Windowing System Manager

All ACCPAC programs version 5.0 and above come with the System Manager (SM) and this or WSM must be used to load (install) and start the various programs.

The Windowing System Manager (WSM) is an extension of the System Manager.

To install the WSM or SM

Be at the DOS prompt on the drive you wish to install it and then with the disk marked 'System I' in drive A, type a:install.

If you are installing on a drive other than the DOS start-up drive you must change the config.sys file to include the line files = 250 and change the autoexec.bat file to Include the line c:\dos\share.exe /L:250 /F:10000. Replace c: with your start-up drive If different.

START THE WSM or SM

By typing plus or plus g (this would start the general ledger if this was the only item on the start list which begins with a 'g'. On a network must use WSM and each user can have their own unique start list, printer configuration, and option list. Generally these keys can be used within the WSM: directional arrows, PageUp, PageDown, Home, End, or first character of each menu function.

On the left is the Start list which shows all of the applications already set up. On the right of the WSM only is the Active list which shows the applications already started. See bottom of screen for how to: add, modify , delete, or exit.

CHANGES TO THE START LIST

If possible, highlight an application that is already on the Start List and Is in the same directory you want to add the new one to, then hit insert . Each start name must be unique but it's best to have first character unique so that you can call it up by that. Scroll to the correct program and then accept the defaults for the rest of the information. If the directory is not shown, scroll to 'root' and hit enter then scroll again. To create a .new directory simply type it in. Don't use these extensions: COM, EXE, LD4, LD5, LOD, BAT, CMD.

WSM FUNCTION KEYS

• F1 - on line help
• F2 - acknowledge errors
• F3 - call up the System Manager.
• F4 - call up the Start List
• F5 - Finder which can be used on any field which shows a large square cursor - as opposed to the line cursor.
• F6 - Smart Finder which also can be used on any field which has a large square cursor. Has multiple fields for each application; use the 'Tab' key to move one field to the right and 'Shift&Tab' to move one field to the left. Controll&F6 loads the scannable data into expanded memory.
• CAPS and lower case are considered equal. Position the data on the line where it might appear. Specify less information rather than more. Each digit in a number is considered separately therefore 200, 2300, 6000 are nearest match for 2000 (because 3 out of 4 digits match).
• F7 - learn macro and, once started, to pause (for manual insertion of data).
• F8 run macro, select from the list.
• F9 zoom from partial to full window & back if this option used.
• F10 switch to next window on the active list or Ctrl&F10 will switch to previous window.

SYSTEM MANAGER

Call up the SM any one of four ways from within the WSM: F3, Alt&F10 ; / (if using the slash command option); Ctrl&first letter of any SM menu choice For example Ctrl&L will list all ACCPAC and Companion Product programs already installed thru that WSM.

PRINTERS

• Destination - must have at least one of: Printer, Screen or File and can have all three or any two.
• Printers choose one of: add, modify, delete, or exit.
• Type of Printer choose from list
• Port 6 choices LPT1 standard.
• CPI characters per inch (or pitch) -- 4 choices - which will be over-ridden if set in GL spec's with .Fxx and all other spec's by Pxx .
• LPI - lines per inch - 4 choices with '6' as standard.
• Report Length - 4 choices with '11' as standard.
• M Message before printing - toggle Yes/No.

This is 40 characters such as 'Load cheques before proceeding' I Initialization file - toggle Yes/No. Needed for postscript printers, or to print forms at the same time as you print the data. Can also point to a file which gives page header to report on network printer.

WSM can support up to 10 printer configurations. Once a printer is set up, it can be attached to any menu that prints reports. Go to that menu; hit F3 ; P ; P ; you will then see a triangle to the left of the printer attached to that report. If you don't see the triangle, go one menu choice closer to printing the report and repeat the above. To change, point to the new printer and hit ‘enter' at which time the triangle will show to the left of the newly selected printer.

OPTIONS

• Date - 3 choices
• Monochrome or Color - 6 mono choices and many more for color.
• Colours & Shades -- available if Color chosen above - many choices.
• Verify entries - toggle Yes/No - this checks all general ledger codes exist if the GL database is in that directory.
• Highlight entry field - toggle Yes/No
• Alert Style - 5 choices including off. This is 'beep' when an incorrect selection is made.
• Use Slash Command - toggle Yes/No - if yes calls up SM.
• Workstation name - 20 characters to identify network workstation.

MACROS

6 Choices Including 'run automacros' - toggle yes/no.

NETWORK STATUS

Will show ACCPAC workstations and/or last database conflict.

DOS

Can go to DOS prompt - 'exit' returns to WSM. Don't use these DOS commands thru the WSM:

Append, Assign, Chkdsk with /F option, Graphics, Join, Mode, Print.

CHECK DATA INTEGRITY

All items on the start list or only one. Do at least after every weekly back-up.

INSTALL PROGRAMS

All ACCPAC and Companion Products must be installed thru this menu selection.

Install in this order: GL, AR, IC, OE, SA, AP, JC etc.

LIST VERSION NUMBERS

Lists version numbers for all ACCPAC and Companion Product programs already installed.

ABOUT CA PRODUCTS

Advertising from Computer Associates.

SECURITY

To activate - at DOS level on drive where WSM Is installed, put WSM System I disk in drive A and type A:systempw 'password', Replace 'password' with your own unique password. Use this procedure also to reset the system password if you have forgotten the old one.

To deactivate - as above and type A:deletepw

To delete password files from data directories - as above and type A:deletepw C:\Data\*.* for all data bases in that directory or A:deletepw C:\Date\gl*.sam for only a single data base. You will not be able to remove a directory until all the hidden password files have been deleted from it.

To initially set passwords for each database start the database from the WSM start list enter the system password when prompted. when at the main menu call up the SM security menu.

Use passwords with data toggle Yes (by hitting return)

Define program password 3 levels - change periodically.

Assign menu access password - set entire menu or any Individual menu choice.

Change system password - do, this periodically.

To subsequently change security on a database if you are starting the database from the WSM follow the same instructions as 'To initially set passwords' if the database is already started, call up the SM security menu.

Set password access level - must show 'system ' otherwise you cannot access any of the other functions shown. Change by entering the system password then follow the above instructions.

WINDOWS

Each database started from the WSM is viewed through a window.

You can have a number of windows open at the same time including more than one copy of the same database.

Windows can be sized and placed anywhere on the screen. F9 toggles the window between the size you have made it and full screen size.

To switch between windows, use F4 back to the start list, F10 next open window, Ctrl&F10 previous open window.

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I.O.S. Consulting Group Inc., 7774 Wansford Drive, Delta, BC, V4C 7S9 (604) 878-0467

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