CompuShow installer format
From Just Solve the File Format Problem
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| − | '''CompuShow installer format''' is | + | '''CompuShow installer format''' is an [[MS-DOS EXE|EXE]]-based installer file for DOS. |
It was used for distribution of some software by Canyon State Systems: | It was used for distribution of some software by Canyon State Systems: | ||
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== Sample files == | == Sample files == | ||
| − | * {{CdTextfiles|arcadebbs/GIFVIEW/CSHOW73.ZIP|CSHOW73.ZIP}} → CSHOWA.EXE | + | * {{CdTextfiles|arcadebbs/GIFVIEW/CSHOW73.ZIP|CSHOW73.ZIP}} → CSHOWA.EXE [This is v8.73a, with a misleading filename.] |
* {{CdTextfiles|simtel/stmsdos9709/disk1/DISC1/GRAPHICS/2SHOW204.ZIP|2SHOW204.ZIP}} → 2SHOWA.EXE | * {{CdTextfiles|simtel/stmsdos9709/disk1/DISC1/GRAPHICS/2SHOW204.ZIP|2SHOW204.ZIP}} → 2SHOWA.EXE | ||
* [{{SACFTPURL|graph|cmplg201.zip}} cmplg201.zip] → CMPLGA.EXE | * [{{SACFTPURL|graph|cmplg201.zip}} cmplg201.zip] → CMPLGA.EXE | ||
Latest revision as of 14:52, 8 April 2026
CompuShow installer format is an EXE-based installer file for DOS.
It was used for distribution of some software by Canyon State Systems:
- CompuShow, v8.70-9.04
- CompuShow 2000, v1.03-2.04
- CompuLog, v1.00-2.01
A typical filename is "CSHOWA.EXE", but note that not all files with this name use this format.
[edit] Format details
The format is somewhat convoluted. The main executable part is compressed with PKLITE. The overlay segment (refer to MS-DOS EXE#Special file positions) uses a tagged format of undetermined origin. The overlay starts with ASCII "FBIN". The main part of the payload is an LHA/LHarc self-extracting archive contained in an item identified by "FBEX".
[edit] Software
- Deark
- Some LHA software is robust enough that it can often handle these files.
[edit] Sample files
- CSHOW73.ZIP → CSHOWA.EXE [This is v8.73a, with a misleading filename.]
- 2SHOW204.ZIP → 2SHOWA.EXE
- cmplg201.zip → CMPLGA.EXE
