Microsoft KB Archive/76783

= README.TXT: General Notes About Hardware =

PSS ID Number: 76783

Article Last Modified on 12/20/2000

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Windows with Multimedia Extensions 1.0

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This article was previously published under Q76783



SUMMARY
The following information is contained in the Windows with Multimedia Extensions version 1.0 README.TXT file. The Setup program copies this file to the Windows with Multimedia Extensions directory.

This information does not apply to later versions of Windows.



MORE INFORMATION
GENERAL NOTES ABOUT HARDWARE

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More than 16 megabytes (MB) of RAM --

If your computer has over 16MB of RAM, you must run the HIMEM.SYS that you received with Windows 3.0, not other XMS drivers.

Using COM Ports for Communications --

If you are running a non-Windows application that uses COM ports for communications, you might lose characters or receive protection violations. If so, include the following setting in your SYSTEM.INI file

COMxProtocol=XOFF

where x is the number for the COM port

For information on this switch and instructions on changing SYSTEM.INI settings, see the on-line document, SYSINI2.TXT.

Using Serial Communications Ports Simultaneously

On some systems, you might have problems simultaneously using the COM1 and COM3 ports or the COM2 and COM4 ports. If so, make sure the [386enh] section of your SYSTEM.INI file contains the following setting:

COMIrqSharing=true

This setting allows simultaneous use of the COM1 and COM3 (or COM2 and COM4) ports on some systems. However, many serial communications adapters do not allow these ports to be used simultaneously, regardless of the setting in your SYSTEM.INI file.

Using the COM3 and COM4 Serial Ports in 386 Enhanced Mode -

Some PC systems with COM3 and COM4 serial communications ports use I/O base port addresses that differ from the default addresses that Windows uses when running in 386 enhanced mode. This difference can cause Windows to deny access to a port that is actually available. To avoid this problem, make sure that all COMxBase= settings in the [386enh] section of the SYSTEM.INI file are set correctly for the serial port adapter(s) you are using. Many adapters use the values COM3Base=3E8h and COM4Base=2E8h instead of the default Windows values. See your hardware documentation for the correct values for your serial port adapter(s).

See the SYSINI2.TXT file for additional information about the communications port settings.

Adaptec Controller Boards -

If you are using an Adaptec controller board, you might need to turn off double-buffering in SMARTDrive. You can do this by adding the /B- switch at the end of the SMARTDrive device line in your CONFIG.SYS file.

The following is an example of such an entry:

device=c:\windows\smartdrv.sys 1024 512 /B-

The All ChargeCard with a 3Com Network ---

If you have problems running the All ChargeCard in standard mode with a 3Com network, remove ALLEMM4.SYS from your CONFIG.SYS file.

Alternately, you can keep ALLEMM4.SYS and start Windows in real mode. To start in real mode, type WIN /r at the DOS prompt and press ENTER.

Apricot Computers -

* If you are running Windows in 386 enhanced mode on Apricot DOS 3.3, you must install a console device driver such as    the ANSI.SYS driver you received with MS-DOS.

Adding an entry like the following to your CONFIG.SYS file will suffice:

device=c:\DOS\ANSI.SYS

Failing to do so might cause CTRL+BREAK keystrokes to terminate the wrong application.

* If you want to run Windows in 386 enhanced mode, you need to install special drivers. You can obtain these from your Apricot distributor.

AST Rampage Boards --

You need to upgrade your AST RAMTYPE.SYS driver if both the following conditions are true:

* You have an IBM PS/2 or micro-channel architecture computer. * Your board is configured for expanded and extended memory.

RAMTYPE drivers before version 1.20 will not coexist with other applications that use extended memory. This makes them incompatible with the HIMEM.SYS, which is required by Windows 3.0.

The Windows Setup procedure removes RAMTYPE.SYS from your CONFIG.SYS file. This might cause error messages to appear when you start your computer, as other drivers that rely on RAMTYPE cannot load. This also means that no application can use the expanded memory on your system. However, with RAMTYPE.SYS removed, Windows 3.0 runs correctly.

If you have a version of RAMTYPE newer than 1.20, or if you upgrade to a newer version, you can include the RAMTYPE command line in your CONFIG.SYS file. If you are installing an upgrade, you can simply copy this entry from CONFIG.OLD made by Setup when you installed Windows.

AT&T 386 computers with Phoenix ROM BIOS

If your AT&T 386 computer has a Phoenix ROM BIOS version 1.10.14 or earlier, you might be unable to run a non-Windows application in a window. (To determine whether your computer uses a Phoenix ROM BIOS and which version, reboot and check the top line on your screen.)

To correct the problem, complete the following steps:

1. Reboot with the AT&T Customer Test disk you received with your computer.

2. Choose the Setup Utility.

3. Make sure these two settings are disabled: Redirect to Com1 Redirect to Com2

4. Follow the instructions to exit and save your changes.

CD-ROM Extensions -

If you are using CD-ROM Extensions, include the following entry in the [386Enh] section of your SYSTEM.INI file:

device=LANMAN10.386

You also need to activate the drive by sending it a command before you start Windows. For example, type the following at the DOS prompt and then start Windows:

dir x:

where x is the drive letter for the CD ROM drive.

Epson Screen Savers ---

Some Epson computers have screen-saver utilities that clear the screen after a specified period of inactivity. With Windows 3.0, the screen saver might detect that the system is idle when it is not. Windows will function properly even though the screen is blank, but nothing will be displayed until you exit Windows and start up again.

See the documentation that you received with your Epson computer for instructions about disabling the screen saver.

For information about ScreenSavers included with the Multimedia extensions, see the HyperGuide section entitled Appearances, in the Control Panel Concepts. The Control Panel is part of the Main Group in HyperGuide.

Everex 386/25 and EMM386.SYS

If you are using an Everex 386/25 with EMM386.SYS, include the following parameters in your CONFIG.SYS file:

device=EMM386.SYS C600-C7FF

Hitachi Amdek Drives

These drives do not work reliably with Windows 3.0. To resolve this problem access the drive before you start Windows by typing the following at the DOS prompt

dir x:

where x: is the drive letter for the Amdek drive

IBM Expanded Memory ---

If you want your 286-based PS/2 computer configured to use expanded memory, you must add the following line to your CONFIG.SYS file:

device=XMA2EMS.SYS

When you ran Setup to install Windows and chose to let Windows modify your CONFIG.SYS, this line was removed. Check the backup, CONFIG.OLD for the exact entry you must add.

See your &quot;IBM DOS Command Reference&quot; for further information on using XMA2EMS.SYS.

Logitech Bus Mouse --

If you have a Logitech bus mouse on your computer, Setup will identify it as a Microsoft or PS/2 mouse. This is correct. The Logitech bus mouse is compatible with the Microsoft mouse driver.

The Logitech serial mouse uses its own driver.

LCD displays

If you use an LCD display, set it for white text on a black background instead of black on white. When you are using Windows, black on white is hard on LCD displays. See the documentation that came with your display for instructions on changing it.

NCR 925 and EMM386.SYS --

If you are using an NCR 925 with EMM386.SYS, include the following parameters in your CONFIG.SYS file:

device=EMM386.SYS E000-EFFF

Plus Hardcard -

To run Windows 3.0 with a Hardcard you must include the following line in your SYSTEM.INI file in the [386Enh] section:

VirtualHDIRQ=off

See the on-line document SYSINI3.TXT for information about the procedure.

It is also a good idea to use SMARTDrive with a Hardcard. See Chapter 4, &quot;Optimizing Your System,&quot; in Introducing Windows with Multimedia for more information on using SMARTDrive.

SCSI Hard Disk Drive using DMA --

If your computer has an SCSI hard disk that uses DMA, you must include the following entry in the [386Enh] section of your SYSTEM.INI file:

VirtualHDIRQ=FALSE

In addition, you must have SMARTDrive installed and you must NOT disable double-buffering by using the /B- option.

Columbia Data Products SCSI ---

To use the Columbia Data Products SCSI hard disk controller with Windows 3.0 in 386 enhanced mode, you must update the Columbia Data Products SCSI software to version 3.35 or higher.

Tandy 2500 XL with ROM DOS ---

The Tandy 2500 XL can be configured to use ROM DOS. If you want to use this feature, after you run Windows Setup, you must run the Tandy setup program (SETUPXL). Modify your configuration so that your AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files are read from drive C.

Toshiba Plasma Display --

Toshiba VGA-compatible plasma displays have built-in protection against overheating. This protection causes the screen to dim whenever more than half of the screen is brightly lit. If this makes your display difficult to use with Windows, change your display colors by using the VCHAD program provided with your Toshiba hardware.

To change the plasma display colors you'll need to copy special files to your Windows directory, modify the Windows desktop colors, and create a special batch file for starting Windows. The procedures are outlined in the following steps.

Copying the Files -

1. Copy VCHAD.EXE into your Windows directory. (The VCHAD program  should be on the Toshiba Diagnostics and Supplemental Disk you   received with the DOS disks for your Toshiba. If not, request it   from Toshiba at 1-800-999-4CSD in the United States. Outside the   U.S., contact your local Toshiba office.)

2. Copy TOSHWIN.VCD from the MOAK CD-ROM into your Windows directory.

Modifying the Windows Desktop Colors

1. Start Windows and from Control Panel, choose the Color icon.

2. Open the Color Scheme drop-down list box and select Fluorescent.

3. Choose the Color Palette button.

4. Make the following color changes to Screen Elements:

Screen Element         Color ---

Window Background      fifth column, fifth color Window Text            bottom right color (white) Application Workspace  last column, second color

See the HyperGuide section, &quot;Appearances,&quot; in the Control Panel Concepts for more information on changing desktop colors. The Control Panel is part of the Main Group in HyperGuide.

5. Choose the Save Scheme button and choose OK to save your changes.

6. Choose OK to close Control Panel.

Creating the Batch File ---

1. Using Windows Notepad (or another text editor), create the following batch file and save it in your Windows directory as  WINPLSMA.BAT.

VCHAD /R:TOSHWIN.VCD WIN VCHAD /C:1

For information about using Notepad, see the description of Notepad in the HyperGuide Accessories Group.

2. Exit Windows and start it again using WINPLSMA.BAT.

Wyse Computers --

If you are using a Wyse computer to run Windows, you might need to modify the device=HIMEM.SYS line in your CONFIG.SYS file to read:

device=[path]HIMEM.SYS /M:WYSE

Using VGA Display Adapters --

* If you use a VGA-compatible display adapter and have difficulties running Windows in 386 enhanced mode, you might need to include the following line in the [386Enh] section of your SYSTEM.INI file:

EMMEXCLUDE=C400-C7FF

This is because some VGA compatible cards use additional memory to enhance the performance of their cards. Manufacturers of these cards include Video 7 and Paradise. Display adapter boards with the main chip(s) manufactured by Tseng Labs, Chips and Technologies, Paradise, and Headland Technologies also function this way.

When Windows is running in 386 enhanced mode and is    configured for VGA, Windows detects most of these cards and automatically excludes the additional memory. However, you must add the line to SYSTEM.INI yourself if:

- You have both an 8514 and a VGA display adapter and configured Windows for the 8514.

- You have an enhanced VGA adapter that Windows does not recognize.

See the SYSINI2.TXT on-line document for the procedure.

* If you have both a VGA display adapter (primary) and an     8514 (secondary), you might have problems switching between full-screen non-Windows applications when running Windows in 386 enhanced mode.

If an application does not display properly, the digital to analog converter (DAC) on your VGA card needs to be    updated. Contact the manufacturer for an upgrade.

In the meantime, if your application has a command to    refresh the screen, you might be able to temporarily correct the display so you can use the application. For example, if your display is a color display, you can type the following at the DOS Prompt and press ENTER:

MODE CO80

See your application's documentation for information about commands that refresh the screen.

Using Self-Configuring Display Adapters ---

Some display adapters can change their configurations to match what an application tries to do. For example, if an application tries to use a VGA display, the adapter could switch from an EGA configuration to VGA. This type of display adapter makes use of non-maskable interrupts (NMIs) to reconfigure itself as you work.

To use this type of display adapter with Windows running in 386 enhanced mode, you must disable the NMI (self-configuring) option. First configure the display adapter for the type of monitor you have, then disable the NMI option. See your hardware documentation for further instructions. KBCategory: kbref kbdisplay

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