the syscon.fil file
Syscon keeps track of the schedules and options in a file called Syscon.fil. The first time you run Syscon (and before you have saved anything) you will get a message that the Syscon.fil file cannot be loaded. This is ok. When you save your schedules and options you will not get that message unless your Syscon.fil has either been moved or corrupted. In that case, create a new one.
NOTE: If the syscon.fil file is found, syscon will run automatically with the window minimized to the task bar. This allows your screen to appear notmal for other applications. If you wish to change Syscon's configuration, simply maximize it by clicking it's icon on the taskbar. If the syscon.fil file is not found, the application will appear maximized on your screen, ready for you to configure it.

The clock:
At the top of the program form is a running clock. This running clock is set to your internal computer clock and therefore will be accurate if your computer clock is accurate. This clock time is compared to times you select for automatic operation.

Activate and Test buttons:
There are two large buttons on the program form. One is labeled either "System Control is not active" (red) or "System Control is active" (green). You may only enter or change the time schedule when the System Control is NOT active. To change the time schedule, click this button if this button says it is active. It must be RED (not active) to change the time schedule.

The other large button says either "Test mode is on" (green) or "Test mode is off" (red). When test mode is on, you can test Syscon for functionality. To Test Syscon, turn the Syscon-Active button to 'not active' (red). Turn the Syscon-Test button on (green). Enter some times in the three time boxes. The format expected is hh:mm am (or PM). If the format is unreadable by Syscon, Syscon will inform you when you attempt to activate Syscon. If the format is readable by Syscon, Syscon may reformat the time to the exact format required. (example: you can enter 1:30 and Syscon will reformat the time to 01:30 AM)

Take "Test" for a run:
When you have entered your time schedule(s) (you may leave any timeboxes blank that you do not wish to use) you can click the Activate button (system control is active). (Make sure the TEST button is green for testing before you activate!) When the time schedule(s) match the actual time, you will be notified via a message box telling you which time box matches. After you have played with the testing mode, you can move on to the real thing.

The real thing:
Turn off the Activate button (make it red) if it is not already. This enables you to enter some time schedules. You cannot enter time schedules if the Active button is on (green). Enter one or more times. Use the format hh:mm am (or PM). Syscon will complain if it cannot read your time format. You cannot have 2 times that are the same. Turn the Test button off (red). Turn the Activate button on (green). When the time schedule matches the actual time, the appropriate routines will be activated automatically.

Time schedule assist buttons:
There are 2 time schedule assist buttons for each of the 3 time boxes. The button labeled "update to 'now'" will enter the current time in the appropriate timebox. The button labeled "clr" will clear the appropriate timebox.

Saving your schedules for automatic operation:
If you add or change your time schedule, you will want to save this schedule for automatic operation. The "save time schedule" button will become active if you have made changes but have not saved them. Click this button to save your schedule. Very IMPORTANT!: Saved along with your time schedule is the position of the Activate and Test buttons. If you want to run Syscon automatically and have it run "live" you must turn the Test button off (red) and turn the Activate button on (green) before you save your time schedules. If you save in any other configuration, Syscon will reload itself with that configuration. It then will not run automatic. (with Activate off, Syscon will just sit there waiting for you to enter some times or to activate it - with Test on, Syscon will just toss message boxes at you when the appropriate times arrive)

quit:
The Quit button quits Syscon (removes it from memory). It will not activate itself unless you reboot with a Syscon shortcut in your Startup folder. Use the Quit button when you are working on your computer and do not want Syscon in memory at all, and you plan to reboot when done.

the manual buttons:
There are three buttons under the timeboxes. These buttons allow you to do manually (and immediately) what Syscon does automatically when the time schedules match the actual time. Click these buttons to activate these routines now.

the routines:
I'm sure that so far you have no idea what Syscon does or why you would use it. Syscon is used to activate three main routines of your choice. Clicking the routine button activates the appropriate routine immediately, and setting a time schedule activates the routine when the time comes. The three routines are:
the shutdown routine:
The shutdown routine shuts down your computer, closing all active programs and ending with the "It is now safe to turn your computer off" (or whatever it really does say - who has actually read it?)

the exit user routine:
The exit user routine logs off the current user and prompts for the new user password. Current programs are not closed. This option will probably not be used much, but I have included it for completeness.
the restart system routine:
The restart system routine closes all open programs and reboots your computer. This is the routine that will probably be used most.

why would I want to automatically reboot my computer?
Many people leave their computer on all the time. You may have tasks scheduled for certain times such as logging on to the internet to retrieve mail, maintenance tasks, etc. If you have a lot of these tasks scheduled during your "away" hours, your computer's memory ends up retaining a lot of pieces of information should you "need" them again. After awhile your computer will slow down and become less efficient. Syscon allows you to reboot your computer every 24 hours to refresh your system's resources automatically. Any shortcuts in your Startup folder will be automatically reloaded, and your task scheduler will be reactivated. You are now beginning with a fresh system, and you can do this every 24 hours! Remember that for Syscon to refresh your system every 24 hours, you must put a shortcut of Syscon in your Startup folder so that it reloads itself. Syscon will automatically retrieve the time schedules and settings, and begin its countdown to the next "refresh schedule."

A note on uninstalling:
Use the Control Panel / Add-Remove Programs to uninstall Syscon. Because Syscon creates it's own file (syscon.fil) the syscon folder and this file will not be removed automatically. After uninstalling, navagete to the Syscon folder and remove it and all of it's contents. Be sure to do this after uninstalling.

Notes and credits:
This release of Syscon is freeware. I have additional routines that I eventually want to include for my own uses, but this official release of Syscon is fully functional in the routines that have been programmed so far. I am therefore releasing this version for anyone's personal use. There is no fee for this version of Syscon and you may pass it on to who ever you like.
Syscon is a Rediware Software program and Rediware retains the rights to this version of Syscon. Rediware Software and the author make no guarantees concerning Syscon nor is there any warranty. Use Syscon at your own risk as neither Rediware nor the author are liable for any data loss or system/software corruption from using Syscon, either correctly or incorrectly.
Syscon has been tested and found to be reliable in these tests, but neither Rediware nor the author will guarantee that it is bug or glitch free.

Any problems, contact Rediware Software via http://www.rediware.com/