Category : Miscellaneous Language Source Code
Archive   : EZINST15.ZIP
Filename : EZINSTAL.DOC

E Z - I N S T A L L v1.5


Copyright 1992 Michael L. Wester. All rights reserved.












































EZ-INSTALL v1.5

Copyright 1992 Michael L. Wester All rights reserved.

Michael L. Wester
Route #6 Box 34
Fuquay-Varina, N.C. 27526

(919)-552-0767

EZ-INSTALL is an easy to use, easy to set up installation
program. It is designed to install applications from floppy disks to
a hard disk. It combines the most commonly required features but
remains very small and very easy to use.


FEATURES

* EZ-INSTALL requires no set-up or configuration files to be used.
Copy it to your disk and you have a "ready made" install
program. You have the option of taking advantage of it's many
features or using it in it's simplest form.

* Supports multiple disk programs. It can prompt for an unlimited
number of disks.

* Automatically creates the sub-directory then copies the files
for the program it is installing.

* Optionally tests for available disk space to make sure the user
has enough space to install. If space is not available it
aborts with a warning message informing the user of how much
space is necessary for installation.

* Installs programs using a straight file copy or will install
from executable archives.

* The entire program is around 8k in size and stores all setup
information internally. (It is a self-modifying executable.)
It has no configuration files yet can be modified at any time.
After it has been configured it's size can be futher reduced by
using a compression program such as LZEXE or PKLITE.

* Has the option to exit in the directory the program has been
copied to allowing the user to start up immediately.

* Displays a customized example prompt and a line of text after
installation completes.

* EZ-INSTALL can optionally "stuff" the keyboard buffer with the
command users should enter to start your application. Has the
option to execute the command stuffed in the buffer allowing you
to start your program automatically or display a banner,
greeting, warning or anything else.

* Color attributes can be set to make the installation program
more like your own application.

* Registered users receive a copy of the program with their
program name and/or message embedded in the EZ-INSTALL program.








USING EZ-INSTALL

Because EZ-INSTALL modifies it's own code it is imperative that
you make a copy of your original disk then use your copy to create
your installation setup.

To use the program you start it by typing EZINST then press
ENTER. At this point you may enter a drive and directory name to
copy all the files in the currently logged disk to. You can use EZ-
INSTALL without doing any setup. EZ-INSTALL installation or setup
can be cancelled at any time by pressing CTRL-C or CTRL-BREAK.

If you do not configure EZ-INSTALL it will default to doing a
straight file copy, no message, 1 disk, will not exit in the
installed directory, will not check for enough disk space to install
to and will not stuff the keyboard buffer.

You may rename EZ-INSTALL to anything you like after it has been
set up. In order for it to be able to modify itself it must be named
EZINST.COM.


CONFIGURING EZ-INSTALL (setup)

To configure EZ-INSTALL you start the program by typing EZINST
then press ENTER. At the first prompt that ask you to enter a drive
and sub-directory name you must enter the word SETUP then press the
ENTER key. It is not case sensitive. After pressing ENTER you will
be prompted to answer ten questions. If you do not wish to use an
option just press ENTER to skip it.

Option 1. Enter installation completion message:

At this prompt you may enter a message that will be displayed at
the end of the installation. Most likely this would be a
message on how to start or configure your program. It could be
a greeting or warning. It can be anything you like up to 80
characters.

Option 2. Enter example prompt:

When the program runs it prompts the user to enter a drive and
subdirectory name to install to. You should use an example that
will imply your program. Example: If your program is named
EZWORK your might want the user to install the program to a
directory named EZWORK. In this case enter C:\EZWORK.

Option 3. Number of disks to copy:

Here you should enter the number of disks you would like EZ-
INSTALL to prompt for and copy. This number is unlimited.

Option 4. Exit in installation directory?

After the installation is completed you will most likely want
your user to start your program. If this is the case you should
answer Y to this question. Answering Y will cause the user to
be in the installed directory after installation has completed.
It is not case sensitive.

Option 5. Stuff keyboard buffer with:







If you like EZ-INSTALL will stuff the keyboard buffer with a
command of your choice. This allows the user to start the
program without doing a directory to find the right file. This
could be a batch file to type a README or it could start your
program. You may leave this option blank.

Option 6. Execute Buffer?

This option appears only if you opt to use option 4. If you
stuff a command into the keyboard buffer after installation it
can be very useful to have it execute immediately. You might
wish your user to read a text file or start a configuration
program. If you stuff the buffer with a batch file you can have
the install program do a number of things. You may leave this
option blank if you like.

Option 7. If executable archive enter filename:

This option has some important features. First, when EZ-INSTALL
is run it will copy files or try to run an executable archive.
If you enter a filename at this prompt the program will try to
run an executable archive by the name you enter. If your
program is being installed from a single disk this is all you
need to do.

If you are using executable archives and installing an
application that requires more than 1 disk there are some
special considerations. In order to keep the EZ-INSTALL program
at it's minimum size I opted not to store individual filenames
for multiple disk archive installations. Instead I use a simple
system that requires you to name your executable archives using
a number as the last letter of the filename.

Example: If your program uses three disks to install and your
program's name is EZWORK you would have to name your three
executable archives EZWORK1.EXE, EZWORK2.EXE and EZWORK3.EXE.
When the EZ-INSTALL program asks you for an archive name you
would enter EZWORK. This method allows me to concatenate a
number to the EZWORK filename based on the number of disks you
are installing. It also allows an unlimited number of disks and
requires no extra space inside the EZ-INSTALL program. (Note:
Make sure your file name does not exceed 7 characters (6
characters if you install 10 or more disks) so the disk number
can be concatenated.)

The EZ-INSTALL program will work with any executable archive.
It is not dependant on the command syntax of any of the known
EXE compressors.

Option 8. Disk space needed to install:

To have the program test for available disk space before
installing, enter the amount of space your program requires in
bytes. If the user tries to install your application to a drive
that does not have enough space EZ-INSTALL will abort the
installation. It will also display a message explaining that
your application requires the amount of space you enter here.

Like all options you may leave this blank to have the program
skip disk space checking.

Option 9. Background color & Hi-lite color:







You can set the color attributes for the background color and
background text and you can set a seperate color attribute for
the boxed in text. Colors are set by entering an attribute
number in response to to color questions.

Colors are determined by using the following color codes to set
the screens background and foreground colors. You can even set
flashing colors although it is not recommended. (Most people
find continuously flashing text annoying.)

To select a color you must first choose the background color
code then add the foreground color code to it. For example: The
color code for a blue background ranges from 16 to 31. To
create a blue back-ground with white text you would add 15 (The
foreground code for white) to 16 (The background code for blue)
making a color code of 31. If you wanted a blue background with
yellow text you would add 16 (The color code for blue.) and 14
(The color code for yellow.) for a total of 30.

BACKGROUND COLOR with FOREGROUND... FOREGROUND COLOR...
CODE COLOR ATTRIBUTE CODE COLOR
---- ----- --------- ---- -----
0 ---------- Black ------ Normal 0 ---------- Black
16 ---------- Blue ------- Normal 1 ---------- Blue
32 ---------- Green ------ Normal 2 ---------- Green
48 ---------- Cyan ------- Normal 3 ---------- Cyan
64 ---------- Red -------- Normal 4 ---------- Red
80 ---------- Magenta ---- Normal 5 ---------- Magenta
96 ---------- Brown ------ Normal 6 ---------- Brown
112 ---------- Light Grey - Normal 7 ---------- Light Grey
128 ---------- Black ------ Flashing 8 ---------- Dark Grey
144 ---------- Blue ------- Flashing 9 ---------- Light Blue
160 ---------- Green ------ Flashing 10 ---------- Light Green
176 ---------- Cyan ------- Flashing 11 ---------- Light Cyan
192 ---------- Red -------- Flashing 12 ---------- Light Red
208 ---------- Magenta ---- Flashing 13 ---------- Light Magenta
224 ---------- Brown ------ Flashing 14 ---------- Yellow
240 ---------- Light Grey - Flashing 15 ---------- White

The best way to determine which colors will be afffected by your
color changes is to change a few and look at the effects.

The program colors default to 31 (White on blue) for the background
and 7 (White on black) for the hi-lite color.


EZ-INSTALL NOTES & CONSIDERATIONS

The EZ-INSTALL program must be named EZINST.COM to be able to
modify it own code. It can however be renamed after setup is
completed. This is even recommended as it will make more difficult
the chances of anyone else modifying your setup.

EZ-INSTALL can be futher reduced in size by using an EXE
compressor program such as LZEXE or PKLITE. This will reduce it's
size to approximately 6500 bytes. Be warned, once compressed the
setup cannot be modified. Make a backup copy!

All of the EZ-INSTALL features are optional. You can leave any
or all blank to have them skipped.

You can abort the EZ-INSTALL program at any time by pressing the






CTRL-C or CTRL-BREAK key combination.

When running the EZ-INSTALL program to change the setup you must
be logged to the drive and directory the EZ-INSTALL program is
residing in. If you do not it will not be able to modify it's code.

EZ-INSTALL does minimal error checking for user input. It tries
to make sure a valid drive and directory name is entered. To
minimize the size of the program the EZ-INSTALL program does no error
checking when entering setup data. This means if you enter an
invalid response to a setup question the results may be
unpredictable. Ex: If you enter yes when the program ask for number
of disks to copy it will definitely not work and could possible lock
up your computer.


SHAREWARE

Shareware is software marketed on a "Try before you buy" basis.

The price per disk that Shareware distributors charge is a
distribution fee and not the price of the software. Shareware
authors have agreed to allow vendors to recover expenses for copying,
packaging, and maintaining a shareware library. This allows you to
obtain software programs at incredibly low prices to try, then pay
the registration price for them only if they suit your needs. The
idea is that after a reasonable trial period, if you find the
programs to be of use, you are expected to send the author the
registration fee.

Registration entitles you to various rights and benefits. These
range from the legal (and moral) right to continue using the
software. In addition many shareware authors offer printed
documentation and/or higher levels of service and support. Unlike
Public Domain software, which is free to everyone with no fees asked
for or expected, shareware programs exist because the authors expect
and deserve the registration support from people who use their
programs.

So that's Shareware. If you like it, support it !




























REGISTRATION

The shareware message will be removed on any registered version
of EZ-INSTALL.

Registration for a single program entitles you to distribute EZ-
INSTALL with as many copies of a single application as you produce.
You may not use EZ-INSTALL with any program other than the one listed
on the registration form. There are no royalties for distribution.
You must register a copy of EZ-INSTALL for each program you intend to
distribute it with or purchase a copyright license.

With a Author's license you may distribute as many copies of EZ-
INSTALL with as many different programs as you have produced as long
as every program is produced under the same copyright notice.

With both a single program and Author's registration you will
recieve a copy of EZ-INSTALL that has a customized header. The top
two lines will contain any text you specify as long as they do not
indicate or imply that you have copyrighted the EZ-INSTALL program.
For a single program license the header should be specific,
pertaining to the program it will be installing. With a Author's
license it should be generic so it can be used with any program.

Registration for Shareware disk vendors entitles you to
distribute the EZ-INSTALL program on every disk you sell as an easy
installation program for your customers. The second line of the top
two lines the program displays will be customized with a message of
your choice. The EZ-INSTALL copyright notice must remain intact.
You may not use EZ-INSTALL under any corporate name other than the
name listed on the registration form.


DISCLAIMER

Under no circumstances shall Michael L. Wester be liable for
any damages, including lost profits, savings, or any other
incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use of or
inability to use this program even if Michael L. Wester has
been notified of the possibility of such damages, or for any claims
by any other party.



























REGISTRATION - EZ-INSTALL.EXE Copyright 1992 Michael L. Wester

Michael L. Wester (919)-552-0767
Route #6 Box 34
Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526


Name_______________________________________________
Address____________________________________________
City/State__________________________ZIP____________
Phone #____________________________________________


*******************************************************************
Registration for Single Program: $15.00
For unlimited copies distributed with a single application.
*******************************************************************

Enter the name of the program EZ-INSTALL will be distributed with.

1._________________________________________________________________

*******************************************************************
Registration for a Author's license: $45.00
Unlimited copies for any programs copyrighted under the same name.
*******************************************************************

Enter your Company or Author name.

1._________________________________________________________________

Enter the text you wish to be displayed on the top two lines after
the program starts. (This is where the EZ-INSTALL copyright notice
is currently displayed.) (YOU MAY NOT IMPLY A COPYRIGHT OF THE EZ-
INSTALL PROGRAM ON THESE LINES.)

1._________________________________________________________________

2._________________________________________________________________

*******************************************************************
Please sign and date your order form:
*******************************************************************

Date:_________________ Signature:__________________________________

[ ] Check enclosed [ ] Money order enclosed [ ] VISA/MC [ ] C.O.D
Foreign user, please send Check or Money order in U.S. dollar only.

Call 919-552-0767 for credit card and C.O.D phone orders or mail to
the address at the top of the order form. You may also register by
credit card and recieve your registered copy of EZ-INSTALL via modem
within 24 hours (Sometimes quicker). Call the preceding number to
register.














REGISTRATION - EZ-INSTALL.EXE Copyright 1992 Michael L. Wester

Michael L. Wester (919)-552-0767
Route #6 Box 34
Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526


Name_______________________________________________
Address____________________________________________
City/State__________________________ZIP____________
Phone #____________________________________________


*******************************************************************
Registration for Shareware Vendors: $45.00
Unlimited copies distributed as a generic installation program for
the disk copies shareware vendors sell.
*******************************************************************

Enter your Company copyright or corporate name.

1._________________________________________________________________

Enter the text you wish to be displayed on the second of the top two
lines after the program starts. (This is the line beneath where the
EZ-INSTALL copyright notice is currently displayed.) (YOU MAY NOT
IMPLY COPYRIGHT OF THE EZ-INSTALL PROGRAM ON THIS LINE.)

1._________________________________________________________________

*******************************************************************
Please sign and date your order form:
*******************************************************************

Date:_________________ Signature:__________________________________

[ ] Check enclosed [ ] Money order enclosed [ ] VISA/MC [ ] C.O.D
Foreign user, please send Check or Money order in U.S. dollar only.

Call 919-552-0767 for credit card and C.O.D phone orders or mail to
the address at the top of the order form. You may also register by
credit card and recieve your registered copy of EZ-INSTALL via modem
within 24 hours (Sometimes quicker). Call the preceding number to
register.