This document provides a quick intorduction to PC911's features and an
explanation of how it works.
                                   
                                Introduction
CyberMedia's PC911 is the first software  utility  that  automatically
detects  and  backs  up  changes  in  a  PC's  configuration files and
parameters. PC911 enables users to restore a PCs parameters if it will
not boot up, review a history of changes that have occurred, and reset
the PC back to a previously working configuration as needed.

According  to many estimates, most PC problems are due to  changes  in
the  configuration  of  the PC, rather than hardware  failures.  Since
PC911  automatically tracks changes in a PC's setup, it makes trouble-
shooting  simple  by  providing  a comprehensive  report  showing  the
changes that occurred since the PC was working properly last.


                        What causes PC problems
A   PC  has  many  complex  system  parameters,  card  settings,   and
configuration files that control its operation.  These parameters  and
files  define the type of hard disk installed in the PC,  the  devices
that  it  supports,  the way memory is allocated and  other  important
aspects. As new devices and software are installed, the parameters and
configuration  files  change.  In  addition,  they  can  become  lost,
corrupted,   or  improperly  set  for  many  reasons,  including   the
installation  of new software or cards, viruses, careless  editing  of
key  files,  or the failure of an internal battery that  powers  up  a
critical  memory area called the CMOS. The PC may then  act  weird  or
even refuse to boot up.

Users  might  also run into problems when they install  new  cards  in
their PC, such as those to support multimedia. Each card is configured
to use certain resources, such as the IRQ and the Port Address, on the
PC  in  an  exclusive manner. There is no easy way to  determine  what
resources  a  card  is configured to use and it is difficult  to  keep
track of this information. If two cards are configured to use the same
resources  then conflicts are possible so that devices don't  work  or
the PC locks up.

PC911  can be a life-saver in such situations. It can restore  a  PC's
setup if it will not boot up, and allow the user to revert back  to  a
Gpreviously  working setup. In addition, it has the unique  capability
to detect cards and help resolve hardware conflicts.


                PC911 Creates and Maintains an Emergency Disk
At installation, PC911 takes a snapshot of all important configuration
files and parameters on a PC and creates an Emergency Disk. PC911 then
runs  automatically whenever the PC is booted up to check for  changes
in  your PC's setup. Whenever necessary, it prompts the user to insert
the  Emergency  Disk and updates it. This ensures that  the  Emergency
Disk  is  always up to date and ready for use. This Disk  is  used  to
reboot and restore the PC in case it won't boot up from the hard disk.

Other  products  that  create an Emergency Disk require  the  user  to
remember  and  create a new one when their PC's setup  changes.  Users
rarely  remember to do so, and the Emergency Disk can become  outdated
fairly  soon.  PC911 is unique in automatically keeping the  Emergency
Disk updated as the user changes CMOS settings, DOS versions, Shell or
any or any other critical parameter on the PC.

                        Keeps a history of changes
At   installation,  PC911  takes  a  snapshot  of  the   configuration
parameters and files and stores in on the hard disk. It runs  whenever
the  PC boots up to scan the PC's configuration to see if anything has
changed.  If  so,  it  takes a new snapshot  and,  if  the  change  is
critical,  requests the user to insert the Emergency Disk so  that  it
can be kept up to date. All this is done automatically in less than  a
second.

PC911  backs  up the most important configuration files  for  DOS  and
WINDOWS  --  AUTOEXEC.BAT, CONFIG.SYS, WIN.INI, and SYSTEM.INI.  Users
can  add  to this list other important files that they have,  such  as
NET.CFG. PC911 will track changes in these files as well and  keep  as
many versions as indicated.

Such a history of configuration changes is invaluable in tracking down
problems  with the PC. Technical Support Representatives usually  need
to  know what changed on the PC from the time it was working properly.
With PC911 installed, this is no longer guesswork. It even prints  out
a  report  listing all changes that have occurred since any  specified
date.

PC911 provides a graphical user interface which allows users to review
past configurations and to restore the PC to any previous setup.

                        
                        Supports most system software
To  keep  track of a PC's setup, it is important to back up  many  key
files  and  parameters, such as the Shell, System  files,  CMOS,  Boot
sector, CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT. But that's not enough. If you are
running  DoubleSpace, you should backup DBLSPACE.BIN and  DBLSPACE.INI
since both these files are essential to restore your compressed files.
If  you  are  running PC-DOS, you  should backup E.COM, which  is  the
editor for PC-DOS.

Who can remember all this? And who can remember to see if any of these
has  changed and back these up again. With PC911, users don't have to.
It  knows  what files and parameters need to be tracked and  it  takes
care   of   all  the  messy  details  to  backup  and  restore   these
automatically.

                        
                        Resolves hardware conflicts
When  you  install a card in your PC and can't get it  to  work,  it's
often  due  to  a IRQ, DMA, or memory conflict. These are  notoriously
difficult  to  diagnose  and  eliminate.  Microsoft's  Plug  and  Play
initiative  that  should  be available with Chicago  is  the  ultimate
answer for this, but until this becomes a reality, PC911 can help.

PC911 has the unique ability to detect the IRQ and DMA for many of the
popular cards in the market today, including network, SCSI, and  sound
cards.  It detects the card settings using many innovative techniques,
including identifying the "signature" on the card and checking  loaded
device drivers. In most cases, it can determine the resources a   card
is  configured  to use even before the card is activated,  so  it  can
alert you to potential conflicts. It will also tell you what IRQs  are
free so that you can change the card setting to an unused one.

While  PC911  does  a really great job at detecting cards,  it  cannot
detect every card in the market. That will have to wait until Plug and
Play.   Until then, PC911 provides a clever database whether  you  can
key  in details about cards it doesn't detect automatically. This way,
you  have one central place where all details regarding the cards  are
kept.

                        
                        Smart and EASY to use
For  a  product  that  deals  with fairly  complex  issues,  PC911  is
remarkably  easy to use. Most of the time users won't even notice  its
presence as it runs when the PC is booted up and then gets out of  the
way.  PC911  is  not a resident program so it does  not  take  up  any
memory. When it detects changes, it automatically analyzes the reasons
for  the change and takes necessary actions. If the user needs to take
some action, it displays messages and instructions in plain language.

PC911  has  many special features that are accessed through  a  simple
graphical  interface. To underscore its ease of use, a 4  page  "Quick
Start"  guide  is provided that should be sufficient for  most  users.
PC911  also comes with a special pouch that users can attach to  their
PC to keep the Emergency Disk and Quick Start guide handy.


                        Ideal for all users
PC911 is essential for any PC user whose configuration changes - ever.
And  remember  that  most  new software you install  will  insidiously
change  your  PC's setup. You may not remember what your configuration
files  looked like before you installed that software. But PC911 will.
And  it'll  let you recover from any problems that occur  due  to  the
change.

                        
                        System Requirements
386/486  PC  with  MS-DOS, PC-DOS, or Novell  DOS.  Supports  Windows,
Netware, DoubleSpace, and Stacker. Requires 600 KB free disk space for
programs and history data.


