ProBoard looks for its data files in the directory where PROBOARD.EXE is located. You can, however, tell ProBoard to look for the data files in another directory by setting the environment variable PROBOARD (eg. SET PROBOARD=F:\PB). The environment variable DSZLOG used by most protocols is not needed. ProBoard will set this variable prior to starting the protocol.

You should start ProBoard with a batch file. ProBoard should ALWAYS be run with a batch file, because it returns to DOS when a user logs off.

Below is a basic batch file for stand-alone operation (without a mailer). It is called P.BAT and is included in the ProBoard installation archive.

:again
     PROBOARD -S
     if errorlevel 99 goto out
     if errorlevel 1 goto fatal
     goto again
:fatal
     echo A fatal error occurred.
     goto x
:out
     echo Normal exit.
:x

Note that errorlevels 2-4 generate a fatal error. These error- levels are used for mail networking, and ProBoard should not return one of these errorlevels in a standalone environment.

The PROBOARD.EXE command line options are discussed in the “Reference” chapter later in this manual.

IMPORTANT In order for PROBOARD.EXE to function properly and protect the file, it's DOS file attribute MUST be set to “read-only”. This is done using the DOS ATTRIB command.

Example:

   ATTRIB +R  PROBOARD.EXE  (this marks PROBOARD.EXE as "read only")

IMPORTANT You will possibly need to setup errorlevels when exiting ProBoard for scanning of mail, running maintenance, updating bulleting, etc. If you have questions, please feel free to reach out on the support forums.