Running ABS Under Windows 95/98

Complete all of the steps shown in the Software Installation section before creating a Windows 95/98 shortcut.

To set up ABS over a Windows 95/98 network, refer to Setting Up ABS over a Windows 95/98 Network before creating a Windows shortcut.

For instructions on installing a printer to be used with ABS, refer to Installing a Windows Printer for ABS.

Creating a Shortcut for DOS ABS

After installing ABS, creating a desktop shortcut in Windows 95/98 is accomplished as follows (the examples below relate to running the DOS version of ABS. Examples relating to the Windows version are shown in Running ABS Under Windows XP and Running ABS Under Windows 2000).

1. Activate Windows Explorer.
2. Locate the drive and folder where the ABS executable programs have been installed (usually [drive:]\TASK) and double-click it to view the contents.
3. Locate the program “ABS.BAT” and highlight it.
4. Click the right mouse button and select “COPY” from the menu options.
5. Close or minimize Windows Explorer and return to the Windows desktop.
6. In an open area on the desktop, click the right mouse button and select “PASTE SHORTCUT” from the menu options. You should now have an ABS icon with the description “SHORTCUT TO ABS”, as shown below:

7. Highlight this icon, click the right mouse button and select “PROPERTIES” from the menu options. The “GENERAL” tab should be similar to the example shown below:

8. Select the “PROGRAM” tab and enter [drive:]\ABS\USER1 as the “Working” folder (or wherever you’re going to run ABS from - this must be an area other than \TASK). Also, make sure the “Close on exit” option is checked:

9. Next, click the “ADVANCED” button and uncheck the “Suggest MS-DOS mode as necessary” option:

Click “OK” to exit and save any changes made.

10. Next, select the “SCREEN” tab and check the “Full-Screen” option under “Usage”:

Under the “MISC” tab, you may also want to uncheck the “Warn if still active” option under “Termination”. The remaining option categories (Font and Memory) can be left unchanged. When finished, click “OK” to save the changes and exit.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Multiple shortcuts can be created to automatically launch specific ABS programs and/or functions. However, each shortcut must have a different working folder specified. You cannot run more than one (1) ABS program at a time in the same working folder without encountering problems. Download WABSFILES.PDF for a complete list all ABS programs to determine which program relates to which function. For assistance, contact Keystone Systems.

Proceed to User Configuration for instructions on completing the setup for ABS. You must create an ABS.INI file before you can run ABS.

PRINTING FROM ABS (DOS VERSION ONLY): To set up printing capabilities, please refer to Installing a Windows Printer for ABS.