TurboTXT
TurboTXT (also written TurboTxt) is a DOS utility that converts a text file to an executable file that displays the text in a viewer. It was developed by Foley Hi-Tech Systems (v1.00-4.00), later by HyperWare (v5.00).
The generated files use COM format for v1.00-1.11, or EXE format for v4.00-5.00. The default filename is "README.COM" or "README.EXE".
It may be distributed by itself, or accompanied by TurboBAT, or as part of a suite named ExtraDOS Toolbox,
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Discussion
The shareware versions add a prominent promotional message to the text.
Identification
More research suggested. The generated files don't appear to be very complex, and there aren't that many versions or options. But there don't seem to be any deliberate signatures, and the existence of registered versions could be an issue.
Identification - COM
Files start with byte 0xe9. The following string appears somewhere in the file:
PgUp PgDn End Home ESC to exit
It's at offset 460 for v1.00, 469 for v1.10, 473 for v1.11.
Identification - EXE
The following string appears somewhere in the file:
PgUp PgDn End Home F:Find A:Again P:Print ESC to exit
For v4.00, it's at offset 2849. More robustly, it's at offset 1857 from the start of the code image segment (see MS-DOS EXE#Special file positions).
For v5.00 (both releases), it's at offset 3062, or offset 2006 from the start of the code image segment.
Software
- TurboTXT (shareware)
- v1.00: TTX100.ZIP
- v1.10: [1] → xdos390[a-c].zip → ...
- v1.11: xdos0993.zip → ...
- v4.00: TTX400.ZIP
- v5.00 "06/22/95": txt500.zip
- v5.00 "11/01/95": DP TOOL CLUB CD ASCQ → CD_ASCQ_29_040596.iso → DOS/TOOLS/TBT501.ZIP → ...
Sample files
- HPVWRITE.ZIP → README.COM (v1.10)
- log100.zip → README.COM (v1.11)
- flsbbs10.zip → README.COM (v1.11)
- GBE2A.ZIP → README.EXE (installation needed, or see DiscMaster) (v4.00)
- [2] (v5.00 rel. 1)
- [3] (v5.00 rel. 2)
