March 24, 1993
STart-it!!! Version 3.00
The Boot-Manager
by
Christian Ernst
(c)1993 SCHAUZMOLL
OK, so this is version 3.0 of STart-it!!! I can be reached on the
ST-Synchronicity BBS at 1-510-235-1235 (handle: T-DRUM), on the
STUG of Winipeg BBS at 1-204-772-7349 (user #132) and also on my own
OasiSTe BBS at 1-418-623-3729. Please leave any comments you have...
I'v never had the chance to try the program on a TT and would
be glad to know if it will work... I think it should be working since all
Atari computers boot in low resolution. One thing I'm almost certain is
that the program will not work on a TT with big screen monitor... Maybe
I'll have the chance to look into that some time.
STart-it lets you use windows, dropdown menus, buttons and the
file selector to make life as easy as if you were on the GEM desktop.
In fact I promise you will not need to use your keyboard once in STart-it!!!
Well, I've lied, because you'll need to type in the name of your preset
and also if you want to rename a file...
STart-it!!! was made with the ZeST interface of David Becker
(many thanks to him for a great interface), but ZeST does not work in
medium resolution so I had to modify it heavily to work in colors. That
was a big task, and the modified GFA source code of the ZeST interface
is available to everyone interested!!!
***** IF YOU HAVE VERSION 1.0, 1.5, 1.55, 2.0 OR 2.50 OF START-IT
YOU WILL HAVE TO TRASH EVERYTHING YOU HAVE AND REPLACE YOUR START_IT
FOLDER WITH THE ONE INCLUDED IN THIS ARCHIVE. START-IT HAD BEEN
MODIFIED, SOME FUNCTIONS HAVE BEEN ADDED. DO NOT TRY TO RUN THIS
VERSION WITH THE OLDER FILES BECAUSE THE PROGRAM WILL NOT WORK.
These files are included in the archive:
- README30.TXT info on this version.
- START_IT.DOC the file you are reading now!!!
- START_IT.PRG The program itself!!!
- START_IT(folder) in this folder you will find:
- DESKINFO(folder) where you put your desktop files.
- GDOS_SYS(folder) where you put your ASSIGN.SYS file for GDOS
- FILES_1 (folder) where you put your files1 type files.
- FILES_2 (folder) where you put your files2 type files.
- PICTURES(folder) where you can put some pictures.
- SAMPLES (folder) where you can put some samples.
- SCRAP (folder) used for reordering auto programs.
- DISPLAY.DSP file for displaying pictures in sequential order.
- START_IT.DAT this file is for uncompressing DEGAS pictures.
- START_IT.EXE this file is for playing the AVR samples.
- START_IT.HLP this file is for on-line help.
- START_IT.MEM this file is the memo file.
- START_IT.PRF this is the preference file.
- START_IT.PRS this is the preset file.
- START_IT.PTH this file serves as a locator.
- MEMOEDIT.PRG this program create a memo.
MEMOEDIT(folder)
- MEMOEDIT.PRG this program can edit and save a memo that
STart-it! can display.
- MEMOEDIT.DOC doc for the STart-it! Memo Editor.
- OTHERS(folder) other programs that could be useful:
- SWTCH_HZ(folder):
- SWTCH_HZ.PRG a program to switch the screen display
between 50HZ and 60Hz.
- SWTCH_HZ.DOC a text on when to use this program.
- STARTGEM(folder):
- STARTGEM.PRG for autorunning a GEM program from
your auto folder. A MUST if you don't have
TOS 1.4 or up, and you want to use the
autorun feature of STart-it!!!
- STARTGEM.DOC about startgem.
- HEADSTRT(folder):
- HEADST10.PRG for autorunning a GEM program.
- HEADSTRT.DOC documentation for Head Start
- FOLDER_X(folder):
- FOLDR100.PRG to extend the number of folders in your
system.
- FOLDER_X.DOC about foldr100 program.
- POOL_FIX(folder):
- POOLFIX3.PRG fixes a bug in TOS 1.4
- POOLFIX3.DOC about poolfix program.
What can I do with STart-it!!!:
- STart-it can deal with up to 200 auto programs and 200
accessories. I guess it's plenty enough. Anyone who has more than 100
programs in his auto folder should be punished for it!!! (Same thing
applies for having that many accessories). Anyway, it means that
STart-it has almost no limitation to the number of files it can
display, and since these files are in a pseudo-GEM window, you can
scroll the list all the way through.
- You can reorder programs in your AUTO folder. STart-it will only
rename the files to move them, so no files will never be copied. The SCRAP
folder must be present in the START_IT folder or you might run into big
problems...
- You can display a picture on boot up. The formats supported
are: PI1, PI2, PI3, PC1, PC2, PC3 and NEO. You can choose to display the
picture for any amount of time.
- You can play a sample in AVR format. This sample must not be
bigger than 50k. A sample bigger than 50K will not be played.
- You can setup 49 different presets. The first 20 of these have
an f-key assigned to them so you can quickly select a setup to install
the programs and accessories you need. Each STart-it preset can contain
50 auto folder programs, 20 accessories, 1 DESKTOP.INF file, 1
ASSIGN.SYS file, 1 file1 type, 1 file2 type, 1 files3 type, 1 files4 type
and 1 autorun program. In addition, STart-it can deal with up to 4 presets
per bank for a total of 196 presets available.
- STart-it will enable you to select an autorun program. If you
have TOS 1.4 and up, STart-it will put that selected program in the
DESKTOP.INF or NEWDESK.INF file automatically. If your TOS is 1.2 or 1.0
STart-it will write a file called STARTGEM.INF on the root directory of
your boot disk, so with STARTGEM.PRG in your auto folder the selected
program will be automatically run after you boot-up. The same thing applies
if you use HEAD START.
- Keyboard shortcuts are available for accessing the important
functions such as the configuration screen, the setting of time and
date, etc...
- STart-it does not use a 'construction set' since it is
included in the program. You don't need to setup anything to run
STart-it. Just copy the provided folders and files to the auto folder
of your boot disk and you are ready to go!!!
- STart-it can show you the preset screen, the memo screen and
it can be set to force the time & date input. These functions can be set
independently and they will be available each time you boot up.
- Finally, you don't need to read a README.DOC before you use
STart-it, because on-line help is available describing every function
that has been put at your disposal!!!
HOW DO I INSTALL START_IT!!:
- Just copy the START_IT folder to the auto folder of your boot
disk. ALL the files it contains MUST be present in the auto folder of
your boot disk for STart-it to work. Then copy the START_IT.PRG to your
auto folder. STart-it MUST be the FIRST program in your auto folder.
The ONLY program that can be run before STart-it is your hard disk
booter program if you use that kind of thing!!!
- BE SURE TO MAKE START_IT.PRG WRITE PROTECTED.
If STart-it is not write protected it will disable itself and will not run
the next time you boot-up!!! Clear enough...
- Copy a couple of DESKTOP.INF files to the DESKINFO folder. Be
sure to rename these files to something like: HIGH_RES.INF for a
DESKTOP.INF file for high resolution, or LOW_RES.INF for a DESKTOP.INF
for low resolution. STart-it can deal with up to 150 desktop info
files, but I do not recommend putting more than 112 files in a folder.
The files can have any name you want as long as they have the
extension INX. I recommend that you use this instead of INF except
for only one of the files. This way there will be only one activated
desk file in the corresponding window.
- Copy some ASSIGN.SYS file to the GDOS_SYS folder. Use the same
procedure as the deskinfo files for naming these. You can have up to 150
assign.sys files but I do not recommend using more than 112.
- STart-it offers you the possibility to manipulate 4 other
file types (FILES1, 2, 3 and 4). For example, I use FILES1 for a RamDisk
accessory that needs a RAM_SIZE.INF file to know which size the RamDisk
will be. So I've created a couple of files that I have named: 100K.INX,
200K.INX, 300K.INX, etc. That way when I select the RamDisk accessory
I can easily select the size I want. You don't need to rename these
files with a special extension, you can only change the last letter of the
extension to X if you want. STart-it can manipulate up to 150 other file
types but I don't recommend putting more than 112. You will have to select
the path where you want these files to be written. STart-it gives you the
ability to select that path with a file selector. As an example lets assume
that you want to use a RamDisk accessory that needs a file called
RAM_SIZE.INF in the root directory of your boot disk. If there is already
such a file present on your boot disk you just have to click on the button
"C. FILE 1" in the CONFIGURE menu and select that file in the file selector.
After that you will need to save your configuration by using the SAVE
function in the STart-it CONFIGURATION screen. If you don't have the
RAM_SIZE.INF file on your boot disk you will have to type in the name in the
SELECTION box in the file selector, then press the OK button and save your
configuration. Well, I hope you understand it... I can't explain that better...
I'll summarize it...
1- Copy every possible file you need to use in the FILES_1 folder.
2- Run STart-it and select the "C. FILE1" button in the CONFIGURE menu
and select the target file where you want the FILES1 type to be written
or type in the name under wich you want these files to be written.
3- Use the SAVE function in the CONFIGURE STart-it SCREEN or the SAVE
function in the CONFIGURE menu to save your preference.
Well, that's about it. I hope you'll enjoy the program. I tried
to include every function possible but if you have a good idea I would
consider including it in the next version.
If you have any questions about STart-it!!! you can write to
me. My address is:
Christian Ernst
5550 Guy
Charlesbourg PQ
Canada
G1H 4L5
You can get a registered copy with your name on it. Just send
me $10, a SASE envelope and a blank disk. You will receive the latest
version of STart-it!!! and a manual explaining every function. I will
also send you the next available version if you include another blank
disk.
STart-it!!! is shareware, so if you like the program you know
what to do. You can give it to your friends or upload it to your
favorite BBS as long as all the files are included and none of them
are modified in ANY way.
Although I've made every effort possible, and I've used this
program without any problems, I must tell you that:
*******************************************************************
* You use this program at your own risk. I may not be held *
* responsible for ANY damage it could make to your data *
* or your system. It is offered as is and no warranty of *
* any kind is provided with it. *
*******************************************************************
I hope you are not afraid because I'm not!!!
The ONLY thing you have to worry about is the famous Atari 40
folders bug!!! If you have an older TOS version like me (I have TOS 1.2)
you should use the FOLDERxx.PRG and set it at 200 (at least). I use a
ICD adSCSI host adaptor board and I've put the extra folders to 2000.
Of course it takes more memory, but you are sure that you will not mess
up your HD. Anyone who has a hard disk and a old TOS version SHOULD use
that kind of option. If you don't do this and you fool around a lot with
the STart-it file selector, you WILL GET INTO BIG TROUBLE!!! If you are
lucky, the computer will simply bomb. If you are not lucky the system
will delete the contents of every file that STart-it manipulates.
THIS PROBLEM HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH START-IT, IT'S A PROBLEM WITH THE
OLDER ATARI TOS VERSION!!!!!! It's my opinion that Atari makes the
best computer you can buy. They are easy to use, have a pleasant
interface, are fast and do not break easily. I don't let minor
problems like the 40 folder bug get in the way of things, as you can
get rid of them very simply...
Be seeing you!!!
Christian Ernst
also known as T-DRUM
* The original ZeST interface concept is from David Becker.
* STARTGEM is a program made by ??? (a shareware!!!).
* HEAD START is a shareware by Charles F. Johnson & John Eidsvoog.
* adSCSI is a trademark of ICD incorporated.
* Atari, well everyone knows about that!!!
* GEM is from Digital Research.