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Using

Using ProcOff

Latest Version: 1.6 Size:543KB Released: 19-March-2012

General

ProcOff operates by checking the running processes once a second, comparing them with up to three named processes plus if enabled the fixed shutdown time. If at least one of the specified processes is running the lost process timer will be inhibited. The time before the program activates, the delay before shutdown is initiated and the shutdown time are configurable to suit particular circumstances. The program consumes very little system resources but it does run with high priority. ProcOff supports the following types of shut down: Hibernate, Power Off, Reboot, Shutdown and Standby (some computers will not support all shut down modes). Shutdown, Power Off and Reboot have been configured to optionally force all running applications to close. For information about logging including archiving and clearing log files see log files and for more information about configuring ProcOff see configuration. Shutdown is initiated is when the lost process counter has reached it's preset value or if enabled the fixed shutdown time has been reached. Note ProcOff will detect if a process is running but not how many instances.

About & Configuration Screens

Program operation is inhibited while either the About or Configuration screens are open. The About screen will automatically time out after 30 seconds if left open. The Configuration screen will automatically time out after 600 seconds if left open, a warning message is given with 90 seconds left. The program is reset when the configuration screen is closed if any changes have been saved, if no changes are made the program will resume from where it was stopped when the configuration screen was opened. The configuration can only be changed by users with administrative privileges. If ProcOff is set to run minimised closing the Configuration screen will put the program back in the System Tray. Communications to and from the Slave, if used, are not inhibited when the configuration screen is open.

Fixed Activation & Shutdown Initiation Time

Optionally the activation time and shutdown initiation times can be set to a fixed timed based on the 24 hour clock. Clicking on fixed time activation enables the program activation to be set to a fixed time rather than a preset delay after start up. If the reset button is clicked or the program started once the activation time has passed activation will be immediate up until midnight, after this activation occurs at the set time. Clicking on enable fixed time enables program shutdown initiation to be set to a fixed time. This time takes priority over the process monitoring timer. If the reset button is clicked once the shutdown time has passed shutdown will be set to the set time the next day. If the fixed shutdown time is earlier than the fixed activation time then shutdown will be set to the defined time the next day. If fixed time shutdown is enabled then shutdown, power off and reboot will be forced independently of the state of the force flag for the fixed shutdown time.

Fixed Delay Shutdown Initiation Time

Optionally the shutdown initiation time can be set to a fixed delay after activation. Clicking on fixed delay time enables program shutdown initiation to be set to a timed delay. This time takes priority over the process monitoring timer. If fixed delay time is enabled then shutdown, power off and reboot will be forced independently of the state of the force flag for the fixed delay time.

Forced Shutdown

By default forced shutdown is enabled for Power Off, Shut Down and Reboot. Optionally this can be disabled for process detection by un ticking the Force checkbox. This will have no effect on fixed time shutdown initiation or fixed delay shutdown initiation if enabled.

Function Keys

Each button on the various screens can also be operated from the keyboard by pressing the <Alt> key and letter combination shown below. The function of Alt C changes in shutdown mode.

Multiple Processes Of The Same Name

If more than one process exists with the same name ProcOff will detect when the last one has ended, it can not tell when the first one ends.

Run Minimised

When set to run minimised ProcOff runs in the System Tray, the program can be reactivated by double clicking or right clicking on the tray icon. Once shutdown is initiated ProcOff always switches to visible 'run on top' and the About, Exit, Test, Update and Configuration buttons are disabled. Shutdown can be cancelled by clicking the Cancel button which will put the program back in the System Tray if ProcOff is set to run minimised.

Slave Program

The optional slave program can be installed on a second computer to monitor communications from the main program, which occur twice a second and initiates shutdown the preset delay after the master program enters shutdown provided the slave is not monitoring any processes. Communication back to the main program from the slave is indicated to the right of the process activity indicators. The slave program display shows communications status. The slave also optionally displays preset process status for the slave. See the screen shot for more information. By default the Slave will initiate shutdown when there is no communication to the main computer and optionally no preset process activity on the slave computer. The slave has no effect on the operation of the main program. The slave program from AllOff version 4.7 and later can also be used with the ProcOff main program.

Status Display

The program display shows process and network activity in the last second by a ''P' followed by a number for up to three processes followed by a 'C' when the slave is in use and connected on the left of the display.

Test & Reset Buttons

Click on the Test button to enable Test Mode which sets both the power off delay and the monitoring period to 5 seconds and puts up a pop up rather than powering off the computer. Clicking the Test button while in Test Mode will restart Test Mode. If the ProcOff Slave is used clicking Test on the main program will also put the Slave into test mode. Click the Reset button to exit Test Mode or Reset the program in Operational Mode (this will also reset the slave program if used).

Tray Icon

The tray icon shows program state (inactive - blue letters, activity - green letters, no activity - orange and green letters, shutdown initiated - orange letters). Right clicking on the tray icon shows main screen control menu enabling the program to be controlled whilst minimised. Double clicking on the tray icon will restore ProcOff to the desktop.

Update Check

Clicking on the Update button on the main screen connects ProcOff to the JSutils web site to check if it is the latest version. If not you will get the opportunity to download the latest version. The Update button is disabled in shutdown mode.