CD-Checker - Version 1.0 Written by Todd Miller Copyrighted 1992 All Rights Reserved Disclaimer ---------- This software (including instructions for its use) is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. Further, the author does not warrant, gaurantee, or make any representations regarding the use, or the results of the use, of the software or written materials concerning the software in terms of correctness, accuracy, reliabilty, currentness, or otherwise. The entire risks as to the results and performance of the software is assumed by you. If the software or written materials are defective, you, and not the author, or the authors distributors or emplyoees, assume the entire cost of all necessary servicing, repair, or correction. Neither the author nor anyone else who has been involved in the creation, production, or delivery of this software shall be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damages (including damages for loss of business profits, business interruption, loss of busines information, and the like) arising out of the use of or inability of to use such software. Distribution of the software is allowed as long as it is in complete form as when you recieved it. Sorry about the long legal stuff, but you need to cover yourself these days! Anyway, on to the fun stuff now. Introduction ------------ CD-Checker is a program that operates as a door to serve two purposes on a board with only one CD-ROM, but several CD's. CD-Checker's first purpose is to be able to display the CD "schedule" for rotation to the user, and also tell the user which CD is currently in the drive. This is meant to be done in a "seamless" fashion, where you have it as if it was a command that was part of the board. The user would then invoke it to see when and what CD's are available. Its second purpose is to prevent users from accessing the program that works with the CD without the CD being in the drive. This would be done in your batch file, and CD-Checker would create a file named CDNOTIN. if the CD was not in the drive, and would also notify the user if the CD he is trying to use isn't available at that time. Setup ---- Setup is easily accomplished by using the CDSETUP program provided. It will ask you the following questions, which are fairly self-explanatory. What is the drive\path\filename of your bbs interface file This is like C:\PCB\PCBOARD.SYS or C:\RBBS\DORINFO1.DEF. What is the name of your bbs The name of your board What is the sysop's first name Your first name What is the sysop's last name Your last name What is your registration number Enter your registration number here, 0 if you don't have one What the drive\path\filename of your CD schedule file This is the file that shows the CD rotation schedule, I've provided the ones that I use on my board, feel free to modify them or use parts of them. DON'T put a period or an extension on the end of the filename, otherwise it won't be able to check for a ANSI version of the file. The ANSI version filename should be the same as the ASCII, but should have a G at the end of the filename. What is the drive letter of your CD-ROM The drive letter of your CD-ROM drive. How many CD's do you want to install Enter the number of CD's that you want to run on your system, you'll need to have all CD's that you want to install handy at the time of installation. Now CDSETUP will ask you to insert each CD into the drive and then enter a short description or name for that CD. NOTE: Make sure that you give the CD-ROM time to initalize for each CD you insert, if you don't, CDSETUP won't properly detect the information that it needs! NOTE: If you're running a multi-node system, and you have more than one configuration file, make sure to insert the CD's in the same order for each node! This will make using CD-Checker from a batch file easier! Running CD-Checker as a BBS command ----------------------------------- To run CD-Checker as a command, set it up on your menu and define a batch file for it. The batch file might look like this: CD \CDCHECK CDCHECK CDCHECK.CFG CD \BBS BOARD This will show the CD schedule file to the user, and tell the user which CD is currently in the drive. Running CD-Checker before accessing a CD ---------------------------------------- To run CD-Checker in a batch file while on the way to a CD access door, you will need to run CD-Checker with the CD: command line parameter. Simply place CD: with the number of the CD (the number is the number in which you inserted the CD during CDSETUP, if you installed this CD first, then it's number one, if you installed it second, then it's number two, and so on...), no space between CD: and the number please! Then after that, you'll need to check for the existance of a file named CDNOTIN. If it exists, the CD that this batch file accesses is not in the drive, and you should abort and return to the board. Here's a example batch file for this more complex procedure: CD \CDCHECK CDCHECK CDCHECK.CFG CD:2 REM Check to see if CD #2 is in the drive IF EXIST CDNOTIN GOTO DONE REM Otherwise do your stuff here . . . :DONE ERASE CDNOTIN. BOARD If you are unfamilar with the DOS batch file language, consult your DOS manual. Registration ------------ Registration is $10 for CD-Checker. If you register, the [UNREGISTERED] prompt and delay will go away. To register, simply send $10 and a note saying that you're registering CD-Checker to the following address: PC-Technologies Software Registration Dept PO BOX 77103 Greensboro, NC 27417-7103 Please include on the note your BBS's name and your name EXACTLY as it appears in your configruation file(s). And within 1 to 2 weeks, you'll recieve your registration number along with a nice form letter! :) Please no orders out of the USA, the cost of exchanging the money is just too much trouble to go through! Canada orders will be accepted if the US dollar is used (Its a pain, but I can't go exchanging money every week!) If you have any problems with CD-Checker, you can send me mail to that address, or on City2City, and also you can call my board at: PC-Technologies (919) 294-1770 Long distance callers get free access after I recieve a message from you.