RamGate TSR

Internet Version

USER Manual


NOTE: RamGate and RamGate Sampler only support 16 bit Windows 
      applications operating on a Program Manager Desktop. 
      vbrun300.dll is a required file. It should be on most systems. If you
      need help on getting, this file if you do not have it, go to our WWW 
      site and check the 'evaluation' page, or e-mail us.	   



Copyright    1994-95 Ni-Tech Pty Limited

	http://www.ramgate.com.au
	E-mail info@ramgate.com.au
	ftp://ftp.ramgate.com.au
	NI-TECH Suite 5, Level 12, 88 Pitt Street Sydney NSW 2000 Australia
	FAX (612) 232 6549

Please Note: Before installing this software, you should read the terms of 
the Licence Agreement at the end of this file. Installing this software will indicate 
your acceptance of the terms of this Licence Agreement. If you do not agree to 
the terms of this Licence Agreement,  remove this software from your computer.

Copies of this demonstration program may be freely distributed, as long as it is 
distributed as is i.e. the complete ramgate.zip file.


Contents:

1.	Introduction

Welcome
Windows - A Brief Technical Overview
Why Windows Crashes Occur
How RamGate Works
RamGate and RamGate Pro - What's the difference.


2.	Installing RamGate

System Requirements
RamGate Installation


3.	FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)


Microsoft and Windows are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All
other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

1.	Introduction

Welcome

Welcome to RamGate - System Resource Manager for Windows.

RamGate controls the way in which Windows manages system resources and
memory.

Windows crashes or General Protection Faults (GPFs) as they are most
commonly known, can be disastrous. Huge amounts of data can be lost and
there is no way of predicting when or where they will strike. Makeshift
solutions include running only a few applications and regularly saving
your work.

One of the primary causes of GPFs is the improper accessing of memory. By
managing the way in which Windows and Windows applications use system
resources and memory, RamGate is effectively able to stabilise your
Windows environment.

As more and more resource hungry applications are released by the major
software houses, the risk of GPFs occurring when running several
applications simultaneously increases significantly.

The result of using RamGate is a significant reduction in the occurrence
of memory based GPFs.

RamGate lets you run many resource hungry applications simultaneously
while still providing stability inside Windows. Free Windows System
Resources can be minimal without any loss in performance of the
applications you are running.


Windows - a brief technical overview

Windows is a Graphical User Interface (GUI) which allows the user to
operate the computer by means of pointing and clicking on functions
which are represented by icons.

As far as memory management is concerned, there are three key Windows files.
KRNL386.EXE is the DOS file in Windows which controls system resources.
GDI.EXE is the DOS file in Windows which controls graphics drivers.
USER.EXE-is the DOS file in Windows controlling memory.

Random Access Memory or RAM is the computer's basic memory or in layman's
terms, its ability to process information. Virtual Memory  refers to the
section of the hard disk drive which is used to simulate RAM in Windows
(sometimes called a swap file) when physical RAM is full.

There are two important blocks of system resources. These are GDI and USER.
In Windows 3.1 and 3.11, each of block is 64 kilobytes in size. In Windows
NT and Windows 95, they are 4GB in size.


Why Windows Crashes Occur

Windows crashes occur because Windows is a multi-tasking environment. A
multi-tasking environemnt is one which allows the simultaneous operation
of 2 or more functions or applications.

In order to multi-task, Windows requires the assistance of a 386 or higher
processor. The processor can make applications believe that they are the
only application running. It achieves this by creating several "virtual
machines". Each virtual machine has its own memory address space. The
processor runs in what is known as protected mode and attempts to keep
applications from interfering with each other.

GPFs occur when an application attempts to use an area of memory which is
being used by another piece of software; either another application, a
device driver or even Windows itself.

There are several conventional techniques which can help minimise your
Windows crashes.

Determine the nature of the GPF

Note the exact error message that Windows gives you. Often, it will
indicate which application has caused the problem. It can then be examined
and if required, re-installed.

Incompatible Hardware

Adding a CD-ROM drive, a new monitor or modem can cause driver problems if
the new hardware is incompatible. Remove all occurences of any new
hardware drivers from your configuration files.

Reinstall your software

If your GPF is consistent, it is possible that a program file may have got
corrupted. Re-installing the software from the original disks may solve
the problem.

Tidy Up your Hard Disk

De-fragment your hard disk drive by running defrag in DOS. Also run CHKDSK
and/or SCANDISK to repair any problems with your files.



How RamGate Works


The basic principle behind RamGate is simple. To use memory and resources
contiguously. That is, rather than jumping all over the place to find
small blocks of resources and memory, RamGate ensures that when an
application makes a request for resources, it is given a block immediately
next to the previously allocated block. Additionally, a small buffer zone
is built into the request for and subsequent allocation of resources. This
basic allocation method is in contrast to that of native Windows which
will grab memory from all over the place.

Contiguous use of memory will provide for a more efficient operation of
Windows as well as improved stability. This is why you will be able to
safely run more programs than ever before.

Most importantly, RamGate uses no memory or resource compression techniques.
This is important as memory and resource compression can lead to unwanted
side effects.


RamGate and RamGate Pro - What's the Difference.


RamGate is a Terminate Stay Resident (TSR) program that once started, will
remain active until closed by the user. RamGate puts a protective layer
around the system resources and memory and a shield inside Windows itself.
It will allow you to open many more applications without crashing than you
previously could. To achieve maximum stability, however, each application
needs to be protected from every other application. This is what RamGate
Pro does.

In addition to putting a general protective layer around Windows, RamGate
Pro puts an extra protective layer around individual applications for
which it has been configured. It is the ideal choice for power users and
those who work with critical data. Even if some of the applications that
you run under Windows are not supported by RamGate Pro, configuring those
of your applications which are supported is well worth the effort. You
will notice a marked improvement in the number of applications that you
can safely open. Because RamGate Pro pre-defines blocks of system
resources and memory to be used by applications, even an application which
is not supported will run with greater stability as it will more neatly
fit into unused resource and memory addresses. If maximum Windows
stability is your goal, RamGate Pro is your product of choice.

Happy Computing!




2.	INSTALLING RamGate


System Requirements

386, 486, Pentium or equivalent PC
4MB RAM or higher
3MB hard disk space
Windows 3.1, 3.11, Windows for Workgroups, Windows NT or Windows 95



RamGate Installation

The installation procedure assumes that Windows 3.1,3.11, Windows for
Workgroups, Windows NT or Windows 95 is already installed on your hard disk.
If it is not, you must install it before trying to install RamGate.


To install RamGate Sampler on your system:


UnZip ramgate.zip into a temporay directory e.g. c:\temp.
From the Program Manager, select the File menu and choose Run.
Type 'drive:\tempdir\setup' e.g. c:\temp\setup in the Command Line
box and click on OK or press Enter. 	
The RamGate setup screen will appear with the default directory
displayed. You can accept the default directory or change it to
install the program in a different directory. If you wish to change
the target directory, type the new directory and press Enter.
Click on Continue or press Enter to continue the installation. The
status window will appear to indicate how the installation is
proceeding.

When the installation is complete and all the files are copied to
the target directory, the final installation screen will appear.
The screen will state that the installation is complete. You do
not need to restart Windows.

Once RamGate has been loaded, you should place the RamGate icon into your
Startup group so that you will immediately get the benefit of RamGate
each time you use Windows.


The RamGate Resource Monitor (complete version only available with licensed
copies of RamGate).


RamGate comes with a graphical style interface which lets you see at
glance all your important system resource statistics.


Unused Memory

The unused memory graph indicates the amount of unused memory on your system. The
total memory available is a combination of physical RAM and virtual memory.

The graph assumes that your total available memory is between 10MB and 100MB.
If it is less than 10MB, it will be scaled by a factor of 10. That is, if
the total of your physical RAM and virtual memory is 5MB, then The RamGate
Resource Monitor will indicate 50 MB. If your total memory is over 100MB
then it will be scaled down by a factor of 1:10. That is, if you have
200MB of physical RAM and virtual memory, the RamGate Resource Monitor
will show 20MB.


USER Resources and GDI Resources

These are the two main components of Windows system resources. Indeed,
when you take a resource count in Windows, it is the lower of these two
figures that constitutes the amount of free system resources.


Resource Stability without RamGate

Most unprotected Windows systems begin to become unstable when 35%-45% of
free system resources have been used. This graph reflects the amount of
stable free system resources you would have had available if you were not
using RamGate.


Resource Stability with RamGate

This graph reflects the amount of stable free system resources you have
available when you are using RamGate.

Note:	Choosing the Exit option from the resource Monitor will close
RamGate. If you want RamGate to remain open when you are not viewing the
Resource Monitor, choose Hide.


3.	FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)


Q:	Does RamGate change any of my system settings?

A:	No. RamGate will not change any of your system configuration files. In 	fact, there
are no nasty side effects to RamGate.


Q:	Do I need RamGate or RamGate Pro if I'm running Windows NT or
	Windows 95?

A:	Yes. Windows NT and Windows 95 should provide slightly more stability 	tha
n Windows 3.1 and 3.11, but the basic memory addressing 	architectures	are
identical. If you're using 16 bit applications you are still susceptible to 	GPFs just as with
Windows 3.1 and 3.11.


Q:	I'm using RamGate and I'm still getting GPFs.

A:	If the GPFs are consistent then they are very likely to be driver
	based GPFs. Remove all occurences of any new hardware drivers from
	your configuration files.


Q:	I'm still getting Out of Memory Errors.

A:	RamGate allows you to run more applications by stabilising your
	Windows environment. The GDI and USER resource blocks in Windows
	are a fixed size. RamGate cannot increase these. It can only make
	them work more efficently. Beware of utilities which make claims
	to the contrary.


Q:	Why do I still lose free system resources when I open and close
	applications?

A:	RamGate And RamGate Pro allow applications, upon their
	initialisation, to freeze a portion of memory stack as they
	normally would. However, once this initial freeze has occured, no
	additional memory will be frozen by these applications. Removing
	the memory stack freeze during a current session would introduce
	the possibility of a crash to DOS.


Q:	I get Out of Memory messages in my Spreadsheet application.

A:	This message may appear with or without RamGate . This error is
	usually caused by too much information being held in a spreadsheet.
	If more than 64Kb of information is held then these errors become
	common as the application attempts to use all the free system
	resources.

Q:	Does RamGate affect DOS applications run in Windows?

A:	No. RamGate only works with Windows applications.


Q:	Does RamGate affect Cooperative multi-tasking?

A:	Yes. RamGate actually enhances Cooperative multi-tasking.

Q:	Can I run RamGate and RamGate Pro at the same time?

A:	Yes. This way you will receive RamGate's general Windows protection
	and specific protection for particular applications from Ramgate
	Pro.



4.	Uninstalling RamGate Sampler


RamGate comes with an uninstall program that can be found in the RamGate 
Sampler group after installation.

To uninstall RamGate double click the uninstall icon and follow the 
instructions as they appear on screen.

You may wish to move the uninstall icons to another group so that you do 
not inadvetantly remove RamGate.



5.	A Note About Bruce Parker

Bruce was born in Orange, New South Wales, Australia. A country boy at 
heart, he had dabbled in a number of fields including photography, 
restaurants and deer breeding. Having studied computer science at Sydney 
University (he never got his degree - isn't there another guy who did this?) 
Bruce likes to program in Pascal, Fortran, C and C++. He also does a bit 
under sufference in Visual Basic.

It was in his capacity as database administrator in a large Australian law 
firm that Bruce became increasingly frustrated with the inherent 
instability of Windows applications (and lawyers). It was also here that 
he met up with lawyer, Peter Havas.

In early 1994, Bruce and Peter together founded Ni-Tech Pty Limited 
(named for the noise made by the Holy Grail knights).

Ni-Tech Pty Limited
Software Licence Agreement


Please Note: Before installing this software, you should read the terms of 
this Licence Agreement. Installing this software will indicate your 
acceptance of the terms of this Licence Agreement. If you do not agree to 
the terms of this Licence Agreement,  remove this software from your 
computer.


Licence Grant

This Licence Agreement grants to you a non-exclusive right, without right 
to sub-licence, to use this Software on a single computer at a time for a 
period of 30 days. You may not reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble 
the Software.


Copyright

The Software is owned by Ni-Tech Pty Limited ("Ni-Tech") and is protected 
by Australian copyright laws and international treaty provisions. The 
Software is also subject to an international PCT patent application. No 
part of this Software and its accompanying documentation may be copied or 
reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent 
of Ni-Tech except that you may copy the Software solely for backup purposes.


Limited Warranty

Ni-Tech warrants that the Software will perform substantially in accordance 
with the accompanying written materials for a period of thirty (30) days 
from the date of receipt. Any implied warranties on the Software are 
limited to thirty (30) days unless such limitation on duration is otherwise 
prohibited by law.


No Other Warranties

Ni-Tech does not warrant that the Software is error free. Ni-Tech disclaims 
all other warranties, either express or implied, including but not limited 
to implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose 
and non-infringement of third party rights with respect to the Software.


Limitation of Liability

In no event shall Ni-Tech or its suppliers be liable for any consequential, 
incidental or indirect damages of any kind whatever (including, without 
limitation, damages for loss of business profits, business interruption, 
loss of business information, or other pecuniary loss) arising out of the 
use of or the inability to use the Software even if Ni-Tech or its suppliers 
have been advised of the possibility of such damages. In no event shall 
Ni-Tech's liability for any claims whether in contract, tort or other 
theory of liability exceed the licence fee paid, unless such limitation of 
liability is otherwise prohibited by law.


Term

This Licence Agreement is effective until terminated. You may terminate 
this Licence Agreement by destroying the Software in all its forms.


General

This is the entire agreement between you and Ni-Tech and supersedes any 
prior agreement whether written or oral relating to the subject matter of 
this agreement. In the event of invalidity of any provision of this 
agreement, the parties agree that such invalidity shall not affect the
remaining portions of the agreement.


Governing Law

This Licence Agreement shall be governed by the laws of New South Wales, 
Australia.

