Conference akocoa::decpc_portables

    re: BRSDVP::DEWILDE
    
    >> Grabbing screen via ALT + PRTSCRN doesn't work under Win95 nor NT.
    
    What do you mean by "doesn't work?"  ALT-PRTSCRN captures the current
    active window to the clipboard.
    
    /Bill

    >> What do you mean by "doesn't work?"  ALT-PRTSCRN captures the current
    >>    active window to the clipboard.
       Well, that's what it should do and what it does on other computers, 
    	but on the VP500 th cliboard stays desperately empty!
    
    Key sequence: ALT + Fn + PrtSc
    
    /Patrick.
    

Don't press Fn - that gives you "sys req", whatever that means.

I just tried ALT-prscr on my VP535 and pasted the results into Paint - worked
fine.

				Steve

    > I just tried ALT-prscr on my VP535 and pasted the results into Paint -
    > worked fine.
    
    I already tried that, but no result on VP500, nothing in the cliboard
    viewer and thus nothing can be paste in Paint!
    
    In fact, I tried combinations of all Fn + Alt, Alt, Ctrl, Ctrl + Alt,
    but with no result.
    
    /Patrick.

    Steve,
    
    Why do you mention "sys req"? that's another key on my keyboard!
    
    	VP535  (FR-PB5WG-AE)
    	English UK keyboard
    
    	Windows settings: 	English UK or English USA
    				PC/AT Enhanced keyboard (101/102-Key)
    	My keyboard layout:
    
       +------+-------+------+
       |F10   |	F11   |	F12  |
       |      |       |      |
       |Scroll| Sys Rq| PrtSc|
       |Lock  |       |      |
       +------+-------+------+
    
    Normally to access PrtSc, I should press Fn key + F12, so, to access
    Alt + PrtSc, it should be Alt + Fn + PrtSc.
    
    Anyway, neither do work.
    
    \Patrick.

Hmm - well, my US keyboard looks like this:


	F10     F11    F12    ~     pr scr   home    end
        scroll                `     sys req  pause   break
        lock

The "pr scr" key works as advertised.

I wonder if you have the correct Windows setting for the keyboard you have.
What is the model number from the label on the bottom of the system?

				Steve

    >I wonder if you have the correct Windows setting for the keyboard you
    >have.
    >What is the model number from the label on the bottom of the system?
    
    Model TS30G
    FR-PB5WG-AE
    
    \Patrick
    

Well, that does seem to be right - a UK model.  What do the keys to the
right of F12 have on them?

				Steve

    Here are my keys:
    
    
    F10      F11    F12      |    (see note)       Home    End
    
    Scroll  SysRq   PrtSc    \       ` |           Pause   Break
    lock
    
    
    note: the character there is something like the upper right corner of a
    	  square, I don't know how it is called and can't reproduce it on
          my VT keyboard.
    
    I tried all combinations of those 7 keys without success.
    
    Thanks,
    \Patrick.

I'm out of ideas, then.  Perhaps someone else more familiar with this
variant will be able to comment.

					Steve

    The failure is in the Keyboard BIOS map for the European KB. THe new
    BIOS is under test now and will be released soon. The problem is that
    the KB BIOS is NOT a 'flashable' BIOS. It must be sent to the repair
    center to be replaced.  There are several software solutions to the
    problem that could be used also.
                                                        
    Vin

    re .-1
    
    Thanks for the info Vin,
    - Can you tell us which BIOS version we have to wait for?
    - Do you have an example of a software solution?
    
    	Patrick.

    The new KB BIOS version number is 1.05A for USA and Europe.
    
    Vin

Is there a way to get the new keyboard BIOS installed without shipping the
system to California (from New Hampshire) and paying $500?  Can local 
ServiCenters do it?  One of the problems I see that 1.04 fixes is that using
an external PS/2 mouse can be erratic - something I discovered on a business
trip last month doing a presentation - it was NOT fun!  And here I thought it
might be the mouse...

					Steve

RE: .14

	I'm well aware of the mouse hang... my system's currently out
	at the California service center (grumble!).  I was told that
	the local service centers (including the in-house site!) could
	not service it.  [Pressing a key will unhang the mouse.]

	I'd also like to know what V1.05 fixes relative to V1.04, the
	latter being the one with the mouse-hang fix.

	I've noticed, for example, that when the system goes into
	suspend mode with an external mouse, almost every other time
	that it resumes it "forgets" it has a mouse and uses the
	touchpad instead.

						--Dan S.

    The KB BIOS 1.05 fixes the PRINT SCREEN key for Europeqn systems only.
    The European keyboard uses and FN-F12 combination and this was not
    functioning properly. The new KB BIOS is ONLY needed for the European
    keyboards. US and Japanese are correct. 
    
    KB BIOS 1.04 fixes the External PS/2 mouse under NT and WfWG. The Win95
    driver and system BIOS are enough to keep it in check under Win95. If
    you are using the mouse under NT or WfWG, and it does get stuck, 
    pressing the <Return> key will release it. Get the KB BIOS upgraded if
    you are a non-Win95 user. 
    
    VP550-575 do not have this problem with external mice.
    
    Vin
    

    Thanks again for the info, Vin.
    
    Could you publish here the logistic part number for V1.05A ?
    
    Patrick.