to avoid detection.

  When FV detects an actual change in a file, it will compare the time and
date of the file to the time and date stored in the reference file list.  If
the changed file has the same time and date, then the "Changed" message
flashes, and (option) is saved ("CHANGED") in upper case to the report file.

  "CORRUPT FILE ALERT" EXCEPTIONS:

  Besides a virus infection that restores the time and date, if a user sets
the time and date back to original after modifying a file/s, or he/she uses a
disk editor and edits a file directly on disk (which doesn't update the file's
time and date), these actions will also trigger an "alert".

  TIME AND DATE OF CREATED "VALIDx.REF":

  The time and date of the newly created reference file will be the same as
the list file, "DIR_FILS.LST" in order to be an accurate time/date reference.
NOTE: A reference file might be created at a later time or date (after the
list was created).

  REPORT FILE (option) AND "DOUBLE":

  You can use another program called "DOUBLE" (see "OTH-PGMS.TXT") to view
two report files, assuming both were generated using the same validation
reference file.  This allows you to see what additional files are changed or
unfound in the later report file, compared to the earlier one.  I suggest you
create report files with a reference number.  Example: "ALL-DISK.001",
"WIN-TREE.001", etc.

  FREE TO "DONORS" (only available to "donors"):

  "FV Extractor" allows you to extract (creates another file) a directory/s
from the reference file.  This allows you to validate a select group of
directories (extracted) without using FV's directory function to do one at a
time.

