Texas Instruments 4000M User Manual

User’s Reference Guide

TravelMateTM 4000M
Notebook Computer
P/N 9793374-0001, Rev. A
August 1994
Chapter 1 Using the Setup Programs
Accessing the Setup Programs .................................1-2
Date and Time Parameters....................................... 1-7
Disk Drive Parameters ............................................. 1-8
Input/Output (I/O) Parameters................................1-9
Keyboard Parameters ............................................... 1-12
Memory Parameters ................................................. 1-13
Power Management Parameters ............................... 1-14
Power Savings.......................................................... 1-15
Activity Monitoring................................................... 1-19

Contents

Contents
Screen Parameters .................................................. 1-21
System Configuration Parameters ........................... 1-23
Chapter 2 Installing and Using Applications
Guidelines for Installing Applications ....................... 2-2
Setting Up a Password ............................................. 2-11
Setting Up a Non MS-DOS Environment .................. 2-15
Restoring MS-DOS System Files............................... 2-16
Chapter 3 Custom Windows Utilities
Overview of Windows Utilities................................... 3-3
Information Utilities ................................................. 3-4
Productivity Utilities................................................. 3-6
Video Utilities........................................................... 3-9
Drop N’ Go Utility..................................................... 3-10
Change Cursor Utility .............................................. 3-14
Super Shutdown Utility............................................ 3-19
iii
Contents
Chapter 4 Laptop Manager
Laptop Manager Features......................................... 4-2
LM Main Menu......................................................... 4-3
Adding Applications to the Menu.............................. 4-5
Adding Items to the Application Menu...................... 4-14
Changing LM Menu Colors....................................... 4-15
LM_Setup................................................................. 4-16
Chapter 5 Power Saving Utilities
Optimizing Battery Operation................................... 5-2
SETPOWER Utility ................................................... 5-10
SMARTDRV.EXE Disk Caching Utility...................... 5-11
SPEED Utility........................................................... 5-12
Chapter 6 Palette Utilities
Color Display Utilities .............................................. 6-2
PAL Utility................................................................ 6-3
PALSET Utility .........................................................6-11
Chapter 7 Laptop File Manager
Getting Started with LFM ......................................... 7-3
Using the Main Menu............................................... 7-5
Function Key Commands ......................................... 7-6
Character Key Commands........................................ 7-15
Multiple File Operations........................................... 7-28
Restoring Laptop File Manager ................................. 7-30
iv
Contents
Chapter 8 VGA External Monitor Utilities
Capabilities.............................................................. 8-2
VGA Utility............................................................... 8-5
Advanced Monitor Operations .................................. 8-13
External Monitor Troubleshooting............................ 8-17
Chapter 9 Other Utilities
ALARM Utility .......................................................... 9-2
GETSTAT Utility....................................................... 9-3
RAMDRIVE.SYS Device Driver.................................. 9-6
SETCMOS Utility...................................................... 9-7
SETKEY Utility......................................................... 9-10
Chapter 10 Sound
Features................................................................... 10-2
Pocket Recorder ....................................................... 10-3
Pocket Mixer .......................................................... 10-7
Editing, Playing, and Recording................................ 10-8
Pocket CD ............................................................. 10-9
Chapter 11 TravelMate Options
List of Options.......................................................... 11-2
Battery Options........................................................ 11-4
PCMCIA Options ...................................................... 11-5
RAM Expansion ....................................................... 11-6
Using the AC Adapter............................................... 11-9
External Numeric Keypad......................................... 11-10
Carrying Cases......................................................... 11-11
Microphone/Headphone Kit ..................................... 11-12
Other Options .......................................................... 11-13
External Monitor...................................................... 11-14
v
Contents
Chapter 12 Portable CD-ROM Docking System
Features................................................................... 12-2
Docking Your Notebook ............................................ 12-6
Undocking the Notebook .......................................... 12-8
Using the Portable CD-ROM Docking System ........... 12-10
Options .................................................................... 12-15
Appendix A Specifications Appendix B Character Sets Appendix C Keyboard Layouts Appendix D Diagnostics Appendix E Power Consumption Values Appendix F Configuring Memory Appendix G Connector Pin Assignments Appendix H Screen Standards Appendix I Creating Help Displays Glossary Index
vi
Copyright (©) 1994 Texas Instruments Incorporated
All Rights Reserved — Printed in U.S.A.
TravelMate 4000M Notebook User’s Reference Guide TI Part No. 9793374-0001, Rev. A Original Issue: April 1994
Changes may be made periodically to the information in this publication. Such changes will be incorporated in new editions of this manual.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Texas Instruments Incorporated.
TravelMate, Travelpoint WinSX, WinDX, WinDX2, and BatteryPro are trademarks of
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Preface

Your TravelMate 4000M computer comes with a variety of standard features and options that maximize system performance and ease of operation. This manual acts as a reference for software utilities and hardware included with your notebook.
Chapter 1- Shows you the basics of system setup using the supplied Setup programs.
Chapter 2 - Provides information on system software configuration and utility installation.
Chapter 3 - Describes custom Windows utilities.
Chapter 4 - Describes the functionality of Laptop Manager
in managing your application programs.
Preface
Chapter 5 - Describes Power Saving utilities.
Chapter 6 - Describes utilities designed to enhance and
customize your display.
Chapter 7 - Describes Laptop File Manager, a program that helps you manipulate files and directories stored on the hard disk.
Chapter 8 - Describes utilities that allow you to connect an external VGA to your system.
Chapter 9 - Describes miscellaneous utilities for configuration and system enhancement.
Chapter 10 - Describes the Sound utilities provided with your notebook.
Chapter 11 - Describes options you may purchase for your TM4000M computer.
Chapter 12 - Describes the optional Portable CD-ROM Docking System.
vii
Preface
Appendix A - Provides system specifications for the TM4000M.
Appendix B - Displays character sets used by the TM4000M.
Appendix C - Displays domestic and international keyboard
layouts.
Appendix D - Describes diagnostics and error codes for your TM4000M.
Appendix E - Describes the power consumption values for your TM4000M.
Appendix F - Describes memory configuration for your TM4000M.
Appendix G - Describes connector pin assignments for the TM4000M and Portable CD-ROM Docking System.
Appendix H - Describes screen stardards supported by the TM4000M internal display adapter.
Appendix I - Describes how to custom design your own Help displays.
A glossary and index are also provided for your reference.
1

Using the Setup Programs

This chapter explains:
How to access the Setup Programs How to select and save parameters
Contents
Accessing the Setup Programs.........................................1-2
Initial Startup Procedure .............................................1-2
Startup Menu ..............................................................1-3
Creating Backup System Diskettes ..............................1-4
System Recovery Diskette............................................1-4
Accessing Disk-Based Setup........................................1-5
Accessing ROM-Based Setup .......................................1-6
Accessing Windows-Based Setup .................................1-6
Defining Setup Parameters ..........................................1-6
Date and Time Parameters...............................................1-7
Disk Drive Parameters .....................................................1-8
Input/Output (I/O) Parameters .......................................1-9
Keyboard Parameters.....................................................1-12
Memory Parameters.......................................................1-13
Power Management Parameters ....................................1-14
Power Savings................................................................1-15
Activity Monitoring ........................................................1-19
Screen Parameters ........................................................1-21
System Configuration Parameters .................................1-23
Using the Setup Programs 1-1
Accessing the Setup Programs
Your computer has three setup programs to assist you in selecting required hardware and software parameters:
Disk-based Setup ROM-based Setup Windows-based Setup
Accessing the Setup Programs
Initial Startup Procedure
The first time you boot up your notebook, your system automatically runs Setup. The following questions are asked:
1. You are asked which country your keyboard is designed
to support.
Once this information is provided, the Windows Setup program automatically runs.
2. You are prompted for your name and program serial
number.
3. You are asked which printer you would like as a default
printer.
You exit Windows. System files are automatically
unzipped and the system build begins. When complete, a video greeting appears. After it runs, the following options appear:
No Change - keep the video and allow it to run each time you boot the computer
Remove - removes the video entry from the startup file so that you keep the video, but it does not run each time you boot the computer
1-2 Using the Setup Programs
Startup Menu Options
Option Description
Standard Windows for Workgroups (def ault)
Loads PCMCIA drivers
Docking System Windo ws for Workgroups
Loads PCMCIA and CD-ROM (SCSI) drivers
Minimum Windows for Workgroups
No drivers loaded (leaving more memory)
Minimum Docking System Windows f or Workgroups
Loads SCSI drivers (leaving more memory)
System Maintenance Deletes demo games and allows you to
create back up system diskettes
Games Demonstration Allows you to vie w or play pre-loaded
games on the notebook.
Accessing the Setup Programs
Delete - delete the video (the video takes up 12 MB of
hard disk space)
5. Make your selection.
The system reboots to the Startup Menu.
Startup Menu
Each time your system boots, the Startup Menu appears. You have ten seconds to make selections from this menu, otherwise the boot process continues with previously configured parameters. The following is a description of the Startup Menu:
To select an option, use the up and down arrow keys or press the number key of the option you desire. This highlights the option. Press Enter to select the desired configuration.
Using the Setup Programs 1-3
Accessing the Setup Programs
Creating Backup System Diskettes
You should create your back up system diskettes as soon as possible after purchasing your notebook. To create backup system diskettes, complete the following steps:
1. Ensure that you have 17 (for U.S.A.) or 18 (all other
countries) high density, 1.4 MB, 3.5" diskettes.
2. Boot your system.
System startup begins. A DOS Startup Menu appears.
3. Select option 5, SYSTEM MAINTENANCE AND BACKUP.
The system backup menu is displayed. You can select
files from the left column to back up by using the up and down arrow keys to highlight the files. As filenames in the left column are highlighted, a description of them appears in the right column and the number of diskettes required for these files is displayed.
4. To begin creating the system backup diskettes, insert the diskette into the floppy drive and press ENTER to back up highlighted files. Backing up all files requires 17 to 18 diskettes. Each diskette will automatically be formatted.
You may access the Setup program at a later time to reset previously configured parameters.
System Recovery Diskette
You should have received a System Recovery diskette with your notebook. This is a bootable diskette with backup software and enables you to restore minimum system files. After the computer boots for the first time, you are prompted to insert your System Recovery diskette. Ensure that you make two additional copies of this diskette.
1-4 Using the Setup Programs
Accessing the Setup Programs
You should keep your System Recovery diskette updated with your latest Windows configuration. To do this, complete the following steps:
1. The first time you complete a new addition or change to Windows (such as adding a new software icon), manually copy all *.GRP and *.INI files to the first copy of the System Recovery diskette. These files are located in the C:\Windows directory.
2. The next time you complete a new addition or change to Windows, you should manually copy over all of the *.GRP and *.INI files to the second copy of the System Recovery diskette.
3. After each subsequent change, you should alternate making the backup of *.GRP and *.INI files to the first and second copy of the System Recovery diskette.
Accessing Disk-Based Setup
This Setup program, which resides on the hard disk under
UTILS directory, defines all default and most
the user-selectable parameters. Disk-based Setup contains four screens, or pages, with onscreen prompts plus a context-sensitive online help.
From the Setup in two ways:
Press FN-ESC (SETUP) Type SET_UP and press ENTER.
After Setup has loaded, you can define parameters based on the information in the online help or in this chapter
C:\> prompt, you can access Page 1 of disk-based
.
Using the Setup Programs 1-5
Accessing the Setup Programs
Accessing ROM-Based Setup
ROM-based Setup resides in internal ROM. It is identical to disk-based Setup except it does not have any online help.
To access Page 1 of progress, and press CTRL-ALT-ESC. You can then select parameters as you do for disk-based Setup. The system reboots even if changes are not made.
ROM-based Setup, save any work in
Accessing Windows-Based Setup
To access Windows-based Setup, select the Windows Control Panel in the Main Windows group. Then double-click the WSetup icon. You can then define parameters based on the information in the online help and in this chapter.
Changes to many of the Setup parameters take effect only at system startup. If you change one of these parameters, when you save the new Setup parameters, you are prompted that you need to exit Windows and restart the computer. To put these changes into effect, double-click on the Super Shutdown icon to exit Windows, then press CTRL-ALT-DEL to restart the computer.
Defining Setup Parameters
The three Setup Programs adequately describe what you need to do to navigate through the menus, use cursor keys, save parameters, and exit.
Note: The Setup Programs are customized for each model computer and for any given model may not support all of
n
the selections described in the following pages.
1-6 Using the Setup Programs
Date and Time Parameters
Date and Time Parameters
Paramete r Definitions and Va lues
Time
Date
Date Display (Time Display)
Pressing the space bar when seconds are highlighted rese ts seco nd s to 00 .
The day-of-week value is set automatically when you set the da te.
Determines whether the time is displayed in 12-hour or 24-hour format.
Values:
US (12-hour) (default) European (24-hour)
Page No.
(Disk/ROM)
Page 1 Main
Page 1 Main
Page 1 Main
Access Path
(Windows)
Control Panel
International
Time Format
Control Panel
International
Date/Time
Control Panel
International
Time Format
Using the Setup Programs 1-7
Disk Drive Parameters
Disk Drive Parameters
Paramete r Definitions and Va lues
Diskettes Drives Drive A, Drive B
Do not change from defaults unle ss external floppy drive configured as floppy drive
Values:
3.5", 1.44 MB (default, Drive A)
3.5" 720 KB, 5.25", 360 KB,
5.25", 1. 2 MB Not installed (default, Drive B)
Hard Disk 1 & 2
Do not change . Pa ge 1 Cannot change.
Page No.
(Disk/ROM)
Access Path
(Windows)
Page 1 Cannot change.
Use disk- or
ROM-based Se tup
Use disk- or
ROM-based Se tup
1-8 Using the Setup Programs
Input/Output (I/O) Parameters
The input/output (I/O) parameters define how the computer treats the following I/O devices:
SerialPort Parallel port SCSI PCMCIA Game Port PS/2 Port
You can use these parameters to enable and define the ports.
Input/Output (I/O) Parameters
Paramete r Definitions and Va lues
Standard Comm (Serial Port)g11
Port
Defines whether the port is enabled
Values:
Enabled (default) Disabled
Determines whether port is COM1 or COM2.
Values:
COM1 (default) COM2
Page No.
(Disk/ROM)
Page 4 Main
Page 4 Main
Access Path
(Windows)
Control Panel
WSETUP
I/O Ports
Serial Ports
Control Panel
WSETUP
I/O Ports
Serial Ports
Using the Setup Programs 1-9
Input/Output (I/O) Parameters
Paramete r Definitions and Va lues
Baud Rate
Data Bits
Stop Bits
Parity
Parallel Port
Values:
7, 8 (default)
Values:
1 (default), 2
Values:
Odd, Even, None (default)
Defines whether parallel port enabled
Values:
LPT 1 (default) LPT 2 LPT 3 Disabled
Page No.
(Disk/ROM)
Page 4 Refer to your
Page 4 Refer to your
Page 4 Refer to your
Page 4 Refer to your
Page 4 Main
Access Path
(Windows)
Windows
documentation
Windows
documentation
Windows
documentation
Windows
documentation
Control Panel
WSETUP
I/O Ports
Par alle l
EPP Mode
Values:
Disabled SPP (default) EPP and SPP ECP ECP and EPP
1-10 Using the Setup Programs
Page 4 Main
Control Panel
WSETUP
I/O Ports
Para llel Port
Extended Mode
Input/Output (I/O) Parameters
Paramete r Definitions and Va lues
SCSI BIOS
PCMCIA
Values:
Disable (default) Enable
Selects status for PCMCIA option
Values: Hardware-
OFF ON
BIOS-
OFF ON
Page No.
(Disk/ROM)
Page 4 Main
Access Path
(Windows)
Control Panel
WSETUP
I/O Ports
SCSI BIOS
Control Panel
WSETUP
I/O Ports
PCMCIA
Main
Game Port
PS/2 Port
Selects status for MIDI/Jo y Port
Values:
OFF ON
Selects de vice for PS/2 port
Values:
Disabled, Mou se, K eyboard Auto (default)=detect s whethe r keyboard or mouse attache d
No access. Use Windows­based Setup or the SETKEY command in
MS-DOS.
Main
Control Panel
WSETUP
I/O Ports
Game Port
Main
Control Panel
WSETUP
I/O Ports
PS/2 Port
Using the Setup Programs 1-11
Keyboard Parameters
Keyboard Parameters
Paramete r Definitions and Va lues
Caps Lock
Num Lock
Startup status of Caps Lock ind icat or
Values:
On Off (def au lt)
Startup status of Num Lock indica to r
Values:
On (default) Off
Page No.
(Disk/ROM)
Page 3 Main
Page 3 Main
Access Path
(Windows)
Control Panel
WSETUP
Keyboard
Lock Key State
Control Panel
WSETUP
Keyboard
Lock Key State
Scroll-Lock
Repeat Rate
Startup status of Scroll Lock ind icator
Values:
On Off (def au lt)
Speed at which a char act er repeats when key pressed and held
Values:
Slow Normal (default) Fast
Page 3 Main
Control Panel
WSETUP
Keyboard
Lock Key State
Page 3 Main
Control Panel
WSETUP
Keyboard
Repeat Rate
1-12 Using the Setup Programs
Memory Parameters
Paramete r Definitions and Va lues
Page No.
(Disk/ROM)
Memory Parameters
Access Path
(Windows)
Standard
Shadow ROM
Do
not
change Pa ge 1 Cannot change.
Set to default for maximum perf ormance of B IO S and Extended RAM unless your application requires the 384 KB that Sh adow ROM uses.
Values: Internal (default)
All, None
Use disk- or
ROM-based Se tup
Page 1 Cannot change.
Use disk- or
ROM-based Se tup
Using the Setup Programs 1-13
Power Management Parameters
If you use your computer frequently on battery power, the
Power Management Parameters
amount of productive time you can get out of a single battery charge is important. Although the default values for the Setup parameters do an adequate job of conserving power, you can adjust the values of the parameters to achieve even greater savings and a resulting longer battery life.
Setup has two groups of power management parameters:
Power-savings parameters that define what the
computer does to save power
Activity-monitoring that determines when the
computer goes into and comes out of some of the power conservation modes.
1-14 Using the Setup Programs
Power Savings
The power-savings parameters define a variety of ways the computer can modify its activity to affect the drain on the battery. There is also a parameter called Power Savings that determines when, if ever, the computer implements the defined power savings.
Paramete r Definitions and Va lues
Power Savings
Timeout Interval
Defines how power-savings parameters as a group are enabled
Values:
Auto (default)—Enab le d batt ery only On (or Enable)—Enabled both battery and ac Off (or Disable)—Disabled
Number of minutes of inactivity on monitored devices before implementing defined timeout actio n
Values:
1, 2 (default), 5, 10, 15, Always on
Page No.
(Disk/ROM)
Page 2 Main
Page 2 Main
Access Path
(Windows)
Control Panel
WSETUP
P ower Sa vings
Control Panel
WSETUP
P ower Sa vings
System Timeout
Power Savings
Interval
Timeout Action
What happens when defined timeou t interval exceeded on monitored devices.
Values:
Auto Suspend (De fault)—bac klight off and goes into low power mode Backlight Off—o nly ba cklight off
Using the Setup Programs 1-15
Page 2 Main
Control Panel
WSETUP
P ower Sa vings
System Timeout
Action
Power Savings
Paramete r Definitions and Va lues
Wakeup Interval
Wakeup Action
Number of minutes in auto -suspend mode bef ore waking up
Values:
5
, 10 (default), 15, 20
What happens when wakeup interval expires and auto-suspend enabled; applies to battery operations only
Values:
Backlight On and CPU normal (default) Backlight Remains Of f an d CPU normal
Page No.
(Disk/ROM)
Page 2 Main
Page 2 Main
Access Path
(Windows)
Control Panel
WSETUP
P ower Sa vings
Auto Wakeup
Control Panel
WSETUP
P ower Sa vings
Wakeup Action
Interval
Cover Closed Action
What happens when the cover i s closed while the computer is on.
Values:
Suspend (default)= backlight and hard disk off and CPU suspended Backlight Off= only backlight off
Page 2 Main
Control Panel
WSETUP
P ower Sa vings
Cover Closed
Action
1-16 Using the Setup Programs
Power Savings
Paramete r Definitions and Va lues
HDD Motor Timeout
Default CPU Speed
Number of minutes with out reads or writes before hard disk off
Values:
1, 2, 5 (default), 10, Al w ays on Hard disk access may be delay ed
while the hard disk reaches operating speed. If an applica tion has frequent hard disk access, a low setting may actually use more pow er because of the power required to bring the hard disk up to speed.
CPU speed at startup
Values:
Low, Medium, High Auto (default)—high spee d for AC and medium speed f or b at tery
CPU speed can be changed by pressing CTRL-ALT- ↑ or CTRL-ALT- (except on DX4 mod els). You can also execute the SPEED utility on all systems.
Page No.
(Disk/ROM)
Page 2 Main
Page 2 Main
Access Path
(Windows)
Control Panel
WSETUP
P ower Sa vings
HDD Motor
Control Panel
WSETUP
P ower Sa vings
Default CPU
Timeout
Speed
LCD Power
Advanced OS Power
Defines brightness of backlighting; the lower the settin g, the dimmer th e backlightin g an d the lower th e power requirements. This parame ter is not supported on color units.
Values:
Low, Medium, High Auto (default)—high for AC and medium for ba tt ery
On (default) Auto Off
Using the Setup Programs 1-17
Page 2 Main
Control Panel
WSETUP
P ower Sa vings
LCD P ower
Page 2
Power Savings
Paramete r Definitions and Va lues
Power Level
Level of savings activated under BatteryPro utility.
Values:
Disabled 1–Low 2–Medium (def au lt) 3–High 4–Maximum
Page No.
(Disk/ROM)
No access. Use
SETPOWER
command in
MS-DOS.
Access Path
(Windows)
Main
Control Panel
WSETUP
P ower Sa vings
Power Level
1-18 Using the Setup Programs
Activity Monitoring
The computer can monitor activity on up to three groups of devices depending on the model:
Comm—includes the standard serial port Disks—includes the hard disk, floppy drive, and
CD-ROM
External PS/2 keyboard, numeric keypad, or mouse
connected to the PS/2 port
If no activity occurs on the monitored devices for the defined Timeout Interval, the computer implements the defined Timeout Action. The computer resumes full operation automatically as soon as activity occurs on any of the monitored devices.
Paramete r Definitions and Va lues
Page No.
(Disk/ROM)
Activity Monitoring
Access Path
(Windows)
Pointing Device
Disks
Yes (default) No
Monitors hard disk and floppy drive
Values:
Yes (or On) No (or Off) (def ault)
Page 2 Main
Control Panel
WSETUP
P ower Sa vings
Activity Monitor
P oin ting Device
Page 2 Main
Control Panel
WSETUP
P ower Sa vings
Activity Monitor
Disks
Using the Setup Programs 1-19
Activity Monitoring
Paramete r Definitions and Va lues
Comm
Monitors COM port
Values:
Yes (or On) (defaut) No (or Off)
Page No.
(Disk/ROM)
Page 2 Main
Access Path
(Windows)
Control Panel
WSETUP
P ower Sa vings
Activity Monitor
Comm
1-20 Using the Setup Programs
Screen Parameters
Screen Parameters
Paramete r Definitions and Va lues
Reverse
Expanded Mode
Specifies startup status of video
Values:
On= White on black for text and graphics Off (def au lt)=B lack on white for text and graphics Text Only= Text only Graphics Only= Graphics only
Not supported on color models Specifies whether all video mod es can
use the entire video area.
Values:
On (default) Off
In some video modes , viewing area at the top and bottom of the display area.
Off
restricts the
Page No.
(Disk/ROM)
Page 3 Main
Page 3 Main
Access Path
(Windows)
Control Panel
WSETUP
Control Panel
WSETUP
Expanded Mode
Screen
Reverse
Screen
Block Cursor
Display
Specifies whether the curso r is always a block cursor, reg ardless of the application.
Values:
On (default) Off
Selects the display device.
Values:
LCD= All display outpu t on the LCD CRT= All display output on an e xte rnal monitor; defaults to LCD if no external monitor (default) Both=Simultaneous display on the LCD and on the external monito r; defaults to LCD if no external monitor
Page 3 Main
Control Panel
WSETUP
Screen
Block Cursor
Page 3 Main
Control Panel
WSETUP
Screen
Display
Using the Setup Programs 1-21
Screen Parameters
Paramete r Definitions and Va lues
Monitor Type
LCD Palette
Selects the monitor device driver appropriate for your external monitor and application.
Values:
VGA , 8514 Comp atible, Supe r VGA, Ext. Super VGA (default), Multifrequency, Extended Multifrequency, Super Multifrequency, Ext. Super Multifreque ncy
Must match external monitor Specifies the startup palette .
Values:
Default Palette 0=Standard Palette 0 (default) 1=Text P ale tte 2=Standard Palette 1 3=Standard Palette 2 4=User Palette 1 5=User Palette 2 (default on some color models)
Page No.
(Disk/ROM)
Page 3 Main
Page 3 Main
Access Path
(Windows)
Control Panel
WSETUP
Monitor Type
Control Panel
WSETUP
Screen
Screen
Palette
User Palette 1,2
Can be changed with RPAL utility or PALSET
1-22 Using the Setup Programs
System Configuration Parameters
Paramete r Definitions and Va lues
Page No.
(Disk/ROM)
System Configuration Parameters
Access Path
(Windows)
Battery Alarm
Cover Alarm
Defines whether the alarm sounds for low-battery condition
Values:
On (default) Off
Can be delayed in Windows with P ower utility
Defines whether the alarm sounds when the cover closed
Values:
On (default) Off
Page 3 Main
Control Panel
WSETUP
System
Configuration
Alarms
Battery Alarm
Page 3 Main
Control Panel
WSETUP
System
Configuration
Alarms
Cover Alarm
Speaker (Standard)
Defines whether the speaker is on or off.
Values:
Enabled (default) Disabled
Using the Setup Programs 1-23
Page 3 Main
Control
Panel
WSETUP
System
Configuration
Speakers
System Configuration Parameters
Paramete r Definitions and Va lues
Speakers (Multimedia)
Quick Boot
Values:
Enabled (default) Disabled
Defines extent of self-test performed at startup
Values:
On (default)=bypasses some tests, including memory tests Off= runs all self tests
Page No.
(Disk/ROM)
Page 4 Main
Page 3 Main
Access Path
(Windows)
Control Panel
WSETUP
I/O Ports
Configuration
Speakers
WSETUP
Configuration
Quick Boot
System
Control
Panel
System
Internal Cache
Defines cache memory
Values:
On (Enabled) (default) Off (Disabled)
1-24 Using the Setup Programs
Page 3 Main
Control Panel
WSETUP
System
Configuration
Internal Cache

Installing and Using Applications

This chapter explains:
Guidelines for loading IBM AT-compatible application
programs
How to set up a password
2
How to restore
MS-DOS system files
Contents
Guidelines for Installing Applications .............................. 2-2
Installation Considerations ......................................... 2-2
AUTOEXEC.BAT File................................................... 2-3
Default CONFIG.SYS Files........................................... 2-7
Setting Up a Password .................................................. 2-11
Loading the Password Utility..................................... 2-11
Installing a Password ................................................ 2-12
Changing a Password................................................ 2-12
Removing a Password................................................ 2-13
Entering the Password .............................................. 2-14
Setting Up a Non MS-DOS Environment .......................2-15
Restoring MS-DOS System Files.................................... 2-16
If COMMAND.COM is Missing ................................... 2-16
If .SYS Files are Missing............................................ 2-16
Restoring Windows.................................................... 2-18
Restoring BatteryPro Utilities .................................... 2-18
Installing and Using Applications 2-1
Guidelines for Installing Applications
Your TravelMate Computer is fully compatible with IBM AT computers. All applications written for AT computers will execute on your computer. However, consider these guidelines before installing applications.
Installation Considerations
The following configuration items will influence how you install application programs.
Display
When installing an application, select the highest­resolution monitor configuration possible. This depends on your usage of the internal LCD or external analog monitor, since an external monitor can support higher resolutions.
Guidelines for Installing Applications
Keyboard
The computer keyboard emulates all functions of an IBM AT-101 enhanced keyboard. When installing an application, select the configuration.
IBM 101- or AT-enhanced keyboard
The Point
The Point is compatible with the Microsoft PS/2 mouse. When installing an application, select the Microsoft PS/2 mouse configuration.
2-2 Installing and Using Applications
Guidelines for Installing Applications
Processing Speed
Some applications cannot execute at the high speed available with your computer. Check the application documentation for the required processing speed and, if necessary, change the speed using one of the following methods:
Setup Program (see instructions in this manual)
CTRL-ALT-or CTRL-ALT-↓ (except on DX4 models) SPEED utility
Note: On DX4 models, memory managers such as
n
EMM386 cannot be loaded when using the SPEED utility.
n
Laptop Manager Change menu
Note: Some applications may require the internal cache to be disabled. This is done through the System Setup program.
You can configure Laptop Manager to load the programs with necessary speed settings. Then you do not have to change the Setup Program settings each time you load an application that requires a different processing speed.
Memory
A standard computer has 4 MB of memory, 640 KB of system memory, plus extended memory. You may purchase optional memory to upgrade your system to 8 or 20 MB of memory.
AUTOEXEC.BAT File
The AUTOEXEC.BAT file configures system software automatically when you boot the computer. If your
Installing and Using Applications 2-3
Guidelines for Installing Applications
application requires additions or changes to the
AUTOEXEC.BAT file, carefully consider the consequences.
Please read and understand this file before you change it. (See the MS-DOS User’s Guide and Reference furnished with your computer for more details on constructing this file and its significance.)
Note: If you need to restore the default AUTOEXEC.BAT file to your hard disk, it is included on the System Recovery
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diskette.
Each line of the default are defined in the following file listing and table. Since this file changes, the following example and your file may look slightly different.
AUTOEXEC.BAT file and its purpose
2-4 Installing and Using Applications
Guidelines for Installing Applications
1. @ECHO OFF
2. REM ================================
3. PROMPT $P$G
4. PATH=C:\WINDOWS;C:\DOS;C:\UTILS;C:\JAZZ;C:\PCMPLUS
5. SET TEM P=C:\ W INDOW S\TEM P
6. SET COMSPEC=C:\DOS\COMMAND.COM
7. SET MFILE=C:\UTILS
8. SET BLASTER= A220 I5 D1 H5 T4
9. SET MOUSE=C:\MOUSE
10. C:\WINDOWS\SMARTDR V.EXE /L
11. C:\MOUSE\MOUSE.EXE /Q
12. GOTO %CONFIG%
13. :G
14. REM =======GAMES/DEMONSTRATIONS============
15. CD DEMOS
16. EXECUTE
17. REBOOT
18. :SM
19. REM =======SYSTEM MAINTENANCE=============
20. CD IMAGES
21. EXECUTE
22. REBOOT
23. :S 24: REM =======SCSI DRIVERS/UTILS===============
25. :SP
26. REM ====SCSI AND PCMCIA DRIVERS/UTILS= ==========
27. C:\SCSI\MSCDEX.EXE /D:ASPICDO /M12
28. :P
29. REM =======PCMCIA DRIVERS/UTILS=============
30. DOSKEY
31. :N
32. REM =======NO SYSTEM DRIVERS/UTILS===========
33. WIN
Installing and Using Applications 2-5
Guidelines for Installing Applications
TravelMate 4000M Factory Default AUTOEXEC.BAT File
Line Purpose 1 turns off echoing (displaying) of commands on screen
2 comment block
3 tells MS-DOS to display the current drive and directory
4 defines the directories and order in which to search for
files entered on the command line; you can add additional directories to this line as required
5 tells MS-DOS where to find the temporary files
6 tells MS-DOS where to find the command processor
7 tells MS-DOS where to find the Laptop Manager data file
8 sets interrupt and DMA parameters for sound compatibility
9 tells MS-DOS where to find the mouse driver
10 installs memory manager device driver
11 loads the mouse driver
12 selects the setting selected in CONFIG.SYS
13 sends the user to the games/demonstrations utility
14 comment block describing games/demonstrations
15 goes to the demos directory
16 displays a games/demonstrations menu
17 reboots the system
18 sends the user to the system maintenance utility
19 comment block describing system maintenance utility
20 goes to the images directory
21 displays a system maintenance menu
2-6 Installing and Using Applications
Guidelines for Installing Applications
22 reboots the system
23 loads system and PCMCIA drivers
24 comment block describing SCSI drivers/utilities
25 loads system, PCMCIA, and SCSI drivers
26 comment block describing SCSI and PCMCIA drivers/
utilities
27 executes the MSCDEX so the CD-ROM is accessed
28 loads system and PCMCIA drivers
29 comment block describing PCMCIA drivers/
utilities
30 edits command lines, recalls MS-DOS command, and
creates macros
31 tells the system the user doesn’t want to load any drivers or
32 comment block that says there are no system drivers or
utilities to be loaded
33 runs Windows
Default CONFIG.SYS Files
If your application requires additions or changes to the
CONFIG.SYS file, carefully consider the consequences. The
factory-installed (default) file is listed and described in this section. Please read and understand this file before you change it. (See the MS-DOS User’s Guide and Reference for more details on constructing this file and its significance.)
Each line of the default
CONFIG.SYS file and its purpose are
defined in the table following the file listing. You can add commands required by your application, but do not delete the existing default commands.
Installing and Using Applications 2-7
Guidelines for Installing Applications
1. [MENU]
2. MENUCOLOR=11,0
3. MENUITEM = P,STANDARD WINDOWS FOR WO RKG RO UPS
4. MENUITEM=SP,DOCKING SYSTEM WINDOWS FOR WORKGRO UPS
5. MENUITEM=N,MINIMUM WINDO W S FO R WO RKGROUPS
6. MENUITEM=S,MINIMUM DOCKING SYSTEM WINDOWS FOR WORKGRO UPS
7. MENUITEM =SM,SYSTEM MAINTENANCE AND BACKUP
8. MENUITEM =G,GAMES DEM ONSTRATION
9. MENUDEFAULT= P,10
10. [COMMON]
11. DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\HIMEM.SYS /TESTMEM:OFF
12. DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\EMM 386.EXE /NO EM S
13. DOS=HIGH,UMB
14. FILES=40
15. BUFFERS=30
16. STACKS=9,256
17. LASTDRIVE=D
18. SHELL=C:\DOS\COMMAND.COM /P
19. [P]
20. INCLUDE=SYD
21. INCLUDE=PD
22. [S]
23. INCLUDE=SYD
24. INCLUDE=SCD
25. [SP]
26. INCLUDE=SYD
27. INCLUDE=PD
28. INCLUDE=SCD
29. [SYD]
30. REM ========SYSTEM DRIVERS================
31. DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\SMARTDRV.EXE /DOUBLE_BUFFER
32. DEVICE=C:\UTILS\BATTERY.PRO /L2
33. DEVICE=C:\JAZZ\JAZZ.SYS P220 I5 D1 E5 T330 Q2
34. DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\IFSHLP.SYS
35. [PD]
36. REM ========PCMCIA DRIVERS================
37. DEVICE=C:\PCMPLUS\PCMSS.EXE
38. DEVICE=C:\PCMPLUS\PCMCS.EXE
39. DEVICE=C:\PCMPLUS\PCMRMAN.EXE
40. DEVICE=C:\PCMPLUS\PCMSCD.EXE
41. [SCD]
42. REM ========SCSI DRIVERS=================
43. DEVICE=C:\SCSI\ASPI2DOS.SYS /D /Z
44. DEVICE=C:\SCSI\ASPICD.SYS /d:ASPICD0
45. [SM]
46. REM ======SYSTEM MAINTENANCE DRIVERS=========
47. DEVICE=C:\DOS\RAMDRIVE.SYS 2048 /E
48. [N]
49. REM =======NO SYSTEM DRIVERS==============
50. [G]
51. REM =======GAMES/DEMONSTRATIONS==============
52. DEVICE=C:\JAZZ\JAZZ.SYS P220 I5 D1 E5 T330 Q2
2-8 Installing and Using Applications
Guidelines for Installing Applications
Factory Default CONFIG.SYS File
(Modify but do not delete these command lines)
Line Purpose 1 calls the menu subroutine and displays
2 sets the color of the menu
3 - 8 displays the menu
9 if no menu item is selected after 10 seconds, the p
subroutine is called
10 calls the common subroutine that is run each time the
system boots
11 loads Windows into high memory
12 doesn’t allocate memory for expanded memory
13 loads MS-DOS into extended memory
14 tells MS-DOS how many files can be open at any one time.
You can adjust the value as required by your application
15 tells MS-DOS how many buffers are used for file input/
output. You can adjust the value as required by your application to maximize processing speed
16 reserves memory for MS-DOS to process hardware
interrupts
17 displays the last valid drive number
18 calls the command.com file
19 - 21 the p subroutine calls the subroutines for system drivers
and PCMCIA drivers
22-24 the s subroutine calls the subroutines for system drivers
and SCSI drivers
25-28 the sp subroutine calls the subroutines for system, PCMCIA,
and SCSI drivers
Installing and Using Applications 2-9
Guidelines for Installing Applications
29-30 defines the system driver subroutine
31 assigns memory manager to a double buffer space for more
efficient performance
32 runs BatteryPro utility?
33 sets the IRQ and DMA for the sound driver
34 a device driver that loads Network software
35-36 defines the PCMCIA driver subroutine
37-40 runs PCMCIA drivers
41-42 defines the SCSI driver subroutine
43-44 runs SCSI drivers
45-46 defines the System Maintenance driver subroutine
47 installs RAM-resident disk space
48-49 defines the No System Drivers subroutine
50-52 defines the Games/Demonstrations subroutine
2-10 Installing and Using Applications
Setting Up a Password
The computer provides the Password utility to limit access to your computer to only those who know the password. The password is valid until you remove or change it.
Be sure to select a password that you can remember. If you forget your password, you will not be able to access files. If this occurs, contact TI Technical Support. You
c
will be required to send your computer to the TI manu­facturing facility for service. This service is not cov­ered by warranty.
Loading the Password Utility
1. The Password utility is located on the System Recovery
diskette provided with your notebook. To load this utility, insert the diskette into the floppy drive and go to the MS-DOS A: prompt. Type
Setting Up a Password
INST_PW
The password is automatically installed in the following directory:
C:\UTILS\PASSWORD
2. At the MS-DOS
UTILS\PASSWORD\PW
and press ENTER. The Password Utility menu ap- pears. From this menu you can install, change or re­move a password, or you can exit the menu.
3. To select a Password command, press the initial
character of the prompt, or press ↑ or to highlight to
the desired command, and then press ENTER.
C:\> prompt, type
Installing and Using Applications 2-11
Setting Up a Password
Installing a Password
1. Highlight Install Password on the Password Utility
menu and press ENTER. You are prompted for a password.
2. Type a password of up to eight characters, and press
ENTER.
3. Press ENTER again to install the new password, or
press ESC to cancel the action and return to the Password Utility menu.
If you have already installed a password, when you select Install Password, the computer displays the following message:
Password already exists
Press any key on the keyboard to return to the Password Utility menu.
Changing a Password
1. Highlight the Change Password command on the
Password Utility menu and press ENTER. The Change Password menu appears.
2. Type the current password, and press ENTER.
If you type the correct password, the message
Password check OK
displays on the next line, and you are prompted to en­ter a new password.
If you type the wrong password, the message
Incorrect Password
2-12 Installing and Using Applications
Setting Up a Password
displays on the next line, and you are prompted to press any key to return to the Password Utility menu. You can try to change the password again, or you can exit the Password Utility menu by selecting EXIT.
3. Type a new password of up to eight characters, and
press ENTER.
4. Press ENTER again to install the new password, or
press the ESC key to abort the process and return to the Password Utility menu.
Removing a Password
1. Highlight the Remove Password command on the
Password Utility menu, and press ENTER. The Remove Password menu appears.
2. Type the current password, and press ENTER. If you
type the correct password, the message
Password check OK
displays on the next line. Press ENTER to remove the current password, or press ESC to abort the process and return to the Password Utility menu.
If you type the wrong password, the message
Incorrect Password
displays on the next line, and you are prompted to press any key to return to the Password Utility menu. You can try to remove the password again, or you can exit the Password Utility menu by selecting EXIT.
Installing and Using Applications 2-13
Setting Up a Password
Entering the Password
Once you install the password, you will be prompted to enter a password each time you start the computer. See the User’s Guide.
Caution: Be sure to select a password that you can re­member. If you forget your password, you will not be able to access files. If this occurs, contact TI Technical
c
Support at 1-800-TI-TEXAS. You will be required to send your computer to the TI manufacturing facility for service. This service is not covered by warranty.
2-14 Installing and Using Applications
Setting Up a Non MS-DOS Environment
Setting Up a Non MS-DOS Environment
To install an operating system other than MS-DOS, you must complete the following steps:
1. At the MS-DOS prompt, press FN+ESC or type
C:\UTILS\SET_UP.EXE
The Setup Program appears.
2. Press FN+PGDN to go to the page that displays
Advanced OS Power: ON.
3. Using the Up and Down arrow keys, select the
Advanced OS Power field.
4. Using the Left and Right arrow keys, select the word
OFF.
5. Press ESC.
6. Press F4 to save the change.
The system reboots.
7. Continue loading your operating system according to
documentation that came with your software. For any additional drivers, call 1-800-TI-TEXAS.
Installing and Using Applications 2-15
Restoring MS-DOS System Files
You cannot restore system files without having first created the backup diskettes. If your system is down, you cannot create these diskettes. It is very important to create backup system diskettes as soon as possible after the purchase of your computer. Refer to Chapter 1, Creating Back Up System Diskettes.
MS-DOS files COMMAND.COM, IO.SYS, EXTMSDOS.SYS, and
The
MSDOS.SYS are necessary for the operation of your
computer. If any of these files is accidentally deleted or modified, your computer will not function as designed. This section describes the procedure for restoring these files without affecting the applications and data files that may be on your hard drive.
If you need more information, see the MS-DOS User’s Guide and Reference.
Restoring MS-DOS System Files
n
Note: IO.SYS, EXTMSDOS.SYS, and MSDOS.SYS are hidden files. You will not see these files if you view a directory of drive C using the
DIR command.
If COMMAND.COM is Missing
If COMMAND.COM is missing from your hard disk, the screen displays this message during the boot process:
Bad or missing Command Interprete r
The computer then becomes inactive. Complete the steps in the next section to restore disk.
COMMAND.COM to your hard
If .SYS Files are Missing
If the IO.SYS, EXTMSDOS.SYS, and/or the MSDOS.SYS files are missing from your hard disk, the screen displays the following message during the boot process:
2-16 Installing and Using Applications
Restoring MS-DOS System Files
Non-System disk or disk error Replace and press any key when ready
This message is repeated when any key is pressed.
Complete the following steps to restore the hard disk:
1. Turn off the computer, and insert the 3.5-inch Microsoft
MS-DOS, Disk 1 floppy into the floppy drive.
2. Turn on the computer and when the computer displays
the "Welcome to Setup" menu, press ENTER, and follow the directions.
You will be asked to verify date/time, country and
keyboard layout, and the directory to which you will be installing DOS.
3. Press ENTER.
DOS begins installing and prompts you for all three
diskettes. A supplemental DOS diskette is provided. This diskette includes optional utilities such as AccessDOS, keyboard utilities, and MS-DOS 6.2 utilities.
.SYS files to your
4. To install the supplemental DOS diskette, insert it into
do drive A and type
A:SETUP
During installation of the fourth diskette, the system will prompt you for a directory in which to place system files.
5. Type:
C:\DOS
Installing and Using Applications 2-17
Restoring MS-DOS System Files
Restoring Windows
After you restore the MS-DOS files, you will be instructed to restore the remaining software (Windows, BatteryPro, mouse, SCSI, PCMCIA, and TM4000M display drivers).
1. Place the Windows backup diskette you should have
created after you purchased your computer in Drive A and from the MS-DOS C:\> prompt type
A:SETUP
You are prompted to use either Express Setup (recommended) or Custom Setup and to indicate the directory to which files will be copied.
2. Enter C:\Windows as the default.
You are prompted to load each of the Windows diskettes.
3. When installation is complete, reboot your computer.
Restoring BatteryPro Utilities
After you restore the MS-DOS and Windows files, install the BatteryPro utilities from the backup diskette you should have created after you purchased your computer:
1. Insert the correct backup diskette into drive A, and at
MS-DOS A:\> prompt, type
the
INSTALL
and press ENTER.
You will be asked to verify the default directory of
C:\UTILS and to specify files to be installed.
2. Follow the instructions on the screen.
2-18 Installing and Using Applications
Restoring MS-DOS System Files
See more information on the BatteryPro utilities elsewhere in this manual.
Installing and Using Applications 2-19
3

Custom Windows Utilities

This chapter tells you about
Utilities designed for your computer to enhance your
performance while using Windows
Contents
Overview of Windows Utilities.......................................... 3-3
Information Utilities ........................................................ 3-4
Battery Level (Wbattery) .............................................. 3-4
BatteryPro APM...........................................................3-4
Battery Saving Tips (Battips) ....................................... 3-5
Dosnotes..................................................................... 3-5
Productivity Utilities........................................................ 3-6
Alarms Off (Walarms) .................................................. 3-6
Drop N’ Go .................................................................. 3-6
Change Cursor Icon .................................................... 3-6
Laptop Manager .......................................................... 3-6
LFM (Laptop File Manager).......................................... 3-6
Power Icon .................................................................. 3-7
Super Shutdown Icon.................................................. 3-7
PCMCIA Information ................................................... 3-7
Sound Mapper ............................................................3-7
MIDI Mapper............................................................... 3-8
Video Utilities.................................................................. 3-9
Drop N’ Go Utility.......................................................... 3-10
Basic Operations....................................................... 3-10
Adding/Changing Applications.................................. 3-10
Deleting Applications ................................................ 3-12
Copying Applications................................................. 3-12
Enable/Disable Menu ............................................... 3-12
Icon Placement.......................................................... 3-13
Change Cursor Utility ...................................................3-14
Change Cursor Menu................................................ 3-14
Creating a New Cursor .............................................. 3-15
Change Cursor Menu Bar ......................................... 3-17
File Menu.................................................................. 3-17
Configure Menu ........................................................ 3-18
Custom Windows Utilities 3-1
Contents
Super Shutdown Utility................................................. 3-19
Shutdown Options .................................................... 3-20
Icon .......................................................................... 3-21
Passwords................................................................. 3-21
Exit Modes ................................................................ 3-22
Contents
3-2 Custom Windows Utilities
Overview of Windows Utilities
Overview of Windows Utilities
The TravelMate 4000M Series custom Windows utilities are accessible from Windows by double-clicking individual icons. Most of these utilities are found in the Notebook Group, but some are in the Startup Group, and still others are in the Control Panel of the Main Windows Group.
The Windows utilities can be divided into the following categories:
Information Productivity Video Cursor
Custom Windows Utilities 3-3
Information Utilities
The information utilities provide you information you need quickly. Your computer has the following information utilities:
Battery Level (Wbattery)
Double-click on Wbattery in the Notebook Group to display the battery level dialog box for your TravelMate computer. This dialog box displays the approximate charge left in your computer based on user-specified settings. You may customize Battery Level settings by selecting SETTINGS from the Control-Menu box in the upper left-hand corner of the Battery Level dialog box. This displays the Battery Level Settings dialog box. At this point, you may modify the following parameters:
Information Utilities
The position of your Battery Level dialog box or
Battery Level icon
The elapsed time (in seconds) before the Battery Level
dialog box reappears automatically on your screen
Use of color or monochrome Minimizing the application
Selecting OPTIONS from the Battery Level Settings dialog box allows you to specify when the application should indicate low battery levels (for instance, when the battery reaches 50% power).
BatteryPro APM
Double-click on this icon in the Notebook Group to display information about the battery-savings software in your computer: Texas Instruments BatteryPro Power Management software and Microsoft Advanced Power Management (APM) software.
3-4 Custom Windows Utilities
Information Utilities
Battery Saving Tips (Battips)
Double-click on this icon in the Notebook Group for information about actions you can take to maximize the life of a battery charge.
Dosnotes
Double-click the Dosnotes icon in the Notebook Group to run the
DOS-level utilities.
NBHELP program that describes many of the the
Custom Windows Utilities 3-5
Productivity Utilities
The productivity utilities help you function more efficiently while in the Windows environment. The computer has the following productivity utilities.
Alarms Off (Walarms)
Double-click the Walarms icon in the Notebook Group to disable the cover-closed alarm and the low-battery alarm.
Drop N’ Go
Drop N’ Go takes advantage of the Drag and Drop capabilities of Windows. To learn more about Drop N’ Go, refer to the Drop N’ Go Utility section of this chapter.
Change Cursor Icon
Productivity Utilities
Double-click on this icon in the Notebook Group to optimize the Windows cursors. To learn more about the Change Cursor Utility, refer to the Change Cursor Utility section of this chapter.
Laptop Manager
Double-click on the Laptop Manager icon in the Notebook Group to load the Laptop Manager (LM) utility. LM is a
DOS-level program that manages access to DOS-level
applications. LM is described elsewhere in this manual.
To return to Windows from the LM main menu, press Esc.
LFM (Laptop File Manager)
Double-click the LFM icon to load the Laptop File Manager utility. view, and edit directories and files on the hard disk or on floppies. rename, and perform other common file management functions using single-key commands. elsewhere in this manual.
LFM is a DOS-level program that helps you manage,
LFM enables you to copy, delete, edit, print,
LFM is described
3-6 Custom Windows Utilities
Productivity Utilities
To return to Windows from the LFM main menu, press Q. You are asked if you are sure you want to Exit. Enter Y.
Power Icon
Double-click the Power icon in the Control Panel of the Main Windows Group to access the interface to Microsoft’s Advanced Power Management (APM) and Texas Instruments BatteryPro Power Management system.
Super Shutdown Icon
Double-click the Super Shutdown icon to exit Windows faster than the standard Windows exiting procedure. If you have made any changes to Windows applications, they display “save” prompts that ask if you want to update your files before exiting the Windows session. Refer to the Super Shutdown Utility section of this chapter.
n
Note: Shutdown is unable to close DOS applications. If any DOS applications are active, the application will be brought to the foreground and the user will be prompted to close it.
PCMCIA Information
This icon is located in the Control Panel window and provides status on the PCMCIA slots in the notebook. For further information on PCMCIA, refer to your Phoenix PCMCIA User’s Manual.
Sound Mapper
This icon is located in the Control Panel window. Double-click on the icon to display the Sound Mapper Configuration screen. From the Sound Mapper Configuration screen, you can:
configure, change, disable, and get information about
sound drivers
Custom Windows Utilities 3-7
Productivity Utilities
indicate preferred playback and recording file formats specify whether to use preferred devices only
For further information, refer to online Help provided with this application.
MIDI Mapper
This icon is located in the Control Panel window. Double-click on the icon to display the MIDI Mapper screen. From the MIDI Mapper screen, you can:
select a MIDI setup for a sound device create a new setup edit existing key maps, patch maps, and channel
mappings
For further information, refer to online Help provided with this application.
3-8 Custom Windows Utilities
Video Utilities
The display utilities allow you to customize your notebook display for your operating environment. The following utilities are available from the Notebook group menu:
Panel - sends output to the panel on the notebook CRT - sends output to an external VGA monitor SIMUL - Sends output to both panel and CRT
Video Utilities
Custom Windows Utilities 3-9
Drop N’ Go Utility
Drop N’ Go is an application that allows you to display frequently run applications as icons on your desktop or as menu items under the File Manager application. This bypasses the usual file-finding process and keeps your most useful applications at your fingertips. Applications loaded in Drop N’ Go appear as boxed icons to differentiate them from normal Windows icons.
Basic Operations
The following sections cover adding/changing, deleting, copying, and other application-specific functions relating to Drop N’ Go. To start Drop N’ Go, select the Exit button from the Drop N’ Go Setup menu and follow any instructions that appear on the screen.
Drop N’ Go Utility
Adding/Changing Applications
To Add or Change applications listed in Drop N’ Go, complete the following steps:
1. Double click on the Drop N’ Go icon in the Notebook
group on your desktop.
The Drop N’ Go Setup menu appears.
2. If you are adding an application, place the cursor under
Icon Applications and single click. If you are changing an application, single click on the application you want to change.
3. Select the ADD or CHANGE button.
The Icon Application dialog box appears.
3-10 Custom Windows Utilities
n
Drop N’ Go Utility
4. Enter required information on the application you
wish to add. This very similar to the Run... dialog box used in the Program Manager.
Note: The quickest way to Add or Change applications is to select the down arrow next to the Title box. Selecting from the list that appears quickly and automatically places all information.
5. Select OK.
6. To add the application as a menu item in File Manager,
select Enable Menu from the Drop N’ Go Setup menu.
7. Place the cursor under Menu Title, click, and type the
title of the menu you wish to use in File Manager (for instance, Drop N’ Go).
8. If you are adding an application, place the cursor under
Menu Applications and single click. If you are changing an application, single click on the application you want to change.
9. Select the Add or Change button.
10. Enter required information on the application you wish
to add. This very similar to the Run... dialog box used in the Program Manager
11. Select OK.
12. Close the Icon Application Setup dialog box.
A message appears stating that your menu changes will not take effect until File Manager is restarted.
13. Close and reopen File Manager.
Custom Windows Utilities 3-11
Drop N’ Go Utility
You should now see the selected applications as icons on your desktop. When you open File Manager, you should see the menu created in steps 6 through 9.
Deleting Applications
You can delete applications from Drop N’ Go by completing the following steps:
1. From the Drop N’ Go Setup menu, select the application
you want to delete by clicking on the filename under Icon Applications or Menu Applications
2. Select the DELETE button.
A message appears asking if you want to delete the specified file.
3. Select OK.
The file is deleted from the list.
Copying Applications
Normally you will want to have the same applications listed under Menu Applications that are listed under Icon Applications. The simplest way to set this up is to add or change applications under either Menu Applications or Icon Applications and select the Copy button. For instance, if you add Calendar under Icon applications, you can select the Copy button to automatically copy the application to the Menu Applications list (or vice versa)
Enable/Disable Menu
This feature of Drop N’ Go allows you to enable/disable the menu you created for the File Manager (see Adding/ Changing Applications). To enable or disable the menu, select the Enable or Disable Menu button and restart File Manager.
3-12 Custom Windows Utilities
Drop N’ Go Utility
Icon Placement
You can control Icon placement on your desktop through Drop N’ Go as follows:
Single click on the Drop N’ Go icon and select Save All Positions to save all icon positions as they currently appear on your desktop.
From the Drop N’ Go Setup menu, select Stay on Top so that your icon always appears on top of open windows.
Custom Windows Utilities 3-13
Change Cursor Utility
The Change Cursor utility in the Notebook Group lets you design or edit the shape and appearance of the following seven cursors used by Windows:
The arrow is the primary pointer when using a
pointing device
The hourglass signals that Windows is saving work,
loading a program, or otherwise performing work that cannot be interrupted
The I-beam, called a selection cursor, indicates where
your typing or drawing will appear. Usually the I-beam can be moved using your pointing device or mouse
Change Cursor Utility
The four double-arrow cursors are used by Windows to
denote box sizing. The cursors east-west, north-south, northeast-southwest, and northwest-southeast are named for the directions to which they point.
Note: Custom cursors designed specifically for the TravelMate 4000M Series automatically load when Windows loads. Although these cursors were designed for visibility on the furnished by Windows instead.
LCD, you can use the default cursors
Change Cursor Menu
On the Notebook Group menu, double-click the Change Cursor icon, and Windows displays the Change Cursor menu, described in the following subsections.
Detail Window — The left half of the Change Cursor menu is a 32-by-32 element grid, called the detail window, on which you can create your own new cursors or edit cursors that you then can use instead of the default cursors
Left Button Box — The two stacked boxes to the right of the detail window, labeled Left Button and Right Button, let
3-14 Custom Windows Utilities
Change Cursor Utility
you assign one of four editing functions to the left and right buttons on your pointing device. Clicking on the circles within the boxes causes the following when you subsequently move the pencil-shaped editing cursor to the detail window.
White causes the button to change the grid element to white
Black causes the button to change the grid element to black
Screen causes the button to change the grid element to the
current screen background color: dark gray on the
LCD or blue on a color display or an external color
monitor. Used to cancel a changed element
Inverse causes the button to change the grid element to
display the inverse of the current screen background color: darker gray on the LCD or green on a color display or monitor
n
Note: The current setting of the computer’s standard/ reverse video switch may cause the images to appear reversed.
At the far right of the menu is a stack of eight boxes of various shades of gray (in color if you are using an external color monitor or a color notebook), called the preview window. You can move the cursor you are editing or designing into the boxes to judge the cursor’s appearance against different backgrounds.
Creating a New Cursor
Creating a cursor involves three primary processes:
Using the File menu to open a new file or load a
previously designed cursor. You may also recall default cursors from the Cursor menu.
Drawing new cursor(s) on the detail window or editing
existing cursor(s)
Custom Windows Utilities 3-15
Change Cursor Utility
Using the Configure menu to install (or remove) the new
cursor(s) to load automatically when you load Windows
You can start creating a new cursor as soon as you load the Change Cursor menu. Move the cursor into the detail window—it then assumes the shape of a pencil. Now click the left or right pointing device button on the grid elements you want to color. After you have completed designing the cursor to your satisfaction, you can save it by using the File menu described later in this section.
If you want to restore a grid element to its original shade or color, click on the Screen option. Move your pencil cursor to the grid element you want to erase, and click to the left or right button you just changed to a Screen.
n
You can also select one of the seven default cursors from the Change Cursor menu bar (described below) and edit it to create a new cursor shape.
Note: Change Cursor must always run in background so the custom cursors are available for other Windows applications. Always exit the Change Cursor menu by clicking on the Exit command in the File menu. This keeps Change Cursor running in the background. Do not use the Close command in the Control menu box unless you want to stop running Change Cursor and revert to the Windows default cursors.
After you complete your cursor, you can save it as a new cursor under a new filename and/or install it as one of the active cursors as described under "File Menu" and "Configure Menu" later in this chapter.
Note: The Mouse control panel can override the Change Cursor selection in other pointer options, such as "growing
n
cursor."
3-16 Custom Windows Utilities
n
Change Cursor Utility
Change Cursor Menu Bar
Select Cursor at the Change Cursor menu bar to display the Cursor menu. The following items are available at this menu.
Note: Changes made to the cursors are temporary unless you save them to a file using the File command on the menu bar.
Set hotspot sets the exact spot where the cursor actually points,
defined on the detail window as an x. Select this item and a block cursor with a +(cross) in its center appears on the detail window instead of the pencil. Move the + cursor to the square in the detail window where you want the hot spot and click once. The x then appears on that square.
Use this cursor as ...
Get default . . .
saves the cursor displayed in the detail window as the indicated cursor, no matter what shape you have made it.
displays in the detail window the factory default for the indicated cursor.
File Menu
The File menu provides several options for manipulating the cursor files.
New erases any cursor currently in the detail window and
displays a clean grid.
Open displays a menu at which you can type a new
filename at the Open File Name box, or double-click the filename of a previously designed cursor.
Save saves the cursor shown in the detail window under its
existing filename. If you have not yet named the file, the program displays the Save As menu described below.
Custom Windows Utilities 3-17
Change Cursor Utility
Save As displays a menu where you can type a new filename
for your cursor, or you can double-click an existing filename listed in the Files: window. If you select an existing filename, the program displays a menu asking you to verify that you want to replace (overwrite) an existing cursor file. Click on the OK button if you still want to replace an existing file.
Exit minimizes the Change Cursor program (runs it in
background) and returns control to Windows. If you have created or edited a cursor without saving it, the Exit command displays a menu asking if you want to save current changes. If you click on Yes, the program displays the Save As menu described above if the cursor is new or saves the changes if the file already existed.
Configure Menu
The Configure command enables you to save and install the cursor using the following options.
Save cursor settings
Load cursor settings
Install for automatic setup
Uninstall Change Cursor
displays a dialog box listing the filename and path for the seven cursors used with Windows. If the listing is correct, click on the OK button.
restores cursor settings after you save them and automatically loads them for use in Windows. This function is automatically done if you use the Install
for automatic setup
modifies Windows so that it always boots (if CHCURSOR also is loaded) with the cursor(s) you select, either the default cursors or your own design. Clicking on this option presents a display asking you to OK or cancel the action.
removes the CHCURSOR utility from Windows, which then uses the default cursors.
option described next.
Scheduling
relates to power-savings features. Do not change the value unless advised by your authorized TI representative.
3-18 Custom Windows Utilities
n
Super Shutdown Utility
Super Shutdown Utility
Super Shutdown is an automatic shutdown configuration utility available from the Notebook group. With this utility, your system exits Windows faster than the standard Windows exit procedure. You can also select from a variety of user-specified shutdown features that will customize the way your computer shuts down and reboots. Examples include automatically closing all Windows and DOS applications as well as saving files.
To use Super Shutdown, single-click on the Super Shutdown icon so that the Shutdown Configuration Menu appears.
Note: If the Super Shutdown icon did not automatically load when entering Windows, you may need to re-install it from the BatteryPro backup diskettes you should have created after you purchased your system.
This menu allows you to set the following as defaults for system shutdown:
Options that allow customized software configuration
upon system shutdown
The position you want the Shutdown icon to appear on
the LCD
Options that customize the LCD Use of the Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) to
communicate with Windows applications that support it
Schedule times for automatic system shutdown
Custom Windows Utilities 3-19
Super Shutdown Utility
Maximum power savings for your computer during
battery operation
Shutdown Options
Shutdown options allow you to:
Terminate Windows applications unconditionally Terminate DOS applications unconditionally
Caution: These two methods may result in files not be-
c
ing closed properly and could cause disk errors.
Allow any applications that support DDE (such as
Microsoft EXCEL) to save and close any open files.
Send keystrokes to DOS and Windows applications to
close and save any open files.
3-20 Custom Windows Utilities
Super Shutdown Utility
Icon
The icon options allow you to select whether or not you want the Shutdown icon to stay on top of any overlapping windows or to automatically appear in the position in which it was located at the time of system shutdown.
Passwords
You may set, enter, or change a password using the Super Shutdown Utility.
Setting Passwords
You may set or reset a password for Super Shutdown. To set or reset a password, complete the following steps:
1. Select PASSWORD PROTECTED on the Shutdown
Configuration menu.
2. Select the SET PASSWORD button.
The Change Password dialog box appears.
Entering a Password
To enter a new password,
1. Type the new password at the New Password line.
2. Retype the new password in the Retype New Password
line.
3. Press ENTER.
Changing a Password
To change a password,
1. Type the old password in the Old Password line.
Custom Windows Utilities 3-21
Super Shutdown Utility
2. Type the new password at the New Password line.
3. Retype the new password in the Retype New Password
line.
4. Press ENTER.
Exit Modes
To select an exit mode for Shutdown:
Single-click on the Super Shutdown icon and select
the exit mode from the menu, or
Select the Default Exit Mode from the Shutdown
Configuration menu
The following table explains exit modes available from the Super Shutdown Utility:
3-22 Custom Windows Utilities
Shutdown Method Description
Exit to MS-DOS (default) Takes you to the MS-DOS
prompt after shutdown
Suspend Enters the power saving mode
Exit to MS-DOS and Suspend Takes you to the MS-DOS
prompt and enters the power saving mode
Exit to MS-DOS and Eject Takes you to the MS-DOS
prompt and then ejects the notebook from the Docking Station.
Restart Windows Exits and then restarts
Windows (useful when configuration changes have been made or application errors must be cleared.
Reboot System Exits Windows and reboots the
system
Super Shutdown Utility
Shutdown Method
Custom Windows Utilities 3-23
Application DDE Information Dialog Box
Super Shutdown Utility
Application Setup
The Application Setup button allows you to use the Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) to communicate with Windows applications that support it. Such applications are called DDE Servers. When selected, the Application DDE Information dialog box appears as shown in the following figure.
From this dialog box, the following information is required:
3-24 Custom Windows Utilities
Selection Description
Window Name The window title that appears in the title bar.
Clicking on the button next to the text box in the Application Close Information dialog box drops down a list of applications that are currently set up.
Keystrokes String The DDE command or the string of
keystrokes used to close any open files. For instance, to close an open Winword file, the keystrokes are ALT+F4.
DDE Server Name The name that the application responds to for
DDE communication (such as Winword).
DDE Command The command sent to the DDE from the
application. The Application Close Information dialog box checks this line if Keystrokes String does not function. To obtain DDE Command information, refer to the User’s Manual for your specific application or call the manufacturer.
Super Shutdown Utility
Application Setup
Custom Windows Utilities 3-25
Super Shutdown Utility
The DDE Server and command string must be specified by the application software. If this is not documented in the software applications user manual, contact the software vendor for this information
Scheduling
The Scheduling feature of Shutdown is used during battery operation of your computer. If a power savings driver is active on your computer, Shutdown works with it to reduce power consumption while running Windows. The lower the value, the greater the savings. See the following figure for an example of the Scheduling dialog box.
Scheduling Dialog Box
Suggested Values:
Microsoft Word for Windows v 1.1 or lower or Microsoft
PowerPoint - value = 100
Games - value = 130 to 200
3-26 Custom Windows Utilities
4

Laptop Manager

This chapter tells you about
How to use the Laptop Manager utility to supervise
your application programs
How to configure the Laptop Manager utility to load
your application programs at the touch of a key
Contents
Laptop Manager Features................................................ 4-2
LM Main Menu................................................................ 4-3
Loading LM ................................................................. 4-3
Exiting LM .................................................................. 4-3
Quick Commands Box ................................................ 4-3
Single-Character Quick Commands ............................ 4-4
Adding Applications to the Menu..................................... 4-5
Quick Commands Program Setup Menu...................... 4-5
Exiting the Quick Command
Program Setup Menu ............................................... 4-13
Testing Your Menu ................................................... 4-13
Adding Items to the Application Menu........................... 4-14
Changing LM Menu Colors............................................ 4-15
LM_Setup...................................................................... 4-16
Laptop Manager 4-1
Laptop Manager Features
The Laptop Manager (LM) utility is an application control program that provides quick access to your applications. LM has two submenus on one screen on which you can list the names of applications installed on the hard disk. You can then load applications from one of the submenus with a function key, and from the other submenu using the arrow keys and Enter.
LM enables you to specify unique operating parameters for each application under its control:
Fixed and prompted parameters that are passed to the
application as it loads
Working directory
Laptop Manager Features
n
Password protection, to any or all applications Individual color palettes for each application Power-savings level for each application Screen background during execution (not available on
color models)
CPU processing speed for each application
Using these features you can select the parameters and operating environment that maximize battery-charge life and performance for each application you load under LM.
Note: Do not confuse LM with the Laptop File Manager
LFM) utility also furnished on your computer and described
( elsewhere in this manual.
4-2 Laptop Manager
LM Main Menu
LM is installed on the hard disk at the factory and is also stored on the the backup diskettes you should have made after you purchased the notebook. LM displays its main menu when you load it from the Windows Notebook group menu or from the MS-DO
Loading LM
You can load LM from the Windows Notebook group menu by double-clicking the Laptop Manager icon.
S prompt.
LM Main Menu
You also can load LM at the
LM
and pressing ENTER. LM loads and displays its main menu.
The main menu enables you to select your application. Procedures for adding items to the Applications list and Quick Commands box are described later in this chapter.
Pressing F12 at the LM main menu loads the Change Menu screen. It enables you to add, delete, or modify items on the main menu. Procedures for using the Change Menu screen are provided later in this chapter.
MS-DOS C:\> prompt by typing
Exiting LM
You can exit LM and return to Windows control by pressing ESC at the LM main menu. Or if you entered LM from the
MS-DOS prompt, the MS-DOS prompt reappears.
Quick Commands Box
You can select applications added to the Quick Commands box by pressing the assigned function keys (F5 to F11).
The following utilities are installed on the computer at the factory:
Laptop Manager 4-3
LM Main Menu
F1 — Help screens F2 — (Laptop) File Manager F3 — Save Config(uration) described under the
SETCMOS utility elsewhere in this manual
F4 — Reset Config(uration), which is part of the
SETCMOS utility
Single-Character Quick Commands
At the bottom of the LM menu Quick Commands box are two commands:
Pressing D (for
prompt at the bottom of the screen where you can enter
MS-DOS commands of up to 67 characters. Pressing
ENTER starts the command. When the command is executed, pressing any key returns you to the LM main menu.
Pressing P (for path) causes LM to display a prompt at
the bottom of the screen where you can change drives or directories. For example, you can change from the
C:\ (root directory) to the C:\UTILS directory by
pressing P, typing C:\UTILS, and pressing ENTER.
You can change from the pressing P and A, and then pressing ENTER.
DOS command) causes LM to display a
C:\ drive to the A:\ drive by
4-4 Laptop Manager
Adding Applications to the Menu
Adding Applications to the Menu
You can add your own IBM AT-compatible applications to the LM main menu for easier access; you can also alter or move current menu items. After you have installed your own applications on the hard disk, you are ready to insert listings into the Laptop Manager menu.
You can put the application name into either the Applications list or the Quick Commands box. Put the applications you use most often into the Quick Commands box. Put less frequently used programs and those requiring a longer name under the Applications list.
Quick Commands Program Setup Menu
1. At the LM main menu, press F12. LM displays the
Change Menu screen.
Laptop Manager-Change Menu vn.nn Tue Oct 15 12:15 pm Applications List F1 - Help
F2 - Insert Appl F3 - Delete Appl F4 - Modify Appl F5 - Cut Appl F6 - Paste Appl F7 - Modify Fkey F8 - Cut Fkey F9 - Paste Fkey F10 - Exit Password F11 - Screen Colors F12 - Save
C:\ ESC = Exit
Texas Instruments Incorporated
TravelMate Series
Microsoft Windows n.n
Change Menu Commands
2. Press F7 to access the Modify Function Key.
Laptop Manager 4-5
F1=Help
Adding Applications to the Menu
3. In response to the Modify Function Key prompt, press
the function key (F5 through F11) you want to assign to your application.
LM then displays the Quick Command Program Setup menu.
Laptop Manager - Change Menu Vn.nn Tue Oct 15 12:15 pm
Quick Command Program Setup - Fn
Display string: [ ]
Program pathname: [ ] Parameter string: [ ] Working directory: [ ]
Password required? [ N ] Password: [ ] Use color palette? [ N ] Filename: [ ]
Power savings level to use?........ [Current]
Screen background during execution? [Current] CPU speed during program execution? [Low ]
Keep Laptop Manager resident?...... [ Y ]
Prompt after program execution?.... [ N ]
C:\
The Quick Command Program Setup menu helps you configure the Quick Commands box on the LM main menu. Press ENTER after you answer each prompt.
Display String
Type up to 15 alphanumeric characters (including spaces) to identify the name you want displayed beside your selected function key on the main menu. For example, type
4-6 Laptop Manager
Communication
Adding Applications to the Menu
and press ENTER. Thereafter, the word Communication will be displayed in the main menu Quick Commands box, opposite the function key number you selected.
You also can type line graphics characters to appear on the function key display. (Press F1 for a list of graphic characters you can use.) Press and hold FN-ALT, and then type the three digits for each graphic character on the embedded numeric keypad (blue key fronts). Then release FN-ALT.
Program Pathname
In response to the Program pathname prompt, type up to 67 characters for your application pathname. This is the command your application tells you to use to load the program at the
MS-DOS C:\> prompt.
For example, if your communication program (named
COMPROG) is installed under the UTILS directory on the hard
disk (drive C), to load the program you would type
UTILS\COMPROG at the C:\> prompt. Therefore, you would
type that same command at the Change Menu Program pathname prompt:
C:\UTILS\COMPROG
and press ENTER.
The more complete your pathname, the faster LM can find and load your program.
Refer to the MS-DOS User’s Guide and Reference for discussions of paths, pathnames, and directories. See your application documentation for directions on how to install the program on the hard disk and what command to use to load the program.
Laptop Manager 4-7
Adding Applications to the Menu
Parameter String
The Parameter string prompt enables you to set up your menu so it does more than call applications. It enables you to define parameters passed to the program when it is loaded.
For example, if your communications program requires a telephone number as a parameter when the program loads, you would type the number at the Parameter string prompt.
In addition, you can create a prompt to solicit a typed input that is passed to the application as a parameter by using the string flag %S. In the previous example, you would type the Parameter string as:
%S,"Enter phone n umb er to call:"
When you press the selected function key, the prompt
Enter phone number to call: [ ]
displays at the bottom of the LM menu. You would then type a phone number between the square brackets. When you press ENTER, LM loads the program into memory and passes the telephone number to the program.
If you want the data you type in response to the prompt stored and used as a default value each time you load the program from LM, you can use the buffer flag %A in the Parameter string. In the previous example, you would type the Parameter string as
%S="%A","Enter ph one number to call:"
With the buffer string in the Parameter string, the telephone number you typed is saved in the %A buffer and used as the default value the next time you load the program from LM.
4-8 Laptop Manager
Adding Applications to the Menu
You can use up to four optional parameter string buffers (%A, %B, %C, and %D); however, the %D buffer is assigned for use by the LM single-character command D ( can use all four, but the information in the %D buffer will change every time you enter a string for either the application or the D (
DOS) command.
Working Directory
A working directory is one that is currently in use. Many applications require that the program reside in the current directory if it is not in the path. The Working Directory prompt enables you to change the working directory to meet the program’s requirements.
This prompt’s primary purpose is for use with applications that use data files (for example, Lotus 1-2-3
®
Excel name the directory that stores the associated data files. For example, if you are installing a word processing program named directory you call hard disk, your working directory prompt could be
, and most word processing programs) so you can
LETTERS and it might store data files under a
DOC under the LETTERS directory on the
®
DOS). You
, Microsoft
n
C:\LETTERS\DOC
Note: If your application does not need or use a data-file working directory, leave the Working Directory prompt absolutely empty; that is, be sure there are no spaces or characters in the prompt field.
Password Required?
In response to the Password required? prompt, select Yes or No by pressing Y or N. If you choose not to use a password, the highlight skips the Password prompt.
Laptop Manager 4-9
Adding Applications to the Menu
Password
If you choose to assign a password, type up to 19 alphanumeric characters (including spaces) for the password you want to use. To protect the secrecy of the password you type, the characters are not displayed; asterisks are displayed. Carefully memorize your password, and record it in a secure place away from where you store or use your computer.
If you change your mind and decide to delete the password (before exiting the Setup menu), press Del until all asterisks are erased.
Caution: Once you assign a password, you have to use it every time you want to run the application to which the password is assigned. This caution is particularly pertinent if you assign a password to the Exit to DOS
c
function (the Exit Password — F10 — key choice on the setup menu). If you forget the password for this func­tion, you cannot get to the Menu screen.
MS-DOS prompt or the Change
Case is important in your password; to be accepted, a password must be typed exactly the way you entered it during setup. For example, if your password is all uppercase letters, you must type it that way to gain access to your program.
Use Color Palette?
If you have used the RPAL utility (see instructions elsewhere in this manual) to create individual color or gray-shades settings for each of your applications and stored them in data files, select Y(es) at the Use color palette? prompt and press ENTER.
4-10 Laptop Manager
n
Adding Applications to the Menu
Then, at the Filename prompt, type the pathname of the palette data file associated with this application, and press
ENTER.
Note: Your UTILS directory has several color palette files
configured as examples for use with individual applications. These files end with the
sample palette for Lotus 1-2-3 3.0 is Lotus3.
install your applications, examine the available palette files.
Power-Savings Level to Use?
.PAL extension (for example, the
PAL). When you
UTILS directory for
n
Note: This prompt does not function if the BATTERY.PRO device driver is omitted from the CONFIG.SYS file.
When operating on battery power, some applications work more efficiently and still conserve battery power at different power-savings levels. If your applications are running satisfactorily at their current power-savings level, choose the Current selection at the Power savings level to use prompt.
After reviewing instructions about power savings elsewhere in this manual, if you determine that a particular power-savings level works best for an application, press the Space Bar to select the level number (1 – 4). Or you can select 0 (zero) to disable the power-savings feature.
Screen Background During Execution
If you want the screen image reversed from the normal black-on-white image, you can select Reverse at this prompt. Select Normal for the standard black-on-white image, or select Current for the image in effect when you enter the program from LM.
Laptop Manager 4-11
Adding Applications to the Menu
CPU Speed During Program Execution?
In response to the CPU speed during program execution? prompt, select the system speed you want to use during program execution by pressing the Space Bar to toggle among High, Low, and Auto. Select Low for optimum battery-charge conservation. Auto uses high speed if the computer is on AC power or medium speed if the computer is on battery power. Your application may specify a processing speed; check your application documentation. If you are running this application on a DX4 model, ensure that EMM386 or other memory managers are not loaded.
Keep Laptop Manager Resident?
If you want to keep LM in memory (resident) while your application is running, select Y in response to the Keep Laptop Manager resident? prompt. You may not want to keep LM resident when executing large programs; it uses approximately 130 KB memory space.
You may want to select Y if you are running an application that does not use the entire memory and if you want to avoid wasting the time needed to reload LM from the disk after running your application. LM uses only 2.5 KBof memory if not resident.
Prompt After Program Execution?
In response to the Prompt after program execution? prompt, select Y if you want LM to display the following prompt when you exit your application program:
Press any key to return to Laptop Manager
If you select N, the LM main menu automatically returns with no prompt when you exit your application.
4-12 Laptop Manager
Adding Applications to the Menu
Exiting the Quick Command Program Setup Menu
When you complete all your Quick Command Program Setup menu selections, press Esc. LM prompts you at the bottom of the screen:
Keep changes? [Y]
Press ENTER, ESC, or Y if you want to keep your changes or additions. Press N if you want to exit the Quick Commands Program Setup menu without keeping the changes you just made. In either case the LM Change Menu returns.
At this point you can either select another Quick Command to program or press Esc to exit the Change Menu. If you made changes and previously elected to keep the changes, LM again prompts you at the bottom of the screen:
Save changes? [Y]
Press ENTER, ESC, or Y if you want to keep your changes or additions. Press N if you want to exit the Change Menu without saving the changes you just made. In either case the LM main menu returns.
Testing Your Menu
At the LM main menu, test your new application setup by pressing the newly assigned function key. Does it load the application program for you? If you get an error message, press F12, F7, and the newly assigned function key again. Check your entries for correctness. Be sure you specified the correct pathname and working directory and that the color palette file exists.
You can add both information display strings and applications to the LM Applications list in the LM main menu.
Laptop Manager 4-13
Adding Items to the Application Menu
The procedure for adding items to the Application menu is the same as described previously for the Quick Command Program Setup menu, except you can use several function keys to insert, delete, modify, or cut and paste an item. On the Applications list, you must also designate whether the item is for display only or is to run an application. Press the Space Bar at the Application Type prompt on the Application Setup menu to select Display Only or Application.
In other respects, the Application Setup menu works the same as the Quick Command Setup menu. You can enter up to 40 characters in response to the Display string prompt. If you need more space to enter a label or title than is available on one Display string prompt line, you can leave the Application Type prompt set to Display only, enter the line of type you want to have displayed, and move down a line at time, inserting lines by pressing F2 (Insert Application) for each line you want to insert.
Adding Items to the Application Menu
n
When finished inserting lines, toggle the Application Type prompt to Application by pressing the Space Bar when you get to the line on which you want to have LM run the application.
Note: If you press when the highlighted item is at the
bottom of the Application List, the Change Menu automatically appears for you to create another entry.
You can continue inserting entries—at the beginning, end, or between existing lines—in your Applications List up to a total of 255 lines. After you insert the seventeenth line,
succeeding lines require you to use PGDN or PGUP (or and ) to view all lines on your list.
4-14 Laptop Manager
Changing LM Menu Colors
Changing LM Menu Colors
Pressing F11 at the LM Change Menu causes LM to display the Screen Color Setup menu where you can change the colors of the LM menus displayed by an external monitor connected to your computer. This menu also affects the gray shades or colors displayed by the
The menu is self-explanatory and also provides a Help display.
LCD.
Laptop Manager 4-15
LM_Setup
This application executes when you press F12 at the Laptop Manager main menu. It allows you to change the current applications list, The Quick Key definitions, or the Screen Colors. Changes made are written to a data file (default is MFILE.DAT). The following table displays selections available from the LM_Setup menu:
Key Name Description
F2 Insert Appl Insert a new application at the
F3 Delete Appl Delete the current application
F4 Modify Appl Change the currently selected
LM_Setup
current cursor location
application
F5 Cut Appl Remove the current application from the list, retaining the
information
F6 Paste Appl Place a previously cut application
in a new location
F7 Modify FKey Modify the data for a function key
F8 Cut FKey Remove FKey data and place in
buffer
F9 Paste FKey Place FKey data in the buffer in
the FKey description
F10 Exit Password Define or change Exit password
F11 Screen Colors Modify current screen colors
F12 Save Save application and FKey
4-16 Laptop Manager
updates
5

Power Saving Utilities

This chapter tells you about
How to get the most work from a battery charge BatteryPro controls for optimum power savings; and
SETPOWER utility that enables you to control
the BatteryPro power levels
SMARTDRV.EXE, a hard disk drive performance
enhancement utility
SPEED, which lets you change CPU operating speed for
optimum performance and battery power savings
Contents
Optimizing Battery Operation.......................................... 5-2
Suspend/Standby Modes ............................................ 5-3
Auto-Suspend Mode.................................................... 5-4
Real-Time Power Savings ............................................5-5
Power-Saving Levels.................................................... 5-5
Configuration Power Savings....................................... 5-7
SETPOWER Utility ........................................................5-10
SMARTDRV.EXE Disk Caching Utility........................... 5-11
SPEED Utility................................................................ 5-12
Show Speed Switch................................................... 5-12
Using the SPEED Utility............................................ 5-12
Power-Saving Utilities 5-1
Optimizing Battery Operation
Your computer has three ways to save battery power:
Manually turning off the LCD and hard disk by
pressing STANDBY or setting up the computer to enter auto-suspend mode
Saving power, in real time, while running your
applications, through user-selected power-saving levels
Specifying hardware and software configurations that
best match your applications and battery-savings performance
The following table summarizes the power saving modes; the sections following describe the modes in more detail.
Optimizing Battery Operation
Power Saving Modes Summary
Foreground/
Background
Activate
Mode
Cover Closed
Suspend Standby Standby Standby No Yes No No 2.0 - 5.0
Auto Suspend
By
Closing
cover
pointing
device & keyboard inactivity
Resume
By
Opening
cover
Activity Yes, after
Tasks
Active?
No No No No 2.0 - 4.2
wakeup timeout for duration of
inactivity
timeout
Service
Interrupts
Yes No,
Backlight
On
except
after wakeup timeout
user-
specified
on/off
HDD/FDD
Accesses
Drives
Yes, has
independent
timer
Power
Used
(watts)
2.5 - 6.0
Typical Operation
Hard disk on 6.0 - 12.0
Hard disk off 5.0 - 11.0
Max. usage, all functions on 20.5
5-2 Power-Saving Utilities
Optimizing Battery Operation
Foreground/
Background
Activate
Mode
Battery Capacity 28.8
By
Resume
By
Tasks
Active?
Service
Interrupts
Backlight
On
Suspend/Standby Modes
The computer has three suspend/standby modes you can select as needed. The three modes, listed in order of power-saving capabilities, are the cover-closed suspend mode, the manual standby mode, and the auto-suspend mode. All three modes are effective in the two Windows operating modes, including the 386-enhanced mode.
HDD/FDD
Accesses
Drives
Power
Used
(watts)
watt-hour
The modes differ in the manner they are enabled and disabled:
Task execution Task interrupt servicing LCD Hard disk and floppy drive accessing
Caution: Using the suspend/standby modes for too long can discharge the battery to the point that it can no longer power both the curs, your computer will not come out of standby mode and you must either recharge your battery or plug in AC power.
LCD and the hard disk. If this oc-
Cover-Closed Suspend Mode
This mode, which you can invoke simply by closing the cover, saves the most battery power. In this mode (if enabled in the Setup Program), the computer suspends all tasks, does not service interrupts, and disables the
Power-Saving Utilities 5-3
LCD,
Optimizing Battery Operation
hard disk, and floppy drive. This mode overrides other standby/suspend modes.
You also can use this mode to transport the computer short distances without turning it off.
The computer instantly resumes normal operation when you open the cover. All operations continue where left off when suspended; however, time-dependent tasks may have lost time, and tasks dependent on device input/output may have lost data that overflowed buffers.
You may want to avoid this mode with tasks that depend on real time, such as scheduling applications with audible or visual reminders and communication tasks that depend on input/output.
Manual Standby Mode
Pressing STANDBY puts the computer into standby mode, which turns off the tasks, and activates the orange light on the PWR indicator. Use this mode when you want to leave the computer for some time and do not want to turn off or reboot the computer.
This mode saves about as much battery power as cover-closed mode.
To resume normal operation, press STANDBY again. The computer displays the data in effect when it entered standby mode and resumes all tasks. This mode also is useful for transporting the computer for short distances.
LCD and both disk drives, suspends all
Auto-Suspend Mode
In this mode the system suspends all tasks and turns off
LCD. The disk drives are controlled by the Hard Disk
the Timeout parameter in Setup, and the system services task interrupts as needed. The PWR indicator turns orange in
5-4 Power-Saving Utilities
Optimizing Battery Operation
this mode. The system remains in auto-suspend mode until activity is detected on a monitored device defined in Setup or until the Auto Wakeup Interval (selected in Setup) expires.
When the Auto Wakeup Interval expires (5 to 20 minutes), the system returns to normal operation for the duration of the selected System Timeout Interval (1 to 15 minutes), at which time the system again enters the auto-suspend mode.
Real-Time Power Savings
Your computer has a special power-saving feature that can activate in real time while you are running your application. This feature is implemented by a special device driver called
BATTERY.PRO in the CONFIG.SYS file:
DEVICE=C:\UTILS\BATTERY.PRO [/Ln] [/Sn] [/MAP]
where:
/Ln specifies the power-savings level (0 through 4) described elsewhere in this chapter. If the /Ln switch is omitted, the default value of 2 is used.
/Sn similar to /Ln but tells the system what to use under Windows when the computer is powered by AC. Mainly for sound software that doesn’t use Application Program Manager (APM).
/MAP moves the extended 640 KB system memory. The upper 1 KB of system memory is mapped to provide a corrective 640 KB of system memory. This
QEMM to enable them to manage the high memory area
as more efficiently. in the
CONFIG.SYS file to effectively use this switch.
switch should be used with applications such
BATTERY.PRO must be the first device driver
BIOS data area within the base
Power-Saving Utilities 5-5
Optimizing Battery Operation
Power-Saving Levels
The power-saving level you should use to optimize battery-charge life depends on the operations you are performing and how the application is written. Use Setup to define power-savings levels.
BatteryPro does not usually conflict with applications. However, some applications may fail or suffer performance degradation. Try your applications at the highest level of savings, and evaluate their performance. If degradation occurs, try the next lower level until performance is satisfactory.
The power-savings levels, 0 through 4, used by the BatteryPro and
SETPOWER utilities are defined as follows:
Level 0 Level 0 (zero) disables the battery power-savings
feature. BatteryPro performs no real-time active power savings. Some programs that run well at more optimal power-savings levels require level 0 for installation.
Level 1 Level 1 conserves battery power when the processor is
idle, for example, when waiting for keyboard activity and device input/output. Level 1 features are also active in levels 2 through 4. Microsoft Excel and Windows perform well using level 1. Operating system enhancement programs such as DESQview also work well at level 1.
Level 1 is the highest level you can use without affecting processor performance using Lotus PrintGraph or serial printer interfaces.
Note: Some application programs such as Lotus
1-2-3 do not use standby mode for keyboard and other device inactivity. You must use a level higher than 1 to conserve battery power during keyboard activity.
Level 2 The factory default, level 2, induces more idle time
5-6 Power-Saving Utilities
between keyboard activations and MS-DOS access. Performance is degraded slightly, but the difference
Optimizing Battery Operation
should be unnoticeable. This level is the optimum compromise between program performance and battery charge life.
Most applications work well at level 2, for example, Lotus 1-2-3 and Microsoft PaintBrush®, Word, and Works. Many programs that work well at level 1 also work well at level 2 (for example, Microsoft Windows).
Level 3 Level 3 induces less idle time in the keyboard and
MS-DOS access areas than level 2 but induces idle time
in hard disk and video input/output. This level saves more power overall with applications that access the hard disk often.
Programs with high disk read/write rates increase battery-power consumption. Level 3 “smooths” disk read/write power consumption over longer access periods, thus reducing peak power needs. Using level 3 (and level 4) permits more frequent disk access while using little more power than standby mode.
Note: Generally, use level 3 only if level 4 is not
acceptable. Try level 4 first. Levels 3 and 4 function identically, with increased power savings at level 4.
Level 4 Combining all techniques used by the lower levels at a
slightly higher value, level 4 produces the highest power savings—from 10 to 30 minutes extra battery life, depending on your application. This level also affects performance more than the other levels, but you do not notice this with most applications.
Note: You can use the Dates or SETPOWER/S utility
to display the current power level of BatteryPro.
Configuration Power Savings
Use the Setup Program to configure the system to best meet your power/performance requirements.
Power-Saving Utilities 5-7
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