
Welcome to Shutdown Countdown. This program will allow you to set a timer for when you want Windows to shutdown.

System Requirements:

Windows 95 or higher.
Visual Basic 5 Runtime. If you get an error message at startup, you may need these files. You can get them for free here:
http://www.zdnet.com/downloads/stories/info/0,,000LU3,.html 

Revisions:
Version 2.0  Major Update 10-13-00. Added new Administration and Automation features. Also added 'Force' shutdown options on the menu.

Version 1.03 Original release 7-25-00

Installation:

Double click the install.exe file and follow the directions. A shortcut to this program will appear in the Start Menu>Programs.


Using Shutdown Countdown:

This program will allow you to activate Windows shutdown functions after a specified length of time.  You must choose which shutdown operation you want by clicking the drop-down menu and choosing. The options are pretty self-explanatory.  The 'Force' options will force windows to shut down without prompting you to save your work. Any unsaved work will be lost!! Then you must enter the amount of time before Windows will execute this operation by typing numbers in the appropriate boxes.  You are not limited to 60 minute intervals in each box. For example, you do not HAVE to put 1 hour 30 min, you can just put 90 min. However, you must have a number (at least a zero) in each box or you will get an error message and will have to click the "Back to Options" button.

Click the "Start Countdown" button to begin the timer. On the next screen, you can pause the countdown by clicking the "Pause Countdown" button. This will give you the option to go back to the settings screen. If you click the "Resume Countdown" button, the countdown will resume from where you left off.  When the timer reaches zero, Windows will Shutdown according to the action you specified in the drop-down menu.

Administration Features:

Click the 'Admin features' menu to get to the admin options. 

Use Password: If you have no need for password protection, leave this unchecked (default) and skip this section of text. Checking this box will enable the password features of this program which will keep people from accessing the admin options. After clicking the checkbox to activate the password feature, the password will be blank.  You must click the 'Set/Change Password' button and put a password in the New and Confirm boxes and click OK. To stop using the password features, uncheck the Use Password box and click 'Make it so'. Note that this does not erase the password, it just stops using it. If you go back and check 'Use Password' again to re-activate it, the old password will still be used. To completely clear the password, click the 'Clear' button on the 'Set/Change Password' Dialog box, and enter the old password.  This will reset to a blank password.  Please also note that this is not a high security password and if someone were determined enough, they could probably find it (It's hidden deep in the registry). It should, at least, keep the average user from changing your settings.

Show Countdown Screen: If this is checked (default) the Screen that shows the countdown will be shown; otherwise, it will be minimized to the system tray as a black and white 321 icon. Clicking this icon or Right-click>Restore will restore the countdown screen. If the password feature is activated, It will not be restored unless the correct password is provided.

Pop up warning message: If the "Show Countdown screen" is unchecked, this (checked) will cause the countdown window to auto-restore XX number of seconds before shutdown. XX is the number you specify in the textbox on that line.  You should give someone enough time to save their work, because it would be mean and cruel to force a shutdown without letting them know about it.

Allow Pause/Abort: When the countdown screen is shown, this will determine the priviledge of the user to pause and abort the countdown.  'Always' will always allow abort. 'On Password' will allow abort on giving of the password specified above. 'Never' will lock the program down so that not even the administrator can stop it.  Keep in mind, however, that this is not a high security program and it is not hard to get around the security measures and stop the program.

Automation Settings:

This section is pretty straightforward. Click the 'Use Automation' box to activate. Input the settings in the form that is just like the main screen. The next time you launch the program, these settings will be used and the countdown will automatically start. To have the program start every time windows starts, click the Startup Instructions button and follow the directions. To stop using Automation, pause the countdown and go back to the settings and uncheck the 'Use Automation' box.



Troubleshooting:

If it doesn't work, sorry. Please, email me at dilbert627@zdnetonebox.com and tell me the error message and any other problems.

Known bug: Sometimes, if you clear the password and then try to get into the admin settings again, it will still ask for the password because the first form has not been reloaded. Just click OK and you should be able to get through.

Other stuff:

If you have suggestions for other features, you can suggest them, but I don't guarantee I will implement them. However, many features in my programs have been suggested by users. As a programmer, I'm a novice. If there are fixable bugs, I will release a new version on my website.

This program is freeware and can be distributed as such. I would prefer that it be downloaded from my website, but I also submit to Freeware sites.

That's it. Hope it works and serves your purpose.

A. smith
The Continuum - http://www.continuum2.com
		http://continuum2.clickhere2.net/
e-mail: dilbert627@zdnetonebox.com
	adam@continuum2.com

WWJD?