1-2-3 Logo Zap

by Lloyd Borrett
Today's Computers, Wizard's Notebook, June 1985

Wizard's Notebook is a new feature of Today's Computers, in which Lloyd Borrett will pass on tips for users. You are invited to contribute tips on software, hardware and documentation. Address letters to Wizard's Notebook, Today's Computers, 392 Little Collins Street, Melbourne 3000. Please include your phone number, which will not be published, so we can call to verify letters.

Wizard's Notebook

Here is a procedure that patches Lotus 123.EXE Release 1A* to by-pass the sign-on logo and eliminates the need to "press any key" to start 1-2-3.

This patch was developed to let you display a graph from the system level. With it, you can construct a worksheet containing an auto-execute macro that will display a graph then exit. By renaming this worksheet "AUTO123.WKS" and typing "123" from the system level, the program will execute, load "AUTOI23.WKS", and display the graph.

1. Copy 123.EXE to a new disk or sub-directory.
    
2. Make the new disk or sub-directory the current directory.
    
3. Rename the file 123.EXE using the command: rename 123.exe 123.zap [Return]
    
4. Use the DEBUG program supplied on your PC DOS disks to patch the file 123.ZAP: debug 123.zap [Return]
    
5. Check for the right version of the program by unassembling instructions: -u 049D [Return]. The first line should read:

xxxx:049D E85106 CALL OAFI

This is the call to the routine that displays the sign-on logo.

6. Change the code to do three NOPs:

-e 049d [Return].

DEBUG displays: xxxx:049D E8.

Type 90 and hit the spacebar. DEBUG displays: xxxx:049D E8.90 51.

Type 90 and hit the spacebar. DEBUG displays: xxxx:049D E8.90 51.90 06.

Type 90 and hit [Return].

7. Check the next section of code: -u 04c8 [Return]

The first line should read: xxxx:04c8 E87E16 CALL IB49

This is the call to the routine that waits for a key to be pressed.

8. Change the code to do three NOPs: -e 04c8 [Return]

DEBUG displays: xxxx:04C8 E8.

Type 90 and hit the spacebar. DEBUG displays: xxxx:04C8 E8.90 7E.

Type 90 and hit the spacebar. DEBUG displays: xxxx:04C8 E8.90 7E.90 16.

Type 90 and hit [Return].

9. Save the changes: -w [Return].

DEBUG displays: Writing 15F80 bytes.

10. Quit DEBUG: -q [Return]
     
11. Rename the patched file with the original program name: rename 123.zap 123.exe [Return]

The patched 123.EXE will no longer display the sign-on logo and require a keystroke to start. Richard Tremmel developed the original version of this patch.

For 123.EXE Release 1A the code to be changed is: E85106 CALL OAFI and E8A316 CALL 1 B6E.

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