Updating PC-MOS Versions of Advanced Revelation

This bulletin addresses the correct technique for updating or upgrading a copy of Advanced Revelation (Versions 1.12 - 1.15) that has been converted for use with PC-MOS/386 using the PC-MOS Conversion Disk.

The process requires several extra steps. The first is to update or upgrade Advanced Revelation normally. However, because the update or upgrade process may overwrite records required to run under PC-MOS, these record must be restored manually from the PC-MOS Conversion Disk after the update or upgrade has finished.

Note: the PC-MOS Conversion Disk can be used as a source for PC-MOS specific records, but cannot be re-used to bump the number of users.

Before performing the Advanced Revelation update and rerunning the PC-MOS conversion process, you should make backup copies of the records that are replaced by PC-MOS versions during the PC-MOS conversion process. Each time that you run the PC-MOS conversion process, the current versions of the records $INPUT.CHAR and $INDEX.CONTROL in the VERBS file are copied to the records $INPUT.CHAR.OLD and $INDEX.CONTROL.OLD also in the VERBS file.

Any previous versions of $INPUT.CHAR.OLD and $INDEX.CONTROL.OLD will be overwritten. $INPUT.CHAR.OLD and $INDEX.CONTROL.OLD may be either DOS or PC-MOS versions depending on what process last replaced $INPUT.CHAR and $INDEX.CONTROL.

You can have copies of the DOS versions of $INPUT.CHAR and $INDEX.CONTROL readily available by making copies of the records $INPUT.CHAR and $INDEX.CONTROL before performing the PC-MOS conversion process for the first time or by making copies of the records $INPUT.CHAR.OLD and $INDEX.CONTROL.OLD after performing the PC-MOS conversion for the first time. Give the copies a unique name such as $INPUT.CHAR.DOS and $INDEX.CONTROL.DOS.$INPUT.CHAR has not been changed since Advanced Revelation Version 1.1. $INDEX.CONTROL has not been changed since Advanced Revelation Version 1.12. Therefore, if you back up the DOS versions of these records from an Advanced Revelation Version 1.12 or greater, you will not have to go through the backup procedure each time you update Advanced Revelation unless future updates modify these records.

If $INPUT.CHAR or $INDEX.CONTROL are modified by future updates you will be provided both DOS and PC-MOS versions of the records as part of the update.

You may also wish to make backup copies of the PC-MOS versions of $INPUT.CHAR and $INDEX.CONTROL to make it easier to switch between DOS and PC-MOS versions of Advanced Revelation. Make copies of $INPUT.CHAR and $INDEX.CONTROL after performing the PC-MOS conversion process and before performing an Advanced Revelation update. Again, give the backup records unique names such as $INPUT.CHAR.MOS and $INDEX.CONTROL.MOS.

Keep the following in mind when making backups of the DOS and PC-MOS records and switching between DOS and PC-MOS versions of Advanced Revelation. $INPUT.CHAR and $INDEX.CONTROL will always be PC-MOS versions after running the PC-MOS conversion process and before subsequent application of an update to Advanced Revelation. Advanced Revelation Maintenance Release Updates may or may not replace $INPUT.CHAR and $INDEX.CONTROL.

Running the PC-MOS conversion process after performing a maintenance update will insure that $INPUT.CHAR and $INDEX.CONTROL are PC-MOS versions. Also remember that the DOS versions of $INPUT.CHAR and $INDEX.CONTROL will run under PC-MOS but that the PC-MOS versions will not run properly under DOS.

Restoring the PC-MOS Network DriverWhen an Advanced Revelation maintenance update is performed, the NETWORK.DRIVERS file is cleared and the latest versions of the Advanced Revelation network drivers are copied to the file. Since the PC-MOS multiuser driver is not included on the Advanced Revelation Maintenance disks, it will be lost from the NETWORK.DRIVERS file. When performing an update on an Advanced Revelation system that has been converted to run under PC-MOS, the update process will look in the NETWORK.DRIVERS file for the currently selected driver. Since the PC-MOS multiuser driver will not be found, the Non-Networking driver will be selected. Your system will not be capable of multiuser record locking until you rerun the PC-MOS conversion process and select the PC-MOS MULTI-USER Driver.

Note: do not attempt multiuser access to files until you have restored your PC-MOS driver, or data corruption may result.

The PC-MOS conversion process copies the PC-MOS multiuser driver to the NETWORK.DRIVERS file and then calls the bump window to enable you to select the new driver. After the REVBOOT file has been rebuilt you can exit the BUMP window by pressing the [Esc] key. After you log off and back on, Advanced Revelation will be using the PC-MOS versions of $INPUT.CHAR, $INDEX.CONTROL and the PC-MOS multiuser driver.

1. Save backup copies of the DOS versions of $INPUT.CHAR and $INDEX.CONTROL.
2. Run the maintenance update.
3. Run the PC-MOS Conversion process, and select the PC-MOS multiuser driver from the BUMP window. Be sure to escape from the BUMP window after the REVBOOT file has been rebuilt. Do not save the contents of the Bump window using [F9].

PC-MOS is a trademark of The Software Link.