PCBRESET.DOC - PCBReset v2.00 documentation - 1/7/93


Purpose:

         To determine if the PCBOARD.SYS file was left in its on-line
state or its off-line state.

         I use this little program with my Fido front-end mailer to
determine if the BBS/computer crashed on the last caller.  This is
usually only caused by a power failure, but other things can cause it
too.  If it did crash, the PCBOARD.SYS file will show the caller as still
on-line.  Meaning, PCBoard needs to be recycled BEFORE the front-end is
loaded.  Otherwise, PCBoard will let the next caller in without asking
for a name and password!  It will assume that the person is the previous
caller.  That can be REAL SCARY if the last caller was YOU!!  You
wouldn't want someone that you didn't know fiddling around in your BBS
with full Sysop access...

        This has been tested with PCBoard v14.5a, but I *think* that it
will work with any 14.x version of PCBoard.


Note: PCBoard is a registered trademark of Clark Development Company, Inc.


Syntax:

         PCBReset PCBSysPath [CallerLogPath]

         Where:  PCBSysPath is the full path and filename of your
                 PCBOARD.SYS file.  This is required.

                 CallerLogPath is the full path and filename of your
                 caller log file.  This is optional.  If you include it,
                 PCBReset will make a log entry of the time and date
                 if it recycles the BBS.

Results:

         An errorlevel of 1 is returned if a caller is still logged in.
         An errorlevel of 2 is returned if PCBOARD.SYS could not be opened.
         An errorlevel of 3 is returned if PCBOARD.SYS could not be read.


Example:

         PCBReset C:\PCB\PCBOARD.SYS C:\PCB\MAIN\CALLER

         Here is the batch file that I use in my AUTOEXEC.BAT to call
up my BBS.  It is included as the file B.BAT

     G:                                    { log to the correct drive     }
     CD\IM                                 { change to front-end's subdir }
     PCBRESET G:\PCB\PCBOARD.SYS G:\PCB\MAIN\CALLER1     { Did it crash?  }
     IF ERRORLEVEL 1 BOARD /KEY:G^M        { Yes...recycle PCBoard        }
     IMRUN                                 { No...load InterMail          }

         This arrangement assumes that your BOARD.BAT file will load the
front-end mailer when PCB exits.


For you FrontDoor people, you might have to modify the B.BAT file so it
looks a little like this:

     G:                                    { log to the correct drive     }
     CD\FD                                 { change to front-end's subdir }
     PCBRESET G:\PCB\PCBOARD.SYS G:\PCB\MAIN\CALLER1     { Did it crash?  }
     IF ERRORLEVEL 1 BOARD /KEY:G^M        { Yes...recycle PCBoard        }
     RUNFD                                 { No...load FrontDoor          }


In the above examples, the /KEY:G^M will cause PCBoard to logoff the caller
by typing a G and then a carriage return.  This is needed if the system
crashed while someone was logged on locally.

Please note that PCBReset does not need to be called every time you load
up your front-end mailer.  It only needs to be run the first time that
your mailer is loaded after the computer has been started up or rebooted.


For reference, here is what my BOARD.BAT looks like:

ECHO OFF
G:
CD \PCB
SET PCB=/SWAP /MAIN
SET DSZLOG=PCBDSZ.LOG
IF EXIST REMOTE.BAT RENAME REMOTE.BAT REMOTE.SYS
IF EXIST EVENT.BAT RENAME EVENT.BAT EVENT.SYS
IF EXIST DOOR.BAT DEL DOOR.BAT
IF EXIST ENDPCB DEL ENDPCB
PCB145 %1 %2                              { make sure the %1 is there so }
IF EXIST REMOTE.BAT REMOTE                { that the /KEY:G^M will work  }
IF EXIST DOOR.BAT DOOR
IF EXIST EVENT.BAT EVENT
IF EXIST ENDPCB GOTO END
BOARD
:END
C:
cd\IM
IMRUN                  { B.BAT assumes that you load your front end here }


Disclaimer:

        No warranties are expressed or implied concerning this program.
It is offered in an AS IS condition.  The author and distributors of this
program are not liable for the direct or consequential loss or damages
that may have resulted from its use and/or misuse.  By using this program,
you agree to these terms.


PCBReset is:  Copyright 1992-1993 Christopher E. Long, All Rights Reserved


         This program is Freeware.  That means that I retain the rights
to it, but I do not require compensation for its use.  However, I do ask
that if you find it useful, send me a postcard!  That's all I ask.


Mailing address:        Christopher E. Long
                        632 Camelia Street
                        Atlantic Beach, FL 32233

Internet address:       chris.long@medinfo.jax.fl.us

Compuserve address:     76500,2073

Phone (voice):          904-246-4706

Phone (data):           Visionary Endeavors BBS
                        904-249-9515
                        1200 - 16,800 bps
                        US Robotics HST Dual Standard 16.8
                        8 data bits, 1 stop bit, no parity
                        FidoNet 1:112/10 file requests all hours
                        located in Atlantic Beach, Florida

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