File: PREADME.TXT
=================

BEFORE YOU PROCEED:
===================

    a) MAKE A BACKUP FIRST

    This patching process directly modifies the FoxPro files 
    in your FoxPro directory.  Please back up any files you 
    may have customized (including the FOXUSER.DBF, 
    FOXUSER.FPT, and CONFIG.FP or CONFIG.FPW files) before 
    attempting the patch process.  This patch process will
    optionally delete the .EXE files which were downloaded
    from our online services.  If you wish to re-use the
    .EXE files, please make a backup copy of those files
    as well.

    b) PERFORM A CLEAN BOOT

    The software used in the patch process may conflict with 
    certain TSR programs.  To minimize the chance of a conflict
    with a TSR program, please perform a clean boot of 
    your computer before executing any of this software.  For 
    more information on clean booting your computer, please 
    refer to the "Troubleshooting" section of your FoxPro 
    online help file.  It is not essential for you to perform
    a clean boot before executing the patch program, but this
    is recommended as a safety precaution.

    c) READ THE FILE "README.1ST"

    Before proceeding, read the file README.1ST, which is 
    contained in the same library section as all other 
    patch files.  This file contains important information 
    that is necessary to help you select the correct 
    files for the patch process.

    d) CHECK FREE DISK SPACE

    Microsoft recommends that you have at least 2.5 MB of
    available disk space before you apply a patch.


How to install the patches
--------------------------

1) Ensure that all files are located in the directory where
   FoxPro resides.
              
2) Execute the DOPATCH.BAT file

   This file will automatically patch FoxPro and update
   the appropriate files.  The DOPATCH.BAT file searches
   the current directory to determine which required files
   and which optional files were downloaded.  This file
   will therefore accommodate users who have downloaded 
   one of the patch files, all of the patch files, or
   some of the patch files.

   To execute the DOPATCH file and begin the patch process,
   change to the directory which contains the copy of FoxPro 
   that needs to be patched and also contains the patch file.

   If you would like for the DOPATCH program to delete the
   EXE files which were downloaded from the online service,
   execute the program by typing the following command at
   the MS-DOS prompt:

	   DOPATCH delete   

   If you do not want the DOPATCH program to delete the
   EXE files which were downloaded from the online service,
   execute the program by typing the following command at
   the MS-DOS prompt:

	   DOPATCH 

   Please watch your screen while the program is executing.
   Important status information will be displayed while the
   program is executing.
  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
======================

Where to find the DOPATCH.BAT file
----------------------------------

In order to install any patches, a file called DOPATCH.BAT is 
required.  This file is contained inside each of the following
required files:  FPW.EXE, FPW_DK.EXE, FPD.EXE, and FPD_DK.EXE.

The DOPATCH.BAT file is not contained in any of the optional
files.  

To install the optional patches, you must download one of 
the required files (FPW.EXE, FPW_DK.EXE, FPD.EXE, or 
FPD_DK.EXE) in addition to the optional files.  It is not
possible to apply the optional patches without also 
patching FoxPro itself.

Patch Messages
--------------

Here are the messages that may be displayed when you execute the
PATCH utility:

"<file name>" is not a baseline file.  One or more of the files are
not baseline files.  Re-install the product(s) from the original
diskettes and run this program again.
    Some patches must be applied to the FoxPro version that you
    installed from your FoxPro diskettes.  When this message is
    displayed, re-install FoxPro from your diskettes.
    --------
    CAUTION!  If you have installed the optional FoxPro Distribution Kit,
    --------  be sure to re-install both FoxPro and the Distribution Kit
	      before you patch.

    See the next section, BASELINES, for more information.

"<file name>": Permission denied
    The PATCH utility does not have write access to the specified file.
    Change the DOS attribute of the file to read/write and run PATCH again.

All files are up to date.
    You have the most current version of FoxPro, the optional FoxPro
    Distribution Kit and the help files.  You do not have to download
    any patch files or apply patches.

Cannot apply - Patch Not Found.
    The specified patch file needed by the PATCH utility could not be
    located.  Make sure you have downloaded the patch file and placed
    it into FoxPro directory.

Cannot apply - Patch Out of Date/Invalid.
    The specified patch file found by the PATCH utility is out of date
    or corrupt.  Download the current patch file from CompuServe into the
    FoxPro directory.

Cannot open PATCH.DBF database file.
    The PATCH utility cannot open the PATCH.DBF database.  This
    message may be displayed if PATCH.DBF has been erased or is not
    located in the same directory as PATCH.EXE.
    --------
    CAUTION!  PATCH.EXE and PATCH.DBF must be in the same directory
    --------  as the files being patched.

Insufficient memory
    You do not have enough memory to run the PATCH utility.  Free up
    additional memory and run PATCH again.

Out of disk space
    You do not have enough disk space to run the PATCH utility.  Microsoft
    recommends that you have at least 2.5 MB of memory available
    before you apply a patch.  Free up additional disk space by
    deleting unnecessary files and run PATCH again.  

PATCH.DBF database file is invalid.
    The PATCH.DBF database is no longer valid.  Download the current
    PATCH.DBF database from CompuServe to your hard drive.

Total size of patches not found or out of date: XXX
    In this message, "XXX" indicates the number of bytes needed to download 
    the necessary files.  Download the necessary files from CompuServe to 
    the FoxPro directory.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
     CAUTIONS!!
----------------------------------------------------------------------

**PATCH.EXE and PATCH.DBF must be in the same directory as the files being 
  patched.  Otherwise the patch process will not work.

**If you have installed the optional FoxPro Distribution Kit and need to 
  re-install FoxPro as a baseline, be sure to re-install both FoxPro and 
  the Distribution Kit before you patch.

**PATCH.EXE may occasionally be updated.  When it is, we will post a message
  on CompuServe.    

**Microsoft recommends that you have at least 2.5 MB of available disk space 
  before you apply a patch.
