    THIS IS NOT A DEMONSTRATION VERSION!  IT IS THE ACTUAL RELEASE VERSION!
    Released into the public domain under SHAREWARE concept -- July 26, 1986

				*** HOT-DOS ***
				 Version 1.18

			      Copyright (C) 1985
				  Robert Best

The following documentation describes the operation of HOT-DOS, a small
but powerful program that, with the press of the CTRL-SHIFT -- LEFT-SHIFT
combination, allows any currently executing program to be temporarily
suspended so that a second copy of COMMAND.COM can be loaded and run in
the background (the aptly named HOT-DOS partition.)

NOTE:--USE CTRL-LEFT SHIFT COMBINATION -- NOT LEFT-RIGHT AS IN DEMO!

To exit from HOT-DOS and return to the suspended application program, type
EXIT at the DOS prompt.


The HOT-DOS Version 1.18 package includes 1 program file and this
documentation file.  The following list describes each of the options
available as command line parameters when executing HOT-DOS.

'G' or 'g' -- For use on a system using Color/Graphics display.  This
program will fully restore any CGA graphics screen at the expense of an
additional 12K memory for use as a buffer.  It will not restore an EGA
graphics display, but is compatible with EGA text modes.

'X' or 'x' -- For use on a system supporting BOTH monochrome and
color/graphics displays.  This program will activate HOT-DOS on whichever
display is NOT active when the HOT-KEY is pressed.  From that point on,
the user can freely switch displays -- HOT-DOS will properly restore the
display that was active prior to escaping to the HOT-DOS partition.  This
is an indispensable utility for users who require simultaneous viewing of
two separate screens of data.  As an example, I usually run my editor in
the primary DOS partition, then switch to HOT-DOS for compilation.  This
arrangement spares the nuisance of exiting and reloading the editor, as
well as allowing viewing of compilation errors simultaneous with editing
the source code.

Both the 'x' and 'g' options can be combined when running HOT-DOS.

NOTE:  -- Using the 'x' option of HOT-DOS on a system without a monochrome
adapter will cause a system crash requiring a re-boot.

HOT-DOS uses the value of the environment variable COMSPEC to determine
the path to the COMMAND.COM command interpreter.  It will use the value of
COMSPEC that existed just prior to being loaded for the duration of
execution.  It is therefore suggested that HOT-DOS be run from an
AUTOEXEC.BAT file AFTER setting the COMSPEC environment variable.  For
optimum use, it is suggested the COMSPEC be set to a RAM disk drive.  This
will cause HOT-DOS to be run instantaneously with each press of the
HOT-KEY.  There will be no delays waiting for COMMAND.COM to be loaded
from floppy or hard disk media.  A fragment of code to achieve this from
an AUTOEXEC.BAT file follows: (assume drive E: is a ramdisk)

	copy a:command.com e:\
	set COMSPEC=E:\COMMAND.COM
	hotdos


To load this version of HOT-DOS, use the following syntax:

	HOTDOS [n] [/x] [/g]

    where n = requested size of HOT-DOS partition (in K)
	      such that 20 < n < 576

NOTE:  -- The default value of 'n' for HOT-DOS is n=64K

The parameters may be given in any order on the command line.

Examples:
  HOTDOS               Loads HOTDOS.COM using n=64K, no graphics, one screen
  HOTDOS 100 /g        Loads HOTDOS.COM using n=100K, CGA graphics restored
  HOTDOS 250 /x        Loads HOTDOS.COM using n=250K, two screens
  HOTDOS /x /g 100     Loads HOTDOS.COM using n=100K, graphics, two screens


		      TIPS AND PRECAUTIONS USING HOT-DOS

1)  Do not load any RESIDENT application in the HOT-DOS partition.
Doing so will surely destroy the integrity of the DOS memory allocation
chain.  All other resident software must be loaded in the primary DOS
partition.

2)  Do not load any application that will overlay without checking for the
top of memory location stored in the Program Segment Prefix.  A program
that overlays above the top of available memory (in the HOT-DOS partition)
will overwrite the memory chain block of the primary application, not to
mention the PSP and part of the primary application itself!

3)  Do not load BASIC in the HOT-DOS partition if BASIC is currently
suspended in the primary partition.

4)  If you mistakenly type EXIT at the DOS prompt in the primary
partition, immediately run a CHKDSK on any drive configured in your
system.  For some reason, running a CHKDSK avoids problems that occur if
you type EXIT in the primary partition and then immediately escape to
HOT-DOS.  This problem has not been traced, but seems to be a bug in the
DOS EXIT command.

5)  Previous versions of HOT-DOS required certain care when pressing the
HOT-KEY to avoid crashing the system during critical sections of code
execution.  This version has provided substantial security to prevent
these cases.  The HOT-KEY can safely be pressed at anytime.

NOTE:  -- It is strongly suggested, if not absolutely required, to load
HOT-DOS first among resident applications.  In particular, to run HOT-DOS
and SIDEKICK (tm) simultaneously, you must load SIDEKICK (tm) after
loading HOT-DOS.


		       ** HOT-DOS LICENSING AGREEMENT **

The authorized version of HOT-DOS included in this package is copyrighted
material intended for use in unaltered form.  Distribution of the
authorized version of HOT-DOS in any form is a violation of copyright. The
program is provided "AS IS" without any warranty of any kind. Should the
program prove defective, the user shall assume the entire cost of all
necessary servicing, repair or correction.  Site licensing of the
authorized version of HOT-DOS is available by arrangement with Robert
Best. The authorized version of HOT-DOS is intended for use on a single
machine. Making copies for use on other machines represents a violation of
this licensing agreement.


July 26, 1986
HOT-DOS is hereby made available for general public use without any
limitations.  This version is the actual release, it is NOT a demo.  It is
being distributed under the SHAREWARE concept.  A contribution of $20.00
is requested of satisfied users.

Contributions may be sent to:

	Robert Best
	13681 Dall Lane
	Santa Ana, CA  92705

If anyone is interested in purchasing the source code, as well as the
exclusive marketing rights to any derivative thereof, please contact me at
the above address to discuss terms.




~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
			    HOTDOS PATCH


How to change the Hot Keys in Hot DOS.  (Version 1.18)
======================================
Does Ctrl-Left Shift conflict with another memory resident program's
hot-keys?  If so, you may want to change Hot-DOS's.  The procedure is
really quite simple -- ANYONE CAN DO IT!  All you need is the copy of
HOTDOS, and the program DEBUG.COM.  Assuming that both programs are on
the default drive, type the command below.

		DEBUG HOTDOS.COM [Enter]

You will be greeted with a dash prompt and the cursor.  If not, type Q
[Enter] and make sure both files are on the current drive.

     BY THE WAY: If you ever feel that you have goofed in the
     following steps, get back to the dash prompt (Ctrl-Break
     should do the trick,) and then type Q [Enter].  That will
     return you to DOS without keeping any changes.  It also
     doesn't hurt to make a copy of HOTDOS.COM on another disk,
     to be doubly safe.

Thereafter, issue the following command:

		U 440 44B [Enter]

You should see something like this:


xxxx:0440 33C0          XOR     AX,AX
xxxx:0442 8EC0          MOV     ES,AX
xxxx:0444 26            ES:
xxxx:0445 A01704        MOV     AL,[0417]
xxxx:0448 240F          AND     AL,0F
xxxx:044A 3C0A          CMP     AL,06

where the xxxx's are some unimportant value.  If this is what you see,
then you are in good shape.

Now you need to choose the hot keys you think you want.  Here is a
table:

	Key           Value
	-------       -----
	Alt             8
	Ctrl            4
	Left Shift      2
	Right Shift     1

Choose the hot keys you want, (for an example, I'll choose Alt-Left
Shift,) and add the values together.  My example gives me 8 + 2 = 10.

If your number is 10 or higher, (it can be from 1 to 15) you have to
make a minor adjustment.  Here is the table to do that:

      Number:       10  11  12  13  14  15
      New value:     A   B   C   D   E   F

If your number is less than 10, you don't need to do anything at all.

One way or another, remember your number!  In my case it is `A'.

Now we're ready to change the hot key.  Issue the following command:

		E 44B [Enter]

You should see the following:

3AD2:044B  06.   (the number you see here should be the same number
		  as you see in that U command above. Check to make
		  sure.)

When you feel you're ready, type in the number you came up with, be it
1 through 9, or A through F, and press the [Enter] key.  You're almost
done!  Two more instructions! they are

		W  [Enter]   (the computer tells you it is writing...)
		Q  [Enter]   (and now you're back in DOS.)

You have just made a copy of HotDOS that will activate using the hot
keys you have chosen.  Remember that this copy is not installed yet,
so you will have to reboot the computer and issue the HOT DOS command,
just as the instructions indicate.

...And if everything is correct, you should have Hot DOS at your
finger tips with your new hot key combination.  Have Fun.

Thomas Tuerke

