W3Launch/Computer Reboot

[Bennett, Roy - Library]

I am in the process of working with W3Launch to develop access to our 
CD LAN through our library's web page.  I have been fairly satisfied 
with how W3Launch performs when accessing network-based applications; 
I won't go into these details here.

I would like to develop web access to local CD-ROM databases used on 
several workstations that have Pioneer CD-ROM changers.  Until now, 
our user interface for all DOS-based applications has been our menu 
system, Direct Access Network for DOS (version 5.1).  When a user 
selects a local database from this main menu at one of the 
workstations with a Pionneer unit, the computer copies another set 
of AUTOEXEC and CONFIG files and re-boots, loading the necessary 
drivers for the Pioneer drive and starting a local menu.  I have 
developed this scenario to avoid conflicts between the Pioneer CD-ROM 
and network drivers, and their logical drive letters, etc.    

I would like to achieve something similar through a web page, where 
users at these workstations would click on a link to a local 
database, causing the computer to re-boot as discussed above.  My 
specific problem is that, after starting Netscape, if I first click 
on a link to a local database, this scenario works fine.  If, 
however, I click on a link to a local database after going to a link 
to a networked database, the computer re-boots as directed for the 
local database, but does not copy the set of AUTOEXEC and CONFIG files 
for the local Pioneer configuration, resulting in a re-boot back to 
Windows.  I have also noticed that W3Launch places copies of the .W3L 
files in the Windows temp directory; could this have something to do 
with my problem?
 
I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has experience 
working with W3Launch; is there anyone who has attempted something 
similar?

Thank you, in advance.

==================================================================
Dale E. Goodell
User Support Analyst
Western Oregon University Library
Monmouth, OR 97361

Internet:   goodeld at fsa.wou.edu
Voice:      503/838-8891
Fax:        503/838-8399