CRITTER.DOC - Documentation file for CRITTER.EXE Critter is a TSR (resident) program which intercepts critical errors and requests user action through a small Pop-Up dialogue box rather than the standard DOS "Abort, Retry, Ignore?" message. Once activated, Critter replaces the standard DOS critical error handler, even at the DOS prompt. This allows batch file procedures and programs which do not have integrated critical error handlers to deal with critical errors and not suffer the consequences of the standard DOS error message. Programs which have integrated critical error handlers will not be affected. The error handlers in those programs are allowed to operate normally as long as Critter was loaded before them. This includes other resident programs. If Critter is loaded after a resident program which has it's own critical error handler, it may circumvent that handler and result in unpredictable behavior. To install Critter simply call it by name. CRITTER A copyright message will appear indicating that Critter is installed and ready. If a critical error occurs in a CGA or MONO text screen, Critter will display a small box indicating the nature of the error and four possible actions. The user may then select the appropriate action by pressing the highlighted letter in that option. The available options are: Ignore Ignore the present operation and continue. This may lead to unpredictable results, especially with disk errors. Retry Retry the present operation. If the error condition can be corrected, this will be the best selection. Abort Abort the currently executing program. This is a drastic action which should be used with some care. If there is no other way out, Abort will return control to DOS but may leave files or devices open or in an unusual state. Fail Fail the present operation. Fail will cause a return from the present operation with an indication that the operation was not successful. Some programs will recognize this indication and take appropriate action, others may simply assume that the operation was successful and continue, resulting in unpredictable behavior. If a critical error occurs while a graphics screen is displayed, Critter will send a low error tone, without displaying an error window, and wait for one of the above options to be selected. This prevents "Garbage" from being displayed in the event of a critical error. Certain of the above options may not be allowed by DOS for particular errors. If an unavailable action is specified by the user, DOS will automatically adjust the response to an acceptable one. The current version of Critter does not differentiate character device errors which may result in unexpected error messages for these devices. The action requested by the user will nonetheless be handled appropriately. As soon as a new version is available with full device support, it will be distributed through similar channels. Unfortunately, this is not a high priority project, so full device support may be a while. If you are interested taking this on, please let me know. Critter may be removed from memory using one of the many utilities which are available for this purpose, such as Install and Remove from PC-Magazine. Or it may selected with a resident program manager like On-Call. Please contact me if you have any questions or suggestions: Chuck Scott - CIS I.D. 76556-3335 - - - - - - - - - - - - - (C) Copyright 1987 Forest Hill Software, Inc. - All rights reserved CRITTER and its associated files may be distributed only in original form and only for personal, non-commercial use. If you find this software useful, a small donation would be appreciated. Commercial users may contact us at the number listed below regarding use and licensing of this and other Forest Hill Software products. For additional information or suggestions contact: Forest Hill Software, Inc. 6689 Orchard Lake Road, Suite 267 West Bloomfield, MI 48322 1-800-443-4134 (MI & International 313-489-0912) Creators of On-Call (tm), the resident program manager.