There are three files available for downloading. Click on any of
the three underlined file descriptions to start the download process.
Main program file
The primary download file is named START.EXE. This is the only
file that you really must have. START.EXE is a self-extracting
copy of STARS for DOS. When you execute this file, it will create or
replace the main program files for the current version of STARS for
DOS.
If you already have a working copy of STARS for DOS, copy START.EXE into
the directory where your current copy of STARS for DOS is installed,
and then execute START. START will upgrade your
existing installation, replacing only those files that need to be
replaced and converting forward your existing data into the new file
structures. Remember, be sure to run a full backup
of all files in your STARS directory before executing START.
If you have never used STARS for DOS before, copy START.EXE into an
empty subdirectory and then execute it. This will create a 90-day free trial copy
of the software. The first time you run STARS after executing START,
all the main data tables will be automatically created.
In either case, as you start up STARS, you will see a brief message informing you
that your data file structures are being converted into formats
compatible with the new version. If data initialization is
successful, you may later delete all files with filenames ending in
BAK. (If data initialization is unsuccessful, do not try to repeat
the upgrade process until the problem has been resolved.)
After upgrading, go to the program defaults screens and verify all the
information found there.
Administrator's Guide
The second file that you will probably want to download is the latest
version of the STARS for DOS Administrator's Guide. This file, named
STARSDOS.DOC, is a Microsoft Word 97 document file. It is
actually two documents in one, designed to enable you to print a
double-sided copy of the manual.
If you have Microsoft Word, here's how to print the manual:
- Retrieve STARSDOS.DOC into Word.
- Do File / Print to print page 0.
This will print 8 pages.
- Replace these 8 pages in your printer tray, face down, without
reordering the pages.
- Repeat File / Print to print page 1.
This procedure will give you a complete double-sided copy of the Adminstrator's
Guide, including the cover page, in the same format as the official
distribution copy.
Installation Utility
If you wish to create a turnkey intallation disk like the one you
received when you first ordered STARS, you may want to download a copy of
INSTALL.EXE. The purpose of this program file is to
automate the process of creating a STARS directory and then copying
and extracting START.EXE. This file plus START.EXE are the contents
of the standard demo disk that we ship to new users.
Remember to backup first!!!
Before executing START.EXE to upgrade an existing installation of
STARS, you should back up all files in the directory containing your
current installation. If for any reason, your upgrade should fail,
your backup will give you the means to recover your previous version with your
existing data.
If you do not backup your data prior to an upgrade, you are taking
an unnecessary risk whose consequences can be extremely serious.