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AST RESEARCH TECHNICAL BULLETIN TB-0197 6-26-86
DESQVIEW COMPATIBILITY PROBLEM
DESQVIEW COMPATIBILITY PROBLEM
6 new models of the IBM PC-XT and 2 new models of the IBM PC-AT
were announced by IBM on April 2, 1986:
o PC-XT: New Models # 267, 268, 277, 278, 088, 089
o PC-AT: New Models # 319, 339
These new models offer such enhancements as bigger hard disks,
more system board memory, faster speed operation, and
support for the enhanced personal computer keyboard (101 keys).
SUPPORT FOR THE NEW ENHANCED KEYBOARD BUILT INTO THE NEW ROM BIOS
CHIPS INCLUDED IN ALL 8 OF THE ABOVE MACHINES MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE
TO BOOT DESQVIEW 1.02 AND DESQVIEW 1.10 ON THESE MACHINES WITHOUT
MAKING A MODIFICATION TO THE DESQVIEW SOFTWARE. THIS IS
INDEPENDENT OF WHETHER OR NOT THESE MACHINES ACTUALLY COME WITH
THE ENHANCED KEYBOARD.
Specifically, the new XT and AT models do not recognize the "scan
code" value generated by pressing the ALT key to bring up the
main menu in DESQview 1.02 and 1.10. (The situation is the same
in Quarterdeck's 1.0 and 1.20 versions). This BIOS change has
also affected other PC software such as ProKey, Framework and
SuperKey.
THE SOLUTION: DESQVIEW 1.03 AND DESQVIEW 1.11
There are two new versions of DESQview:
o DESQview 1.03 SixPakPlus, Advantage!
o DESQview 1.11 SixPakPremium, RAMpage, RAMpage AT
(requires
AST EEMS product)
These new DESQview versions are identical to the previous
versions (1.02 and 1.10 respectively) except for the following:
- They run correctly on BOTH old and new XTs and ATs
- They include a Self-Running Demo of DESQview on the
disk. Simply type "DV" before DESQview is actually
installed on the PC system. After installation, "DV"
runs the program, not the demo.
- With AST EEMS cards, version 1.11 of DESQview provides
faster, more reliable performance with FlashPak than
is possible with DESQview 1.10. (FlashPak buyers who have
RAMpage or RAMpage AT will get a coupon in their FlashPak
manual for a free DESQview upgrade from Customer Service,
as well as an upgrade for an updated version of AST's REMM
software [also required] to be included on SuperPak 6.1 in
June).
UPGRADE PROCEDURE FOR BUYERS OF NEW XT'S AND AT'S
Anyone who purchases a new IBM PC-XT or PC-AT who has also
purchased an AST product containing DESQview 1.02 or DESQview
1.10, is entitled to receive a compatible version of DESQview,
free of charge from AST. Here's the procedure:
END USER UPGRADE
1. The end user must send in the following:
o Title Page to his DESQview manual.
This has the DESQview version number on the front and
Table of Contents on the back. (This is NOT the manual
Cover Page).
o His Name and Address.
2. This should be mailed to:
AST Research
Customer Service
2121 Alton Ave.
Irvine, CA 92714-4992
Attn: DESQview Upgrade
HOW TO MODIFY 1.02 AND 1.10 TO RUN ON NEW MACHINES
It is not difficult to modify DESQview 1.02 and 1.10 to run on
the new XT and AT. The user simply needs to boot the DESQview
program on an OLD PC or AT and create a "script" (macro) to
reassign the ALT key to another keystroke, such as the grey "+"
key. He should do this in a DOS window under DESQview, which he
will save as the file "D1-SCRIPT.DVS". Then all he has to do is
make copies of the file, one named DESQVIEW.DVS and another for
each of the programs he'll be using under DESQview -
"LT-SCRIPT.DVS" for Lotus, "D2-SCRIPT.DVS" for dBASEII, and so
on. These should all be stored in the DESQview subdirectory
(\DV) and he's ready to go.