Microsoft KB Archive/63157

Word: Purpose of PRD.ASC, VID.ASC and KBD.ASC Files

PSS ID Number: Q63157 Article last modified on 11-02-1994

5.00

MS-DOS

= SUMMARY =

The PRD.ASC, VID.ASC, and KBD.ASC files found on the Word 5.00 Utilities 1 Disk (5.25 inch) or Utilities Disk (3.5 inch) are used by the Word 5.00 Setup program to install the appropriate video adapter, keyboard, and printer support for certain hardware configuration(s). How Setup uses these files depends on whether Word 5.00 is being installed for use on a single computer or a network.

These files are used to determine which .CSD, .GSD, and *.KBD files should be entered when MAKEVID.EXE is run from the DOS prompt to create a video driver file (SCREEN.VID) for Word 5.00. For more information on MAKEVID.EXE, see the MAKEVID.DOC file provided on the Utilities 2 Disk (5.25 inch) or Utilities Disk (3.5 inch).

= MORE INFORMATION =

How Setup Uses *.ASC Files When Installing Word for a Single Computer
Setup reads the VID.ASC and KBD.ASC files to determine which parameters to pass to the MAKEVID.EXE utility in order to create a video driver file (SCREEN.VID) that is correct for the type of video adapter and computer previously selected in Setup.

Setup reads the PRD.ASC file to determine which printer driver (.PRD) files, downloadable font data (.DAT) files, or printer initialization (*.INI) files should be copied to disk, based on the printer type and font support previously selected in Setup.

During this type of installation, the VID.ASC, KBD.ASC, and PRD.ASC files are not copied from the original Word 5.00 disks to the disk where the copy of Word 5.00 is being installed.

How Setup Uses *.ASC Files When Installing Word on a Network
Setup automatically copies the KBD.ASC file to the Word 5.00 Program directory on the network file server, along with all of the keyboard drivers (*.KBD files). This allows you to select from a complete list of computer types supported by Word 5.00 when SETUP USER is run to install Word on a network workstation.

Setup copies all or a portion of the VID.ASC and PRD.ASC files to the Word 5.00 Program directory on the network file server, depending on whether individual video adapter and printer types were selected. Or, choose the option to install Word 5.00 for all video adapters (option 21 from the video adapter list screen) and all printers (option 0 from the printer list screen).

If support for all video adapters and printers is chosen, Setup will copy the entire VID.ASC and PRD.ASC files to the Word 5.00 Program directory on the network file server, along with all of the video and printer files required to install support for these options. Individuals running SETUP USER to install Word 5.00 on their network workstations will be able to choose from the complete list of supported video adapters and printers.

If support for individual video adapters and printers from the lists is chosen, only those portions of the VID.ASC and PRD.ASC files that pertain to the video adapters and printers selected will be copied to the Word 5.00 program directory on the file server. Individuals running SETUP USER to install Word 5.00 on their network workstations will only be able to choose from those video adapters and printers that were individually selected.

KBCategory: kbsetup KBSubcategory: Additional reference words: ============================================================================= Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1994.