Fullscreen HTML5Med Res (??MB)HTML4

COMPUTER BITS BY JENNIFER BONNITCHA Modifying the Windows INI files Last month, we talked quite a bit about the Windows PIF Editor and introduced the subject of Windows INI (initialisation) files. These effectively set up Windows in the way you want it, each time the system is booted. During your forays through Windows, it should be apparent that it takes some time to get the applications, desktop background, colours, fonts and so on just the way you want them. Don't let a little experimentation get in the way of your day-to-day computer use - make sure you backup at least the WIN.IN! and SYSTEM.IN! files before you start playing around with them. Thus, if fc1-te strikes, you can restore the backup copies to the Windows subdirectory and save yourself a whole lot of trouble. Remember, you have been warned! A basic but overlooked trick is to load an application as .Eile .!;,dit .S,earch !::!.elp [boot) 286grabber=ugacolor.gr2 386grabber=uga.gr3 fixedfon.fon=ugafix.fon oemfonts.fon=ugaoem.fon fonts.fon=ugasys.fon display.dru=tpd19.dru shell=winfile.exe network.dru= language.dll=langeng.dll comm.dru=comm.dru sound.dru=sound.dru mouse.dru=mouse.dru keyboard.dru=keyboard.dru system.dru=atmsys.dru atm.system.dru=system.dru [keyboard) subtype= type=4 oemansi.bin= keyboard.dll= Fig.1: Although it's usual to load the Program Manager when Windows initially starts, you can load other utilities instead by editing the SYSTEM.IN! file. In this example, the statement shell=winfile.exe automatically loads the File Manager when Windows starts. 66 SILICON CHIP an icon when you start Windows (similar to "preselecting" the application). WIN.IN! is an ASCII file which you can edit with any word processor; eg, the Windows Notepad or Sysedit utilities, or even good old EDLIN. It contains several sections, as described last month and, within these sections, statements representing the function's setting. Many of the sections correspond to the Control Panel icons and so are easy to change from within Windows itself. Other sections containing font, configuration and dictionary location, for example, are included or updated during application installation. Some, like the LOAD and RUN statements in the [windows] section need to be changed manually. You could, for example, make the following entry to automatically load Winward as an icon when Windows is executed: [windows] load=c: \ winword \ winword.exe In other words, the appropriate Program Group will be activated (probably Windows Applications) and the Winward icon automatically selected. Thus, you could choose to start Winward simply by double clicking on the already selected icon, or you could choose some other task. On the other hand, the next entry in the WIN.IN! file would not only select the icon but would also start the program: [windows] load= run=c: \ win word\ winword.exe You can load and run several programs at the same time, provided names are separated by either a single space or a comma, eg: [windows] load=vp. pif run=c: \ win word\ winword.exe pbrush.exe You are limited to 127 characters in total per line, although this should be sufficient for most needs. Thus, you can have your favourite application(s) load and run every time you start Windows and you can start either Windows or Non-Windows applications using this E.dit .Search .!:f elp [windows] load= run=c:\pm4\pm4.exe Beep=yes Spooler=no HullPort=Hone deuice=PostScript Printer,PSCRIPT,FILE: BorderWidth=3 KeyboardSpeed=31 CursorBlinkRate=530 DoubleClickSpeed=452 Programs=com exe bat pif Documents= DeuiceHotSelectedTimeout=15 TransmissionRetryTimeout=45 swap disk= .Eile [Desktop] Pattern= (Hone) , Wallpaper=gray.bmp TileWallpaper=1 GridGranularity=O IconSpacing=100 [Extensions] cal=calendar.exe A.cal crd=cardfile.exe A.crd trm=terminal.exe A.trm txt=notepad.exe A.txt ini=notepad.exe A.ini pcx=pbrush.exe A.pcx bmp=pbrush.exe A.bmp wri=write.exe A.wri rec=recorder.exe A.rec c~r=c:\coreldrw\coreldrw.exe A.cdr pm4=pm4.exe A.pm4 pt4=pm4.exe A.pt4 tbl=TE. exe A. tbll Fig.2: by suitably modifying the WIN.INI file, you can either automatically load a program as an icon or load & start one or more programs when Windows is executed. This example shows how to automatically load & run Pagemaker 4 (ie, run=c:\pm4\pm4.exe). method. Choose either the executable file name or the name of the program's PIF file. A word of warning - if you can't run in 386 enhanced mode and you choose to run more than one full-screen DOS application, only the last one will open full screen. If you change a setting incorrectly in the SYSTEM.IN!, Windows may become disabled next time the program is started. Most settings in the file should be changed via the programs supplied with Windows - ie the Control Panel , etc. Remember also that the text files, WININI.TXT and WININI2 .TXT, together with SYSINI.TXT, SYSINI2.TXT and SYSINI3.TXT, are present in the Windows directory to supply you with furthar information about the .INI files. When fate strikes (or you change your files beyond imagination), backup copies of not only the main .INI files but all .INI files in the Windows directory would be helpful. The two standard files are by no means the end of the Windows information files. The PROGMAN.INI file for ex- ample, stores the configuration of all the Program Groups you have created, while the .GRP files contain further information about each Program Group - such as the location and name of each Program Item's executable file in that particular Program Group. System shells The Program Manager is usually the first thing seen when Windows starts, as it's the utility provided to select and start applications. When Windows is initially installed, there are three pre-defined groups - Main, Accessories and Games - although you can add more if desired. To this end, you could edit the SYSTEM.IN! file so that the File Manager loads automatically instead of the Program Manager: [boot] shell=winfile.exe This statement automatically loads the File Manager when Windows starts. There exists a distinct advantage in starting Windows using this method, as you can start an application and particular data file from an icon or by double clicking on a data file. Quick starts The [extensions] section of the WIN.IN! file contains settings linking groups of files with applications so that opening one of the files automatically starts the application. For example: xlw=excel.exe A.xlw xlc=excel. exe A.xlc dot=winword.exe A.dot doc=winword.exe A.doc pcx=pbrush.exe A.pcx The A symbol tells Windows to associate all files with the following extension to the application shown; eg, all .DOT files are associated with Windows Word. This is not to say that you can't use that file type with other applications, merely that if you double click on a file with that extension, Windows will automatically start Windows Word. Automatically opening a specific data file and its application relies on the information contained in the [extensions] section. If you need to associate many files, you will find it quicker to edit the WIN.INI file. Another method is to run the File Manager. Suppose you want to associate .DAT files. To do this, open a directory containing files of this type, select one, then choose the File Associate command. Type the drive, path and filename of the required program's executable file in the dialog box, then press Enter or click OK. Thus, from the File Manager, you an can start an application by double clicking on the name of either an executable file or an associated ~ata file. Depending on the application, this may be more convenient than opening the required Program Group, then selecting the required icon, etc. Multiple program items Each Program Item in a Program Group is a Windowsdefined object containing enough information to tell Windows how to find and launch an application and optionally load a particular file. This presents another alternaNOVEMBER 1991 67 Modifying the Windows INI files •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• tive to using the File Manager - create Program Items which also load a particular file. If you need to, associate the data file as described above. Now switch to the Program Manager, select a group for the new icon, then choose File New Program Item OK. The Description is up to you; supply a name for the icon and, on the Command Line, type the drive, path and filename (including extension) of the data file. Change the icon if you want to, then choose OK. Since the contents of a group do not depend on your disc's file structure, you could have a Program Group called MOST USED and have diverse operations like WordPerfect, Ventura, Excel and Harvard Graphics ready at hand. Frequently-used files could be called by their associated icon, rather than loading the application and then opening the required file. You can edit any Program Item using the File Properties command. Typical examples could be users with cardfiles and calendars that need to be loaded frequently. Rather than loading the application and then opening the appropriate file, the file can be automatically loaded by copying the icon and changing the File Properties. You can move or copy an existing Program Item from one group to another. Start by opening all the required group windows and, if you like, use the Program Manager's Window Tile command to place them side by side. Move a Program Item by dragging its icon from one window to another. To copy the Program Item, just hold down the Ctrl key while you drag the icon -you may want to start an application from more than one Program Group, or you n;ay want to load a different file. If you change your mind, click to select the required icon then press the delete key. You are only deleting the icon, however, not the associated program or data files. Program switching You can quickly change from one open application to another using the Switch To command. Sometimes applications become "lost" when they are minimised - well, not lost really, but hidden under the Program Manager group. An easy way to find these applications without resizing your windows is to place the mouse pointer anywhere on the desktop's background (where no application is running) and double click (or press <Ctrl Esc> at any time) to activate the Task Manager window. A list of all active applications appears so you need only double click on the one you want, or click to select then click on Switch To. Alternatively, pressing <Alt Tab> toggles you between the two most recently used programs. You can also use it to cycle through every active program - just hold down the <Alt> key while you keep pressing the <Tab> key. When the required window, icon or menu bar appears, release the <Tab> key and you're in business! SC Protect your valuable issues Silicon Chip Binders These beautifully-made binders will protect your copies of SILICON CHIP. They feature heavy-board covers & are made from a distinctive two-tone green vinyl. They hold up to 14 issues & will look great on your bookshelf. * High quality * Hold up to 14 issues * 80mm internal width * logo printed in gold-coloured lettering on SILICON CHIP spine & cover Price: $All.95 plus $A3 p&p each (NZ $A6 p&p). Send your order to Silicon Chip Publications Pty Ltd, PO Box 139, Collaroy Beach, NSW 2097; or fax (02) 979 6503; or ring (02) 979 5644 & quote your credit card number. Use the handy order form included in this issue 68 SILICON CHIP