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PC-SIG Diskette Library (Disk #686)
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Information about “HELPDOS”
A "help system" for learning and using the commands and functions of
DOS version 2.0. HELPDOS has menus, reference information, a
technical dictionary and a cross-reference feature which work together
to show you what DOS can do and how to use it.
From the main menu, select brief or in-depth information on basic and
advanced DOS commands, special keyboard keys, batch subcommands, and an
overview of the DOS facilities.
The technical dictionary explains frequently-used terms with overviews
of DOS facilities and personal computers. The dictionary also has
additional reference information and usage notes.
When you select a category from the hint menu, HelpDOS will show you a
menu of the DOS features relating to that category. The hints
function is a unique and powerful aspect of HELPDOS.
FILES686.TXT
Disk No: 686
Disk Title: HelpDOS
PC-SIG Version: S1.2
Program Title: HelpDOS
Author Version: 2.01
Author Registration: $20.00
Special Requirements: None.
A ``help system'' for learning and using the commands and functions of
DOS version 2.0. HELPDOS has menus, reference information, a
technical dictionary and a cross-reference feature which work together
to show you what DOS can do and how to use it.
From the main menu, you can select brief or in-depth information on
basic and advanced DOS commands, special keyboard keys, batch
subcommands, and an overview of the DOS facilities.
The technical dictionary explains frequently-used terms with overviews
of DOS facilities and personal computers. The dictionary also has
additional reference information and usage notes.
When you select a category from the hint menu, HelpDOS will show you a
menu of the DOS features relating to that category. The hints function
is a unique and powerful aspect of HELPDOS.
PC-SIG
1030D East Duane Avenue
Sunnyvale Ca. 94086
(408) 730-9291
(c) Copyright 1989 PC-SIG, Inc.
GO.TXT
==========================================================================
To print the documentation for HELPDOS type the command that follows:
COPY HELPDOS.DOC LPT1 (press enter)
To run HELPDOS Type the command:
HELP (press enter)
=========================================================================
PC-SIG
1030D E Duane Avenue
Sunnyvale Ca. 94086
(408) 730-9291
(c) Copyright 1987 PC-SIG
HELPDOS.DOC
tm
HelpDOS
USER'S GUIDE
Copyright 86, 87, 88, 89, 90
by
Help Technologies
17955 Plaza Oriente
Sonora, CA 95370
(209) 532-1062
This document repeats and covers much of the information in the printed
HelpDOS USER'S GUIDE included with the registered version. The Software
and Help Files are the same as in the registered version for DOS Version
2.X. HelpDOS for DOS Versions 2.X, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 4.0 is
available from Help Technologies. Support for future versions of DOS is
planned.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
The HelpDOS Software, Help Files and accompanying Documentation are
copyrighted. Copies of this Software, Help Files and this accompanying
Documentation may be made for distribution under the User Supported Concept
where free distribution of software may be made with the understanding that
satisfied users are obliged to pay a registration fee as described
below. The Help Files and this accompanying Documentation may not be
altered in any way. This software may not be sold for more than a
nominal disk fee except by Help Technologies or their direct assignees.
Electronic distribution of copies of this Software, Help Files and this
accompanying Documentation may be made via Bulletin Boards, Communication
Services Networks, etc. The complete set of Software, Help Files and this
accompanying Documentation must be distributed together without any
alterations. No other use is allowed unless expressly permitted under
law or by Help Technologies.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
i........Warranty, Liability, Trademark statements
ii........Registration Information
iii........Registration Form
1........Introduction
2........Installing HelpDOS
5........Using HelpDOS
8........Problem Determination
i
LIMITED WARRANTY
HELP TECHNOLOGIES MAKES NO WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR
PURPOSE AND MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED.
A limited Warranty of the media on which the Software is recorded is
supplied with the registered version of HelpDOS. This warranty is
supplied, in writing, with that version.
Some states do not allow limitations on how long the implied warranty
lasts, so that the above limitations may not apply to you. This warranty
gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which
vary from state to state.
LIABILITY
Help Technologies, its software suppliers, distributors and dealers,
make no warranties or representations, either expressed or implied, as
to the Software, Help Files and Documentation, including without
limitation, the condition of the Software and Help Files and the implied
warranties of its merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
THE SOFTWARE, HELP FILES AND DOCUMENTATION ARE SOLD ON AN "AS IS" BASIS
AND SHOULD THERE ARISE A DEFECT IN THESE GOODS FOLLOWING PURCHASE, THE
PURCHASER SHALL ASSUME THE RISK AND BE FULLY RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR OR
REPLACEMENT.
Help Technologies' liability in all respects is expressly limited to the
remedy set forth herein, and Help Technologies shall not be liable for
any lost profits or for any direct, indirect, incidental or
consequential or other damages suffered by the purchaser or others
resulting from the use of the Software or Help Files.
Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or
consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not
apply to you.
TRADEMARKS
HelpDOS is a trademark of Help Technologies. Where the term DOS is used
in this documentation, reference is implied to PC-DOS (a registered
trademark of International Business Machines Corporation) or MS-DOS (a
registered trademark of Microsoft, Inc.) Where the term DOS is used we
do not intend to use these trademarks in a generic sense.
ii
REGISTRATION FEES
Satisfied users are expected to pay a registration fee as follows:
Private or Company use by individuals.
Fee: $ 20.00
For this you get:
--> Acknowledgement of payment.
--> The next major update on disk upon its release.
--> The commercial HelpDOS User's Guide and diskette. The
diskette will contain help for the version of DOS you request.
Currently HelpDOS is available for DOS Versions 2.0
through 4.0. The printed User's Guide contains complete
instructions on HelpDOS, including detailed information on
adding your own Help files and menus.
--> Telephone support from Help Technologies.
--> Notification of new releases.
--> Reduced fees for new releases (the fee for the most recent
update was $5).
Note: Company or Institution Site Licenses are available. Fees are
very reasonable. Contact Help Technologies for details.
iii
HELPDOS
REGISTRATION FORM
___________________________________________________________________
Name
___________________________________________________________________
Address
___________________________________________________________________
Address
___________________________________________________________________
Address
___________________________________________________________________
Address
___________________________________________________________________
Telephone
Send HelpDOS on: ___ 5 1/4" disk ___ 3 1/2" disk
for DOS: ___ 2.X ___ 3.0 ___ 3.1 ___ 3.2 ___ 3.3 ___ 4.0
Quantity: _______ Single User Registrations ($20)
_______ Sales Tax (California Residents Only)
_______ Outside US, add $5 Shipping
_______ Order Total
Send Check or Money Order payable to Help Technologies. Company purchase
orders accepted; net 30. Outside US: payment must be in US funds against
US banks.
Help Technologies
17955 Plaza Oriente
Sonora, CA 95370
209-532-1062
1
INTRODUCTION
HelpDOS is a "Help System" for DOS. HelpDOS consists of menus,
detail reference information, a technical dictionary and a
cross-reference feature called "Hints." These components work together
to show you, quickly and easily, what DOS can do and how to use it.
Menus give an "at a glance" view of DOS Commands, Special Keyboard
Keys and Batch Subcommands. The menus show you what DOS can do. You can
get detail reference information for each DOS command by selecting it
from a menu. The detail information explains what the command does and
how to use it.
A Technical Dictionary explains the terms that are frequently used with
DOS and personal computers. In addition to defining the terms, the
dictionary contains additional reference information and usage notes.
The Hints Menu shows categories of actions you can take with DOS. When
you select a Hint category from the menu, HelpDOS will show you a menu
of the DOS commands that pertain to that category. For example, when
you select the Hint category "Print," HelpDOS will give you a menu of
the ways you can print information with DOS. The Hints feature is a
unique and powerful aspect of HelpDOS. It helps you find the right DOS
command for your task and exposes you to related commands you may not
have known about.
You may add your own help files and menus to HelpDOS. This provides a
convenient way to view reference information for your special programs,
batch files, procedures, or whatever you wish to have on-line. Adding
help information to HelpDOS is easy. You simply create and modify these
files with your word processor or editor, and update the appropriate
HelpDOS menu. Detailed information about the process is provided to
registered users in the printed HelpDOS User's Guide.
2
INSTALLING HelpDOS
This diskette contains help information for DOS Version 2.X. (Note: Help
for DOS Versions 2.X through 4.0 is available from Help Technologies).
You may run HelpDOS from diskette or install the system on a fixed disk.
There are three steps to the installation process:
1. Make a copy of your HelpDOS diskette. (below)
2. Perform the installation. (below to page 3)
3. Run the HelpSET program to set configuration options. (page 4)
Make a copy of your HelpDOS diskette
*----------------------------------*
You should make a copy of your HelpDOS diskette as follows. This
provides a backup in case your original diskette becomes lost or
unusable. If your are installing HelpDOS on a fixed disk you may skip
this step.
1. Boot up your machine as per normal.
2. With your DOS diskette in drive A or the DISKCOPY command
available via a path on your fixed disk enter:
DISKCOPY (if you have one diskette drive)
DISKCOPY A: B: (if you have two diskette drives)
Follow the prompts to copy the "Source Diskette" (this disk) to the
"Target Diskette" (the copy to be made).
Performing the Installation
*-------------------------*
HelpDOS can be installed on a diskette or a fixed disk. If you are
going to use HelpDOS on a diskette, all you need to do is run the
HelpSET program to establish configuration settings. See the section
"HelpSET Configuration Settings" on page 4 for details.
NOTE: If your computer has just 128k of memory you should copy the
COMMAND.COM file from your DOS diskette to the diskette where HelpDOS is
installed. If this is not done, DOS will prompt you to insert a diskette
with COMMAND.COM each time you quit the HelpDOS program.
To install HelpDOS on a fixed disk, follow the instructions below.
3
Installing HelpDOS on a Fixed Disk
*--------------------------------*
On a fixed disk, HelpDOS must be installed in a subdirectory named HelpDOS.
Use the instructions below:
1. Put the HelpDOS diskette in drive A.
2. Set the default drive to the fixed disk. For example, if your fixed
disk is drive C, enter: C:
3. Use the DOS command, MKDIR ("make directory") to create the HELPDOS
subdirectory. Enter: MKDIR \HELPDOS
4. Copy all files from the HelpDOS diskette to the \HELPDOS directory
on the fixed drive by entering:
COPY A:*.* C:\HELPDOS
Note: you can also install from diskette drive B. In this case the
COPY command would be: COPY B:*.* C:\HELPDOS
Next, you need to add a path setting to an AUTOEXEC.BAT file on your
fixed disk. By having a PATH command in an AUTOEXEC.BAT file, you can
access the HelpDOS system without having to change the current directory
to HELPDOS and without having to set the default drive to the fixed
disk.
Note: The AUTOEXEC.BAT file is run every time you start-up or re-boot
the computer. Putting the PATH command in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file
ensures that the path setting will be in effect each time you
use the computer.
If you DO NOT have an AUTOEXEC.BAT file on your fixed disk, you should
create one (in the root directory) by entering the following lines:
CD\
COPY CON: AUTOEXEC.BAT
DATE
TIME
PATH x:\HELPDOS;x:\
where "x" is the drive letter of your fixed disk.
Next press F6 (which denotes the end-of-file). Then press RETURN, and
the file will be created.
If you already have an AUTOEXEC.BAT file, edit the file and add the PATH
command given above or append ;x:\HELPDOS to the end of it.
where "x" is the drive letter of your fixed disk.
Re-boot your machine and the path will be set. Be sure to run the
HelpSET program before using HelpDOS (see next page).
4
HelpSET Configuration Settings
*----------------------------*
HelpSET is a menu-driven program which establishes configuration
settings for HelpDOS.
HelpSET performs three functions:
1. Sets the display screen type to monochrome or color. (default is
monochrome)
2. Sets the colors to be used for a color display. You may choose the
colors to be used for the Status Line, the Function Key line and menu
selection letters, and the Help text. As you select colors, HelpSET
shows you how they will appear in HelpDOS. Experiment with different
color combinations until you find the one you like best.
3. Sets Beeps to ON or OFF. If Beeps are ON, HelpDOS will beep when an
inactive key is pressed and when an error message is displayed.
HelpDOS will function properly with Beeps OFF but you will not be
informed when an inactive key is pressed. (default is Beeps OFF)
Running HelpSET
*-------------*
1. Set the default drive and directory to the installed HelpDOS program.
If you installed HelpDOS in a \HelpDOS directory on a fixed disk you
will need to use the command: CD \HELPDOS to set the current
directory on the fixed disk to the HELPDOS directory.
2. Start HelpSET by entering: HELPSET
HelpSET will give you easy to follow menus for establishing your
configuration settings.
This program reads and writes the HELPSET.UP file in the current
directory. The disk containing the installed HelpDOS program
must not be write-protected.
5
USING HelpDOS
After installing HelpDOS as shown on pages 2 thru 4, start HelpDOS by
entering:
HELP
For help with a specific DOS command, you may enter the name of the
command when HelpDOS is started. For example, to get help on the RENAME
command you would enter: HELP RENAME
You can also select a HelpDOS menu at startup by specifying "menu"
followed by the menu name. For example, to select the COMMANDS menu upon
startup you would enter: HELP MENU COMMANDS
If you do not make a selection at startup (that is, you entered just
HELP) you will see a display that looks like this:
+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Help Menus 6 lines |
| |
| |
| A ADVANCED - Advanced DOS Commands |
| B BATCH - Batch Subcommands |
| C COMMANDS - DOS Commands |
| D KEYBOARD - Special Keyboard Keys |
| E OVERVIEW - Overviews of DOS Facilities |
| |
| |
| F1 Help F2 Print F3 Menus F4 Hints F5 Terms F9 Quit |
+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
Status Line (top line)
The left side of the status line identifies the help information you are
viewing. The right side of the status line gives the number of lines in
the help information.
When you make a selection from a menu, the name of the selected
information is appended to the previous identifier on the status line.
This identifies the current information and tells you which menu it was
selected from.
6
Function Keys
The Function Key line displays the function keys used by HelpDOS.
Pressing one of these function keys triggers a HelpDOS feature.
F1 Help
F1 displays a help screen containing a brief summary of HelpDOS'
features. It also contains a summary of the Format Notation which
HelpDOS uses to explain the parameters of DOS Commands. F1 is a "toggle
key." Press F1 to display the help screen. Press F1 again to remove it.
F2 Print
F2 prints all lines of the current help information. Once printing has
begun, you may cancel it by pressing F10.
F3 Menus
F3 shows the Help Menus and presents them for your selection. HelpDOS
comes with the menus shown on page 5. Menus you may add to HelpDOS
will also appear when you press F3. HelpDOS automatically presents this
menu of menus unless you select a menu or a help item when you start the
program.
F4 Hints
F4 activates the Hints feature and presents you with a menu of Hint
categories. When you select a hint, HelpDOS gives you a menu of one or
more DOS commands that pertain to the hint category. You may then
select items from this new menu to see the detail information.
F5 Terms
F5 presents you with a menu of the terms in the technical dictionary.
You may then select a term from the menu. The information will include a
definition of the term and, when applicable, examples and references to
related information.
7
F6 Return
F6 returns you to the prior menu. This appears on the function key line
ONLY after a selection has been made from a menu. Pressing F6 will
return you to the menu where your previous selection was made.
F9 Quit
F9 ends HelpDOS and returns you to DOS. On most computers, the screen
will not be cleared when you are returned to DOS. This allows you to
position the HelpDOS display to the appropriate information and then
press F9 to return to DOS leaving the help information you were viewing
on the screen for your reference.
Display Scrolling Keys
Help information that has more than 21 lines may be scrolled forward and
backward for viewing.
Home - Positions the display to the top.
End - Positions the display to the end.
Up Arrow - Moves the display one line toward the top.
Down Arrow - Moves the display one line toward the end.
PgDn - Moves the display forward one screen.
PgUp - Moves the display backward one screen.
Selecting a Menu Item
Menu items are prefaced with the letters A through U. To select a menu
item, press the letter representing your choice. You do not press the
Return key.
Some menus have more choices than the screen can display. Use the
Display Scrolling Keys as above to scroll the menu to the item of your
choice. The letters associated with the menu items are reassigned when
the display is scrolled.
8
Problem Determination
Problem: the scrolling keys do not work.
Reason: With 21 or fewer lines, the display will not scroll.
-- or --
The keypad is set to "numeric mode." Press the NumLock
key to change it to "cursor mode."
Problem: HelpDOS is not using the settings I specified in HelpSET.
Reason: The current directory was not set to the directory containing
HelpDOS when HelpSET was run. HelpSET always writes the setup
file, HELPSET.UP, to the current directory. Be sure the current
directory is set to the directory (root or \HELPDOS) where
HelpDOS is installed before running HelpSET.
Problem: When I enter HELP to start HelpDOS, I get the message "Bad
command or file name" even though the HelpDOS disk is in the
drive.
Reason: The default drive is not set to the disk containing HelpDOS
and/or the current directory is not set to the root directory.
-- or --
The DOS "path setting" may be incorrect if HelpDOS is installed
in a \HELPDOS subdirectory on a fixed disk. Review the HelpDOS
installation instructions on page 3 for details on the DOS path.
Directory of PC-SIG Library Disk #0686
Volume in drive A has no label
Directory of A:\
HELP COM 36255 4-05-87 1:28p
HELPSET UP 14 1-19-90 5:24p
MENUS MEN 164 9-03-85 12:00p
COMMANDS MEN 1580 9-03-85 12:00p
HINTS MEN 1701 9-03-85 12:00p
BATCH MEN 601 9-03-85 12:00p
ADVANCED MEN 692 9-03-85 12:00p
OVERVIEW MEN 127 9-03-85 12:00p
TERMS MEN 1022 9-03-85 12:00p
KEYBOARD MEN 1016 9-03-85 12:00p
HINTS XRF 2025 2-02-88 5:14p
BACKUP HLP 3989 9-10-85 12:00p
CHKDSK HLP 5016 9-10-85 12:00p
DIR HLP 4808 5-18-87 4:10p
DISKCOMP HLP 1918 9-10-85 12:00p
AUTOEXEC HLP 530 4-05-87 10:57a
COPY HLP 6868 9-10-85 12:00p
DISKCOPY HLP 2348 9-10-85 12:00p
FDISK HLP 925 9-10-85 12:00p
FORMAT HLP 2900 9-10-85 12:00p
MODE HLP 4565 9-10-85 12:00p
PRINT HLP 3317 9-10-85 12:00p
D-COLON HLP 698 9-10-85 12:00p
PATH HLP 1806 9-10-85 12:00p
RECOVER HLP 3139 10-08-87 8:36p
CTRL-BRK HLP 1191 9-03-85 12:00p
BACKSPAC HLP 184 9-03-85 12:00p
DEL HLP 209 9-03-85 12:00p
RENAME HLP 1527 4-05-87 10:29a
ESC HLP 275 9-03-85 12:00p
F1 HLP 651 9-03-85 12:00p
F2 HLP 347 9-03-85 12:00p
ECHO HLP 894 9-03-85 12:00p
F3 HLP 677 9-03-85 12:00p
F4 HLP 327 9-03-85 12:00p
F5 HLP 330 9-03-85 12:00p
INS HLP 574 9-03-85 12:00p
MKDIR HLP 1641 9-10-85 12:00p
RETURN HLP 359 9-03-85 12:00p
CONFIG HLP 2124 9-03-85 12:00p
CTRL-RET HLP 211 9-03-85 12:00p
CTRL-NUM HLP 331 9-03-85 12:00p
CTRL-PRT HLP 434 9-03-85 12:00p
SHFT-PRT HLP 451 9-03-85 12:00p
SYSRESET HLP 666 9-03-85 12:00p
BAT-OVER HLP 1801 4-05-87 10:38a
CMD-OVER HLP 5402 4-05-87 10:50a
REM HLP 512 9-03-85 12:00p
PAUSE HLP 679 4-05-87 11:39a
GOTO HLP 1196 9-03-85 12:00p
IF HLP 1928 9-03-85 12:00p
FOR HLP 908 9-03-85 12:00p
SHIFT HLP 1269 9-03-85 12:00p
%0-%9 HLP 1030 9-03-85 12:00p
ASSIGN HLP 1582 9-10-85 12:00p
BREAK HLP 812 9-03-85 12:00p
COMMAND HLP 690 9-03-85 12:00p
CTTY HLP 478 9-03-85 12:00p
EXE2BIN HLP 694 9-03-85 12:00p
FIND HLP 2326 9-10-85 12:00p
MORE HLP 790 9-10-85 12:00p
PIPING HLP 1344 4-05-87 10:36a
PROMPT HLP 1207 9-10-85 12:00p
REDIRECT HLP 1181 9-10-85 12:00p
SET HLP 619 9-10-85 12:00p
SORT HLP 1042 9-10-85 12:00p
KEY-OVER HLP 2315 9-03-85 12:00p
CLS HLP 473 9-03-85 12:00p
VOL HLP 1065 9-10-85 12:00p
VERIFY HLP 904 9-10-85 12:00p
VER HLP 743 9-10-85 12:00p
TYPE HLP 1353 9-10-85 12:00p
TREE HLP 1188 9-10-85 12:00p
TIME HLP 1305 9-10-85 12:00p
SYS HLP 967 9-10-85 12:00p
RMDIR HLP 1094 9-10-85 12:00p
CHDIR HLP 1408 4-05-87 11:04a
DATE HLP 1223 9-10-85 12:00p
ERASE HLP 3194 9-10-85 12:00p
DELETE HLP 197 9-03-85 12:00p
GRAPHICS HLP 962 9-10-85 12:00p
COMP HLP 4010 3-03-88 8:48a
RESTORE HLP 3135 9-10-85 12:00p
TERMSA-C HLP 4829 9-03-85 12:00p
TERMSD-E HLP 4066 9-03-85 12:00p
TERMSF-I HLP 5684 4-05-87 10:42a
TERMSJ-R HLP 6002 9-03-85 12:00p
TERMSS-Z HLP 5074 9-03-85 12:00p
READ ME 606 1-19-90 6:09p
HELPDOS DOC 21123 1-19-90 6:07p
HELPSET COM 6066 9-03-85 12:00p
FILES686 TXT 2295 3-09-90 10:35p
GO BAT 14 3-02-87 8:45a
GO TXT 504 3-02-87 8:47a
94 file(s) 210716 bytes
63488 bytes free