Snaked Net Check Files

Snaked Net Check - Version 1.1
Copyright 2012 Patlakoutzas George aka Solid Snake

   This file is part of Snaked Net Check.

    Snaked Net Check is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
    it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by
    the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
    (at your option) any later version.

    Snaked Net Check is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
    GNU Lesser General Public License for more details.

    You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License
    along with Snaked Net Check.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.

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What is Snaked Net Check?

Snaked Net Check is Windows 7 application that has as a main purpose to check your internet connectivity and repair your internet connection in case it fails. You can use it on any case it is important for your personal computer to remain connected at all times without requiring your attention. 

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How does it work?

Snaked Net Check executes a "ping" command every 30 seconds to the specified server (www.google.com by default). In case it fails to get a reply or gets a reply with errors, it logs the data of that attempt. You can select between two actions to be executed after a number of failures in order to fix the issues.

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Features

* Automatic or manual check and repair of Windows 7 internet connectivity issues.
* Automatic log of actions, connectivity failures and repairing attempts.
* Silent State - Use the "Snaked Net Check" application just from the system tray.
* Use in Monitoring Mode in order to simply monitor your server's online presence.

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Primary and Secondary Actions

The currently available options for primary or secondary actions are the following:

1. Repair Connection - Execute the Windows 7 network connections troubleshooter which will attempt to scan the connection for configuration problems and repair them. Usually this will be enough to repair the connectivity problems.

2. Restart Computer - Executes the "shutdown /r /t 60" command which will attempt to restart the computer to fix connection issues such as hardware failure that the Windows network connection troubleshooter could not be able to fix. The user has the option to cancel the restart within 60 seconds.

3. No Action - Which means exactly what it states. No action will be taken in case the connectivity check fails. But still the failure will be logged to the "Log.txt" file which the user can read through the application or any document viewer.

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Main Window

In the main form of the "Snaked Net Check" appliction you have the ability to change the following settings :

1. Auto-Check - Automatically check Network Connection over time - This option enables the main functionality of the application. When checked the application will automatically check the computer's connectivity to the internet on a 30 seconds interval base and log any failures to the "Log.txt" file.

2. Primary Action - You can set the primary action to be executed after a number of connectivity check failures. Check the "Primary and Secondary Actions" section above for details.

3. Secondary Action - You can set the secondary action to be executed after a number of failed attempts by the primary action to repair connectivity issues.  Check the "Primary and Secondary Actions" section above for details.

(It is recommended that you keep the default settings to ensure connectivity on all cases of unattended functionality)

Buttons :

Change Settings - Loads and shows the Settings form. (The current timer will be reset in order to avoid errors)

Manually Check Connection - Checks the internet connectivity immediatelly. (Executing a manual immediate check will disable "Auto-Check", so it is highly recommended that you re-enable it right after the manual repair process is completed).

"Silent State" - Initiates the "Silent State" mode. The "Snaked Net Check" application gets minimized to tray and does not throw any notifications. You can use its main features through the tray icon. See the "Tray Icon" section below for more details.

Show Log - Shows the "Log.txt" file which contains all the logged data from the application including the failed connectivity checks and repairing attempts.

Clear Log - Clears the logged data.

Leave feedback - Loads and shows the Feedback form. Please do not hesitate to use it in order to report bugs or leave your opinions about the application. Also you could point out what should be improved in the next version of the "Snaked Net Check" application.

Information - Loads and shows this "ReadMe.txt" file. Also you can check the Lesser GNU licence disclaimer through the this button.

Donate - If you really like the application and would like to encourage the developers in bringing out new features and upgrades, or improve support for "Snaked Net Check" you are free to donate any amount you desire through PayPal by clicking this button.

Save Actions - Saves the selected primary and secondary actions in order for them to be loaded next time the application launches.

Exit - Exits the application.

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Settings Window

In the settings form you have the ability to change the following settings :

Application Settings :

1. Auto-start application with Windows - Sets the "Snaked Net Check" application to run automatically during Windows startup process using a registry key. (This is critical when you have the "Restart Computer" action selected as primary or secondary action because it will continue to check the connectivity after it restores it using a complete system restart)

2. Start minimized to tray - Sets the "Snaked Net Check" application to not show any window the next time it is executed. It will only show an icon in the system tray. This is called the "Silent State". Check the tray icon options for more details.

Server:

1. IP Address or Domain Name - This is the target server that Snaked Net Check will try to send and receive a packet using the "Ping" command. It can be an IP address such as "192.168.0.1" or a domain name such as "www.google.com". The application will figure out automatically whichever was inserted.

2. Primary Action - Number of retries - This is the amount of failures that will trigger the primary action specified by the user in order to fix the connectivity issues. As mentioned above the application checks the internet connectivity every 30 seconds so two retries mean one minute. The amount of time that the connection will be down before primary action will be executed is calculated automatically and shown right next to the inserted number.

3. Secondary Action - Number of retries - This is the number of times the primary action fails in order for the secondary action to be triggered. Accordingly it will be automatically calculated based on the "Primary Action - Number of retries" setting and will be shown right next to the inserted number.

Save Settings - The application will ask if you want to test the inserted Server's address before it is saved. If you select "Yes" the application will try to contact the server. If it succeeds it will be saved along with the rest of the settings. In case it fails you will be notified that it was unreachable and therefore it can't be saved. If you want to save the server address without checking if it's reachable please select "No" to the "Optional Server Check" dialog.

Restore - Restores the settings to the user's latest saved selections.

Defaults - Resets the settings to the developer's defaults.

Return without saving - Closes the Settings form without applying the current changes nor saving the settings.

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Log Window

You can see the content of the "Log.txt" file in this window. It contains all logged data by the application including the failed connectivity checks and repairing attempts. It also logs changes made to the Settings form and various application events.

Clear Log button clears all the logged data and empties the "Log.txt" file. (Clearing the log event is also logged)

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Feedback Window

In this window you have the ability to leave feedback about anything that has to do with the "Snaked Net Check" application. If you'd like us to contact you for more detailed support please enter your email address in the box below.

We are very pleased to read your opinion on our appilcation's features and would love to receive your suggestions for the next versions of the application. Please do not hesitate to leave feedback using this form. Entering your email is optional.

Buttons :

Send - Sends the current page to the developer's email. Please leave a valid email if you would like us to contact you for support on the application.

Clear - Clears the page from text.

Back - Returns to the main form of the "Snaked Net Check" application.

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Information Window

In this page you can read this "ReadMe.txt" file.

Buttons :

Licence - You can click on Licence button to read the Lesser GPL licence disclaimer provided by GNU.

Back - Returns to the main form of the "Snaked Net Check" application.

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Tray Icon

If you have checked the "Start minimized to tray" option in the Settings window, the application will be launced in "Silent State" the next time it is executed. This means that there will be no "Snaked Net Check" visible window and the application will only be visible in the system's tray.

You have the ability to use the application by right clicking the "Snaked Net Check" tray icon, and use the following options:

Hide / Restore - Hides or Shows the "Snaked Net Check" application window. Enables or disables the "Silent State".

Manually Check Connection - Checks the internet connectivity instantly. (Executing a manual immediate check will disable "Auto-Check", so it is highly recommended that you re-enable it right after the manual repair process is completed).

Auto-Check Connection - Enabled - Switches the "Auto-Check" feature on and off. See "Main Window - Auto-Check" section for more details.

Exit - Terminates the "Snaked Net Check" application. It will warn you for unsaved settings before exiting.

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Monitoring Mode

You can use the "Snaked Net Check" in monitoring mode in order to check your own server's availability. In order to do that follow the steps below:

1. Make sure you can connect to your server before proceeding.
2. Click Change Settings
3. Enter your Server's IP address or domain name.
3. Save the changes.
4. Select "No Action" as the desired action to both Primary and Secondary Action.
5. Have the "Auto-Check" feature enabled.
6. Save the actions selection settings by clicking "Save Actions" in the main window.

The application now will attempt to communicate with your server once every 30 seconds logging any failures to the "Log.txt" file. You can view the logged data by clicking the "Show Log" button. Now you will be able to know if your server becomes unavailable considering that you have a stable internet connection.

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Bugs fixed and new features in the latest version Snaked Net Check v1.1 :

1. Major Fix : The application now checks the server's reachability through a separate thread so it no longer lags when it's not.

2. The user is now given the option to save his primary and secondary actions so they don't get reset each time the application is launched.

3. In the Settings Window, when the server's IP address or domain name get changed, the user has the option to bypass the server's availability check so the address can now be changed even when offline. However bypass the check at your own risk, since doing so might lead to an incorrect server address to be inserted.

4. Leave Feedback form is now working properly. We fixed a bug in the SMTP server's port settings. Since people seem to like the application even more over time, we're looking forward to receiving your feedback!

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Known issues

1. The "Snaked Net Check" application does not work on Windows XP or any previous versions due to the lack of the advanced Windows troubleshooter that is available in Windows 7 and Windows 8. It has not been tested but it should work properly on Windows Vista.

2. You need to have Microsoft .Net Framework 4.0 runtime installed on your system in order for the "Snaked Net Check" application to run properly.

3. You need to have the following files in the same directory in order for the "Snaked Net Check" to run properly:

	a. SnakedNetCheck.exe
	b. Licence.txt
	c. ReadMe.txt

If you need to move the application to a different location on your hard disk please uncheck "Auto-start application with Windows" in the Settings Window before doing so. This will remove the probability of leaving invalid Windows startup entries.

In case you find any other issues please contact us through the feedback form with details about it.

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Snaked Net Check - Version 1.1 - All rights reserved
Copyright 2012 Patlakoutzas George aka Solid Snake

Contact : 

Visit our blog : http://snaked-bytes.blogspot.com
Email us at :    sdev@live.no