Ctrl-Alt-Del Commander* (CAD Commander) takes control of the boot services of an OS/2 Warp** system. It prevents accidental rebooting of OS/2 from within any type of OS/2, DOS, or Windows*** session. In addition, it also allows "rebooting" of the Workplace Shell** without stopping any running applications. Finally, it gives complete command over all application's status (including their priorities), and allows selective shutdown of errant applications which cannot normally be shutdown via OS/2's Ctrl-ESC key sequence. The retail version 1.5 introduces several new features including a handy and configurable system status line on your WPS desktop (showing CPU usage, Swapper space used, time, date, etc.), and the new Ctrl-Alt-Del Commander Control Panel notebook to let you fully customize the Ctrl-Alt-Del Commander.
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about the Ctrl-Atl-Del Commander for OS/2 Warp:
Can it kill any program I want?Beginning with verson 1.5, and when combined with OS/2 Warp with Fixpack 17 or later (including OS/2 Warp 4.0 - codenamed "Merlin"), Ctrl-Alt-Del Commander can kill applications even at the "Kernel" level. This means that there will be virtually no programs that cannot be killed, even when the system appears completely frozen.
How can I use it to make DOS games go faster?Beginning with version 1.5 the Ctrl-Alt-Del Commander adds a new option to your DOS and Window's program objects, in the "DOS Settings" page, which lets you toggle on the "Ctrl-Alt-Del Commander Game Boost" option. This option will modify the way OS/2 runs the DOS/Win fullscreen session so that it basically "hogs" the entire system - not necessarily a good thing if you're downloading things in the background, but boy does it make certain DOS games really fly!
What does it do for me?The Ctrl-Alt-Del Commander can save you from losing data and make using OS/2 an even more enjoyable experience. It can prevent you from accidentally rebooting your system by pressing Ctrl-Alt-Del from within any OS/2, DOS, or Windows session.
It can overcome most OS/2 Workplace shell desktop hangs, without your applications having to shutdown your OS/2 system. It shows you the resources used by OS/2 (including memory, drives, etc.). It also shows you details on your hardware and the OS/2 environment.
It lets you increase (or decrease) priority on any application running in your system. Using it you can terminate programs that do not work correctly. You can also access an OS/2 command prompt at any time even if the Workplace Shell desktop is frozen. The Ctrl-Alt-Del Commander also lets you view details on specific applications, including thread priorities, DLL's used, and other important information.
Version 1.5, coming around Mid-July, greatly enhanced functionality and ease-of-use. It includes a new WPS control panel, a novice user mode to make life even easier, a new method for killing hung applications that works at the "Kernel" mode (which means it can kill almost any hung application regardless what the program is doing), and a new Game Boost mode for DOS and Windows full screen applications which can greatly improve their performance under OS/2.
The upgrade will be free to all registered Ctrl-Alt-Del Commander users.
What kind of user interface does it have?The Ctrl-Alt-Del Commanders user interface is very easy to master. Using either your mouse or keyboard you can quickly select any command from the pull down menus (which are CUA compliant), access online help, or view details on any running application in your system. Information and commands are only a mouse click away. The online help explains all operations and the online documentation further enhances the ease of using the Ctrl-Alt-Del Commander for OS/2 Warp.
How much does it cost?The suggested retail price (SRP) is only $29.00 (U.S.). You may find it discounted through your favorite OS/2 software retailer. If your retailer doesn't carry it have them contact PCS (at 360-428-5025) and ask for dealer accounts. Site licensing and quantity discounts may be available.
What Versions of OS/2 are supported?All versions of OS/2 Warp, including OS/2 Warp Server, OS/2 Warp Connect, OS/2 Warp with Win-OS/2 and OS/2 Warp for Windows. All fixpack levels up through fixpack 17 are compatible.
It does not work with any version of OS/2 prior to OS/2 Warp. If demand allows it we may produce an OS/2 2.11 version.
How does it work with WFP 17's SIQ mode?IBM introduced with Warp Fixpack # 17 the ability to modify the way the Single Input Queue (SIQ) is handled by OS/2. It provides greater ability for OS/2 to handle OS/2 applications that hang up the desktop. However, it still is limited in its abilities. It is our belief that with a combination of both the Ctrl-Alt-Del Commander and the WFP 17 virtually no desktop hangups should cause you to lose data again.
Can it kill any program I want?Beginning with verson 1.5, and when combined with OS/2 Warp with Fixpack 17 or later (including OS/2 Warp 4.0 - codenamed "Merlin"), Ctrl-Alt-Del Commander can kill applications even at the "Kernel" level. This means that there will be virtually no programs that cannot be killed, even when the system appears completely frozen.
How can I use it to make DOS games go faster?Beginning with version 1.5 the Ctrl-Alt-Del Commander adds a new option to your DOS and Window's program objects, in the "DOS Settings" page, which lets you toggle on the "Ctrl-Alt-Del Commander Game Boost" option. This option will modify the way OS/2 runs the DOS/Win fullscreen session so that it basically "hogs" the entire system - not necessarily a good thing if you're downloading things in the background, but boy does it make certain DOS games really fly!
Does it work with Bocasoft Wipeout Screensaver?Ctrl-Alt-Del Commander before versions 1.4 do not work with the Wipeout screensaver.
Beginning with Ctrl-Alt-Del Commander 1.4 and later the two work together properly!
How do I order the Ctrl-Alt-Del Commander for OS/2?You can order it by calling 1-800-IPF-7622 (Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm). Or fax your purchase order to 360-428-5025. You may also be able to order it from your favorite OS/2 software retailer, such as Indelible Blue. Australian customers can order from Sentience Software.
What are the RAM and DASD (disk) requirements?The Ctrl-Alt-Del commander requires about 196K of RAM when running. However, some of the RAM is used by the replacement keyboard driver so actual new RAM usage is only about 160K. The Ctrl-Alt-Del Commander for OS/2 Warp only requires about 350K of space so it can be installed on any local hard drive. Beginning with verson 1.5 the requirements go up (due to more online help and new features) to require a total of 600K of disk space and about 220K of RAM.
When will it be available?The Ctrl-Alt-Del Commander is available now! Announcements of updates will be made on either the PCS Support BBS or via the PCS Web site. The currently shipping version is 1.4 and fixes all known bugs, as well as significantly enhances functionality over the previous versions.
What are the upgrade policies?PCS upgrade policies provide end-users with the right to download patches to our software. Our upgrades provide both enhancements (new features) and quality improvements. As new OS/2 Fixpacks or new OS/2 Warp versions are released by IBM look for updates on the PCS web site.
Purchasers of the original Ctrl-Alt-Del Commander can download the patch to version 1.4 from this Web Site. A patch to version 1.5 is expected to be made available by mid-July 1996.
Is there a demo available?A demonstration of Ctrl-Alt-Del Commander 1.5 is now available! It has been
tested with all versions of Warp through the first non-public Merlin Beta.
This is a fully functional demonstration using code at the same level
as the demonstration version will be shipped with the OS/2 Warp 4.0 (Merlin) in
the fall. It is not at the same level as the retail Ctrl-Alt-Del Commander
1.5 (since when this demo was created, that retail version had not yet
been released). Try the demo.
As a potential purchaser of the PCS Ctrl-Alt-Del Commander for OS/2 Warp
we feel it is important that you be aware of the limitations of our products
before you buy them so you aren't surprised. While it is our intention
to remove all limitations with future updates this section covers current
known limitations.
The Ctrl-Alt-Del Commander can be activated at almost any time. However,
some system failures are non-recoverable due to the nature of the operating
system. Trap errors (black text screens with lots of numbers displayed) are
never recoverable.
Some PM queue hangups are not recoverable depending
on the type of hangup. Generally these kind of desktop freezes can be
handled by activating the Ctrl-Alt-Del Commander and then killing the
offending application. Sometimes, however, an application will refuse to
die. This is almost always because a background thread in the application
has latched onto the Presentation Manager and won't let go. The Ctrl-Alt-Del
Commander can help you overcome these problems by letting you shutdown other
applications gracefully. Version 1.3 and later of the Ctrl-Alt-Del Commander virtually
eliminates this problem and works on nearly every hang generated by
errant PM applications.
Some applications also refuse to let the Ctrl-Alt-Del Commander switch to the
foreground. Generally this is because they have locked access to the physical
video buffer used by PM. Currently the only solution is to try to press
Ctrl-Alt-Del 3 times - this will terminate the current foreground application
(usually the one causing the trouble). Beginning with Ctrl-Alt-Del Commander 1.5
this is almost guaranteed to terminate the offending program - if it is the
"foreground" application. However, if the application does
not terminate pressing Ctrl-Alt-Del two more times will reboot the desktop.
This often solves the problem. If that still doesn't fix everything, you are
left with only one alternative - pressing Ctrl-Alt-Del five more times and
rebooting your system. Version 1.3 and later of the Ctrl-Alt-Del Commander virtually
eliminates this problem using a new technique that has yielded far greater
success than previous versions.
In a word - YES! It has been thoroughly tested for several months of beta
testing and is rock solid. As new versions of OS/2 Warp are released we will
immediately test it for compatibility and release patches, if necessary.
Yes. The currently shipping version only supports the English language. A planned
free update will support French, German, and Spanish. It should be available
by Third Quarter 1996.
What are its limitations?Is it reliable?Does it support multiple languages?
*Ctrl-Alt-Del Commander and PCS are a trademarks of Perez Computing Services.
** OS/2, OS/2 Warp, and Workplace Shell are registered trademarks of International Business Machines.
***Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
****Process Commander MAY be a trademark of Stardock Systems.
Last updated July 27, 1996.
All materials on PCS web pages Copyright 1995-1996 Perez Computing Services. All Rights Reserved.