Additions to manual/help: system requirements and installation
Posted: 2021-04-28, 21:44 UTC
Currently these two subjects don't have a special chapter or article in the TC manual (help file). Although this info can be found on website, it would be much better to have explained this more systematically. A lot of existing info may be simply copied to manual, with some update if need. But some details are not yet properly explained, they may be helpful in uncommon situations.
System requirements
The information about work of TC in Windows PE/RE is still missed. But it's quite important because TC, from my practice, may be very helpful as a file manager for operations like system diagnostics and repair in the case of improper OS work, failure or restoration, because Windows Explorer cannot be start in this environment. I usually start TC immediately from Windows PE/RE command prompt, either from portable boot media or installed on internal drive. However, it's not clearly known how TC is compatible with such environment, is it a "happy coincidence" or a specifically designed and carefully tested feature. Also need to mention that TC x32 will work only on x32 Windows PE/RE and cannot start on x64 (it doesn't have x32 subsystem). Some other limitations may also apply like lack of drag-and-drop, no printing, no Help (CHM is not supported) etc.
Another detail is the mouse requirement. I still don't know exactly whether TC is fully functional without mouse: obviously, the button bar (toolbar) will not be accessible, but it's not critical; does TC have any essential UI part where mouse is irreplaceable or not?
Installation
This info is scattered across web pages on ghisler.com, somewhere the information may be outdated (old default directory). It may have reason to add the portable installation to this manual section (TC had a special utility for this, is it still actual?). Also it would be nice to add the info about installing TC for Windows PE/RE mentioned above; from my practice the configuration files like wincmd.ini cannot be saved for next sessions and they should be prepared in advance. If there is a way to avoid this problem, need to mention it as well.
System requirements
The information about work of TC in Windows PE/RE is still missed. But it's quite important because TC, from my practice, may be very helpful as a file manager for operations like system diagnostics and repair in the case of improper OS work, failure or restoration, because Windows Explorer cannot be start in this environment. I usually start TC immediately from Windows PE/RE command prompt, either from portable boot media or installed on internal drive. However, it's not clearly known how TC is compatible with such environment, is it a "happy coincidence" or a specifically designed and carefully tested feature. Also need to mention that TC x32 will work only on x32 Windows PE/RE and cannot start on x64 (it doesn't have x32 subsystem). Some other limitations may also apply like lack of drag-and-drop, no printing, no Help (CHM is not supported) etc.
Another detail is the mouse requirement. I still don't know exactly whether TC is fully functional without mouse: obviously, the button bar (toolbar) will not be accessible, but it's not critical; does TC have any essential UI part where mouse is irreplaceable or not?
Installation
This info is scattered across web pages on ghisler.com, somewhere the information may be outdated (old default directory). It may have reason to add the portable installation to this manual section (TC had a special utility for this, is it still actual?). Also it would be nice to add the info about installing TC for Windows PE/RE mentioned above; from my practice the configuration files like wincmd.ini cannot be saved for next sessions and they should be prepared in advance. If there is a way to avoid this problem, need to mention it as well.