
                       Files Compare via List V1.4

                             by John Augustine

  FCL was written in assembly for Dos systems, but it can be used with
Windows.

  PLEASE NOTE:

  This is not a "free" program. See "CONCLUSION" near the end of this document
for details on making a small "donation" and becoming a "donor".

  IMPORTANT NOTES:

  Please view (use "HELP.EXE") "READ-ME.TXT".  This file has very important
information.

  A FEW EXAMPLES FOR USING FCL:

  1. You just got off the web.  Now you wonder if anything was added to your
system such as spyware (keylogger, etc.), a "trojan" with a virus, etc.  Note:
It is normal for web pages (files) to be added to the "CACHE" (Netscape) or
the "Temporary Internet Files" (Internet Explorer).

  2. Your system crashes.  Now your Windows system will no longer boot up.
You wonder if a file/s is missing.  You can use a Dos boot floppy disk and run
FCL to find out.  Note: A corrupt file/s can also cause this problem.

  3. ScanDisk found lost clusters or errors in the directory structure.  After
a "Fix", you wonder if any files or directories are lost.  Note: Sometimes
the "Fix" will remove a related file/s or directory/s, resulting in a lost
file/s and/or directory/s.  See below for more information on this issue.

  GETTING STARTED:

  If you haven't done so, launch "SETUP.BAT".  This will create a "FCL"
directory/folder at the root directory.  Next, it will copy all the files to
that location (less "SETUP.BAT").

  Dos mode (see "READ-ME.TXT") is where you create the list/s (reference
file/s).  Use the command, "CD \FCL" to enter the "FCL" directory/folder.
Here you can launch one or more batch files ("ALL-LIST.BAT", "WIN-LIST.BAT",
"PGM-LIST.BAT", or "DOC-LIST.BAT") to create a list/s (reference file/s).
FCL is useless if you haven't created a list of all your files ("WINDOWS",
"Program Files", "My Documents", etc.).

  Launching FCL requires you to use Dos, "Dos Prompt", or "Start" and "Run".
Here are some examples of commands (without quotes):

 1. "\FCL\FCL ALL.LST"                   command at "Start/Run"
 2. "\FCL\FCL WINDOWS.LST"               command at "Start/Run"
 3. "CD \FCL" then "FCL ALL.LST"         commands in Dos or "Dos Prompt"
 4. "CD \FCL" then "FCL WINDOWS.LST"     commands in Dos or "Dos Prompt"

  "SCANDISK" AND FCL, IF ERRORS ARE FOUND:

  I recommend a periodic "SCANDISK" to check that all your files and
folders/directories are in order.  Many of us have encountered at one time or
another the dreaded lost clusters (or other errors) as reported by a
"SCANDISK".  "SCANDISK" will put the lost clusters into a file/s so you can
examine their contents incase they contain something important.  You may not
always recognize the contents and know what file/s it/they belong to.  NOTE:
Getting things "Fixed" may result in the loss of a file/s and/or a
directory/s.  I had that experience.

  If a "SCANDISK" reports errors, abort without "Fixing" anything.  Note:
That will be done later.

  1.  Run "ALL-LIST.BAT" (creates a list of all your folders and files in the
      drive).  This must be done in Dos mode (see "READ-ME.TXT).

  2.  Run "SCANDISK" again and this time "Fix" the errors.

  3.  With FCL, choose "Missing" and use the "ALL.LST" (reference file) to
      see what files and/or directories are missing

  CHANGED FILES:

  FCL compares the time, date, and size (bytes) of all files in the same
locations during a "Change" session.

  MISC. NOTES:

  "New" files generally refers to new additions.

  FCL is normally used to report "new", "missing" or "changed" files, but it
will also report a missing directory/folder during a files compare or missing
files session.

  If a new directory/folder is created after a list (reference file) was
created, it will not be detected by this version of FCL.  Therefore, all files
within that directory will not be detected.

   REPORT FILE OPTION:

  This feature will allow you to create a report file/s of the results (new,
missing, or changed), which can be useful to track changes over time.
Important note: When this feature is active, there will be no page pausing.
What you will see on the screen is the last page. All the information will be
in a text file.  If there were no changes, "nothing to report", no report file
will be created.

   REPORT FILE FILENAME:

   The filename of the report file will be unique for every report, as long as
you don't repeat the same mode (example: "New Files" in Windows) in less than
80 seconds (why would you?).  Note: You can make a "changed" report
immediately after a "new" or "missing" report or vise versa.

   Filename example: "WN01C2BI.TXT".  The first letter reflects the first
letter of the filename ("W"indows.lst").  The second letter reflects the mode,
"N"ew, "M"issing, or "C"hanged. The rest of the basename (6 characters) is
generated relative to date and time with an 80 second (approx.) resolution.

  CONCLUSION:

  This is not a "free" program.  A one time donation ($5.00 minimum) will be
very much appreciated.  For your donation, you will become a "donor".  Your
name, etc. will be added to the "donors" list.  As a "donor" (one time
donation), you can select (ask for) one or more programs to receive FREE such
as "Tree Restore", etc.  See (use "HELP") "OTH-PGMS.TXT" for information
about other programs.  Please include your e-mail address with your donation,
and the name/s of the other program/s you want (if any).  I will tell you in
the email message about the attachment (programs.zip) so you know it is safe
to open.  As a "donor", you will be entitled to receive all improved and new
programs (at your request) developed in the future (sent to you by e-mail).
As a "donor", you may request (from time to time) the latest list of programs
from which you can select to receive FREE.  If you know another shareware
author with a better offer, please let me know.

  The donation will motivate me to develop more programs and make improvements
in existing programs (add new features).

  Comments or complaints are always welcomed via email.  If you use "snail
mail" and expect a reply, please include a S.A.S.E.

  If you are overseas, the local bank charges a $10.00 service fee for checks
outside of U.S. I recommend that you send U.S. cash instead.

  Send $5.00 (or more) check, money order, or cash (put in foil for security)
to:

                     John Augustine N3AOF
                     3129 Earl St.
                     Laureldale, Pa 19605

            E-Mail:  jaugust@bellatlantic.net

