Running SPITFIRE with Windows 95

This transcription preserves the original wording, commands, examples, and text diagrams. Only DOS end-of-file markers, form-feed breaks, and repeated printed page furniture have been removed for continuous reading.

SF-WIN95.DOC
                   Running SPITFIRE v3.51 with Windows 95

                           SPITFIRE - Version 3.51
                   Copyright (C) by Mike Woltz, 1987-1995
                           Buffalo Creek Software

      RUNNING SPITFIRE WITH WINDOWS 95
      ---------------------------------

       In order to run SPITFIRE v3.51 under MS Windows 95, Sysops need to
    add SPITFIRE as an application by clicking the <Start> button then go
    to Settings/Taskbar.  Click on Start/Menu/Programs.  At this point,
    just click the <Add> button and then <Browse> to your normal
    SPITFIRE Directory area, <eg> - C:\SF.   From that directory you must
    select SF.BAT as your Application to add.  You should see SF.BAT as the
    selected file in the path window at this time.  Now click the button
    <Next> to proceed.  At this step you will be asked to locate
    SPITFIRE within a WIN95 menu group.  You will have to choose the
    group you would like SPITFIRE to be under.  Most Sysops will want
    SPITFIRE to Start as they Boot their systems.  So the best place to
    have SPITFIRE located (if you desire to have it load at startup) is
    the <StartUp> Group.  All Applications placed there load automatically
    when Windows 95 boots up.

    You will now be given a chance to place a title name on the added
    application since "SPITFIRE BBS" is what were talking about here
    that seems to be the likely choice of names to use :)

    After you've selected a name and clicked <Finish> you would then have
    a functional SPITFIRE BBS running under Win95.  However, there are
    aspects under the DOS properties that should be set to allow your
    SPITFIRE BBS to perform properly while in the background modes.
    Please see the reference to DOS Property Settings below.

      WIN95 Dos Properties Settings
      ------------------------------

       The easiest way to set the DOS properties would be to Start
    SPITFIRE after you have finished all the above.  If SPITFIRE loads
    as a full screen application you would then hit the <ALT+ENTER> keys
    at the same time to place it into a window.  You will see a tool bar
    just above the SPITFIRE window frame.  Just click on the third button
    in from the right most of the toolbar buttons.  If you slide the
    mouse cursor over the toolbar buttons you will see that they report
    their functions to you.  You will be looking for the <Properties>
    button.

       Once this is selected you will see Folder tabs <Program>, <Font>,
    <Memory>, <Screen>, and <Misc> to choose from.  The most important one
    would be <Misc>.  You should set the slide bar all the way to the left
    most position.  This will allow your SPITFIRE BBS to share in on the
    processor time slices available as you may have other app's running
    while your SPITFIRE BBS is entertaining your many happy callers.

       There are a few other aspects you may also want to set under the
    <Memory> tab section.  You will see a setting for the "Initial
    Environment".   We have found that most systems perform best
    if set to <768>.  This allows door programs and other shellouts from
    SPITFIRE to function flawlessly under WIN95.  (This would even include
    Shroom if one were still running it!)  All other <Memory> tab settings
    can be left at or on there default of <Auto>.

        There may be one other issue to set if the Sysop runs a program or
    door that has the ability to detect a Windows "DOS Environment".
    Win95 has the ability to generate a DOS session that will prevent
    any DOS program from thinking otherwise.  In other words, as far as
    these programs would be concerned they would be running in "Real DOS
    Mode".  Some programs past and present would detect a windows DOS
    session and then modify the way they would multitask within that session.
    In some cases,  with poor performance.

       Win95 will allow these type of programs to perform as if you were
    running them right from a DOS operating system without any problems.
    If the above proves to be the case with some program or door other
    that "SPITFIRE BBS".  Just click on the <Program> tab while still under
    the property settings and click the <Advanced> button. You will see
    posted at the top of the function selection settings, "Prevent MS-DOS
    Programs From Detecting Windows" you would then click that box to select
    the above.

       All changes you make above will not take place till you close the
    SPITFIRE session and restart it.  If you have followed all the above
    you now have one happy marriage between your SPITFIRE BBS and the
    Windows 95 operating system.

       I hope this text is helpfull to any or all setting up SPITFIRE under
    Win95!

       Any other questions will be gladly answered by contacting the below
    addresses.

    John Greenlow / Captain Hooks BBS
          BBS - (908)905-9066
    SFnet - A0908000 / Fido 1:107/717
    Internet - hook@vitinc.com