=====================================================================
!!!!!!!!!!!! This file contains some helpful information !!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!                 SKI 2.3                     !!!!!!!!!!!!
=====================================================================

*********************************************************************
If you want to print this file or read it later you will find it
in your SKI program directory: README.SKI
*********************************************************************

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SKI NEEDS VSHARE / SHARE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In order to run SKI vshare or share must be installed. Vshare from 
Windows is better as it saves conventional memory. SKI works with
vshare.386 (system.ini) or share.exe (autoexec.bat).

SHARE.EXE is an MS-DOS terminate and stay resident (TSR) program that 
provides file sharing and file locking support when you are running 
applications in MS-DOS.

Windows provides a virtual device driver (VxD), called VSHARE.386, that 
provides the same functionality of SHARE.EXE without using any 
conventional memory. 

Removing SHARE.EXE from Autoexec.bat will save approximately 6K of 
conventional memory.
  
Note: It is only necessary to load SHARE.EXE when running applications 
from MS-DOS (i.e., without starting Windows) that require file sharing 
and file locking support.  Check the documentation provided with your 
DOS applications to determine whether SHARE.EXE is necessary.

For SKI you can decide either to install vshare.386 or share.exe.

In order to install vshare.386 add a line in system.ini in the 386Enh
section:

[386Enh]
DEVICE=VSHARE.386

The driver VSHARE.386 itself must be in the Windows\System directory.



!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SKI ERROR REPORTING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you detect any software bugs in SKI (like: Unrecoverable
Application Error, db-Vista errors, errormessages with PLEASE
CALL TECHNICAL SUPPORT etc.) OR if you have any hints for im-
proving SKI please send a FAX to the dealer through whom you 
purchased the software:


If you have problems please provide the following information:

- Version no. of SKI component
  To get the version no. enter the component (e.g. Configuration)
  and get the version no. from the AboutBox

- Your hardware configuration (computer - e.g. Compaq Deskpro
  386/20e, your monitor e.g. Compaq EGA Monitor)

- Your Dos Version no.

- Your Windows version no.
  - the mode in which windows is running (Enhanced Mode or Standard
    Mode)
  - Free Memory
  - Free System Resources

  To get this information:
     Click on [Help] in the Program Manager
     Choose [About Program Manager]

- Your autoexec.bat and your config.sys

- Describe the problem you have

We try to solve your problem immediately.



!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Program for checking the database !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Under your program directory of SKI you will find a DOS-program
"dbcheck" for checking your databases. From time to time you should
check your databases to make sure that they are still consistent.

How to check your project databases:
1) change to a project directory
2) call "dbcheck -p10 dbproj"
3) check the output on the screen

How to check your global database:
1) change to the directory where your dbglobal is
   (e.g. C:\SKI\DB\DBGLOBAL)
2) call "dbcheck -p10 dbglobal"
3) check the output on the screen

How to check your dbtrans database:
1) change to the directory where your dbtrans is
   (e.g. C:\SKI\DB\DBTRANS)
2) call "dbcheck -p10 dbtrans"
3) check the output on the screen

If "dbcheck" reports any errors make a backup of your database and
CALL TECHNICAL SUPPORT.


!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!    How to install the Mel-PC Cardreader    !!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This section does not describe the installation procedure of the
OMNI PCMCIA Cardreader. For the installation of the OMNI PCMCIA
Cardreader please refer to the manual that you get together with
the OMNI PCMCIA Cardreader.

The Mel-PC Cardreader normally is installed by the SKI installation
program. If you have any problems with the Cardreader you can also
install the Mel-PC Cardreader manually.


1) Copy the file MEL-PC.SYS to the (root)directory where CONFIG.SYS
   and AUTOEXEC.BAT are. In most cases it is C:\

2) Insert the following line in CONFIG.SYS:

   device=c:\mel-pc.sys /V=40  

   == > (if config.sys,autoexec are under c:\)

3) Connect the CardReader to the computer

   Reboot your computer

   You should see the following box:

   -----------------------------------
   / CSM MEL-PC DRIVER Version V2.10 /
   / 115 kBaud High Speed Version    /      
   /     (c) 1989,90,91 CSM GmbH     /
   /     installed as drive [Drive]  /
   -----------------------------------


4) Start Windows
   Insert a MemoryCard
   In the FileManager from Windows you can select the CardReader-Drive
   to check whether it is working

5) HINT:
   THE CARDREADER MAY NOT WORK OUTSIDE FROM WINDOWS!!!



IF THE CARDREADER IS NOT WORKING
================================

1) Is the Cardreader connected to the computer?

2) Is the mel-pc.sys in the directory where config.sys and
   autoexec.bat are?

3) Check in config.sys whether you have inserted the line properly

4) Do you see the box for the Cardreader on the screen if you boot
   your computer?

5) If the Cardreader is still not working try the following

   Insert:

      LASTDRIVE=Z

   in config.sys

6) Change the line

      device=c:\mel-pc.sys /V=40

   to

      device=c:\mel-pc.sys /1 /V=40

      - if the CardReader is connected to serial port 1

   or try

      device=c:\mel-pc.sys /2 /V=40

      - if the CardReader is connected to serial port 2

7) If it is still not working try a different number.
   Change /V=40 to /V=60 or V=0 or another number up to 100

8) If you get the Message "System Error - Cannot read from Drive
   [drive]" then press [Retry]. Unfortunatly the MessagBox will
   not disappear from the screen but the Cardreader may already
   work then - you would see this on the Cardreader if the light
   is on.

9) Maybe you also have the possibility to try out the Cardreader
   on another Computer.

10)Check whether you have inserted the MemoryCard correctly.



!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!    RS232 Communication    !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Communication problems (Controller <--> SKI, Sensor <--> SKI) with the
RS232 communication port (=serial port) could be caused by several
reasons:

1) The communication port is not set correctly (COM1 or COM2)
   Solution: Go to [Settings] in the appropriate component in
             SKI and change the communication port.

2) The baud rate is too high.
   Solution: Go to [Settings] in the appropriate component in
             SKI and change the baud rate. Please note that a
             baud rate of 38400 baud is not supported by every
             computer.

3) Your computer uses a 16550 UART chip.
   Solution: There is a known problem with the 16550 UART chip under
             Windows. With a new driver (serial.386) and additional
             settings in the system.ini file the problem can be
             solved.

             I.   Copy the new driver "Serial.386" from the SKI program
                  directory into your Windows System directory (first
                  make a backup of your original driver).

             II.  In "System.ini" in the Windowsdirectory under
                  "[386Enh]" section add the following 2 lines:

                  COM1FIFO=0
                  COM2FIFO=0

                  These 2 lines disable (set to zero) the First-in
                  First-out buffer of COM1 and COM2.

             III. RESTART WINDOWS

4) The sensor or the controller is connected to a battery and the
   battery is low.
   Solution: Charge the battery

5) Something is wrong with the connection and/or cables.
   Solution: Check connection and cables


Please note that the communication protocol is always automatically
set by SKI. SKI does not use but also does not modify the communication
settings which can be set in the Control Panel under Ports. Changing
the communication settings in the Control Panel under Ports does not
affect SKI.


Updated
July 13, 1998
