                      Cowan Software, Ltd.
                       962 Harris Parkway
                     Cartersville, GA 30120



                      IMPORTANT NOTICE !!!

It is not always possible to predict how this program or any pro-
gram that alters the disk boot sector will function in a particu-
lar system.   Backup  important disks  and use the program on the
backup copy  for maximum  safety. See  the license  and liability
disclaimer at  the end  of this  document. The program requires a
286 or higher IBM Compatible machine.

                            AutoBoot

During the  booting routine,  the processor looks at the A: drive
to check  for the  presence of a diskette. This is both necessary
and useful.  For example,  if the  hard drive malfunctions, or if
the configuration  files become  corrupted, a  system disk can be
inserted in  the A: drive and the boot process continued from the
A: drive.  Problems with the hard drive can then be corrected or,
if necessary,  it can be reformatted. Likewise, some programs re-
quire a  special machine  configuration, so they interrupt normal
booting and use a special CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT file stored
on the program diskette.

Unfortunately, if  a non-system disk is left in the A: drive, the
booting process  stops. You must open the A: drive door and press
a key  to continue the bootup. This can be a nuisance if for some
reason you want to leave a data disk in the A: drive.

The AUTOBOOT  program modifies  diskettes so  they can be left in
the A:  drive during  boot up.  It does so without using any disk
space and  may be  used on old disks that already contain data as
well as  newly formatted  disks. It  goes without saying that DOS
system disks  and any  program disks that need to capture control
during bootup  must not  be converted  or their usefulness may be
lost.

                Uses for "Transparent Diskettes"

Many times it is helpful to use a floppy diskette as a backup for
wordprocessor or  database files.  This is a convenient and inex-
pensive alternative  to tape backup for small systems. At the end
of a  work session,  modified files  can be  copied over  to  the
diskette.  Once   processed,   the   backup   diskette   can   be
"permanently" left in the drive.

                         Using AUTOBOOT

The program  is started  by placing  the diskette in the A: or B:
drive, or  accessing the  directory on the hard drive where it is
stored. Type  AUTOBOOT and  press <enter>.  You now  must  select
which drive to process (A or B).

The program  will tell  you what it is about to do and ask you to
press "Y"  if you  wish to  continue. If  you started the program
from the  floppy, you  can remove the program diskette and insert
diskettes to be processed into that drive.

Diskettes to be processed must be formatted and not be write pro-
tected. Existing files will not be affected as only the boot sec-
tor is  modified. Once  a disk  has been processed, it can be re-
moved and others processed during the same session.

Converted diskettes  may be  left in  the A:  drive during bootup
without terminating the process. The system will continue booting
using the CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files on the hard drive.



                License and Liability Limitations
                                

This program is protected by U.S. Copyright laws. You are li-
censed to use this product in the manner described in this docu-
ment for a trial period of 30 days. The program and the associ-
ated documents may be transferred to Bulletin Boards and to other
users provided they accept the 30 day limitation.

Diskettes processed using this program are for the use of the li-
censee and may not be sold to another.

This program is warranted to be free of known defects at the time
of distribution and to function as described in the supplied lit-
erature.

Due to the complex nature of computer software, the possibility
of unrecognized software errors, and the unpredictable result
this program might have when used in a particular system, Cowan
Software, Ltd. assumes no liability for any adverse result stem-
ming from the use of this product. Such adverse possibilities in-
clude, but are not limited to, the loss of data and program mate-
rial as well as the loss of revenue due to system malfunction.


